It’s been a week or two since my last ’real’ review. I suppose the momentum fell off a little… but brace yourselves, my children, because here we go again…
I want to talk about an album that I picked up in Chennai last time I was there. I was quite surprised to find it in ’Music World’ (Spencer Plaza) and glad that I’d picked-up the last copy. It had been on my ’to-get’ list, ever since I saw the film reviewed on ABC’s ’Movie Show’ in Australia. I have listened to covers of Beatles’ songs before and generally found them to range from ’feeble rubbish’ to ’dire crap’, so I was hoping to hear something worthy at long last. I wasn’t disappointed... The songs are sung by the cast of the film (a musical) and their vocal talent is really noteworthy... pardon the pun!
Outside Spencer Plaza, I managed to get the only auto-rickshaw in town with a stereo and CD player so in went the CD. Let’s go through it track by track, shall we?
All My Loving - This was a beautiful rendition of an early Beatles’ classic, starting with just vocals through to the end of the first chorus and then in loud with a full beatnik feel band. I’m also assured that the guitar solo in the song is akin to Tamil film movie music, but I take that on my driver’s opinion rather than what I actually know.
I Want to Hold Your Hand - Now you haven’t heard it done like this before! It’s an amazing conversion of a trite and cheesy pop song to a late night live music bar rendition. It’s more of a heartfelt love song than you can remember from the Beatles’ version. I love it to bits for the sheer fact that there’s so much emotion in the singing and the musical arrangement.
It Won’t Be Long - This is a real rip-snorter! If the previous two were tender/passionate, this is full on hormone overspill. It thumps it, grinds and echoes pent-up longing of a sort you may be familiar with ;)
I’ve Just Seen a Face - A nice upbeat Country version of the song, an enjoyable little romp.
Let It Be - One of the Beatles’ last classics, this time with a gospel choir and ending on a minor chord. Beautifully atmospheric.
Come Together - Not a personal favourite but Joe Cocker does something to bring it life.
I Am The Walrus - Originally on the Magical Mystery Tour LP (1967), this is beautifully re-interpreted with Bono (from U2) as the vocalist. Mind bending lyrics bringing back the psychedelic era with modern technology (enough to compliment the song and not enough to destroy it).
Something - George Harrison was always a perfectionist and none of this is lost in this tender rendition.
Oh! Darling - Nice raunchy and bluesy with great female & male vocal attack during the middle-eight!
Strawberry Fields Forever - Lennon’s childhood loneliness song. And you thought it was another drug song? Ask me about it and I will let you know! Again, it fitted so well with the background of Chennai’s Seafront! Beautiful morphing of the song as it plays out.... almost haunting...
Across The Universe - Absolute beauty, I was singing ’Nothing’s gonna change my world’ at the top of my voice back from work to the The Trident each day. And I admit to singing ’Jai guru deva om’ note perfect too!
Helter Skelter - Nothing better than playing this travelling along an Indian Freeway at dusk!! This is definitely the loudest noisiest track of the album and I love it. This is a track that really puts a smile on my face! The vocals are awesome and feel better mixed-in than on McCartney’s original on the ’White Album’.
Happiness is a Warm Gun - Oh Yes it is, Mama! If you know your late 1960’s politics then you’ll understand this song. Again listen to the vocal execution during the reprise, it’s breathtaking in places.
Blackbird - Without a guitar as the main instrument and a harmonium as it’s replacement is an interesting concept. Simplifying the already simplified and allowing the vocals to lead the song rather than the instrument. It’s a lovely piece and so expertly realised.
Hey Jude! - Again another well delivered Beatles’ classic (with a much shorter refrain than the original).
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - If only they had this technology when the original was recorded, mixed and produced in 1967! It has some astounding differences to the original. This is sung by Bono and backed by The Edge from U2. I love this song and my kids know every word (so does my Driver in India)!
So my verdict is what you could assume, it’s ’must buy’ for those of us who love the music of the Beatles. At a later point I’ll review the film as well.. listen... enjoy... and play again!