Customer Reviews

Come Together: America Salutes Beatles

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first time I saw this in a music store I thought "Country artists playing the Beatles--give me a break!" But after one listen I was hooked, and I've played this hundreds of times since, only slowing down 'cause I was driving my family nuts playing it over and over. Country artists pull the emotion out of the tunes the way George Martin's productions didn't/couldn't do in the original recordings, and believe me, I'm a major fan of the originals. But the songs took my heart away, especially I'll Follow The Sun by David Ball, Something by Tanya Tucker, If I Fell by Sammy Kershaw, In My Life by Susan Ashton And Gary Chapman, and All My Loving by Suzy Bogguss And Chet Atkins are took my heart away. And the rockers on this disk are fun and irresistible, especially One After 909, Come Together, Oh Darling, and Get Back. I liked this so much I bought several for my friends.

This was the first (of many) Beatles tributes I have purchased over the years, and it is by far the best. With a fairly eclectic mix of country and pop artists, there should be something on this album to please any ear. My highlight remains Phil Keaggy and PFR's rendition of "We Can Work It Out." The harmonies are perfect. At the oppisite end of the spectrum is the equally impressive "One After 909" by Willie Nelson. Presented at a great shuffle pace. You will not be disappointed if you pick this up. A truly wonderful collection of Beatles classics.

I bought this cd out of curiosity, and mainly because Randy Travis and Chet Atkins is on this album. To my surprise, I was blown away...this has today's best C&W musicians, doing their own personal interpretations of the old Beatles' standards. I've never heard of Suzy Bogguss or Susan Ashton before, but now I do. Their voices are incredible! I listen to just about every music genre, and this cd is one of my Country & Western essentials.

I am really suprised that no one has reviewed this album before me. It is a wonderful tribute album featuring some of the best loved country artists. Each artist has added their own special touch to their chosen song, sometimes sticking close to the original, and at other times veering off a bit. But however performed each song is performed wonderfully. My favourite has to be "Come Together" by Delbert McClinton, who turns the song into a rough-and-tumble roadhouse shuffle, with a biting harp solo. Willie Nelson's take on "One after 909" is also a favourite. Nelson translates it as a moving shuffle, a churning road song. This is an album that any country fan and Beatles fan should own. The 28 page booklet contains photos of each artist, the lyrics and a couple of essays. Recommended.

The concept of different music styles being applied to another e.g. Dylan songs having had both spiritual choirs and reggae tribute CDs, is one of those gambles that when it works can be brilliant. This is one of those succesful cases taking the great Beatles songbook and having a range of different country and western (not all of them well known to me) apply a range of interpretations.

The great aspect for me is that the approach in each is so fresh (notably "We can work it out" with a mock string quartet intro by Phil Keaggy & PFR) or just as enjoyable as the original ("I'll follow the sun" by David Ball and "All my loving" by Suzy Bogguss & Chet Atkins especially impressing). Inevitably there are a few bummers - I fear I cannot take Tanya Tucker's "gargling with gravel" earthy voice very often and certainly not on "Something" but overall the quality is so good I would put this CD up there as one of the best Beatles tribute I have heard.

If you are a fan of the Beatles and Country music, as I am, this
will be one of the best CD's you will EVER purchase. If you like
one or the other, it is still well worth the investment. My
personal favorites are which are done extremely well are: I'll
Follow the Sun by David Ball, We Can Work it Out by Phil Keaggy,
and All My Loving by Suzy Bogguss and Chet Atkins.

Before I begin, I should say that I am not a big fan of the Beatles, never was, never will be. I respect them for their influence, but I prefer to listen to those that influenced them and those whom they influenced.
With that out of the way, this album is fantastic. David Ball's rendition of "I'll Follow the Sun" is perfect. It is one of my favorites. "Help!" by Little Texas is, to me, the song on this album that most closely resembles the original, yet Little Texas makes it their own. "Paperback Writer" is by one of the least recognized artists of our time-Kris Kristofferson. Acting, singing, writing-he's done it all.
Hands down, the best cover on this album is "We Can Work It Out" by PFR and Phil Keaggy. These guys aren't very well known outside of the Christian market, but for harmony and guitar work, there are few who are better, secular or Christian.
Others on this album include Delbert McClinton, Huey Lewis, and a haunting "Nowhere Man" done by Randy Travis.
Beatles fans may cringe at the idea of others covering these tunes, but remember, this album only solidifies the importance of the Beatles' influence in American and global music.

How can you go wrong with a tribute album to the beatles catalog? It would be hard to mess one up. Country artists doing beatles songs? It works. Solid musicianship, good singing, pristine sound quality, and beatles material add up to a great cd! All selections are well done with most artists sticking to the original interpretations. Nuff said. Good stuff. Get it...

If you are a fan of the Beatles and Country music, as I am, this
will be one of the best CD's you will EVER purchase. If you like
one or the other, it is still well worth the investment. My
personal favorites are which are done extremely well are: I'll
Follow the Sun by David Ball, We Can Work it Out by Phil Keaggy,
and All My Loving by Suzy Bogguss and Chet Atkins.

I've had this cd since '95 and it is a great tribute to The Beatles and their timeless music.