PLEASE PLEASE ME

This is an excellent debut album. I grew up listening to music from the 50's and 60's and there definitely wasn't any band that could perform like these lads could. It may sound dated now (of course, it was released in 1963!) but it was actually progressive in its day because as other reviewers on PA have said, it was far more exciting and energetic than anything else around, bursting with confidence and enthusiasm.

Tracks like the rousing "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Twist And Shout" were a fresh, lively slap in the face and always manage to get your hips moving! Also, listen to the Shirelles number "Boys" for the same effect. The fact that Ringo sings the girls line about boys is quite funny too. The title track is a great little two minute package with nice harmonica between verses. Other faves include "Ask Me Why", "Love Me Do" and "Do You Want To Know A Secret" but I like everything. The musicianship and harmonies are fabulous throughout. John Lennon had an excellent rock 'n'roll voice in particular, and sounded warm and rich in the softer ballads as well. Surely there's no denying the bags of talent here.

Certainly, there were some covers, but they were superb renditions and eight of the songs were written by Lennon/McCartney, inventing the idea of a self-contained rock band, writing their own hits and playing their own instruments.They did indeed need some time to mature as songwriters and they did grow in sophistication within a remarkably short space of time. Still, as "Please Please Me" stands, it's joyful, sensitive in approach and lyrics, coming from a time when the world of music was more innocent, when rock and roll was still finding its legs. Playing live was also more important than studio magic (although, the echoey production on this record suits the songs well). For all these reasons, this album will always have a special place in my heart. It isn't essential prog-rock music but it's on this site anyway and it's cool.