Long before a Beatles Christmas meant divisive hissy fits over cover versions in department store TV ads, Fabs fan club members were treated to exclusive season’s greetings from their idols. This well-appointed box comprises the seven specially recorded seven-inch singles mailed to devotees each year between 1963 and ’69, reproduced in their original sleeves and pressed in a rainbow selection of coloured vinyl.

They have never before been available as one package (a few excerpts made it on to the late-90s anthology compilations), and it’s perhaps surprising that the band’s love of Goons-style humour survives throughout, although by ’69 they’re no longer huddled round one microphone delivering a joint message. Yoko Ono shoehorns her way onto the last disc, interviewing John about his favourite festive food (“corn flakes prepared by Parisienne hands, blessed by a Hare Krishna mantra”).

Read more: http://teamrock.com/review/2017-12-27/the-beatles-the-christmas-records-album-review