REMASTERS VOL 1

THE BIG LIST

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the shower ! In a rare display of generosity EMI released all the Beatles' songs not otherwise on CD on two compilations. Therefore, our quest is not yet finished.

Love Me Do – The Chipmunks

Love Me Do was of course on the Please Please Me album. The Love Me Do which appeared on Past Masters was the original UK single, which is slightly slower and has a very slightly different harmonica part. It is true to say that I do not really have a cover of this version, but rather than just repeat the Sandie Shaw track I have chosen another rendition. It claims to be sung by rodents but is in fact sung by some men with a slowed down tape recorder.

From Me To You - Connie Evingson

There are two types of Connie cover - one where she sings the tune and the other where she doesn't. This is the second type but her tune is nice enough and there's a sort of vague echo of the original notes in there somewhere.

Thank You Girl – The Surphonics

The thought of this tune done in surfing style was a mouth watering prospect. However, it will have to remain a mouth watering prospect because The Surphonics don’t appear to know how to play surf music. Still, one must be thankful for small mercies – as far as I can see no-one else has covered the song at all.

She Loves You - The Joneses

Have you ever wondered what She Loves You would have sounded like done in a mid 1970s soft soul / disco style ? You haven't, have you ? You really have to start thinking more outside the box.

I'll Get You - The Inmates

This twee B-side was not an obvious choice for The Inmates and their project to make The Beatles sound like The Stones. But they strip the song of its harmonies and it ends up sounding almost hard rock. Good effort !

I Want to Hold Your Hand - Lakeside

Smoochy soul rendition of this early classic. As far removed from the original as it's possible to get, but perfectly listenable for all that.

This Girl - Shirley Abicair

I don't know much about Shirley Abicair but she turns out a decent cover of this great early B-side. Very similar arrangement to the original except for the sex change.

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand - The Punkles

Ach du leibe zeit, meine Freunden, eine coveren von deise hitty topper Deutsch. Unfortunately meine Deutsch ist kaput so ich konne nicht diese rendition describen. Entschuldegung.

Sie Leibt Dich - The Trimatics

You see, I only did German for a year and then gave it up for Chemistry (what sort of a choice is that ?). I therefore do not have the words to describe these translated covers. I can, however, still say "the sun shines in a cloudless sky" in German though this is of surprisingly little use in a conversation.

Long Tall Sally - Little Richard

Another chunk of old rock (possible pun).

I Call Your Name - Mo Indigo

Mo slows this right down and blues it right up to create a wholly new feel for the song. Slow Mo ! Hey, that's another possible pun !

Slow Down - Larry Williams

We now come to two of my least favourite Beatles' numbers. I don't like the originals either. This is probably a failing in me but early rock and roll never appealed to me.

Matchbox - Carl Perkins

Ditto I'm afraid.

I Feel Fine - Frank Soda

This was pretty top drawer stuff from Lennon and Frank does it justice with a lively rocking performance stuffed full of drums and guitars.

She's A Woman - The Charles River Valley Boys

You will by now, if you have been paying close attention, have realised that I have a huge admiration for this group. They do this as an instrumental, which is a good idea as it by-passes the rubbish lyrics.They also do it at a hundred miles an hour and play it quite superbly.

Bad Boy - Larry Williams

I actually like this old classic a bit more than most of them, though I prefer the Beatles' version to this one.

Yes It Is - Scott McCarl

Scott was the lead singer with The Raspberrries, whose only contribution to music history was a great one - the song Overnight Sensation. This is not nearly as great as that, being a very accurate copy of the original, but fair play to him for being responsible for Overnight Sensation anyway.

I'm Down - Fred James

Fred does this in an authentic blues style and it sounds pretty good. But just as it is getting going, it fades out ! I wonder why ?

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