HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.

dereksmusicblog ♦ November 26, 2024 ♦ 1 Comment

Here, There and Everywhere.

Label: Ace.

Format: CD.

Released: 29th November 2024.

Over the years, there’s been many compilations of cover versions of songs by The Beatles. They’ve been a mixed bag, with the quality varying. They’re best described as the good, the bad and the downright ugly. Some are nothing more than exploitative cash-ins designed to relieve Beatles’ fans of their hard earned cash. That has always been the case.

Then there’s numerous reissues of the Fab Four’s twelve UK studio albums, remixes of classic albums, fifty-one compilations, five live albums and seventeen box sets. It’s an expensive business being a Beatles fan. There’s always something new to spend their hard earned cash on.

This includes the numerous books that have been written about the band. Some are by people who worked closely with the band. Then there’s the books by those who, if the truth be told, didn’t really know them at all. There’s probably a book by John Lennon’s second cousin’s hairdressers son being released for the forthcoming holiday season. After all, fans of Fab Four’s really need to read more of their hero’s antics from sixty years ago.

However, for those who are willing to eschew hastily written books that are destined for the bargain bins in the New Year there are other alternatives available. This includes ‘Here, There and Everywhere,’ a twenty-two track compilation released by Ace on CD on ‘29th’ November 2024. This is the third compilation of soul and jazz covers of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison compositions.

Opening the compilation is Sam Fletcher’s jazzy cover of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love.’ It featured on his album ‘I Believe In You,’ which was released by Veejay in 1964.

Sarah Vaughan reimagines and reworks ‘You Never Give Me Your Money.’  Backed by a truly talented band that included members of Toto, she combines jazz and pop on one of the highlights of her 1981 album, ‘Songs Of The Beatles.’

In 1970, Junior Parker covered ‘Taxman’ for his album ‘The Outside Man.’ Funk meets soul as arranger and producer Horace Ott takes this familiar track in a new direction. However, what Beatles purists thought of this reinvention is another thing?

Madeline Bell covered ‘Step Inside Love’ for her 1968 US sophomore album ‘Doin’ Things.’ A year later, the album was released in the UK. This is, without doubt, the definite version. It’s far superior to the version by Scouse warbler Cilla Black, which left a generation scarred and their ears aching.

‘Give Peace A Chance’ was John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s ridiculously naive plea recorded during a bed-in in Montreal, in 1968. Previously, the world’s political leaders had tried to bring about “peace in our time” and failed. So, it was unlikely a that a song sung by two loved-up hippies would bring about world peace. Let’s cut to the chase. This is very much a Marmite song, one either loves or loathes it. The original has me reaching for the off switch. However, since then, many artists have covered the song. This includes Randy Crawford in 1972. Her cover was released as a single in 1972, and in 1982, featured on some European versions of her ‘Windsong’ album.

Stevie Wonder produced Syreeta’s 1972 album for Mowest ‘Syreeta.’ It’s an underrated album that features a tender and emotive reading of ‘She’s Leaving Home.’ It’s a reminder of a truly talented singer who could breath life, meaning and emotion into a song.

Without doubt, one of the highlights of the compilation is Billy Paul’s cover of the Paul and Linda McCartney composition ‘Let ‘Em In.’ It was arranged by Jack Faith, who co-produced the song with Kenneth Gamble and was the title-track to Paul’s 1976 album. It was released by Philadelphia International Records, Accompanying Paul at his soulful best as makes the song his own is MFSB Mk. 2. The result was one of the finest singles of the Philly-born soulman’s career.

Nineteen years after The Drifters were founded in New York City, the latest version of the group relocated to the UK. The last three years hadn’t been kind to the group. They hadn’t enjoyed a hit since 1969, and there had been further changes the lineup. By 1972, the lineup featured Johnny Moore, Rick Sheppard and Don Thomas. In the UK, this new lineup joined forces with songwriters and producers Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook. They produced the group’s silky smooth and soulful cover of ‘Being With You.’ It showcases the vocal prowess of the late, great and much-missed singer and showman, Mr. Johnny Moore.

‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ was one of the first paeans written by Paul McCartney to his wife Linda. In 1998, it was covered by Carleen Anderson on her sophomore album ‘Blessed Burden.’ She combines soul, funk and R&B as she takes this familiar and much-loved song in a new direction.

‘My Love’ was released by Margie Joseph as a single on Atlantic in 1974. It’s euphonious and soulful with a spacious with a string drenched arrangement courtesy of Arif Mardin who arranged, conducted and produced this beautiful cover version.

‘Isn’t It A Pity’ was recorded by The Three Degrees’ 1973 Roulette album ‘So Much Love.’ However, this slow and soulful track, which was produced by Richard Barrett, never made it onto the album. It was belatedly released on ‘The Roulette Years’ later in 1973, and offers a taste of what was to come from The Three Degrees.

It’s a case of saving one of the best until last on ‘Here, There and Everywhere.’ ‘And I Love Him’ by Esther Phillips is one of the standout tracks. It was released as a single in 1965 and features Phillips instantly recognisable vocal. It’s often lived-in and worldweary. However, here it’s soul-baring and heartfelt confessional from a versatile vocalist who should’ve enjoyed much more commercial success than she did.

‘Here, There and Everywhere’ is Ace’s third compilation of soul and jazz covers of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison compositions. Most of the originals are familiar and much-loved songs. This will appeal to many fans of the Fab Four and Lennon, McCartney and Harrison’s solo careers.

Many of the covers are by some of the biggest names in jazz and soul. A few artists will be new to some people. They take tracks in new and unexpected directions. However, there’s also hidden gems aplenty on ‘Here, There and Everywhere.’ It’s the perfect holiday gift for fans of the Fab Four, and much better than a book by John Lennon’s second cousin’s hairdresser’s son.

Here, There and Everywhere.