PAST MASTERS VOLUME ONE

1988 PAST MASTERS. VOLUME 1 : Without questions, during their reign, The Beatles were the leaders and they were million years apart from even their closest competitors. Other than producing blockbuster albums after albums, they were doing the same for their stand along singles. They were as profilic in producing singles as they were in producing albums and more often than not, the singles were not part of their albums. During the records days, it was no small feat to collect all The Beatles' recordings 'cos other than the albums, there were indispensable singles spread all over their SPs and EPs which make collecting all their recordings no small task. Which was why these two releases Past Masters Volume 1 & 2 are a God sent for Beatles fans all over the world.

Love Me Do ( Lennon / McCartney ) : This version was slightly different from the album version. This one have Ringo on drum while the album version have session musician Andy White drumming and Ringo shaking his tambourine. On first hearing, the bass line is quite cute.

From Me To You ( Lennon / McCartney ) : There were some discrepancies as to whether 'Please Please Me' was a No. 1 hit or not 'cos it was No.1 in three of the published rankings but only made the runner up spot in the now widely quoted fourth. 'From Me To You' was an unanimous No.1 and the first of 11 consecutive British No.1 for The Beatles. An early favorite of mine. The first song that my son can sing even before he can even speak properly.

Thank You Girl ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The B side to 'From Me To You'. Written as a thank you note to their fans. This was a throwaway but still retained some of The Beatles' magic nevertheless.

She Loves You ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The first big one from The Beatles. The one that started Beatlemania and gave us the immortal catch phase 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeah'.

I'll Get You ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The flip side of 'She Loves You' and one of my favourite. I remember my brother asking me what Beatles' song that I like and he'll type it out for me on our newly purchased typewriter. I replied the one with the wording ' I'll get you in the air....yes, I will, I'll get you in the air.....'. This was also the one the son sang along to in the CD shop when the DVD was played to the amusement of the people around.

I Want To Hold Your Hand ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The one that introduced The Beatles to America. I have a soft spot for this tune, Don't know why but I just love this song.

This Boy ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The flip to 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and what glorious harmony. I didn't really have the chance to listen to this song until the time I bought this 'Rarities" album.. Totally love it.

Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The German version of 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'. The arrangements are exactly the same as the original.

Sie Liebt Dich ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The German version of 'She Loves You'. Knowing John Lennon's off beat sense of humour during the time of recording of this two tracks, it would be wise to check the translations.

Long Tall Sally ( Johnson / Penniman /Blackwell ) : This came out originally on an EP. I wasn't too crazy about this track.

I Call Your Name ( Lennon / McCartney ) : I could vaguely remember this song from my youth. I can only sing the the first verse but when I finally got to hear it in it's entirely, it practically blew me away. Originally given to Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas but John deemed it fit to record a version of it with The Beatles.Wise choice. I absolutely love this version.

Slow Down ( Williams ) : I remember this mostly from the cartoon version. Like this.

Matchbox ( Perkins ) : Ringo's tune. Another track that I can live without. This was one cool EP, with four songs sang by each of The Beatles.

I Feel Fine ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The one with the most famous distorted guitar feed back in the history of Rock Music. Released on the same day as the album "Beatles for Sale ". I love this one, who wouldn't.

She's A Woman ( Lennon / McCartney ) : Not particularly crazy about this track but that's something special about it. Like so many Beatles' songs. Sounds familiar and yet.....can't put my fingers on it but this is essential stuff,

Bad Boy ( Williams ) : I heard this once on a pirate record and then lost track of it until I got the rarities album. My band loves me doing this song and I love singing it equally.

Yes It Is ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The flip side of 'Ticket To Ride; and was considered a 'horror' by John Lennon. What saves it was the beautiful harmony first served on 'This Boy'. And yeah, for once I agreed with John, this one is not one to shout home about.

I'm Down ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The flip side of 'Help!', this one was a rocker on the vein of Little Richard's 'Long Tall Sally'.
I am not too crazy about this track either but I find I enjoyed the version on the Anthology 2 CD without the backing more.

DOP : 6th June 1992.