SGT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND REPRISE

THE BIG LIST

Well, it’s the big one. Can the cover artists live up to the challenge of Pepper ? Basically, the answer is a resounding sort of. The album has spawned 5 UK and US number one cover hits, and most of the tunes are handled well enough. (Am I alone by the way in realising that Sgt Pepper was based on Col Mustard, the Cluedo suspect, that the previous album named the murder weapon, and that the next album named another suspect - Mrs White, the cook ?)

Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - Kickshaw

I really prefer The Inmates’ version of this, but it goes straight into Birthday, which is as much use as a chocolate teapot in the present context. Kickshaw do another of those occapella things - pretty good but no cigar.

With A Little Help From my Friends - Wet Wet Wet

This is undoubtedly the best ever Beatles’ track if cover versions are anything to go by. It has been a UK number 1 a staggering three times for different artists, and for good measure has reached the top ten on another occasion. The number ones were by Joe Cocker, Sam and Mark, and Wet Wet Wet, and I have chosen the latter because, well, because I just like it most, okay ?

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Elton John

Further chart success here for Mr John whose achievement in taking this to number one in the US charts is unrivalled in the covers arena - at least if you discount the Starsound semi-Beatles medley. And it’s a good effort, too, particularly the reggae chorus near the end.

Getting Better - Status Quo

This is Quo produced by George Martin. George Martin’s bits are too orchestral and too much like the original for my liking, but Quo’s thumping guitars really hit the spot.

Fixing A Hole - Helium Kids

Strident treatment of this song, depriving it of much of its tune, but an interesting listen and an entirely different feel to the original.

She’s Leaving Home - Steve Barton

Steve does this as a fast rock song, almost successfully !

Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite - Frank Sidebottom

I won’t even try to describe what Frank Sidebottom was. This is a very funny parody of the tune, the best bit of which is little Frank mistakenly thinking the run-out groove is on side one of the album. However, beware, because this ending is not included on the CD of Frank’s greatest hits, so you may have to revert to vinyl to find it.

Within You, Without You - Big Head Todd & The Monsters

Oh look, I can’t lie. Pepper didn’t need this number. It never fitted and when you think they could have had Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields instead, well, enough said. This is a worthy version of the tune but the most interesting thing about it is probably the name of the band.

When I’m Sixty-Four - Connie Evingson

Connie covers this song twice on the same album. Goodness knows why. This is version one.

Lovely Rita - Michelle Shocked

Classy folksy cover by Michelle, whose gender gives the song an added hint of naughtiness.

Good Morning, Good Morning - The Lolas

This is a fast rocking version of a decent enough song (although I believe not a favourite of its author). Lots of nice guitar and a general all round good effort.

Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) - Commodore Condello

These are the same characters from the same Arizonan tv show who were behind the What You're Doing cover, but a different imaginary band. One of the rare coverings of the reprise (rather than the prise ?).

A Day in the Life - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Slightly disappointing orchestral ending to the proceedings. But it does make me think how good the Beatles were at getting the best out of other musicians. The RPO can't manage to reproduce the orchestral link in the middle of the song with anything like the original's punch. (For those of you thinking there is no cover of the run-out groove, please refer to Mr Kite above. However, I confess I do not possess a cover of the note audible only to dogs.)

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