Please Please Me



The first album I’ll be reviewing is the Beatles debut LP “Please Please Me”. At this early point in their career, The Beatles had a released a few 7 inch singles and EP’s that had risen up the charts as the bands popularity grew. Parlaphone, in an effort to capitalize on that popularity, would rush-release the mono version of this LP, with the stereo release to come later. It is important to remember that mono was still king in the early 60’s. Most fans of pop music were young, less affluent, and often couldn’t afford the cost of an LP let alone a high-end stereo system.

Before we dive into the record, review the packaging. The LP cover is pretty simple, with the now famous Angus McBean photo of the band looking down the stairwell at EMI’s London headquarters. The original packaging is recreated as close as possible here, with a glossy jacket folded over a matte finished back cover. The review of the album printed on the back, would have served as a nice introduction to the band at the time. Another interesting thing about the album cover is the tag line “With Love Me Do and 12 other songs” emblazoned across the bottom. LP’s sales were strongly driven by hit singles at the time, and the record company was clearly hoping to hype this particular release by letting the record buying public know that The Beatles hit singles were included on the album.



Now let’s get to the music! It is kind of exciting to sit back and imagine someone playing this LP for the fist time in 1963.It is equally exciting to know that the mix I am hearing is quite possibly the closest reproduction of that listening experience available today. It is hard to imagine someone listening to this record and not knowing who this band was or what their music sounded like. We are talking about some of the most well known songs ever recorded. But I will do my best to put myself in that frame of mind as I not just listen, but truly hear this album in it’s entirety for the fist time.

First needle drop… absolute silence.

I own several reissues and 180 gram pressings that promise an “audiophile experience” but I have never played a record on my turntable that is as absolutely silent between songs or quiet passages as the records in this box set are. I already feel like I am getting my money’s worth.

The familiar chords of “I Saw Her Standing There” burst forth from my speakers. What a great opening track! The fist thing that jumps out is McCartney’s bass. This song contains one of my favorite bass lines in The Beatles catalog, and it is front and center here. I didn’t think the bass would be so noticeable in the mono mix, but it is booming! However its presence is not overshadowing the other instruments in the mix, because there is very clear separation. Guitars sound punchy, and nothing sounds muddled or compressed. Are those handclaps I hear in the background? I’m pretty sure I have never noticed those before. I am hoping to discover several little surprises like that one as I make my way through this set.

I make my way through “Misery” (who’s piano sounds like it’s in the room with me) and come to “Anna (Go to Him)” Lennon’s vocal sounds amazing on this cover. Very soulful and unpolished, in a good way! The bass is really standing out to me again. It will continue to do so as the album progresses.

Next is “Chains” featuring a lead vocal by George Harrision, which is followed by one of my favorite Beatle covers “Boys” This track features our first vocal by Ringo and it’s a joyful rocker, adapted from its’ original incarnation which was sang from a female perspective by the Shirelles. The “bop-shoo-bop” background vocal sound amazing, and as the track draws to a close, I swear I am hearing some screams in the background I have never caught before. I love this song!

Next up is “Ask Me Why” which really showcases what the boys were capable of vocally. It is followed by the title track, “Please Please Me”, which rounds out side one of the record. I have heard this song hundreds of times and it sounds noticeably different in mono. The guitars are really in your face, and the background vocals seem much larger and more noticeable than usual. Overall the track sounds a bit less polished and a tad grittier than its stereo counterpart… I like it!

Excerpt from the set's companion hardcover book



Side two opens up with the bands other hit at the time “Love Me Do”. The percussion is more noticeable in this mix, and the backbeat seems less buried than the many listens I have given this track in stereo.

“P.S. I love You” and “Baby it’s You” both sound clean with excellent separation in the mono mix. They are followed by “Do You Want to Know a Secret”. This is one of the standout tracks on the album in my opinion. The song sounds so clean and much more guitar driven in mono. It’s an incredibly catchy tune as well, which shows that Lennon and McCartney were already masterful pop craftsmen even this early in the game.

The final three tracks are “A Taste of honey” “There’s a Place” and “Twist and Shout”, which is a fitting closer for the album. I have read that this song had to be recorded last because Lennon’s voice couldn’t hold up to multiple takes. He had to really give it his all to get it on tape, and he is really belting it out indeed. His voice is raw, and is truly the lead focus in the mix. The signature Ahh… Ahh… AHHH! Sounds brilliant in this presentation.

Final thoughts:

What a great debut album! This LP is truly a wonderful showcase for the bands talents. Not only is it a great introduction, but it is also an indicator of what’s to come.  With a diverse track listing, and spots for every band member to shine, I am not sure you could ask for much more from a debut LP. As far as the mono mix is concerned, It sounds clean and clear, but not polished or without soul.

Things that stuck out to me about the album “Please Please Me”

·         There is a LOT of harmonica on this album

·         I have always been more of a McCartney guy than a Lennon guy, but John’s voice really shines on this album

·         Bass! The low end is really thumping on this record, it seems much more noticeable than the stereo I am used to hearing.

Join me next time as I review The Beatles follow-up LP, “With The Beatles”