The Beatles: George Harrison (sitar, background vocals); Paul McCartney (bass instrument); John Lennon, Ringo Starr.

Personnel: John Lennon (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Paul McCartney (vocals, guitar, piano); George Harrison (vocals, guitar); Ringo Starr (vocals, drums); George Martin (piano).

Recording information: EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England.

Assembling a compilation of the Beatles is a difficult task, not only because they had an enormous number of hits, but also because singles didn't tell the full story; many of their album tracks were as important as the singles, if not more so. The double-album 1962-1966, commonly called The Red Album, does the job surprisingly well, hitting most of the group's major early hits and adding important album tracks like "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," "Drive My Car," "Norwegian Wood," and "In My Life." Naturally, there are many great songs missing from the 26-track 1962-1966, and perhaps it would have made more sense to include the Revolver cuts on its companion volume, 1967-1970, yet The Red Album captures the essence of the Beatles' pre-Sgt. Pepper records. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

This superb compilation, often called "the red album," brings together the majority of the Beatles' hits from the early to mid '60s. Consequently, it plays like an overview of the some of the most popular and indelible rock songs of all time. From the "yeah, yeah, yeah"'s of "She Loves You" through the amped-up giddiness of "I Want to Hold Your Hand," the minor-key melodicism of "And I Love Her," and on to the chiming power pop of "Eight Days a Week" and the tweaky feedback of "I Feel Fine," these are the songs that turned the entire Western world on its ear.

The second half of the set--in addition to its phenomenal songs-- is interesting in that it charts the Beatles' move from straightforward pop toward the new chapter of rock the band would help script in the late '60s. After the expansive chords and slinky melodies of "Ticket to Ride," the band becomes alternately darkly introspective ("Yesterday") and looser and more groove-obsessed ("Drive My Car"), while trying on allegorical Dylan-inspired narratives ("Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"), and happy-go-luck psychedelia ("Yellow Submarine"). These songs are part of our living, breathing cultural identity, and--as this collection reminds us--for good reason.

Q (10/93, p.118) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...Musically, joy is unconfined....[THE RED and BLUE ALBUMS] vividly trace the story of [the Beatles'] development..."

Melody Maker (10/9/93, p.41) - "...[a] timeless wonder...."

NME (Magazine) (9/18/93, p.35) - (10) - Classic.