Customer Reviews

B-Sides the Beatles

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

B-sides to hit singles loom large in the Beatles legend, not just in those they released, but also in helping to form their early stage act and indeed, their approach to making records. And so, this niche of Beatleism is explored on the latest offering from New Jersey's kings of power-pop, the Smithereens.

While most selections on the disc will be familiar, the bands deep love for the Beatles is duly paralleled by their dip into the catalog. The album opens up with three songs featuring what Capitol A&R men initially shunned as "that damn harmonica", "Thank You Girl", "There's A Place" and "I'll Get You", the latter being a standout track on the collection. Another three emanate from the "A Hard Day's Night" soundtrack ("You Can't Do That", "If I Fell" and "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You"). Lesser-known Beatle tracks are also thrown into the set, including "Cry For A Shadow" (the lone Lennon/Harrison composition in the canon, originally recorded during the 1961 Tony Sheridan sessions). Another offbeat inclusion is a song which, while never on a Beatles B-side, is strongly associated with that glorious early Liverpool period, "Some Other Guy", the song the Beatles were filmed performing live at the Cavern, as seen in the Anthology DVD. It's a nice touch, a rip-roaring performance, and an interesting departure from the strict album concept.

The album is rounded out with "I Don't Want To Spoil the Party" boasting a heavier middle-eight than its Beatle counterpart, the Larry Williams rave-up "Slow Down", and another early Cavern-era composition "Ask Me Why". Finally, we get what must surely be the album's centerpiece, "P.S. I Love You", featuring drummer Andy White reprising his role on this track he recorded with the Beatles back at Abbey Road in 1962. If you're keeping score at home, White only ever recorded that song with two bands. The Smithereens are in good company, indeed.

Lest anyone be concerned about the return trip to the Beatle-well following their 2007 tribute to "Meet The Beatles", make no mistake: the Smithereens are as vital in the 21st century as they were in the 20th (not sure? Give a listen to their recent live album, see them in concert or give a listen to some of Pat DiNizio's recent solo work). No apologies are in order in a time where multiple volumes of "American Songbook" albums by rock superstars or interpretations of Joni Mitchell's work are topping the charts, winning Grammys and reviving careers. This is the Smithereens way of embracing this "not-so new" playing field, with a bit of a home field advantage. In that regard, they succeed wildly.

"The Smithereens B-Sides The Beatles" is another expertly crafted and fun album from New Jersey's foremost rocking foursome. This time the Smithereens lovingly customize the flip-sides of some B-loved (make that "beloved") Beatles singles. The opening salvo of "Thank You Girl", "There's A Place", "I'll Get You" and "You Can't Do That" grabs you by the ears right away with The Smithereens adding an extra rocking edge of their own to these terrific but somewhat more obscure Beatles songs. These B-sides (but never B-songs) run the gamut from rockers to ballads (like "If I Fell") and even country ("I Don't Want To Spoil The Party"). Rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Pat DiNizio dives into the deep end of the Liverpool but marks his territorial waters with his own masterful vocal renditions of these and other Beatles songs. This collection also serves as a fine showcase for The Smithereens to display their formidable musical chops - especially with the wailing instrumental "Cry For A Shadow" (the only Beatles tune ever credited solely to George Harrison and John Lennon). Manic percussive drummer Dennis Diken steps up to the microphone to sing lead vocals on the Larry Williams rocker "Slow Down" and the band provides the closing ceremony's musical fireworks by ending the album with the old Cavern Club raver "Some Other Guy" as sung by Jim Babjak (who also sings lead vocals with cheerful abandon on "I'm Happy Just To Dance with You"). The Smithereens have also given these classic model Beatles tunes a tune-up with the skilled aid of "garage rock" mechanic/co-producer Kurt ("The Gripweeds") Reil and ace bass handyman Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion.

Of special historical note here is a guest appearance by Andy White who plays drums on "P.S. I Love You" just like he did on the original Beatles' version. (That also appears to be Mr. White's gentlemanly voice doing the count-in at the beginning of this new version of the song for a nice extra added touch.) You also get more bang for your buck with an accompanying CD booklet containing liner notes written by Beatles historian Bruce Spizer, "Beatle" Tom Frangione ("Joe Johnson's Beatle Brunch"), Kurt Reil (co-producer) and Dennis Diken (who pays special homage therein to this CD cover's caricaturist and famous MAD magazine artist Jack Davis).

With "The Smithereens B-Sides The Beatles", the Smithereens have proven that they still know how to make that Beatles "rock and roll music" (any old time you use it) sound completely fresh and dynamic. Take two parts Beatles and Smithereens, mix well, and you've got one cool refreshment.

Pat and the boys have done it again! After listening to "Meet the Smithereens" and "Live in Concert", I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next piece of "Smithereenology". This compilation of sentimental favorites did not disappoint.

The amazing thing here is that the Smithereens have a unique way of sounding like the Beatles and at the same time, sounding like themselves. "Meet the Smithereens" took you back to a place in time where every song was burned to memory. "B-Sides" is a reminder as to how great the "other" songs were. I especially enjoyed the not-so-popular numbers like "Ask Me Why" and "Cry for a Shadow".

Attention Beatles fans: Welcome to a trip back down Memory Lane. Smithereens fans: The boys are back in full swing. Haters: Get your heads out of the sand!! This is a gem!!

Yet AGAIN, The Smithereens hit one out of the ballpark! And again they do it with The Beatles. These guys add the punch, the fun and the excitement to these songs that only The Smithereens can! Think you've heard these songs before? Listen to them with fresh ears as they do The Beatles B-Sides and give them that Smithereens crunch. They bring the fun and the great feelings of these songs back to those who remember hearing them for the first time and introduce that excitement to a new generation.

An excellent and worthy companion to their 'Meet The Smithereens' album!

These are good covers of Beatles songs and I am a big fan of both Smithereens and the Beatles, but this disc and the "Meet the Smithereens" disc both left me a little flat. You know what is missing? The crazy manic energy that the Beatles put into their early recordings. You know what I mean, that energy, in "Eight Days a Week" or "Please Please Me" that you hear and even though it is like 45 years old now, that sound and energy is just so crammed in there and busting out in the Beatles voices and their playing. The Smithereens have not tried to make these their own, nor have they tried to duplicate the Beatles, so they are just trying to be "faithful" or something and it's lacking. Very few songs in here strike you as so entertaining as to put a smile on your face because they did something different, unexpected.

Maybe I am feeling jaded right now, but I like the Smithereens doing Smithereens songs a whole lot more than this.

Take the timeless nature of these songs, add modern recording and audio resolution, stir in a band that's great in it's own right, and you get one thoroughly great album. No filler, indeed: The album just keeps gliding from one perfectly crafted pop song -- performed wonderfully -- after another. The Smithereens not only walk the fine line between covering the material faithfully and letting their own style through -- they dance all over it. Nothing else to say, this is one of those albums that pull me back in just when I'm ready to give up considering new music.

The 'Reen's did a great job picking out some rare gems - a lot of Beatles fans have never heard these songs before or forgot how good those (USA) flipsides were. I really like the surfy job they did on "Cry For A Shadow" making it sound more like the Ventures than the Shadows.

And MAJOR respect for getting the legendary Jack Davis (of Mad Magazine fame) to do the classy cover! (Why does it remind me of "The Best Of The Cowsills"?)

Yet, this is another CD I recommend for Diehard Smithereens and curious Beatles fans who enjoy collecting cover versions. If your not familiar with them you may be put off by Pat's voice or the harder (Kinks like) attack they give some of these classics. Check out the sound samples before buying.

This is another fun tribute CD by a band that loves the British Invasion. But C'mon guys, we old fans want to hear a new album. It's been too long since the last album of original material!

If I'd never heard the original Beatles versions I'd find this CD to be a masterpiece. Yes, The Smithereens cover the Beatles on this tribute but yet they manage to blend in their own unique "Smithereen" signature sound. A must have for all Smithereen fans & a should have for all Beatle fans.

Last year's Meet the Smithereens, sequenced exactly in the same running order as Meet the beatles, showed what these guys are made of...excellent skills and a love for what they do. This companion piece is another perfect fit. It even goes a little deeper and digs up a couple of gems not everyone may be familiar with...but that again is what these guys are made of. Check out their remake of Ringo's "It Don't Come Easy" on one of their earlier rarities collections and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. These guys are an underrated gem in rock & roll history. They are exactly on the money and right in the pocket here. If you're thinking about this CD...do it. Do not hesitate and turn it up!

It happens on "American Idol" all the time. Performers go on stage and sing the songs exactly the way the original artist (or group) performed them. As a result,the singer's performance is compared to the original version. It's usually a "no win" situation for the performer since they are trying to sound like someone else (other than themselves).
Now don't get me wrong- I love the Smithereens and this album is pleasant enough to listen to but it's nothing to get excited about. After all,it's all been done before........hasn't it? How do you top The Beatles by trying to make each song sound exactly like them? The Beatles version (in my opinion) is always going to sound better.
Perhaps next time around if the Smithereens decide to do another Beatles album they should do one of the following:
1. Write original material that would be in a Beatles style.
2. Take The Beatles songs and give them a more modern (2008) feel.
By the way their previous Beatles effort ("Meet The Smithereens") was also rather pleasant. Most people will probably like (both of) these albums since they fill a void for a group that we wish was still around today. In that respect, we have to applaud the Smithereens for wanting to keep Beatlemania alive.