Album review : THE HAMBURG REPERTOIRE, 2 CDs

Cherry Red [Release date : 10.01.25]

It’s no exaggeration to say that popular culture in the UK – music, fashion, sexual mores, religion – experienced a revolution of mind, body and soul in the sixties.

On of the prime catalysts was “Merseybeat”. More specifically, The Beatles.

This CD package is an innovative, almost educational way to inform new generations of just where it all began.

Unless you’ve been living underground all your life, you’ll know that The Beatles shaped and formed their sound “onstage in Hamburg.” And that covers of the source material “would be recorded for the early albums, appear in radio sessions, or surface later on their respective solo projects.”
“Hamburg was a hard school. It was where it all began.”

It’s a nice coincidence that a deep dive documentary, airing recently on Sky Arts, has been delineating the Tamla Motown sound from its roots to its worldwide success.

There are parallels. The Hamburg Repertoire simultaneously, almost by accident, give us the story behind the label as well as the story behind the Beatles, their influences and the pop groups who followed in their wake.

Covers of songs by Motown artists such as The Isley Brothers (Twist and Shout), The Marvelettes (Please Mr.Postman), The Miracles (You Really Got A Hold On Me), Barrett Strong (Money) formed the foundation of the Beatles early albums, especially their second, With The Beatles (1964). The originals, here, still sound groundbreaking.

The same is true of Chuck Berry’s ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ and Meredith Willson’s show tune ‘Till There Was You’ (from The Music Man, 1957)… the fabulous Peggy Lee version is featured here.

Equally groundbreaking was the work of the legendary guitarist/ singer/ writer, Buddy Holly, an artist who the Fab Four held in awe. They covered his song, ‘Words Of Love’ on the With The Beatles album. The original (along with ‘Everyday’) is here.

Covers of Little Richard’s ‘Kansas City’ (Beatles For Sale) and ‘Long Tall Sally (The Beatles’ EP). The Coasters’ ‘Besame Mucho’ (Anthology pt1), Carl Perkins’ ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’ (Beatles For Sale) and Chuck Berry’s ‘Rock’n’Roll Music (Beatles For Sale) are here too.

Many hours onstage, every day, for weeks, months led to an ever widening repertoire. Some covers never made it from the Hamburg clubs onto a Beatles’ album, but are equally memorable and are included in this anthology. Songs by Ray Charles, Eddie Cochran, Bobby Vee, Arthur Alexander, Gene Vincent, Bo Diddley, Roy Orbison and more. And a special mention for Elvis’s ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and ‘Love Me Tender’, bookending the collection.

The Beatles’ breakthrough led to an explosion of talented, like minded popgroups aiming to do the same. And did.

And pop music changed forever. *****

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)