Poll
Question:
What are your 3 favorite Beatles Albums?
Option 1: Please Please Me
Option 2: With the Beatles
Option 3: A Hard Day's Night
Option 4: Beatles For Sale
Option 5: Help!
Option 6: Rubber Soul
Option 7: Revolver
Option 8: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Option 9: Magical Mystery Tour
Option 10: Yellow Submarine
Option 11: The Beatles (White Album)
Option 12: Let It Be
Option 13: Abbey Road
Option 14: Past Masters, Vol 1
Option 15: Past Masters, Vol 2
It seems time for a Beatles thread.
Thought we'd start with a fun poll.
Since so many of their albums are great, you have 3 votes, which need to be used the first time you vote.
I left out all of the compilation CD's, except for Past Masters, as they have many songs that aren't available on the albums.
Let's have some fun!! :)
BTW, the order of the albums is order of release.
My three faves come right in a row:
1. Rubber Soul
2. Revolver
3. Sgt. Pepper
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 06:25:02 PM
BTW, the order of the albums is order of release.
My three faves come right in a row:
1. Rubber Soul
2. Revolver
3. Sgt. Pepper
Me too.
Any ideas for topics to discuss?
Favorite Beatle? Why?
Ever get to see them in concert?
Got any rare stuff?
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 06:25:02 PM
BTW, the order of the albums is order of release.
My three faves come right in a row:
1. Rubber Soul
2. Revolver
3. Sgt. Pepper
Wow, are you sure we're not related or something? You pegged my three favorites as well. Such a creative period in their history and the arguements hadn't started yet. Wonderful albums. My favorite tracks off those albums are: Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man, Taxman, E. Rigby, Lucy in the Sky, Within You Without You, Day in the Life (well, pretty much everything).
My votes went to Hard Day's Night, White Album and Sgt. Pepper.
Quote from: hornteacher on May 01, 2007, 06:31:05 PM
Wow, are you sure we're not related or something? You pegged my three favorites as well. Such a creative period in their history and the arguements hadn't started yet. Wonderful albums. My favorite tracks off those albums are: Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man, Taxman, E. Rigby, Lucy in the Sky, Within You Without You, Day in the Life (well, pretty much everything).
;D
Imagine releasing three albums in a row without a dud in the bunch. :o
I doubt if that's ever been equalled.
Personally, I think that when CD's came out, Rubber Soul and Revolver should have been released on the same CD. They are certainly short enough.
If forced to pick just one, I would say Revolver without hesitation. Simply unbelievable! :)
Quote from: Don on May 01, 2007, 06:33:12 PM
My votes went to Hard Day's Night, White Album and Sgt. Pepper.
Those three would probably follow mine.
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 06:28:37 PM
Ever get to see them in concert?
I saw Paul live in 1992 when he came to Charlotte. The concert was broadcast nationally on TV and was very good. He played a mix of Beatles, Wings, and new songs from the then just released "Off the Ground" Album. He played over two hours plus an encore with a guitar duel during "Sgt Pepper" and a sing along with "Hey Jude". Great night.
Quote from: hornteacher on May 01, 2007, 06:36:28 PM
I saw Paul in 1992 when he came to Charlotte. The concert was broadcast nationally on TV and was very good. He played a mix of Beatles, Wings, and new songs from the then just released "Off the Ground" Album. He played over two hours plus an encore with a guitar duel during "Sgt Pepper" and a sing along with "Hey Jude". Great night.
I heard him live on TV in the past few years and it sure sounds like his voice is dropping off, so you were lucky to hear him when you did.
I still love that live version of "Maybe I'm Amazed." Did he do that one?
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 06:35:17 PM
Personally, I think that when CD's came out, Rubber Soul and Revolver should have been released on the same CD.
Interestingly, George Harrison said sort of the same thing in one of his interviews. He believed that the two albums could be viewed as Volume 1 and Volume 2.
Quote from: hornteacher on May 01, 2007, 06:40:39 PM
Interestingly, George Harrison said sort of the same thing in one of his interviews. He believed that the two albums could be viewed as Volume 1 and Volume 2.
That's because
I am The Taxman George Harrison. ;D
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 06:38:18 PM
I heard him live on TV in the past few years and it sure sounds like his voice is dropping off, so you were lucky to hear him when you did.
I still love that live version of "Maybe I'm Amazed." Did he do that one?
Yes, and his voice was still in good shape then, although I noticed he played "Yesterday" in F rather than the original G. I respect Sir Paul greatly, but I think after Flaming Pie (which was a fantastic album) his writing hasn't been quite as good. But hey, he's only been churning out hits for 40 years!
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 06:42:23 PM
That's because I am The Taxman George Harrison. ;D
I guess that makes me the Walrus! ;D
Quote from: hornteacher on May 01, 2007, 06:45:20 PM
Yes, and his voice was still in good shape then, although I noticed he played "Yesterday" in F rather than the original G. I respect Sir Paul greatly, but I think after Flaming Pie (which was a fantastic album) his writing hasn't been quite as good. But hey, he's only been churning out hits for 40 years!
Indeed. How was that Classical CD he put out?
Quote from: hornteacher on May 01, 2007, 06:46:25 PM
I guess that makes me the Walrus! ;D
Goo goo goo joob!! :)
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 06:46:39 PM
Indeed. How was that Classical CD he put out?
He actually put out two. "Standing Stone" and the "Liverpool Oratorio". To be honest, for someone who spent his life writing popular music by ear and had no formal musical training, its not half bad. The form is more free than most "classical" pieces, but he handles orchestraion well and (as you would expect from Paul) has some of the prettiest melodies you can imagine.
Oh jeez, I just saw the time. I've got to teach tomorrow. Got to get to bed. Darn career gets in the way of a good online conversation. :P
Later.
Quote from: hornteacher on May 01, 2007, 06:55:30 PM
Oh jeez, I just saw the time. I've got to teach tomorrow. Got to get to bed. Darn career gets in the way of a good online conversation. :P
Later.
I'll be here.
Nice chatting!
I first heard the American versions of my picks, by the way. The UK albums are a bit different before Sgt. Pepper's. But you knew that.
I took a course on college on the Beatles.
It was great fun and I learned a lot about the Beatles.
We used this book (http://www.amazon.com/Tell-Me-Why-Beatles-Sixties/dp/0306811200/ref=sr_1_1/104-2949723-2736732?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178074466&sr=8-1) as a text for the course. I strongly recommend it, as it discusses the music without going into music theory. Tons of great trivia.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 01, 2007, 06:57:46 PM
I first heard the American versions of my picks, by the way. The UK albums are a bit different before Sgt. Pepper's. But you knew that.
I did know that.
Remind me the difference?
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 07:10:09 PM
I did know that.
Remind me the difference?
America butchered the UK albums in order to make more albums--and more money.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 01, 2007, 07:12:06 PM
America butchered the UK albums in order to make more albums--and more money.
Right, I've heard that in order to have all of the Beatles output, one need only get all of the UK versions of the albums AND Past masters one and two.
Volume two is excellent IMO, with the Electric version of Revolution, Hey Jude and Inner Light.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 01, 2007, 07:12:06 PM
America butchered the UK albums in order to make more albums--and more money.
I believe that it's the source of inspiration for this cover:
(http://www.unidiversal.com/Image_Beatles_Butcher_Album_Cover_001f.jpg)
Quote from: George on May 01, 2007, 07:16:34 PM
I believe that it's the source of inspiration for this cover:
(http://www.unidiversal.com/Image_Beatles_Butcher_Album_Cover_001f.jpg)
Yep.
A Hard Day's Night
Revolver
Magical Mystery Tour
and Please Please Me just losing by a nose to A Hard Day's Night.
My three favourite are Abbey Road, the White Album and Revolver. In no particular order...
My top two have always been Rubber Soul and Revolver, but 3 is tricky, I went for Past Masters 2 since it lines up a few of my favourite Beatles tunes all on one CD.
Goodness! What a toughy...
Probably Abbey Road for the top spot. It just doesn't get any better than the "side two" medley (Here Comes The Sun and beyond).
White Album next.
Third is up in the air...Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Peppers, Magical Mystery Tour, and Past Masters Vol. 2 each have something to say (as it were) although I might lean slightly towards Sgt. Peppers on the strength of Lennon's ballads (Lucy In The Sky and Day In The Life).
Although Revolver does contain my favorite Beatles tune, Eleanor Rigby, with Rubber Soul containing my second and third favorite Beatles tunes, Norwegian Wood, and Nowhere Man.
Then there's Past Masters Vol. 2 with all those spectacular singles: Hey Jude, Revolution, Lady Madonna, etc... And Magical Mystery Tour with Strawberry Fields, Fool On The Hill, and I Am The Walrus.
So it's a toss up. Probably Sgt. Peppers since, well, the music's just so out of this world colorful!
Quote from: donwyn on May 02, 2007, 06:40:32 PM
Goodness! What a toughy...
Yeah, that's why I gave three choices. :)
Time was a couple decades ago when Beatlemania caught me firm in its clutches. Couldn't get enough of the Fab Fo...you know. ;)
Caught the collecting bug, too. Managed to pick up some fine collectable gems on LP, such as an Apple label White Album on white vinyl (very cool), Anthology 1962-66 on red vinyl (this acquisition actually predated my Beatlemania phase but was glad to have it!), several Apple label records in mint condition, and this Strawberry Fields bootleg. (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/unauth/the_beatles/strawberry_fields_forever/)
Nothing spectacular on this bootleg but it does contain some interesting outtakes from various recording sessions, as well as a live Hey Jude.
Anyway, I made the mistake of selling the colored vinyl gems - as well as all the other records, actually! - but held on to this bootleg. It's since earned a hallowed position in my vinyl collection - and is staying put!
Golden slumbers fill your eyes / Smiles aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawake you when you rise!
;D
George, I highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it - full of insights and interesting bits of info on each and every Beatles song.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HD94QKH2L._AA240_.jpg)
They were so advanced and hearing them in the context of a lot of the garbage that passes as popular music nowadays they sound even better.
Sgt. Pepper, Abbey Road and a toss up between the White Album and Let it Be, both seriously flawed, I opted for the latter.
Never liked the music, cannot stand it to be honest. :P
Quote from: Harry on May 03, 2007, 10:29:43 AM
Never liked the music, cannot stand it to be honest. :P
Blasphemy!
I 'bumped' into Ringo on the Kings Road in Chelsea in 2000.
Recognised him immediately and stalked him down the road for a while, convinced I was tracking George Harrison! (Although as I approached him, realised who he was).
He stopped outside an antiques shop, at which I decided to take my chance and tap him on the shoulder. He whirled 'round and I tentively asked for his autograph, to which he exclaimed (In his nasaly Scouse drawl):
'Sorry mate, it's my day off'!!!
;D
I've 'met' one of the Fab Four!
And for the record:
1. Revolver
2. Rubber Soul
3. White Album
:)
Quote from: SimonGodders on May 03, 2007, 10:37:53 AM
I 'bumped' into Ringo on the Kings Road in Chelsea in 2000.
Recognised him immediately and stalked him down the road for a while, convinced I was tracking George Harrison! (Although as I approached him, realised who he was).
He stopped outside an antiques shop, at which I decided to take my chance and tap him on the shoulder. He whirled 'round and I tentively asked for his autograph, to which he exclaimed (In his nasaly Scouse drawl):
'Sorry mate, it's my day off'!!!
;D
I've 'met' one of the Fab Four!
You got snubbed by the least talented one!
Quote from: SimonGodders on May 03, 2007, 10:37:53 AM
I 'bumped' into Ringo on the Kings Road in Chelsea in 2000.
Recognised him immediately and stalked him down the road for a while, convinced I was tracking George Harrison! (Although as I approached him, realised who he was).
He stopped outside an antiques shop, at which I decided to take my chance and tap him on the shoulder. He whirled 'round and I tentively asked for his autograph, to which he exclaimed (In his nasaly Scouse drawl):
'Sorry mate, it's my day off'!!!
;D
I've 'met' one of the Fab Four!
Great story! :)
Quote from: SimonGodders on May 03, 2007, 10:39:44 AM
And for the record:
1. Revolver
2. Rubber Soul
3. White Album
:)
Yeah, for me it was either the White Album or Sgt. Pepper as #3. I picked Sgt. Pepper 'cause I listen to it more. I think I like (and admire) the White album more though. (I should've done 4 guesses :-\)
Quote from: George on May 03, 2007, 11:10:41 AM
Harry thinks Paul is a soprano. ;D
Oke floor again George! ;D
Rubber Soul is definitely my favorite album (of all time, by anybody), followed closely by Revolver -- #3 is a toughie, went with the White Album but I could change my mind tomorrow. I definitely think 1966 was their best period -- I have a mix CD with all of Rubber Soul intermixed with some other singles and songs from Help! that were recorded at around the same time -- I probably play it more than any other pop CD in my collection.
I've been a huge Beatles fan my whole life. I was heavily into it when I was in high school and college, had piles of bootlegs and the whole bit. I've scaled back quite a bit in recent years, but I still listen to them regularly, and the first thing I did when I got my new PALM last week was import their whole catalog on MP3 ;D
1) Abbey Road
2) Sgt. Pepper
3) A Hard Day's Night
Quote from: George on May 03, 2007, 11:09:41 AM
Great story! :)
Yeah, for me it was either the White Album or Sgt. Pepper as #3. I picked Sgt. Pepper 'cause I listen to it more. I think I like (and admire) the White album more though. (I should've done 4 guesses :-\)
Cheers dude :)
For a fourth, I'ld have gone for either Abbey Road or Let it be (naked version)
Quote from: SimonGodders on May 03, 2007, 11:44:54 AM
Cheers dude :)
For a fourth, I'ld have gone for either Abbey Road or Let it be (naked version)
Yes, I much prefer the Naked version. Esp. "The long and winding road" :)
Quote from: jwinter on May 03, 2007, 11:27:23 AM
I've been a huge Beatles fan my whole life.
I love this idea, springing forth from the womb, claiming, "Goo goo goo joob...where is my revolver???" Just like St Nicholas.
The very first LP I ever bought with birthday money was 'A hard Day's Night'.
Mike
Quote from: George on May 03, 2007, 11:48:46 AM
Yes, I much prefer the Naked version. Esp. "The long and winding road" :)
Although would add that I've probably played 'Red' and 'Blue' much more than the others. Still find Sgt. Pepper overrated, but consider 'A day in the life' to be one of the greatest songs ever written...
Quote from: SimonGodders on May 03, 2007, 12:00:18 PM
Although would add that I've probably played 'Red' and 'Blue' much more than the others. Still find Sgt. Pepper overrated, but consider 'A day in the life' to be one of the greatest songs ever written...
Sgt. Pepper's is overrated, musically speaking. But the concept was new at the time which gives it historical cred.
Quote from: dtwilbanks on May 03, 2007, 12:08:29 PM
Sgt. Pepper's is overrated, musically speaking. But the concept was new at the time which gives it historical cred.
Yeah, I think kudos is deserved for conceptualisation, but as you say (and for me) just doesn't quite work as well musically. However, did you ever hear the 'Stones musical retort? It's bloody awful:
(http://longguy.20fr.com/images/rolling_satanic_cov.jpg)
Not sure I agree with the sentiment expressed here though:
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Rock-n-Roll/rolling_stones.htm
;D
Good thread George.
My ranking would probably be:
1. Abbey Road
2. The Beatles
3. Revolver
My favourite songs are largely not off Abbey Road (with the exception of Something), but that Side 2 medley is musical bliss - not much else in all of music comes close IMO.
The Beatles is just so inconsistent. I adore so many of the songs (particularly Dear Prudence & Helter Skelter), but there's a lot of rubbish in there as well.
Quote from: helios on May 07, 2007, 10:11:38 AM
Good thread George.
My ranking would probably be:
1. Abbey Road
2. The Beatles
3. Revolver
My favourite songs are largely not off Abbey Road (with the exception of Something), but that Side 2 medley is musical bliss - not much else in all of music comes close IMO.
Apparently the story behind that is that they had a bunch of short bits that weren't actually full songs. I think it was Billy Preston who suggested they make them into a medley.
Quote
The Beatles is just so inconsistent. I adore so many of the songs (particularly Dear Prudence & Helter Skelter), but there's a lot of rubbish in there as well.
I agree, at least in that I either love or hate their songs. Most I love, though.
Nice avatar BTW! :D
Quote from: Harry on May 03, 2007, 10:29:43 AM
Never liked the music, cannot stand it to be honest. :P
:D although I can stand it to a degree, what I don't understand is the huge fuss. They may have been (very) influential in the development of popular music in general, but I don't see much in their music that is as revolutionary as say Led Zeppelin. What I hear in them more than anything else in is some catchy tunes. It is fair for me to say that I respect them (Lennon in particular) for what they stood for more than for what they achieved in their music :-[ :-[ :-[
I chose the White Album, Revolver, and Abbey Road. The White Album has always been my favorite, containing maybe my favorite Beatles song "Happiness is a Warm Gun," plus so many others (Dear Prudence, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, I'm So Tired, Julia, Cry Baby Cry). The album is, I think, their most diverse (in terms of musical styles and "themes"): Helter Skelter (hard rock), Honey Pie ("music-hall" parody/homage), Blackbird, etc. (folk), Yer Blues, etc. (blues), and so on. And dare I say it may be their most experimental, as evidenced not only by the branching out into several different styles, but especially by "Revolution 9" with its collage of sounds and instances of musique concrète.
I should note that I'm much more of a Lennon fan than a McCartney fan (and I love Harrison despite his smaller output).
--CS
Quote from: orbital on May 07, 2007, 10:32:46 AM
:D although I can stand it to a degree, what I don't understand is the huge fuss. They may have been (very) influential in the development of popular music in general, but I don't see much in their music that is as revolutionary as say Led Zeppelin. What I hear in them more than anything else in is some catchy tunes. It is fair for me to say that I respect them (Lennon in particular) for what they stood for more than for what they achieved in their music :-[ :-[ :-[
There was a time when I would absolutely agree with you. These days, I love the Beatles for what they are, a bunch of regular guys who wrote regular tunes. I also love that many of these tunes are about love and other positive topics. their sense of humor is great, esp on songs like "Run For Your Life."
This is the most sadistic poll ever. Only three choices? George, you bastard!
Past Masters Vol.1 (because I need those early singles)
Rubber Soul (because it's the best Beatles' album)
Magical Mystery Tour (because it's the most psychedelic Beatles' album)
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 07, 2007, 12:11:11 PM
This is the most sadistic poll ever. Only three choices? George, you bastard!
>:D
Quote
Magical Mystery Tour (because it's the most psychedelic Beatles' album)
I like this one, too. I love singing it especially. :)
Quote from: orbital on May 07, 2007, 10:32:46 AM
:D although I can stand it to a degree, what I don't understand is the huge fuss.
Well, you would have had to be around back then to get the full impact of the group.
I had the good fortune to hear The Beatles twice live (actually all you heard was screaming) as my mum took me to see them (London Paladium and Wembley (or Hammersmith). My mum took me to see The Monkees too (don't laugh) all you heard was screaming also. I also went to the premieres of "Hard Day's Night" and "Yellow Submarine" (Ringo refused to sign my autograph book)
Now I listen to Miaskovsky Bax and Bantock ;D
When I went to Miaskovsky Bax and Bantock, all you heard was screaming 8)
Quote from: Don on May 07, 2007, 12:20:11 PM
Well, you would have had to be around back then to get the full impact of the group.
Now that would have been nice.
Quote from: George on May 07, 2007, 12:31:11 PM
Now that would have been nice.
Yes, very nice. The only negative is that I'm now close to 60.
Quote from: Don on May 07, 2007, 12:39:27 PM
Yes, very nice. The only negative is that I'm now close to 60.
We will still need you
when you're 64.
I owe Beatles "revolver" for getting me into music at all, since my parents and everyone around me lacked any interest in music. Revolver was given to me by a neighbor along with an 8-track of Kiss Destroyer, and a few other things.
My favs are white album, sgt. peppers, and magical mystery tour, though it is always hard to decide.
I like all their albums, old stuff and new.
and I also love the stones and the who, though they say your personality always aligns with one or the other (or the other).
Quote from: George on May 07, 2007, 12:43:01 PM
We will still need you when you're 64.
Good to hear, although I have to say that I never thought well of the "64" song - too sappy.
Quote from: Don on May 07, 2007, 12:46:19 PM
Good to hear, although I have to say that I never thought well of the "64" song - too sappy.
Not a Paul person?
I'm an ono person myself. >:D
Quote from: Captain Haddock on May 07, 2007, 12:24:23 PM
I also went to the premieres of "Hard Day's Night" and "Yellow Submarine" (Ringo refused to sign my autograph book)
We now have two anecdotes in which Ringo refused to sign his name. Can we surmise anything from this? Maybe he couldn't write! ;D
Sarge
The two DVD set of "Hard Day's Night" is on sale at Virgin Megastore for $10.
Quote from: helios on May 07, 2007, 10:11:38 AM
The Beatles is just so inconsistent. I adore so many of the songs (particularly Dear Prudence & Helter Skelter), but there's a lot of rubbish in there as well.
I love Helter Skelter. There's a cover of it on U2's Rattle and Hum, where Bono (IIRC) introduces it as 'A song Charles Manson stole from the Beatles, we're stealing it back'.
Whats that all about then?
Quote from: Don on May 07, 2007, 12:20:11 PM
Well, you would have had to be around back then to get the full impact of the group.
Sure, but if they are still as highly regarded today, then there must be something that I am missing there. I have no doubts about their cultural influence -which is almost a quantifiable fact, but the music that they have recorded.
The reason I gave Led Zeppelin as an example is, today we still have hords of bands trying (but failing) to be Led Zeppelin. Can we say the same thing about the Beatles?
Quote from: orbital on May 07, 2007, 01:09:14 PM
Sure, but if they are still as highly regarded today, then there must be something that I am missing there. I have no doubts about their cultural influence -which is almost a quantifiable fact, but the music that they have recorded.
The reason I gave Led Zeppelin as an example is, today we still have hords of bands trying (but failing) to be Led Zeppelin. Can we say the same thing about the Beatles?
Beats me. I haven't followed rock music since the late 1970's.
Quote from: orbital on May 07, 2007, 01:09:14 PM
Sure, but if they are still as highly regarded today, then there must be something that I am missing there. I have no doubts about their cultural influence -which is almost a quantifiable fact, but the music that they have recorded.
The reason I gave Led Zeppelin as an example is, today we still have hords of bands trying (but failing) to be Led Zeppelin. Can we say the same thing about the Beatles?
There is always Oasis
Quote from: orbital on May 07, 2007, 01:09:14 PM
The reason I gave Led Zeppelin as an example is, today we still have hords of bands trying (but failing) to be Led Zeppelin. Can we say the same thing about the Beatles?
Trying - and failing - to be Led Zepplin is telling in itself.
With the Beatles (no pun...) it makes no sense to even try.
Quote from: George on May 07, 2007, 10:21:01 AM
Apparently the story behind that is that they had a bunch of short bits that weren't actually full songs. I think it was Billy Preston who suggested they make them into a medley.
Nice avatar BTW! :D
Yeah.. I don't think some of those songs in the medley could really be strung out another minute or so - perfect as they are.
I thought you'd like the avatar. ;)
Quote from: CS on May 07, 2007, 10:43:37 AM
I should note that I'm much more of a Lennon fan than a McCartney fan (and I love Harrison despite his smaller output).
Yes, completely agree. I guess it's not surprising that our 3 favourite albums are the same.
All things must pass by Harrison is very underrated.
Quote from: helios on May 08, 2007, 01:08:30 AM
Yes, completely agree. I guess it's not surprising that our 3 favourite albums are the same.
All things must pass by Harrison is very underrated.
Nearly all of my favourite Beatles songs are his. He's got such a small catalogue compared to the other two, but to the best of my knowledge, he didn't write a single bad song. (as I only own five 'proper' Beatles albums and
1, I'm not certain about this...)
Quote from: helios on May 08, 2007, 01:08:30 AM
All things must pass by Harrison is very underrated.
Quote from: The Mad Hatter on May 08, 2007, 03:52:49 AM
Nearly all of my favourite Beatles songs are his. He's got such a small catalogue compared to the other two, but to the best of my knowledge, he didn't write a single bad song.
My avatar is blushing. 8)
Quote from: donwyn on May 07, 2007, 05:14:50 PM
Trying - and failing - to be Led Zepplin is telling in itself.
With the Beatles (no pun...) it makes no sense to even try.
I know. They already wrote and recorded all the catchy tunes that were still available >:D >:D
Quote from: helios on May 08, 2007, 01:08:30 AM
All things must pass by Harrison is very underrated.
I'll contend that George's final album "Brainwashed" is hugely underrated. It was 95% finished at the time of his death and completed by his son and producer Jeff Lynne (formally of the ELO). It is an album of meaningful music, lovely melodies, some incredible slide guitar playing, and a spiritual message not found in music today. Fantastic.
http://www.amazon.com/Brainwashed-George-Harrison/dp/B00006LSM3/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-4456605-3214401?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1178668035&sr=8-2
Do not believe it is complete....George, or someone else in the know, maybe you could finish it off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea6ZcfJspcI&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR-SlkUgCRg&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xINfAYiWVhU&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnKbPSRyDo8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd8JYA4MvlQ&mode=related&search=
And why not?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPp8nieMHmk&mode=related&search=
and saw this one "live" on tv as a kid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2TGWDZTrj0
Or the "famous" AL TV interview: ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8_GxCpUXWY&mode=related&search=
Quote from: Bogey on June 08, 2007, 09:30:44 PM
Do not believe it is complete....George, or someone else in the know, maybe you could finish it off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea6ZcfJspcI&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR-SlkUgCRg&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xINfAYiWVhU&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnKbPSRyDo8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd8JYA4MvlQ&mode=related&search=
Wow! :o
If it's incomplete, I am sure that it's complete on the "Let it Be" movie. I don't have it. :( That's one worth seeking out. I think I saw it once.
I can also check later and see how much of it is on The Beatles Anthology DVD. Looks like there's a track for it, but don't have the time right now. Later today, OK? :)
Quote from: George on June 09, 2007, 05:19:14 AM
Wow! :o
If it's incomplete, I am sure that it's complete on the "Let it Be" movie. I don't have it. :( That's one worth seeking out. I think I saw it once.
I can also check later and see how much of it is on The Beatles Anthology DVD. Looks like there's a track for it, but don't have the time right now. Later today, OK? :)
I guess they played some of the songs on the roof multiple times....does this sound correct?
Quote from: Bogey on June 09, 2007, 05:22:37 AM
I guess they played some of the songs on the roof multiple times....does this sound correct?
I wouldn't be surprised, but unfortunately, I know little about that show. I don't think it was released apart from the Movie and whatever happens to be on the Anthology.
Quote from: George on June 09, 2007, 05:24:14 AM
I wouldn't be surprised, but unfortunately, I know little about that show. I don't think it was released apart from the Movie and whatever happens to be on the Anthology.
The Beatles played five songs during the rooftop performance: "Get Back" (three times), "Don't Let Me Down" (twice), "I've Got a Feeling" (twice), "One After 909", and "Dig a Pony". (The Beatles also played a brief version of the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen" and a brief rehersal of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" while second engineer Alan Parsons was changing tapes.)[3]
After the final song, McCartney is heard to say, "Thanks, Mo!" acknowledging the enthusiastic applause and cheering from Maureen Starkey. Then Lennon closes with the well-known remark, "I'd like to say 'thank you' on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition!"[3] This exchange was spliced on to the end of the Let It Be album.
There is this for track listings:
(http://www.jpgr.co.uk/rt1_a.jpg)(http://www.jpgr.co.uk/rt1_b.jpg)
Quote from: Bogey on June 09, 2007, 05:25:44 AM
The Beatles played five songs during the rooftop performance: "Get Back" (three times), "Don't Let Me Down" (twice), "I've Got a Feeling" (twice), "One After 909", and "Dig a Pony". (The Beatles also played a brief version of the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen" and a brief rehersal of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" while second engineer Alan Parsons was changing tapes.)[3]
After the final song, McCartney is heard to say, "Thanks, Mo!" acknowledging the enthusiastic applause and cheering from Maureen Starkey. Then Lennon closes with the well-known remark, "I'd like to say 'thank you' on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition!"[3] This exchange was spliced on to the end of the Let It Be album.
Yeah, I thought that last line was classic! 8)
I really dunno where you'll find the complete tapes for that. Even the movie (OOP?) surely didn't have multiple takes of each song. :)
Quote from: Bogey on June 09, 2007, 05:56:57 AM
There is this for track listings:
(http://www.jpgr.co.uk/rt1_a.jpg)(http://www.jpgr.co.uk/rt1_b.jpg)
hey, you've been holding out, Bill! ;D
I may be able to find that in NYC, or do you already have it?
Quote from: George on June 09, 2007, 05:59:40 AM
hey, you've been holding out, Bill! ;D
I may be able to find that in NYC, or do you already have it?
Never have seen it....must be a bootleg, no?
Quote from: Bogey on June 09, 2007, 06:00:28 AM
Never have seen it....must be a bootleg, no?
Indeed. There are bootlegs aplenty in NYC though. :D
Quote from: George on June 09, 2007, 06:01:30 AM
Indeed. There are bootlegs aplenty in NYC though. :D
Maybe down the
Abbey road Paul will get behind an official release that this concert deserves with the proper packaging etc. One can only hope. :)
Quote from: Bogey on June 09, 2007, 06:08:59 AM
Maybe down the Abbey road Paul will get behind an official release that this concert deserves with the proper packaging etc. One can only hope. :)
I can ask around the village and see if there is a bootleg that comes form the master tapes.
If so, then I'll see if there's any copies floating around.
Sounds like the beginnings of a Magical Mystery Tour...roll up!!!! $:)
Quote from: George on June 09, 2007, 06:01:30 AM
Indeed. There are bootlegs aplenty in NYC though. :D
Yup, my 13-year old son got himself a nice Rolex for $25 when we visited last summer ;)
I think this album is underrated. It was the first Beatles album I bought as a kid
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/d0/a5/d7f31363ada0834e87640110._AA240_.L.jpg)
although these two were given to me by a cool aunt:
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DTMWWJPKL._AA240_.jpg)(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/62/e0/3900828fd7a0be90c8640110._AA240_.L.jpg)
I chose:
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The White Album
Abbey Road
I always feel happy when I listen "Sgt. Pepper's~", especially track 1~3.
Plus, :)
My favorite single is "Strawberry Fields Forever." WOW!
Quote from: Bogey on June 09, 2007, 06:00:28 AM
Never have seen it....must be a bootleg, no?
It's certainly a bootleg. I have it, though on a different bootleg. You can shoot me a PM if you're desperate -- I could send you an MP3 or something...
I heard that the Let it Be movie should be re-released on DVD in the near future. :D
So, anyone of you one the bidders on this?:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Beatles-ULTRA-RARE-UK-STEREO-WHITE-ALBUM-0000006_W0QQitemZ270128943287QQihZ017QQcategoryZ432QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Quote from: Bogey on June 17, 2007, 05:10:38 AM
So, anyone of you one the bidders on this?:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Beatles-ULTRA-RARE-UK-STEREO-WHITE-ALBUM-0000006_W0QQitemZ270128943287QQihZ017QQcategoryZ432QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
:o :o
Not me. Too rich for my blood. ;D
Hey maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan,
Take your copy of Rubber Soul, hold it upside down in the mirror.
It says, "Road Abbey".
(sorta) 8) ;D :o
Just picked this up today. I believe this completes my Beatles UK cd run, unless there is a cd release of the Hollywood Bowl concert out there?
(http://www.geocities.com/shnava_the_beatle/past_masters_2.jpg)
Is there a ready checklist available to cross my run with?
Just selected my favs:
Rubber Soul, Revolver and The Beatles (AKA White Album).
But all the others are outstanding, too!
1 White Album
2 Sergeant Pepper
3 Magical Mystery Tour
Heading to this show tonight:
http://1964site.com/#/home/
Will report back.
'It was fifty years ago today!'
Well, yesterday actually since the iconic photo of The Beatles on the Abbey Road crossing was taken.
Many people recreated the scene on the crossing yesterday which is preserved as a piece of national heritage.
I have a happy memory of coming home from school, when the Abbey Road album came out in 1969, to find that my mother had bought it for me and had put it on my bed, even though it wasn't my birthday or Christmas:
(//)
Quote from: vandermolen on August 09, 2019, 09:50:26 AM
'It was fifty years ago today!'
Well, yesterday actually since the iconic photo of The Beatles on the Abbey Road crossing was taken.
Many people recreated the scene on the crossing yesterday which is preserved as a piece of national heritage.
I have a happy memory of coming home from school, when the Abbey Road album came out in 1969, to find that my mother had bought it for me a had put it on my bed, even though it wasn't my birthday or Christmas:
(//)
One sweet dream!
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 09, 2019, 07:19:52 PM
One sweet dream!
Indeed
Karl. Funny how that memory has always stayed with me. I think that Abbey Road is one of their best albums.
Of the three listed: 1.White Album 2.Sgt Pepper 3.Hard Day's Night
not listed is the immediate post-breakup singles and b-sides round up Hey Jude album which I think of as being as canonical as the others, and the songs play really nicely in that track order
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0a/Heyjudealbum.jpg/220px-Heyjudealbum.jpg)
Quote from: SimonNZ on August 10, 2019, 01:44:03 AM
Of the three listed: 1.White Album 2.Sgt Pepper 3.Hard Day's Night
not listed is the immediate post-breakup singles and b-sides round up Hey Jude album which I think of as being as canonical as the others, and the songs play really nicely in that track order
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0a/Heyjudealbum.jpg/220px-Heyjudealbum.jpg)
These songs can be found mostly on the two Past Master albums.
Albums like 'Introducing The Beatles', 'Meet The Beatles' 'Second Album', 'Something New', 'Beatles VI', 'Yesterday And Today' and 'Hey Jude', to name but a few, were made for the USA market, by VeeJay and Capitol.
It's confusing with those split markets, because, for instance, the USA albums 'Help!' and 'Rubber Soul' don't have the same songs as the UK versions.
Nowadays the UK (Parlophone) titles, plus the Past Masters volumes, are regularly used as being the 'genuine' Beatles albums.
And there's a shitload of extras of course, from the Anthology trilogy to all kinds of bootlegs.
Quote from: vandermolen on August 09, 2019, 09:50:26 AM
'It was fifty years ago today!'
Well, yesterday actually since the iconic photo of The Beatles on the Abbey Road crossing was taken.
Many people recreated the scene on the crossing yesterday which is preserved as a piece of national heritage.
I have a happy memory of coming home from school, when the Abbey Road album came out in 1969, to find that my mother had bought it for me and had put it on my bed, even though it wasn't my birthday or Christmas:
(//)
That's a great story. Love your mum. :)
Thanks to the update to the thread I'm listening to the Fab Four this evening... yet NOT the celebrated
Abbey Road, but
Beatles For Sale. One of their weakest IMHO (too many less-inspired cover songs), but weakest Beatles is still 8/10.
'I'm A Loser', 'Baby's In Black', 'Every Little Thing' and 'I Don't Want To Spoil The Party' are examples of great songs that I can listen to again and again.
Quote from: Marc on August 11, 2019, 11:48:20 AM
That's a great story. Love your mum. :)
Thanks to the update to the thread I'm listening to the Fab Four this evening... yet NOT the celebrated Abbey Road, but Beatles For Sale. One of their weakest IMHO (too many less-inspired cover songs), but weakest Beatles is still 8/10.
'I'm A Loser', 'Baby's In Black', 'Every Little Thing' and 'I Don't Want To Spoil The Party' are examples of great songs that I can listen to again and again.
Thank you! That was very sweet of my mum and the fact that I still remember it fifty years later shows how much it meant to me. I can still remember the joy of seeing the LP, unexpectedly, on my bed! Yes, this thread was dormant since 2012. We are still waiting for Bogey to report back on the 1964 Tribute Concert. 8)
I always liked 'Beatles for Sale'. I think I lent the LP to someone many decades ago and never got it back.
Today I've been revisiting the White Album 50th Remixes... while I really enjoyed the Sgt. Pepper remixes from a couple years ago, I'm still undecided on the White Album. There are some tracks where the improvement is clear and obvious, such as "Long, Long, Long," which sounds absolutely amazing on this, so much clearer and more focused. And yet in other places the new mix seems to bring out details just for the sake bringing them out. Drums and bass are more prominent pretty much throughout, which greatly benefits the rockers.
George Martin once famously said that the existing double album was too unfocused, and would have been much improved if they'd pared it down to a single album. In theory I kind of agree with him; but like many other Beatle-nerds I keep trying to come up with a 14 track, 7 tracks per side version that truly satisfies. I've had a playlist on my phone for years, and every time I put it on I end up moving things around, and adding or removing a song or two.
My current list (which may change by supper time):
Side 1:
Back in the USSR
Dear Prudence (the opening 1-2 punch is so good, I can't mess with it)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Mother Nature's Son
Cry Baby Cry
Blackbird
I'm So Tired
Side 2
Birthday
Don't Pass Me By (gotta have a Ringo song)
Revolution 1
Long, Long, Long
Happiness is a Warm Gun
Helter Skelter
Julia
I'm still not happy with it, though, not least because there are a couple of key songs missing (looking at you, Glass Onion). Maybe I need to cheat and do 8 songs per side for a total of 16 -- which would have still fit comfortably on an LP, I think.... or I could pull in the Revolution/Hey Jude single.... sigh.
Quote from: jwinter on August 29, 2019, 11:45:49 AM
Today I've been revisiting the White Album 50th Remixes... while I really enjoyed the Sgt. Pepper remixes from a couple years ago, I'm still undecided on the White Album. There are some tracks where the improvement is clear and obvious, such as "Long, Long, Long," which sounds absolutely amazing on this, so much clearer and more focused. And yet in other places the new mix seems to bring out details just for the sake bringing them out. Drums and bass are more prominent pretty much throughout, which greatly benefits the rockers.
George Martin once famously said that the existing double album was too unfocused, and would have been much improved if they'd pared it down to a single album. In theory I kind of agree with him; but like many other Beatle-nerds I keep trying to come up with a 14 track, 7 tracks per side version that truly satisfies. I've had a playlist on my phone for years, and every time I put it on I end up moving things around, and adding or removing a song or two.
My current list (which may change by supper time):
Side 1:
Back in the USSR
Dear Prudence (the opening 1-2 punch is so good, I can't mess with it)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Mother Nature's Son
Cry Baby Cry
Blackbird
I'm So Tired
Side 2
Birthday
Don't Pass Me By (gotta have a Ringo song)
Revolution 1
Long, Long, Long
Happiness is a Warm Gun
Helter Skelter
Julia
I'm still not happy with it, though, not least because there are a couple of key songs missing (looking at you, Glass Onion). Maybe I need to cheat and do 8 songs per side for a total of 16 -- which would have still fit comfortably on an LP, I think.... or I could pull in the Revolution/Hey Jude single.... sigh.
It's still a great playlist although I like 'Glass Onion' and Revolution No.9.
Quote from: jwinter on August 29, 2019, 11:45:49 AM
Today I've been revisiting the White Album 50th Remixes... while I really enjoyed the Sgt. Pepper remixes from a couple years ago, I'm still undecided on the White Album. There are some tracks where the improvement is clear and obvious, such as "Long, Long, Long," which sounds absolutely amazing on this, so much clearer and more focused. And yet in other places the new mix seems to bring out details just for the sake bringing them out. Drums and bass are more prominent pretty much throughout, which greatly benefits the rockers.
George Martin once famously said that the existing double album was too unfocused, and would have been much improved if they'd pared it down to a single album. In theory I kind of agree with him; but like many other Beatle-nerds I keep trying to come up with a 14 track, 7 tracks per side version that truly satisfies. I've had a playlist on my phone for years, and every time I put it on I end up moving things around, and adding or removing a song or two.
My current list (which may change by supper time):
Side 1:
Back in the USSR
Dear Prudence (the opening 1-2 punch is so good, I can't mess with it)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Mother Nature's Son
Cry Baby Cry
Blackbird
I'm So Tired
Side 2
Birthday
Don't Pass Me By (gotta have a Ringo song)
Revolution 1
Long, Long, Long
Happiness is a Warm Gun
Helter Skelter
Julia
I'm still not happy with it, though, not least because there are a couple of key songs missing (looking at you, Glass Onion). Maybe I need to cheat and do 8 songs per side for a total of 16 -- which would have still fit comfortably on an LP, I think.... or I could pull in the Revolution/Hey Jude single.... sigh.
Lol. I never even considered this, even though I acknowledge it's a fun thing to do.
I would not place
Mother's Nature Son and
Blackbird so close together though, on one and the same side. To me, they're too much in the same league (in different meanings).
And if I wanted to hear Ringo, I'd pick
Good Night, John's lullaby for Julian.
But... to be honest, I like this 'messy' double album just as it is, despite George Martin's remarks. Musically, it's got everything that the 'studio' Beatles had got to give in those years. It's an awesome record.
Quote from: Marc on September 03, 2019, 11:47:35 AM
Lol. I never even considered this, even though I acknowledge it's a fun thing to do.
I would not place Mother's Nature Son and Blackbird so close together though, on one and the same side. To me, they're too much in the same league (in different meanings).
And if I wanted to hear Ringo, I'd pick Good Night, John's lullaby for Julian.
But... to be honest, I like this 'messy' double album just as it is, despite George Martin's remarks. Musically, it's got everything that the 'studio' Beatles had got to give in those years. It's an awesome record.
Yeah, agreed on the proximity of Blackbird and Mother Nature's Son, I definitely need to move one of them to side 2... but then I might end up with too many John songs in a row. Decisions.
I do love the original album, of course. This whole exercise is a complete waste of time, but as you say it's amusing and gives me an excuse to revisit the music now and then. Part of the challenge is to make it like a album they would have released -- so you need to balance Paul vs John, have an opener and a closer for each side, etc., and thus you need a Ringo song -- Don't Pass Me By has never been one of my favorites, but it's slim pickin's here....
I'd take Good Night over Don't Pass Me By as the Ringo track (and as the album closer) . And would replace Happiness is a Warm Gun and Helter Skelter with Yer Blues and Glass Onion.
Quote from: SimonNZ on September 03, 2019, 08:14:08 PM
I'd take Good Night over Don't Pass Me By as the Ringo track (and as the album closer) . And would replace Happiness is a Warm Gun and Helter Skelter with Yer Blues and Glass Onion.
I would never ever replace
Happiness Is A Warm Gun for anything.
It's definitely a Top 10 Beatles song for me.
Again, IMHO there's just too many good stuff to make one vinyl album out of it.
Imagine a Beatles legacy without
Piggies! No way! ;)
Just picked up the 50th Anniversary release in the local supermarket. The 2019 producer is Giles Martin, the son of George, who produced the original album. Great sound and introductory articles in the booklet:
(//)
Quote from: vandermolen on September 30, 2019, 07:17:30 AM
Just picked up the 50th Anniversary release in the local supermarket. The 2019 producer is Giles Martin, the son of George, who produced the original album. Great sound and introductory articles in the booklet:
(//)
Could not resist, eh? :P
(For the moment I will stick to the 2009 (iirc) release.)
[pokes head above foxhole]
Ya know, as an album Abbey Road has never really done if for me. George's and John's contributions are strong, but Paul's songs leave me cold here -- the whole montage on side 2 is just not my cuppa tea.
Other than Come Together and Here Comes the Sun, I probably play this album the least of any Beatles album, by a large margin.
[ducks back into foxhole]
Quote from: Marc on September 30, 2019, 09:35:29 AM
Could not resist, eh? :P
(For the moment I will stick to the 2009 (iirc) release.)
Indeed! I thought that it might be rather pricey but it was £7.00 in Tesco, which I didn't think too bad. I managed to smuggle it into the house concealed between packets cornflakes, cat food, tins of rice pudding etc (not really).
:)
Snagged some good seats to see this on Saturday.
Quote from: Szykneij on October 02, 2019, 01:46:20 AM
Snagged some good seats to see this on Saturday.
Looks great! Let us know what you think.
Quote from: j winter on September 30, 2019, 10:43:44 AM
[pokes head above foxhole]
Ya know, as an album Abbey Road has never really done if for me. George's and John's contributions are strong, but Paul's songs leave me cold here -- the whole montage on side 2 is just not my cuppa tea.
Other than Come Together and Here Comes the Sun, I probably play this album the least of any Beatles album, by a large margin.
[ducks back into foxhole]
Even the Beatles themselves were divided on the merits of Abbey Road. The new booklet is interesting in this respect. I much prefer the long sequence on side 2 of the LP than the earlier songs.
Quote from: vandermolen on October 02, 2019, 10:59:26 AM
Even the Beatles themselves were divided on the merits of Abbey Road. The new booklet is interesting in this respect. I much prefer the long sequence on side 2 of the LP than the earlier songs.
Interesting. I will probably get the remix at some point soon -- I'm a lifelong Beatles fan, so even if I think Abbey Road one of their weaker albums, that still makes it better than a whole lot of other stuff... :)
I'm kinda split on the remixes so far. I really like what Giles did with Sgt. Pepper, I thought it sounded wonderful. But then, I think that was largely due to the way that album was made, with all the sampling down necessary to get such complex music onto crude multi-track tape. Being able to get down to the basic elements, give everything a good digital scrub, and put it back together again, made for an awesome sonic improvement IMO. The White Album did not impress me as much -- some things I liked, many things I prefer in the original mix -- but then, I never thought the original mix was that bad. And that's my fear with Abbey Road -- there's nothing wrong with the sound on the latest remaster of the original mix, IMO -- so I'm not sure why they're messing with it.
But I will almost certainly give it a listen soon -- if nothing else, I suspect that a remixed Come Together, with a focus on the drums, might have some merit. Whether I end up sending Apple yet more of my hard earned cash for yet another physical copy of the album is another question...
Quote from: j winter on October 02, 2019, 11:11:23 AM
Interesting. I will probably get the remix at some point soon -- I'm a lifelong Beatles fan, so even if I think Abbey Road one of their weaker albums, that still makes it better than a whole lot of other stuff... :)
I'm kinda split on the remixes so far. I really like what Giles did with Sgt. Pepper, I thought it sounded wonderful. But then, I think that was largely due to the way that album was made, with all the sampling down necessary to get such complex music onto crude multi-track tape. Being able to get down to the basic elements, give everything a good digital scrub, and put it back together again, made for an awesome sonic improvement IMO. The White Album did not impress me as much -- some things I liked, many things I prefer in the original mix -- but then, I never thought the original mix was that bad. And that's my fear with Abbey Road -- there's nothing wrong with the sound on the latest remaster of the original mix, IMO -- so I'm not sure why they're messing with it.
But I will almost certainly give it a listen soon -- if nothing else, I suspect that a remixed Come Together, with a focus on the drums, might have some merit. Whether I end up sending Apple yet more of my hard earned cash for yet another physical copy of the album is another question...
Thanks for that. Maybe I'll get the remixed Sgt. Pepper at some stage. Sgt Pepper, the White Album and Abbey Road are my favourites but I like all their albums, which were so much a part of my childhood. I saw them twice in concert. I won't say 'heard' as all I heard was screaming.
Quote from: vandermolen on October 02, 2019, 10:11:11 PM
Thanks for that. Maybe I'll get the remixed Sgt. Pepper at some stage. Sgt Pepper, the White Album and Abbey Road are my favourites but I like all their albums, which were so much a part of my childhood. I saw them twice in concert. I won't say 'heard' as all I heard was screaming.
OK, I am officially jealous... where'd you see them? Any specific memories of the concerts?
Except for some individual songs, my favorites are Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's. While the new remasters are interesting, I am fine with the originals. Abbey Road never was a fave of mine, it's a good record, just a little episodic for my tastes.
These songs are my favorites from the other albums:
"Across the Universe"
"All You Need Is Love"
"Blackbird"
"Day Tripper"
"Dear Prudence"
"Doctor Robert"
"Drive My Car"
"Hello Goodbye"
"I Am the Walrus"
"I'll Follow the Sun"
"Sexy Sadie"
"Strawberry Fields Forever"
"Things We Said Today"
"Ticket to Ride"
Quote from: j winter on October 03, 2019, 05:38:29 AM
OK, I am officially jealous... where'd you see them? Any specific memories of the concerts?
Well, yes. One was at the London Palladium and the other was either at Wembley or Hammersmith - I was about 11 or 12. Through a contact of my parents we got tickets for the Premiere of 'Yellow Submarine' where Ringo refused to sign an autograph for me (that was before he's 'officially' stopped signing them).
PS I've just looked up the Hammersmith concert which was in 1964. I was nine years old. I'm sure that was the other one.
PPS the Palladium concert was also 1964. I was younger that I thought!
Quote from: j winter on September 30, 2019, 10:43:44 AM
[pokes head above foxhole]
Ya know, as an album Abbey Road has never really done if for me. George's and John's contributions are strong, but Paul's songs leave me cold here -- the whole montage on side 2 is just not my cuppa tea.
Other than Come Together and Here Comes the Sun, I probably play this album the least of any Beatles album, by a large margin.
[ducks back into foxhole]
I consider the entire side 2 a masterpiece (including 'The Long One'). Just brilliant.
But maybe my fav 3 individual songs of the album are from side 1: Come Together, Something and I Want You (She's So Heavy).
(Maxwell, Darling and Octopus though:
well... all right.)
Quote from: San Antone on October 03, 2019, 05:55:44 AM
Except for some individual songs, my favorites are Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's. While the new remasters are interesting, I am fine with the originals. Abbey Road never was a fave of mine, it's a good record, just a little episodic for my tastes.
These songs are my favorites from the other albums:
"Across the Universe"
"All You Need Is Love"
"Blackbird"
"Day Tripper"
"Dear Prudence"
"Doctor Robert"
"Drive My Car"
"Hello Goodbye"
"I Am the Walrus"
"I'll Follow the Sun"
"Sexy Sadie"
"Strawberry Fields Forever"
"Things We Said Today"
"Ticket to Ride"
I fear that I could never come to such a list. Just too much good stuff. ;)
I like the pick of I'll Follow The Sun. Lovely tune. It's a teenage song by Paul, probably influenced by the musical music his father loved.
Abbey Road is back on top of the album charts here. The first time since 1970!
Quote from: Marc on October 04, 2019, 07:25:31 AM
I fear that I could never come to such a list. Just too much good stuff. ;)
I like the pick of I'll Follow The Sun. Lovely tune. It's a teenage song by Paul, probably influenced by the musical music his father loved.
Yeah, there is a lot of good stuff, which makes me look for songs that go beyond good, IMO. My list includes only those songs which I consider truly more than good, and in fact, pristine pop gems (I'll Follow the Sun, Things We Said Today, Blackbird) , or wildly imaginative genre-busting miniatures (Strawberry Fields, I Am the Walrus, Sexy Sadie), that no other band came close to equaling.
I can listen to any of their albums and enjoy the music, whereas for most groups (with some exceptions, Kinks, Beach Boys) of that period I cannot.
Just saw this on the Esquire site while looking for something else:
The Best Beatles Song Is a 23-Second Track That Almost Didn't Exist
Thinking about the genius of "Her Majesty" on the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road. (https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a29226810/best-beatles-song-her-majesty-abbey-road-50th-anniversary/)
"I'm going to keep this short, because there's beauty in brevity, which The Beatles taught me on "Her Majesty." It's a 23-second-long-song (26 if you look at Spotify) that almost didn't exist. In fact, "Her Majesty" is something of a joke, with nonsensical nursery rhyme lyrics and a sloppy, out of place first note. It's strange, fleeting, and beautiful. It's 23 seconds I've never been able to get out of my head since the first time I heard it—since it surprised me uncredited at the end of Abbey Road, where it came and went like I'd imagined it. I've fallen in love during those 26 seconds (my now-partner and I sharing Cadbury Eggs years ago listening to the back half of Abbey Road in a parking lot in my busted Chevy Blazer). I've drunkenly sang the song. I've played it in one sitting on repeat, dozens of times, fascinated.
"Her Majesty" was recorded in three takes on July 2, 1969. As the story goes, the song was originally intended to be placed in a medley between "Mean Mr. Mustard" and "Polythene Pam." But, according to the engineer there that day, John Kurlander, Paul McCartney (who is the only one who performs on the track) heard "Her Majesty" in that spot and decided it didn't fit. Kurlander was told to cut the song and throw it away. But, as Kurlander later explained:
"I'd been told never to throw anything away, so after he left I picked it up off the floor, put about 20 seconds of red leader tape before it and stuck it onto the end of the edit tape."
The next day, when McCartney heard the song placed randomly at the end of Abbey Road, he loved it, and decided it should remain there on the final cut of the album. That weird blast of a note at the beginning is actually the final chord of "Mean Mr. Mustard." Because of its placement, and because "Her Majesty" didn't appear on the Abbey Road tracklist, it's often considered the first-ever hidden track on an album.
When I was younger, probably because of my personal experiences with "Her Majesty," I always thought of it as a love song—a song about awkwardness around a crush whom you respect enough to refer to as "her majesty." I might have been at once projecting and overthinking it, because, in reality, the song is something of a joke about the British ruling family. These are the only lyrics:
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl / But she doesn't have a lot to say / Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl / But she changes from day to day / I want to tell her that I love her a lot / But I gotta get a bellyful of wine / Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl / Someday I'm going to make her mine, oh yeah, / Someday I'm going to make her mine.
As McCartney later explained, there's something anti-authority about these lyrics:
"It was quite funny because it's basically monarchist, with a mildly disrespectful tone, but it's very tongue in cheek. It's almost like a love song to the Queen."
This is honestly better than my reading of the song, anyway. "Her Majesty" is punk rock. It's kind of a middle-finger to the establishment, fitting with the scrappy way the song came to be, and how it has survived.
The Beatles are rightfully considered the greatest band to ever exist. Their catalog is immortalized among every fan, musician, and critic still today. Their hits are known in every corner of the world—"Across the Universe" has been launched into space for intelligent life to hear one day. We all can sing "Hey Jude," and "Here Comes the Sun," and "Let it Be" and dozens of others. Each of these songs persevere because of the craft and songwriting genius that it took to create them. But what I love about "Her Majesty" is it could not and will not ever be a famous Beatles song. It's an accident. It's a moment of spontaneity, of playful musicianship stuck in time, of Paul McCartney not trying to do anything more than mess about. Yet here it remains. Here I am writing about it and listening to it and thinking about it. It's a song that only exists today because of luck and the charm of its eight lines and silly little melody. And for that I love it a lot. "Her Majesty" is a pretty nice song, and I feel like I've made it mine.
Quote from: SimonNZ on October 04, 2019, 05:31:42 PM
Just saw this on the Esquire site while looking for something else:
The Best Beatles Song Is a 23-Second Track That Almost Didn't Exist
Thinking about the genius of "Her Majesty" on the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road. (https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a29226810/best-beatles-song-her-majesty-abbey-road-50th-anniversary/)
"I'm going to keep this short, because there's beauty in brevity, which The Beatles taught me on "Her Majesty." It's a 23-second-long-song (26 if you look at Spotify) that almost didn't exist. In fact, "Her Majesty" is something of a joke, with nonsensical nursery rhyme lyrics and a sloppy, out of place first note. It's strange, fleeting, and beautiful. It's 23 seconds I've never been able to get out of my head since the first time I heard it—since it surprised me uncredited at the end of Abbey Road, where it came and went like I'd imagined it. I've fallen in love during those 26 seconds (my now-partner and I sharing Cadbury Eggs years ago listening to the back half of Abbey Road in a parking lot in my busted Chevy Blazer). I've drunkenly sang the song. I've played it in one sitting on repeat, dozens of times, fascinated.
"Her Majesty" was recorded in three takes on July 2, 1969. As the story goes, the song was originally intended to be placed in a medley between "Mean Mr. Mustard" and "Polythene Pam." But, according to the engineer there that day, John Kurlander, Paul McCartney (who is the only one who performs on the track) heard "Her Majesty" in that spot and decided it didn't fit. Kurlander was told to cut the song and throw it away. But, as Kurlander later explained:
"I'd been told never to throw anything away, so after he left I picked it up off the floor, put about 20 seconds of red leader tape before it and stuck it onto the end of the edit tape."
The next day, when McCartney heard the song placed randomly at the end of Abbey Road, he loved it, and decided it should remain there on the final cut of the album. That weird blast of a note at the beginning is actually the final chord of "Mean Mr. Mustard." Because of its placement, and because "Her Majesty" didn't appear on the Abbey Road tracklist, it's often considered the first-ever hidden track on an album.
When I was younger, probably because of my personal experiences with "Her Majesty," I always thought of it as a love song—a song about awkwardness around a crush whom you respect enough to refer to as "her majesty." I might have been at once projecting and overthinking it, because, in reality, the song is something of a joke about the British ruling family. These are the only lyrics:
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl / But she doesn't have a lot to say / Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl / But she changes from day to day / I want to tell her that I love her a lot / But I gotta get a bellyful of wine / Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl / Someday I'm going to make her mine, oh yeah, / Someday I'm going to make her mine.
As McCartney later explained, there's something anti-authority about these lyrics:
"It was quite funny because it's basically monarchist, with a mildly disrespectful tone, but it's very tongue in cheek. It's almost like a love song to the Queen."
This is honestly better than my reading of the song, anyway. "Her Majesty" is punk rock. It's kind of a middle-finger to the establishment, fitting with the scrappy way the song came to be, and how it has survived.
The Beatles are rightfully considered the greatest band to ever exist. Their catalog is immortalized among every fan, musician, and critic still today. Their hits are known in every corner of the world—"Across the Universe" has been launched into space for intelligent life to hear one day. We all can sing "Hey Jude," and "Here Comes the Sun," and "Let it Be" and dozens of others. Each of these songs persevere because of the craft and songwriting genius that it took to create them. But what I love about "Her Majesty" is it could not and will not ever be a famous Beatles song. It's an accident. It's a moment of spontaneity, of playful musicianship stuck in time, of Paul McCartney not trying to do anything more than mess about. Yet here it remains. Here I am writing about it and listening to it and thinking about it. It's a song that only exists today because of luck and the charm of its eight lines and silly little melody. And for that I love it a lot. "Her Majesty" is a pretty nice song, and I feel like I've made it mine.
Very interesting. 'Her Majesty' always makes me smile. It is paradoxically disrespectful and affectionate.
Quote from: vandermolen on October 04, 2019, 11:14:30 AM
Abbey Road is back on top of the album charts here. The first time since 1970!
I read the same about the Netherlands 2 days ago... good music rules!
Quote from: Marc on October 05, 2019, 02:18:33 AM
I read the same about the Netherlands 2 days ago... good music rules!
Definitely! :)
A song I should have included in my list of favorites:
https://www.youtube.com/v/bJ_OMbWJ46g
I never knew before that Abbey Road was the Beatles last album, because although 'Let it Be' was released after Abbey Road it was actually recorded before it.
My Favorite Beatles songs:
She Said She Said
Yes It Is
Hey Bulldog
Revolution
Octopus Garden
Tomorrow Never Knows
Dear Prudence
Here Comes the Sun
Only a Northern Song
Good Morning Good Morning
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on August 14, 2020, 06:40:01 AM
My Favorite Beatles songs:
She Said She Said
Yes It Is
Hey Bulldog
Revolution
Octopus Garden
Tomorrow Never Knows
Dear Prudence
Here Comes the Sun
Only a Northern Song
Good Morning Good Morning
Very interesting to see "Only a Northern Song" in there.
Just a back-of-the-envelope list of ten faves:
Old Brown Shoe
And Your Bird Can Sing
Long, Long, Long
Penny Lane
I Am the Walrus
All My Loving
A Day in the Life
Cry, Baby, Cry
Day Tripper
Dr Robert
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 14, 2020, 06:53:03 AM
Very interesting to see "Only a Northern Song" in there.
It is one of the uniquest songs among the Beatles numbers. It is like Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett rather than the Beatles. Not crazy about the bridge though.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 14, 2020, 07:00:24 AM
Just a back-of-the-envelope list of ten faves:
Old Brown Shoe
And Your Bird Can Sing
Long, Long, Long
Penny Lane
I Am the Walrus
All My Loving
A Day in the Life
Cry, Baby, Cry
Day Tripper
Dr Robert
I like them except Tripper and Walrus. I really like Old Brown Shoe.
The link below is a list of Paul's songs John liked.
http://rockandrollgarage.com/9-paul-mccartneys-beatles-songs-that-john-lennon-liked/
Walrus, Strawberry Fields, A Day in the life, Tomorrow Never knows and Long and Winding Road definitelly belongs in my list. Beyond those, there are so many and my list would change from day to day. Several from Karl Hennings List could appear.
Rubber Soul and The White Album were pretty easy picks....but the third one? I ended up picking Help [These 'evil' polls!].
PD
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on August 14, 2020, 07:01:29 AM
It is one of the uniquest songs among the Beatles numbers. It is like Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett rather than the Beatles. Not crazy about the bridge though.
That's fair.
Hmmm...among my favorites (off the top of my head):
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Old Brown Shoe
Dear Prudence
In My Life
Back in the USSR
Octopus's Garden
A Day in the Life
Here Comes the Sun
Penny Lane
Blackbird
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 14, 2020, 07:32:42 AM
Rubber Soul and The White Album were pretty easy picks....but the third one? I ended up picking Help [These 'evil' polls!].
PD
(* chortle *)
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 14, 2020, 11:11:50 AM
Hmmm...among my favorites (off the top of my head):
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Old Brown Shoe
Dear Prudence
In My Life
Back in the USSR
Octopus's Garden
A Day in the Life
Here Comes the Sun
Penny Lane
Blackbird
Nice, too!
How could I have forgotten Eleanor Rigby?! ???
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 14, 2020, 11:57:09 AM
How could I have forgotten Eleanor Rigby?! ???
PD
That is one of the songs I don't dig much. It is just a personal preference and I am not questioning the quality of song. Others include Shes leaving home, 64, she loves you, its only love, Here there, I should have known better, your mother should know, Run for your life, etc.
Re: Penny Lane. Some people are advocating a name change of the street because is is possibly the name of a slave trader. Regardless of the fact, Paul may decide not to sing the song.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 14, 2020, 11:11:50 AM
Hmmm...among my favorites (off the top of my head):
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Old Brown Shoe
Dear Prudence
In My Life
Back in the USSR
Octopus's Garden
A Day in the Life
Here Comes the Sun
Penny Lane
Blackbird
Great list!
The Abbey Road Medley :P
A Day in the Life
Being for the benefit of Mr Kite
8 days a week
I feel fine
Dear Prudence
Bungalow Bill
Honey Pie
Helter Skelter
Blackbird
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 14, 2020, 11:57:09 AM
How could I have forgotten Eleanor Rigby?! ???
PD
When I was a tike, I had a "Close-and-play" phonograph, and the single that came with it was "Yellow Submarine" b/w "Eleanor Rigby"
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on August 14, 2020, 12:43:08 PM
That is one of the songs I don't dig much. It is just a personal preference and I am not questioning the quality of song. Others include Shes leaving home, 64, she loves you, its only love, Here there, I should have known better, your mother should know, Run for your life, etc.
Re: Penny Lane. Some people are advocating a name change of the street because is is possibly the name of a slave trader. Regardless of the fact, Paul may decide not to sing the song.
FWIW, the monaural reissue rehabilitated "She's leaving home" for me.
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on August 14, 2020, 06:40:01 AM
My Favorite Beatles songs:
She Said She Said
Yes It Is
Hey Bulldog
Revolution
Octopus Garden
Tomorrow Never Knows
Dear Prudence
Here Comes the Sun
Only a Northern Song
Good Morning Good Morning
I forgot Good Night 😲😲 Lovely song!
As for Dear Prudence, I prefer the siouxsie and the banshees version to the Beatles.
https://youtu.be/M6rrTROoZIw (https://youtu.be/M6rrTROoZIw)
A question just occurred to me. (I also wonder why it took so long to cross my mind.)
Do we know who played the violin/fiddle on "Don't Pass Me By"?
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on December 21, 2020, 07:03:11 AM
A question just occurred to me. (I also wonder why it took so long to cross my mind.)
Do we know who played the violin/fiddle on "Don't Pass Me By"?
According to Wikipedia, here's the lineup:
Ringo Starr – double-tracked vocals, drums, tack piano, sleigh bells, cowbell, maracas, congas
Paul McCartney – grand piano, bass guitar
Jack Fallon – violin
The pianos were both recorded into a Leslie 147 speaker.
Personnel per Ian MacDonald and supported by Mark Lewisohn
I once spent an entire 2½-hour car journey with my son, then aged 10, trying to decide what our favourites were on Sgt. Pepper (those were the days - 7 years on, he refuses to listen to anything that wasn't composed within the last 10 minutes). The final results were Lucy in the sky with diamonds (son) and Fixing a hole (me) - a chilled-out hippie dirge versus a tightly-controlled classically-influenced ballad.
Picking ten favourites always runs the risk of missing something obvious, but here goes:
For no-one
Hard day's night
Yesterday (although I do wish someone had told Paul not to breathe between "she" and "had")
Fixing a hole
No reply
Blackbird
Dear Prudence
Here comes the sun
It's all too much
I want you (mostly for the endless play-out - I have a friend who claims to know exactly when it's going to stop - not sure I believe him).
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 14, 2020, 03:58:53 PM
When I was a tike, I had a "Close-and-play" phonograph, and the single that came with it was "Yellow Submarine" b/w "Eleanor Rigby"
Well, I won't mention what my playing situation was like...lol. But seriously, the more that I listened to "Eleanor Rigby" over the years, it really hit me emotionally....about all of the people in the world who live alone and wondering whether or not their passing means anything to anyone? Not just that, but of living a life alone. There are so many stories that I've heard over the years of people not knowing their neighbors, etc.,. Are there any others here who appreciate this song?
PD
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 21, 2020, 07:11:33 AM
According to Wikipedia, here's the lineup:
Ringo Starr – double-tracked vocals, drums, tack piano, sleigh bells, cowbell, maracas, congas
Paul McCartney – grand piano, bass guitar
Jack Fallon – violin
The pianos were both recorded into a Leslie 147 speaker.
Personnel per Ian MacDonald and supported by Mark Lewisohn
Thanks.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on December 22, 2020, 01:01:18 PM
Well, I won't mention what my playing situation was like...lol. But seriously, the more that I listened to "Eleanor Rigby" over the years, it really hit me emotionally....about all of the people in the world who live alone and wondering whether or not their passing means anything to anyone? Not just that, but of living a life alone. There are so many stories that I've heard over the years of people not knowing their neighbors, etc.,. Are there any others here who appreciate this song?
PD
Yes, indeed.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on December 22, 2020, 01:01:18 PM
... the more that I listened to "Eleanor Rigby" over the years, it really hit me emotionally....about all of the people in the world who live alone and wondering whether or not their passing means anything to anyone? Not just that, but of living a life alone. There are so many stories that I've heard over the years of people not knowing their neighbors, etc.,. Are there any others here who appreciate this song?
PD
To my ears, it's a great song given a terrible performance - that monotonous rubato-free thudding accompaniment, Paul's rushed and uninvolved delivery of the lyrics (great lyrics - "Wearing the face that she keeps in the jar by the door" - brilliant). Sadly, the recording on
Revolver is the only one I know (there's a strings-only take on one of the Anthology albums, but that goes at the same relentless pace). Clearly they couldn't perform it live. Slowed down a bit, to give Paul time to breathe and to allow the strings to sound a bit less like they're chopping wood, it would have been perfect. I find the slightly distanced, cinematographic approach works well in
For no one (but then I would say that; that's my favourite song not only on
Revolver but on any Beatles album), but not in
Eleanor Rigby.
I think the non-involved delivery makes for light-footed dramatic irony. I actually find it part of the track's power. Your
"chopping wood" criticism stands ... likely stems from having a string quartet try to sound like a pop group, rather than being themselves.
Interesting comments regarding Eleanor Rigby. I wonder if part of the fast/"rushed" to DaveF was done on purpose...thinking here of them thinking that there are so many many people who live alone/are lonely/are ignored by society/have few if any friends that the list could go on and on. For me, the pace that it's at, leaves me breathless and feeling rather stunned...and makes me think.
PD
McCartney does another not very different version in the Give My Regards To Broad Street film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3rG4vm06kE
Looking into other versions I see that I'd forgotten that Aretha Franklin did one
and hadn't previously lnown that Joan Baez did one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q51A0k-VcbU
The only one I get to hear comes up occasionally on the web radio -
I Drive - Classic Rigby, Parts 1 & 2 (1972) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_aGFWk5QtY)
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's any good. ;)
Quote from: steve ridgway on December 23, 2020, 09:15:32 PM
The only one I get to hear comes up occasionally on the web radio -
I Drive - Classic Rigby, Parts 1 & 2 (1972) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_aGFWk5QtY)
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's any good. ;)
Au contraire, it's absolutely brilliant and deserves an immediate cross-posting on the LvB thread.
The version from
Give my Regards... has the same timing, to the second, as the one on Revolver, yet manages to sound more relaxed and spacious. Something to do, perhaps, with the strings being a bit more recessed and less aggressive.
The problem is mine alone, I'm sure. Maybe because
Rigby gets all the recognition and praise when my favourite on the same album is almost completely ignored. I also worry about the "Fr. Mackenzie" story - do priests really compose sermons that won't get delivered? (Or delivered in a completely empty church?) The priests I know are always enormously grateful for the odd bit of solitude away from their parishioners that they can manage to find. Perhaps things were different in the '60s.
Quote from: DaveF on December 24, 2020, 05:56:36 AM
Maybe because Rigby gets all the recognition and praise when my favourite on the same album is almost completely ignored. I also worry about the "Fr. Mackenzie" story - do priests really compose sermons that won't get delivered? (Or delivered in a completely empty church?)
Tomorrow Never Knows is the only Beatles song I actually love but must have influenced a tremendous number of experimental / industrial artists. Priests nowadays must surely compose sermons a few days in advance only to receive a day or two's notice that churches are closed again. I guess they'd just save them for later though.
Separately:
https://www.youtube.com/v/u3wFv_UO_50
Quote from: SimonNZ on December 23, 2020, 01:10:06 PM
McCartney does another not very different version in the Give My Regards To Broad Street film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3rG4vm06kE
Thanks for the link to the McCartney video clip; really enjoyed that! :)
PD
Not sure how I feel about this "Now and Then" jiggery-pokery.
Quote from: Karl Henning on November 04, 2023, 01:17:10 PMNot 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.
To me, Free As A Bird sounds better. The visual is good though.
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on November 04, 2023, 03:47:05 PMTo 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
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 04, 2023, 04:42:19 PMI 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."
Quote from: Karl Henning on November 04, 2023, 04:59:36 PMCurious 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
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.
Quote from: Karl Henning on November 04, 2023, 05:53:01 PMBefore 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.
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
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 04, 2023, 03:31:10 PMHave 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.
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.
Quote from: Brian on November 07, 2023, 06:12:51 AMWow - 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.
Quote from: relm1 on November 07, 2023, 05:45:51 AMI 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"! :o He would have been about 51 there (1994); he died at 58, so not exactly old age [She said to the young whipper-snapper.] ;) ;D
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 07, 2023, 06:35:16 AM"Old guy"! :o He would have been about 51 there (1994); he died at 58, so not exactly old age [She said to the young whipper-snapper.] ;) ;D
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.
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
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on July 19, 2024, 02:14:19 PMMy 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.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 19, 2024, 07:11:08 PMI'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.
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on July 21, 2024, 01:13:32 PMSiouxsie And The Banshees' cover sounds wonderful to me.
Thanks, I quite enjoyed that! :)
PD
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.
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.]
Quote from: relm1 on September 25, 2024, 05:58:51 AMI 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.
As a teenager in the 1960's I was definitely in the "Stones" camp. Their music being dirty and Bluesy which matched my tastes perfectly. The early stuff was culled from American black music, the first single being a Chuck Berry number "Come On" https://youtu.be/_iAQVGOzj4M?si=drw_bna06FycVm7o
later they were to use material from the Chicago Blues scene, songs by people like Muddy Waters and his ilk. The first of many times I saw the Stones live was in a field at Twickenham for the Richmond Blues Festival. A particular favourite of the time being a Bobby Womack song "It's All Over Now" https://youtu.be/UVpFf2DmFSM?si=zQwv98-Kd5TpKPkW. I confess at the time being Rolling Stones mad. The 1960's were a great time to be young and the Rolling Stones were part of that, with the passage of time we have drifted apart and today I see them more as just a group of old geezers who make a lot of money.
I think my dislike of the Beatles at the time was a purely tribal thing and I like their music more now. The Beatles and Stones have always been lumped together only I feel because they were big at the same period of time which is quite wrong as the whole ethos of the two bands were worlds apart.
Just started watching, for the umpteenth time, The Beatles Anthology - probably the most frequently watched of all the boxes of DVDs that I possess. There are those who say it's a sanitised affair, an officially sanctioned product, and therefore somehow not 'true'. But I find it very true to my memories of them and the times, and I don't mind smoothing over some of the more unpalatable facts. They don't seem to matter, from this very late perspective.
I love it. Love the Beatles. Always did, right from the first hearing of Please Please Me, the harmonica wailing from the radio as I sat revising for exams, and the hair prickling on the back of my neck.
Lots of DVDs in the box still to go.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on November 13, 2024, 05:28:06 AMJust started watching, for the umpteenth time, The Beatles Anthology - probably the most frequently watched of all the boxes of DVDs that I possess. There are those who say it's a sanitised affair, an officially sanctioned product, and therefore somehow not 'true'. But I find it very true to my memories of them and the times, and I don't mind smoothing over some of the more unpalatable facts. They don't seem to matter, from this very late perspective.
I love it. Love the Beatles. Always did, right from the first hearing of Please Please Me, the harmonica wailing from the radio as I sat revising for exams, and the hair prickling on the back of my neck.
Lots of DVDs in the box still to go.
I feel the same - and feel blessed to have been a youngster when they first broke on the radio. I grew up in the States so it was probably a year after they were big in the UK. I have clear memories of learning their songs on my guitar off the radio: Eight Days a Week (that major 2 chord blew my mind); Day Tripper; I Feel Fine (a friend showed me how to get that buzzing note at the start) - and then later other songs on the piano, Lady Madonna, Martha My Dear.
I ignore all Beatles nay-sayers - and am still a fan at the ripe old age of 72. 60 years of enjoying their music.
Oh, how did I not know of the Anthology DVDs?...
Quote from: Karl Henning on November 13, 2024, 08:23:40 AMOh, how did I not know of the Anthology DVDs?...
We've all been keeping it a secret from you, Karl.
No excuse now: go get one!!
Quote from: San Antone on November 13, 2024, 06:58:51 AMI feel the same - and feel blessed to have been a youngster when they first broke on the radio. I grew up in the States so it was probably a year after they were big in the UK. I have clear memories of learning their songs on my guitar off the radio: Eight Days a Week (that major 2 chord blew my mind); Day Tripper; I Feel Fine (a friend showed me how to get that buzzing note at the start) - and then later other songs on the piano, Lady Madonna, Martha My Dear.
I ignore all Beatles nay-sayers - and am still a fan at the ripe old age of 72. 60 years of enjoying their music.
Yes, and twice again, yes. ("Yeah, yeah, yeah", in fact.) A couple of years ago I tried to make something that might represent to some degree what they meant to me - a sort of labour of love. I think I posted about it on GMG somewhere. ... Yes I did. Here it is:
The Sgt Pepper Theatre (https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,31913.msg1475356.html#msg1475356)
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on November 13, 2024, 10:34:52 AMYes, and twice again, yes. ("Yeah, yeah, yeah", in fact.) A couple of years ago I tried to make something that might represent to some degree what they meant to me - a sort of labour of love. I think I posted about it on GMG somewhere. ... Yes I did. Here it is:
The Sgt Pepper Theatre (https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,31913.msg1475356.html#msg1475356)
I remember that! ;D Great job!
K
You might like to see the back of the theatre.
I think Good Morning Good Morning is my favorite song in Sgt. Pepper's. I wish the arrangement were better.
I eventually finished watching The Beatles Anthology, as captivated by it as I always am. I've watched it too many times to get any new insights, but no matter. What counts is the time spent in the company of John, Paul, George and Ringo, which is time very well spent.
Were they really that good? Yes they were. Did they really change things so profoundly? Well, they certainly changed me; and I ask no more of art than that it should encourage shifts in perception and open new windows.
I was thinking about the first 4 LPs I ever bought. LPs cost serious money in the mid-sixties (when I was buying them), so they were chosen with careful deliberation. And anyway, these were my 4 first ever LPs:
Berlioz/ Symphonie Fantastique
Rimsky-Korsakov/ Scheherazade
Elgar/ Enigma Variations
The Beatles/ A Hard Day's Night
There was no pecking order among these. Each record was bought because it turned my world around when I was in my teens, and I owed as much to the Beatles as I did to Elgar. (That's saying something.)
And I still do, sixty years later.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on November 27, 2024, 12:35:30 PMI eventually finished watching The Beatles Anthology, as captivated by it as I always am. I've watched it too many times to get any new insights, but no matter. What counts is the time spent in the company of John, Paul, George and Ringo, which is time very well spent.
Were they really that good? Yes they were. Did they really change things so profoundly? Well, they certainly changed me; and I ask no more of art than that it should encourage shifts in perception and open new windows.
I was thinking about the first 4 LPs I ever bought. LPs cost serious money in the mid-sixties (when I was buying them), so they were chosen with careful deliberation. And anyway, these were my 4 first ever LPs:
Berlioz/ Symphonie Fantastique
Rimsky-Korsakov/ Scheherazade
Elgar/ Enigma Variations
The Beatles/ A Hard Day's Night
There was no pecking order among these. Each record was bought because it turned my world around when I was in my teens, and I owed as much to the Beatles as I did to Elgar. (That's saying something.)
And I still do, sixty years later.
A mighty quartet of platters!
Quote from: Karl Henning on November 29, 2024, 10:31:18 AMA mighty quartet of platters!
And I have feasted richly from all of them!
Watched the new "'64" documentary. Couldn't turn it off (I started it late, and ended up staying up past 1 to finish). A really nice job--nearly as much a cultural document of the era as celebration of the Beatles.
The first Beatles record I ever held in my hands remains in my memory. It was around 1970 — a single featuring Come Together and Something. This release came from the Bulgarian label Balkanton, but the text on it was in Russian, evidently tailored for distribution in the USSR. Whether it was available in stores or sold discreetly at inflated prices amidst the Soviet scarcity, I can't say. I first saw it at a classmate's home. At that time, Beatles records were entirely out of reach for Soviet listeners. It wasn't until the final years of Gorbachev's perestroika that anything began to trickle in. In my city, however, the situation was slightly better — Western LPs often found its way through sailors returning from their voyages.
I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but these two songs, Come Together and Something, still give me goosebumps to this day.
(https://beatlesvinyl.com.ua/ru/special/big/BTM_6258S_L2-1ru_big.jpg)
Quote from: AnotherSpin on December 02, 2024, 03:38:06 AMI don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but these two songs, Come Together and Something, still give me goosebumps to this day.
(https://beatlesvinyl.com.ua/ru/special/big/BTM_6258S_L2-1ru_big.jpg)
Not surprised! That's a mighty coupling!
I've started a second reading of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles, which would be in my top 5 list of Beatles books:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Q7-0HYfxL._SL1500_.jpg)
It might be one of those love-it-or-hate-it books, but I'm in the love camp. It's artfully artless, sort of seriously flippant, with continual references that might make it impenetrable to non-Beatle-people. For instance:
"The Beatle records were a map of adulthood - okay, here's where you start, as fresh-faced moptop boys, then you get a little older and deeper, then you're men singing about walruses and raccoons and yellow custard mustard mojo and then The End."
And then I've never read such a delightfuly offbeat Beatle track review as this, about:
"the Swinging London hipster in Norwegian Wood, the one who stays up late drinking wine on her rug with John and tells him she has to leave early for work in the morning. She's got John Lennon in her bathtub - for that you'd think she could call in sick."
It's hard not to read this book with a perpetual daft smile on my face, but it won't be for everyone.
I remember my family having 'With the Beatles' on LP c. 1963 when I was 8. We collected all the others as well. My favourites were the Magical Mystery Tour EP set (I wish that I still had it - probably worth a fortune), Sgt Pepper and the White Album.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 03, 2024, 01:14:15 AMI've started a second reading of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles, which would be in my top 5 list of Beatles books:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Q7-0HYfxL._SL1500_.jpg)
It might be one of those love-it-or-hate-it books, but I'm in the love camp. It's artfully artless, sort of seriously flippant, with continual references that might make it impenetrable to non-Beatle-people. For instance:
"The Beatle records were a map of adulthood - okay, here's where you start, as fresh-faced moptop boys, then you get a little older and deeper, then you're men singing about walruses and raccoons and yellow custard mustard mojo and then The End."
And then I've never read such a delightfuly offbeat Beatle track review as this, about:
"the Swinging London hipster in Norwegian Wood, the one who stays up late drinking wine on her rug with John and tells him she has to leave early for work in the morning. She's got John Lennon in her bathtub - for that you'd think she could call in sick."[/i]
It's hard not to read this book with a perpetual daft smile on my face, but it won't be for everyone.
Do we know whether or not that song is based on a true story or is totally made up?
K
p.s. Reminds me that I've been wanting to watch that movie about what if the Beatles and their music weren't known to the rest of the world but rather by only one young man?
Quote from: Kalevala on December 03, 2024, 04:45:08 AMDo we know whether or not that song is based on a true story or is totally made up?
It was based on a cheating episode he engaged in while he was married to his first wife.
Quote from: Szykneij on December 03, 2024, 05:07:04 AMIt was based on a cheating episode he engaged in while he was married to his first wife.
:(
K
I'm sure I picked my three favorite albums at some point 14 years ago when this thread was started, but I voted again for Abbey Road, Revolver, and the White Album. If "Yesterday and Today" was listed, I'd have to decide which pick to bump, but it was only released in the U.S. and Canada so doesn't appear as a choice. I'm curious if my picks have changed. I'll have to try to find my previous post.
Quote from: Szykneij on June 09, 2007, 05:40:14 PMI think this album is underrated. It was the first Beatles album I bought as a kid
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/d0/a5/d7f31363ada0834e87640110._AA240_.L.jpg)
although these two were given to me by a cool aunt:
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DTMWWJPKL._AA240_.jpg)(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/62/e0/3900828fd7a0be90c8640110._AA240_.L.jpg)
I guess I'm consistent.
Quote from: Kalevala on December 03, 2024, 04:45:08 AMDo we know whether or not that song is based on a true story or is totally made up?
K
p.s. Reminds me that I've been wanting to watch that movie about what if the Beatles and their music weren't known to the rest of the world but rather by only one young man?
I recall one rumour that the girl was Maureen Cleave the journalist, but I don't know how reliable that was.
The movie you want is
Yesterday, and I thought it was terrific, after watching it twice. There will be a third time.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 03, 2024, 06:03:58 AMThe movie you want is Yesterday, and I thought it was terrific, after watching it twice. There will be a third time.
Thanks!
K
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 03, 2024, 06:03:58 AMI recall one rumour that the girl was Maureen Cleave the journalist, but I don't know how reliable that was.
The movie you want is Yesterday, and I thought it was terrific, after watching it twice. There will be a third time.
I really enjoyed the movie also, but Julian Lennon not as much. He didn't care for how his father was portrayed.
Quote from: Szykneij on December 03, 2024, 05:23:43 AMI'm sure I picked my three favorite albums at some point 14 years ago when this thread was started, but I voted again for Abbey Road, Revolver, and the White Album. If "Yesterday and Today" was listed, I'd have to decide which pick to bump, but it was only released in the U.S. and Canada so doesn't appear as a choice. I'm curious if my picks have changed. I'll have to try to find my previous post.
Those are three solid choices! Might be my own!
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 03, 2024, 06:03:58 AMThe movie you want is Yesterday, and I thought it was terrific, after watching it twice. There will be a third time.
Ditto. Such a great concept and so brilliantly done. Kinda touching too.
Quote from: Iota on December 03, 2024, 10:43:45 AMDitto. Such a great concept and so brilliantly done. Kinda touching too.
As, for me, practically any documentary of the band or its several members does prove.
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 03, 2024, 11:01:12 AMAs, for me, practically any documentary of the band or its several members does prove.
Yes indeed. Though in this case I was referring (as I think Elgarian R and Kalevala were too) to the movie (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yesterday_(2019_film)). Perhaps you'd realised this anyway, I just wasn't sure. :)
Quote from: Iota on December 03, 2024, 11:19:33 AMYes indeed. Though in this case I was referring (as I think Elgarian R and Kalevala were too) to the movie (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yesterday_(2019_film)). Perhaps you'd realised this anyway, I just wasn't sure. :)
Yes, though I realize I shifted the ground by saying "documentary."
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 03, 2024, 11:01:12 AMAs, for me, practically any documentary of the band or its several members does prove.
I'm a bit at a loss to account for this. The Beatles weren't really "the soundtrack of my youth" the way they were for millions. Well, with probably the notable slight exception of that single which chanced to come with the "Close and Play" phonograph: "Yellow Submarine"/"Eleanor Rigby." Which, by the way, must likely have been my first exposure to a string qquartet.
By the time I was fully conscious of them, they had been broken up for a few years. Still, I feel a strong sentimental bond. It's a mystery I may never fathom. My high school jazz band played a kicking arrangement of "Norwegian Wood," and at the time I'd never heard the original. You could have knocked me over with a swizzle stick, the first time I heard George Harrison sing "Something," because I'd heard the song in various "easy listening" arrangements a hundred times before.
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 03, 2024, 11:43:41 AMYes, though I realize I shifted the ground by saying "documentary."
I'm a bit at a loss to account for this. The Beatles weren't really "the soundtrack of my youth" the way they were for millions. Well, with probably the notable slight exception of that single which chanced to come with the "Close and Play" phonograph: "Yellow Submarine"/"Eleanor Rigby." Which, by the way, must likely have been my first exposure to a string qquartet.
By the time I was fully conscious of them, they had been broken up for a few years. Still, I feel a strong sentimental bond. It's a mystery I may never fathom.
Rob Sheffield has something to say about the puzzle of this trans-generational effect. I'll quote him:
"
The Beatles' second career has lasted several times longer than the first one. John, Paul, George and Ringo remain the world's favourite thing. Yet every theory ever devised to explain why has failed. It wasn't their timing. It wasn't drugs. It wasn't that they were the voice of a generation. The vast majority of Beatles fans today weren't born when the records came out - yet the allure of the music keeps on growing nearly fifty years after the band split. ... How did this happen? The world keeps dreaming the Beatles, long after the Beatles themselves figured the dream was over. Our Beatles have outlasted theirs. ...
I'm not looking to solve this riddle - just understand it better."
Two more juicy quotes from Rob Sheffield's book:
1. On the making of Sgt. Pepper:
"The album will be famous primarily for being the Greatest Ever, and then it's going to be famous as the album that makes people argue about whether it's really the greatest or not."
2. On Beatles v Stones:
"Every time the Beatles discovered a new trick and proved it could be done, the Stones would breeze along a few months later to prove it could be done sarcastically."
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 05, 2024, 07:44:31 AMOn Beatles v Stones:
"Every time the Beatles discovered a new trick and proved it could be done, the Stones would breeze along a few months later to prove it could be done sarcastically."
That's aptly snarky, which has a holistic rightness. And that of itself probably appealed to John.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/WorkingClassicalCover.jpg)
Battered by high winds and bitter cold, we've spent the day huddled by an open fire, stoking it up with logs. For lunch we ate cheese on toast, drank a giant pot of coffee, and read our books (mine being Dreaming the Beatles, still). To go with all this, we needed something warm, cosy, and gentle, with Christmas not so far away. We chose Paul McCartney's Working Classical, and it was bloomin' perfect. Great music it is not, if we're thinking Mozart or Wagner. But restorative, gentle, lovely and melodic - yes, it is those things.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 07, 2024, 06:15:00 AM(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/WorkingClassicalCover.jpg)
Battered by high winds and bitter cold, we've spent the day huddled by an open fire, stoking it up with logs. For lunch we ate cheese on toast, drank a giant pot of coffee, and read our books (mine being Dreaming the Beatles, still). To go with all this, we needed something warm, cosy, and gentle, with Christmas not so far away. We chose Paul McCartney's Working Classical, and it was bloomin' perfect. Great music it is not, if we're thinking Mozart or Wagner. But restorative, gentle, lovely and melodic - yes, it is those things.
You turned me onto that album, very nice!
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 03, 2024, 01:14:15 AMI've started a second reading of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles, which would be in my top 5 list of Beatles books:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Q7-0HYfxL._SL1500_.jpg)
...And then I've never read such a delightfuly offbeat Beatle track review as this, about:
"the Swinging London hipster in Norwegian Wood, the one who stays up late drinking wine on her rug with John and tells him she has to leave early for work in the morning. She's got John Lennon in her bathtub - for that you'd think she could call in sick."
It's hard not to read this book with a perpetual daft smile on my face, but it won't be for everyone.
I'm sure many recall the end of that particular song, when the protagonist warms himself at the expense of her furniture. Classic early Lennon. 8)
Quote from: LKB on December 07, 2024, 07:08:48 AMI'm sure many recall the end of that particular song, when the protagonist warms himself at the expense of her furniture. Classic early Lennon. 8)
Ikea protest before it became cool?
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 07, 2024, 06:15:00 AM(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/WorkingClassicalCover.jpg)
Battered by high winds and bitter cold, we've spent the day huddled by an open fire, stoking it up with logs. For lunch we ate cheese on toast, drank a giant pot of coffee, and read our books (mine being Dreaming the Beatles, still). To go with all this, we needed something warm, cosy, and gentle, with Christmas not so far away. We chose Paul McCartney's Working Classical, and it was bloomin' perfect. Great music it is not, if we're thinking Mozart or Wagner. But restorative, gentle, lovely and melodic - yes, it is those things.
I've always considered
Standing Stone to have some very nice moments. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with his more recent endeavors.
Probably, after Rubber Soul, The Beatles transitioned into a realm of songs that are difficult to classify. Nevertheless:
- The most beautiful song is Something.
- The most heartbreaking is For No One.
- The most transcendent is Come Together.
- The greatest breakthrough is Strawberry Fields Forever.
Quote from: AnotherSpin on December 07, 2024, 09:07:29 AMProbably, after Rubber Soul, The Beatles transitioned into a realm of songs that are difficult to classify. Nevertheless:
- The most beautiful song is Something.
- The most heartbreaking is For No One.
- The most transcendent is Come Together.
- The greatest breakthrough is Strawberry Fields Forever.
Nice.
I voted Let it Be, Abbey Road, and Past Masters 2.
If you asked me tomorrow, it might be Revolver, Rubber Soul, Sgt Peppers.
Or something else. There's really nothing I don't like, aside maybe for Yellow Submarine.
Over the last two days we've watched Beatles 64 and Let It Be, two documentaries.
(https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVDmuSKdMO2n1ZgUewfVMJ6gNl2CKEFXBX5DKCbzc70XRltZoQ)
(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ5Mt8q9wxTi5OigN1IOOdo_SI6RDX_yf_OFZ47DFH8NIAhWbsy)
The one focusing on 1964 was especially fun since both my wife and I were 11 and 12 respectively in 1964 - possibly the prime age group to appreciate Beatlemania and the British Invasion.
Quote from: Number Six on December 07, 2024, 11:28:50 AMI voted Let it Be, Abbey Road, and Past Masters 2.
If you asked me tomorrow, it might be Revolver, Rubber Soul, Sgt Peppers.
Or something else. There's really nothing I don't like, aside maybe for Yellow Submarine.
Much the same situation for me. If I say
Sgt Pepper,
Abbey Road and
Revolver, I start anguishing that
Please Please me is missing, which turned my world upside down in 1963. The only thing I'm sure of is
Sgt Pepper, if I were limited to one only. Not because it has the best songs -
Revolver might edge ahead, on that basis. No, for me it's the unique immersive experience it offers, listened to in a darkened room, as the curtains open and the show begins. I swallowed completely the theatrical concept and never lost it, despite later disclaimers from the Beatles themselves.
But when all is said, I really couldn't cope without the closing medley on
Abbey Road, so what's a chap to do?
Also, I generally prefer Let it Be Nekkid to the original. :-\
Quote from: Number Six on December 07, 2024, 12:52:08 PMAlso, I generally prefer Let it Be Nekkid to the original. :-\
I should listen to that.
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 07, 2024, 12:53:10 PMI should listen to that.
It feels more raw, like the versions from the Rooftop Concert.
Quote from: Number Six on December 07, 2024, 12:52:08 PMAlso, I generally prefer Let it Be Nekkid to the original. :-\
What Karl said. (And thanks for the nudge, No.6.)
Even more so now that I'm on my second watching of the astounding, amazing, utterly brilliant, Peter Jackson long movie documentary,
Get Back. The bonhomie, general good feeling, brilliant music-making, and sheer fun of it all make me think I'd hear the whole
Let it be album differently, if Mr Spector's machinations were removed.
I listened to Let It Be as it is today. Sure, we all want to imagine how it could be improved and turned into a treasure. But it's already good just the way it is. Okay, the band was behind its prime already. We all are.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 07, 2024, 01:13:38 PMWhat Karl said. (And thanks for the nudge, No.6.)
Even more so now that I'm on my second watching of the astounding, amazing, utterly brilliant, Peter Jackson long movie documentary, Get Back. The bonhomie, general good feeling, brilliant music-making, and sheer fun of it all make me think I'd hear the whole Let it be album differently, if Mr Spector's machinations were removed.
That's such a great film.
Some of my favorite moments:
1. When Ringo is nervous about his own composition, and George sits at the piano and works on it with him. (I find that moment to be so sweet as to be tear-worthy.)
2. When George quits, and later in the day Paul and John say they should probably go to his house and check on him. Ringo says something like, "I was already planning to do that."
3. When they're sitting and debating whether to do the concert, and Ringo suddenly says, "I want to do it." They all turn and look at him like they'd forgotten he could speak.
What I am saying is, I love Ringo in this movie. (Love him in
Hard Day's Night, too.)
Quote from: AnotherSpin on December 07, 2024, 01:34:20 PMI listened to Let It Be as it is today. Sure, we all want to imagine how it could be improved and turned into a treasure. But it's already good just the way it is. Okay, the band was behind its prime already. We all are.
Admittedly, my preference with most albums is to listen to it as it was released,
at first. No bonus tracks or demos or alternate versions. What were people hearing when the record came out?
(this is especially the case with jazz reissues, which almost always have a bunch of extra crap attached - likely to fill out the CD run time)
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 07, 2024, 01:13:38 PMWhat Karl said. (And thanks for the nudge, No.6.)
Even more so now that I'm on my second watching of the astounding, amazing, utterly brilliant, Peter Jackson long movie documentary, Get Back. The bonhomie, general good feeling, brilliant music-making, and sheer fun of it all make me think I'd hear the whole Let it be album differently, if Mr Spector's machinations were removed.
Testify!
Quote from: AnotherSpin on December 07, 2024, 09:07:29 AMProbably, after Rubber Soul, The Beatles transitioned into a realm of songs that are difficult to classify. Nevertheless:
- The most beautiful song is Something.
- The most heartbreaking is For No One.
- The most transcendent is Come Together.
- The greatest breakthrough is Strawberry Fields Forever.
I don't believe that I've ever heard
For No One? Which album did that come out on?
Heartbreaking for me makes me think of
Eleanor Rigby.
K
Quote from: Kalevala on December 07, 2024, 01:57:48 PMI don't believe that I've ever heard For No One? Which album did that come out on?
Heartbreaking for me makes me think of Eleanor Rigby.
K
Revolver
Quote from: AnotherSpin on December 07, 2024, 02:18:18 PMRevolver
Thanks. I'll check it out.
By the way, what are your thoughts about E.R.?
K
Quote from: Kalevala on December 07, 2024, 02:27:03 PMThanks. I'll check it out.
By the way, what are your thoughts about E.R.?
K
I don't know. Too intense and obvious maybe. Good of course, it's Beatles.
Quote from: Kalevala on December 07, 2024, 01:57:48 PMI don't believe that I've ever heard For No One? Which album did that come out on?
Heartbreaking for me makes me think of Eleanor Rigby.
K
For No One is notable if only for Barry Tuckwell's brief appearance. Brief, but
perfectly rendered. ( Also for its key of B Major, not a common choice for pop groups then, or now. )
Quote from: LKB on December 07, 2024, 07:59:13 PMFor No One is notable if only for Barry Tuckwell's brief appearance. Brief, but perfectly rendered. ( Also for its key of B Major, not a common choice for pop groups then, or now. )
French horn solo in
For No One was played by Alan Civil. All instruments were played by Paul, plus Ringo on drums.
Another famous example -- David Mason, who performed the flugelhorn part at the premiere of Ralph Vaughan Williams's Ninth Symphony, is also known for his piccolo trumpet solo in Penny Lane.
Quote from: AnotherSpin on December 07, 2024, 09:37:50 PMFrench horn solo in For No One was played by Alan Civil. All instruments were played by Paul, plus Ringo on drums.
I stand corrected. Good thing I'm not a horn player, I'd probably look for a rock to crawl under... :P
The Beatles attracted mythology to themselves. I remember from childhood how many incredible stories surrounded them, even in the USSR — or rather, especially in the USSR, where there was no regular flow of information about anything related to the West. The most famous rumor was that the Beatles secretly came to Moscow multiple times to perform for Brezhnev, who greatly admired them. To this day, a fake photo circulates on the Russian internet, showing Paul demonstrating guitar chords to Brezhnev.
As for the solo in Penny Lane, I heard a story that the famous Barbirolli recording of Mahler's 5th took place at Abbey Road Studios at the same time the Beatles were there. And they "borrowed" one of the orchestra members for the solo. Wikipedia provides quite different details about the same.
(https://i.ibb.co/3YYc1FF/Screenshot-2024-12-08-at-13-30-40.png)
Now, this is not a myth, but a real story. McCartney met with the petty dictator during his concerts in Russia. It was reported that when Sir Paul asked if The Beatles were popular in the USSR, midget replied (quote): "Your music was like a breath of freedom." Freedom? WTF...
(https://i.ibb.co/M7cqpc8/p-GUb-Batb-WUm1-JG5-ABk-OSf-TLM9-Vub3x-Sy.jpg)
As a side note, today is the forty-fourth anniversary of John Lennon's murder.
RIP, and Imagine...
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 07, 2024, 06:15:00 AM(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/WorkingClassicalCover.jpg)
Battered by high winds and bitter cold, we've spent the day huddled by an open fire, stoking it up with logs. For lunch we ate cheese on toast, drank a giant pot of coffee, and read our books (mine being Dreaming the Beatles, still). To go with all this, we needed something warm, cosy, and gentle, with Christmas not so far away. We chose Paul McCartney's Working Classical, and it was bloomin' perfect. Great music it is not, if we're thinking Mozart or Wagner. But restorative, gentle, lovely and melodic - yes, it is those things.
Prompted by your post, I'm revisiting this. Probably only my second listen. Very nice, indeed.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 07, 2024, 06:15:00 AM(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/WorkingClassicalCover.jpg)
Battered by high winds and bitter cold, we've spent the day huddled by an open fire, stoking it up with logs. For lunch we ate cheese on toast, drank a giant pot of coffee, and read our books (mine being Dreaming the Beatles, still). To go with all this, we needed something warm, cosy, and gentle, with Christmas not so far away. We chose Paul McCartney's Working Classical, and it was bloomin' perfect. Great music it is not, if we're thinking Mozart or Wagner. But restorative, gentle, lovely and melodic - yes, it is those things.
Did you end up losing power? How are things in your area now?
K
Quote from: Kalevala on December 10, 2024, 07:33:40 AMDid you end up losing power? How are things in your area now?
K
No, we were fine thanks. The wind loosened part of the wooden fascia at the edge of the roof, which needed fixing afterwards, but it was of no significance compared with the havoc being wraught elsewhere. We never lost power, fortunately.
Paul played about 40 songs for 3 hours. He is 82 years old. I guess playing music has positive effect on bodies and brains? Does it enhance antioxidant hormone and dopamine? Same for conductors?
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/21/paul-mccartney-o2-arena-london-live-review-got-back-tour
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on December 21, 2024, 06:50:22 AMPaul played about 40 songs for 3 hours. He is 82 years old. I guess playing music has positive effect on bodies and brains? Does it enhance antioxidant hormone and dopamine? Same for conductors?
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/21/paul-mccartney-o2-arena-london-live-review-got-back-tour
He's really a marvel. But yes, the experience of music-making is a significant health and cognitive benefit.
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on December 21, 2024, 06:50:22 AMPaul played about 40 songs for 3 hours. He is 82 years old. I guess playing music has positive effect on bodies and brains? Does it enhance antioxidant hormone and dopamine? Same for conductors?
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/21/paul-mccartney-o2-arena-london-live-review-got-back-tour
I wish that were true for all. I just read recently that Phil Collins can no longer play drums because of the physical toll it took on him over the years. I'm grateful that, despite knee problems, I have no issues with my hands and can still play bass. Two guitarists in my age range (sixties +) I've worked with recently are both struggling in that area (although an 87 year old sax player sounds as good as ever.)
Yes, kudos to McCartney for what he continues to do. I think making music does benefit cognitive and emotional health, if not always physical health.
Quote from: Szykneij on December 21, 2024, 09:24:46 AMI wish that were true for all. I just read recently that Phil Collins can no longer play drums because of the physical toll it took on him over the years. I'm grateful that, despite knee problems, I have no issues with my hands and can still play bass. Two guitarists in my age range (sixties +) I've worked with recently are both struggling in that area (although an 87 year old sax player sounds as good as ever.)
Yes, kudos to McCartney for what he continues to do. I think making music does benefit cognitive and emotional health, if not always physical health.
Yes, I saw that viz. Phil Collins, who indeed was one hell of a drummer! I have just helped make
Duke my PT's favorite Genesis album.
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 21, 2024, 09:37:41 AMYes, I saw that viz. Phil Collins, who indeed was one hell of a drummer! I have just helped make Duke my PT's favorite Genesis album.
I need to explore Genesis more. Even though I was a huge rock fan throughout the 70s in my teens and beyond, there are still very many bands I never became familiar with. The amount of great music being produced during that era is amazing.
I have been listening repeatedly recently to Lucinda Williams album "Sings the Beatles from Abbey Road". Holy crap what an outstanding album. Made me rediscover some of these outstanding songs from Abbey Road or later.
Well, when
@Elgarian Redux brought this set to my attention, I knew what I wanted to ask of Santa, and lo! 'tis arrived!
Quote from: The new erato on December 21, 2024, 10:17:29 PMI have been listening repeatedly recently to Lucinda Williams album "Sings the Beatles from Abbey Road". Holy crap what an outstanding album. Made me rediscover some of these outstanding songs from Abbey Road or later.
Some generous soul posted the entire album on YouTube:
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 23, 2024, 03:25:16 PMWell, when @Elgarian Redux brought this set to my attention, I knew what I wanted to ask of Santa, and lo! 'tis arrived!
Dang! This is good!
@Elgarian Redux -- why didn't you say?! **checks notes** Oh! you did! Which, come to think of it, is why I'm watching now....
At a guess, they decided not to do "Long Tall Sally" for the Royal Variety....George's solo in "Till There Was You" was lovely.
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 24, 2024, 04:45:14 PMAt a guess, they decided not to do "Long Tall Sally" for the Royal Variety....George's solo in "Till There Was You" was lovely.
The first two episodes went down so smooth, the temptation to move right on to 3 & 4 was powerful, but it would have supplanted my Christmas Eve viewing.
Quote from: Peter Power Pop on December 23, 2024, 05:31:34 PMSome generous soul posted the entire album on YouTube:
Thanks for finding this. I was curious, too.
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 24, 2024, 02:44:03 PMDang! This is good! @Elgarian Redux -- why didn't you say?! **checks notes** Oh! you did! Which, come to think of it, is why I'm watching now....
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 24, 2024, 06:54:28 PMThe first two episodes went down so smooth, the temptation to move right on to 3 & 4 was powerful, but it would have supplanted my Christmas Eve viewing.
Merry Christmas Karl. What a treat! And think on this: it will be even better the second time around.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 27, 2024, 06:55:56 PMMerry Christmas Karl. What a treat! And think on this: it will be even better the second time around.
That, I readily credit!
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 27, 2024, 06:55:56 PMMerry Christmas Karl. What a treat! And think on this: it will be even better the second time around.
Can confirm.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_Anthology_(TV_series) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_Anthology_(TV_series))
A very fine album by George Martin. Who could resist Jim Carrey singing I Am the Walrus or Sean Connery's spoken rendition of In My Life?
(https://i.ibb.co/gZRJmvh/Screenshot-2024-12-28-at-09-26-12.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/rM8hHpr/Screenshot-2024-12-28-at-09-27-17.png)
A very good album of Beatles songs by the incomparable Roberta Flack.
(https://static.qobuz.com/images/covers/la/nf/cgb4hm1banfla_600.jpg)
Quote from: AnotherSpin on December 27, 2024, 10:43:24 PMA very fine album by George Martin. Who could resist Jim Carrey singing I Am the Walrus or Sean Connery's spoken rendition of In My Life?
(https://i.ibb.co/gZRJmvh/Screenshot-2024-12-28-at-09-26-12.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/rM8hHpr/Screenshot-2024-12-28-at-09-27-17.png)
Very interesting.
As a kind of Intermezzo before I resume the Anthology, last night I re-watched All You Need Is Cash, the at once affectionate and pitiless parody with Eric Idle and Neil Innes playing alter egos of McCartney and Lennon, respectively, of The Rutles. In the midst of my Beatles-watching, I now see how closely the parody tracks the Anthology. Great fun.
Quote from: AnotherSpin on December 27, 2024, 10:43:24 PMA very fine album by George Martin. Who could resist Jim Carrey singing I Am the Walrus or Sean Connery's spoken rendition of In My Life?
(https://i.ibb.co/gZRJmvh/Screenshot-2024-12-28-at-09-26-12.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/rM8hHpr/Screenshot-2024-12-28-at-09-27-17.png)
That looks like a fun album!
K
Well, I've just wrapped up the extras DVD. The whole journey has been highly gratifying. I feel kind of primed to return to the Peter Jackson Get Back project.
I've probably posted this before, but:
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 29, 2024, 07:07:56 PMWell, I've just wrapped up the extras DVD. The whole journey has been highly gratifying. I feel kind of primed to return to the Peter Jackson Get Back project.
Excellent. And that will get you pondering how it all started, yet again, and out will come the Anthology once more ... The Beatles are forever with us, no matter what we do.
You know there's a big Anthology
book, don't you Karl? See Beatles Anthology book (https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Anthology/dp/0811826848/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36H0HIZ3QOY1O&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Yldt8OPPWs-2VV8e8OahZ2bJgw0XONc9kPkVyat49EjtvhRAldVw0Xl7YBvu-ijacNeRjeOorvLgYRC9WtBprpLGoHylyJ8qsVIOkSGx24z3s95ywSZHlmqq3o_24SBUj3DcU0CImH8N2_iuQfUj9Fjh882CuqdyyVDnUOLIuF-vTxxDHOt-G5FoZqzNOIMljp_k_OtziZXr3F87Rlr5DnVlYYPSSL95fe3OJwSIZnQ.7OQehCXTDBLvEIIF2ylykkpDwJyGfts3yZVMSGeAWSk&dib_tag=se&keywords=beatles+anthology&qid=1735594038&s=books&sprefix=beatles+anthology%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C178&sr=1-1)
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 30, 2024, 10:19:00 AMI've probably posted this before, but:
The Third Law of Beatlescience states that that no number of repostings of this information is excessive.
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 30, 2024, 10:19:00 AMI've probably posted this before, but:
I can't sleep, so I'm having a cup of tea, and will tell you a true
Now and Then story.
I've been retired from my teaching job (Physics) for more than 20 years, but from time to time I bump into old students of course. Sometimes it can be 30, 40 or even 50 years since I last saw them, so very often they've changed out of all recognition, and while they often recognise me, I may initially have no idea who they are until we get talking and they tell me.
Well (gather around the fire and throw on another log, someone), just over a year ago I was walking along a narrow lane near home, when a car came up from behind, pulled up alongside me, and stopped. The driver (I had no idea who he was) opened his window and shouted out, 'What do you think of it then?'
'Wonderful!' I said.
'I know!', he said.
'What about that guitar solo?' I said.
'Fantastic,' he said. 'Made me cry!'
'Me too'.
We continued in this vein, going on to discuss the exquisite AI video, until I suddenly asked, 'Hang on - who
are you?' He told me his name, which I recalled instantly, though he had changed a great deal so I still didn't recognise his face.
I hadn't seen him for more than 40 years, but what left me gobsmacked was that his first impulse was not to swap 'how are you and what have you been doing?' stories, but to discuss our impressions of 'Now and Then' (which had been released a few days earlier), without either of us needing to explain to the other what it was that we were talking about.
I walked home thinking that the incident seemed to justify my entire teaching career.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 30, 2024, 06:34:21 PMI walked home thinking that the incident seemed to justify my entire teaching career.
Sweet! Solid, Jackson, even!
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 30, 2024, 10:19:00 AM[NOW AND THEN]
I am trying to recall a recent film in which a couple reminisces about this song being "their song", even though the flashback was several years before -- and thus they could not possibly have known this song at the time of the scene. :-[
I can't remember the film, though.
ETA: I just thought to wiki the song, and it may be
Argylle. A not-very-good movie with a few good performances.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 08, 2025, 04:57:40 PMFor @Kalevala especially
Not an "arrangement" so much as a kind of improvisation upon the source.
Ringo was on the TV News this morning promoting a Country and Western album. I won't be rushing out to buy it!
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 08, 2025, 05:53:50 PMNot an "arrangement" so much as a kind of improvisation upon the source.
Thanks, Karl!
K
Quote from: vandermolen on January 09, 2025, 12:14:32 AMRingo was on the TV News this morning promoting a Country and Western album. I won't be rushing out to buy it!
Hmmm...interesting news.
K
Quote from: vandermolen on January 09, 2025, 12:14:32 AMRingo was on the TV News this morning promoting a Country and Western album. I won't be rushing out to buy it!
Oh, you'll wait a week or so, then? 😉
Quote from: vandermolen on January 09, 2025, 12:14:32 AMRingo was on the TV News this morning promoting a Country and Western album. I won't be rushing out to buy it!
Not too surprising, I guess, since Ringo seemed to have an affinity for country music. Several of his rare lead vocals with the Beatles were country or had country feels - "Act Naturally", "What Goes On", "Honey Don't", "Don't Pass Me By".
Quote from: Szykneij on January 11, 2025, 04:37:21 AMNot too surprising, I guess, since Ringo seemed to have an affinity for country music. Several of his rare lead vocals with the Beatles were country or had country feels - "Act Naturally", "What Goes On", "Honey Don't", "Don't Pass Me By".
For the parody group The Rutles, Neil Innes reflected this by writing "Living in Hope" for Barry Wom:
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on December 03, 2024, 06:03:58 AMThe 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
@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.
One of my favorite things is: it's a world without "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time." Okay, someone slap me. (Not too hard.)
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 12, 2025, 06:21:53 PMOne 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.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 12, 2025, 01:45:01 PM@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.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 12, 2025, 06:58:07 PMTruly, I was charmed.
I rejoice in the abundance of your charmination.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 12, 2025, 01:45:01 PM@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:
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."
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 27, 2025, 03:01:24 PMI'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
Quote from: Kalevala on January 27, 2025, 06:30:45 PMI 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:
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 27, 2025, 06:56:14 PMHaven'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
Quote from: Kalevala on January 27, 2025, 07:30:02 PMSorry. Yes, I do know that song; I was just referring to the other. :)
K
My mistake.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 27, 2025, 07:32:48 PMMy mistake.
It's o.k. Does your parakeet like "And My Bird Can Sing"? :)
K
Quote from: Kalevala on January 27, 2025, 07:38:40 PMIt's o.k. Does your parakeet like "And My Bird Can Sing"? :)
K
I'll have to try him out!
I listened to Let it Be Nekkid the other day.
This time, "For You Blue" kicked my butt.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 27, 2025, 03:01:24 PMI'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 (https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?msg=1475356).
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.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on January 28, 2025, 12:46:49 AMI'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 (https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?msg=1475356).
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.
Oh, and Being for the Benefit of Ms.
@Kalevala
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 28, 2025, 06:33:34 AMI 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.
Quote from: Number Six on January 27, 2025, 09:37:16 PMI listened to Let it Be Nekkid the other day.
This time, "For You Blue" kicked my butt.
Thanks for the reminder. Must slip that into the queue.
Quote from: Number Six on January 27, 2025, 09:37:16 PMI listened to Let it Be Nekkid the other day.
This time, "For You Blue" kicked my butt.
I might be alone in not really enjoying the Naked LIB album. After hearing the original one for so long, I miss the production.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 28, 2025, 06:48:52 AMOh, and Being for the Benefit of Ms. @Kalevala
Thanks! I didn't recognize the title, but as soon as I started playing it, I recognized the music.
K
Quote from: Kalevala on January 28, 2025, 07:43:28 AMThanks! I didn't recognize the title, but as soon as I started playing it, I recognized the music.
K
I couldn't say, now, whether I knew, the first I heard it, that the middle section is in five.
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.
[/quote]
You've provoked the discovery of a title which I must use someday: "Yesterday Never Knew."
[Spoiler Alert]
Much of the music in Yesterday, of course, is Jack re-discovering/re-creating songs. Two of my favorite musical moments are early on: cleverly subtle echoes of "I Am the Walrus" and "A Day in the Life." I like the movie very much. I want to call it very good but shy of great, but the jury is still out. What I found confusing (not that I object out of hand to a degree of confusion) and I'm not sure if this draws it back from "excellent" or keeps it just at the verge, was the occasional glimmer that Jack is not, in fact the last man on earth to know who the Beatles are/were: the threat on live TV that Ringo and Paul are backstage and have an objection to raise, and Rocky's "weird people" who know but have no intention of pointing the finger. On the aforementioned echoes of "I Am the Walrus" and "A Day in the Life" ... they immediately precede Jack's "event." I like that we get a taste of those songs then, because they're too reliant on production for Jack to carry off on his own, even though at one point he's working out "dragged a comb across my head." I like the conflict between the surreal conceit and the central relationship of the movie. Like the music itself, there's a lot to like, and it doesn't yield all its secrets easily.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 28, 2025, 10:05:16 AMMuch of the music in Yesterday, of course, is Jack re-discovering/re-creating songs. Two of my favorite musical moments are early on: cleverly subtle echoes of "I Am the Walrus" and "A Day in the Life." I like the movie very much. I want to call it very good but shy of great, but the jury is still out. What I found confusing (not that I object out of hand to a degree of confusion) and I'm not sure if this draws it back from "excellent" or keeps it just at the verge, was the occasional glimmer that Jack is not, in fact the last man on earth to know who the Beatles are/were: the threat on live TV that Ringo and Paul are backstage and have an objection to raise, and Rocky's "weird people" who know but have no intention of pointing the finger. On the aforementioned echoes of "I Am the Walrus" and "A Day in the Life" ... they immediately precede Jack's "event." I like that we get a taste of those songs then, because they're too reliant on production for Jack to carry off on his own, even though at one point he's working out "dragged a comb across my head." I like the conflict between the surreal conceit and the central relationship of the movie. Like the music itself, there's a lot to like, and it doesn't yield all its secrets easily.
I decided that I wouldn't enquire too deeply into the various rational questions that arise (eg. Who
are those two people who mysteriously know the Beatles music and how did they come to know it? I decided instead to just enjoy the ride. I wouldn't regard it as a 'great' movie myself, but it is a lot of fun - sometimes solemn fun - and repeatedly watchable. And he does well with the songs!
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on January 28, 2025, 10:30:23 AMI decided that I wouldn't enquire too deeply into the various rational questions that arise (eg. Who are those two people who mysteriously know the Beatles music and how did they come to know it? I decided instead to just enjoy the ride. I wouldn't regard it as a 'great' movie myself, but it is a lot of fun - sometimes solemn fun - and repeatedly watchable. And he does well with the songs!
Yes!
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on January 28, 2025, 10:30:23 AMI decided that I wouldn't enquire too deeply into the various rational questions that arise (eg. Who are those two people who mysteriously know the Beatles music and how did they come to know it? I decided instead to just enjoy the ride. I wouldn't regard it as a 'great' movie myself, but it is a lot of fun - sometimes solemn fun - and repeatedly watchable. And he does well with the songs!
Emphasis mine. Aye, I let the question turn with my potter's wheel on the Low setting, aware that I should be overthinking things if I let it interfere with the entertainment. And "All You Need Is Love" is wonderful.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 28, 2025, 08:05:46 AMI couldn't say, now, whether I knew, the first I heard it, that the middle section is in five.
Although the beginning can be squeezed into a 4/4 time signature, there really isn't a sense of four. Could it be George was using a tala fitting to the Indian nature of the piece?
Quote from: San Antone on January 28, 2025, 07:24:44 AMI might be alone in not really enjoying the Naked LIB album. After hearing the original one for so long, I miss the production.
I like it
because of that. The music feels fresh and raw. It's a nice variety alongside a lot of the stuff they were doing in the mid-late 60s.
My favorite musical adaptation in Yesterday is the emo version of "Help" he plays at the concert. It's perfect for the character's story, and it's the perfect tone for the lyrics.
Quote from: Number Six on January 28, 2025, 03:27:21 PMMy favorite musical adaptation in Yesterday is the emo version of "Help" he plays at the concert. It's perfect for the character's story, and it's the perfect tone for the lyrics.
Yes. Tangentially, I've just watched it again with the commentary.
Quote from: Kalevala on December 28, 2024, 10:22:46 AMThat looks like a fun album!
K
Indeed. My copy just landed.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 30, 2025, 11:42:31 AMIndeed. My copy just landed.
You bought an actual LP?! I didn't think that you bought those these days? Or did you go for the CD of it?
K
Quote from: Kalevala on January 30, 2025, 11:50:20 AMYou bought an actual LP?! I didn't think that you bought those these days? Or did you go for the CD of it?
K
The CD. I haven't done vinyl (myself) in decades.
A thoroughly enjoyable album, not surprisingly. My own very favorite tracks are pretty much the usual suspects: Jeff Beck's "A Day in the Life" (I haven't checked, but expect it must be distinct from the track released on Performing This Week -- Live at Ronnie Scott's.) "Because" as a vehicle for violinist Vanessa Mae, similarly "Here Comes the Sun" with Jn Williams. I should really add Geo. Martin's Pepperland Suite, since I counted on him burnished it a bit. Looks like the CD release omits "Ticket to Ride." I can live with that.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 30, 2025, 12:30:50 PMA thoroughly enjoyable album, not surprisingly. My own very favorite tracks are pretty much the usual suspects: Jeff Beck's "A Day in the Life" (I haven't checked, but expect it must be distinct from the track released on Performing This Week -- Live at Ronnie Scott's.) "Because" as a vehicle for violinist Vanessa Mae, similarly "Here Comes the Sun" with Jn Williams. I should really add Geo. Martin's Pepperland Suite, since I counted on him burnished it a bit. Looks like the CD release omits "Ticket to Ride." I can live with that.
There's also the poignancy of hearing the voices of those no longer with us: Robin Williams, Jeff Beck, Sean Connery.
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 29, 2025, 06:22:18 PMYes. Tangentially, I've just watched it again with the commentary.
Fun factoids: they had an 18-song limit (they don't give us the story behind that) but they could get around that if Jack spoke, rather than sang, as happens with "Nowhere Man" (which musically wouldn't work great without additional voices, anyway) and when he's trying to remember the words to "A Day in the Life" and "Eleanor Rigby."
Quote from: Karl Henning on January 30, 2025, 12:30:50 PMA thoroughly enjoyable album, not surprisingly. My own very favorite tracks are pretty much the usual suspects: Jeff Beck's "A Day in the Life" (I haven't checked, but expect it must be distinct from the track released on Performing This Week -- Live at Ronnie Scott's.) "Because" as a vehicle for violinist Vanessa Mae, similarly "Here Comes the Sun" with Jn Williams. I should really add Geo. Martin's Pepperland Suite, since I counted on him burnished it a bit. Looks like the CD release omits "Ticket to Ride." I can live with that.
Karl, have you seen the documentary on the making of this album? Fascinating stuff: I fell in love with Goldie Hawn when I watched it. It's here:
Quote from: Number Six on January 28, 2025, 03:24:22 PMI like it because of that.
Yeah, I get that - but to me the songs sound like demos.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on January 31, 2025, 01:40:31 AMKarl, have you seen the documentary on the making of this album? Fascinating stuff: I fell in love with Goldie Hawn when I watched it. It's here:
Thanks, Alan, I hadn't. I hope I did not seem to short-change Goldie Hawn. I really enjoyed "A Louche Day's Night."
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on January 31, 2025, 01:40:31 AMKarl, have you seen the documentary on the making of this album? Fascinating stuff: I fell in love with Goldie Hawn when I watched it. It's here:
Just finished watching. Fab!
And, returning briefly to the theme of Beatles songs I didn't know were Beatles songs as I heard them on easy-listening radio as a child: The line "you know I believe, and how" sets my solar plexus ringing.
And, as Tom Hanks so trenchantly observes: In the End, the lunch you take is equal to the lunch you make.
Maiden-listen Mondays! Let It Be, Naked
A curiosity viewing for me:
I would say Revolver and Abbey Road for first-time listeners. I think Yellow Submarine and Hey Jude are very good albums.
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on February 04, 2025, 04:44:13 PMI would say Revolver and Abbey Road for first-time listeners. I think Yellow Submarine and Hey Jude are very good albums.
Agreed on all points.
Quote from: Karl Henning on February 04, 2025, 03:46:25 PMA curiosity viewing for me:
I'd say start with
Rubber Soul. If that one gets you interested, keep going for the next 3. If you are still interested, go back to the beginning through
Help! - and then pick up with the
White Album and going through to the end.
Also, regarding
Yellow Submarine, I skip all the instrumental soundtrack stuff and only listen to the actual songs, which are pretty good.
Something rather bittersweet about hearing Jn Lennon sing "Nothing's gonna change my world." It nearly hurts.
I blame/thank
@Elgarian Redux ... the book I never knew I wanted.
Quote from: Karl Henning on April 04, 2025, 10:38:10 AMI blame/thank @Elgarian Redux ... the book I never knew I wanted.
My shoulders are broad and can carry the weight of the blame.
Quote from: Elgarian Redux on April 04, 2025, 01:22:28 PMMy shoulders are broad and can carry the weight of the blame.
And at eleven clams, the burden was not too great for my purse.
I was wondering if Tomorrow Never Knows could have sounded better in an ordinary rock arrangement like Taxman, She Said She Said, etc..
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on July 27, 2025, 01:55:42 PMI was wondering if Tomorrow Never Knows could have sounded better in an ordinary rock arrangement like Taxman, She Said She Said, etc..
I think it sounds fine as it is; one of my favorite Beatles tracks from this period. I love the drums, and overall production.
Sgt Pepper Harpist Recalls Playing On 'She's Leaving Home'.
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on August 01, 2025, 02:06:28 PMSgt Pepper Harpist Recalls Playing On 'She's Leaving Home'.
Very interesting video. She transposed " Yellow Submarine " up a step, wonder why... but no matter, a lovely, classy lady. 8)
Another party I'm late to: Paul McCartney in Red Square.
Only tangential to the topic, but:
@Elgarian Redux it may be your thing, or it may not, but today I learnt of an album,
Jethro Tull—The String Quartets, which pairs nicely with the Macca
Working Classical album.
Quote from: Karl Henning on October 03, 2025, 02:00:34 PMOnly tangential to the topic, but:
@Elgarian Redux it may be your thing, or it may not, but today I learnt of an album, Jethro Tull—The String Quartets, which pairs nicely with the Macca Working Classical album.
Hey thanks Karl. I shall give that a go.
Quote from: Karl Henning on October 03, 2025, 02:00:34 PMOnly tangential to the topic, but:
@Elgarian Redux it may be your thing, or it may not, but today I learnt of an album, Jethro Tull—The String Quartets, which pairs nicely with the Macca Working Classical album.
I've listened to the 1st three tracks so far, Karl, and I agree completely with the Macca pairing. Great fun.
If anyone wants to dip a toe, the whole album is here:
I don't know quite what to make of this.
The overall impression I get is that the Beatles were radically jarring in their time. Did they need a tv special to help explain them to people? If so, I can't think of an equivalent in pop music or concert music. I get that radicals needed to be explained but in such a short amount of time saying this is what these musicians are saying and doing who also were at the peak of their prowess? I think that's George Martin playing the piano at the start.
I was born after the Beatles weren't a thing so find it difficult to understand what it was like when they were radically different. Interesting how Yesterday which I always thought was a big hit was interpreted with chorus here. This show seems like they're trying to explain the Beatles to an audience that doesn't get it.
Quote from: relm1 on October 22, 2025, 05:08:21 AMI don't know quite what to make of this.
The overall impression I get is that the Beatles were radically jarring in their time. Did they need a tv special to help explain them to people? If so, I can't think of an equivalent in pop music or concert music. I get that radicals needed to be explained but in such a short amount of time saying this is what these musicians are saying and doing who also were at the peak of their prowess? I think that's George Martin playing the piano at the start.
I was born after the Beatles weren't a thing so find it difficult to understand what it was like when they were radically different. Interesting how Yesterday which I always thought was a big hit was interpreted with chorus here. This show seems like they're trying to explain the Beatles to an audience that doesn't get it.
As someone who was around at that time, I really enjoyed that video. Very nostalgic for me.
First of all, it was intended as entertainment. It's typical of other variety shows of the period. Lots of lip syncing (probably not obvious to most viewers at that time), choreography that seems dated now but cool then, and a lineup of then current popular artists.
Secondly, it was a celebration of how unique Lennon and McCartney and the Beatles were then and even now. There has been no other whose music has been covered by more notable performers, in more styles, and in more countries, even in today's more connected world.
What I found telling was the rapport that Paul and John had, which seemed to be genuine and evidence of how close they were before things went bad.
Also, their hairstyle doesn't seem too outlandish now. At 70, my hair is currently probably twice as long. But the norm for the peiod is what you see in the other performers on the show - relatively short and neatly cut.
So, the production wasn't intended as an explanation of anything, because that wasn't needed. I'm sure it was just a chance to capitalize on a phenomenon that was extremely new and popular.