SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – ABBEY ROAD REIMAGINED – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES

Various Artists
Abbey Road Reimagined – A Tribute To The Beatles
Cleopatra Records

When The Beatles released Abbey Road in October of 1969, the album became an instant classic. Everything about it was perfect. They were still together then, and some would argue, at their peak. The songs were brilliant, side two’s medley was beyond belief, the hidden bonus track, “Her Majesty”, and the front cover, which millions have tried to emulate since 1969, was perfect. Even EMI Studios changed their name to Abbey Road Studios once the album was released. It spawned many classics, including “Come Together”, “Here Comes The Sun”, “Something”, “Oh Darling!” and “The End” to name a few. There have been numerous recordings and artists paying tribute to Abbey Road over the years.

Covering songs, artists, or albums is tricky. The artists covering the material want to put their own individual stamp on it, while maintaining everything that was brilliant about the original. Artists can stray too far from the source material or stay too close. Here, the listener gets both. There are some interesting versions and some that are almost direct covers, but in the end it is enjoyable and gives the listener an opportunity to hear these songs in a different light.

Abbey Road Reimagined – A Tribute To The Beatles is the latest release to pay tribute to the original and to The Beatles. However, as the title indicates, this is a ‘reimagined’ take on it rather than straight covers. Every song from Abbey Road has been re-recorded and the songs are sequenced in exactly the same order as the original. The opening track “Come Together” gives the listener an idea of how Pink Floyd would have covered it, maybe because two of the artists, Snowy White and Durga McBroom, have performed with Pink Floyd. The other artist on this track, the late Jackie Lomax, not only released his debut album Is This What You Want? on Apple Records in 1969, but had Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison back him up on it. It is a true interpretation of the song and works on many levels.

Some of the covers are very close to the original. Jellyfish’s Roger Joseph Manning Jr.’s version of “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” is very close to The Beatles, but he does add some very nice guitar playing throughout. While others stray just a little and take the cover in a slightly different direction, such as James Booth & The Return, Albert Lee, & Geoff Downes’ version of “Sun King”, Arthur Brown & Steve Stevens’ version of “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” is close but Brown does his own thing with the vocals. Fans may be divided on this one, some will love it, others will not.

Matt Axton and Brian Auger’s version of “Octopus’s Garden” is pure genius and the best cover here. They turn the song into the country song it was always meant to be. It is just a joy to listen to and really does stand out as an example of keeping the beauty of the song and artists putting their own spin on things. Rebecca Pidgeon & Patrick Moraz’s version of “Because” is another highlight. The three-part harmonies are there, but a sitar has been added, which really gives the song a whole new spin. And Terry Reid’s version of “Golden Slumbers” is very close to The Beatles, but the vocals make it different and interesting. It is a lovely version.

Overall, Abbey Road Reimagined – A Tribute To The Beatles is a very loving tribute to The Beatles and to the original. The artists are obviously Beatle fans and some, including Gregg Bissonette, Albert Lee, and Graham Bonnet, have worked with solo Beatles over the years. Fans will find the album interesting, and fans of the individual artists will enjoy hearing what has been created.

The Beatles Links