Hit-and-Miss on Remakes of Beatles Tunes

*** VARIOUS ARTISTS

“Meet the Covers! A Tribute to the Beatles”

Hip-O

There are enough interpretations of Beatles songs to fill hundreds of CDs, so you know any collection of 14 of them has to be quite superficial.

Still, it’s fun to compare these treatments with the original versions. Most of the tracks, in fact, pass the Vaults CD Test, which is based on a rating system of Repeat Play (deserving an immediate second listening), Single Play (appealing enough for one listening) or Skip (nothing there).

The diverse lineup includes five Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acts, from Aretha Franklin to Wilson Pickett, as well as pop tunesmith Nilsson and Britain’s post-punk Siouxsie & the Banshees.

Here’s a look at nine of the 14 selections.

Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Got to Get You Into My Life”--This jazzy treatment of one of the Beatles’ most invigorating tunes is often held up as the only thing worth listening to in the hapless “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” film from 1978. In retrospect, the version may have just benefited from the weakness of the rest of the film. The group deserves credit for trying to find its own groove, but the track falls far short of the energy and innocence of the original. Single Play.

Aretha Franklin’s “Let It Be”--It has been said that Paul McCartney wrote this song with Franklin in mind. If so, her gospel-driven treatment shows that he created a perfect vehicle for her. In recent years Franklin has had trouble picking songs, which may make some younger listeners wonder why she is called the Queen of Soul. But in the ‘60s, she could do almost no wrong . . . a point she demonstrates here. Repeat Play.

Little Richard’s “I Saw Her Standing There”--Richard Penniman was one of the most influential figures in ‘50s rock, and the Beatles delighted in echoing his vocal exuberance. But the vocal and arrangement here are woefully predictable. Skip.

Nilsson’s “You Can’t Do That”--The late Harry Nilsson is usually celebrated most for his songwriting skills and wry imagination, but he was also a splendid singer who was blessed with a soulful, endearing edge not unlike John Lennon’s. Here, he delights us with a mini-tribute to the Beatles, complete with quick references to other Beatles song. Repeat Play.

The Mamas & the Papas’ “I Call Your Name”--Though this was simply a track on the quartet’s debut album, it became such a radio favorite that it seemed like as big a hit single as “Monday, Monday.” Cass Elliot’s vocal, especially, is as endearing as ever. Single Play.

Richie Havens’ “Here Comes the Sun”--Havens’ earnest, optimistic version of the George Harrison song was a Top 20 hit in 1971, and it stands for many today as the definitive version. Single Play.

Siouxsie & the Banshees’ “Dear Prudence”--Siouxsie Sioux may be remembered as one of the seminal British rock artists of the ‘80s, but this seems awfully plain. Skip.

Wilson Pickett’s “Hey Jude”--It’s not just Pickett’s outstanding vocal that made this 1968 recording memorable, but also the ever-so-sweet guitar solo by Duane Allman, who was just 21 at the time. Repeat Play.

Ike & Tina Turner’s “Come Together”--Along with “Proud Mary” and “River Deep--Mountain High,” this gritty workout is one of Ike & Tina’s signature moments on record. It may even be better than the original. Repeat Play.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).