Disco de The Beatles: “Live at Star Club 1962, Vol. 1”

After finally getting signed to Parlophone, The Beatles had to go to the continent a third time (now with Ringo Starr) to play Hamburg. This might not have been on New Year's Eve 1962. Some sources say it was Christmas (which it couldn't have been really). Either way, it was after "Love Me Do" came out. This is an insight to that early period. Also, I don't know how early manager Allan Williams could be involved in this album other than to cash in as he was replaced by Brian Epstein at this point. How the tapes were cut and survived is just Fab Four lore.

On the edition I just received in the post, the vocals and instruments sound slightly improved over the previous editions, though each time, it's making a silk purse from a sow's ear trying to use reverb and equalisation to filtre out all the discrepancies. This is a pioneering bootleg at best as the amateur method of recording a gig with a Nagra or Grundig portable tape machine and a mic was fairly new in those days, only to expand from there with a whole black market a decade on along with the Grateful Dead allowing tapers. The sound quality is the same of that of purposely-made bootlegs released in the underground in the years to come.

Many of these were never released officially by the band. Some tracks like "Lend Me Your Comb" and "Ain't Nothin' Shakin'" would get played on Auntie (BBC Radio) once Beatlemania kicked in. Other covers such as "Mr Moonlight" and "Matchbox" would be better re-arranged over at Abbey Road.

"Hully Gully" is actually their mates Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers (who later covered "Got to Get You Into My Life"). Some editions are smart to remove this. It's just the shite sound may have confused the record company. I would have also taken off the two tracks with the bouncer!

This was usually released by obscure indie labels, but a conglomerate like Sony made the surviving Beatles and Yoko Ono phone their solicitors, which led to it being in the same boat as the tons of 'Get Back' tapes and Beeb compilations. I hope Apple and Parlophone give the Star Club material an official release in future now that it's in their hands. Some later RoIOs have it purporting to be from another date and venue, as one reissue I once bought tried to do.

Because of the anything-goes nature of the record on top of the lo-fi, it has been slated by the band and press alike, yet hardcore fans still give it a listen. This is the stop-gap between getting Simon Cowell-ed at Decca, the EMI deal, and Hamburg before the mass success that would mark the rest of the '60s.

Someone had a tape recorder rolling one night at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany and as a result we now have a document of the Beatles' lineup including Pete Best as they worked to perfect their sound.

HIGHLIGHTS:

If there is one, it's probably the chance to hear them do "I Saw Her Standing There" in an early version. Oddly enough, there's a version of the Olympics' hit "Hully Gully" with a honking sax at the intro. As the Beatles didn't play sax, I assume this was someone from the club? Or another band's member doing a sit-in?

LOWS:

Again, nothing really in particular except perhaps "Mr. Moonlight" which I've never liked as a song (It's the lowpoint of "Beatles for Sale" for me.) The sound is VERY "iffy" for repeat listening...it's exactly what you'd expect for a reel-to-reel placed haphazardly without any effort given as to left-right balance...etc. There are obvious dropouts at times.

BOTTOM LINE:

Only for completists. Most people who want to know how they sounded in the Hamburg days will be happy with the track or two on the "Anthology 1" disc. Skip this one...

Yes, it's raw, and no, they don't play their greatest hits. This is the Pre-Fab Four, showing their roots. Without the self-consciousness of the later BBC or Hard Days Night sessions, this is an incredible candid snapshot of the sound that was about to conquer the world. It sheds light on all that came after.

If you like the Early Beatles, this CD is a must.

This album does not sound like the Beatles who did Sgt. Pepper or Yellow Submarine, but it does sound good. The recording materials used in this CD are not high quality, but the album it self is very good as it has their hit song "I Saw Her Standing There" and their good versions of "The Hippy Hippy Shake" and "Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey." If you are a true Beatles fan this album and Volume 2 are a must for you.