Customer Reviews
now superfluous? - By: J. H. Bateman, 31 Jan 2008 
In 1980, I bought my first album, & this was it - followed by its twin blue album as soon as I had another £5.49! No one could fault its songs & strengths, but I hereby contest that this selection does NOT represent the Beatles as it could have done.
Why? Well, it's entirely written by Lennon & McCartney (only their 2nd such album, after A Hard Day's Night). Their 1962-6 output was about 20% covers, & Twist & Shout is surely one of the 28 tracks which should represent the group for this period (a huge hit US single & UK EP). Again, Till There Was You could have exemplified McCartney's 'respectable pop balladeer' aspirations (which I do respect).
Interestingly, there are 6 songs from the now neglected Rubber Soul vice just the 2 singles from Revolver. The latter is now hallowedin 'greatest album' lists, but its psychedelia is ignored on this compilation. Was Rubber Soul really rated higher than Revolverin 1973? I love 'Drive My Car', but I'd drop it & add 'Tomorrow Never Knows' - maybe to close the set & lead into the '1967-' collection.
I'm dissing the selectors rather than the band, & the Red & Blue vinyl albums were a great buyin 1973 (and, more personally, 1980). But glancing thru my Beatles collection, I'd recommend 1 for the basic hits, & the Past Masters CDs for the big hits & a fuller range of covers & others. (Also, the 'red' & 'blue' albums could have been single boxes with 2 discsin each - or even 1 disc? - saving on packaging & disc-changing effort).
It Certainly Pleased Me - By: AD, 23 Jan 2008 
Many words have been written about the phenomenon that was The Beatles. This album simply puts together some of my best musical memories of the era. Those Lennon/McCartney compositions were just superb, & the chord structures & harmonies gave just that extra touch of musical class - head & shoulders above the competition. They were also capable of producing memorable cover versions of hits by other artists.
At the time the Beatles first broke through, British record artists were generally playing second fiddle to American acts. The sounds were becoming rather predictable, dominated as they were by those irritating tinkly piano bits, & one vocalist after another named Bobby! We had lost a great talentin Buddy Holly, who I think was a great influence on the Beatles. Holly wasn't a hard rocker like Presley, but the sheer quality & freshness of his music was irresistible.
In my humble opinion, Presley's initial wave of success was lessening by 1962/3 - certainly, I think his films, at least, were becoming increasingly mediocre. So it was when The Beatles first filled the void. Undeniably they had felt Presley's influence,("Before Elvis, there was nothing") but it was a refreshing change to hear a British band with such originality. Let's face it,in the late 1950's/early 60's, almost all that British acts could do was just produce a pale imitation of the great American Rock 'N' Roll exponents like Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Fats Domino, etc.
The individual tracks on this CD need no introduction or further coverage - it's all been said already.
So, whether you're an ageing aficionado like myself, or a younger listener curious to know what The Beatles were all about, go out & get this album & listen to a slice of musical historyin the making.
good buy - By: Nomad in Caledonia, 20 Jan 2008 Songs are obviously great. Together with the Blue double album, which covers later songs, the albums cover most of the songs that old fan, like me or a new admirer, ought to have.
great compelation of beatles at their best -buy it! - By: Mrs. C. Casson, 29 Dec 2007 A fantastic double cd of the fab four at their best-in my opinion this is much better than the later 1970s double cd & every song is specialin its own way.
I have every album the beatles made but still very much enjoy this double album.
A fantastic introduction to the beatles if you are a new fan or a great value buy to old fans like myself.
All I can say is GO BUY IT NOW AND YOU WONT REGRET YOUR PURCHASE-THE FAB FOUR AT THEIR BEST!
No weaknesses - but many good songs left off - By: Brian Levine, 29 Aug 2007 My only criticism of this first attempt at a Beatles 'Greatest Hits' is that there are so many, not every great song is on here for the period. I think the Beatles recorded 216 songs, most of which are worth some play, so that gives you an idea of what's left off here.
Still, I can;t think of a better way to get into the Beatles than to get this & the blue album (67-70) & then go exploring. Next stop should be the six-CD 'Anthology' which is simply amazing & plays you many demos & outtakes that complement the released versions very well.
