TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : VIDEOCASSETTES

Excellent Good Fair Poor

“The Beatles Live--Ready Steady Go!” Sony. $16.95. “British Rock-the First Wave.” RCA/Columbia. $29.95. Want to explain the Beatles phenomenon to your kids? “The Beatles Live” will do nicely. Along with the screaming and fainting at a British TV show, we get a rare medley of early hits. 1/2 “The First Wave” is a workmanlike documentary that traces the British pop scene’s evolution from the innocence of the early ‘60s (Gerry and the Pacemakers) to the psychedelic-drenched end of the decade (Cream). Low point: A way -off-key version of “Just One Look” from the Hollies. 1/2 --DAVID FRIENDLY