Baby It’s You by The Beatles – **

First released: 1963

I’ve never been terribly fond of this early Beatles track from "Please Please Me". Strangely enough, The Beatles compositions were actually stronger on their debut album than their covers, and that’s saying a lot. This David/Williams/Bacharach tune finally became a single in 1994 from The Beatles "Live at the BBC" album. I would have preferred "Soldier of Love". The Shirelles originally recorded it in 1962.

In the US, it was on "Introducing The Beatles", "Jolly What! The Beatles and Frank Ifield on Stage", "The Beatles vs. The Four Seasons", "The Early Beatles" and on 2006’s "The Capitol Albums, Vol. 2".

Baby I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton – ***

First released: 2000

A live version by Peter Frampton appears on 2000’s "The Anthology…So Far". This was a classic Frampton hit with a studio single in 1975 and the always-definitive live version and another hit single from 1976’s "Frampton Comes Alive". The version done for Ringo, though not as monumental is almost as good as the ’76 one.

Baby Face by Paul McCartney - ***

Unreleased.

Unreleased McCartney song dating from 1975 and the "Venus and Mars" sessions. Paul does a cover of the old Akst/Davis track on the piano.

Baby Face by Paul McCartney - ***

Unreleased.

Unreleased McCartney song dating from 1975 and the "Venus and Mars" sessions. Paul does a cover of the old Akst/Davis track on the piano.

Baby Don’t Run Away by George Harrison – **

First released: 1982

Rodina Sloane’s vocals perk up an otherwise nothing tune from the "Gone Troppo" album, seemingly dashed off by George at the last minute to fill out a contractual obligation where he already used a cover tune and a Beatles leftover.

Baby Come Back by The Beatles – *

Unreleased.

The Beatles perform a version of this Grant-penned tune during the 1969 "Get Back" sessions, but it’s only four seconds long!

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep by The Beatles - **

Unreleased.

Lennon warbles this old nursery rhyme a couple of times with The Beatles during the 1969 "Get Back" sessions.

B-Side to Seaside by Linda McCartney - ***

First released: 1977

Well, they did need a b-side to Linda and Wings' "Seaside Woman", so why not call your record that? Actually, it’s not too bad and quite catchy, especially the chorus. Later on, when it was time to compile the Linda McCartney solo album "Wide Prarie" in 1998, this was included.

Awaiting on You All by George Harrison - ***

First released: 1970

"All Things Must Pass" is the first George Harrison album to reflect his personal religious views. Though he would sing about his devotion in greater extent on his next and subsequent studio albums, he kept the songs to a minimum this time out. A good contender for a possible third single or a greatest hits compilation; the song never was released again except for the similar live version from "The Concert for Bangla Desh".

Average Person by Paul McCartney - ***

First released: 1983

I really enjoy the sound effects on this peppy track that serve as a "Sgt. Pepper" or "Penny Lane" reminder. The lyrics are kind of silly about people wanting to be lion tamers and the like, but the overall effect is nice and a hidden gem in the somewhat disappointing "Pipes of Peace" set by Paul.

Autumn Leaves by Ringo Starr – (NR)

Unreleased.

Unreleased outtake from Ringo’s "Sentimental Journey". I don’t think I’ve heard this one, so no rating.

Auraveda by Paul McCartney - *

First released: 1989

Another trance track from Paul's (a.k.a. The Fireman) album "Rushes". Sounds like all the rest.

Au by John Lennon - *

First released: 1972

Not really a song, but one of those off-the-cuff pieces and John and Yoko performed with Frank Zappa. I am a Zappa fan as well, but none of this was their most glorious hour. Had I been at the original show, I probably would have booed! You can hear it in all its glory on the "Live Jam" LP from "Some Time in New York City" and the original versions of the CD release. Yoko had the good sense to edit it this shit out of the CD reissue.

Attica State by John Lennon - ***

First released: 1972

This song is a bit abrasive and was performed live long before it finally made it onto John and Yoko’s "Some Time in New York City" album. There’s also a live version released on 1998’s "The John Lennon Anthology". Another live 1971 version was first released on "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" soundtrack from 2006.

Attention by Ringo Starr - ***

First released: 1981

Another great McCartney song from Ringo’s "Stop and Smell the Roses". The song was also included on "Starr Struck: Best of Ringo Starr, Vol. 2" in 1989. Ringo's version has a very bouncy beat to it. It is unknown whether there is a Paul version of this song. I haven't heard it.

Atlantic Ocean by Paul McCartney - **

First released: 1997

McCartney tune dating from 1987 that was released as the b-side of one of the "Flaming Pie" singles as part of "Oobu Joobu". It’s not much, but it’s got a good beat and you can dance to it.

At the Mercy by Paul McCartney - *

First released: 2005

Ok, so you say "At the Mercy" about ten times and then sing out of key? That's the good stuff there from Paul's "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard".

Ask Me Why by The Beatles - **

First released: 1963

Not as powerful as the later "Tell Me Why", I have to think about this track when I want to remember what it sounds like, as it’s kind of weak, and the melody just goes all over the map. It’s from The Beatles’ "Please Please Me" album and the b-side of the "Please Please Me" single and a track on "The Beatles" (EP). The Beatles performed it live on "Live at the Star-Club, Hamburg 1962" in 1977. In the US, it was on "Introducing The Beatles", "Jolly What! The Beatles and Frank Ifield on Stage", "The Beatles vs. The Four Seasons", "The Early Beatles" and on 2006’s "The Capitol Albums, Vol. 2".

As Far As We Can Go by Ringo Starr - ***

First released: 1983

One of Ringo’s better ballads from the "Old Wave" album. Some may think it really sappy, but I like it. A demo version was also released on the CD reissue of the album in 1994. The original version used to actually make me cry.

"As Clear As a Bell Says La Scala, Milan" by The Beatles - *

Unreleased.

McCartney does a bit of lite opera during the "Get Back" sessions in 1969. A very little bit.

Art of Dying by George Harrison - **

First released: 1970

Yet another one of those over-produced songs by Phil Spector from "All Things Must Pass". Couple that with George’s ponderous death message and this makes for some unpleasant listening. A nice, simple acoustic version would be much better, and poignant. George would do worse, but it’s still not my favorite tune.

Arrow Through Me by Paul McCartney - ***

First released: 1979

I always liked the bass line on this otherwise slow, but catchy song. It was released as the second and final single from Paul’s final Wings album "Back to the Egg", but "Old Siam, Sir" may have made for a better choice. The song was also used in the 1980 movie "Oh Heavenly Dog" starring Chevy Chase and Benji, but no soundtrack album was issued.

"Around The Beatles" (aka "The Beatles Live") by The Beatles - ****

First released: 1964

Film and eventual video of early live performances of The Beatles on US TV. Features an exciting version of "Shout" and a medley of Beatles hits. I wish they'd put this one on DVD.

Around and Around by The Beatles - **

Unreleased.

The Beatles run through this 1956 Chuck Berry classic during the "Get Back" sessions in 1969. It actually is a half-way decent recording and virtually complete that it could be releaseable.

Arizona Light by Paul McCartney - *

First released: 1994

A track from McCartney's trance album "Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest" released under the pseudonym The Fireman. Every track on this album sounds the same, so if you are not a big fan of trance music (I’m not), this is not the McCartney music for you.

Appletree Cinnabar Amber by Paul McCartney - *

First released: 1989

Another trance track from Paul's (a.k.a. The Fireman) album "Rushes". I find stuff like this quite monotonous and boring and as it doesn’t seem to be like Paul and more like Youth, Paul's collaborator. It’s only listed here for completeness’ sake.

Apple Scruffs by George Harrison - ***

First released: 1970

Named after the various groupies that used to lurk around Apple studios, George composed this simple ode and included it on the "All Things Must Pass" album and it also graced the b-side of the "What is Life" single. Fine strumming guitar work appears throughout. I also like George’s yodeling vocal.

"Apple Jam" by George Harrison - *

First released: 1970

The useless third disc from "All Things Must Pass". I’m not a big fan of jamming in general, and this jamming seemed somewhat uninspired. The only high point being "It’s Johnny’s Birthday" and the fact that they incorporated a few bits from George's "Electronic Sound".

Appaloosa by Linda McCartney - **

First released: 1998

One of the last Linda McCartney recordings from 1998 that eventually appeared on her "Wide Prairie" album, with plenty of Paul's participation. There were earlier versions dating from 1992 with the subtitle "Movement" and "Jam", but those have not been released.

Anyway by Paul McCartney – **

First released: 2005

Another dull track from Paul's "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard". Paul plays along on the piano, it seems like many of the tunes on the album, unfinished, like a demo. Unfortunately his singing is so weak, he sounds like he’s about 100 years old. This track also contains the hidden track "I've Only Got Two Hands". Big deal.

Anything by The Beatles – (NR)

Unreleased.

Unreleased Ringo track dating from 1968. It probably evolved into "Don't Pass Me By". It's also known as "Drum Track". If it is indeed "Don’t Pass Me By", I will be removing this entry from future editions.

Any Time at All by The Beatles - ****

First released: 1964

A great track from the non-movie side of "A Hard Day’s Night", originally released in the US on "Something New", and later on 1976’s "Rock ‘n’ Roll Music", and 1980's "Rock ‘n’Roll Music, Volume 2", and 2004’s "The Capitol Albums, Vol. 1". I love Ringo’s down beat and Lennon’s assured vocal. So insistent.