Earnest and sweet, this update of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” showcases one of Chicago’s longest tenured non-original members.

Since it arrived on 1998’s ‘Chicago XXV,’ this update of “Little Drummer Boy” has grown to become a personal favorite – and, in my opinion, the definitive version.

Chicago tosses out the often-corny way “Winder Wonderland” is usually rendered in this Robert Lamm-sung version.

While “Slow Down” may not rank among the Beatles’ most well-known covers, it does provide a snapshot of the group’s raw early days.

“Please Mister Postman” illustrates how the Beatles adapted other musical forms to create their own sound, both honoring their forebears and adding another dimension.

With ‘Music Of Weather Report’, founding bassist Miroslav Vitous makes that point explicitly and abundantly clear why that music is so vital. And like the music Vitous seeks to evoke, this is fusion jazz at its peak.

This King and Goffin track typifies the Beatles’ early era, a time when the band was forming their own identity.

“Devil in Her Heart” exemplifies the early Beatles, representing their eclectic song selection, willingness to take risks and ability to transform a cover.

Chicago swung for the fences repeatedly on this first album, and that included taking on a popular rock song – perhaps the height of hubris for a new band.

For the next few columns, Deep Beatles spotlights some of their best covers – beginning with Ringo Starr’s rousing rendition of the Shirelles’ “Boys.”