Entertaining and affectionate spoof on the world's favourite beat group.
I think it was Samuel Johnson who said it best - “When a man is tired of The Beatles he is tired of life”. OK, he was talking about life itself but you get my drift. The Beatles back catalogue is a nigh-on perfect body of work that will sound fresh forever. I know there are contrarians out there who argue otherwise but they're just trying to get a rise out of decent-minded rational folk.
It's now 60 odd years since the Beatles first entered a recording studio and began that incredible sonic journey. They left us with a back catalogue that continues to amaze and inspire each new generation of musicians, sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly, occasionally in the form of pastiche. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, after all. All good fun, and guaranteed to raise a smile. It's a cold hearted person who doesn't like The Rutles.
Into this arena steps The Poppermost with a brand new album Hits To Spare. Despite the band name it's a one man outfit – Glasgow-based musician Joe Kane plays all the instruments and even more impressively given the Fabs reputation for harmonies, sings all the vocal parts. Clever stuff! Hits To Spare takes inspiration from the Beatles' work in the first half of the 1960s, harking back to an era when musicians were also entertainers.
If you're going to spoof the Beatles you better make sure you have catchy tunes and Kane don't let you down, but it's the attention to detail that's equally impressive – the way he ends album opener 'Egg & Chips' on a sixth chord; the lolloping rhythm and harmonica lines on 'One Of Those Girls'; the way 'Call To Me' mirrors the Beatles' take on early '60 American R&B and girl group sounds complete with “sha la la” backing vocals.
The album's title track 'Hits To Spare', sits bang in the middle of the album. Modelled on 'Hard Day's Night', it's a knowingly cheeky tribute to the Fabs' ability to churn out top-notch chart-toppers and turn them into hard cash. “Let's write a swimming pool” sings Kane. Well you would if you could wouldn't you!
Elsewhere Kane does a pretty accurate McCartney vocal on 'Georgia Peach', a homage to Little Richard and his influence on the young Macca. In the interest of balance the rockin' Lennon snarly vocal on 'Well I Will' is pretty convincing too.
The economy class Beatles, (not my description, none other than Beatle George's), are also well represented – there plenty of Ringo style beats and fills and chiming guitar breaks a-la Harrison.
You'll no doubt have your own favourite track on this album but mine is 'Park And Ride'. Who wouldn't love a humourous reimagining of 'Ticket To Ride' using buses, that most Beatle-esque mode of transport, as it's subject. If you're looking for a musical pick you up, done with affection and attention to detail, these tunes are for you. A splendid time really is guaranteed for all.
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