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Some day Robert and Richard will devote a show to their favorite covers of songs written BY the Beatles, but in this 90-minute episode, they run down some of their favorite songs written by other artists that they recorded or performed; where recordings exist. Songs include material that originated with Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Little Willie John, Larry Williams, Carl Perkins, The Miracles, Mikas Theodorakis…and The Donays!
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I am totally buying the StarClub bootleg soon. It’s amazing how many bootlegs there are. So glad you know the nitty & gritty of them.
I am totally buying the StarClub bootleg soon. It’s amazing how many bootlegs there are. So glad you know the nitty & gritty of them.
Great choices guys. “Please Mister Postman,” “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” Devil in her Heart” help make With the Beatles one of their best—after only The White Album and Revolver–,and probably the album of theirs I listen to most. It’s really the “amphetamine years” that do it for me these days. “Glad All Over” is a desert island George performance. Speaking of George, I’m surprised that in reviewing Buddy Holly tracks the Beatles covered you didn’t mention “Crying, Waiting, Hoping.” The BBC recording is wonderful. I’m also surprised that you both like “Kansas City” (I wish they put on “Leave My Kitten Alone” instead). And not a word about Ringo’s “Act Naturally”? It seems critical moment in the development of what is basically his vocal persona.
James,
We discussed – and played – Crying Waiting Hoping at around 44 minutes in.
Great choices guys. “Please Mister Postman,” “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” Devil in her Heart” help make With the Beatles one of their best—after only The White Album and Revolver–,and probably the album of theirs I listen to most. It’s really the “amphetamine years” that do it for me these days. “Glad All Over” is a desert island George performance. Speaking of George, I’m surprised that in reviewing Buddy Holly tracks the Beatles covered you didn’t mention “Crying, Waiting, Hoping.” The BBC recording is wonderful. I’m also surprised that you both like “Kansas City” (I wish they put on “Leave My Kitten Alone” instead). And not a word about Ringo’s “Act Naturally”? It seems critical moment in the development of what is basically his vocal persona.
James,
We discussed – and played – Crying Waiting Hoping at around 44 minutes in.
Maybe you guys might consider the Bizzaro-World twin to this subject: Cheesy “cash-in” LPs from the 60s, like The Buggs, The Manchesters, The Grasshoppers, Billy Pepper & The Pepperpots, etc. Or are ya chicken? Buk-BAWK!!!! 😉
Lou Reed can allegedly be seen masquerading as a “Beatle” on the cover of “Beats!!! The Merseyside Sound!” the Pickwick records Beatle ripoff that may also have been recycled as Billy Pepper and the Pepperpots. Lou toiled as a songwriter and performer at Pickwick before going on to found the Velvet Underground. He can be heard very clearly on such masterpieces as “The Ostrich” by the Primitives and “Cycle Annie” by the Beachnuts. While he is said to appear on the cover of “Beats!!!” (to be honest, it’s rather hard to tell which of these four generic “Merseybeat” types might be Uncle Lou) there is no evidence of his presence in the actual grooves…
Maybe you guys might consider the Bizzaro-World twin to this subject: Cheesy “cash-in” LPs from the 60s, like The Buggs, The Manchesters, The Grasshoppers, Billy Pepper & The Pepperpots, etc. Or are ya chicken? Buk-BAWK!!!! 😉
Lou Reed can allegedly be seen masquerading as a “Beatle” on the cover of “Beats!!! The Merseyside Sound!” the Pickwick records Beatle ripoff that may also have been recycled as Billy Pepper and the Pepperpots. Lou toiled as a songwriter and performer at Pickwick before going on to found the Velvet Underground. He can be heard very clearly on such masterpieces as “The Ostrich” by the Primitives and “Cycle Annie” by the Beachnuts. While he is said to appear on the cover of “Beats!!!” (to be honest, it’s rather hard to tell which of these four generic “Merseybeat” types might be Uncle Lou) there is no evidence of his presence in the actual grooves…
Twist and Shout studio version is Lennon’s best vocal in his whole career!
Twist and Shout studio version is Lennon’s best vocal in his whole career!
Did I just miss it, or was “Act Naturally” left out of the discussion? I really like George’s guitar and Paul’s high harmony.
Did I just miss it, or was “Act Naturally” left out of the discussion? I really like George’s guitar and Paul’s high harmony.
On your assertion that The Beatles matched or bettered the original version of their covers falls down flat on Crying, Waiting, Hoping. Buddy Holly’s song is so much better, albeit fleshed out after his death.
Also, as for Leave My Kitten Alone and Roll Over Beethoven, these were done so much better by The Sonics, who gave these songs much more gusto. On the latter, compare George vocals to Larry Parypa’s of The Sonics. No comparison.
On your assertion that The Beatles matched or bettered the original version of their covers falls down flat on Crying, Waiting, Hoping. Buddy Holly’s song is so much better, albeit fleshed out after his death.
Also, as for Leave My Kitten Alone and Roll Over Beethoven, these were done so much better by The Sonics, who gave these songs much more gusto. On the latter, compare George vocals to Larry Parypa’s of The Sonics. No comparison.
I do understand Richard’s comment about the studio “Twist & Shout” being overplayed…it doesn’t detract from my admiration for Lennon’s shredding performance, but it is also true that I’m probably not going to hear anything new in that studio performance…
One personal favorite that I think was omitted is “Shout” from the “Around The Beatles” special – wonderful group dynamics, great version. Anyone know why the last 30 seconds were cut from the recording for Anthology?
Oops – Robert, not Richard…
I do understand Richard’s comment about the studio “Twist & Shout” being overplayed…it doesn’t detract from my admiration for Lennon’s shredding performance, but it is also true that I’m probably not going to hear anything new in that studio performance…
One personal favorite that I think was omitted is “Shout” from the “Around The Beatles” special – wonderful group dynamics, great version. Anyone know why the last 30 seconds were cut from the recording for Anthology?
Oops – Robert, not Richard…
Not my fave Beatles topic but an interesting show. I think especially with second generation fans and onward the “covers” (other than “Twist and Shout” which 30 years ago was a hit single again thanks to Ferris Bueller) sound and seem a lot more dated and not as memorable. Millenials are not buying vinyl copies of “With the Beatles” to hear “Please Mr. Postman” or “Roll Over Beethoven”, they are buying Abbey Road on vinyl in droves to hear “Come Together”, “Here Comes The Sun”, and the medleys. I love some of the covers but I feel they are the most time stamped and dated of the Beatles group material.
Not my fave Beatles topic but an interesting show. I think especially with second generation fans and onward the “covers” (other than “Twist and Shout” which 30 years ago was a hit single again thanks to Ferris Bueller) sound and seem a lot more dated and not as memorable. Millenials are not buying vinyl copies of “With the Beatles” to hear “Please Mr. Postman” or “Roll Over Beethoven”, they are buying Abbey Road on vinyl in droves to hear “Come Together”, “Here Comes The Sun”, and the medleys. I love some of the covers but I feel they are the most time stamped and dated of the Beatles group material.
Gotta agree with Richard – I LOVE Paul’s vocals on Kansas City. It is totally underrated. The musicality and sense of pitch in that voice is just amazing. I love both the live performances and the “heavy smoker” sound on Beatles for Sale.
Gotta agree with Richard – I LOVE Paul’s vocals on Kansas City. It is totally underrated. The musicality and sense of pitch in that voice is just amazing. I love both the live performances and the “heavy smoker” sound on Beatles for Sale.