Fab Four's Frugal Formation! (Please Please Me - The Beatles)

Member Name: DanielKemp

Product:	Please Please Me - The Beatles
Date:	06/11/09 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some excellent cover songs. Lennon's vocals stand out!

Disadvantages: A mixed bag, really. The originals aren't quite up to the standard of the covers.

The Beatles - Please Please Me (1963)

Producer: George Martin

I Saw Her Standing There
Misery
Anna (Go to Him)
Chains
Boys
Ask Me Why
Please Please Me
Love Me Do
P.S. I Love You
Baby It's You
Do You Want to Know a Secret
A Taste of Honey
There's a Place
Twist and Shout

The question I am constantly faced with when reviewing The Beatles' back catalogue is the same problem which has dogged many a music critic over the years - just where exactly do you start talking about The Beatles? Unlike some critics in the Web Reviewing Community, I will do my very best to evaluate their albums as fairly as possible. I am not of the persuasion that The Beatles are the greatest band to have ever existed and neither will I be forcing this opinion upon you out of some sick, predetermined obligation, which I feel I have to fulfil to earn the respect of any 'true' music fans. However, I do care enough about their music and undeniably consistent 'peak' period to review all of their records.

Released in 1963, Please Please Me is the debut album by The Beatles. The format of the record will be familiar to any fans of music from the 1960s, where it was commonplace to predominately feature cover versions of other artists' material. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the number of Lennon/McCartney originals just outweighs the number of covers. At this early stage of their career I am still undecided on whether or not the originals are superior to their choice of covers. However, if pushed, I would opt for their selection of covers, which often indicate a far more mature side of the band than their somewhat throwaway early originals do.

The opening I Saw Her Standing There is your average rock 'n' roll ditty of the era, senseless electric guitar breaks included. It is music to which your parents did the twist. "Well we danced through the night and we held each other tight," illustrates just how deep The Beatles get on their debut, no doubt also alluding to the listeners' reaction to this average addition to the album, as they comfort each other from the song's blatant lack of appeal. Oh, you say it was a hit with fans? I really could not care less. It is a detestable thing. Second track, Misery, proves that less is more. Lasting no longer than two minutes, Misery carries far more pizzazz and flavour than its cheerless name may signify.

The first cover we are treated to is of Arthur Alexander's Anna (Go to Him). The best cover on the record, Anna sees Lennon stamping his trademark vocals all over this slow-to-mid-tempo ballad, in one of the best cuts available on Please Please Me (rumour has it that a bad cold saw Lennon singing these songs in an unintentionally rasping manner, best seen on the closing Twist and Shout). The descending guitar riffs, which sustain the verses, carry and release you with each heartbroken plea from Lennon, "Anna, just one more thing girl, you give back your ring to me and I will set you free. Go with him!" I'd be hard pushed to call it better than the superb original but it's certainly not any worse.

Ringo Starr makes his lead vocal debut on Boys. Soon to become an obligatory addition to any Beatles' album, Ringo's lone vocal performance is a breath of fresh air. "My girl says when I kiss her lips," boasts Starr, "(she) gets a thrill through her fingertips!" Ringo's enthusiasm for his moment of fame sees a mid-song prompt to George Harrison to deliver a fine section of guitar work. I'm feeling it.

The best original song on the album is Love Me Do, which kicks off the second side of Please Please Me in a mammoth way. The song's strengths lay within the elegant vocal harmonies which Lennon & McCartney are able to achieve. I also feel that the hearty workout on the harmonica - which could easily give a peak-period Dylan a run for his money - is definitely worth a mention. Continuing with such themes of affection is P.S. I Love You. Unfortunately, it is a right old stinker. It's simply too sugary and sweet for its own good, although the pleasing vocal harmonies are present and correct.

The Burt Bacharach, Hal David and Barney Williams' composition, Baby It's You, is easily as exciting as Anna from side one. The pace is brought down to a slow waltz to match the song's lyrics, which are a mournful and languid wrestling against one of the greater emotions - Jealousy. Again, Lennon steals the show, his vocals surpassing everything else on the album.

Towards the end the album loses its way. There are an equal number of covers to originals, none of which particularly stand out. The single exception, of course, is the Beatles' take on Twist and Shout. A guttural and lively rocker, Lennon veers from impassionate harmonies to simply barking his way through each verse. Have a Lemsip and settle down, John Lennon.

A mixed bag at times but nonetheless a fine debut effort, Please Please Me details the beginning of The Beatles' legendary recording career. I needn't tell you that subsequent albums would soon eclipse what is achieved here. Yet, in the stream of time, it is a fine document of the band's modest first phase.

6.5/10

Daniel Kemp

Read more reviews at www.danielkempreviews.co.uk

Summary: The Beatles' debut album and the start of their legendary career...