Jah Wobble & Tian Qiyi—Mystic Liverpool: The Beatles Psychedelic Psongbook

This album is an interesting collaboration between Jah Wobble and his sons, performing as Tian Qiyi. I have to admit, I don't know much about either, though I have heard of the former before. What we have here is an interesting cover of ten Beatles songs. Some need no introduction, but some are likely lesser known to anyone but the most ardent Beatles fans.

The album opens with “Tomorrow Never Knows”, the last track on the "Revolver" album and probably the song that was the seed of the Beatles' psychedelic sound. It's not as intense as the original, but has a nice spacey, chilled sound, with a little more Eastern mysticism. It's a nice introduction to what's to come.

Coming later in the canon is “Strawberry Fields”, recorded during the creation of the "Sgt. Pepper's" album, but not released on the album. It has an interesting piano intro, recorded on what sounds like an old pub piano. Again, this has a more expansive sound and takes things at a much trippier, more relaxed pace.

Recorded around the same time and actually making the "Sgt. Pepper's" album is “Within You, Without You”. I think this track gets a lot of flack, but I've always had a soft spot for this George Harrison creation. Given the previous two songs, I very much think I knew what to expect. The vocals are delivered at a slightly faster pace than the original, but the track itself still weighs in at just over six and a half minutes, with much more emphasis and deliberation happening musically.

The next track, "I Am the Walrus", is one I've never been overly fond of. It stems from the original "Magical Mystery Tour" EP and later album that many are more familiar with. Originally, it's a pretty raucous track, with John really belting out the many nonsensical lyrics. Here it's much more laid back and sedate, which I think takes the edge off it, for me anyway. Given the rest of the tracks on the album, it's still likely going to be one of the weaker tracks on the album.

I think "Norwegian Wood" will likely be one of the most popular songs featured here, along with “Strawberry Fields”. It was originally on the "Rubber Soul" album and I think was pretty much the turning point for the Beatles, starting their transition from cheeky mop tops to musicians taking much more interest in the production of their music. Here, I think it loses a lot of the essence of what makes it such a popular song, receiving the same treatment as the earlier songs, but I don't think the source material really suits this kind of adaptation.

Also from "Magical Mystery Tour", “Blue Jay Way” was originally a pretty minimalist track at a tad under four minutes. Here, it feels much longer and I think this is definitely so far my least liked track on the album.

I was quite excited to see "The Inner Light". This is one of the Beatles' lesser-known tracks, and featured as the B-side to "Lady Madonna" and later was included on the "Rarities" album. This is another George composition and I always felt it was a crime that it was so lost in the Beatles' canon. I love the musical treatment of the track here, especially what I think is the use of the hammered dulcimer. I did feel the vocals were a little too weedy and pushed back in the mix, but the music thankfully is very much the core of this track. A George classic.

The follow-on track, "Love You To", is another George pick, this time from the "Revolver" album. The original of this track was very much about the vocals, which had some wonderful harmonies that unfortunately don't make their way to this cover, but the music does have that same ethnic, trippy quality to it.

One of the few Beatles tracks to feature no conventional vocals is "Flying", again from the "Magical Mystery Tour", and I think probably the track that gives the best source material to pull from. While a nice track, I don't think it does enough with the original and feels a little like a missed opportunity.

The final track on the album is "Rain", originally the B-side to "Paperback Writer" and featured on the "Hey Jude" compilation album. This is one of my favourite Beatles tracks. The original has a thumping drumline and shows the Beatles' harder side. Here though, it loses that immediacy and excitement.

This has been an interesting album, with a lot to like. There are some truly great tracks here that pay homage to the Beatles, but also add something interesting and unique. I think the only issue is that many of the tracks start to feel similar, given the treatment they receive.

I'm not sure which fans will get the most out of this, but it does give a wonderful opportunity to revisit some of the greatest songs ever written.