The Beatles Backyard

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Not sure how I feel about this "Now and Then" jiggery-pokery.

Have you watched the video (It's available on youtube)?

Initially, I probably had some of the mixed feelings that you did upon hearing about the project.  After watching the video that you provided, I thought that it sounded like they were doing something special.  I then watched the video of the actual completed song and found it to be quite moving.  Do give it a go (if you haven't already).  And let us know what you think of it.

PD

p.s.  I'm amazed at the technology that Peter J. came up with to separate out John's voice and the tenacity that everyone had to stick with and then resurrect the project when the new technology became available.  Bittersweet.

The video/song felt like a tribute to Paul and Ringo's former bandmates and to the history that they created together.  And a big thank you and acknowledgement of them (and each other). Also, loved the clips of them and photos over the years. 

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

To me, Free As A Bird sounds better. The visual is good though.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

To me, Free As A Bird sounds better. The visual is good though.

I see that (according to Wiki) that there have been a total of three songs that have been released since John's death and that Yoko Ono gave them to the remaining members when asked if she had any of his music which the ex-Beatles could contribute to.  I haven't heard "Free as a Bird" nor "Real Love" yet.  Out of the Beatles news loop I guess. 

PD

[Karl Henning]

I see that (according to Wiki) that there have been a total of three songs that have been released since John's death and that Yoko Ono gave them to the remaining members when asked if she had any of his music which the ex-Beatles could contribute to.  I haven't heard "Free as a Bird" nor "Real Love" yet.  Out of the Beatles news loop I guess. 

PD

Curious to say, I've not heard the Beatles ur-Text, but a King Crimson cover of "Free As a Bird."

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Curious to say, I've not heard the Beatles ur-Text, but a King Crimson cover of "Free As a Bird."

Interesting!  Well, the other two songs (or is it a total of 4...a bit confused upon quickly reading the Wiki article) are on youtube (official Beatles' channel).  Just watched them.

PD

[Karl Henning]

Before actually listening to "Now and Then," there was some cynicism lurking in the back of my mind, because back when the Beatles were active, they were chart-toppers and daring innovators, where now, perforce, they're a wistful nostalgia act. I'm not saying anything against Ringo and Macca in this, just noting the fact. But in the back of my mind, at first, it was a little obstacle which needed obliterating.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Before actually listening to "Now and Then," there was some cynicism lurking in the back of my mind, because back when the Beatles were active, they were chart-toppers and daring innovators, where now, perforce, they're a wistful nostalgia act. I'm not saying anything against Ringo and Macca in this, just noting the fact. But in the back of my mind, at first, it was a little obstacle which needed obliterating.

If they redo Across the Universe, it will be great. As for the poll result, I think For Sale is a solid, if somewhat dark, album. Free As a Bird is below.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The Guardian readers' comments on Now and Then.


https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/06/beatles-now-and-then-readers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[relm1]

Have you watched the video (It's available on youtube)?

Initially, I probably had some of the mixed feelings that you did upon hearing about the project.  After watching the video that you provided, I thought that it sounded like they were doing something special.  I then watched the video of the actual completed song and found it to be quite moving.  Do give it a go (if you haven't already).  And let us know what you think of it.

PD

p.s.  I'm amazed at the technology that Peter J. came up with to separate out John's voice and the tenacity that everyone had to stick with and then resurrect the project when the new technology became available.  Bittersweet.

The video/song felt like a tribute to Paul and Ringo's former bandmates and to the history that they created together.  And a big thank you and acknowledgement of them (and each other). Also, loved the clips of them and photos over the years. 

I thought that old guy could pass for George Harrison he looked so much like him till I realized that was him!  I thought he died young but it seems he blends in to the remaining Beatles perfectly...seemed to have lived a long, full life though he died almost twenty years ago.  It was a very nostalgic experience to hear a new Beatles song for the first time in my life.  Sure times have changed but it's hard not to be reflective when hearing/seeing this. 

[Brian]

Wow - that exceeded my expectation in some ways. It really packs an emotional punch - the lyrics are simple, the music is good, Paul's backing vocal is very subtle and modest and perfect. Today's studio productions are so overlaid with different layers of effect that having John sound like he's in a different acoustic space is perfectly normal rather than jarring. The one thing I disliked has to do with that modern sound: too many strings, too many wordless synth singers going "woo," it feels like there was a simpler completion that would have put the focus more on the original quartet.

I wonder how much the emotion of the lyrics would work if we didn't know the Beatles' backstory and the spooky fact of John singing from the grave. It is hauntingly written, but very simple.

[vandermolen]

Wow - that exceeded my expectation in some ways. It really packs an emotional punch - the lyrics are simple, the music is good, Paul's backing vocal is very subtle and modest and perfect. Today's studio productions are so overlaid with different layers of effect that having John sound like he's in a different acoustic space is perfectly normal rather than jarring. The one thing I disliked has to do with that modern sound: too many strings, too many wordless synth singers going "woo," it feels like there was a simpler completion that would have put the focus more on the original quartet.

I wonder how much the emotion of the lyrics would work if we didn't know the Beatles' backstory and the spooky fact of John singing from the grave. It is hauntingly written, but very simple.

I enjoyed 'Now and Then' and was very moved by the Peter Jackson film - especially the image of the iconic Beatles Ludwig drum kit on stage, by itself, at the end of the song. I heard much more than I did when, as a young boy, my mother kindly took me to two Beatles concerts in London, when all I heard was screaming.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I thought that old guy could pass for George Harrison he looked so much like him till I realized that was him!  I thought he died young but it seems he blends in to the remaining Beatles perfectly...seemed to have lived a long, full life though he died almost twenty years ago.  It was a very nostalgic experience to hear a new Beatles song for the first time in my life.  Sure times have changed but it's hard not to be reflective when hearing/seeing this. 

"Old guy"!  He would have been about 51 there (1994); he died at 58, so not exactly old age [She said to the young whipper-snapper.]   

PD

[relm1]

"Old guy"!  He would have been about 51 there (1994); he died at 58, so not exactly old age [She said to the young whipper-snapper.]   

PD

Wow, he was only 51?  He aged fast looking much older than his years.  I guess that's normal for rock stars and 19th century composers. 

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

My favorite Beatles songs: Revised.

She Said She Said
Yes It Is
Hey Bulldog
Revolution
Tomorrow Never Knows
Rain
Dear Prudence
Good Night
Here Comes the Sun
Old Brown Shoe
Only a Northern Song
Oh Darling
Drive My Car

[Pohjolas Daughter]

My favorite Beatles songs: Revised.

She Said She Said
Yes It Is
Hey Bulldog
Revolution
Tomorrow Never Knows
Rain
Dear Prudence
Good Night
Here Comes the Sun
Old Brown Shoe
Only a Northern Song
Oh Darling
Drive My Car

I've sometimes thought that if I got another female cat that I might call her Prudence. 

PD

p.s.  I love several of those songs:  Like:  Here Comes the Sun, Old Brown Shoe and [obviously] Dear Prudence.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I've sometimes thought that if I got another female cat that I might call her Prudence. 

PD

p.s.  I love several of those songs:  Like:  Here Comes the Sun, Old Brown Shoe and [obviously] Dear Prudence.

Siouxsie And The Banshees' cover sounds wonderful to me.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Siouxsie And The Banshees' cover sounds wonderful to me.

Thanks, I quite enjoyed that! 

PD

[relm1]

I don't know the Beatles well.  I do really like what I hear but get confused by them and the counterculture movement.  For example, how completely different their early music sounded (almost like retro 1950's rock) compared to later music.   It was also interesting how everyone was influencing everyone at that time.  McCartney mentioning they sometimes did an Elvis thing, or a Dylan thing and I hear lots of music influenced by what the Beatles were doing.  I do think there was a special magic with all of them together and they were in a special place and time.  Like if they somehow were all still around and the band still making music, would they be relevant at all?  Isn't that sort of like what the Rolling Stones are?  But I never thought of the Rolling Stones as artistically or culturally impactful as the Beatles but maybe that's because they still make recordings.  Perhaps if they ended in 1970 they would be equal to the Beatles?  I almost feel like I need to watch a documentary to understand all of this better as pop music is definitely not my strength. 

[T. D.]

I recently came across this remarkable Beatles cover by Junior Parker. The album has others.
[I'd have posted in the Non-Classical thread, but that got closed.]

[Karl Henning]