Release Date: November 22, 2008
WSVNRadio Salutes The Beatles CD!

WSVNRadio Salutes The Beatles

In 2004, this year marked the 40th anniversary of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, (better known as The Beatles), as they made their debut in America. As many of us are true fans of the Fab Four, it was a great idea to have WSVNRadio's Hall of Fame artists to participate on a special compilation. Not only would songs of The Beatles' incredible work be featured, but also the solo works of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr.

As time passed, many questions were being asked, such as copyrights for the Beatles and solo catalogues. Emails were sent, and if any money was made for this compilation, then the legalities would be dealt with. As every WSVNRadio Hall of Fame Volume, and its other special compilations, each album is for non-profit; no money was made; just good exposure for each artist who participated. It seemed the copyright issue was a factor, as WSVNRadio waited for 20 songs (as each of their past Hall of Fame compilations consisted of) to emerge for this Beatles release.

As the years passed, the Beatles and solo songs were slowly sent in. By the year 2008, we had finally reached 20 songs, and a few more songs were coming in. Since the 40th anniversary of The Beatles' existence had come and gone in 2004, we were now ready to release our tribute CD. Deciding on a theme, the 40th anniversary of one of their classic albums, 1968's The Beatles (also known as The White Album) was appropriate. From this original album, only one song from has been recorded by one of WSVNRadio's Hall of Fame artists: "Blackbird" by Just Megan. (Although versions of "Revolution No. 9" are also recorded for this tribute, yet in different forms.)

Speaking of different, as you listen to this tribute, you will notice some different variations of songs, compared to the originals. First, there's Felicia Rosati's version of "One After 909." It is recorded in the style of the "early Beatles," which this song was originally written, yet never recorded in this style. It was on The Beatles' Let It Be. release, yet really not recorded in the style of the "early Beatles." Likewise, this is the same early style on Lipstick Traces' "Revolution," originally recorded in 1968. Picture this song in the "early Beatles" style, as this is how the band from Germany recorded this song.

Luke Powers' version of "I Saw Her Standing There" is very much different than the original. The Beatles' original version is fast-paced, where Powers' records his version as a ballad, with the help of an accoustic guitar.

Mystified's version of "Yellow Submarine" may or may not sound exactly as its original, yet there's a bouncing melody throughout the song, as it has the melodic expression as if singing the phrase as in the original: "We all live in a Yellow Submarine." 3kStatic's "Revolutionary Element" has a title nowhere found in the Beatles' or solo catalog, yet it samples the classic White Album's "Revolution No. 9."

Speaking of "Revolution No. 9," -- in the "Now For Something Completely Different" department again -- Tex Glitter's "Revolution No. 9" is much different than the original. They claim their version is of a "waltzy style." You be the judge.

Like Luke Powers' version of "I Saw Her Standing There," Barbara Steel's version of "I Should Have Known Better" was recorded in a slower, ballad style. Her studio version was featured on the WSVNRadio Hall of Fame, Volume 4. For our tribute, her version was from a live album she recorded, entitled Live At Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar.

Even though none of The Beatles wrote "Slow Down," it was originally written by Larry Williams, and recorded in the early years of The Beatles. Pipapelli had recorded their version, which was seen in a videotape the band had made. In observing Beatle/solo tunes NOT written by the Fab Four, Pipapelli recorded this version of "Slow Down," for this tribute.

There are two different versions of "Taxman." Gene Hilbert's version is much different than the original; in a more harder rock style. The tribute band Rubber Soul has their version on our tribute, which is quite similar to The Beatles' original.

Speaking of more than one version, two artists from our Hall of Fame submitted more than one song. Not only did Gene Hilbert arrange his own version of "Taxman," he also recorded his own rocking version of "Day Tripper." Mike Ringler provided 4 songs, 3 of which were originally recorded by the Fab Four: "You Can't Do That," "It's Only Love," "A Day In The Life." The fourth song was originally a solo recording by John Lennon, his classic, "Imagine."

Yes, solo John Lennon... Not only did our tribute feature versions of Beatle tunes, but solo songs by John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Two songs from Lennon's solo years is heard on our tribute, Mike Ringler's "Imagine," and The Oz From Russia's version of "Jealous Guy." The latter song mentioned is different than the original, as Lennon's classic gets a Punk Rock edge.

From the solo career of Paul McCartney, the tribute band, Band On The Run, recorded an impressive live version of "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey." George Harrison has two songs on our tribute, originally written by him. The first, "The Inner Light" was originally recorded by The Beatles in the late 1960s, as our Hall of Fame artist Elena Powell provides her own version. The other Harrison-penned song was from the beginning of his solo years, "Isn't It A Pity," by Richie Ray. We were fortunate to find a Ringo Starr solo song, by one of our newest Hall of Fame artists, Jim Fusco. Not only is his version impressive, "You're Sixteen" was actually a remake by Starr, and was also considered one of his best solo songs of his career. Solo songs by each Beatle were now complete for this tribute: 2 songs by John, 1 by Paul, 1 by George, and 1 by Ringo.

Rounding off the tribute are all songs originally recorded by The Beatles: King Virtue's "We Can Work It Out," Fishkill's "Rain," Franki Baaz's "Norwegian Wood." Bob Louisell with John Roth and their version of "The Fool On The Hill." "Yesterday" has Natalie Cox on lead vocal, as our Hall of Fame artist, Tom Marotta provided this song for us.

Continuing with more Beatle songs, our second disc leads off with the powerful version of "Got To Get You Into My Life" by Sweet Crystal, the psychedlic "Tomorrow Never Knows" by Waterband's lead vocalist, Dreadlock Dave. The unmistakable voice of Steph Deskins' on "Hey Jude," and a song originally from The Beatles' White Album, Just Megan's beautiful version of "Blackbird."

As mentioned, this project was in the works for 4 years. WSVNRadio is very proud to not only highlight the great music of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, but to also feature versions from our Hall of Fame artists performing these 4 gentlemen's classics.

Thank you once again, to all of our artists who participated on WSVNRadio Salutes The Beatles. We hope you all enjoyed listening to this tribute, as we planned on creating it.