Various Artists ‎– Blue Beat: Blue Note Plays The Music Of Lennon And McCartney (1991)

A week ago, I wrote on this blog I would keep hunting titles in the The Blue Series. So after posting, I headed to eBay (Hi, my name is Mark and I'm an eBay addict) where this compilation of Beatles covers caught my eye, I ordered it, USPS did its thing, and here we are. I know what you're thinking: "Mark, haven't you already covered this album 8 years ago under the title Blue Note Plays The Beatles?" First, let me commend you on your outstanding memory, secondly, while the two albums contain a few common tracks, they are clearly different releases.

This compilation was released in the UK under the name "Love Me Blue" which is a clear winner of a title.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

• Can't Buy Me Love - Stanley Turrentine (recorded 1964, released later on the 1980 album Mr. Natural)
  This song actually works as a swing cover. Lee Morgan and McCoy Tyner steal the show. ✔
• Eleanor Rigby - Stanley Jordan (released on the 1985 album Magic Touch)
  While Jordan's technical prowess can't be disputed, this noodling cover loses all the intensity of the original and, thus, misses the entire point of the tune. ✘
• I Want to Hold Your Hand - Grant Green (released on the 1966 album of the same name)
  The only thing that keeps this from being a cheesy lounge arrangement is the outstanding musicianship. Green's tone is amazing and Larry Young's work on the drawbar organ is a delight. ✔
• Yesterday - Lee Morgan (released on the 1967 album Delightfulee)
  The unusual instrumentation and bossa beat don't really suit this song. The ending is criminal. ✘
• From Me to You - Bobby McFerrin (released on the 1986 album Spontaneous Inventions)
  Just McFerrin singing a capella in concert. That's my preferred McFerrin sound. Don't understand the fade out on a concert recording, though. ✔
• Hey Jude - Stanley Turrentine (released on the 1968 album Always Something There)
  Arranger Thad Jones simply to added a little funk groove plus French horns and strings to this and said combination shouldn't work, but it somehow does. The only downside is that they never get to the "naaaaah-nah-nah-nahnahnah-nah" coda. ✔
• In My Life - Gil Goldstein (released on the 1989 album City Of Dreams)
  Simply gorgeous. Worth the price of the disc. ✔
• Get Back - The Three Sounds (recorded 1970, previously unissued)
  I initially didn't care for this one, but by a minute into the thing, I was grooving along. ✔
• Lonnie Smith - Eleanor Rigby (released on the 1969 album Turning Point)
  see notes on the Stanley Jordan cover above. This one doesn't trill me. ✘
• Hey Jude - The Jazz Crusaders (released on the 1969 album Powerhouse)
  Joe Sample tries his best to save this one, but doesn't quite make it. Shame. ✘

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Blue Bacharach: A Cooler Shaker (1999)
Blue Brazil: Blue Note in a Latin Groove (1999)
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast (1999)
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast, Vol. 2 (1999)
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast, Vol. 3 (1999)
Blue Bossa: Cool Cuts from the Tropics (1991)
Blue Bossa, Vol. 2: Cool Cuts from the Tropics (1999)
Blue Break Beats (1992)