Beatles For Sale
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Banged out in a hurry for the 1964 Christmas market, Beatles for Sale sometimes sounds it, loaded with ill-conceived covers and some of John Lennon's most self-loathing lyrics. On the other hand, the people doing the banging-out were the Beatles, whose instincts for what worked musically were so strong that they could basically do no wrong--any record that has "Baby's in Black", "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" and the delectable "Eight Days a Week" on it is only "minor" in the most relative sense. And, though their voices had been frazzled a bit by constant touring, they revved them up for some joyous shouting, and indulged their fondness for American country in subtle, playful ways. --Douglas Wolk
Reviews
If you haven't got it then get it!
Review date: 2010-04-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
The great irony about Beatles For Sale is that I seem to hear it called one of The Beatles weaker albums. For a weak link album, it is probably one of the greatest of all time! If it is supposed to have a poor reputation, then I would really call it more an underrated album that is truly worth getting just to see the error of all those stupid critics! Considering the Beatles where supposed to be rushed for time in recording it because of all their hectic touring, I still think it's a fairly well polished album. There are obvious weak points, mostly the cover songs because they let down the Beatles by not being their own compositions. Sadly all the Beatles ever do for the majority of their covers is prove that there own songs are vastly better than everyone elses! I think 7 of the 14 songs on this album are truly great records, 6 of the Lennon/McCartney's and 'Rock And Roll Music', as one of their most entertaining covers.
How good is each song then?
No Reply- A fabulous moody start, a Beatles classic. To me the first of six truly legendary McCartney/Lennon songs found on this album.
I'm a Loser- Good song but not that great compared to the other L/Mac songs on here. A weaker link in my opinion but by no means poor! Nice bit of harmonica in this.
Baby's In Black- One of the greats of the album. I love the fantastic 'doinging' guitar notes and especially the solo. The second legendary Beatles tune for me!
Rock And Roll Music- This has to be one of the Beatles best ever covers, so full of energy and probably a better version than the original! Listen for the brilliant honky-tonk piano! Up there with 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'A Taste Of Honey' as a top cover by the Beatles.
I'll Follow The Sun- A beautiful and very simple tune on a par with 'And I Love Her' for pure Beatles love song sublimity! Another legend!
Mr Moonlight- This is where the album starts to fall down for me. Not a bad song at all, just not a particularly exciting or interesting one. The Beatles compositions outclass it so so badly.
Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!- The second fall taken by the album in my opinion. Again, not a bad cover medley (great 'She's a Woman' style McCartney vocals on it), but just not as good as Beatles stuff.
Eight Days A Week- Another highlight of the album giving some mid-album relief from bad covers! Apparently the Beatles always said they never liked this truly legendary pop song and found it awkward to get right, but it is a truly unique and innovative tune. Particularly fabulous I think is the radical-for-the-time fading in and fading out. George's glorious Rickenbacker is also on top form in this. Brilliant!
Words Of Love- Another cover of a well known tune but again one of the weaker points of the album (not a lot really happens in it!) Like the frantic sounding overdubbed clapping in the background though!
Honey Don't- Another definite weak point. I always usually like it when Ringo has a sing but this one is pretty dull for him! Not as good as 'Act Naturally' on the Help! Album.
Every Little Thing- This is where the album recovers. I adore this song. The Rickenbacker's jangly sound is at its brilliant best here once again. Wonderful solo and ending in this. Superb! The 5th of 6 top class Lennon/McCartney songs on the album.
I Don't Want to Spoil The Party- A Lennon/McCartney composition, but not an especially messianic one. Not that exciting really. Can't see the excitement of it really. Or Bob Dylanesqueness for that matter!
What You're Doing- My favourite of the album and one of my all-time favourite Beatles songs. It contains what has to be one of the most brilliant guitar patterns of all time. Very innovative also because it has no chorus and begins with a drum rhythm. The final legendary song of the album. Absolutely brilliant!
Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby- George finally gets a sing! Not a bad song, but again, not as good as a Beatles composed tune- I'm sorry! Pretty bad note to end the album on really.
Overall, who couldn't like this album? It has ample amounts of early Beatles at their very best, contains plenty of interest and true innovation and is still a million times superior to anything produced today. The weak cover songs drag it down only because they let down the Beatles themselves for being far below their own standard! I don't think it is as well rounded and complete as A Hard Day's Night, but I actually enjoy it far more than the Help!, and (dare I say it), even Rubber Soul. Buy it, either in original Mono or remastered, and you will not be disappointed! My battered little copy is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. Just like any Beatles album. I love it!
Beatles For Sale
Review date: 2010-04-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
One of my favourite Beatle cds but I always found the original cd flat & dull sounding,bass & drums hidden in the mix but with this new cd the sound is much fuller & brighter like hearing it for the first time again.
You must be joking !
Review date: 2010-02-05 Rating: 10 out of 10
Far from being the 'worst Beatle album ever', among true Beatle followers, this album is beloved, and would probably fare in many people's top 5 Beatle albums. Why ? Well, there are many reasons. The opening four tracks are as strong as the start of
any other Beatle album, the first 2 tracks (No Reply and Im a Loser) as well as 'Eight Days a Week' all strong contenders for
singles (until John came up with 'I Feel Fine'). Another thing I loved about this album was the change in sound from the
previous album ' A Hard Days Night'. Whilst 'AHDN' sound was dominated by George's 12 string Rickenbacker, for this album, the sound is very much Gretsch, with George playing in a Chet Atkins style, giving some of the tracks a real country flavour
('I dont want to Spoil the Party') as a good example. Yes, it was put together whilst they were on tour, and yes there are covers, but what covers ! : Carl Perkin's 'Honey Dont' and 'Everybodys Trying to Be My Baby': Superb !
I remember buying this on the day it was released, and immediately thinking it was a better album, musically, than 'AHDN'.
If there is a (relatively speaking) weak album, musically, it would be 'Help', it certainly would not be this fine album.
A Simple Honest Reaction
Review date: 2010-01-22 Rating: 10 out of 10
For no particular reason I can put my finger on, this is my favourite Beatles album from the 'Beatlemania' earlier part of their career. It even starts with two, rather downbeat songs, 'No Reply' and 'I'm A Loser,' and yet it's still just simply fun.
Maybe Lennon's belting out speaker-busting "Rock'n'Roll Music' - nearly a religious statement for him - is the key.
Have a listen - you might agree.
Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
The Beatles
Recording label: EMI
Manufacturer: EMI
EAN: 0094638241423
Binding: Audio CD
Format: Original recording remastered,
Release date: 2009-09-09
Universal product code (UPC): 094638241423
Number of discs: 1
Disc 1 Tracks:
1. No Reply
2. I'm A Loser
3. Baby's In Black
4. Rock 'n' Roll Music
5. I'll Follow The Sun
6. Mr Moonlight
7. Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey
8. Eight Days A Week
9. Words Of Love
10. Honey Don't
11. Every Little Thing
12. I Don't Want To Spoil The Party
13. What You're Doing
14. Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby
15. Beatles For Sale Documentary
Publishers: EMI
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