The Persuasions Sing the Beatles

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's never a surprise when someone covers a Beatles song. But what is surprising on The Persuasions Sing the Beatles is the choice of songs. The fabulous a cappella foursome taking on the Fab Four is a heartfelt and inspired idea (and recorded live in a Manhattan church--talk about paying homage!). But it doesn't always succeed. That said, Persuasions fans will find genuine pleasure in hearing songs such as "Oh! Darling," "Yesterday," "Ob La Di, Ob La Da," and "Come Together" (with its rich vocal accents and reverberating bass lines). These songs readily lend themselves to the a cappella magic of Jerry, Jayotis, Ray, and Jim, their vocal highlights perfect for the group's persuasive alchemy. And there's plenty of transformation as the group mines the doo-wop soul roots of McCartney's "Darling" and the timeless solitude of "Yesterday." Even more pleasing is "Eight Days a Week," where the Beatles' playful lyrics meet the Persuasion's powerful frontline vocals. The other more curious takes of "The Ballad of John and Yoko," Rocky Raccoon," and "Imagine" (technically a Lennon solo effort) don't always hit the mark. Still, reinvention and innovation lie at the heart of any tribute record, and on that score, The Persuasions Sing the Beatles should satisfy both camps long enough until a follow-up delivers another 14 songs the world knows and sings by heart. --Martin Keller

Tracks:

Eight Days A Week
Oh! Darling
Come Together
Rocky Raccoon
Octopus's Garden
Love Me Do
With A Little Help From My Friends
From Me To You
Yesterday
Ob La Di, Ob La Da
Don't Let Me Down
The Ballad Of John And Yoko
Imagine
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (reprise)

Amazon.com

It's never a surprise when someone covers a Beatles song. But what is surprising on The Persuasions Sing the Beatles is the choice of songs. The fabulous a cappella foursome taking on the Fab Four is a heartfelt and inspired idea (and recorded live in a Manhattan church--talk about paying homage!). But it doesn't always succeed. That said, Persuasions fans will find genuine pleasure in hearing songs such as "Oh! Darling," "Yesterday," "Ob La Di, Ob La Da," and "Come Together" (with its rich vocal accents and reverberating bass lines). These songs readily lend themselves to the a cappella magic of Jerry, Jayotis, Ray, and Jim, their vocal highlights perfect for the group's persuasive alchemy. And there's plenty of transformation as the group mines the doo-wop soul roots of McCartney's "Darling" and the timeless solitude of "Yesterday." Even more pleasing is "Eight Days a Week," where the Beatles' playful lyrics meet the Persuasion's powerful frontline vocals. The other more curious takes of "The Ballad of John and Yoko," Rocky Raccoon," and "Imagine" (technically a Lennon solo effort) don't always hit the mark. Still, reinvention and innovation lie at the heart of any tribute record, and on that score, The Persuasions Sing the Beatles should satisfy both camps long enough until a follow-up delivers another 14 songs the world knows and sings by heart. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

This is not The Persuasions I fell in love with.......2002-04-02

This group was once one of the mose exciting forces on the American music scene. However, this CD is awful. There is no song on it that was not vastly better done by The Beatles. Instead of the group singing that once marked the Persuasions it is merely a lead singer singing everything at the same pace (one song is nearly indistinguishable from any other) with the other members of the group doing a little doo wop on the side. Boring! Buy the material by the original artists and enjoy some really good music. The Persuasions are now merely riding the coat tails of their earlier reputation.

Persuasions sing the Beatles.......2002-04-02

This is truly a phenominal CD. The voices of the Persuasions are as clear and crisp as they have always been. The treatment of the Beatles songs makes you hear them in a totally new way. Each time you hear it , it just gets better. If you dont have it already, buy it. Also if you have a chance to see them live , it is an experience you wont forget. Schedule is available at the persuasions.com

Superb vocal stylings.......2002-03-19

Chesky Records is well known for their fantastic "Audiophile" CD's, and the acoustics on this album are absolutely unbelievable. Innovative and smooth......I highly recommend it.

The Beatles Never Done Better!.......2002-03-18

I've actually never heard the Persuasions before, but as a huge Beatles fan, I decided to give this album a try. I have to say that for Beatles fans this is a fantastic way to hear their music. I love "With a Little Help..." and "Ob La Di" especially, but they're all great! If you want to hear the music of the Beatles as you've never heard it before, this is the album to get. It's not just another "cover" album.

"Oh! Darling"...It's Fabulous!.......2002-03-14

The new CD, "Persuasions Sing the Beatles" is FABULOUS! The Persuasions' harmonizing voices and trend-setting style are memorable, unique and classy!

Their voices are truly their instruments! Everytime I hear "Octopus's Garden," I am amazed at how they are able to sing it totally a cappella...How do they do that?

The Persuasions' talents are really special and say, "Persuasions all the way!"

This CD is a hit! It's a wonderful surprise to hear the "world's best" vocal group perform the songs of the "world's best" pop group...It's a fantastic "fab-four" union!

The CD feels "live," but to see The Persuasions perform the Beatles songs in-person has got to be an awesome treat, too! I hope to see The Persuasions performing these songs in concert very soon.

Thank you, Persuasions for sharing your voices, your inspiration and creativity with the rest of us.

Whether you're a Persuasions fan, a Beatles fan, or a fan of both phenomenal groups, the "Persuasions Sing the Beatles" is a "must have" CD for all music lovers.

Tracks:

Eight Days a Week
Oh! Darling
Come Together
Rocky Raccoon
Octopus's Garden
Love Me Do
With a Little Help from My Friends
From Me to You
Yesterday
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Don't Let Me Down
Ballad of John and Yoko
Imagine
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)

Music:

Music

Music