Beatles songs? I’ve done a few and enjoyed a few more Sep 18 '05    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line I wish I’d followed them more at the time. I’ve been impressed with the intricacies of their melodies and compositions. Many thanks to Alexdg1 for hosting this writeoff The Beatles first broke when I was in grade school, and I could never figure out what the fuss was all about. As I grew and gravitated toward jazz, I still listened to popular music, but was fairly unimpressed with some of their hits. Hello,Goodbye didn’t seem to have much of a theme to it. Among their mega hits, I generally enjoyed the ballads, although the ending vamp on Hey Jude was compelling. Then, in college, I listened to the Beatles all the time, but I can’t say that I enjoyed them all that much. Why? The most powerful stereo on the floor was owned by a Beatles fan and he was not shy about letting everyone know whose stereo was best. But, as an adult, I think I missed out a bit. Some of their compositions were very subtle and intricate. I wished I’d appreciated them more during my younger days. That having been said, I’m glad Alexdg1 hosted this write off. He said to list 20 Beatles songs we enjoy. Here goes: Songs I’ve Performed Norwegian Wood has top billing. We had a killer arrangement, very similar to the Buddy Rich Band arrangement, that was done by my high school jazz band. The arrangement treated it more blatantly than the subtle Beatles version, but both are enjoyable, This song is still widely listened to and was recently covered by Patricia Barber on her excellent Fortnight in France CD. Yesterday was really my first big jazz solo, as part of a “Beatles Suite” arrangement I performed at the University of Illinois Jazz Camp, after junior year. Beautiful composition and arrangement. I also enjoyed the arranged excerpt of And I Love Her and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band When I’m 64is a beautiful, whimsical piece, that I enjoyed as a youth and enjoy even now, as I am a whole lot closer to 64 than before. They made a brilliant choice in having Ringo sing it, because of his personality with the band. I’ve performed this with a community jazz band and a saxophone quartet and hope to arrange it for my band. Songs I’ve Enjoyed as Covers The Crusaders are one of my favorite bands, and they’ve arranged Beatles songs on occasion. Their arrangement of Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight from their Old Socks New Shoes album is incredible. I hope to arrange and perform this myself. The Crusaders also covered Eleanor Rigby on one of their early albums. Tom Scott performed a sweet cover of Blackbird on one of his early albums, in LA I suppose it counts as a cover – I remember that we were singing A Little Help From My Friends in church when I was in late grade school in a contemporary service. I remember a few of the older women in the church making faces when we got the line about I get high. Songs I’ve Enjoyed Only as Beatles Performances For starters, I’ve enjoyed the songs listed above as Beatles performances, too. However, others I have enjoyed include: Michelle Eleanor Rigby Lady Madonna The Fool on the Hill Penny Lane Get Back Yellow Submarine Strawberry Fields Forever The Long and Winding Road Here Comes The Sun There’s my 20. I also work my students on books with Beatles songs if they or their parents are interested, because of the great melodies and the depth of the compositions. You might enjoy the other reviews linked below: Being a one man band for fun and profit My worst gig What music has helped me learn about myself My Top Ten Favorite Jazz Albums Our Favorite Romance Mix The Soundtrack of my Life Thanks for reading. God bless!

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