Something About the Beatles

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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In the first installment of what will, over time, serve as a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the All You Need is Cash TV film, I spoke with director Gary Weis. In addition to his career as a documentary filmmaker, SNL short film creator and music video director, he recalls his work on The Rutles’ long-form “rockumentary,” as well as his interactions with George Harrison throughout his career. [SNL sound clips owned by NBC and Broadway Video]

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Returning as a SATB guest is Jeff Martin, whom you will remember from 122 – The Simpsons episode. In addition to his writing on that show as well as Late Night with David Letterman beginning in the 1980s, he is also a musician and therefore speaks the language of The Beatles specifically, as well as creativity generally.

Our conversation centered on the Lennon-McCartney partnership and the way that their unique combination of talents and temperaments created something far bigger than the sum of its parts. More on Jeff’s career here. (The article he referenced – The Power of Two by Joshua Wolf Shenk – was published in The Atlantic in July 2014 and can be found here.)

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Yes, he’s the guy who sang “Takin’ Care of Business” and “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” but if that’s all you know about this accomplished artist, then you are missing out on a lot. Randy has penned #1 hit singles for two different recording acts; toured as an All Starr; hosted a popular radio show in his native Canada; published several books, and much, much more.

Our conversation encompasses his new album, By George – By Bachman, but much more, including production tricks, Beatle secrets, touring with Ringo, Winnie the Pooh and a deeply personal discussion of spirituality and how George directly impacted his life. Check out Randy’s activities here: http://randybachman.com/ and his deconstruction of the “A Hard Day’s Night” opening chord here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwfH9oAiPH0

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Now that there’s been an ending to the story, it seems like a good time to examine the intersection between artists who stood for love and peace and a career criminal/sociopath who will forever be tied to them, by virtue of the demented “gospel” ripped straight from their albums. It may be unfathomable from this distance that a group of young people could be persuaded by Charles Manson to commit unspeakable acts, but that’s exactly what happened in the summer of 1969, when seven innocents (and an unborn baby) were brutally slain, purportedly to ignite a race war.

I’m joined for this discussion by a friend of the show, whom many of you are doubtless familiar with: journalist Ivor Davis, who penned his memoirs of touring with The Beatles across America during the 1960s. But did you know that he was at the center of covering the Tate-LaBianca case and even penned the first book on the crimes, Five To Die (1970)? It was his findings that provided a roadmap to the prosecution, later chronicled in Vincent Bugliosi’s best-seller, Helter Skelter (co-written by Curt Gentry).

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Picking up where we left off, we discuss an array of topics and songs, mostly adhering to the “acoustic Beatles” theme. (For some reason, we seemed to gravitate to the White Album a lot…)

But there’s also much about the impact of success; the level of support the Beatles gave each other; George and the Traveling Wilburys; the US albums and the inherent comedy in and around their work.

Songs in no particular order include: “I Feel Fine” – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – “Junk” – “Two of Us” – “Norwegian Wood” – “Blackbird.”

Dave Mirkin, who first guest appeared on SATB 122, needs no introduction.

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