Spectacular Sean as always. News.. well I almost got trampled by my own horse because I had a carrot in a bag I was carrying.. would that qualify as news? Ha The first book does set the scene very well, I imagine it's a different perspective having seen the show first. I admit when I read it back I heard most of the dialogue in the voices of the people playing them in the show, haha. Yeah I have seen that, one of Eccleston's better pieces and he look eerily like John with the wig on. It's ironic, all he wanted was his father or a father figure in his life and yet he betrayed Julian in the same way as Freddie did with him. Nowhere Boy is a real toughie - I like it and the rendition of In Spite of All the Danger at the end of the film is almost note perfect but I found the acting very hammy. It's also a little strange that the kid playing John is/was dating the director too..
howaya! been lazy this past while, ... so haven't been posting and that, any news over there in that huge brilliant place? i started reading the 1st book of GOT there, looking good so far! about a quarter way through it now. hey did ya ever see that film 'Lennon Naked?' ... it was on bbc a couple of years ago, a drama adaptation of lennon played by Christopher Eccleston, just thought of it there,.. wonder if its on dvd, thought it was great, and captured the dodgy relationship with julian and cynthia in a way that really hit home. which reminds me of nowhere boy, what did ya think of it?
Ha, it's not like I don't know how much they take to write! No rush Well if I ever decide to log into Youtube again, which I have to say is unlikely considering my connection is pisspoor, I will follow you! Marshall amps are what they are - outstanding. And I know, if I could play a guitar, any guitar, it would be a Red Special followed by a Sunburst Casino. If you do one, let me know! I'll be watching (or trying to!)
Will give ya another Beatles reply soon! Ah thanks, just did it for a laugh, thought if I did something current I might get more of a following and build up me youtube page... I suppose it does have that chunky sound don't it, but I didn't use any pedals for this one, just plugged straight to the amp and used its distortion, although marshalls are quite characteristic.. and it has alot to do with that guitar,... epiphones, theyre genius.. id take that les paul anyday over a gibson. actually, I'm thinking for another video to do a medley of beatles guitar solos... will be very tough to pull off I reckon...
Just kind of lost my shit at Call me Maybe. You're a very very talented guitarist and that sounded bizarrely similar to Brian May's Red Special. I know it wasn't but god it took me back!
It’s not that I think Sgt. Pepper is that bad, not at all. It’s a colourful expression of mind expansion and musical innovation. But the fact remains it is a collection of songs that make up a record and nothing more. And yeah you’re completely right, it is a concept album and a brilliantly executed one at that. The idea behind it is clever though as well as commercial – Paul knew this would be experimental in nature and it’s smart to deflect any negativity away from the Beatles, should there be any. I thought it was one of his smarter ideas but I know John partially objected. I think this was the beginning of strained relations, a very minor thing to begin with but it snowballed. The cover is a complex issue to be honest because while it was meant to portray this new-found musical freedom from the Beatles’ fame and notoriety, it just became more fuel for the ‘Paul is dead’ rumour-mill. They laughed about it then but it got ridiculous levels of press and radio coverage. It’s a classic parody but ruined by the aftermath sadly. Musically I can appreciate ‘A Day in the Life’ for the sheer compositional complexity and mixing of genres – it’s a work of musical art. I’m not overly-enamoured with though as a song. Maybe I’m a little naïve and just prefer the poppier stuff, haha embarrassing but probably true Getting Better as I’ve mentioned is a favourite, not just because of John’s contribution but yes, completely right with George’s sound. Speaking of which, the second solo of Back in the USSR! One solitary note over-strummed but could you imagine the song without it? His talent lay not in intricacy but sheer simplicity, and I think that’s why a lot of guitarists these days give his Beatle years as the inspiration behind them taking up the instrument. He showed that skill didn’t require overly complicated pieces of composition, but just having a feel for what he was playing. It’s why I respect Ringo so much for almost precisely the same reason. I just find it hard to see where all the sheer vitriol comes from towards her. It’s not as if John was brainwashed, he loved that woman and she loved him. If anything it was nothing short of a tragedy the way they were chastened and mistreated by especially the British press (the Ballad of John and Yoko being a nice example of how THEY felt about it) but then I do blame her for the shocking treatment of Cynthia if not Julian. Cyn never deserved half of what she put up with, but Yoko did encourage John to re-establish contact with Julian so it’s hard, you know? A complicated affair. And yes, couldn’t agree more about Toronto as I’ve said before – there’s a time and a place and that wasn’t it! Phil was a very hard to work with man from all accounts, but then with someone as volatile and snaphappy as John in tow perhaps it was a match made in heaven? I’m unsure as to how he behaved with George in the studio though. A cracking record producer though, such a shame he ruined his legacy with the Lana Clarkson murder, may she RIP. Imagine is a good documentary too, I might re-watch that when I get chance. From what I know of that album, it was supervised intermittently by McCartney when he could (something about being on a world tour at the time, pft, any excuse!) and he seemed happy with the result but I couldn’t agree more that it’s opened the door to fairweather fans. If those people though, take the time to get the albums and then listen to them, try to find the deeper meanings and appreciate how ground-breaking they truly are then I’m all for it. I couldn’t think of a better way to get the Beatles music out there to another generation who might acknowledge just how big an impact they had. That guitar is a beauty! I love Epiphone guitars and especially Casinos. Everyone but George had one, and I think Paul was the first to pick one up in ’65. Cracking sound and comfortable to play
I will be replying haha, don't think I won't sir! Just need to find some time, will explain more another day
Sgt.. pepper, I see where your'e coming from, it is too often immortalised by praise to an extent were its treated like some godly ancient scripture or something only an album ! although I love it and it was one of the first albums i become addicted to... even the little details, first fold out LP and even the inner sleeve had psychedelic designs on it which was unheard of before,.. I believe it was one of the first albums ever to print the entire lyrics on the back? pretty much a concept album really, the beatles have died and their alter ego; Sgt peppers lonely hearts club band stand at their grave ... mad stuff... of course trust paul to come up with the idea which is very consumer friendly. dissapointing to me that the album cover image and the hype surrounding it get just as much if not more praise than the actual musical material on the album, apart from the usuals, pepper, Lucy in the sky, when im 64, a day in the life (oh btw, just want to talk about this one, A Day In The Life... for me displays lennon/mccartney at their best... the purity of that track... every time I hear it its like reading a novel or watching a film... the images, textures... even though its essentially two songs mangled into one, that what attracts me to it,... the pair are collaborating, but they are heard in different stages separately, which shows their contrast perfectly. and both their personalities seem to ring out on that track too theres a few tracks on sgt. pepper that hit home for me too, another dialouge driven lennon/mc song 'getting better' has so many good things, the main one for me being that crystal guitar sound... again thanks to George if I'm right? along with she's leaving home and lovely rita.. just plain love em ah good oul Yoko, yea to be honest ive a love/hate thing goin on with her,... used really admire her and everything but just a few things began to niggle me. your right, she gets an awful time from the media and all, she didnt break up the beatles. And they were inseparable, and loved each other, and didn't harm anyone and were happy, so poor yoko doesn't deserve it all. I do be a little annoyed at her inclusion into his music, yea like in toronto, he was nervous as hell,... maybe playing for the first time in 3 years in front of his rock n roll heroes didn't help.. but yea, the whole avant gaurd screaching thing is fine and it works well in 'wedding album' and revolution no.9,.. but just leave it out when clapton and lennon are playing 12 bar blues ! (admittingly, as you said quite the shambles anyway, he certainly wasn't in good form, but I still watch that concert and admire it for its rawness...) very peculiar and interesting woman though, reading stories and whatnot about her, perhaps just like John, she is a bit too unpredictable to really know what shes about or who she is. Yes, Spector worked wonders for George and John on their solo stuff. He gets a good bit of coverage on the Lennon documentary 'Imagine' ..the one were its narrated by john himself, from interview clips and that,... good documentary, definitely the lennon equivalent of material world. Here's something just come to mind, I'm sure you have a good view on,.. just reminded me of george martin and his son Giles, when they did that remix album love, for the cirque de solel circus show.... ive mixed feelings on it, it perfectly served its purpose as the soundtrack for the circus show, but what annoys me is little 15 year old hipsters think they are beatles fans because they have the love album on their ipod although, if beatles material was to be tampered with who better to do it than the fifth beatle himself edit: some things I forgot heres that guitar I was on about, .. look familiar? Lennon used it from around 65 onwards, and in his solo career.. first it had a sunburst finish but he had it removed down to the natural wood. Well this is the epiphone casino, John lennon tribute they started making... brilliant guitar regardless of its association with him, oh yea, double fantasy, I agree completely, it is quite hit and miss but does contain some excellent stuff at the same time, as you said it was nearly john and yoko messing around and throwing an album together at the same time, like they did with wedding album years before. But definitely his stronger material lies in albums like Imagine and Mind Games.
Toronto was a bit of a shambles though – musically and in the organisation. Eric was high as a kite and whilst John was dabbling in heroin at the time, I read something Yoko said that it was almost entirely nerves about performing on stage again. I mean you have to take into account that Candlestick Park in ’66 was the last time he’d performed live, and that was with three people whom he’d spend almost every waking minute with. These were musical juggernauts with whom he’d barely rehearsed, so I can understand where he/she was coming from. I don’t really have a bad word to say about Spector and his contribution. Paul hated what he did to Let It Be, in particular the wall of sound he added to TLAWR (funny you should mention that!) reportedly writing a memo to Allen Klein that it should be changed back to the original recording and not to tamper with it again. I like the version in the film too, with Billy Prestons’ little piano piece. But I agree with you, I think he turned a bunch of ill-feeling, disparate recordings and made them into an album worth listening to. John agreed. ‘He was given the shittiest load of badly recorded shit with a lousy feeling to it ever, and he made something out of it. He did a great job.’ And Phil produced the three best Beatles’ solo albums in Plastic Ono Band, Imagine and All Things Must Pass. The guy may be a murderer but he knows how to produce a record. George Martin wanted nothing to do with it anyways, rather someone have a stab who knew what they were doing than nothing at all. Could never deny GM’s contribution to the Beatles. Paul is right when he says that he was the closest thing to a Fifth, and musically he’s present on every single album and EP. A genius at the mixing desk, and it’s nothing short of wonderful that he’s still with us today. I’d say it’s a trip worth doing alone as you can spend some time there, see the sights and talk to the people. There’s a lot of friendly folk there and they have good memories. And memorabilia! I think we’re both right there Sean. You can see it as two in that Rubber Soul is the end of the beginning, and then Revolver is the beginning of the end, or you can see them as three with them separate. I think you’re really onto something there. Good old Georgie! That riff is the centrepiece but again, so understated that it blends well into the overall song. Never has there been four musicians so in feel with their music, than is shown on that album.
Ah, not a Yoko fan then? I think she gets a lot more bad press than perhaps she deserves –she didn’t really break them up and yeah, she’s definitely a manipulator but then most people are when it comes down to it. See what redeems her in my eyes is that those that despise her often say she wanted the fame of the Beatles which is why she clung to John. But then how so, when in 1966 she’d never heard of them, and in the years since his death she’s remained largely out of the public spotlight, you know? It’s always perplexed me. Having said that, she isn’t a particularly warm woman and she did interfere in the later years (as did Linda, and yet she’s a saint). I’d go for it! Paul has changed, and I think he appreciates what he has because of the legal struggles to obtain what he has. I mean he still doesn’t have all the distribution rights alongside the Lennon estate to Maclen – his own songs! So I think he has mellowed and realised that he is this global superstar and will always be. Ringo has tried to do his own thing, and apart from George I think he’s the most able to shake off the Beatles persona but Paul has always been that cute 20-something Scouser with a Hofner Bass, and I reckon he’ll always be to be honest. Love the **** Cavett interview haha, that was George at his most impish. I think the problem with John is he needed a cause. His music is basically sedentary when he doesn’t have a reason to scream, and tear the walls down. Double Fantasy is a classic example of that – it’s a sweet album and there’s a couple of genuinely brilliant songs on there like Watching the Wheels, and Beautiful Boy but it just feels.. lame. Emotionally saccharin. It’s not what he should have produced, but then he was more at peace than he’d ever been, do you see what I mean? Whereas George needed to be calm to produce his magic – and I’ve never seen or heard anyone produce that kind of majesty with a slide guitar since. Marwa Blues – need I say more? I know what you mean with strumming style too, it’s very understated like himself really – it’s personality through performance and my goodness he got that down to a fine art. I could never explain John but then I don’t think he could himself. He was a danger unto himself and his own worst enemy – but I think that was more misplaced passion more than anything else. When he had a goal or something to accomplish, he was at his most focussed – for instance Sgt Pepper was a response to Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. Once that piece of art was achieved, the interest waned, the material suffered and any clip you see from 1968 onwards, he just looks bored. I always assumed he was just thinking what was left to achieve, you know?
Yes, Bungalow Bill, the bit that send shivers is the verse with the child's voice, think yoko sang that,... but my views on her are for another day in another convo I must watch material world again, only seen it twice, you've put me in the mood for it now. I'd definitely agree that Paul has changed throughout the years. He's really embraced his fame compared to Ringo, and really takes part, though he always did didn't he, always out giving interviews and giving plugs and co-operating with whoever it was, which I don't think you could say for John or George, (btw ya'know that interview of george on **** cavitt show, unreal stuff lol). As for his music, I think its brilliant, actually I really loved that album 'memory almost full' that was out a few years back, thought it was incredible now. Enigma is just the perfect word. You're right too, that is essentially how John and George's music differ,.. theres not as much cryptic stuff with George, which makes more real tender honest stuff. And his guitar playing is very unique, I'd actually replace 'guitar playing' with 'musicianship' ... hes no show off, but wow the soundscapes he's created are wonderful, and are often unheard because they're so blended in the songs.. especially early Beatles, his playing is truly unique, can't even describe it, its like he invented this very rhythmic choppy style of strumming, John? yes i'd agree, a tortured genius. But as you've shown, I also tend to be carefull when trying to analyse people like him, very easy to go overboard, same as that whole school of people that think Dylan is some supernatural god So now I just listen to him and enjoy what hes provided,.. I don't think anyone is significant enough to truly explain who he really was... One thing that disappoints me is that I love the toronto concert, but of course you have her whining under a blanket, ruining whats going on imo, although it was a very dodgy affair anyway, even by looking at the body language of the band including Clapton, you can see this edginess between them all... probably lots of stress and drugs involved then though (think lennon was messing with heroin around that period) As for Phil Spector, although probably a slimy twat looking to turn a few bucks, I think he did a great job on Let It Be, although he's continuously slated for it, and people would have preferred they kept George Martin to produce it. I like what he did with winding road, these wobbly choral background sounds added a real character to the song, ... but there is definitely no denying Martins input to all their other albums as extremely significant. (again, don't want to go into all those recording techniques, leave that for another time!) I really must make that trip to Liverpool soon, maybe after college. I'd probably prefer to go by myself though, would be frustrating worrying if whoever I was with was getting bored After thinking and relating to what you said about rubber soul and revolver, I can kind of see 3 periods, 1: Please Please Me - Help 2: Rubber soul - Revolver 3: Sgt pepper onwards Definitely agree, I always thought of Rubber soul and revolver as a pair, and I just think they contrast from the previous stuff, like in 'The word' that rocky (and ****ing brilliant) riff that comes in between verses, stands out so much from the song, ... little moves like that showed they were getting unconventional, and definitely pushing their style further. Norwegian Wood still remains for me one of their most vivid songs. No matter when I hear it, I'm there in my mind, on a cold morning kneeling on a rug lighting a fire in an empty quiet house that I feel really comfortable in. Weird. (gonna stop typing for a bit, need a rest! to be continued! ah, feels good all this beatletalk)
Part two starts unequivocally with the supposedly best album they ever made. Not if you ask me, I think that it's a musical tour de force but Sgt Pepper is lacking in feeling. It's a collection of songs rather than an album. And considering it was supposed to tell a story, why is there only two songs that actually refer to this new creation on the whole album? But I do like it, I can't lie. Good Morning Good Morning, It's Getting Better and For the Benefit of Mr Kite! being my favourites. Although it was only an EP I usually add Magical Mystery Tour in. The tv show may have bombed (only because it was shot entirely in colour and the wise old folks at the BBC decided to broadcast it in black and white) but I think it's a wonderfully jazzy piece, a good segue to Sgt Pepper. This was clearly a drug inspired album but, then so was Sgt Pepper, and I don't think the songs suffered as a result. The title track, Your Mother Should Know, The Fool On The Hill and Strawberry Fields Forever on here. Then there's the White Album. Alright - it's essentially four solo albums in one but that doesn't detract from some killer tunes that we've already discussed. Back in the U.S.S.R., Dear Prudence, I'm So Tired, Martha My Dear.. Oh and Don't Pass Me By. Love that song. Despise Blackbird, not really sure why. Yellow Submarine is basically we're all on LSD, let's make an soundtrack. But then it did give birth to Hey Bulldog with one of the catchiest bass riffs in pop history, It's All Too Much, showing that not everything George wrote in this period had to have Indian leanings, All Together Now which I sing nigh daily and another classic in Only A Northern Song. It's a shame Abbey Road didn't come out before Let It Be considering it was recorded after, and at least showed that the disharmony was set aside to make one last great album. It would have shown that the sadness and bitterness seen in 1969 was ignored for just a short time, to make a final collaborative happy effort. I love Because, Here Comes The Sun (obviously), Come Together and Something. And like John, I dislike the medley. And then there's Let It Be. The hardest album to listen to simply because of the apparent discord amongst the four. Yet there's some beautiful tracks on there, Two of Us, The Long and Winding Road as notable examples.. I've said too much.
Now here's a question. I see two Beatles periods - 1962-66, 1967-70. Like yourself I appreciate them in different ways. The early period has some of the catchiest and lyrically sweet songs you'll ever hear, and towards the end of that more lyrically diverse and eye-catching songs. Please Please Me is a work of art. Ten hours, ten new songs to go with the four already released, three three-hour sessions, all in one day. I doubt that's ever been repeated in the history of pop music and certainly if it has, it wasn't as successful. Love There's A Place and the cover of Anna (Go To Him) on there. Then With The Beatles has Don't Bother Me which George himself thought was 'a bit crap' but I think is a catchy tuneful piece of work with a steady flow. Their cover of Please Mister Postman is the best by a country mile if you ask me, and Roll Over Beethoven sung Scouse is a marvel. There's not a song I don't like on A Hard Day's Night. If I Fell has a ridiculously intricate three part harmony for the time, I'm Happy Just to Dance With You if played slightly faster is like honey to the ears and then I'll Cry Instead was the first sign of the more emotional Lennon but still so dancey at the same time. I reckon Beatles for Sale is the first sign of the increasing complexity of their music, and more the type of songs they'd always wanted to produce but never had the confidence to. I love I Don't Wanna Spoil the Party, Baby's in Black and I'll Follow the Sun off that album, mainly because they're still upbeat yet a touch more melancholic that the previous albums. And I'll Follow the Sun was particularly poignant for me, considering that's literally what I did! Help! was simply that - a cry for help from Lennon. I love that he called it his 'fat Elvis' stage. As far as the album is concerned it's the most easy to sing along to I think, and I don't think the film was anywhere as bad as people made out. I think it's very easy on the eye, and A Hard Day's Night is classic so it wasn't going to live up to that billing. I mean if AHDN is 10/10 then Help is like, 8.5? Songwise, just the whole first side of that album is top notch. Give me Help! to Ticket to Ride in that order and I'll be a happy man. Rubber Soul is probably my favourite album, tied or slightly ahead of Revolver. I think that the end of 1965-66 was their most creative period, before the psychedelia and mind expansion, before they said goodbye to the soft pop they'd become famous for. Their mid session. I could wax lyrical about probably every song on there but I won't, suffice to say I love If I Needed Someone, Nowhere Man and Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown). Revolver is basically part two to Rubber Soul, and the Beatles never looked back. If Rubber Soul was folky, then this was rocky. Tomorrow Never Knows was the beginning of the end for the clean cut band, but it's a hell of an ending and probably my most listened to track if I'm honest.
Bungalow Bill is an odd one for sure, I mean it seems quite jocular and light hearted but there's a much deeper meaning behind those lyrics. You have too much to say, I'm hoping there isn't a character limit cause I'm likely to break it just replying Sean! I'm glad, it's a cracking little set and everyone they interviewed had a great appreciation and better understanding of George that most could. Even Paul, whom he'd probably been less close to than anyone else throughout the 70's to 90's could only heap praise upon him. I think Paul has changed considerably over the last 15 years. It's less about his ego and his ability - he's really started to recognise the impact the others had, and not just John. "I always say the Beatles is like four sides of a square. Without any side, the square collapses. And we were very much four elements that had to be in that group." Bangladesh is, and was a world changing event. It opened the eyes of the world to use wealth responsibly, and distribute it a bit more evenly. George would always receive criticism and claims of hypocrisy about it for not practising what he preached but I think that's grossly unfair. Name me any man that worked harder that gave up ALL his wealth and I'd call that man a liar. As far as John vs. George it's always a tough one. I go for George because of the personal impact he's had for me, and the fact I can listen to his music for what it is, rather than having to seek some deeper meaning. This was a man who never wanted fame, but was comfortable in his own bubble within that fame. He never courted the press, but was happy enough to deal with them if it benefited others. Intensely private but an extrovert with a guitar - a real enigma. As far as John is concerned I find him so complex, years of psychology couldn't scratch the surface. A remarkably kind yet violent at the drop of a hat kind of character. A tortured genius? He'd probably tell whoever said that to stop talking bollocks, but a flawed genius sounds about right. He'd never claim he was perfect but he wrote some outstanding compositions, and although his output dropped marginally when he wasn't competing with Paul so much, some of his solo work stands aside anything the Beatles ever did. I think that's why I like George more, because not only of the reasons I listed but because as a solo artist he accomplished far more than the other ex-Beatles. He stood out, and he had the confidence to. He didn't need the help of the Beatles breakup like Paul did in April '70 to launch his solo career. He didn't need to escape to Toronto and then NY, with the Plastic Ono Band like John did. He didn't need three quarters of his album written for him like Ringo did. With a little help from Phil Spector, All Things Must Pass became a seminal album and all his own work. It's a masterpiece of musical creativity and groundbreaking really, you listen to that and you could scarcely believe that Wah-Wah was written in 1969, that the titular song was written in 1968.. I could go on but I should stop! The slideshow is a nice piece of work and I love that song! I saw most of the landmarks in Liverpool when I lived back home, and I had a photo of me leaning on Lennon, aha. I can't seem to find it anywhere though, but I'm going to go to Strawberry Fields in NY to pay my respects one day. I always considered going to the Dakota but I think that could be viewed as a little morbid considering. Can't wait to see the guitar!
That album has something about it... haunting almost, especially bungalow bill Love 'im so tired' ... and have a soft spot for 'piggies' too... along with every other song on the album, aw, I ve too much to say big George fan, and yes, I have the blue ray collector edition with the book and cd's and all.... reminds me they put his tape of 'Let it be me' ... his version near brought a tear to my eye, absolutely incredible SPOILER!!: i used to be addicted to his concert for bangladesh, great stuff. Sometimes I cant choose between him and John, though I think at heart I'm more of a Lennon fan,... completely idolized him throughout my teens, everything lennon related would just be on my mind nearly everyday. Made this in first year of college, we had to make a slideshow to get used to the software, one of my favorites SPOILER!!: really want to visit the landmarks in liverpool, and see the memorial in new york someday. Oh I must show ya a guitar I got this year, youl like it.. il upload a pic in a bit Which do you prefere, early beatles or late beatles? Im not sure myself, just appreciate them in different ways... first album I listened to was Let it be. and as soon as I heard across the universe that was it. favorite albums?
