The Martins have done it: ‘Love’ is a Beatles masterpiece

Just heard the new Beatles’ “Love” album. Like it a lot. It’s got 26 Beatles songs, each of them re-engineered by Beatles producer George Martin and his son, Giles.

Most of the songs, from “Because” to “All You Need is Love,” have been changed perhaps 3 percent from the originals. And every change except one uses only music, voices or sound effects from the Beatles-era work of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

The big surprise is “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Giles Martin found an acoustic version by George Harrison, and George Martin wrote a new arrangement for accompanying violins. It is stunningly beautiful.

New energy. I think even more changes would have been fun, but George Martin didn’t let his son do anything he didn’t think the Beatles would have done. As it is, this album is full of new energy.

I treasure Beatles music, but I admit I’ve heard the songs so many times I’ve steered away from them for years. Fortunately, the new CD has the feel of a revelation.

If you’re a Beatles fan, you probably have heard most of their stuff by now. All you need is “Love.”

Frank Warner

Comments

[George]

K-Mart is selling the new LOVE CD for $9.99.

And check out The Beatles website.