First released: 1982, September 10

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1. Three Cool Cats (2:23)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead vocal, lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
2. Crying Waiting, Hoping (2:00)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead vocal, lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
3. Besame Mucho (2:38)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
4. Searchin' (3:02)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
5. Sheik of Araby (1:43)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead vocal, lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
6. Money (That's What I Want) (2:22)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - lead vocal, rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
7. To Know Her Is to Love Her (2:34)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - lead vocal, rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
8. Take Good Care of My Baby (2:26)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead vocal, lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
9. Memphis, Tennessee (2:20)
   Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
   John Lennon - lead vocal, rhythm guitar
   Paul McCartney - bass guitar
   George Harrison - lead guitar
   Pete Best - drums
10. Sure to Fall (in Love With You) (2:01)
    Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
    John Lennon - rhythm guitar
    Paul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar
    George Harrison - lead guitar
    Pete Best - drums
11. Till There Was You (2:58)
    Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
    John Lennon - rhythm guitar
    Paul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar
    George Harrison - lead guitar
    Pete Best - drums
12. September in the Rain (1:53)
    Recorded: January 1, 1962 at the West Hampstead Studios of Decca Records, London, England
    John Lennon - rhythm guitar
    Paul McCartney - lead vocal, bass guitar
    George Harrison - lead guitar
    Pete Best - drums

Of course these recordings are not on par with their later recordings but they are certainly worth listening to for more than one reason. First of all they capture the Beatles in a stage from where there are no other studio quality recordings - Pete Best is still with the band and all four are still in their rougher "leather" period. Some of these songs are really not that interesting and a strange choice (like the Sheik of Araby) but others already show the talents of Lennon, McCartney and Starr (like Like Dreamers Do). Unfortunately, my favourite from the Decca session, Take Good Care of My Baby, was not included...

this is boring

this is discraceful and worse than staying in school

Review