Again: in Hamburg George went by the name "Carl Harrison"; his guitar "hero" was Carl Perkins. This LP is also a tribute to Carl Perkins -- not only with the covers of Perkins songs, but also in the lead guitar work throughout.
It wasn't in Hamburg, but in Scotland during their first tour, as The Silver Beatles, backing Johnny Gentle, in 1970. They all, minus Tommy Moore the drummer, changed their names for that tour, and only for that tour. In Hamburg, some months later, George Harrison went by the name George Harrison
The most interesting thing with I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party (aside from the fact it’s a fantastic song) is the fact that the singer of the low harmony on the verses is widely argued about, with nobody being quite sure. Some think it’s Lennon harmonising with himself, some think it’s George and some (like myself) think it’s Paul. What You’re Doing is one of the earliest examples of Paul’s more melancholic and angsty songs from the middle period of the band. Generally based on his topsy turvy relationship with Jane Asher.
Paul called 'What You're Doing' 50-50 co-written with John, started from scratch when they sat down together. Pretty sure John had it in the co-written bag too. Early takes of it have them sharing lead vocals. Anyway it was decided to go with Paul maybe to give him another solo lead vocal on the album - he only has 3 - so it goes down as a Paul song.
@@gettinhungrig8806 There’s no doubt it was about Asher, though. By the same token, the early takes of No Reply had Paul harmonising throughout most of the song.
I Don't Want To Spoil The Party is one of my absolute favorites, I can't understand why this isn't a hugely popular song. Just the into/outro alone is fantastic. The vocal harmonies, once again, perfect, and the middle eight, that perfect blend of John and Paul that gives you chills. Even their background 'oohs' are soooo good. What You're Doing is another big favorite, that riff sounds so good on the 12 string, and Paul's vocals here are some of his best (for my tastes). And again, the simple background 'ooohs' sound so freaking good.
Good to hear that you're going to backtrack to the "Long Tall Sally" EP, but before you subsequently move onto "Help!" you should listen to "I Feel Fine" and "She's A Woman," which were on the single that came out a week before "Beatles For Sale." There's also three "orphan" tracks associated with "Help!" which are the B-sides "Yes It Is" and "I'm Down," and also "Bad Boy," which was on a US release in mid-'65 and not released in the UK until the end of '66.
These are great points-more amazing songs from this time period that shouldn’t be missed. I really want to hear Luke’s reactions to them as well! Thanks for the heads up bud!
Cheers, yes. I bought the Long Tall Sally EP when it first came out and loved the tracks as much as as any of their early numbers. Glad it won’t be missed out.
The line is ambivalent: "I don't want to spoil the party so I'll go" -- go to the party, or leave the party? "I think I'll take a walk and look for her".
First song is my favorite here with brilliant harmonies and that touch on John's voice is one of a kind. Tracks 2 and 3 have an awesome guitar riff, very good, and I also love George's voice as you said very similar to John's and each with his particular sweetness.
Just starting the reaction but I am really surprised you haven't reacted to that latest Beatles song and video. Apparently it is not being blocked. And it's mind-blowing. The backstory on it is amazing. It's pretty damn emotional.
Great wrap up to a great and often under-rated album, and I loved your reaction as always, Luke .. "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" and "What You're Doing" are 2 of my favourite Beatles songs .. Melodically and harmonically fantastic, and they are just further glowing examples of their vast treasure trove of hidden gems .. Amazing band ! ❤
The jangly guitar sound is George's twelve-string Rickenbacker 360/12 (he had the second ever built), which he was gifted in February of 1964. The guitar was built just 3 months before. He went on to use it to great effect on a small number of Beatles records, and the 12-string electric guitar went on to be a signature sound for the Byrds.
Thanks - love your excitement. This album never rates highly in their catalog, but I’m with you. Definitely the start of a new era! Put your straps on, it up and up from here!
I love your reviews, Luke. They're part music review, part relationship advice. 😊 "What You're Doing " is my favorite of this grouping. It's definitely one of the Beatles' largely underappreciated gems.
I love Party. We really hear John becoming self reflective on the album. And I love the harmonies on this one. You should watch Help! After you listen to it. Fun movie. It has my favorite song You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away. Lennon doing Dylan but much better.
I still can't understand why, critically. This was considered one of the Beatles weak albums. Only eight months to release after Help. I actually think it's in the best of the early days. Great review, as always. 🙂👊❤️
I'm one who thinks it's a weaker Beatles album, but it's all about context. If any of their peers like The Animals had released it it would have been praised as a masterpiece. But The Beatles had just come off the huge commercial success of A Hard Day's Night, plus the singles that led to that, and by comparison it just doesn't quite measure up. I consider it an OK album, but very transitional. They had to get these remaining covers out of their system, plus they were experimenting with the style that would eventually lead to Help! and Rubber Soul.
Luke, I look forward to these wonderful Beatles reactions. I love these gems from the early years. I listened to these albums so many times that every time a song ends, the next one automatically begins in my head. Thanks for this fantastic journey Luke. 🌺✌️
I Don t Want to Spoil the Party was one of my dad's favorites, so I think of him when I hear it. I really like What You're Doing, I think it's fun to sing along to
The seeds of the next phase (and the folk rock of bands like The Byrds) are heard in these songs. John actually singing a line like "I had a drink or two..." would *never* have been heard on any previous album. Luke, I'm going to echo what someone else recommended below: Besides the "Long Tall Sally" EP be sure to react to "I Feel Fine" and "She's A Woman" before moving on to Help! And be sure not to skip the Help! B-sides "Yes It Is", "I'm Down," and "Bad Boy" when you move on to 1965. For extra credit check out some of the Anthology songs from this period: "That Means a Lot" and "Leave That Kitten Alone." 😸
Hey Luke...as wonderful it is hearing these great Beatles songs, it's equally as wonderful listing to your amazing musical reactions and insights! Please keep it up!!
Of these three tunes, I liked "What You Doing" best. Beatlemania was coming to an end at this time. The black and white days of rock and dance pop were nearly over. "Help" brought in a little more color. Even the film was in color. The hair got longer and the styles were changing. The Beatles were influenced by Bob Dylan and weed over the next couple of albums and I think people stopped dancing and The Beatles began to be taken more seriously as musical artists. Headphones and stereo, instead of mono.
You do fantastic reactions on the Beatles. I just noticed you also have the same surname of a former early Beatle, Stuart Sutcliffe. Or Stu for short. Keep up the reactions on the Beatles.
This was the first beatles album that i bought at a flea market when i was about 16. Not a good album compared to their other albums but it had a few gems.
George's voice back then has always been hard for me to describe. I wanted to say more nasal, but that's no it. Maybe adnoidal but that's no quite it either. Maybe a little more Liverpudlian. Pronunciation is just a little fuzzy or smudgey. Not unpleasant, just different. I think it became different as he became older
My brutal assessment: "What You're Doing" is a mediocre composition with corny rhymes, salvaged by a brilliant arrangement and performances. The song could easily have been sold off to another British band (e.g., the Searchers) and been a minor entrant on the pop charts. Love the other two songs.
The "Drumming" on "What you're Doing" is Ringo on a packing crate.
Again: in Hamburg George went by the name "Carl Harrison"; his guitar "hero" was Carl Perkins.
This LP is also a tribute to Carl Perkins -- not only with the covers of Perkins songs, but also in the lead guitar work throughout.
It wasn't in Hamburg, but in Scotland during their first tour, as The Silver Beatles, backing Johnny Gentle, in 1970. They all, minus Tommy Moore the drummer, changed their names for that tour, and only for that tour. In Hamburg, some months later, George Harrison went by the name George Harrison
Absolutely charming 1st track with wonderful famous John & Paul harmony!
I love McCartney's clever rhyming schemes on "What You’re Doing" >> he uses doin' & blue an' then runnin' & fun in
The most interesting thing with I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party (aside from the fact it’s a fantastic song) is the fact that the singer of the low harmony on the verses is widely argued about, with nobody being quite sure. Some think it’s Lennon harmonising with himself, some think it’s George and some (like myself) think it’s Paul.
What You’re Doing is one of the earliest examples of Paul’s more melancholic and angsty songs from the middle period of the band. Generally based on his topsy turvy relationship with Jane Asher.
I think it’s John doing that low harmony. Just putting in my two cents worth 😂
I hear it clear as a bell, it's John double-tracked on the verses of 'Spoil The Party'.
Paul called 'What You're Doing' 50-50 co-written with John, started from scratch when they sat down together. Pretty sure John had it in the co-written bag too. Early takes of it have them sharing lead vocals. Anyway it was decided to go with Paul maybe to give him another solo lead vocal on the album - he only has 3 - so it goes down as a Paul song.
@@gettinhungrig8806 There’s no doubt it was about Asher, though. By the same token, the early takes of No Reply had Paul harmonising throughout most of the song.
I Don't Want To Spoil The Party is one of my absolute favorites, I can't understand why this isn't a hugely popular song. Just the into/outro alone is fantastic. The vocal harmonies, once again, perfect, and the middle eight, that perfect blend of John and Paul that gives you chills. Even their background 'oohs' are soooo good. What You're Doing is another big favorite, that riff sounds so good on the 12 string, and Paul's vocals here are some of his best (for my tastes). And again, the simple background 'ooohs' sound so freaking good.
" A B-side as good as an A-side with harmony's to just die for"--I think that quite sums it up.
Good to hear that you're going to backtrack to the "Long Tall Sally" EP, but before you subsequently move onto "Help!" you should listen to "I Feel Fine" and "She's A Woman," which were on the single that came out a week before "Beatles For Sale." There's also three "orphan" tracks associated with "Help!" which are the B-sides "Yes It Is" and "I'm Down," and also "Bad Boy," which was on a US release in mid-'65 and not released in the UK until the end of '66.
These are great points-more amazing songs from this time period that shouldn’t be missed. I really want to hear Luke’s reactions to them as well! Thanks for the heads up bud!
Cheers, yes. I bought the Long Tall Sally EP when it first came out and loved the tracks as much as as any of their early numbers. Glad it won’t be missed out.
💯 agree!
Throw in 'If You've Got Troubles', 'That Means A Lot' and 'Wait' also from those sessions.
@@gettinhungrig8806 Wait is on the Help album.
The line is ambivalent: "I don't want to spoil the party so I'll go" -- go to the party, or leave the party? "I think I'll take a walk and look for her".
"I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" One of my favorite Beatle songs...full country track..love it
First song is my favorite here with brilliant harmonies and that touch on John's voice is one of a kind. Tracks 2 and 3 have an awesome guitar riff, very good, and I also love George's voice as you said very similar to John's and each with his particular sweetness.
Just starting the reaction but I am really surprised you haven't reacted to that latest Beatles song and video. Apparently it is not being blocked. And it's mind-blowing. The backstory on it is amazing. It's pretty damn emotional.
He's doing their catalog in chronological order, no need to react to Now And Then now… He will come to it when he'll come to it, without pressure
Great wrap up to a great and often under-rated album, and I loved your reaction as always, Luke .. "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" and "What You're Doing" are 2 of my favourite Beatles songs .. Melodically and harmonically fantastic, and they are just further glowing examples of their vast treasure trove of hidden gems .. Amazing band ! ❤
Great reactions and astute analyses Luke.
The jangly guitar sound is George's twelve-string Rickenbacker 360/12 (he had the second ever built), which he was gifted in February of 1964. The guitar was built just 3 months before. He went on to use it to great effect on a small number of Beatles records, and the 12-string electric guitar went on to be a signature sound for the Byrds.
Thanks - love your excitement. This album never rates highly in their catalog, but I’m with you. Definitely the start of a new era! Put your straps on, it up and up from here!
I love your reviews, Luke. They're part music review, part relationship advice. 😊 "What You're Doing " is my favorite of this grouping. It's definitely one of the Beatles' largely underappreciated gems.
I love Party. We really hear John becoming self reflective on the album. And I love the harmonies on this one.
You should watch Help! After you listen to it. Fun movie. It has my favorite song You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away. Lennon doing Dylan but much better.
I never thought it sounded like Dylan. Sounds like Lennon. I do wish though he'd done a harmonica solo at the end rather than the flute.
I still can't understand why, critically. This was considered one of the Beatles weak albums. Only eight months to release after Help. I actually think it's in the best of the early days. Great review, as always. 🙂👊❤️
I'm one who thinks it's a weaker Beatles album, but it's all about context. If any of their peers like The Animals had released it it would have been praised as a masterpiece. But The Beatles had just come off the huge commercial success of A Hard Day's Night, plus the singles that led to that, and by comparison it just doesn't quite measure up. I consider it an OK album, but very transitional. They had to get these remaining covers out of their system, plus they were experimenting with the style that would eventually lead to Help! and Rubber Soul.
Great McCartney-track, had completely fogotten it.
What you’re Doing is one of my favorite Beatles songs ever. Perfection.
George's country influenced guitar album. Always thought the last track was a Perkins original, interesting that it was itself a rendition.
Luke, I look forward to these wonderful Beatles reactions. I love these gems from the early years. I listened to these albums so many times that every time a song ends, the next one automatically begins in my head. Thanks for this fantastic journey Luke. 🌺✌️
This was fantastic. I’d recommend doing now and then video. It wouldn’t spoil the party ( journey). And you’d know enough to get all the context .
I Don t Want to Spoil the Party was one of my dad's favorites, so I think of him when I hear it. I really like What You're Doing, I think it's fun to sing along to
George's guitar work is surprisingly subdued on "Everybody's Trying..." He played with more fire on live versions of the song.
The seeds of the next phase (and the folk rock of bands like The Byrds) are heard in these songs. John actually singing a line like "I had a drink or two..." would *never* have been heard on any previous album. Luke, I'm going to echo what someone else recommended below: Besides the "Long Tall Sally" EP be sure to react to "I Feel Fine" and "She's A Woman" before moving on to Help! And be sure not to skip the Help! B-sides "Yes It Is", "I'm Down," and "Bad Boy" when you move on to 1965. For extra credit check out some of the Anthology songs from this period: "That Means a Lot" and "Leave That Kitten Alone." 😸
Hey Luke...as wonderful it is hearing these great Beatles songs, it's equally as wonderful listing to your amazing musical reactions and insights! Please keep it up!!
I ❤ these songs!! God, I've left a party when depressed too.
HEY, LUKE I DON'T WANT
TO SPOIL THE PARTY
THAT SONG CAME FROM
BEATLES VI I HAVE ALL THERE
ALBUM'S AND ALL THERE CD'S
THIS IS CHARLES
Hi Luke. Enjoy your commentary. Suggest you find and listen to YES IT IS.
Of these three tunes, I liked "What You Doing" best. Beatlemania was coming to an end at this time. The black and white days of rock and dance pop were nearly over. "Help" brought in a little more color. Even the film was in color. The hair got longer and the styles were changing. The Beatles were influenced by Bob Dylan and weed over the next couple of albums and I think people stopped dancing and The Beatles began to be taken more seriously as musical artists. Headphones and stereo, instead of mono.
You are great.
You do fantastic reactions on the Beatles. I just noticed you also have the same surname of a former early Beatle, Stuart Sutcliffe. Or Stu for short.
Keep up the reactions on the Beatles.
The Beatles are great .... Yes. But you're pretty good yourself Luke. Thanks.
This was the first beatles album that i bought at a flea market when i was about 16. Not a good album compared to their other albums but it had a few gems.
"I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" - no Paul's vocal here. Here is John on high and George on low.
❤
Your name is a Beatle name...
Rickenbaker sound wow
I’m surprised you haven’t done “Here and now”?
Fourth UK album not fifth.
I became a patreon, lowest level. Would have done 2nd level but it's "sold out?" Hey, more $ is still more $. You can't change the settings?
Spoil the Party would not have sounded out of place on the stage of the Grand Old Opera.
George's voice back then has always been hard for me to describe. I wanted to say more nasal, but that's no it. Maybe adnoidal but that's no quite it either. Maybe a little more Liverpudlian. Pronunciation is just a little fuzzy or smudgey. Not unpleasant, just different. I think it became different as he became older
My brutal assessment: "What You're Doing" is a mediocre composition with corny rhymes, salvaged by a brilliant arrangement and performances. The song could easily have been sold off to another British band (e.g., the Searchers) and been a minor entrant on the pop charts. Love the other two songs.