It's the Beatles Choice (1964)

 

It's The Beatles' Choice

Disc

May 9, 1964

    What records do the Beatles listen to in their all too rare off-duty moments? Mainly, they like what in this country is usually called "rhythm and blues" or the big American coloured sound, although the four boys themselves are loath to put a name to it. "I don't even know what R and B is," says John, for example. But whatever it is, there's no denying that it's big beat and coloured sound that shows itself repeatedly in the Beatles' choice of discs. 

Ringo:

 "I Gotta Woman" by Jimmy McGriff. This is just a great song, and I like it a lot. Jimmy McGriff is one of my favourite artists.  I like the organ too.

"What Kind of Fool"by the Tams. This is one I think is really marvelous. It's a great song, and the bass player's sound in it is fabulous. I also like the way the voices harmonize and change during the number.

 "It's All Right" by  the Impressions. Apart from the backing on this one, which is great, I like the way different voices come in to take the lead. In particular, I like the falsetto lead, which sings really high.

 "Monkey Time" by Major Lance. This is about the only dance I learned to do in America, and I think this is a great number to do it to. I like the sound as well.

 "Love is Blind" by Emma Franklin. Emma's a lovely singer. I dig her marvelous, coloured voice particularly on this one. She sings it slow with plenty of feeling

 "Um, Um,Um Um Um" by Major Lance. Another Major Lance, I know, but I think he's marvelous. This is one of his later releases here, and although it wasn't a hit, I thought it was good.

John:

"Can I Get a Witness" by Marvin Gaye.  This is the best Marvin Gaye record I've ever heard. It's marvelous. I love the voice. In fact, I love everything about it.

 "Hey, Little Girl" by Major Lance.  Anything by Major Lance is okay by me. This one stands out because of the arrangement.

 "Two Lovers" by Mary Wells.  This is a fine song, and the way she sings it makes it even better. The beginning is really outstanding, and the backing is particularly attractive.

 "Who's Loving You" by The Miracles. They sing this dead slow, and the singers do fantastic things with their voices. The tricks they do in this number are fantastic.

 "Please, Please, Please" by James Brown. This is a medium, slow number with a high, almost screaming voice. This and the fab organ playing really knocks me out.

 "Stay a While" by  Dusty Springfield. I like the way Dusty sings. She gets a real coloured sound in her voice. I like the song as well. I think it's just right for her. 

"Gonna Send You Back to Georgia" by Tim Connor.  I just like this one for no particular reason except that I like the group and the guitar solo. 

Paul

 "If You Want to Make a Fool of Somebody" by James Ray.  I like the Oompa bass noise in this disc, which is great. I also love the voice and the overall sound. 

"World Without Love" by  Peter and Gordon. I hate the composers of this, but the way Peter and Gordon sing the number is gear. 

"Canastas" by Trio Athenee.  This is a song that Ringo and I heard when we were on a holiday in Greece last year. I think the number is actually Spanish, though it's a marvelous song, and this trio sings it really well. The harmonies are marvelous. 

"Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" by Ray Charles. This is my favorite Ray Charles number, and it is obviously not the same number that Gary Marsden wrote. It's the B side of "Let the Good Times Roll", and Ray sings it slow with a big orchestra.

 "Long, Tall, Sally" by  Little Richard. I love this. It's just fantastic. The way Little Richard makes his voice.  The disc generates a terrific beat and feeling, and the whole thing swings like a bomb.

 "Pride and Joy" by Marvin Gaye. I love anything Marvin Gaye does on record, but this one is a real knockout. It's my favorite number by Marvin-- a gas. 

"I Keep Forgetting" by Chuck Jackson. Again, it's the voice I go for on this one. I think this artist is marvelous. I play this disc all the time. 

"Hitchhike" by  Marvin Gaye. Sorry, but I always come back to Marvin, as I said. He's one of my favorite recording artists, and this one's never off my record player for long. Once again, I've got to say it's great.

 George 

"Daddy Rolling Stone" by Derek Martin. This is issued on the American Sue label, and it's a marvelous R&B sound. The voice is great, and so is the female backing. I also particularly liked the rhythm, particularly the drums.

 "Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick. Dionne is a great artist, and I love her voice on this one.

 "High-Heeled Sneakers" by Tommy Tucker.  Great guitar on that one. This one, the voice and the organ are good, too, a Bluesy feel.

 "What's Easy For Two is so Hard for One" by  Mary Wells. Mary Wells is one of my all-time favorites. This is perhaps my favorite of all her numbers at the moment. Great voice, great song, great feel.

 "Hitchhike" by  Marvin Gaye. I never got Marvin Gaye's disc off the record player. This one I play all the time. Marvin's voice is just right. The rhythms fab, and the backing is swinging.

 Since I Fell For You" by Lenny Welch. This isn't commercial, but it's got a great, big orchestra and a good feel. I think it's catchy with some nice, pleasant notes in the tune.

 "You Might as Well Forget Him" by Tommy Quickly. This is going to be a big hit for Tommy. We're all convinced it'll be his first big impression on the charts. Tommy Rowe wrote it for Tommy, and it's a very good song and a very good backing. Well done, Tommy!

"Dawn, Go Away" by the Four Seasons. This is a better melody than some of the others the Four Seasons have recorded. I like it. 

"Mockingbird" by Inez Fox. This is just marvelous. She and her brother Charles are great. The beat really gets me on this one.

"I'll be There" by the Majors. It's really the trumpets which makes me like this one. They thrill along, catchily, very pleasant.