Help ! undergoes an amazing transformation in the hands of the cover artists, from a mildly disappointing end to Beatlemania to a full blown rock opera to match the extravagances of Sgt Pepper.
Deep Purple turn this innocent rock classic into a magnum opus (or a magnificent octopus as Baldrick would have it). It gives new meaning to the word heavy and is pretty awe inspiring….
The Night Before - Connie Evingson
… but not as awe inspiring as this transition of an ordinary McCartney tune into a gorgeous Joni Mitchell inspired love song. The opening two tracks take 12 minutes to complete and are quite wonderful.You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away - Eddie Vedder
Eddie can’t quite keep the rock opera thing going but turns in a perfectly decent rendition of this simple number with a good deal of feeling.I Need You - Geoff Gibbons
Sometimes the best covers come from the most ordinary songs and here is a beauty. Geoff coaxes real quality from what was a slightly embarrassing original.Another Girl - Steven King
Ah, the estimable Steven again with his unending catalogue of obscure tracks. Always a good listen and, even if it is elevator music, it is one you wouldn’t mind getting stuck in.You’re Going to Lose That Girl - Bertram Brown
Lovely slow soul cover of this Lennon ditty, which comes out sounding a much more decent tune than might have been expected.Ticket to Ride - The Carpenters
Back to the rock opera, the siblings create a lengthy symphony of love out of this classic number one hit. Great singing, great arrangement, great song.
Act Naturally - Buck Owens
No, I’m afraid I can’t wax lyrical about this one. As with the Beatles For Sale covers a little dated and a little uninteresting.It’s Only Love - Gary U.S. Bonds
Good vocal stylisations from Gary U.S. Bonds comparing pretty well with those of John U.K. Lennon.You Like Me Too Much - Gerard Pansanel
What makes me think Gerard didn’t much like this song ? I’ll tell you. It’s because you can barely recognise it from his crazed playing. Still it’s the best cover I have and, to tell the truth, I didn’t go a bundle for the song either.Tell Me What You See - Teenage Fanclub
I know someone who claims that this is her favourite Beatles’ song. Why would she do that ? Anyway, it is not my favourite Beatles’ song, nor my favourite cover, but on balance this is more rocky and better than the original.I've Just Seen a Face - The Charles River Valley Boys
Another huge slice of country pie from those finger-licking dudes from Massachusetts.Yesterday - The Creams
The most covered song in history but you try to find a good one ! This offering at least has the upside of being unusual, in that the band tries to do it as a typical mid-60s Beatles' rocker. Quite successfully too ! What on earth were the boys doing still covering things like this in 1965 ?