To truly appreciate the Beatles for who they are in the canon of music history, you have to consider that prior to this album singers and songwriters were very rarely the same people. Accomplished singing legends like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley almost never wrote the tunes they sang. It was NOT a badge of irrelevance to be "just" an interpreter of song. For better or worse, that all changed shortly after the Fabs burst onto the scene.

From this first album, you only see the seeds of the shift: 8 of the 14 tracks here are "Lennon/McCartney" and several of them are fairly unremarkable tunes that don't really hint at what either John or Paul would become (to say nothing of George).

That said, the opening track does make it plain that history is about to change. That "1,2,3,fah!" that bursts out of the speakers is nothing short of incendiary..notice to the old guard that there's a new sheriff in town.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"I Saw Her Standing There" has proven durable enough to survive a trampling by 80s teen popper Tiffany and an 80s rewrite (albeit a good one) by 80s rocker Joan Jett (that's really all "I Love Rock and Roll" is..). It still resonates more than 40 years later. Other standouts are the title tune with its building harmonies on the "C'mon..." bridge, the almost bossa nova shuffle of "P.S. I Love You" (the idea of trading lead vocals between the group in unison and Paul was also a relatively new idea at the time), and the decent "Do You Want to Know a Secret?". If those aren't enough, they manage to place another all-time rock classic into the debut with John's tonsil-shredding cover of "Twist and Shout" that accomplishes the rare distinction of superseding the original (sorry, Isley Brothers fans..)

LOWS:
It's obvious that the Fabs owed a big debt to 60s girls groups ("Chains") and R&B("Anna","Boys","Baby it's You"), but with one exception (their flamethrowing raveup on the Isley Brothers "Twist and Shout"), their versions come out pale..garage band homages to the real thing. Show tune "A Taste of Honey" is also an ill fit for the group.

BOTTOM LINE:
If you somehow have no idea who the Beatles are, don't start here to understand them. This is really only necessary to complete a collection, or to understand their beginnings. If you're looking for "suit era" Beatles music, the better stuff was still to come.

3 1/2 stars

PLEASE PLEASE ME was a formulaic release in 1963. Band scores a hit single, record company orders a quick album built around that song. We all know by now that The Beatles recorded their debut in a day. However, this is no rush job. The performances are vibrant. Their singing -- The Beatles' greatest strength next to their songwriting -- shine on almost every track. The band (playing live in the studio) is exciting and focussed. This is a band on a mission.

I Saw Her Standing There still rocks with Paul's exciting "1, 2, 3, four!" count-in, and Twist and Shouts demands to be played LOUD on every sound system in the world. Though the singles, Please Please Me, Ask Me Why, Misery and P.S. I Love You are good tunes, other Lennon/McCartney originals, There's A Place and even Love Me Do are weaker efforts that only hint at something better. Do You Want To Know A Secret? is merely a ditty that George tries to sing in his thick Scouse accent.

Half the album is awarded to cover versions. The best are the window-rattling Twist and Shout and the genteel Taste of Honey. However, there were better choices in the Beatles' live repetoire besides Chains and Boys. Why not Too Much Monkey Business or Soldier of Love?

Taken for what it is, this is a good album announcing the talents of a band that in three short years will produce the greatest album of all time, Revolver.

Please Please me is the beatles debut, that means it's one of thier worst albums and not worth purchasing.

After two hit singles(Love Me Do & Please,Please Me which eventually became the albums title track) an album was inevitable. But since The Beatles didn't have the clout for even a budget sized production, this album was recorded in one day .In these days of artist spending millions, and taking years to complete an album, PPM is amazing in the fact that they practically banged this one out and 37 years later despite many rough edges, it still sounds fresh. Another amazing facet was that 60% of the album was self composed, especially at a time when musical acts recorded other writers songs suggested by their producer. This was essentially their stage show in the studio, where they even topped it off with their no holds barred performance of Twist & Shout. The originals(especially I Saw Her Standing There, Ask Me Why, PS I Love You,& Do You Want To Know A Secret) follow up on the precedent that the two aforementioned lead singles had set. The cover songs aren't no slouches either(the sweet Anna, Boys, A Taste Of Honey and of course Twist & Shout).Some of today's mainstream music listeners may be put of by the rough edges, flubbed notes and shaky vocals, but its those flaws that give PPM its charm.

This was the Beatles first real chart album and its full of the raw early stuff...a must for any one who wants to get to know the Beatles fab & Raw Stuff...yeh yeh