When They Was Fab - A Tribute to the Solo Beatles
Encyclopedia
When They Was Fab – A Tribute to the Solo Beatles is a 2002 compilation of Solo Beatles covers recorded for the Top of the Pops
record series (not to be confused with the British TV series). The covers were recorded during the 1970s and early 1980s, and the album was released on Hallmark Records
. In his review of another Top of the Pops album called The Best of Top of the Pops '81
, Allmusic reviewer Dave Thompson said that "of the three John Lennon songs wrapped up within, either "Imagine" or "Woman" could have given Roxy Music's version of "Jealous Guy" a run for its money in the brokenhearted sincerity stakes".[]
The title is a reference to the George Harrison
song "When We Was Fab
".
, "In those days, more often than not, you had to do 3 songs in 3 hours then you were out of there!! Not much chance of getting good at it!"http://www.tonyrivers.com/totp.html. However, he also notes that "there was good and there was bad"http://www.tonyrivers.com/totp3.html, and that the studio singers and musicians usually tried their best. Dave Thompson for Allmusic says that "it becomes apparent that the trick is not to look upon the songs as straightforward attempts to copy the hit song, but as interpretations rendered in the style of the hit"[]. Part sound-alikes, part true covers, the series sold well, and two of the albums reached hit No. 1 on the UK album charts. In 2002, Hallmark Records went back to the mastertapes, re-issuing several of the original albums, and releasing compilations using the recordings, which have a following of their own.
Top of the Pops (record series)
Top of the Pops is the name of a series of records issued by Pickwick Records on their Hallmark label, which contain anonymous cover versions of recent and current hit singles. The recordings were intended to replicate the sound of the original hits as closely as possible...
record series (not to be confused with the British TV series). The covers were recorded during the 1970s and early 1980s, and the album was released on Hallmark Records
Hallmark Records
Hallmark Records is a British record label. It was founded in the 1960s and recently revived. The revived company has since become a major publisher of budget CDs in the UK, issuing both public domain and copyrighted material. The company has also re-issued some of its albums from the 1960s and...
. In his review of another Top of the Pops album called The Best of Top of the Pops '81
The Best of Top of the Pops '81
The Best of Top of the Pops '81 is a 1981 compilation album released by the Top of the Poppers, who were well-known for their cover-versions of popular songs during the 1970s. Poor sales meant that the Top of the Poppers series would fold soon after this release, remaining dormant until 1984...
, Allmusic reviewer Dave Thompson said that "of the three John Lennon songs wrapped up within, either "Imagine" or "Woman" could have given Roxy Music's version of "Jealous Guy" a run for its money in the brokenhearted sincerity stakes".[]
The title is a reference to the George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
song "When We Was Fab
When We Was Fab
"When We Was Fab" is a song written by George Harrison and Jeff Lynne about the days of Beatlemania, when The Beatles were first referred to as the "Fab Four". The song appears as the sixth track on Harrison's 1987 album Cloud Nine and was later released as the second single from that album in...
".
Background
From 1968 to 1985, Hallmark Records released nearly 100 albums consisting of covers of Top 40 hits. According to session singer Tony RiversTony Rivers
Tony Rivers is an English singer, best known for singing with the groups Tony Rivers and the Castaways and Harmony Grass. He also sang on albums by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Roger Daltrey, Shakin' Stevens and Cliff Richard.Rivers went to Raine's Foundation School in Bethnal Green...
, "In those days, more often than not, you had to do 3 songs in 3 hours then you were out of there!! Not much chance of getting good at it!"http://www.tonyrivers.com/totp.html. However, he also notes that "there was good and there was bad"http://www.tonyrivers.com/totp3.html, and that the studio singers and musicians usually tried their best. Dave Thompson for Allmusic says that "it becomes apparent that the trick is not to look upon the songs as straightforward attempts to copy the hit song, but as interpretations rendered in the style of the hit"[]. Part sound-alikes, part true covers, the series sold well, and two of the albums reached hit No. 1 on the UK album charts. In 2002, Hallmark Records went back to the mastertapes, re-issuing several of the original albums, and releasing compilations using the recordings, which have a following of their own.
Track listing
- "My Sweet LordMy Sweet Lord"My Sweet Lord" is a song by former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison from his UK number one hit triple album All Things Must Pass. The song was written in praise of the Hindu god Krishna...
" - "Another DayAnother Day (Paul McCartney song)"Another Day" is a song recorded by Paul McCartney in New York in 1970, during the sessions for his album Ram. Although it was the first single of McCartney's solo career, "Another Day" was actually written and previewed during The Beatles' Let It Be Sessions in 1969. It was officially released on...
" - "Bangla DeshBangla Desh (song)"Bangla Desh" is a song by George Harrison released as a charity single after the disasters in East Pakistan in 1971.-Background:"Bangla Desh" starts with the lyrics "My friend came to me, with sadness in his eyes. He told me that he wanted help, before his country dies."...
" - "The Back Seat of My Car"
- "Power to the PeoplePower to the People (song)"Power to the People" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1971 by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apple R5892 in the United Kingdom and Apple 1830 in the United States. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the British singles chart...
" - "Back Off BoogalooBack Off Boogaloo"Back Off Boogaloo" is a 1972 single released by Ringo Starr. The song was a hit in the U.S. reaching #9 on the US Hot 100 and achieving Starr's best position in the UK Singles Chart, where it reached #2, blocked only by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards' version of "Amazing Grace".This is one of the...
- "PhotographPhotograph (Ringo Starr song)"Photograph" is a song written by Ringo Starr and George Harrison. It was released by Starr as a single on 5 October 1973, reaching number eight in the UK and number one in the U.S. singles charts...
" - "Band on the RunBand on the RunBand on the Run is an album by Paul McCartney & Wings, released in 1973. It was Wings' third album. It became Wings' most successful album and remains the most celebrated of McCartney's post-Beatles albums...
" - "ImagineImagine (song)"Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. It is the opening track on his album Imagine, released in 1971...
" - "Let 'Em InLet 'em In"Let 'Em In" is a song by Wings from their 1976 album Wings at the Speed of Sound. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney and reached the top 3 in both the United States and the United Kingdom: It was a #2 hit in the UK, and in the US it was a #3 pop hit and #1 easy listening hit...
" - "Silly Love SongsSilly Love SongsSilly Love Songs is a song written by Paul and Linda McCartney and performed by Wings. The song appeared on the 1976 album, Wings at the Speed of Sound. It was also released as a single in 1976. The US single was released on 1 April 1976 and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The UK single was...
" - "Mull of KintyreMull of Kintyre (song)"Mull of Kintyre" is a song written by Paul McCartney and Denny Laine and performed by Wings. The song was written in tribute to the picturesque Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, where McCartney has owned High Park Farm since 1966, and its headland or Mull of Kintyre.The song was Wings' biggest hit...
" - "Wonderful ChristmastimeWonderful Christmastime"Wonderful Christmastime" is a 1979 Christmas song by Paul McCartney. It enjoys significant Christmas time popularity around the world. The notable synthesiser riff was played on a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. The song was later added as a bonus track on the CD reissue of Wings' Back to the Egg...
" - "Starting Over(Just Like) Starting Over" Starting Over" is a song written and performed by John Lennon for his album, Double Fantasy. The B-side was Yoko Ono's "Kiss Kiss Kiss". It was released as a single on 24 October 1980 and reached number one in both the USA and UK two weeks after he was murdered. It is his biggest solo American...
" - "Watching the WheelsWatching the Wheels"Watching the Wheels" is a single by John Lennon released posthumously in 1981 after his murder. It was the third and final single released from Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy album, and reached #10 in the U.S and #30 in the UK....
" - "Woman"
- "All Those Years AgoAll Those Years Ago"All Those Years Ago" is a song written by George Harrison, released as a single from the album Somewhere in England. The song was a personal tribute to former bandmate John Lennon, who was murdered on 8 December 1980...
" - "Ebony and IvoryEbony and Ivory"Ebony and Ivory" is a 1982 number-one single by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. It was released on March 29 of that year. The song is featured on McCartney's album Tug of War. The song reached number one on both the UK and the U.S. charts...
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