Various Artists – Fruits de Mer Records
By Mark Waters
From the opening chords of Cry Baby Cry to the final chord of Long Long Long, we have here a gem of a record. The album, with its two 7” EPs in a gatefold sleeve, is indeed white: white cover, white sleeves, white vinyl pressings with white labels. Its presentation faithfully echoes the Beatles’ original White Album (some of which pressings were done on white vinyl), this time merely with the words Fruits de Mer embossed on the front cover and inside bottom left, a grey track listing and bottom right, not John, George, Paul and Ringo but a picture of four real beetles.
The White EP, which has eight of the songs from the original album sung by eight different artists, takes me back to November 1968, when friend Chris came home with one of the first copies of The Beatles’ White Album. We all crowded in his front room to listen to it and were so impressed by the musical inventiveness of the group in creating something magical out of lyrics that were not in themselves much to write home about. Listening to the White EP in 2012, I feel it could have been the Beatles’ own follow-up to their Magical Mystery Tour.
In fact, I was struck by the ability of the artists to bring these songs right up to date, for The White EP not only shares the inventiveness and magic of the original but, for me, gives greater meaning to the lyrics. There is also an impressive unity of sound, the interpretation of these classic songs is excellent and the production first-rate as is the mastering of Fran Ashcroft.
Tracks and artists:
- We start with the Three Minute Tease and the lament Cry Baby Cry, with its haunting three introductory chords.
- The Bevis Frond helps us see clearly through the layers of The Glass Onion.
- The Luck of Eden Hall highlights why Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey.
- The Pretty Things so aptly portray the past few years with Helter Skelter.
- Jack Ellister sings about childhood love in Dear Prudence.
- Cranium Pie tragically updates The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill.
- The Seventh Ring of Saturn gives us the bittersweet taste of the Savoy Truffle.
- Henry Padovani, with his bass-baritone voice, sings George Harrison’s brilliant love song Long Long Long, with its final memorable chord.
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I recommend, dear Reader, that you buy yourself a copy and enjoy the delights of this refreshing interpretation for yourself:
