beatle country

The overwhelming success of the Fab Four spawned a host of instrumental and tribute albums during the ‘60s (a phenomenon that continues into today), but very, very few few measured up to this 1966 LP from Cambridge, Massachusetts-based bluegrass band the Charles River Valley Boys. Long-time friends of Paul Rothchild, who co-produced the album with fellow Elektra stalwart Peter Siegel, Bob Siggins (who is quoted in the notes), Jim Field, Joe Val and Everett A. Lily didn’t just pick the obvious Beatle candidates for country-ization, like I’ve Just Seen a Face and What Goes On, but also went far afield for tunes like Norwegian Wood and Paperback Writer, seamlessly laying bluegrass harmonies atop arrangements that picked and grinned their way through the famous chord changes. Other tracks include Baby’s in Black; I Feel Fine; Yellow Submarine; TIcket to Ride; And Your Bird Can Sing; She’s a Woman; I Saw Her Standing There, and Help!
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