Something About the Beatles

In this expanded episode, I speak with Dr. Bob Hieronimus and Laura Cortner. The two have worked together for decades researching a number of topics, but in this instance: the Yellow Submarine film; interviewing every available participant in its creation. Dr. Bob published Inside the Yellow Submarine: The Making of The Beatles’ Animated Classic in 2002 – it remains the definitive telling, but they are preparing a follow-up volume of new research and interpretation later this year.

Check out their latest info and YS books here:
https://yellowsubmarinebook.com/

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Television writer Jeff Martin makes his third appearance on the show, this time focusing the conversation on one of his vocations – playing keyboards in a band – and how The Beatles (Paul mainly) utilized an array of instruments in the studio: piano – electric piano – organ – harmonium – Mellotron – synthesizer, and so forth; and how their use evolved from doubling instrumental parts to adding color to forming the basis of some of their finest compositions.

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In which we welcome back to the show historian Erin Torkelson Weber. In this episode, we pick up where we left off; this time discussing older canon works like Ian MacDonald’s Revolution in the Head and Peter Doggett’s You Never Give Me Your Money; (also Peter McCabe’s outdated Apple To The Core and the problematic memoir of Geoff Emerick) as well as new essential works like Riding So High by Joe Gooden. We also talk about how the Beatles’ historic narrative was shaped, countered and re-evaluated as Mark Lewisohn’s works represented a true revolution in Beatles scholarship. Erin’s previous appearance: http://somethingaboutthebeatles.com/116-beatles-historians/

Her blog: https://beatlebioreview.wordpress.com/

 

Erin in action:

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It isn’t often that we are given a firsthand account from somebody who set in motion events that literally changed the world. But there we are and here it is: Michael Hill was a classmate and friend of John Lennon’s, beginning at age 5. A keen observer and articulate narrator, he has set his recollections down for all of us in his book, John Lennon: The Boy Who Became A Legend.

As Michael himself points out, lots of boys went to school with John Lennon but only one – this one – stirred something inside the directionless 15 year-old and set him on the path to rock – and conquer the world in the process.

Check out Michael’s story – and his book – here:
http://www.johnlennonlegend.com/

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It was 45 years ago that Beatle confidant and Apple Press Officer Derek Taylor published his first memoir, As Time Goes By. Long out of print, it has recently been re-published, this time with a contextualizing foreword penned by rock journalist Jon Savage (Mojo magazine, England’s Dreaming: Sex Pistols and Punk Rock, 1966: The Year The Decade Exploded, plus much more). Jon sat down with me to discuss Derek, As Time Goes By, The Beatles, the White Album, 1966, plus an array of offshoot topics. Check out Jon’s As Time Goes By playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/user/fabersocial/playlist/5q60ISNL0EZAhgP0vdrRQa Here’s Jon’s write-up on The Residents’ “Beyond the Valley of a Day in the Life” from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2010/jun/21/savage-song-residents-beatles

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50 years: in the first of what will be a series throughout this year and next, we examine The Beatles’ Apple enterprise; focusing here on the start-up and in articular on Apple Publishing and the array of what-if talents drawn to the corps.

My guest is Axel Korinth, co-author of the two volumes of A is For Apple books – mammoth richly illustrated histories of Apple.

Songs heard in whole or in part: 1. Mary Hopkin – Those Were The Days 2. The Perishers – How Does It Feel 3. Coconut Mushroom – Any Day Now 4. Grapefruit – Dear Delilah 5. Jackie Lomax and Elvis Presley – How The Web Was Woven 6. Jackie Lomax – Sour Milk Sea 7. Grenville and Weston – Aeroplane (acetate) 8. Slow Dog – Little Girl 9. Crosby, Stills and Nash – Blackbird 10. Contact – Round and Round 11. Chris Hodge – We’re On Our Way 12. White Trash – Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight 13. The Iveys – I’ll Kiss You Goodnight 14. The Iveys – I’m In Love 15. John Tavener – excerpt from The Whale (Melodrama and Pantomime) 16. Elastic Oz Band – God Save Us 17. Brute Force – King of Fuh 18. Bojoura – Everybody’s Day 19. Jackie Lomax – New Day (BBC) 20. Contact – Lovers From The Sky For more on the projects produced by Axel Korinth and Ed Dieckmann, see http://www.apcor.net/ For volume 1: http://www.apcor.net/a-is-for-apple-reprint/

For volume 2: http://www.apcor.net/a-is-for-apple-volume-2-the-winter-of-discontent-jan-mar-1969/

For the CD A is for Acetates: http://www.apcor.net/a-is-for-acetates/

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To call the stunningly-talented musician/singer/songwriter a “Beatles sideman” is to sell short his tremendous gifts and the tangible effect he had on the group when they most needed a spark plug. Billy Preston was a keyboard savant for sure, but he was also someone the Beatles embraced as an equal; going so far as to float him as an actual “fifth Beatle.”

I’m joined by multi-instrumentalist/producer/recording artist/Beatles author Anthony Robustelli for a conversation covering not just the “Get Back”/Let It Be sessions, but also Billy’s collaborations with the ex-Beatles going into the solo years (and with the Rolling Stones).

Check out Anthony’s work here: https://www.anthonyrobustelli.com/

https://www.thebeatlesiwanttotellyou.com/

https://www.shadybear.com/

https://shadybearbklyn.podbean.com/

and the video I referenced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXSPZd9hYy4

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Ben Rowling and I resume our conversation with the author of The Beatles Recording Reference Manuals series. In this episode, we talk gear (amps and guitars), as well as examine some long-held beliefs about certain recordings. Check out Jerry’s series here.

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Even if we don’t write them down, we all make lists (if only mentally). Back in June 2017, rock journalist Bill Wyman boldly committed his ranking of every Beatles canon recording from worst to best. It was a move certain to stir the pot of debate, and so it did. On this show, we discussed not only his list, but also the role of the rock critic – the role of radio in shaping tastes, and how it’s evolved – and how we as fans quantify Beatle music. Bill’s list can be found here. Other works can be found here and here. Follow him on Twitter here. The Sirius XM list as selected by fans is here.

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In which we (Ben Rowling and I) discuss the Beatles’ approach to their work in the studio – their creativity, work ethic and use of technology to push the boundaries of their art – with author/producer/engineer/musician Jerry Hammack. Check out Jerry’s series – The Beatles Recording Reference Manuals – here.

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