3/1/2023 0 Comments Across the universe chordsTaken from the Trojan Beatles Tribute Box Set – a limited edition British pressing of Jamaican artists covering Beatles records – this rootsy reggae track recalls the dark themes of Eleanor Rigby but manages to uplift it with brilliant, uplifting harmonies and riding minor chords.Īnonymously Yours - Get Back (1969) Trojan 680 A Here's a selection of some the best Reggae Beatles covers: This was a truly iconic record label attempting to continue its pattern of making chart history by securing a place at the top for its artists. ![]() It's no accident that Beatles versions featured heavily on their releases, as this played cupid to the love affair between Jamaican music and British youth-culture. Injecting these into the British market were legendary London-based Jamaican music importers, Trojan Records (responsible for major artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Toots & The Maytals and Desmond Dekker to name a few). Lots of reggae, ska and rocksteady albums released from the very start of Beatlemania feature some choice Beatles versions. In the same way that Motown were pumping out homages to the Fab Four, Jamaica was also tuning into their mass appeal. One lesser discussed fact is that The Beatles had an impact just as significant on the Jamaican music scene. These examples demonstrate how soul artists began to use The Beatles as a springboard to further success by covering their popular songs – respectfully tipping their hats while also undoubtedly using the group indirectly to generate record sales. Another instance being The Supremes who in their album, titled A Bit Of Liverpool, covered “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Hard Day's Night". Take the case of George Benson, considered by many as the GOAT of jazz guitar and who only waited a few weeks after The Beatles released Abbey Road to start laying down a cover, as well as mimicking the iconic image of the road crossing on the front cover. It was only The Beatles that flipped this narrative on its head so to speak, and a huge selection of Black superstars celebrated The Beatles by creating exceptionally funky and groovy cover versions. From Carnaby Street London to Greenwich Village in New York, African-American musicians were at the centre of influence during this time. The British Invasion, the swinging sixties. They started recording with him the material that ended up on both the White album and Abbey Road, injecting soul and solidifying their already growing legacy.īilly Preston pictured with George Harrison in 1974 Preston’s initiation into the group would change them for the better, however, and cut the ice that was palpable between the members at the time, particularly Harrison. Preston's influence was significant and, skipping forward to the end of the 60s, The Beatles had seen much success but were almost on the brink of splitting up. They also crossed paths with Billy Preston around this time as he was working with Little Richard, amongst other members of his backing band - most of which are now of notoriety. ![]() ![]() ![]() Hamburg would come to represent the moment when The Beatles began to cement themselves as live performers it was, after all, where they cut their teeth learning how to play live R&B and rock'n'roll. Eventually, this led to sharing a stage with one of their biggest influences, Little Richard. Such early influence led The Beatles to their coming-of-age in Hamburg during the early 60s, where they transitioned from covering big name artists such as Ray Charles, King Curtis and Chuck Berry to playing their own songs. The breadth of influence Motown and indie-label soul music had on one of the world’s most commercially successful bands is immense, and the group’s sheer affection for R&B is evident in the entirety of their early catalogue – a sound which, by that point, had already been mastered by Black American trailblazers such as Little Richard and Arthur Alexander. The works released initially by the Fab Four have strong roots in Memphis music, the trajectory of which African-Americans significantly shaped. The early rock’n’roll influences behind The Beatles’ formative years are well documented, but few accounts give light to the part played by The Beatles in the output of Jamaican music.
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