It's that time of the year again folks. Telly adverts are sprinkled with snow and populated by fading-celebrity santas who tell us that mum really needs an electric toothbrush and what dad really wants is a workbench which holds wood firmly so that he can saw it. Nice!
And of course, the Christmas rush sees more than its fair share of cash-in compilation albums and so-called 'definitive collection's, each heralding themselves as the perfect stocking filler. That the world should need another such album from one of the most successful, influential bands on the planet - who just happen to have split up thirty years ago- is cause for some debate.
Collecting all The Beatles' 27 Number One singles from both sides of the Atlantic and arranging them chronologically on an album titled '1', has to be one of the most cynical, corny, cash-in ideas of recent times. Any household who doesn't already own most of these in some shape or format, who doesn't already have the red and the blue albums, isn't going to be interested in '1' surely? Well yes they are thank you very much, if the one and a half million pounds spent by Parlophone/Apple on promotion is anything to go by.
And as we all know, music fans are suckers for old sounds in new packaging. Different photos, new running orders, fresh sleevenotes penned by George Martin, oh, don't you just love all that? Don't you?
This isn't meant to take anything away from the music of the Fab Four's making. And having the songs in chronological order makes it easier to trace the band's development through their eight year long recording career together. And while these days it's hard to fully appreciate/remember the feeling of hearing the Beatles for the first time, of ditching your skiffle records in favour of the exciting new sounds forged by John, Paul, George and Ringo, you can't doubt their influence and the strength of their songwriting.
Debut 'Love Me Do' (which only made it to Number 17 in the UK), 'From Me To You' and 'She Loves You' -while sounding a tad naive and dated these days- are all joyous pop songs from a fresher, younger era. 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', 'Can't Buy Me Love' and 'A Hard Day's Night', sees them shedding their pop puppy fat for a maturity and more individual sound which came into its own with the like of 'I Feel Fine', 'Day Tripper' and 'Paperback Writer'.
The less said about subaquatic drug fest that is 'Yellow Submarine' -still cringeworthy after alll these years- the better. But the story-telling like of 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'Penny Lane' -sadly without it's 1967 double A-sided partner of 'Strawberry Fields Forever'- are still incredibly touching songs.
The late Sixties saw The Beatles leading the way in experimental, psychedelic sounds and spreading the peace and love message with gusto. 'All You Need Is Love' and 'Hey Jude' and 'Let It Be' (UK Number 2) proving back then that there was life in the anthemic, piano-led ballad. Meanwhile, the 1969 double A-side of 'Something' and 'Come Together' (UK Number 4) proves to be two of the quartet's finest and most enduring songs.
By the time we get to the album closer 'The Long And Winding Road' has taken them from fresh-faced black American R&B copyists, through their own distinctive Brit-pop sound to pyschedelic derring do and finally to sloppy balladeering. And barely a bad tune in sight. So while the motives behind releasing '1' may grate on you, the music lives on and continues to nourish those of us who hear it. And rather buy this for a loved one than 'Now That's What I Call Music Eleventy Billion' surely? Or even perhaps the Oasis live album.
