UNIQUE The BEATLES HELP POP PERFECTION

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46

                      NICE UNIQUE COVER DESIGN

                      MINTY CLEAN COLLECTIBLE

                   THE BEATLES

                           HELP!

\                                       GERMAN - APPLE  RECORDS -  062 04 257   

SCARCE early high quality German Apple pressing with unique laminated cover design only found on this German version...the superior 14 track selection follows the original British format....

 "Help!" exists at an interesting juncture in the band's career.  While sticking to the romantic themes that made them the biggest band in the world, their experiments with different genres and sounds point the way to a future no one could possibly have foreseen.  Any fan of "Rubber Soul" will find much to enjoy here:

"Help!" -  This would remain one of John’s favorite Beatle songs, and it’s not difficult to hear why.  The jaunty melody, with its descending guitar line on the chorus following Ringo’s powerful whacking, may have sold a lot of records, but John’s lyrics are among the first of what would become the singer/songwriter movement.  The vulnerability he confesses to here would vie with the cutting, even cruel persona of his tragic adolescence for the rest of his life, or at least until Sean’s birth.

"The Night Before" - There's plenty to love about this  strong McCartney rocker, from Paul’s “yessss” right before the guitar solo to John and George’s distinctive harmonies.  He writes an equally catchy refrain, upping the tempo and giving Ringo a workout on the drums.  

"You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" - As open a steal of another artists' style as the Beatles ever managed, "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" is pure second-hand Dylan, even with flutes in place of the harmonica.  Lyrically, it seems to be a sympathetic take on Brian Epstein's homosexuality, though John is vague enough so that it can be interpreted as a basic love song.  It's highly regarded by many, but "Norwegian Wood" would be far more successful in absorbing Bob's influence.

"I Need You" - George's second attempt at songwriting isn't nearly as memorable as "Don't Bother Me".  Some unusually weak backing vocals are only partly compensated for by George's lead guitar, which is pleasantly distorted through the use of a volume pedal.  

"Another Girl" - To hear Paul in such a smug mood is a pleasant surprise in itself: we all know the halo is just tinfoil, but it’s great to hear him admit it so openly.  The harmonies are strong, Paul’s self-assured vocal is amusing in its confidence, but the real delight here is the guitar commentary.  If it’s true that the author took the day off from his bass-playing duties to supply all those little additions to the verses, then this has got to be one of his better moments on the lead guitar.  The way he makes it sound pissed off after “she will always be my friend” shows that maybe Saint Paul could’ve filled George’s slot if Stuart hadn’t dropped out.  

"You're Going To Lose That Girl" - Like "Help!", this song has a vocal arrangement so dependent upon Paul and George's commentary that they become as important as John's lead.  The lyric finds him utterly convincing as a guy who's going to steal your neglected girlfriend: Note the joy in their voices when they exclaim "I'll make a point, of taking her away from you", which Paul and George follow up with "watch what you do".  Even those who haven't seen the movie are bound to notice Ringo's debut on one of my very favorite instruments, the bongoes - that in itself pushes this song to greatness.

"Ticket To Ride" - The Beatles may not have invented heavy metal with this song, the way the ever-quotable John claimed years later.  There's no doubt, though, that the sound of "Ticket To Ride", with its ringing guitar figure and big drums, was an influential one.  It's also their first "adult" single, lyrically concerning itself with living with a woman who thinks nothing of leaving John behind.  Another unforgettable chorus, that guitar figure that follows the refrain (played by Paul) and Ringo's finest work yet add up to a song that has lost none of its appeal.

"Act Naturally" - Sure it’s corny, but “Act Naturally” captures Ringo’s unassuming charm so perfectly that it’s impossible not to like.  George does Carl Perkins proud, and Paul provides fine harmony, but there’s no question who’s the Starr here.

"It's Only Love" - John sings like he knows how ridiculous the lyrics are (“when you sigh my, my inside just flies, butterflies” – oh, really), and the chorus is a fun, double-tracked sing-along.

"You Like Me Too Much" - If "I Need You" is second-rate George, "You Like Me Too Much" is closer to fourth.  The rest of the band tries to help out, with John playing electric piano and both Paul and George Martin contributing piano, but George gives them nothing to work with.  Thankfully, this will be his weakest non-psychadelic composition as a Beatle.

"Tell Me What You See" - This one written by John and Paul.  Both Ringo and George contribute interesting percussion, on claves and guiro respectively, in the service of a song that doesn't warrent much attention.

"I've Just Seen A Face" - Paul sounds breathless in his haste to describe the girl he’s fallen instantly in love with, and the acoustic-guitar-based melody has to hurry to catch up with him.  Unusually for him, he drops the rhymes in places you don’t expect, and that harmonizing on the “falling” section always makes me smile.  For all of Bob’s influence on John, this is the Beatles’ finest folk-rock song, even if it isn’t depressing or profound.

"Yesterday" - In a way, it's unfortunate that "Yesterday" came so early in Paul's career as a balladeer: it's a nearly impossible act to follow.  The melody is so timeless that it's no wonder he checked with the others to make sure it didn't belond to another song.  It's even more impressive that a stud like Paul could come up with lyrics so heartfelt and aching with loss.  Not bad for a 23-year-old.

"Dizzy Miss Lizzie" - George in particular sounding like he’s grinding out one last track to finish up an LP.  John gives it his all...

1. Help! (2:30)

   Recorded: April 13, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
   John Lennon - lead vocal, acoustic guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar, background vocal
   George Harrison - lead guitar, background vocal
   Ringo Starr - drums, tambourine
2. The Night Before (2:37) Recorded: February 17, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
   John Lennon - electric piano, background vocal
   Paul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead guitar, background vocal
   Ringo Starr - drums
3. You've Got to Hide Your Love Away (2:11) Recorded: February 18, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
   John Lennon - lead vocal, acoustic guitar
   Paul McCartney - acoustic guitar
   George Harrison - acoustic guitar
   Ringo Starr - tambourine
   John Scott - flute
4. I Need You (2:32) Recorded: February 15, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England with overdubs added February 16, 1965
   John Lennon - acoustic guitar, background vocal
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar, background vocal
   George Harrison - double-tracked lead vocal, lead guitar
   Ringo Starr - drums
5. Another Girl (2:08) Recorded: February 15, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England with McCartney overdubbing lead guitar on February 16, 1965
   John Lennon - acoustic guitar, background vocal
   Paul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar, lead guitar solo at end
   George Harrison - lead guitar, background vocal
   Ringo Starr - drums
6. You're Going to Lose That Girl (2:20) Recorded: February 19, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
   John Lennon - lead vocal, acoustic guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar, piano, background vocal
   George Harrison - lead guitar, background vocal
   Ringo Starr - drums, bongos
7. Ticket to Ride (3:13) Recorded: February 15, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
   John Lennon - lead vocal, rhythm guitar, tambourine
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar, lead guitar, harmony vocal
   George Harrison - lead guitar
   Ringo Starr - drums
8. Act Naturally (2:33) Recorded: June 17, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
   John Lennon - acoustic guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar, harmony vocal
   George Harrison - lead guitar
   Ringo Starr - lead vocal, drums
9. It's Only Love (1:59) Recorded: June 15, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
   John Lennon - lead vocal, acoustic guitar, tambourine
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead guitar
   Ringo Starr - drums
10. You Like Me Too Much (2:38) Recorded: February 17, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
    John Lennon - acoustic guitar, electric piano
    Paul McCartney - Steinway piano, bass guitar, harmony vocal
    George Harrison - lead vocal, lead guitar
    Ringo Starr - drums, tambourine
    George Martin - Steinway piano (played with McCartney)
11. Tell Me What You See (2:40) Recorded: February 18, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
    John Lennon - lead vocal, washboard guitar
    Paul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar, electric piano
    George Harrison - lead guitar, tambourine
    Ringo Starr - drums, claves
12. I've Just Seen a Face (2:07) Recorded: June 14, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
    John Lennon - acoustic guitar
    Paul McCartney - lead vocal, acoustic guitar
    George Harrison - acoustic lead guitar
    Ringo Starr - drums, maracas
13. Yesterday (2:08) Recorded: June 14, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
    Paul McCartney - lead vocal, Epiphone acoustic guitar
    Session musicians - string quartet
14. Dizzy Miss Lizzy (2:54) Recorded: May 10, 1965 at Abbey Road, London, England
    John Lennon - lead vocal, Hammond organ
    Paul McCartney - bass guitar
    George Harrison - lead guitar
    Ringo Starr - drums

CONDITION: The Cover: fragile and delicate, it's M- all clean and...nice... with only a little corner ding, that's it... no split seams, no bends, no writing...TOPS!

The Vinyl: all glossy clean and clear across both sides, M- playing perfect...clean Apple labels makes this A GEM.... 

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record