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B-Sides The Beatles (Beatles Tribute Album)

The Smithereens

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New Jersey’s Smithereens already covered the entire Beatles U.S. Capitol Records debut album Meet the Beatles from start to finish and while warming up for an album of their own music decided to feast on a number of lesser-known early Beatle tracks that were featured as B-sides on their various singles. Throw in an early live chestnut in “Some Other Guy,” the early John Lennon-George Harrison penned instrumental “Cry for A Shadow,” and the participation of Andy White, the drummer who replaced Ringo Starr for the recording of “P.S. I Love You," who moves Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken over to maracas as well, and you’ve got a project just ripe for Beatle obsessives everywhere. They don’t always capture the raw energy of the originals (the Beatles, after all, were the Beatles), but they prove just how strong even “second rung” Beatle tunes can be. “Ask Me Why” remains poignant. “Thank You Girl,” “You Can’t Do That,” and “I’ll Get You” rock with firm conviction. “If I Fell” never loses its harmonic appeal.  Surely, Beatle fans who thought they exhausted their listening will have something new to contemplate here.

Customer Reviews

Another Winner from the Smithereens

When the Smithereens released “Meet the Smithereens” a couple of years ago, I thought it was a pretty gutsy move on their part. It’s one thing to toss a Beatles’ cover or two into your live set; they’ve always done that well. But to reproduce one of the sacred relics of rock and roll – the Beatles’ first US album? But damn if they didn’t pull it off, beautifully. They managed to pay proper tribute and deliver the songs faithfully yet put their own mark on them at the same time. That gutsy move paid off. And now they’ve gone and done it again. Can lightening strike twice? Well, I’m here to tell you that this album isn’t simply as good as its predecessor – it’s better. The band sounds a little more relaxed this time out, a little more playful – in part, possibly, due to relief that the Beatle community has embraced the guys from New Jersey so whole-heartedly. The task this go round was more interesting, too – return to those old Vee-Jay and Capitol Records 45s and hit the b-sides. It’s given them the opportunity to play some of the Beatles’ best songs from the early days, maybe even a few that you haven’t already heard a million times. Of course, all this would be for naught if the Smithereens didn’t deliver the goods, and boy, do they! Not many bands get better and tighter with age but these guys have. As with “Meet the Smithereens”, these covers stick to the original recordings but with the band’s spin. While every track is a joy, some are standouts. Songs like “There’s a Place” and “I’ll Get You” sound as if they were written for the Smithereens to cover, a perfect match of performer and material. Their treatment of lesser-known songs “Cry for a Shadow” and “Some Other Guy” is great fun, and anyone who doesn’t melt after listening to lead singer Pat DiNizio’s warm honeyed vocals on “Ask Me Why” and “If I Fell” doesn’t have a heart. And as if all that weren’t enough, there’s the added, very special bonus of drummer Andy White on “PS I Love You”. Who’s he, you say? Only the drummer on the Beatles’ recording of that song. Turns out he now lives in New Jersey and joined the Smithereens to add a bit more Beatle magic to the proceedings. What can I tell you – it’s a hit from start to finish. I’m starting to think these guys can do just about anything!

These “Killer B’s” Deserve A Grade Of “A”!

“The Smithereens B-Sides The Beatles” is another expertly crafted and fun album from New Jersey’s foremost rocking foursome. This time the Smithereens lovingly customize the flip-sides of some B-loved (make that “beloved”) Beatles singles. The opening salvo of “Thank You Girl”, “There’s A Place”, “I’ll Get You” and “You Can’t Do That” grabs you by the ears right away with The Smithereens adding an extra rocking edge of their own to these terrific but somewhat more obscure Beatles songs. These B-sides (but never B-songs) run the gamut from rockers to ballads (like “If I Fell”) and even country ("I Don't Want To Spoil The Party”). Rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Pat DiNizio dives into the deep end of the Liverpool but marks his territorial waters with his own masterful vocal renditions of these and other Beatles songs. This collection also serves as a fine showcase for The Smithereens to display their formidable musical chops – especially with the wailing instrumental “Cry For A Shadow” (the only Beatles tune ever credited solely to George Harrison and John Lennon). Manic percussive drummer Dennis Diken steps up to the microphone to sing lead vocals on the Larry Williams rocker “Slow Down” and the band provides the closing ceremony’s musical fireworks by ending the album with the old Cavern Club raver “Some Other Guy” as sung by Jim Babjak (who also sings lead vocals with cheerful abandon on “I’m Happy Just To Dance with You”). The Smithereens have also given these classic model Beatles tunes a tune-up with the skilled aid of “garage rock” mechanic/co-producer Kurt (“The Gripweeds”) Reil and ace bass handyman and Fender bender Severo “The Thrilla” Jornacion. Of special historical note here is a guest appearance by Andy White who plays drums on “P.S. I Love You” just like he did on the original Beatles’ version. (That appears to be Mr. White’s gentlemanly voice doing the count-in at the beginning of this new version of the song for a special extra added touch.) With “The Smithereens B-Sides The Beatles”, the Smithereens have proven that they still know how to make that “rock and roll music” (any old time you use it) sound completely fresh and dynamic again. If you like the Beatles and the Smithereens (and who doesn’t?), this is a thrilling album featuring your favorite rock combos that you’re bound to enjoy.

The Smithereens do it AGAIN!!!!

The Smithereens, once again, show the world that they know how to have FUN! Time after time, album after album, track after track, The Smithereens show us the fun and excitement that is so sorely missing from much music today. And once again, The Smithereens bring back the excitement and the fun that we all had when The Beatles first took our shores here in the U.S. Sure, you can have any cover band reproduce the music of The Beatles. But The Smithereens bring back the 'feeling' that those of us who were there remember so well. The Smithereens bring back the freshness, the thrill and the smiles as if it were happening today. And yes, they do it and still sound like The Smithereens. That's what makes it so exciting. It's as if these songs are being heard again for the first time. Remember the first time that you heard, 'If I Fell' and felt like you had reached an oasis in a desert of blistering musical pap? Hear it again anew and feel what it was like. Only this time it IS new all over again. The Smithereens show us that The Beatles B-Sides were better than most folks' A-sides. And still are. Even the cover by legendary Mad Magazine artist Jack Davis brings back the fun of album covers of yore. Want to to have fun? Want that excitement? Get The Smithereens B-Sides The Beatles. It's well worth it.

Biography

Formed: 1980 in Carteret, NJ

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

Dressed in leather, brandishing heavy guitars, and exhibiting an unabashed fetish for British Invasion pop, the Smithereens were an anomaly in the American college rock scene of the late '80s. Lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Pat DiNizio stood out not only with his strange beatnik goatee, but also because his catchy hooks were haunting, not punchy, and because his lyrics were morose. As time wore on, the group became more straightforward, turning into an excellent bar band, one that attacked pop...
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