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Meet the Beatles (Again) - Past Masters

Posted at 2:12 AM on September 9, 2009 by The Current
Filed under: Meet the Beatles (Again)

Past Masters
Originally released 1988
By Ali Lozoff

The Beatle's Past Masters collection is a wonderful overview of their career, with songs ranging from some of their biggest and best-known hits ("I Want To Hold Your Hand") to lesser-known gems ("The Inner Light"). The two-volume set features 33 non-album tracks recorded between 1962 and 1969. Unlike the full-length albums, Past Masters offers the opportunity to really see the extraordinary evolution of the band in a remarkably short period of time. Starting with the sunny skiffle-influenced sounds of "From Me To You" to the more sophisticated sounds of "Paperback Writer" to the experimental intricacy of "Across The Universe," Past Masters is a perfect intro to anyone just getting to know The Beatles, as well as an essential part of any true fan's collection. In my amateur opinion, the re-mastering most benefits the songs on the second disc, when the band began really experimenting with orchestration and studio effects.

The first disc covers the band's early years, opening with their first single "Love Me Do" (1962) and closing with "I'm Down," (1965), the flip side of the "Help!" release. Two of these 18 tracks, 1963's "This Boy," (my pick of the disc), and 1965's "Yes It Is" showcase the delicacy and nuance of the three-part harmonies created by John, Paul and George. While a good snapshot of what propelled the band to a level of fame most people can't even imagine, I don't connect much with Volume 1 emotionally, though I do marvel at the fresh and innocent exuberance of the Fab Four at this stage, and how quickly their world - and ours - would change.

In addition to the singles included on Volume 2, the four-year period represented here also brought the recording and release of Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The White Album, Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road and Let It Be - a mind-boggling amount of output and a massive range of musical styles. The shift in direction is apparent with the first track on Volume 2, "Day Tripper," from 1965; then comes "We Can Work It Out," "Paperback Writer" and my personal favorite, "Rain," a deceptively simple song with a crisp snare opening roll and minimal bass line accompanying the sustained vocal chorus. Then comes the piano and horn-heavy "Lady Madonna," next to the Indian-tinged "The Inner Light," which gives the first hint on the disc of band's introduction to Eastern influences. "Hey Jude," "Revolution" and "Get Back" follow in quick succession - three songs that vividly display the breadth of the band's range of sound.

By now we are have reached 1969, and the staggering array of hits and varied musical stylings continues with the driving, pleading urgency of "Don't Let Me Down," and the sweetly surprising "Across The Universe," featuring the nasal crooning of Lennon backed by a haunting, high-pitched chorus of voices, guitars and birds. Another long-time favorite of mine, "The Ballad of John and Yoko" features the band's explorations of Americana sounds-- with a rolling drum beat and languid guitar plucking--accompanied by a travelogue of the couple's global exploits. It's a highly personal yet witty travelogue recounting the tabloid frenzy they experienced, being both beloved and reviled for their beliefs and actions.

The penultimate song on the disc, "Let It Be" was released in early 1970 and is the last official single released by the band. One part lullaby, one part plea, one part promise, it is their most well-known ballad. The final song of the collection, "You Know My Name, (Look Up the Number)" is not a song that will win over non-fans; frankly I wish the disc ended with the final strains of "Let It Be" hanging in the air, rather than a hokey, inside joke. But that is the beauty of the Beatles: They never took themselves too seriously, and were able to poke a little fun at the earnestness with which they were reviewed and perceived.

I had this conversation with someone recently about context. The time and place when we come into contact with something absolutely shapes our reaction to that thing. Many of the songs here have and will continue to stand the test of time, and when looked at in the context of what was popular music at the time, it's shocking how far ahead of the curve the band was. But intellectualizing music and attempting to win over others through analysis and argument is futile: Our gut either gets something or it doesn't, and while we can understand the history or importance of an artist, that is not the same as emotionally connecting with something. Trying to explain why I love these songs is meaningless, not to mention redundant since no band has ever been more praised, pilloried, studied, critiqued or analyzed.

Enjoying music is a very personal endeavor, and writing about it really is like dancing about architecture. For millions of people the Beatles are part of the air, the water, their very DNA - it's hard to imagine a world without them. Past Masters provides a map of the remarkable journey that took them from Liverpool to the "toppermost of the poppermost."

Ali Lozoff is marketing manager for The Current. She can't stand being redundant.

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