Classic Rock Album of the Day (5/11)

[Dawn]

I've been looking forward to doing this feature again! Suggestions are always welcome!

Today's album is:

Beatles for Sale - The Beatles, 1964

The tracks:

1. No Reply
2. I'm a Loser
3. Baby's in Black
4. Rock & Roll Music
5. I'll Follow the Sun
6. Mr. Moonlight
7. Kansas City
8. Eight Days a Week
9. Words of Love
10. Every Little Thing
11. I Don't Want to Spoil the Party
12. What You're Doing

What are your thoughts on this album?

[SAT-I need more room!!]

My thought is this is a great, underrated album! The reason being, it was a stepping stone to that wonderful Rubber Soul/Revolver middle period.

This was released in late 64, and you could already tell they were moving away from the She Loves You/Love Me Do/ PS I Love You stuff, to the more "intelligent lyrics, on songs like I'm a Loser and Baby's in Black.

Faves-
Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12! Easier that way! LOL!

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Two things! One, I just realized you left off the two Carl Perkins covers-Honey Don't and Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby! That's ok, neither are faves of mine! LOL!

Also, I remember there being a vote done at a Beatlefest or something, and Mr Moonlight was voted the worst Beatles recording (outside of Revolution 9 of course). I just read the same thing on All Music Guide!

Ok, it's not a wonderful song, but I'd take that over A Taste of Honey any day!

[Dawn]

SAT-The said:

Two things! One, I just realized you left off the two Carl Perkins covers-Honey Don't and Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby! That's ok, neither are faves of mine! LOL!

Also, I remember there being a vote done at a Beatlefest or something, and Mr Moonlight was voted the worst Beatles recording (outside of Revolution 9 of course). I just read the same thing on All Music Guide!

Ok, it's not a wonderful song, but I'd take that over A Taste of Honey any day!

I thought there should have been more songs than that! I don't have this exact disc - I've got the American releases such as Beatles 65, so I used Amazon.com's track listings. They need to fix that!

I've never been overly fond of Mr. Moonlight. I really disliked it years ago, but it's grown on me somewhat.

You hit the nail on the head about this album being a stepping stone. Their songwriting was really gaining a lot of depth by this time. Oh, that middle period is wonderful!

[kathyb]

Yay! Album of the Day is back!

My brother had this album, and I remember sneaking in his room and "borrowing" it so I could play "I'll Follow the Sun" over and over. That's one of my all time favorite Beatles songs. A lot of other good songs on this album, too. I also love "Rock and Roll Music".

[Dawn]

kathyb said:

Yay! Album of the Day is back!

My brother had this album, and I remember sneaking in his room and "borrowing" it so I could play "I'll Follow the Sun" over and over. That's one of my all time favorite Beatles songs. A lot of other good songs on this album, too. I also love "Rock and Roll Music".

Thanks, Kathy! I'm glad to be doing it again!

'I'll Follow the Sun' is a song I've grown to love more and more over the years. The guitar work on it is wonderful. Their version of 'Rock and Roll Music' is the best one I've heard - love it!

[H2IZCOOL]

Anytime I try to list the Beatles albums from memory, I always forget this one. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's just because there wasn't a super hit on the album, so there's nothing to tie it to. I guess Eight Days a Week is the closest, and it was a two-sider with I Don't Want To Spoil The Party

There are some especially melancholy songs here:

I'm A Loser
Baby's In Black
No Reply.

Some really good underappreciated songs also:

Mr. Moonlight
Words Of Love
I'll Follow The Sun

Great cover of Berry's R&R Music

[Ken]

Hi Dawn I'm so glad it's back ( I have some catching up to do so here we go)

A fine Beatles albums with some fantastic originals (What You're Doing , I'll Follow The Sun , No Reply , I'm a Loser etc . As well as some great cover tunes , they always did such a great job with their covers IMO - Rock and Roll Music , Kansas City , Words of Love etc. They look so tired on the cover photo ( as far as late '64 and already, their popularity was taking it's toll on the foursome. I bought this CD as soon as it was released and also have Beatles ' 65 + Beatles VI on vinyl:)

[Dawn]

H2IZCOOL said:

Anytime I try to list the Beatles albums from memory, I always forget this one. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's just because there wasn't a super hit on the album, so there's nothing to tie it to. I guess Eight Days a Week is the closest, and it was a two-sider with I Don't Want To Spoil The Party

There are some especially melancholy songs here:

I'm A Loser
Baby's In Black
No Reply.

Some really good underappreciated songs also:

Mr. Moonlight
Words Of Love
I'll Follow The Sun

Great cover of Berry's R&R Music

I'm the same way, H2, and I think you're right about the reason - there aren't many well-known hits on it. There are some wonderful songs here, though. 'No Reply' ranks as one of my very favorites of theirs.

[Dawn]

KenFrank said:

Hi Dawn I'm so glad it's back ( I have some catching up to do so here we go)

A fine Beatles albums with some fantastic originals (What You're Doing , I'll Follow The Sun , No Reply , I'm a Loser etc . As well as some great cover tunes , they always did such a great job with their covers IMO - Rock and Roll Music , Kansas City , Words of Love etc. They look so tired on the cover photo ( as far as late '64 and already, their popularity was taking it's toll on the foursome. I bought this CD as soon as it was released and also have Beatles ' 65 + Beatles VI on vinyl:)

Thanks, Ken!

That's an excellent point about the cover - they do look pretty weary there. I agree with you about the cover versions - they're always brilliantly done. 'What You're Doing' is a song I tend to forget, but when I hear it, I'm once again reminded of how great it is! Beatles 65 was one of the first two Beatles albums I bought, back in 1986!

[beatles4ever]

Excellent album!

[m c dornan]

One of their "most lesser" works. Only "Eight Days a Week" and "I'll Follow the Sun" are worthy of being real Beatle songs. Oh, and "Rock and Roll Music"- it's my favorite version of the song (over Chuck Berry, yes!) But lesser Beatles still beats so many groups... I just bought a used cassette of this album.

[Dawn]

beatles4ever said:

Excellent album!

I couldn't agree more, beatles4ever!

[Dawn]

m said:

One of their "most lesser" works. Only "Eight Days a Week" and "I'll Follow the Sun" are worthy of being real Beatle songs. Oh, and "Rock and Roll Music"- it's my favorite version of the song (over Chuck Berry, yes!) But lesser Beatles still beats so many groups... I just bought a used cassette of this album.

That's an excellent point about lesser Beatles still being better than other groups - I completely agree. The depth and quality of their catalog is amazing.

[Triple J]

Oh you know I love it!

No Reply - My favorite parts of "Anthology 1" are the 2 outtakes to this song!
I'm A Loser - Definitely Dylan influenced... Gee, ya think?
Baby's In Black - Love the harmonies, and great guitar by Georgie
Rock & Roll Music - OW!!! Crank it!
I'll Follow The Sun - so pretty.
Mr. Moonlight - I know fans don't like it, but I actually do.
Kansas City - Can I get a "HEY HEY HEY HEY!"
8 Days A Week - One of my all-time faves!
Words of Love - Sounds like Chad & Jeremy... or is it Peter & Gordon?
I Don't Want To Spoil The Party - Another pretty one
What You're Doing - Good beat, always a pleasure to hear.