While The Beatles Always Had

The Only Criticism Heard With Any Frequency Of Elton John's First American Album, 'elton John,' Was That The Production Was Too Grandiose. The Melodies Were Superb, And Lyrics Frequently Very Good, And The Performances Flawless.

The Faces Do Not, As Some Have Recently Alleged, Play Badly. They Are More Than Competent, Especially At Creating A Mid-sixties Rolling Stones-styled Groove, As Their Excellent Version Of 'memphis' Proves.

Aretha Franklin's 'let Me In Your Life' Is One Of The Few Recent R&b Albums That Places The Emphasis Entirely And Deservedly On A Voice. Many R&b Producers Have Been Making Records On Which The Singer Is Outshined By The Song, The Arrangement And The Sound.

James Taylor Is The Kind Of Person I Always Thought The Word 'folksinger' Referred To. He Writes And Sings Songs That Are Reflections Of His Own Life, And Performs In Them In His Own Style. All Of His Performances Are Marked By An Eloquent Simplicity.

The Beatles Did Their Best Cover Work On Little Richard's 'long Tall Sally' And Music Influenced By Richard, Such As Larry Williams's 'dizzy Miss Lizzie.