BEATLES: EP "Long Tall Sally"

Original released on EP Parlophone GEP 8913
(UK 1964, June 19)

This was their fifth official EP release, and the first British EP that included songs not previously released on an album or single. "Long Tall Sally" and "I Call Your Name" were recorded in The Beatles first ever Sunday recording session, on 1st March 1964. "Long Tall Sally" was originally recorded in New Orleans by Little Richard and originally entitled, "The Thing". It's second incarnation was as "Bald Headed Sally", and finally it became "Long Tall Sally" when it was re-cut in Los Angeles. It was released on 12th March 1956 and reached number 6 in the U.S. but did better in the U.K. where it entered the chart 8th February 1957 and reached number 3. "I Call Your Name" was written by John and originally given to Billy J. Kramer who released it on the B-side of their No.1 smash "Bad To Me", which was also written by John. "Slow Down" was recorded 1st June 1964 with John on lead vocal. It was written by Larry Williams who also originally recorded it, and released it 24th February 1958 when it was backed by "Dizzy Miss Lizzy". Incredibly this combination failed to chart for Larry on either side of the Atlantic! "Matchbox" is sung by Ringo, and was also recorded on 1st June. It's writer Carl Perkins was present at the sessions, although he did not participate. Carl had originally released "Matchbox" on the legendary Sun label on 11th February 1957, but failed to chart anywhere. The E.P. topped the E.P. chart for 7 weeks, and also entered the singles chart, where it reached number 11. By early 1965 it had sold over a quarter of a million copies in the U.K. and over a million globally. The cover picture was taken by Robert Freeman in October 1963 with the Beatles standing on a wall beside the Stockholm Town Hall.