A time-warped Battle of the Bands has arrived at record stores, but day one of the Beatles vs. Pearl Jam tilt brought no clear winner -- other than retail outlets.
Area stores reported brisk sales yesterday of both "Live at the BBC," the first authorized collection of unreleased Beatles material in 15 years, and "Vitalogy," the latest release from '90s phenomenon Pearl Jam, whose players were not yet born when the lads from Liverpool began performing.
"It's not like the old days when a Beatles album came out, but we've had a lot of interest," said Michael Richman, owner of Recordmasters at The Rotunda.
He recalled the stir in July 1963 caused by "Introducing the Beatles," the band's first U.S. release, when he was working for a now-defunct record store, The Music House, on York Road opposite the Senator Theatre.
"We had records up to here," he said, reaching toward the ceiling, "and fans out the door."
Merchants said it's too early to fairly assess the relative fan clout of the generations-apart rockers.
"Right now the Beatles are doing better, but I would expect that to even out," said Shannon Holt, manager of the record department of Borders Books & Music in Towson. The store had the album playing over loudspeakers, and she quipped, "I feel like I'm at the BBC."
The recording includes music played by the quartet in 52 appearances on England's BBC radio between March 1962 and June 1965. Most of the cuts are covers of songs by other rock and rollers, such as Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.
"We had a decent amount of advance calls for at least a week," said Tony Waddy 3rd, manager of An Die Musik in Towson, where the Beatles album did not arrive until noon yesterday. He said he had taken about 40 reserve phone orders.
At the Record Theatre on Liberty Road in Lochearn, the Beatles were outselling Pearl Jam about two to one, said manager Judy Harris. But Ben Whitehouse, manager of Planet Music at Westview Mall, said "Vitalogy" was selling twice as much as the Beatles' two-CD set.
Some customers bought both.
"In one case it was parents, who bought the Beatles for themselves and Pearl Jam for the kids, I think," said John Witkowski, manager of Blockbuster Music at Glen Burnie Mall.
Planet Music was one of several stores that held a "Midnight Special" sale of the Pearl Jam release. Most of the people buying NTC there at the stroke of midnight Monday bought both albums, said Mr. Whitehouse.
"I think people who are really fans of good rock and roll are going to like both. . . . There's really a strong heritage of song writing on both albums," said Ms. Holt at Borders.
Beth Foley of Bel Air, buying "Live at the BBC" at Sam Goody's at The Gallery in Baltimore, said she considered getting both releases, possibly with "Vitalogy" intended for her son. "Actually, though, I like Pearl Jam, too, which will have to wait for another day."
Not surprisingly, many buyers of the Beatles album were older than those buying the Pearl Jam release, merchants reported.
"It brings back memories," said Margaret Kaelin of Catonsville, a longtime Beatles fan who was buying "Live at the BBC."
But exceptions also abounded.
Linda Hopkins of Federal Hill bought "BBC" at The Gallery as a gift.
"My husband is a big Beatles fan, and has all the albums, and he's just 27," she said.
THE NEW RELEASES
To hear excerpts from Pearl Jam's "Vitalogy," call Sundial at (410) 783-1800. In Anne Arundel County, call 268-7736; in Harford County, 836-5028; in Carroll County, 848-0338. Using a touch-tone phone, punch in the code 6118 after you hear the greeting.
To hear excerpts from The Beatles' "Live at the BBC," punch in the code 6120.