There are other touches within the record that knock me out. On Meet The Beatles George sang "Don't Bother Me" and Ringo "I Wanna Be Your Man." In turn, their counterparts Jim (guitar) and Dennis (drums) do the same. Very cool.
The liner notes are awesome too. Drummer Dennis gives his take on how that first Beatle album affected him and what it meant to record this disc. Along those same lines, Beatle author/historian Bruce Spizer speaks of his correlations between the two. So do guitarist/composer/writer Lenny Kaye (The Patti Smith Group) and Andy Babiuk, author of the book Beatles Gear. Dennis Mitchell, host of radio's syndicated "Dennis Mitchell's Breakfast With The Beatles", concert promoter Sid Bernstein and Dave Connelly of All Music Guide all talk about the importance of Meet The Beatles.
The common ground they all share in their musings is the sheer exuberance so fundamental to The Beatles sound, especially on that first (U.S.) album. It was a spark that transcended over the airwaves and through those teeny tiny speakers that record players had back then. Just listening to it had a power that made you feel glad you were alive that still stands to this day.
It's The Smitties own brand of magic that makes Meet The Smithereens a real tribute to The Beatles. In the liner notes Andy Babiuk is quoted as saying "This is a record that all Smithereens fans should enjoy because; let's face it, without the Beatles there would be no Smithereens." I'm going to be bold enough to change that up a bit. I think most Beatles fans will enjoy this disc as well.
Pat, Jimmy and Dennis, along with Severo Jornacion on bass, will be doing select dates around the U.S. Their tour schedule is updated regularly on their official website.
Article comments
1 - alessandro nicolo
Thanks for reminding me about The Smitties.
2 - Vern Halen
Ver' cool. The Smithereens were in it for the long haul (turned out to be much longer than the Beatleboise). I wonder how they would've fared if both had been on the music scene at the same time.
3 - GL Hauptfleisch
I'll go along with that "common ground" in "sheer exuberance"--one of the best and most energetic live shows I've ever seen was the Smithereens in a small club in Tucson. They have the right instincts and I think they'll do the Beatles justice.
4 - tink
My pleasure Alessandro!
Vern...that's an interesting question. I'll try to remember to pose that to the guys and see what their take is on it.
GL...right you are...always a great time seeing them live. I'm counting the days til mid-February as they're doing two (!!) dates in my area.
Let me know if any of you get the chance to check it out. Would love to hear your take on it!!
5 - Mark Saleski
nice review tink. i'm going out to buy this today.
it's been on my list buy you pushed me over the edge.
6 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites.
7 - tink
Rockin' Mark!! Love to hear what you have to say about it...hint, hint!!
8 - tink
Thanks for starting my weekend off with a bang, Connie!!
9 - Mark Saleski
ok, i'll buy it tomorrow. i tried tonight but refused to get taken by borders for 18.99. those people are crazy.
10 - tink
Mark...good luck on your hunt for a better price...I have every faith in you that you'll be able to do just that.
Anxious to hear your take on the CD...