The Slovak blues singer Peter Lipa delivers very personal interpretations of 16 songs by the Beatles on this album. Taking a cue from Joe Cocker’s famous cover version of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” the man and his team of arrangers and musicians set off to create the most far-out renditions they could imagine. On that count they surely succeeded — if you don’t pay attention, some songs will just fly by without you recognizing them. In some cases, as in “Every Little Thing” and “I Wanna Be Your Man,” the only trace left of the original is the lyrics — everything else is new, from the tempo and rhythm (ranging from blues-rock and jazz-funk to jazz ballads) up to chord changes and melodies. And that’s where danger points its head. Lennon and McCartney’s talent as melodists is immeasurable. Is Lipa better? No. That’s why, once the novelty factor wears off after a few listens, we’re left with weaker songs. But that doesn’t mean Beatles in Blue(s) isn’t worth your time. If anything else, Lipa’s song selection has the merit to jump over the obvious greatest hits of the group and choose instead more obscure songs, perhaps some the singer feels a deeper connection to. And the man does have a seductive voice, free of any accent, gravelly yet flexible and gracious. Highlights include the horn-punched “Day Tripper,” “All My Loving” (given a Stéphane Grappelli feel) and “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” – François Couture