Elly Roberts reviews
Various Artists: Trojan Beatles Tribute (Box Set)
Distributed by
Trojan Records
- Released: December 2004
- Cat.no.: TJETD220
- Rating: 7/10
It’s fascinating what you can do with Beatles’ songs.
On this, the cream of Trojan’s roster turn out for a tribute to The Beatles on
this magnificent boxset, mastered by Tim Debney. I suspect this one’s for the
Reggae or Ska fans, and yes even the Fab Four’s huge following.
There’s plenty to feast on here as some of the great names of the genre tackle
both instrumental and vocal slants on Lennon, McCartney and Harrison’s
greatest collective and solo work. In some cases you get more than one version
by different artists, e.g. Let It Be, My Sweet Lord, and Blackbird.
In the ten years that they shook the world, many performers elected to cover
their work, with Something being popular with showbiz diva Shirley Bassey.
This collection highlights how transferable their work really was, confirming
their universality.
Some of these interpretations are simply outstanding: check out Rico and the
Rudies’s instrumental Hey Jude which contains a subtle twist on the
classic, as is the Joyce Band’s punchy version of Ob La Di Ob La Da,
both on disc 3. Nicky Thomas turns Isn’t It A Pity into something really
special with a Hawaiian juxtaposition of dreamy guitar splendour. Of the two
Yesterdays – Joe White, and The Flame All Stars, the latter works better
as an instrumental. John Holt’s Hey Jude is simple and direct,
allowing his wonderful Caribbean lilt to shine through.
There are a few ropey ones, particularly (disc 3) The Israelites’ Come
Together, and the ultra weak Imagine by T.T. Ross, Reggae and
Shout (Twist and Shout) by The Black Beatles featuring Derrick Morgan,
which was better done by Chaka Demus and Pliers.
If this is Reggae music – then let it be.
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
