While most fans are resigned to covering their favourite Beatles songs from behind a shower curtain, Christopher Clause has stepped out and has set his sights much higher. Look up, waaaay up. "Blue Suburban Skies", his debut release, is a handsome and finely crafted collection of twenty of his favourite Beatles and solo compositions. What's truly impressive is that every instrument, every lead and every backing vocal (bar one track) is handled by Christopher. The songs that dot the "Blue Suburban Skies" cover a vast horizon, stretching from early Lennon-McCartney compositions to a track from Paul's 1997 Flaming Pie album. There's a fine mix of faithful renditions, soothing instrumentals and personal interpretations. The vocals on Every Night, Calico Skies and Help Me Lord are remarkable while the richly layered What is Life will have you grinning from ear to ear. Love in the Open Air, Strawberry Fields Forever and In My Life, arranged for two classical guitars, are guaranteed to calm the most frazzled of nerves. For No One (a bright, Cure-inspired rendition), And Your Bird Can Sing and Every Little Thing are three more shining examples. The album ends, in fine Beatles fashion, with a little surprise! Although "Blue Suburban Skies" embrace all Beatles fans those missing George are particularly well taken care of, and I can't help but think that many will find themselves looking joyfully upward. Track Listing: The Word, It Don't Come Easy, Rain, I Need You, Every Night, And I Love Her, Calico Skies, What Is Life, Run of the Mill, Isolation, And Your Bird Can Sing, For No One, Love in the Open Air, Strawberry Fields Forever, Every Little Thing, I Saw Her Standing There, I'll Be On My Way (featuring "The Mercyswitch"), Help Me Lord, It's All Too Much, In My Life. Review Summary Title: Blue Suburban Skies Artist: Christopher Clause Purchase: More information on this CD, including details on how to purchase it for US$15, are available here.