Back in 1963 when this album was released, who could have guessed that people would still be talking about and listening to it more than 50 years later. Is the stereo separation extreme? Was the playing less than virtuoso? Was the song writing primitive? Yes to all the above. In spite of all this, it is a great album all the same. As soon as the needle lands in the groove and Paul's count-in " One, two, three, FOUR" ushers in the first track, I Saw Her Standing There, you know you're in for a wild ride. Basically, the album was a studio recording of the Beatles' live stage act and it was recorded in one day. If you never had the chance to hear the Beatles playing live, this is the next best thing. They are able to maintain an excitement level in the studio that comes across on the disc from the opener to the fab closer: John Lennon's scorching vocal treatment of the Isley Brothers' Twist and Shout. The album leaves you breathless. And vinyl is still the preferred medium to listen to it. Who could have guessed?