Post by Amadeus on Aug 7, 2013 20:37:07 GMT
Yes, that's right. This album reeks of show-biz. This album and film were created with the fact in mind that they were now international superstars AND mums and dads liked them. It's kind of hard to explain what I mean but all the shots in the theatre portray what I feel with this album. Hollow show-biz. This is the only album I get that feeling from. Possibly partly because of the fake portrayal in the movie taints the way I listen to the songs and also the U.A. soundtrack record is what I grew up with, so I get the orchestrations which don't work outside of the film and just the film songs including songs I THINK I don't like.
With the £ version of the album, it adds songs that aren't among my favorites and a favorite song which is supposed to be on Beatles '65. Another favorite is supposed to be on The Beatles' Second Album. The U.K. albums are still a bit weird for me even now.
Four Boys In The Wind!
But let's discuss A Hard Day's Night as it is supposed to be. It's definitely a much better album than the U.A. counterpart. When it comes down to it, it's a bloody strong album from end to end but when I go to grab a CD to listen to, I usually pass over this one. Very strange. YET, when I actually DO listen to it, every song is a cracker in it's own way. This is the first album made by The Beatles as internation superstars.
I'm gonna do the song by song bit on this album:
A Hard Day's Night: For a hastily 'written to order' song for the opening titles,,,, how does, as Ringo says, a shitkicker from postwar Liverpool have that much depth within themselves to pull out a number like that and that quickly? Obviously Lennon had a bit more going for him than, say, Gerry Marsden. Ringo's open hi-hat again plus the cowbell helps propel this tune along. A perfectly proportioned satisfying tune.
I Should Have Known Better: This one of my lesser favorites. I don't dislike it, I just irrationally love it a little less than the others. It doesn't grab me like the title track does. It's a strong song though. The kids seem to like it. Actually, when it comes to playing my guitar, I really enjoy singing this one.
If I Fell: This is one of my favorites ever. Again with European rather than American influences. The chords don't follow the usual tired I - IV - V sequence, but they go to interesting places. The harmonies are unusual for rock and roll too. Instead of "Hey, listen to this song and try to harmonize with me", this is a very well though out, composed arrangement. Lennon's harmony just doesn't conform to normal pop logic. Brilliant!
I'm Happy Just To Dance With You: Another long time favorite. When I always passed over the U.A. album, it would always be just to get to Something New, which I generally associate this song with. Just a jaunty little tune written for a specific purpose. It doesn't suffer for it.
And I Love Her: When I heard the Anthology version, I realized more and more how quickly they could pull things together. A really neat song idea into a romantic acoustic masterpiece. I thought (as if I have the right) that Georgie could've come up with 'Till There Was You' no. 2 for the solo but he plays what he plays with a nice touch and the key change saves a mediocre middle 8 as a brilliant uplifting middle 8. (It's actually a middle 11).
Tell Me Why: Another one of my lesser favorites. Why? I dunno. Too many voices? The tune doesn't please me like a (XXXXXX) would.
Can't Buy Me Love: Is it OK to not have this as a favorite also? I see the greatness in it. I appreciate it more as I've gotten older but I wouldn't have put it on a mix tape when I was 15. I love the unused solo still leaked under the real solo.
Side 2
I bought all the U.K. vinyl albums when they were remastered in '87 on Capitol. Didn't have, or want, a CD player.
Any Time At All: I understand why it's good but, again, it won't go on a mix tape.
I'll Cry Instead: This song was on the front end of the VHS movie with a picture collage flashing by underneath. I like this one. Lennon's bratty, spoiled reaction to tainted love. I could make her cry right now but I can't. So I'm gonna mope and boo hoo. Brilliant.
Things We Said Today: Nice tune but it doesn't really go anywhere, does it? The Hollywood Bowl version sounds more exciting.
When I Get Home: I do like this one. I like cows. Especially when they come home.
You Can't Do That: This one is a heavy rocker. Who said that the Stones were the hard bad boys and the Beatles couldn't pull it off? That 12 string riff. Lennon's ham-fisted solo. That venomous vocal. That bit of break that Ringo does. Especially on a worn, noisy copy of a mono Beatles Second Album. See what I'm saying? I read once somewhere that Lennon was jealous of the Stones being allowed to do what the Beatles used to do. So he would sneak the 'evil' songs in the back door.
I'll Be Back: From a North American's viewpoint, this is not a good closing song. It demands to be followed by an extremely 'Dexter-ized' 'She's A Woman'. I do love this song. One of many hi-lights on Beatles 65. Sorry but there it is. It's a beautiful acoustic song. Nice harmonies. It's jarring at the end of THIS album. Hey!
Well, it's not that great an album after all, huh? Us North Americans were already damaged goods when the UK albums arrived here in '87. Capitol and Dave Dexter Jr. have a lot to answer for, but because my formative years were,,umm,,, formed by Capitol, I can't hear a lot of these songs any other way.
Love, Amadeus (seriously! Love him!)
With the £ version of the album, it adds songs that aren't among my favorites and a favorite song which is supposed to be on Beatles '65. Another favorite is supposed to be on The Beatles' Second Album. The U.K. albums are still a bit weird for me even now.
Four Boys In The Wind!
But let's discuss A Hard Day's Night as it is supposed to be. It's definitely a much better album than the U.A. counterpart. When it comes down to it, it's a bloody strong album from end to end but when I go to grab a CD to listen to, I usually pass over this one. Very strange. YET, when I actually DO listen to it, every song is a cracker in it's own way. This is the first album made by The Beatles as internation superstars.
I'm gonna do the song by song bit on this album:
A Hard Day's Night: For a hastily 'written to order' song for the opening titles,,,, how does, as Ringo says, a shitkicker from postwar Liverpool have that much depth within themselves to pull out a number like that and that quickly? Obviously Lennon had a bit more going for him than, say, Gerry Marsden. Ringo's open hi-hat again plus the cowbell helps propel this tune along. A perfectly proportioned satisfying tune.
I Should Have Known Better: This one of my lesser favorites. I don't dislike it, I just irrationally love it a little less than the others. It doesn't grab me like the title track does. It's a strong song though. The kids seem to like it. Actually, when it comes to playing my guitar, I really enjoy singing this one.
If I Fell: This is one of my favorites ever. Again with European rather than American influences. The chords don't follow the usual tired I - IV - V sequence, but they go to interesting places. The harmonies are unusual for rock and roll too. Instead of "Hey, listen to this song and try to harmonize with me", this is a very well though out, composed arrangement. Lennon's harmony just doesn't conform to normal pop logic. Brilliant!
I'm Happy Just To Dance With You: Another long time favorite. When I always passed over the U.A. album, it would always be just to get to Something New, which I generally associate this song with. Just a jaunty little tune written for a specific purpose. It doesn't suffer for it.
And I Love Her: When I heard the Anthology version, I realized more and more how quickly they could pull things together. A really neat song idea into a romantic acoustic masterpiece. I thought (as if I have the right) that Georgie could've come up with 'Till There Was You' no. 2 for the solo but he plays what he plays with a nice touch and the key change saves a mediocre middle 8 as a brilliant uplifting middle 8. (It's actually a middle 11).
Tell Me Why: Another one of my lesser favorites. Why? I dunno. Too many voices? The tune doesn't please me like a (XXXXXX) would.
Can't Buy Me Love: Is it OK to not have this as a favorite also? I see the greatness in it. I appreciate it more as I've gotten older but I wouldn't have put it on a mix tape when I was 15. I love the unused solo still leaked under the real solo.
Side 2
I bought all the U.K. vinyl albums when they were remastered in '87 on Capitol. Didn't have, or want, a CD player.
Any Time At All: I understand why it's good but, again, it won't go on a mix tape.
I'll Cry Instead: This song was on the front end of the VHS movie with a picture collage flashing by underneath. I like this one. Lennon's bratty, spoiled reaction to tainted love. I could make her cry right now but I can't. So I'm gonna mope and boo hoo. Brilliant.
Things We Said Today: Nice tune but it doesn't really go anywhere, does it? The Hollywood Bowl version sounds more exciting.
When I Get Home: I do like this one. I like cows. Especially when they come home.
You Can't Do That: This one is a heavy rocker. Who said that the Stones were the hard bad boys and the Beatles couldn't pull it off? That 12 string riff. Lennon's ham-fisted solo. That venomous vocal. That bit of break that Ringo does. Especially on a worn, noisy copy of a mono Beatles Second Album. See what I'm saying? I read once somewhere that Lennon was jealous of the Stones being allowed to do what the Beatles used to do. So he would sneak the 'evil' songs in the back door.
I'll Be Back: From a North American's viewpoint, this is not a good closing song. It demands to be followed by an extremely 'Dexter-ized' 'She's A Woman'. I do love this song. One of many hi-lights on Beatles 65. Sorry but there it is. It's a beautiful acoustic song. Nice harmonies. It's jarring at the end of THIS album. Hey!
Well, it's not that great an album after all, huh? Us North Americans were already damaged goods when the UK albums arrived here in '87. Capitol and Dave Dexter Jr. have a lot to answer for, but because my formative years were,,umm,,, formed by Capitol, I can't hear a lot of these songs any other way.
Love, Amadeus (seriously! Love him!)