AMG Review by Richie Unterberger:
Before beginning their recording career, the Beatles recorded a few tracks in Hamburg in 1961
as the backing group for British singer Tony Sheridan. Reissued in countless different packages
around the globe after the Beatles became famous, this should in no way be considered their first album;
not only were their skills rudimentary, but Sheridan takes all but one of the lead vocals on this set of
fairly tame covers of popular and early rock standards. Several tracks are of interest: "Ain't She
Sweet," with a lead vocal by John Lennon, was a small American hit single in 1964; the driving
instrumental "Cry for a Shadow" was written by Lennon and George Harrison; and "My Bonnie," with
Paul McCartney's shouts clearly audible in the background, was responsible for bringing the group
to the attention of Brian Epstein.
"Ain't She Sweet" (Milton Ager, Jack Yellen) (vocal: John Lennon) – 2:15
"Cry for a Shadow" (George Harrison, John Lennon) (instrumental) – 2:25
"When the Saints Go Marching In" (traditional) – 3:21
"Why" (Bill Compton, Tony Sheridan) – 3:00
"If You Love Me, Baby" (Charles Singleton, Waldenese Hall) – 2:56
"What'd I Say" (Ray Charles) (performed by Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers) – 2:40
"Sweet Georgia Brown" (Maceo Pinkard, Kenneth Casey, Ben Bernie) – 2:07
"Let's Dance" (Jim Lee) (performed by Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers) – 2:35
"Ruby Baby" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) (performed by Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers) – 2:53
"My Bonnie" (traditional) – 2:43
"Nobody's Child" (Mel Foree, Cy Coben) – 3:57
"Ready Teddy" (Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco) (performed by Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers) – 2:02
"Ya Ya" (Parts 1 & 2) (Lee Dorsey, Morgan Robinson) (performed by Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers) – 5:10
"Kansas City" (Leiber, Stoller) (performed by Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers) – 2:38
All vocals by Tony Sheridan unless otherwise indicated.
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