The Beatles Marathon Magyarzatokkal, Albumsszefoglalkkal, s

Pontozssal

1 Teljessggel rtkelhetetlen
2 Kzel az rtkelhetetlenhez
3 Fjdalmas, zavar
4 Rosszacska, jelentktelenecske
5 Kzepes, unalmas
6 Megkap, elmegy
7 J, rdekes
8 Kivl
9 Kiemelked
10 - Mesterm

PLEASE PLEASE ME (1963)

I Saw Her Standing There

6,5/10
The only original song on the album that I would really consider
rock and roll, because its tone is considerably grittier and more
blues influenced (including the vocals) than the rest of the album,
which is more likely to be classified into the pop territory. Not bad,
not extraordinary, it starts with what youd call pretty standard
blues with a little bypass into the signature Beatles vocal harmonies
in the first verse. Paul McCartneys bassline is really well thought out
and acts as basically the main thematic material which really drives
the whole song. Unusual for a pop act at the time I might add.
Misery
4,5/10
Uninteresting lovey-dovey filler. The whole structure, as well as the
song rhythm/harmonywise not to mention the uninspired
execution - is just very basic and well-grommed, nothing really
stands out.
Anna (Go To Him)
7/10
by Arthur Alexander. John liked this song very much, he wanted it to
be on this album, hence he takes the lead vocals this time. This is
the first evidence that four Liverpool lads really can do African-
American music just as good as people with slightly darker shade of
skin colour. The songs longing, wistful character is really present
here, and does justice to negro music which usually have
originating from the traditional spirituals a generally melancholic
manner.
Chains
5,5/10
The song apart from being very american, which was considered
cool at the time in England has really nothing very interesting.
This time, George Harrison does the job of providing the lead vocals
with John and Paul interlocking the melodic line with harmonies, just
like the 50s vocal groups in the USA did. It has some nostalgic
factor to it sure, but every time I hear this, I wish Id just heard the
real thing.
Boys
4/10
It is sort of a bad crossover between a traditional doo-wop and a
merseyside rock and roll number it fails to be good in both styles.
Not to mention Ringos vocals is all over the place here, he tries to
do and goes for a bluesy, raunchy vocal approach, but it comes off
as awkward, because he clearly havent the ability (at the time at
least). Next.
Ask Me Why
6/10
Typical early Beatles romance/love song. Very intimate and intricate,
both in writing and execution with the guitars strumming very
gently - just like a hopeless lovers serenade under a balcony. I
certainly do believe that teen girls in the 60s were all over Lennon
when they heard this and they could imagine themselves in the
place of that imaginary girl to whom this song have been written
and sung.
Please Please Me
10/10
It was Johns attempt at writing a Roy Orbison song, with the round,
alluring vocals and seductive lyrics (Come on, come on!). Jokes
aside, it does have a little erotic vibe and innuendo to it with the
repetated words Please Please but maybe it is just me, who knows.
It was originally much slower, George Martin uptempoed it a bit to
be more appealing to more young people, so instead of being just a
reflection of a certain style and artist, it became genuine Beatles. It
was and remains one of the finest examples of the brilliant
songwriting around the early era of the band, and it was one of the
first instances where one would say There is more to come in the
future for this band.
Love Me Do
6/10
In comparison to later Beatles standards, this song may come off as
primitive and ludicrous - but as the first single of a then fairly
unknown pop group, it is really not that bad. It is sweet and
innocent, in a sense that it is like a 10 year old kid asking out a little
girl nicely of the same age (aww) or a daisyflower in the middle of
a 100 acre meadow. Nothing too special, but totally harmless.
P. S. I Love You
5/10
Another shallow pop ballad this time by Paul. You know, i can
imagine that in 1962, this was fairly recent and the overall vibe is
something that you would be turned on as a girl, but nowadays, its
tone, style and harmonic language is very outdated - like a grandpa
well within old age trying to court to a young 20 year old girl: just
isnt working in any circumstance whatsoever.
Baby Its You
5/10
Yet another cover again that is in my opinion a misuse of the
Beatles talent because it doesnt really suit them that much. It is
very tranquil, relaxed, everything that four young people who just
hit their twenties shouldnt be. The song in itself is very
commonplace too, there were much better songs in this psuedo
american style earlier in this album.
Do You Want To Know A Secret
6/10
This is an interesting piece of a song. It starts off with a melancholic,
sort of laconic, prosaic attitude, with minor chords all the way, then
it gets playful, and mischeivous with a really catchy melodic line. It
is really witty, and really not half bad of a composition, but its not
very great either. George is taking the lead vocals for the second
time, though it is Lennon-McCartney song as usual.
Taste Of Honey
5/10
After all the uptempo optimism and enchanting love songs, this
cover sticks out from the rest with its clumsy and unwieldly nature
and predominantly minor harmonic style and sort of a slow, half-
assed version of a 20s fox-trot. It is not even close to anything
resembling the classic Beatles, and Im really at a loss to understand
why did the boys choose this song to record for their first album at
the first place.
Theres a Place
6/10
Within the inexhaustible fountain of the Lennon-McCartney
songwriting partnership, which collaboration produced and brought
us a dozen of songs for years to come containing genuine artistic
merit and value, there are songs that are not up to par to the boys
god-given talent - this is one of them. This is basically a poor mans
version of Please Please Me, and while it is pleasant at first though
(no pun intended) nothing grabs the attention in any of the musical
or lyrical department here on the long run. Next.
Twist and Shout.
7,5/10
This cover is so good, that when I was a kid, I honestly thought this
was an original song by the lads. Again, Lennon does and incredible
job imitating colored musicians with his blown voice by the end of
their one day studio session, and I sense that the whole band is
exited and eager to play. They sound really tight and polished here,
even when they play more rebellious rock n roll material, and the
whole arrangement is just really well put together (light the
increasing four part seventh dominant harmony in the vocals, which
is brilliant) so all I can say is this one is really at it.

Verdict: When I look at this album, I try to be forgiving and caring

at the same time. This was the time when they were really starting
out as a band, with as much enthusiasm as they could, and for a
first full LP, it is not a bad effort. They were building upon all their
influences starting from what they heard and picked up until now,
incorporating every little nuance and seeding their own style which
soon would be developed into a more mature and charismatic state
in little time. They show a lot of unity, chemistry even now, and
when I imagine myself in the time when this album came out, I
really understand, what was so striking about them. They sang
about love, teenage insecurities, and first and foremost, they
produced it with style and taste even with the fairy primitive
technology they had back then and thats where it counts.

Average: 6,0/10