Venezuelan LP Releases

Identification and Price Guide

Rainbow Odeon Label

Venezuela would have to wait until the end of 1963 before they could hear an album of Beatles songs. When the Beatles released that first LP through Odeon, the label was using a colorful "rainbow" design, a popular backdrop that remained through the end of 1965. These early albums were released in mono only.

NOTE 1: The Surfing LP is a unique compilation, featuring... Side 1, "Can't Buy Me Love"; "You Can't Do That"; "Ask Me Why"; "A Taste of Honey"; "Do You Want to Know a Secret"; "Please, Please Me"; Side 2, "I Want to Hold Your Hand"; "She Loves You"; "I'll Get You"; "Thank You Girl"; "From Me to You"; and "Twist and Shout."

NOTE 2: The Hits LP is a unique compilation, containing... Side 1, "Chains"; "Things We Said Today"; "Any Time at All"; "When I Get Home"; Please, Please Me"; "Slow Down"; Side 2, "Tell Me Why"; "Misery"; "Boys"; "There's a Place"; "Anna"; "I Wanna Be Your Man"; and "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand."

NOTE 3: The '65 LP is also unique, featuring... Side 1, "She's a Woman"; "I'll be Back"; "I'm a Loser"; "Rock and Roll Music"; "Baby's in Black"; "What You're Doing"; Side 2, "Honey, Don't"; "Mr. Moonlight"; "No Reply"; "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party"; "Kansas City"; and "Everybody's Trying to be My Baby."

Transition Odeon Labels

In early 1966, Odeon was in transition. They were in the process of deciding on a new label style and were introducing stereo albums. This transitory label was all white, with red and blue print.

NOTE: The earlier albums were not reissued onto this style.

In 1966, Venezuelan Odeon switched to a new numbering scheme, with different label colors for mono and stereo. The following year, the EMI would change Venezuela to the Parlophone label.

NOTE: The earlier albums were not reissued onto this style.

Red or Black Parlophone with Yellow Logo

In 1967, the move to Parlophone left Venezuelan EMI with the task of reissuing earlier albums onto the new label. A black-and-yellow label was used for mono pressings while a red-and-yellow label was used for stereo albums. Later mono albums on this style (1968) were on the red-and-yellow label. In addition, certain earlier LP's have been found on this label style.

NOTE: The first pressing of the Sgt. Pepper album has a single-pocket cover.

Red Parlophone with Black "Parlophone" and White Logo

After mono albums were removed from the general catalog, Venezuelan Parlphone replaced the yellow logo with a black one. This did not last long, however, for a change back to Odeon was forthcoming.

NOTE: The White Album was also reissued onto the red/yellow Parlophone style, shown earlier, with prefix SLMTP. That issue no longer features numbered, embossed covers.

Yellow EMI Label

In 1969, as the Beatles switched to the Apple label worldwide, Venezuelan albums remained on EMI. For a little over a year, all releases were on the yellow and black Odeon label. In 1970, most of the American catalog was issued in Venezuela on this label.

NOTE: Rubber Soul was reissued in 1970 as SOLP-7105; A Hard Day's Night was reissued in 1970 as SOLP-7109; Revolver was reissued in 1970 as SOLP-7115.

Red EMI Label

Probably in 1971, the Odeon label changed to red in color, with black and white print. This LP lasted well into the '70's (1980?) before being replaced by a yellow EMI label that does not read "Odeon".

NOTE: The entire catalog was reissued onto the red label and is generally not collected.

Non-EMI Releases

Before the Beatles became popular worldwide, Tony Sheridan released his My Bonnie LP on the (orange) Polydor label. That album was released in Venezuela in 1962 (LPHM 46612).

In 1967, the Beatles First album was issued in many countries worldwide, containing the eight selections that the Beatles had recorded for Polydor with Tony Sheridan. In Venezuela, the album was released on the obscure Circulo Musical (Music Circle) label.

NOTE: As is the case with the German record, the artist on the My Bonnie LP is shown as "Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers."

A Word About Condition

The condition of a record is all-important as to determining its value. The values shown are drastically reduced for lesser condition copies, as shown below:

Near Mint, or NM, condition records are unscratched. If the label has stickers or tape, this must be noted. Essentially, they look like they just came from the store.

Very Good Plus, or VG+, condition records will have very few scratches. Without close inspection, they might pass for Near Mint copies. A VG+ record normally sells for half what a NM copy goes for. In Europe, this condition is known as Excellent, EX.

Very Good, or VG, condition records have a fair amount of scratches, but they by no means appear "beat up". A VG condition record normally sells for one fourth of the NM price. In Europe, this condition is known as Very Good Plus.

Very Good Minus, or VG-, condition records are starting to appear quite scratched. Still, when played, they play through, although the surface noise is becoming distracting. Many singles are commonly found in this condition. A VG- condition record normally sells for one sixth of the NM price. In Europe, this condition is known as Very Good.

Good, or G, condition records look scratched--basically all over, but they'll play through well enough to enjoy the song. A G condition record sells for one tenth of the NM price. [Some dealers also use a grade of G+, which sells for one eighth of the NM price.]

Fair, or fr, condition records are generally worthless unless the record is rare. They're scratched up and have distracting surface noise, but they're not completely ruined. No chips missing, and not cracked. They sell for one twentieth of the NM price or less.

Poor, or pr, condition records are basically ruined. They may be warped, cracked, chipped, or otherwise unsuitable for collecting. Most collectors only accept poor condition copies of something really rare until a better one comes along. They're virtually worthless.

This page © 2006 Frank Daniels