The Beatles
Past Masters I

One thing, whether you like it or not, must be admitted. The Beatles, whether you like them or not, were impeccable professionals. To publish, in just a span of 6 years (1963-1969), 13 albums (including a double one) in addition to these two "Past Masters," which, aside from a few covers, are original records, is no small feat. As Harrison said: "We were twice as successful as others because we worked twice as hard as others."

The first 6 songs of "Past Masters I" are classics of the Beatlemania era, songs that certainly didn't grant the Beatles the glory they have and will continue to have. They should be judged for what they are. John Robertson puts it briefly: "They were perfect songs for those times." Nothing more, nothing less. It's a waste of time to insult or celebrate them.

When we reach track 7, we see instead the other side of the Beatles, the mature side of ballads. "This Boy" is undoubtedly a little gem that had the misfortune of being released as a B-side. Here we have a creatively inclined Lennon with chords (earning even McCartney's praise, undoubtedly superior to John musically) and a genius in the dichotomy "This"/"That" - even if it is a teenage love song.

Lennon was always immensely proud of it and wanted to play it in February 1964, on the "Ed Sullivan Show," with electric guitars, and not with acoustics, as in the album. It's a matter of taste whether the acoustic version or the folk-electric one is more beautiful. In my list of the best in their "minor production" (up to "Help!"), this one cannot be missing.

Lennon was so proud of "This Boy" that about a year later, he tried to "rewrite" it. The result is "Yes It Is" (the penultimate song of the album), one of the most beautiful slow songs ever written by John, although with lyrics not up to the melody. This song would have certainly elevated the level of "Help!" greatly. Instead, it was released as a single (in Spring 1965), and many don't even know it. This too is in my list of the best 12 of the early period. The Anthology version, with the classical guitar in the background, is, in the initial part, more beautiful and mournful than the version published on the album.

Certainly, "Long Tall Sally" is one of Paul's best vocal performances, superior to Little Richard's original for many.

Another of his great vocal performances is "I'm Down," the song that closes the album. It almost seems like an "original copy" of "Long Tall Sally."

Obviously, a great song, which, like "Yes It Is," would have made "Help!" better.

Lennon's cover, "Slow Down," doesn't thrill me - despite excellent vocals and a very well maintained rhythm.

"I Call Your Name," another Lennon piece (he wrote it at 15), is well appreciated by critics for being one of the earliest ska in the history of European popular music. I only find it a good song, but incapable of moving me.

"She's a Woman" is good, but too repetitive.

"I Feel Fine" was one of Lennon's prides due to the initial feedback, which he said was the first ever to appear on a record - "before Hendrix and The Who." The riff is really catchy. If it were slower, it would be a great song. As it is, it borders on a ditty. Also, the lyrics are really terrible. If instead in the lyrics he's mocking the stereotypes of love songs, then it's a masterpiece of irony.