MP3 Boot Camp: Beatles in Hamburg

Before Beatlemania grabbed hold of Europe followed by America, The Beatles honed their skills in small clubs around the German city of Hamburg in the early ’60s. Blog Stoned has shared a reel-to-reel recording of The Beatles’ Hamburg Days from New Year’s Eve 1962 that previously made the rounds under “The Star Club” name. The quality leaves something to be desired, but it’s worth the free download to hear The Beatles’ formative days.

Here’s six more MP3 bootlegs to keep your iPod hummin’…

• Gov’t Mule: 09/23/1994 SBD [T.U.B.E.]
• Santana: 10/14/1970 SBD [Guitars 101]
• Wilco: Updates to the Wilco Archive [owl&bear]
• Eric Clapton: 07/27/1974 SBD [Viva Les Bootlegs]
• The Byrds: 1964 Demos [Retro Vinyl Cupcake]
• My Morning Jacket: 12/21/2001 FM [Mystic Chords]