The Sound of the Sixties. (Please Please Me - The Beatles)

Member Name: daseaford

Product:	Please Please Me - The Beatles
Date:	14/04/01 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some Classic Tracks.

Disadvantages: None

I remember this album being released as if it was only yesterday. Well that might be a slight exaggeration, but it certainly does not seem like 38 years ago.

The Beatles were a fantastic phenomenon and took the early 1960’s music scene by storm. Although there were other great bands around at that time like The Rolling Stones and The Hollies, it was The Beatles that totally dominated the whole of the music sound of the time.

This was their first album to be released and it was obvious at the time that it would be a terrific success, and of course it was. Included on the album is their first number one single hit which was Please, Please Me. There are also many other great hits, many which are still being played to this day.

In my mind some of the best tracks are those written by Lennon and McCartney. It is strange that on the album cover the credits are written as McCartney-Lennon and I must find out when the order was reversed as certainly all the later work is credited with John Lennon’s name first.

If you have ever enjoyed any of The Beatles music then you really must listen to this album and if you do not have it in your collection then I understand that you can still buy it on one of the new things, which I think are called a CD’s. If you can get hold of a vinyl copy then listen to that as there is an extra depth to the sound (or is that just the scratches?)

There are 14 tracks on the album:

I Saw Her Standing There.
This lively track starts the album in the real sound of The Beatles at that time. The lyrics are catchy and easily memorable, with a sing-along chorus that is repeated very often. There are plenty of chances to hear the guitar skills of the lads and Ringo’s drum playing is significant throughout the whole song.

Misery.
This track includes a piano which was quite a radical move for pop groups in the ‘60’s. Quite a good track, but one that is o
ften forgotten.

Anna (Go To Him).
I don’t particularly like this slow track. It seems that they are trying to put the Beatles sound onto somebody’s else music and it doesn’t quite work right.

Chains.
The harmonica playing on this track seems to give a slight country feel to this track. I get the feeling that there is also some influence from Elvis in this music. The Beatles always said that they were not influenced by American music, but as Elvis was so popular it is difficult to think that he did not have some effect on their music. I do like this track and at the time it was a very popular dance track.

Boys.
This is rock ‘n roll. The Beatles always seemed to enjoy breaking into some traditional rock music and this is one of the best they did. This track is unusual in that Ringo Starr takes the lead vocal and although on some later recordings he was not the greatest singer, on this track I think he sounds pretty good.

Ask Me Why.
This gives the group the chance to really show the power of their singing voices and how they harmonised so well. A slightly slower song that has a very good sound to it.

Please Please Me.
I wonder just how many times this song must have been played. You only have to hear the first few notes to recognise this track. This is The Beatles at their best. The instrument playing and singing show just talented the boys were and how radical this sound was for this era. It is no surprise that this was their first Number One.

Love Me Do.
I just love the harmonica playing on this track. Paul’s voice sounds really deep and it gives an extra depth to the song. This is a real foot tapping song. The are so few words in this song that after hearing it once everyone can sing along, which I assume was the intention when they wrote it. This was the first record that The Beatles released and leapt straight into the hit parade, which was almost unheard
of for a debut single.

P.S. I Love You.
Although this is quite a catchy little number it is not a great track

Baby It’s You.
A slower love song, this gives the boys a chance to show that they are not just rock and roll singers, but can sing a slower song if they want.

Do You Want To Know A Secret.
This is a very corny song, with many Doo-Daa-Doo chorus lines in it, but it has a certain magic that makes you wander around after hearing it and keep singing it. This song is George Harrison’s chance to show his vocal talent and although I do like the song I think George is a better guitar player than a singer.

A Taste Of Honey.
I really do like this track, but it really does not seem like a Beatles song at all. I would expect to hear this sort of music on a spaghetti western movie, but it is still very good.

There’s A Place.
Another dancing track. This certainly would have got everybody leaping around and really enjoying this song. Again some very simple lyrics, with a very catchy chorus.

Twist And Shout.
Lennon and McCartney are often given the credit for writing this track, but it was not their work. This was the song that got everybody dancing “The Twist”. If you go to any wedding reception, after a few drinks there will always be somebody trying to do “The Twist”. What a lot we have to thank The Beatles for.

If you were around when this album was released, then when you listen to it you will recall memories of listening to Radio Luxembourg under the bedclothes, late at night.

You may even have been brave enough to ask if you could grow your hair as long as The Beatles, I certainly remember our school Headmaster telling us all that if anybody came to school with their hair over their ears they would be sent straight back home!

Oh, memories. Take a trip down memory lane and listen to this great album.

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