Music crosses all barriers of race and culture. It's
primal. When you hear something that you like, it pleases you. It doesn't
matter if you're a stone cold racist; Little Richard is just plain good. During
the 1950's America was deluged with what were called "race" records
at the time. That is; they were black artists singing gospel infused blues
music, which quickly came together with the blues to form a new genre in music;
rock and roll. That's one direction on the two way street of music.
But just as the American artists of the 1950's influenced
the British artists of the time, the British Invasion which came of that music,
came to inspire the same artists back in America. By 1969 Aretha Franklin was
singing "Let It Be” even before the Beatles released their version. And Wilson
Pickett was doing "Hey Jude", with Duane Allman on guitar, to
tremendous success.
Good music is like that, it crosses; or passes through;
anything in its way. When Howlin' Wolf howled; and Little Richard shrieked; white
America and all of England took note. So, it was really great to see that some
of these same American artists were equally enthralled with the sounds that
were coming back at America.
This 2011 release pays homage to the 4 guys who led the
British Invasion, and had been influenced by Chuck Berry, Mary Wells, Fats
Domino, Little Richard and a host of others. All of the artists I have
mentioned; with the exception of Chuck Berry; appear on this album singing
songs by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Some of the selections were a real
surprise to me. Long familiar with the Wilson Pickett version of "Hey
Jude"; with Duane Allman's searing guitar;
and Aretha Franklin's version of "Let It Be"; which was
actually a present to her from Mr. McCartney; I was more surprised at the scope
of songs, as well as the artists, who are included in this unusual collection.
Billy Preston doing "Blackbird" was almost
expected, as he had been working with the Beatles at the time McCartney wrote
the song. But Chubby Checker doing "Back in the USSR" came as a
surprise, even though it is basically the twist, for which Mr. Checker is
widely known.
Fats Domino rocks out on Lennon's "Me and My
Monkey", and I was shocked that Chairmen of the Board, known mostly for
their beach music, would even tackle something as political as the title song
"Come Together". Below is a
list of the 24 tracks on this album, which is unique in its concept of having
African-American interpretations of British "pop" music. Check out the unusual, and different, renditions
of some of your favorite Beatles tunes done by some of the premier
African-American artists of our time. And, when you do, you will understand
that there are no boundaries when it comes to music.
| 1. Back in the USSR - Chubby Checker |
| 2. We Can Work It Out - Maxine Brown |
| 3. Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Fats Domino |
| 4. Ticket to Ride - Wee Willie Walker |
| 5. Good Day Sunshine - Roy Redmond |
| 6. Please Please Me - Mary Wells |
| 7. Eleanor Rigby - Gene Chandler |
| 8. And I Love Her - The Vibrations |
| 9. Come Together - Chairmen Of The Board |
| 10. Blackbird - Billy Preston |
| 11. Paperback Writer - R.B. Greaves |
| 12. Rocky Racoon - The Moments |
| 13. Drive My Car - Black Heat |
| 14. Lady Madonna - Junior Parker |
| 15. Help - David Porter |
| 16. Yesterday - Linda Jones |
| 17. Day Tripper (previously unissued alternate take 4) - Otis Redding |
| 18. Why Don't We Do It in the Road - Lowell Fulson |
| 19. I Saw Her Standing There - Little Richard |
| 20. Don't Let Me Down - Donald Height |
| 21. Get Back - The Main Ingredient |
| 22. The Long and Winding Road - The New Birth |
| 23. I Want to Hold Your Hand - Al Green |
| 24. Let It Be - Aretha Franklin |
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