First released: 1970, May 4

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Before beginning their recording career, the Beatles recorded a few tracks in Hamburg in 1961 as the backing group for British singer Tony Sheridan. Reissued in countless different packages around the globe after the Beatles became famous, this should in no way be considered their first album; not only were their skills rudimentary, but Sheridan takes all but one of the lead vocals on this set of fairly tame covers of popular and early rock standards. Several tracks are of interest: "Ain't She Sweet," with a lead vocal by John Lennon, was a small American hit single in 1964; the driving instrumental "Cry for a Shadow" was written by Lennon and George Harrison; and "My Bonnie," with Paul McCartney's shouts clearly audible in the background, was responsible for bringing the group to the attention of Brian Epstein. — Richie Unterberger