| The Beatles Past Masters Volume 2 |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Day Tripper
2. We Can Work It Out
3. Paperback Writer
4. Rain
5. Lady Madonna
6. The Inner Light
7. Hey Jude
8. Revolution
9. Get Back
10. Don't Let Me Down
11. The Ballad Of John and Yoko
12. Old Brown Shoe
13. Across The Universe
14. Let It Be
15. You Know My Name(Look Up the Number)
| Ranking: #25 for 1988 | |
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1 of 2 thought this review was well written
The Beatles are said to have been the greatest band ever, for many reasons. They have played many styles of music, they have many popular songs and albums, and they are the best selling band in the world. Even in today’s world, their music is still well known and very popular. In fact, Cirque du Soleil just released a show dedicated to the Beatles entitled “Love”. But even in the 1960’s, 1970’s, and even most of the 1980’s, most people didn’t have every song from The Beatles, such as We Can Work It Out, Rain, and Old Brown Shoe. Until 1988, the Beatles catalog wasn’t complete. That year, the catalog was finally completed. Apple released the final two Beatles albums that completed the catalog, “Past Masters Volume 1”, and “Past Masters Volume 2”. Most of the songs on each album were previously released as singles, except for songs such as Across The Universe, and Let It Be, but even they were different from the original recordings of the song. “Past Masters Volume 2” is a compilation of mostly previously released singles by The Beatles from 1965 until 1970. This album has a very nice mix of songs. From the bluesy Day Tripper, to the loud Revolution, to the Indian inspired The Inner Light, “Past Masters Volume 2” shows why The Beatles are truly the best band in the world.
The Beatles are-
John Lennon-Guitar, Vocals
Paul McCartney- Bass, Vocals
George Harrison- Guitar, Vocals
Ringo Starr- Drums, Vocals
“Past Masters” has a lot of fairly famous songs off this album. “Past Masters” starts off with the bluesy but at the same time fast paced Day Tripper. Day Tripper is recognizable because it starts with the famous guitar part, which you will probably recognize on first listen. The story to this song may supposedly be about Paul’s hesitance to try LSD. With a guitar led song, strong lyrics, and a clean drum part, it is a good way to lead off the album. Lady Madonna is another famous Beatles single. It has a nice pop feel, and is lead throughout by the piano part, which was styled off of Fats Domino’s piano playing style. Paul sings the lyrics in that deep voice we recognize through some of the later Beatles pieces that he sings, as he also lies down a nice bass part. Along with Day Tripper and Lady Madonna is probably the most experimental song off this album, Paperback Writer. Paperback Writer’s guitar and bass flow very smoothly together. The lyrics of Paperback Writer is the only weak area of the song, with lyrics such as: “It’s a dirty story of a dirty man and his clinging wife doesn’t understand.” Rain is another song which is like Paperback Writer, as it is another experimental song. Unlike the other three, John sings this song. The bass line in this song is boosted more than other songs on the album. It has a very bluesy but fluid sound, which makes it unique to mostly straight forward pop Beatles bass lines. Many people have said that this is the song that Ringo drums the best on of all the Beatles songs. But probably the most famous song off Past Masters is without a doubt the most popular and famous single the Beatles released: Hey Jude. The seven minute eleven song is an emotional song directed towards John’s only son at the time, Julian. The song is mainly lead by a piano part that is delicate but beautiful at the same time. Another strength is the emotion coming out of Paul’s voice, as well as the heartfelt lyrics he sings.
While “Past Masters” has its share of fairly famous songs, it also has some less known and less commercialized songs. For instance: We Can Work It Out. We Can Work It Out is a mellow song. For only a 2:15 long song, The Beatles took an unusually long 12 hour recording session to work on We Can Work It Out, and it shows. The percussion drives this song, and there is also an accordion in the background. We Can Work It Out is a nice break from the mostly fast paced songs on this album. Another less known song but just as good as the other songs off here is The Inner Light. If you haven’t already picked up from the title, The Inner Light is one of those lesser liked Indian songs that the Beatles do during the Rubber Soul-Sgt. Peppers time frame. The song has a great sitar part, and an interesting horn sounding Indian instrument. The Inner Light shows how diverse the Beatles music was. Another song that captures the great Beatles pop feeling is Old Brown Shoe. This song has an impressive piano part, and the bass part in this is fast paced, just like the song itself. The guitar in this is a notable slide guitar part by George. Old Brown Shoe is one of my favorite songs of the album.
Another interesting side to “Past Masters Volume 2” is that it has different versions of song that were released on actual albums. The one that has been altered the most is Revolution. On The White Album, Revolution is slow and bluesy on “The White Album”, but is loud and fast paced on “Past Masters Volume 2”. Across The Universe is also different in that it has sound effects at the beginning and is a faster version. The version on “Past Masters Volume 2” was used on a charity tape, also. Let It Be is different as well, as it is shorter.
“Past Masters Volume 2” is a great collection of later Beatles singles. It shows the mostly fast paced side that the Fab Four has, while at the same time captures the magic and electricity that The Beatles display. I would recommend this to anybody, even non-Beatles fans, because there are some lesser known songs that they may enjoy. This album is very solid, and is a must have for any Beatles fan. 4.5/5
Recommended Tracks
We Can Work It Out
Rain
Lady Madonna
Old Brown Shoe
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 5
In my opinion, the Beatles most underrated track is Old Brown Shoe, since most Beatles fans have never heard it.
After you assemble your Beatles collection and you are wondering why you still don't have Hey Jude or Lady Madonna, this is the cd to get to fill in the holes.
Good review, it was an enjoyable read and I found myself agreeing, except about the lyrics for paperback writer. It's also worth mentioning that Paperback Writer is their first song that had nothing to do with love at all.This Message Edited On 09.17.06
Digging: Charles Mingus - Cornell 1964 with Eric Dolphy | | |
lady madonna's not on any oither beatles cd? cool revioew, ive never seen this before.
| | | Album Rating: 4
As a stand alone record, it's a bit disjointed. But considering it's function as the singles-supplement to the original catalogue, it's invaluable.
"Inner Light" dominates. It's too bad George always sounds a bit haughty when he does his awesome ragas.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
yeah inner light is one of my favorite songs off past mastersThis Message Edited On 09.17.06
| | | Album Rating: 4
ive always wanted to get into the beatles. where should i start?
You first have to find your flavor. Are a pop junkie, or a dirty hippie?
...no, wait. Screw that. Pick up Revolver. If you dig that, you can branch out.This Message Edited On 09.17.06
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Alright, I'm the resident Alex on this site. Let's get that straight, see?
Anywhooooo.... nice review. Beatles are good.
Digging: Electric Wizard - Dopethrone
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
hahaha no
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to bob my frirst was 1. but by the looks of it revolveer seems like the best place to start.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
You first have to find your flavor. Are a pop junkie, or a dirty hippie?
:lol:
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I thought Nowhere Man was the first song not to have anything to do with love, but you might be right.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
im not exactly sure which song was the first that didnt have anything to do with love
| | | Album Rating: 5
The first was paperback writer. It was recorded as a single before work started on nowhere man for Rubber Soul.
In fact, Paul wrote paperback writer after his Aunt mused that he couldn't write a song that wasn't about love.This Message Edited On 10.07.06
| | | Album Rating: 4
i picked up the "hey jude" EP on vinyl, and as far as i know its unavailable on CD, but this has a lot of the songs from it. the ballad of john and yoko and old brown shoe are both from it and they are also two of my favorite beatles songs. i couldnt believe how amazing that EP was for how little recognition it gets.
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