The Beatles Pay Their Musical Respects

Beatles For Sale, while not a particularly critically acclaimed album, is very important nonetheless. Six of the fourteen songs on the album are covers--the Beatles admired the work of the artists that made it possible for there to be Beatles, and by covering their work, that importance was acknowledged. This album completes the evolution of the songwriting team of Lennon and McCartney--they came of age as tunesmiths, and never found it necessary again to cover another artists' songs. All songs recorded after Beatles For Sale were written by the Beatles.

The songs, and a brief synopsis of each, follows:

1. No Reply--This tune begins with a vocal introduction by John Lennon, and he has been jilted by his lover. The bridge lectures her, saying she should realize that he "love(s) (her) more than any other guy". Jealousy rears its ugly head, a common theme in Lennon's songs. Although this tune features acoustic guitars, they drive it pretty good.

2. I'm A Loser--Another John Lennon song about self-doubt and what may lie behind the facade that fame creates. Some really good rockabilly guitar by George Harrison, and some excellent harmonica by Lennon.

3. Baby's In Black--The Beatles were big on word plays, and this one has it--"Baby's in black and I'm feeling blue". Solid harmonies by Paul McCartney, and another good guitar contribution by George Harrison.

4. Rock and Roll Music--This song was written by Chuck Berry, whom the Beatles greatly admired. Lennon gives a lusty vocal performance. The Beach Boys covered this song some time later, but their version is pretty limp compared to the Beatles' cover.

5. I'll Follow The Sun--A beautiful acoustic ballad sung by Paul McCartney, with some wonderful low harmony from John Lennon. John could always sing the low parts with ease.

6. Mr. Moonlight--The only credit as to who wrote this song is "Johnson"--I don't know his first name. I do know that this tune was recorded by Dr. Feelgood (I think) and Lennon selected the song because of its possibilities. His vocal deliver is moving, and the Beatles camp it up with a cheap sounding organ solo in the middle. This one is all in good fun, with a wink at some of the musical styles of the 1950's.

7. Medley--a. Kansas City b. Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey--The first part of the medley was written by the legendary songwriting team of Lieber and Stoller, and the second part by none other than Richard Penniman, who some of you will know as Little Richard. Paul's admiration for Little Richard's Primal singing style (Paul sang Long Tall Sally, and his performance in I'm Down, a Beatles composition, is a good imitation) prompted this cover. It's a Beatles tribute to rock n' roll.

8. Eight Days A Week--This song is a bit of radio pop sang by John Lennon and the melody is unforgettable and infectious. The tune has that finger-snapping beat, and of course, it went to No. 1 on the charts when it was released as a single. The hook line, "eight days a week" is another Beatle play on words.

9. Words Of Love--This song was written by Buddy Holly, the teen sensation from Lubbock, Texas. The Beatles absolutely adored Buddy Holly, and paid him homage by recording this tune. The vocals, in two-part harmony, are low, breathy and sensuous, presented in much the same way as Buddy Holly sang it. The guitar solo shows just how much George Harrison was influenced by Holly's guitar style.

10. Honey Don't--Of all the artists that the Beatles admired, Carl Perkins was at the top of the list. The relationship between Carl and the band continued up until Carl's recent death--after Paul McCartney played at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee, he spent the night at Carl's house here in Jackson Tennessee. Carl was a true gentlemen--but back to the music. Ringo Starr sings this one, as only he can, and George's guitar work demonstrates his affection for the genre that Carl created--rockabilly.

11. Every Little Thing--This song is "sweet"--I don't know how else to describe it. John has the lead vocals, with some great high harmonies by Paul. George plays a little twelve-string guitar, and someone in playing timpanies on the track.

12. I Don't Want To Spoil The Party--An original Beatles rockabilly offering. The song is a duet featuring John and Paul, and the guitar work by George shows that Perkins influence yet again.

13. What You're Doing--Sung by Paul, this song features a lopsided beat and some more nice twelve-string guitar work by George. Although I like this track, it may be the weakest one on the album.

14. Everbody's Trying To Be My Baby--Another Carl Perkins cover--I just now realized while writing this review the magnitude of the Perkins influence on this album. George delivers an earnest vocal performance and his guitar work mimics that of his idol, Carl Perkins.

A lot of critics dismissed this album, but I think it is very important in the growth of the Beatles--but heck, I think any Beatles album is important. Give it a listen--I promise it will grow on you.