Beatles 1962-1966, The - Beatles (The)

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Some high quality songs
Disadvantages:	Some weaker tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

There is always a danger with compilation CD's that they'll ever depend too much on a few brilliant tracks and add in a lot of many which are of a lower standard. Or that you feel completely ripped off and should have just brought the back catalogue of all of the bands material.

I think to be fair that there is a distinct undercurrent of both of them factors here with the Beatles 1962 - 1966 album; whilst there are some fantastic tracks, there are also some, I feel, that were included for the sake of it.

All together, the album contains 26 tracks, thirteen on each other the two disks. This greatest hits compilation was released in 1973, just a couple of years before the bands partnership was ended completely.

Disk 1:

1. 'Love Me Do' (2.23)

Starting off the album in style was the Beatle's first single which originally peaked at number 17 in the British Singles Charts whilst scoring the band a number 1 in the US. This song is a really good way to start it off not just because it was the bands first single but also because of the joint lead vocals by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Lennon also played harmonica here, giving the song the intended bluesy feel.

8/10 - a good way to start it all off.

2. 'Please Please Me' (2.03)

The next song has been at the centre of much debate as to whether this was the bands first official British number one. With that said, I don't particularly like the intro to this one but it gets better once into the first verse. Again, I think the joint vocal effort creates a good endearing sound, even this early on.

7/10 - perhaps a little too similar in places to it's predecessor.

3. 'From Me To You' (1.57)

This song wasn't highly praised by one of it's lead writers and to be honest, I have to agree with him; I find it a little too much too soon after 'Please Please Me'. While it's probably just a difference in taste, I really never felt (unlike the British public of the time) that it was better than average.

5/10 - definitely a weak track in my books.

4. 'She Loves You' (2.22)

Opened to much debate as to which hotel this track was written in, it really doesn't matter; it's one of the high points to me across both disks. Packed with raw energy, gritty guitar riffs and good harmonising vocals, this is one of the Beatles' best tracks.

9/10 - what more is there to say?

5. 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' (2.26)

Becoming the bands best selling single of all time, a million copies were pre-ordered before it was released! This one has a very fresh song and has a tune that when you reflect on the 1960's in terms of music you instantly think of.

8/10 - simple lyrics make this track effortlessly good.

6. 'All My Loving' (2.08)

Sticking to the same love song type formula, McCartney's vocals here remind me a little of one of the bands most dominant influences both in Elvis and Roy Orbison, a man who they were touring with at the time of writing.

7.5/10 - Certainly not a bad track but lyrically may seem a bit unoriginal after listening to the first five songs.

7. 'Can't Buy Me Love' (2.13)

Written in Paris on a piano, the song is obviously about love not being bought but being developed. This falls into a very similar bracket as most of their other songs, solely focusing on love in its entirety.

7.5/10 - same as 'All My Loving'

8. 'A Hard Day's Night' (2.34)

You can't help but laugh at the irony of this track following the latter song, the band stating how hard they work to buy their loved one what they want. Aw. This song was also a title track to one of the bands many commercial movies.

8/10 - a little harder on the guitar which I personally liked.

9. 'And I Love Her' (2.31)

Slowing down the pace drastically, the song is very much a fine Beatles ballad. Paul's vocals here are very convincing and gentle which I think showed, even this early on, great promise for him as a solo artist.

7.5/10 - perhaps a little too soppy for my liking!

10. 'Eight Days A Week' (2.45)

Following quite a similar sound to 'A Hard Day's Night' in my view, this song was never performed like as the band didn't favour it! The track has been covered by eight artists at the moment which is a testament to the track itself.

7.5/10 - starting to get a little tired of the 'love me' lyrics.

11. 'I Fell Fine' (2.19)

Apparently a favourite with late Nirvana front man, Kurt Cobain, I think that alone says a lot about the Beatles music; that it is accessible to many different types of people, including a grunge rocker. A good supporting baseline helps make this track memorable.

8/10 - a very happy, upbeat track!

12. 'Ticket To Ride' (3.10)

I think that there is a distinct show of progression in this track with a subtle hint of melancholy in places. Lennon provides some very bluesy vocals here which helps add to the character of the track.

8/10 - a great change of direction.

13. 'Yesterday' (2.05)

This song is the proud winner of the song most covered by other artists! There is said to be 3000 covers out there which is huge. It's not hard to understand why; it was almost a risk for the band, at least in my eyes, as a departure from the more optimistic love songs into a much more sombre, heart wrenching song with a simple guitar and instrumental backup.

9/10 - not hard to understand why this is one of the most popular songs of all time.

Disk 2:

1. 'Help!' (2.19)

One of the songs that arguably made the band international superstars. At number one in both the UK and US for three weeks, it does seem very much a cry for 'Help!' because of the quick success the band had gained.

9/10 - too catchy for it's own good!

2. 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' (2.11)

Lennon's throaty vocals perhaps make the track unintentionally dark. I wouldn't say this was a terrible song but I've never found myself overly liking it either because it felt a bit of a lower standard to some of their other songs.

6.5/10 - Not too bad just not one of my favourites.

3. 'We Can Work It Out' (2.16)

I think this is one of the best examples of the true Lennon/McCartney collaborations which shows two very different ideas on the same subject matter (arguing with a lover and contemplating a break up).

8/10 - It is almost like two voices which I personally liked.

4. 'Day Tripper' (2.49)

Released as a double A-Side with 'We Can Work It Out', this is one of the bands more rocky, harder songs with the guitar at the beginning setting the tone very well for the track ahead.

8.5/10 - one of the bands most memorable songs.

5. 'Drive My Car' (2.27)

Taken from the 'Rubber Soul' album this is another well known track but also one that is comical. Containing a euphemism for sex (which is very noticeable to my innuendo loving ways), this one's very amusing to listen to.

7.5/10 - beep beep beep beep yeah!

6. 'Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)' (2.05)

Featuring George Harrison on the sitar, it adds a very interesting twist to what would have normally been just another Beatles' love song.

7.5/10 - another song that although I don't rate too highly, is one that shows a great progression in the bands music.

7. 'Nowhere Man' (2.44)

A swift change follows to a song that isn't about love! Written almost entirely by Lennon, this song features heavily in the animated film 'Yellow Submarine'.

8/10 - the change in direction is very welcomed at this point.

8. 'Michelle' (2.42)

Definitely not one of my favourites. It's a bit dreary to my ears and the 'ooos' in the background I find slightly irritating. The 'I Love You' lines to me almost seemed a little out of place with the rest of the song.

5/10 - not a song that I really feel is one of their best.

9. 'In My Life' (2.28)

Taken from a poem by Lennon about his childhood and teenage years, this one is very simplistic and in keeping with the more 'traditional' Beatles' sound.

7.5/10 - becomes a little repetitive.

10. 'Girl' (2.33)

A song that sounds remarkably like 'Michelle'. Kind of goes back to the years of being a confused teenager which I do think that most people could relate to.

5/10 - again, not one that I rate highly.

11. 'Paperback Writer' (2.18)

The eleventh single for the band got to number one in many counties including their homeland. Although not on a Beatles studio album, the song was written after drummer Ringo Starr expressed interest in writing a book.

6.5/10 - not dreadful but not a winner in my eyes.

12. 'Eleanor Rigby' (2.08)

One of the bands most recognisable tracks, none of the Beatle's play instruments on this song but instead a string band play the entire background music. This track was inspired by those who had lost loved ones in the World Wars.

9.5/10 - one of the saddest but brilliantly crafted songs you'll ever hear.

13. 'Yellow Submarine' (2.37)

Ringo finally gets his moment in the spotlight on this track written as a sort of children's nursery rhymes. Although entirely naff, it was received very well by the public, remaining at number 1 in the British charts for four weeks.

7.5/10 - one word: comical!

Without a doubt, I prefer the first disk in comparison to the second. I feel that the tracks are overall of a lot higher quality and consistency and it to me is just a more enjoyable album to listen to.

I don't think that the artwork will ever be remembered as one of the greatest album covers of all time but it does create a nice follow on picture for the sister album released 'The Blue Album'.

I found the red case to be a bit cheap looking when this is actually quite an expensive album to buy:

Play - £14.99
HMV - £13.99
Amazon - £12.49

I suppose if you look at it in relation to the number of tracks, this isn't too bad but I do feel that there are better buys out there; the bands '1' album includes 27 number one selling singles, the majority of which are of very high quality.

I would recommend this album to two audiences; the first, like myself, who are just 'casual' listeners to their music, or who have only just started listening to the group. Failing that, if you are a diehard fan who wants every piece of merchandise available.

All in all, not a bad collection but not one of the greatest I have ever come across.