Back in 2010, the year it came out, I purchased Come and Get It: The Best of Apple Records. The CD was “the first commercially issued multi-artist compilation in the label’s history.” It didn’t cost the nearly $40 it’s now going for presently on Amazon, though you can get the MP3 for $9.50.
It’s a fun 21-track compilation of singles from 1968 to 1972, though not truly the “best of Apple.” For one thing, there are no Beatles songs, nor any of their solo material. Still, the Fab Four are well represented, often as songwriters and/or producers.
Those Were The Days / Mary Hopkin (1968, produced by Paul), or HERE. The debut 45 by Mary Hopkin was a huge hit, UK No. 1 for six weeks, #2 for 3 weeks in the US. I remember I purchased this 45 because, subsequently, I realized that I had THREE songs called Those Were the Days in my record collection, by Hopkin, Cream (the B-side of White Room), and the theme to the television show All in the Family.
Carolina In My Mind / James Taylor (1968, Paul on bass; George on backing vocals), from this eponymous debut album, a US single which hit #115 in 1969, then #67 in its 1970 re-release. This sounds quite different to me than his re-recording for Warner Brothers, which I have on his first greatest hits album.
Maybe Tomorrow / The Iveys (1968)
Brought to Apple by then-Beatles roadie Mal Evans. #67 in the US, but a hit in Holland; the band soon changed its name to Badfinger.
Thingumybob / The Black Dyke Mills Band (1968, credited to Lennon/McCartney, written and produced by Paul)
Paul’s theme tune for a 1968 British TV comedy-drama series.
King Of Fuh / Brute Force (1969)
This single by New York songwriter was championed by John and George, but “the Fuh king” was therefore banned back in 1969, as one would expect.
Sour Milk Sea / Jackie Lomax (1968, written and produced by George; Paul and Ringo provide rhythm )
Eric Clapton plays lead guitar. I have the LP with this song.
Goodbye / Mary Hopkin (1969, credited to Lennon/McCartney, written and produced by Paul)
Paul on thigh-slapping percussion. On some CD, I have Paul’s demo
That’s The Way God Planned It / Billy Preston (1969, produced by George, also guitar)
Reaching No. 11 in the UK, but only #62 in the US. Keith Richards on bass, Ginger Baker on drums, and Eric Clapton on lead guitar. I remember first hearing the album – this is the title song – in the room of my friend Steve in Poughkeepsie in 1971. I went home and bought it on vinyl, where it got well worn. When I purchased The Best of Apple, I also bought the That’s The Way God Planned It CD.
New Day / Jackie Lomax (1969)
An original non-album Lomax single co-produced with Mal Evans.
Golden Slumbers-Carry That Weight / Trash (1969, written by Lennon-McCartney)
Two songs from The Beatles’ Abbey Road, recorded by this Scottish group
Give Peace A Chance / Hot Chocolate Band (1969, written by John; originally credited to Lennon/McCartney, but since changed)
This completely re-worded British reggae version of John Lennon’s peace anthem
More in the near future.
Mr. Force, the name notwithstanding, is a cheerful, pleasant fellow; he worked with the Tokens for a time, wrote a Chiffons hit (“Nobody Knows What’s Going On In My Mind But Me” (#49, 1965), and once left me a blog comment.
I am one of those throwbacks who thinks almost any Mary Hopkin single is preferable to “Those Were The Days.”