No band exists in a vacuum, not even the most popular pop group of all time, and this compilation offers a look at the music that influenced
the Beatles, as well as offering a look at their early contemporaries on the U.K. rock scene. Beatles Beginnings, Vol. 5: The Star Club 1962-3 includes 29 tunes that in some way tie into
the Beatles' story: songs they covered during their barnstorming days before landing a record deal (Arthur Alexander's "Soldier of Love" and "Thumbin' a Ride" by
the Coasters), some that they would records years later ("Mr. Moonlight" by Dr. Feelgood & the Interns), hits from U.K. acts that preceded
the Fab Four on the charts ("I Remember You" by Frank Ifeld, "A Picture of You" by
Joe Brown), and selections from artists who crossed paths with the Liverpool boys (
Roy Orbison, who is represented by "Dream Baby," headlined over
the Beatles on one memorable British tour, while a show with
Bruce Channel of "Hey Baby" fame led
Channel's bandmate
Delbert McClinton to give
John Lennon an informal harmonica lesson). As a collection of vintage rock, pop, and R&B tunes, this is a fun listen, and it's also an enlightening guide to the people and songs who helped pave the way for the worldwide phenomenon
the Beatles would launch within a few months. ~ Mark Deming