January 06, 2025

1973 - May: the Beatles ”1962-1966” and ”1967-1970”

37 minutes

Echoes of the trajectory of the Beatles still reverberate through music today, and they loomed quite large over the rock scene in the early 70's. In 1972 a bootleg 4-album set of Beatles songs was produced called "Alpha Omega" which sold well when marketed on TV. In response - in addition to suing - Apple and EMI/Capitol Records produced an authorized collection in two double albums. The first was called 1962-1966, also known as the Red Album, while the second was called 1967-1970, also known as the Blue Album.

The Blue Album was a compilation of Lennon-McCartney original songs, avoiding many of the successful cover songs the early group had recorded. Unfortunately it also did not contain any George Harrison compositions from this time period. The Red Album did not contain any covers, as the Beatles were immensely popular on their own by this time. However, it did contain songs from George Harrison and Ringo Starr along with the numerous Lennon-McCartney originals.

The album covers are notable, as they are similar photos of the group at different points in life. The cover to the Red Album used an image of the group looking down over the stairwell inside EMI's London headquarters. This was a photograph taken for the group's 1963 debut LP. The Beatles had recreated that shot in 1969 for their planned "Get Back" album, but did not use the image when the album was released in 1970 as "Let It Be."

The compilation project was a success, and convinced other groups to release similar retrospective compilations. It is also a terrific way to see the progression of the band in seven short years of their activity.

WSB Radio's Eric Von Haessler joins us to highlight these two influential albums in this week's podcast.

Love Me Do

The very first single released by the Beatles was this track and the lead-off track from the Red album. John Lennon and Paul McCartney provide duet vocals on this song, and Lennon is the harmonica player. While it is credited as a Lennon-McCartney song, John Lennon provides the bridge, and has stated that it was a McCartney song before they began working together.

Tomorrow Never Knows

The concluding track from "Revolver" is the concluding track for the Red album, and shows how far the Beatles have taken their music in four short years. They are utilizing techniques like looped drums, reverse guitar, and processed vocals that were new to the music scene at the time.

Strawberry Fields Forever

This track opens the blue album. The inspiration for this song was a park in which Lennon played as a child, and evokes a childlike innocence. The music style was a departure from the Beatles' previous style, and is considered the introduction of the psychedelic genre.

Let It Be

A profound piece after the psychedelic period, "Let It Be" is often considered the swan song for the Beatles, because it was the final single released before McCartney announced his intention to leave the band. The inspiration of the song was a dream Paul McCartney had about his mother.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Knocking on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan (from the motion picture “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”)

This western movie had a revisionist history and starred a number of celebrities, including James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, and Bob Dylan himself.

STAFF PICKS:

Kodachrome by Paul Simon

Bruce starts out the staff picks with the lead single from Simon's third studio album "There Goes Rymin' Simon." While it did well in the US, it received little airplay in the UK due to strict rules the BBC had in place regarding product endorsements. The idea of the song is that we fit our memories to our worldviews like we frame shots in a camera.

Money by Pink Floyd

Rob brings us the lead single from the monster album "Dark Side of the Moon." A rare song in 7/4 time with a 4/4 guitar bridge, the lyrics describe the desire and material trappings that cause people to chase after riches.

Peaceful Easy Feeling by the Eagles

Lynch features an iconic song from the Eagles. It was written long before this time by Jack Tempchen, a prolific singer-songwriter, but appeared on the Eagles debut album. Glen Frey is on lead vocals, and the harmonies are provided by Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner.

Right Place, Wrong TIme by Dr. John

Eric finishes the staff picks with a funky tune from New Orleans-influenced Dr. John. It was the first single from "In the Right Place," Dr. John's sixth studio album, and was also his biggest commercial hit, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

COMEDY TRACK:

The Cover of "Rolling Stone" by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show

Wayne presents the comedy single this week, as Dr. Hook seeks validation by appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings