2008 has been a year of surprises for me, and like most everyone else, the recent jolts in my life have not been especially pleasant. In trying times, we seek the aural comfort food of good pop music more than ever. For a prime example, take the unprecedented response to the Beatles when most Americans first heard them on the Ed Sullivan Show, just a few months after the assassination of JFK. This album may not be Meet the Beatles, but it is a very pleasant surprise.
Nothing I knew about Pete Best’s career after he was unceremoniously kicked out of the most famous band in history led me to expect Haymans Green, a set of original tunes written by Best and his band and recorded at his Liverpool studio, in the former Casbah Club (site of many formative Beatles performances). Not only is this album an unexpected bright spot in an otherwise dismal period, it’s the better of two albums this year from former Beatles’ drummers.
When samples of three Haymans Green tracks were posted to a music group I belong to, in a blind “taste test,” group members were reminded of various late-Sixties sounds, mentioning the Byrds, Donovan, and even early Pink Floyd. None of us successfully identified the source, despite pervasive Beatles influences, as the Pete Best Band. And why would we? There is nothing especially distinctive about Best’s drumming—unlike, say, Keith Moon’s. And unlike Ringo, Best doesn’t sing, so his records can’t be identified by his voice.
The musicians Best has surrounded himself with though, more than compensate for his lack of distinctive musical characteristics. Pete is undoubtedly a solid player, which makes second drummer, Best’s brother Roag, seem superfluous. Phil Melia, Paul Parry, and Tony Flynn (on guitars, keyboards, and vocals) are well versed in melodic, Sixties-flavored fills, soaring vocal harmonies, and hook-filled, power pop songwriting.
Article comments
1 - Travis
Comparing Pete Best's album to Ringo's is ridiculous, considering Pete uses another drummer and doesn't even sing. That's a low, unnecessary blow. There are some good songs on Ringo's album, and he's earned his place in history and had a fine solo career. Perhaps Pete's album is good, but your rude comparison is cheap.
2 - James
Haymans green is one of the best albums I've ever heard. As for drumming, listen to the end of the last song of the album the (title track)where the drums take over as the lead instrument. Just iceing on the cake on this amazingly good album.
3 - James A. Gardner
Travis, you may consider my comparison of Pete's and Ringo's albums to be ridiculous--that's certainly your right. Rude? Sorry, I don't see anything rude about comparing the two; comparing two artists is a legitimate critical practice, especially when the two have held the same place in a band.
I did find the dismissive AMG review (as quoted) of Pete's album to be rude. And I was personally offended by what struck me as Ringo's insensitive lyrics and his treatment of his fans this year.
I appreciate your comment, however, and would respectfully suggest that our notions of what constitutes good manners and rudeness are very different.
4 - Tommy
I have seen both Ringo and Pete perform live. Both are solid drummers. Pete played over a thousand gigs with the Beatles. He is an original Beatle and his legacy was preserved on Anthology.
He may not have been a member of the "Fab Four", but his contribution to the greatest band the world has ever known cannot be diminished.
5 - tj
thanks mr gardner for specifically calling out the insults inherent in Mark Deming's AMG review. MD would have benefitted from the same blind taste test that you experienced; instead, he approached Haymans Green with a hearty bias that became blatantly obvious after his review had actually started off on a positve note. HG surprised me, with every track- whether a rocker or a ballad- quite enjoyable. The auto/biographical theme of the album makes it even more interesting to listen closely to the lyrics to learn what parts of beatles history and/or personal history are being described. Seriously, I'd if you have the CD, do a similar blind taste test with someone you know, and see their reaction AFTER you tell them who it is.
Very cool review Mr Gardner. Ya hit the nail on the head.
6 - Gordon Ovenshine
This is the best and most surprising album I have heard in 20 years. The song writing, production and vocals are outstanding. Gone, Broken and Grey River stand out, but the whole album shines and will please any objective listener. It's important to forget about the associations and critique the music on merit. This album should have received a Grammy. It is that good. Way to go PBB. Great stuff.