THE BEATLES 1962-1970

A new Beatles entry in 2010. Why not? 4 remastered CDs jam packed with the best Beatles, it had to happen. I actually had these double albums on vinyl and they received a fair thrashing over the years when I was just beginning to get into the band at a young age. It is fair to say that a newcomer to the band would have a very sizeable collection of classics on this compilation. It is great to get these on CD at last and they are identical to the original vinyl releases.

It begins with the red album, and this early phase of The Beatles is full of chart busting pop songs, and wholesome, unimpeachable love songs at that. It builds to some better material from Day Tripper onward. Best songs here are Norwegian Wood (THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN), Nowhere Man, Girl, Paperback Writer and Eleanor Rigby. The pop songs are ok especially 8 Days A Week and A Hard Day's Night.

The blue album is the best phase featuring Strawberry Fields Forever, Penny Lane, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, With A Little Help From My Friends, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds and A Day In The Life. The compilation includes the psychedelic era of The Beatles such as I Am The Walrus, Hello, Goodbye, Magical Mystery Tour, and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

The Abbey Road album is well represented with Here Comes The Sun, Come Together, and Something. Across The Universe is an excellent song and it ends with the quintessential The Long And Winding Road.

So for me this is an indispensable album introducing the best Beatles songs of the time. If you have both albums already, this comp will only retain interest for the Beatles collector. The booklet is great too and worth a read. I can award it 4 stars for the excellent material of over 50 songs, and it is essentially the best of The Beatles in one package.