Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney: From a Window

Kate Pierson (Performer), Graham Parker (Performer), Bill Janovitz (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gallery Six Records/RPH Productions
• ASIN: B00008OM4L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,699 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The epochal Beatles songs of Lennon & McCartney need no introduction. But such were the L&M songwriting riches in service of the Fabs that they shared their leftovers with contemporary colleagues like Billy J. Kramer, Cilla Black, and Peter & Gordon, who in turn produced a sizable body of hits with them. Yet despite being compiled decades ago on an import release, that body of songs has remained largely unaddressed until this buoyant revival by the B-52's' Kate Pierson, vet Graham Parker, and Buffalo Tom's Bill Janovitz (with guest performances by Johnny Society and Cheap Trick's Robin Zander). The trio's stripped-down production and pumped-up performances underscore the solid foundations and evergreen appeal of these songs, with Parker's aggressive snarl transforming the title track and "Come and Get It"--and occasionally overwhelming jangly lightweights like "One and One is Two." Johnny Society's collaborations with Pierson (a bubbly lounge take on Black's ‘68 single "Step Inside Love") and Zander (the Beatles For Sale reject "That Means A Lot" as angular, haunting dirge) are both standouts, while Janovitz gives "I'll Keep You Satisfied" some soulful swagger and imparts a sense of cabaret angst to "It's For You." It's an intimate and heartfelt introduction to songs that range from unabashed innocence to the surprisingly cynical and world-weary. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Full Title - From A Window - Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney. 17 tracks Performed by the legendary Graham Parker, Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom, and B-52's Kate Pierson. Special guest appearance by Johnny Society, with Cheap Trick's Robin Zander. Digipak. RPH. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Treatment Of "Lost" Songs A Treat, April 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney: From a Window (Audio CD)

What were once antiquated cast-offs come to vivid life in this odd collection of remakes of Lennon & McCartney songs.

This review is based on an advance copy from March, so if things have changed since the April 8th release date, sorry.

"Come & Get It"/Graham Parker - Given to Badfinger; written by McCartney, the Beatles' demo appears on "Beatles Anthology III." Parker gives it the edge its always needed.

"I'll Keep You Satisfied"/Bill Janovitz - A melodic rocker released Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas (who were produced by George Martin) in 1963. It hit #30 when issued in the US in August 1964. Janovitz breaths life into it - it could actually be a hit single.

"Bad To Me"/Graham Parker - A very good remake of the 1963 UK hit by Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas. In the US, it was a hit B-side to "Little Children."

"From A Window"/Graham Parker - This 1964 contribution to Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas, which did quite well in the US & UK, is a rather weak song in the new millenium, but Parker makes it worth the trip.

"I'm In Love"/Kate Pierson - Recorded by The Fourmost and produced by George Martin in 1963, I was surprised that Pierson could pull of a rather emotional remake of a very bland song.

"I'll Be On My Way"/Johnny Society - Performed by the Beatles on the BBC, but never recorded by them for an official release. Credited to "McCartney-Lennon," it was a UK hit for Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas in 1963. If this were the '60s we'd call Society's version "avante garde."

"It's For You"/Bill Janovitz - A Lennon-McCartney hit for Cilla Black in 1964. Typical of McCartney's cheesey side, this one could have been left in mothballs.

"Love Of The Loved"/Kate Pierson - Originally released by Cilla Black in 1963; among the Beatles' demos recorded for the Decca audition in January 1962, Pierson nails this and brings it into to the 21st century.

"Step Inside Love"/Kate Pierson - Written for Cilla Black by McCartney in 1968; it falls under the "Lennon-McCartney" publishing agreement, but is pure McCartney. I can imagine Pierson performing this one in Vegas.

"Hello Little Girl"/Bill Janovitz - Credited to "McCartney-Lennon" on the 1963 Martin-produced Fourmost release; among the Beatles' Decca audition session tracks. You just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear on thisd one.

"Goodbye"/Bill Janovitz - Written for Mary Hopkin by McCartney (who also produced and played lead acoustic guitar and bass on the original; Janovitz keeps his version true to the song's genre:

"One And One Is Two"/Graham Parker - Originally recorded in 1964 by the Strangers With Mike Shannon, its never been a strong song - even McCartney's oft-bootlegged demo is a snore - but Parker has made it into quite the pleaser.

"A World Without Love"/Bill Janovitz - Peter & Gordon's first international hit, written by McCartney (who was dating Peter's sister, Jane Asher); published under the "Lennon-McCartney" credit. Janovitz does a good job, considering it's not easy to remake a smash.

"Woman"/Bill Janovitz - Peter & Gordon's 1966 smash hit, credited to Bernard Webb but written exclusively for them by McCartney. And here's proof that it's not easy to remake a smash. Last call for well drinks.

"Nobody I Know"/Kate Pierson - A 1964 Peter & Gordon release. An excellent remake of what was once a forgettable tune - McCartney writing in his "hootenanny" mode.

"Tip Of My Tongue"/Graham Parker - A 1963 UK hit for Pye Records artist Tommy Quickly, and, frankly, an awful song. Why Parker chose to remake it is a mystery (all the others were taken?) but he pulls it off! A phenomenal transformation!

"That Means A Lot"/Robin Zander - A 1965 lounge-lizard-style P.J. Proby single, produced by Ron Richards. The Beatles' more energetic demo - which apparently influenced Zander's version - appears on "Beatles Anthology II."

Now, there are some "lost" songs that remain untouched, so could there be a volume 2 in the works?

Additional Beatles "giveaway" songs of the '60s I'd like to hear updated:

"Penina"/Carlos Mendes - Credited to Paul McCartney and released in 1969.

"Thingumybob"/one of the first releases released on Apple in 1968, this instrumental was performed by The Black Dyke Mills Band. The only remake I've ever heard was George Martin's, for his boxed set in the '90s, and that was rather [bad].

"Cat Call"/released by The Chris Barber Band - Released by Barber in 1967, this instrumental had been titled "Catswalk" on a 1962 Beatles rehearsal tape.

"Love In The Open Air"/recorded by The George Martin Orchestra - Composed for the film "The Family Way" by McCartney; issued as a single in 1966.

"I Don't Want To See You Again"/originally recorded by Peter & Gordon - Released in 1964, this is a fairly catchy song, but didn't show much chart action.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Performances on songs Lennon And McCartney Gave Away, April 13, 2003

By 

Frank C. Branchini "beatlefanfcb" (Edgewater, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney: From a Window (Audio CD)

I love Beatle cover records and I am a huge fan of the B-52's and Kate Pierson so I was really excited to hear about this release. As Beatles cover compilations go this one is above average. It is a really pleasant romp through some of the lost songs in the Lennon and McCartney catalog.

Kate Pierson singing "I'm In Love" sounds is very B-52ish. Bill Janovitz's take on "I'll Keep You Satisfied"lacks the pop sweetness of the Billy J. Kramer version which is the essence of this song's charm. "From A Window" by Graham Parker has an instrumental backing that sounds like the Hollie. This is one of the really great lost Lennon and McCartney songs.

"Step Inside Love" features Kate Pierson and Johnny Society with Kate also doing background vocals. This is fun but doesn't hold a candle to the Cilla Black version. "It's For You" by Bill Janovitz is one of the outstanding tracks on this CD. He sounds like Elvis Costello on this. "Bad To Me" performed by Graham Parker is fun. This is another one of the real gems among the lost songs but I prefer the Billy J. Kramer version.

"That Means A Lot" performed by Johnny Society and Robin Zander features a really strong vocal performance. This one of the real standout songs on this release.
On "Hello Little Girl" by Bill Janovitz he does the impossible: he takes one of the least memorable songs ever written by Lennon and McCartney and turns it into a gem. He does this as a new wave rave a la Elvis Costello and the Attractions in the early days when they were making listenable music. This is fun, snappy, and completely blows away the version by the Fourmost.

"Love of the Loved" by Kate Pierson has a jazzy instrumental backing, but lacks the essential sparkle of the Cilla Black version. "Tip Of My Tongue" by Graham Parker is given a reggae flavor. This would have been more fun if it had been done at snappier tempo. "Goodbye" by Bill Janovitz is one of the best songs that Lennon and McCartney gave away. This is a great performance of a great song.

"Come and Get It" was the most memorable song ever done by Badfinger. Graham Parker's version is fun, but doesn't come close to the Badfinger recording. "World Without Love" by Bill Janovitz has a bluesy feeling with a great harmonica instrumental break in the middle.

"One And One Is Two" by Graham Parker is an upbeat rocker.
I love Kate Pierson but her stripped down version of "Nobody I Know" just goes to show how turly brilliant the Peter and Gordon recording truly is. "Woman" by Bill Janovitz has a simple arrangement featuring a wonderful vocal.

"I'll Be On My Way" by Johnny Society is another great lost song. This is done Buddy Holly style and the arrangement is brilliant but I would have loved it if they had added a slide guitar break in the middle.

This is a really fun, solid release. I would highly recommend it to fans of Kate Pierson or Graham Parker and to collectors of Beatles covers. These songs are essential to any true collection of Beatles tunes but any one who doesn't have the original versions should seek them out.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lennon and McCartney revisited, December 3, 2003

By 

Steven Coatney "Steve" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney: From a Window (Audio CD)

David Hartman's review is BS, frankly. I listened to half these songs some 40 years ago. These versions are better. This album/CD kicks major ass. Nice going all