WITH THE BEATLES

Needless to say that the second album of Fab Four will top the British charts. For twenty-one weeks.It is also their first number one in the States (with a different album title as well as track list as it will the standard).

What to say while you listen to "All My Loving". Nothing I guess. Just sit, listen and potentially cry. Sure that shivers will be present as well. At least it is my case. So simple, so straight-forward but so beautiful. It is said that this song (written by McCartney) was aired at the Roosevelt New-York hospital when John was brought after having been shot on that sad December day of 1980.

The recipe is pretty much similar to their debut album (released eight months before). It is a mix of own and cover songs. Even if "Till There Was You" is less known, it holds all the magnificence of the light and profound melodic mood that is so "Beatles". They were the first to write so many beautiful melodies and will probably remain the best ones ever. To be sure, just listen to "Mr. Postman". One of my fave on this album (but there will be at least five of them here).

The version of "Roll Over Beethoven" from the great Chuck Berry has of course nothing to do with the absolutely crazy and fantastic "ELO" interpretation. This one is just a nice and truthful rendition of this rock'n' roll anthem.

But even the Fab Four are not perfect. "Hold Me Tight" sounds pretty weak. A kind of filler, I guess.It was rejected form the "Please, Please Me" sessions for obvious reasons.It was already written in 1961 by McCartney.

My favourite cover from this album is "You Really Got a Hold on Me". A hit from the Motown label written by Smokey Robinson.

Would you believe that "I Wanna Be Your Man" (a daring title for the Fab Four) will be covered by the "Stones" (for whom it is a more appropriate title, right?). The "Stones" being able to release it BEFORE ! Bad guys, I tell you (just kidding...).

The travel back in time continues with this album. Some timeless songs again of which "Not A Second Time" fully belongs. Even if some covers are probably not well chosen nor greatly played, the Fab Four just confirmed their skilled song writing and their care for vocal arrangements. But of course, they will do far much better later on. No question of prog here, of course.

Three stars for this pre-historical rock album.