LONG TALL SALLY

The Extended Play (EP) format was a more popular format in the U.K, than in the U.S. In that format some bands released 4 or 5 songs in a little vinyl disc that played at 45 R.P.M. So, bands like The Beatles used it sometimes to release their most popular songs from their British albums, and in two occasions, to release new music which only was released in that format. This EP was the first time they released new music in that format, with the second time being the double EP package of the songs from the "Magical Mystery Tour" film in late 1967.

This EP has 4 songs. Three of them were composed by other musicians, and only one song was composed by Lennon and McCartney.

"Long Tall Sally": composed by Little Richard. Sung by McCartney. It has some piano playing and a lead guitar played by Harrison. An energetic song which they also used many times to finish their concerts.

"I Call Your Name": composed by Lennon and McCartney, and sung by Lennon. A simple good and somewhat slow song which maybe it is not very popular or known as other songs from the band. It also includes a lead guitar by Harrison.

"Slow Down": composed by Larry Williams and sung by Lennon, A very typical Rock and Roll song which also has some piano playing, plus another good lead guitar by Harrison. In other occasions the band also recorded two other songs composed by Williams ("Dizzy Miss Lizzy" and "Bad Boy"). It seems that Lennon was a fan of Williams`s music.

"Matchbox": composed by Carl Perkins, and with double-tracked lead vocals by Ringo Starr. It also includes some piano playing and another lead guitar by Harrison.

The songs in this EP sound like being recorded mostly "live in the studio" with very few overdubs (like most of their early material). But they sound very well, and the band sounds like having a very good time. Four good Rock and Roll songs which were exclusively recorded to be released in this EP. Even the photo in the cover was good and very original. The band not only recorded songs for their British albums, They also recorded some songs to be only released on singles, and as I wrote above, in only two occasions they also recorded some new songs to be exclusively released on EPs like this. They worked very hard, I think.

These four songs were also released in the "Past Masters Volume One" compilation album in 1988.