The Beatles available for everyone

The Beatles in August 1966, the month Revolver was released (with disc jockey Jim Stagg). Public domain photo, source. 

I've had trouble finding anybody else  yet who thinks this is a big deal, but I think it's a big deal! If you live in the U.S. and you have a library card for a public library, you can likely listen to any Beatles album or song you like, for free, without advertising.

The reason for this is that most public libraries in the U.S. offer Hoopla Digital, a product accessed via a smartphone app or website that offers streaming movies, TV shows and music albums, along with digital books and comic books. While Hoopla offers many (but not all) classic rock artists, including the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Led Zeppelin and The Who, it did not have The Beatles (although it had solo albums by former Beatles.)

A few days ago, however, Hoopla suddenly announced it had the rights for the Beatles. I immediately checked out Let It Be (Super Deluxe) (57 tracks), Revolver (Super Deluxe) (63 tracks) and Rubber Soul (Super Deluxe) (68 tracks). I didn't listen to any albums, super deluxe or otherwise, I just reveled in being able to listen to songs such as "Drive My Car," "Norwegian Wood," "Rain" and "Nowhere Man" over and over again. 

A couple of posts on this blog of possible interest: "Yellow Submarine bleg,"  (see the comments), "I think I know where the yellow submarine in 'Illuminatus' comes from" and "Why 'Revolver' is the best Beatles album for RAW fans."