THREE YEARS IN THE LIVES OF THE FAB FOUR

The Beatles! I was a 16 year old high school student in West Texas when the Beatle Invasion reached its first peak on the Ed Sullivan Show. Ol' Ed had seen numerous big
time performers sing or play to a screaming audience but I don't believe he was prepared for Beatlemania. Who was?

Besides being from the hinterlands, I was never much of a rock and roll fan until I started listening to The Beatles. I was and still am primarily a jazz fan. But I also recognize and enjoy good music.

This CD is full of not just good music, but great music. The period I just discussed was, of course, the earlier Beatle era which is covered in the 1962-1966 album. That is also a fantastic album although the music is certainly more basic rock and roll derived frequently from rhythm and blues. By the time the second compilation begins, The
Beatles had found their own voices and developed new concepts that would revolutionize the rock genre for generations to come.

This incredible collection has 28 Beatle tunes and, for the most part, they are gems. I'm not going to comment on each song but I plan to highlight my favorites.

DISC ONE

1. STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER

Unbelievable from the opening notes. Complex arrangement with Far Eastern influences, it starts with melodic flutes before guitars blast and Ringo pounds. I listened 3 times to the song before I wrote this little tribute but what a start to a collection.

2. PENNY LANE

More fully orchestrated, the song brings us back to childhood memories wherever we are from. A fusion of rock and classical music.

3. SGT. PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

What imaginations! Again a big orchestral sound is joined by pure rock singing and the song merges directly into:

4. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

"Do you need anybody
I need somebody to love"

Don't we all. Universal truth sung quite simply. Guitar and drums only.

5. LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS

We take a trip. Lennon says it doesn't have to be a trip with various controlled substances but, uh, who cares. The song transforms us whether we're imbibing anything or not.

6. A DAY IN THE LIFE

Starts out simplistically and then explodes after stating straightforward lyrics into a complex full orchestra which screams about the changes that society was going through in the '60's.

7. ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Contrast. A big British orchestral fanfare followed by simplistic lyrics on the virtue of love. Orchestra is one ear, voices at first in the other and then the voices and instruments surround you with that simple, beautiful sentiment: Love is all you need. The finish of this one is amazing with jazz sax, some Wild West yahooing and general
mayhem.

8. I AM THE WALRUS

A truly remarkable work. Tough, intelligent lyrics joined by complex arrangement with strings, french horns, total tempo changes, voices in the background, mind overload, society overload, fusion of old nursery rhymes, total confusion, revolution.

9. HELLO, GOODBYE

Walrus is followed by the most simplistic song on the first disc (simplistic by Beatle standards-still much more complex than most contemporary music). It's all about
relationships that don't work.

10. THE FOOL ON THE HILL

Beautiful opening. Voice and flute and piano. Commentary on who is the fool. Those we may think foolish may be having the last laugh.

11. MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

Simple lyrics. Complex arrangement with flying trumpets, changing tempos again, different tempos for the various instruments and the voices finishing with gorgeous
strings.

12. LADY MADONNA

Back to rhythm and blues. Pounding drums and guitars are joined by horns and voices. Great pulsating beat.

13. HEY, JUDE

The famous ending of this song has hidden how beautiful the song is. A love song, Jude is advised to let her under his skin and make it better. The finale is hypnotic although seemingly simplistic. Seemingly, because it ain't that simple. Gutsy blues singing, the "Da-da's" going on and on, with increasing string, horn and percussion
adding to the mix. Genius.

14. REVOLUTION

A statement of non-violent change during times that the world was exploding with assassinations and continued racial, gender and sexual orientation discrimination. Listen closely to the lyrics. The world is not perfect but violence is not the answer.

I have a confession to make here. Remember when I said I was only going to review the songs I really liked. So far, I've liked all of the songs I've heard. Kind of like a magical mystery tour of my mind back to the days when I was a law student with mostly minor cares. On disc two, there are a couple of songs I don't think I like but let's take a look:

DISC TWO

1. BACK IN THE U.S.S.R.

Pure rock and roll with humorous quotes from the Beach Boys and Ray Charles. Ah, those Ukraine girls. Fifties meet the late 60's.

2. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS

A song that reminds me a lot of early Chicago (the group) or Blood, Sweat and Tears except for the voices. Not my favorite or even close to it.

3. OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA

Back to a classic. Great lyrics and music. True story telling through music. Life does, indeed, go on. They had a lot of fun with this one.

4. GET BACK

Pulsating rhythm and blues. You can hear Carl Perkins here. Impossible to sit still while listening to this one. Some fine keyboards by somebody (a weakness of the compilation, not identifying the musicians on each cut). Great song.

8. HERE COMES THE SUN

Thus far, all the songs I've liked are by Lennon and McCarney. This classic is by George Harrison. Fairly simplistic lyrics with very good melody and instrumental play. Hopeful message.

9. COME TOGETHER

One of my favorites, the lyrics are a little mystical but funky. Great arrangement of voice and instruments. Reaches back into r & b days and gives a universal message.

10. SOMETHING

Another Harrison number, the beauty of this song concerns what we all want: true love. Something in the way she (he) moves, or knows, or loves. We all need that
something that the song conveys.

12. LET IT BE

The Beatles weren't famous for penning religious music but this song certainly has tendencies towards religion with 'Mother Mary" speaking words of wisdom. Look at these words:

"And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance
That they will see
There will be an answer, let it be."

Beautiful.

13. ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

A haunting song, I can't stop thinking how sad it is that Lennon was the victim of the idiocy of this world although he and McCartney proclaimed that "nothing's going to change my world." If only people would listen to the beauty of there message instead of hating and killing.

14. THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

Can't help being sad listening to this gorgeous creation by two musical gifts to the world that God created and put together so that our world would have a more harmonious existence. All of the Beatles were great but the bulk of their greatest music was by Lennon and McCartney. I should explain that my sadness comes from man's continuing inhumanity to his fellow creatures. I'm happy that God helped put this group together.

This beautiful compilation reminds of the beauty, togetherness and talent that brought these young men together one generation ago. Their songs will live forever.