The Beatles Backyard

[Karl Henning]

The movie you want is Yesterday, and I thought it was terrific, after watching it twice. There will be a third time.

Yesterday is coming tomorrow, having shipped earlier than initially promised. N.B., @Kalevala 

[Karl Henning]

@Elgarian Redux ... I wish to report that as I was a-listening again to Working Classical, the violins in "The Haymakers" spoke to the depths of my parakeet's soul.

[Karl Henning]

One of my favorite things is: it's a world without "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time." Okay,  someone slap me. (Not too hard.)

[Karl Henning]

One of my favorite things is: it's a world without "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time." Okay,  someone slap me. (Not too hard.)

Truly, I was charmed. [Spoiler Alert] 

The appearance of Jn Winston L. as the Sage of Liverpool was a delightful twist. I see there are an alternate opening and alternate ending, so there is more exploration. A couple of things I didn't quite follow, so I shall watch again soon.

[Elgarian Redux]

@Elgarian Redux ... I wish to report that as I was a-listening again to Working Classical, the violins in "The Haymakers" spoke to the depths of my parakeet's soul.

I must say that I never imagined, when I bought that CD, that it would get so much playing. Also, that what attracts my attention each time would be something different to the previous time. So I am ready and able to rejoice in your rejoicing about 'Haymakers', Karl.

[Elgarian Redux]

Truly, I was charmed.

I rejoice in the abundance of your charmination.

[Kalevala]

@Elgarian Redux ... I wish to report that as I was a-listening again to Working Classical, the violins in "The Haymakers" spoke to the depths of my parakeet's soul.

Thanks for mentioning this album; I hadn't heard of it before now.  Someone uploaded the Liverpool performance (apparently broadcast on PBS) on youtube [I was interrupted from listening to it when a friend called, so I'll have to go back to it.].

It's here: 

[Karl Henning]

[Karl Henning]

I've just been listening to "Within You, Without You," and enjoying the fact that my parakeet digs it, and I wondered, Is Sgt Pepper really a "concept album," or is it simply a collection of varied songs within a framing device? Allowing for "A Life in the Day" as a majestic coda. With the understanding that, if the latter, it is in no whit "inferior."

[Kalevala]

I've just been listening to "Within You, Without You," and enjoying the fact that my parakeet digs it, and I wondered, Is Sgt Pepper really a "concept album," or is it simply a collection of varied songs within a framing device? Allowing for "A Life in the Day" as a majestic coda. With the understanding that, if the latter, it is in no whit "inferior."

I don't know that song.  I don't have SP.    Don't shoot me! LOL  What else does your parakeet like; perhaps "And My Bird Can Sing"?

K

[Karl Henning]

I don't know that song.  I don't have SP.    Don't shoot me! LOL  What else does your parakeet like; perhaps "And My Bird Can Sing"?

K

Haven't tried that 'un. Don't know "A Day in the Life?" You're in for a treat:

[Kalevala]

Haven't tried that 'un. Don't know "A Day in the Life?" You're in for a treat:

Sorry.  Yes, I do know that song; I was just referring to the other.   

K

[Karl Henning]

Sorry.  Yes, I do know that song; I was just referring to the other. 

K

My mistake.

[Kalevala]

My mistake.

It's o.k.  Does your parakeet like "And My Bird Can Sing"?   

K

[Karl Henning]

It's o.k.  Does your parakeet like "And My Bird Can Sing"? 

K

I'll have to try him out!

[Number Six]

I listened to Let it Be Nekkid the other day.

This time, "For You Blue" kicked my butt.

[Elgarian Redux]

I've just been listening to "Within You, Without You," and enjoying the fact that my parakeet digs it, and I wondered, Is Sgt Pepper really a "concept album," or is it simply a collection of varied songs within a framing device? Allowing for "A Life in the Day" as a majestic coda. With the understanding that, if the latter, it is in no whit "inferior."

I'd like to offer two answers, if I may. I don't think it's a simple question.

1. It's clear from what the Beatles themselves have said, that although it began as a concept of Paul's, and it made a start to attempt that (the intro leading into 'With a little help from my friends', plus the later reprise), it became, from their point of view, merely a framework for a collection of songs. That's the 'official line', as it were. But then, set against all that is the enormous Pepper-flavoured effort that was made to produce the album cover, the Sgt Pepper suits, and the growing of Victorian-style moustaches. They were clearly up to something special.

2. My second answer is personal. Sit comfortably in a darkened room, and imagine you are in a magic theatre - perhaps something that might be possible to create in the Star Trek Holodeck. Hold that in your imagination throughout the album, and just let the music play through, accepting that this theatre can be just a theatre, but it can also project movies onto a screen; it can expand to accommodate a circus ring; it can open up into something like a planetarium. Listening to the album in this way, I find no difficulty at all in enjoying the album as a coherent whole. Indeed, it was years of listening to it in this way which inspired me to build the Sgt Pepper Theatre, which I've described elsewhere: here.

So which is the right answer? I think I'd say that Pepper provides all the material for the listener to listen to it as a concept album, if he or she wishes. The Beatles did enough to encourage us to do that, if we want; or just to sit and enjoy each track individually, if we prefer.

This may shed some light on that old chestnut about whether Revolver is the better album: I suspect it depends on how you listen. As a collection of songs, Revolver might come out ahead on points, even for me. But as an imaginative composite work of art, Pepper provides me with an experience that no other album can approach.

[Karl Henning]

I'd like to offer two answers, if I may. I don't think it's a simple question.

1. It's clear from what the Beatles themselves have said, that although it began as a concept of Paul's, and it made a start to attempt that (the intro leading into 'With a little help from my friends', plus the later reprise), it became, from their point of view, merely a framework for a collection of songs. That's the 'official line', as it were. But then, set against all that is the enormous Pepper-flavoured effort that was made to produce the album cover, the Sgt Pepper suits, and the growing of Victorian-style moustaches. They were clearly up to something special.

2. My second answer is personal. Sit comfortably in a darkened room, and imagine you are in a magic theatre - perhaps something that might be possible to create in the Star Trek Holodeck. Hold that in your imagination throughout the album, and just let the music play through, accepting that this theatre can be just a theatre, but it can also project movies onto a screen; it can expand to accommodate a circus ring; it can open up into something like a planetarium. Listening to the album in this way, I find no difficulty at all in enjoying the album as a coherent whole. Indeed, it was years of listening to it in this way which inspired me to build the Sgt Pepper Theatre, which I've described elsewhere: here.

So which is the right answer? I think I'd say that Pepper provides all the material for the listener to listen to it as a concept album, if he or she wishes. The Beatles did enough to encourage us to do that, if we want; or just to sit and enjoy each track individually, if we prefer.

This may shed some light on that old chestnut about whether Revolver is the better album: I suspect it depends on how you listen. As a collection of songs, Revolver might come out ahead on points, even for me. But as an imaginative composite work of art, Pepper provides me with an experience that no other album can approach.

I knew the question warn't simple, and that the benefit would be in the discussion rather than The Answer, as you have richly demonstrated. Tangentially, I wathed Yesterday again last night.

[Karl Henning]

Oh, and Being for the Benefit of Ms. @Kalevala 

[Elgarian Redux]

I knew the question warn't simple, and that the benefit would be in the discussion rather than The Answer, as you have richly demonstrated. Tangentially, I wathed Yesterday again last night.

I knew you knew, and I just used your question as an excuse for rambling on about a favourite topic.

Tomorrow, you'll be able to say you watched Yesterday yesterday. Oh no, wait! - you watched it last night. So you DID watch Yesterday yesterday.