|
| |
|
|
|
I enjoy exploring the beginnings of a band, especially when I’m already familiar with their later work. Why would I find it fun though? Mainly because it allows me to see how a band has grown, or in more appropriate words here, evolved. The Beatles are considered by many, and doubted by few, as the most famous pop (rock too) group in history. They never confined themselves to one particular sound, and loved to experiment, quite noticeably in the middle of their run with albums like Revolver, and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Every band has to start from somewhere however. The only way to truly be great is to start out poor. Not that the first record released by the fab four is poor, but Please Please Me is one of the more basic records to be released by them.
Messing around in the studio, recording full-on orchestral pieces, and taking the time to make everything perfect was the standard for a Beatles album in the mid sixties, but it wasn’t that way at all in 1963. The eight original, and six covered tracks for the debut LP are all straightforward, and fairly simple. This isn’t bad at all, however. Every song is solid, and holds it’s own. In those days, many musical groups were only covering other singers, and musicians; it was in fact rare for musical groups to be writing their own material. It would be expected then that even though they were an original band, The Beatles would still have plenty of cover material. However, the covers aren’t the best parts of Please Please Me, and can even drag the album at times, but are still fun to listen to as well. The highlights of the album instead are the original songs.
“I Saw Her Standing There” expertly opens up Please Please Me with a “1,2,3,4”. A steady guitar line, and deep bass pop up immediately, starting you on a half-hour listen of what proved the beginning of one of the greatest rides the music industry, nay, the world would come to love. “Misery” is the shortest song coming in at 1:50, but is a highlight for me because of the supreme dual vocals of John, and Paul. Their voices go together brilliantly. “Anna (Go To Him) (Cover) has impeccable vocal work from John, with steady drums, and bass filling most of the musical output. “Love Me Do” is one of the more popular songs in the Beatles early days, and rightfully so. A serene harmonica opens the song, and comes back quite a bit. The vocal work is probably the catchiest here than anywhere else on Please Please Me, with rather mellow vocals being contributed by John, Paul, and George. As one of the members of the band once said, “Love Me Do” was the Beatles attempting R&B.
There isn’t anything wrong with Please Please Me. It is a great pop record, but really isn’t much more. It’s rather amazing with how the group advanced in their sound by experimenting when they probably could have gotten away with making the same record over, and over again. They didn’t however, and for that people are still wearing their shirts even though it’s been over thirty-years since their break-up. If you want to find out how the Beatles evolved, and grew as a band then this will be a wonderful buy, with some nice moments to have on the way. But if you aren’t interested in the historical value of Please Please Me, and prefer the older rock and roll style, you might just want to hold off on purchasing this; still good though.
| other reviews of this album |
|
Great review. The earlier Beatle's stuff is really tedious. A very justifying review, Kripes.
| | |
Good review, and my opinion does not differ greatly from AV8RS'. Your review wasn't overtly long, which was nice.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
[quote=Spat]As much as I love the Beatles' later material, I'll always have a special affinity for the albums up to and including Rubber Soul, even if there's some pretty average stuff among it. This album, I must disagree, is one of the best pure-rock n' roll albums ever made- Boys, I Saw Her Standing There, Love Me Do, Please Please Me: all uncomplicated pop songs of the highest order. Nice review, if a little short. And extra paragraph to expand on your point with examples may have improved things but otherwise no complaints.[/quote]Finally! Criticism from someone where I didn't have to drag it out of them. Thanks!
| | |
I don't think I've heard anything from this album, which is sort of a shame. Your reviews just keep on getting better and better.
| | |
As a music fan, I feel almost ashamed that I don't own any Beatles' records.
| | |
You should get 1. It's a very good compilation.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Not really.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Like many people, I probably prefer later beatles work more, but I still like this album.
Good Review.
And yea, "The Beatles 1" is not the greatest beatles compilation, but still pretty good. It's good if you want a brief summary of their career or if you just want their most popular songs on one disc.This Message Edited On 03.16.06
| | |
1 is where most beatles fans get ther start now, but most of the songs have no correlation to each other. you cant say youre a beatles fan unless you have more than just "1". no one has uncovered anything awesome until they have gotten a copy of a record like rubber soul or Sgt. pepper's.
| | |
i registered just to write that.
| | |
The Beatles are an easy band to start with, all of their albums have at least a handful of great songs. Plus they're bigger than Jesus.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I think this is great stuff. It captures The Beatles early on when they were still interpreting the music of their heros and remaking american rock n roll through new ears and new eyes. With Elvis gone, Jerry Lee an outcast, and America turning to Pat Boone and Doris Day once again to top the charts, rock n roll at this time was being treated as a passing fancy and fad, and many were happy to see it diminished. This album was a big part of the beginning of the turn around and saw rock n roll born anew.
So for that and the wonderful energy and vision it brings, it gets four stars from me.
Nice review, btw....This Message Edited On 03.16.06
| | |
This album is good but not the best.they should of written more songs by Lennon/Mccartney. But, evrey song the did from other musicion they did it better. Especioly John lennon,
George Harrison the song that he sings by Goffin/Farrell
George sang it better, and the song Boys by dixon/king I liked it better on Ringo Starr.
My favorite song is Missery and Please Please Me.
anyone wants to tell me what you think?
good luck
Noelmania This Message Edited On 03.16.06
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I think I wrote the first review of this
| | |
| |
