The Beatles - Love

The Beatles are the greatest band the world has ever seen; plain and simple. They had a gift for creating music that was delightfully simple and accessible, yet cleverly intricate at the same time. It was a perfect mix that united every man and woman, regardless of previous background or taste, with a love for their beautiful music. It would have been an impressive effort if The Beatles had released just an album-worth of this incredible music, but what is truly mind boggling is that they produced a constant flow of it, year after year, without fault. They’ve released more than 150 songs and you can count the ordinary ones on your fingers. If you’ve never really delved into the depths of The Beatles archives, I implore you to. All 13 of their studio albums are brilliant in their own right and each deserves a thorough listen. Well for those of us out there who are already well-acquainted with The Beatles’ back-catalogue, the newly released ‘Love’ is an absolute treat. If haven’t already heard, Love is compilation album of remixes created by Sir George Martin and his son for a Cirque Du Soleil production. I don’t think anyone but the former Beatles producer himself would have been allowed to mess around with such sacrilegious material, but I can safely say that he has done the originals every bit of justice. Hearing a twist put on all your favourite songs really is quite enjoyable and despite the fact that just original studio tapes were used, every song sounds so much cleaner. I suppose I should clarify though that in no way are these songs better than or a replacements for the originals; rather they are fresh takes that remind you how brilliant those originals were. This album may just be a novelty, but it’s a damn fine one. If you’re not a Beatles fan, you should be, if you are, you’re sure to get a kick out of this.

Get Back – If you haven’t got a massive grin on your face when you first hear this song, you’re not a true fan. The feeling I got when I heard THE chord followed by THE drum solo, morphing seamlessly into an incredibly crisp version of Get Back is almost indescribable. I can’t remember the last time an album induced excitement like this one does.

Drive My Car / The Word / What You’re Doing – While the whole album is pretty much a medley, designed to be heard in one go (for best results, don’t check what song’s are coming up next), there are also occasional medleys within songs. This is my personal favourite and again, I’m amazed by how perfect the transitions are. You’d be forgiven for thinking this is how the song was always supposed to sound.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

as much as i hoped i actually didn't really expect it.. im glad its here.

all good tracks except one doesn't do the material justice...too much chopping and changing and it makes me a little sad.. im not sure which it is now.

i shall update when i eventually get back..hehe..to more regular visits and coincidal listening and surfing.

i am enjoying the live streaming...

Unknown said...

the strawberry fields is too choppy. so many solos cut short in the back half.. piggies, in my life, penny lane, hello goodbye etc... the solos are so good in their entirety... i guess you could call them solos.. they lose all solo-ility in this. but i still wouldnt say its bad

Rock Daze said...

Was a excellent take on the songs I thought, interesting, but one has to wonder was remixing and splicing a whole lot of old Beatles songs for the love of the music of the money?

Peter said...

..I'll have to give Strawberry Fields another look...

You've gotta remember that the main reason for making this music was for the Cirque Du Soleil show; which is celebrating the Beatles' music. But I'm sure the prospect of money didn't hurt

Anonymous said...

I've had this CD for a while now...(got it the week it was released...) in 2006

And frankly i haven't taken it out of my CD player since...

It's like listening to all of your favorite Beatles songs all at the same time...

'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' for example... even though an completely original score was placed on it, ( I believe written exclusivly by George Martin)

Is absolutly brilliant.

Brings me to tears every single time.

The only thing I would have changed... is that I would have added more of the earlier tracks... eg; Please Please Me, I Saw Her Standing There, All My Lovin' Love Me Do, etc.,

I understand why there are some critics to the CD. If something is already perfect why mess with it right??

And if it were anyone else besides George Martin behind this project, I wouldn't have bought it.

I would not recommend using this CD to INTRODUCE someone to the Beatles... you know.. those 7 people on the planet who've never heard of them at all...

I'd have to suggest, that those people go dig out their parents vinyl collection... and start from the beginning... 'Meet the Beatles' (or 'With the Beatles' I can't recall the first one right now..) and work your way through the catalouge through to the Anthology.

Then put this one on.

The fact that all of the different musical parts from all the different tracks fit together so seamlessly... proves how great this band really was.