Col and Mark, the world’s only conjoined idiots, are back with another poddycast, filled with more wonderful, hopefully humourous and mildly informative insights about The Beatles and our beloved hometown, Liverpool. Yes, The Beatleplaces Podcast with Mark and Col, takes you here and there and even everywhere else, for about an hour and a bit, once again meandering through Beatles miscellany with more than a smattering of mirth and random interruptions along the way. This time around in our, Beatles with an “A” series, we attained the heady heights of the alphabet, stopping at letter “M”. Fan favourite Mark, deconstructs how “Michelle” came to be, whilst Col visits George’s old home in Mackets Lane. There’s a nifty feature about the Beatles M.B.E’s, a short biog about Arthur Ballard, John’s art teacher, who saw his talent early on, plus a neat feature about the people or places where each of the band had music lessons or bought instruments. Captain Curious (Col) tracks down the real Mister Mustard and gives you a heads-up on some new mini-podcasts coming soon, namely, the Beatles & Scotland and a Liverpool- Beatles Walking Tour, for anyone up for it. Stuffed in between all this, like the polystyrene chips you find in an Amazon parcel, is our usual panoply of confounding Beatle quizzes, plus another Krappy Karaoke or two, courtesy of Mark. For his part, Col contributes some silliness as per usual, chatting about Paul & George’s grammar school teachers and their appropriate nicknames, notwithstanding discussing John's first ever school, and why he left it abruptly. In addition, we give you the true story of the infamous “Flaming Pie” and even what flavour it was. There’s also a mention about Rene Magritte, how “Martha, My Dear” and “Magical Mystery Tour” were written (and I don’t mean with a biro), plus why Ringo can’t help with Col’s sore toe, our newly-acquired Harvard University fans, who Gordon Butler and Dougie Millings are and even tell you where Paul stayed when he came back to Liverpool this week, cos’ he likes her scrambled eggs. There’s probably more, but I’m getting writer’s cramp now. Go on, fill yer boots. Enjoy the show.        

We’ve seen the emails, read the letters and court summons' and ignored them all. We’re back to present another exciting, quirky, but fun episode of The Beatleplaces Podcast with Mark & Col and damn the expense- all £3.10 of it. All aboard if you’re coming. Suitably pepped up by Earl Grey tea and M&S custard creams, we are continuing with the “Beatles With An A” series, where we’ve managed to reach almost the middle of the alphabet without breaking a sweat, but I’ll have a bath anyway after this, now you mention it. Letter “L” takes the stage this time and Mark & Col invite you to spend an hour in their company, chatting about all things Beatle, starting with an “L”. It also gives us an excuse to show off our little town of Liverpool and remind you and ourselves just how great it is. Jammed into the show we have a few nifty, Terribly Tricky Trivia Beatle quizzes, one about Paul and one about Beatles memorabilia. Mark oils his tonsils to recite even more John Lennon extracts from “In His Own Write” which he does with usual aplomb. Col is all out of aplomb, so he regales Beatle tales of when George bought 25 steak and kidney pies for the Cavern fans, what strange machine did John sing along to in his student days, the places where all the Beatles played as kids in Liverpool as well as Dungeon Lane, talks about John’s tax return (and his sock collection), revealing how much a Beatle earned in 1961, plus tells you which famous person went to see the Beatles at the infamous Litherland Town Hall gig in December 1961. Mark offers some interesting insights in to the oddest member of the Apple organisation- Magic Alex, reviews “1,2,3,4” by Craig Brown and gives the low-down on Derek Taylor’s expenses in Apple’s heyday. Mark is also ably equipped to trip Col up yet again with another “Krappy Karaoke” session, and tells you about the magical Beatles song inspired by the B842, plus the origin of Lady Madonna. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Col tells you of some great “Liverpool Firsts” and mentions other famous Liverpool people besides John, Paul, George, Ringo, Col or Mark. That aside, if however, you’d rather spend an hour not enjoying a whole bunch of Beatles bits and pieces and having a laugh or two along the way to brighten your day, then good luck with painting your ceiling, translating your flatpack furniture instructions or washing the cat. Gazunka! (You'll be Googling that one, no doubt)               

The Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col – Episode #26- It’s a John Lennon Special!

“How-do”, as we say, up North. Messrs Mark & Col wish you all well and welcome to another Beatleplaces Podcast. It’s the least we can do- a quantity we never seem to specialise in, because we’re more than pleased to present another excessively fun-packed edition of The Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col and this time around (cue fanfare or three kazoos) its’ “L” in our “Beatles With An A” series, allowing us to self-indulge in a John Lennon Special podcast! That’s right, loads of John Lennon stuff tonight, so much so in fact, I wondered if this intro should be in pdf format. Understandably, Liverpool and the other three fellas in the band (who’s names escape me just now) get a mention here and there, but essentially, it’s Mr. Winston O’Boogie’s show all the way. Topics on the podcast include, John’s interest in the number 9, John’s brothers and sisters, when John found Elvis, more on John’s family tree, the schoolkid who inspired John to write “I Am The Walrus” as well as a look at the song itself, the songs John sang but never recorded and The Wizard of Oz connection. Of course, we’re contractually obliged to chuck in a few John Lennon quizzes to perplex brains 40 watts and over, including a silly one about teachers nicknames. We also get to meet Polythene Patricia, talk about Dungeon Lane, “The Prisoner” TV show and it’s Beatles associations, as well as a newly-found Beatleplace in Woolton, where you can buy a souvenir pastie (veggie available). Marvellous Mark enlightens us with a few recitals from John’s first book, “In His Own Write” and a few other places, plus Col reveals what you never knew about John’s ex-gf, Barbara Baker, and is back to his tangential toppermost when he tells you how to reach Ringo in 1961, the one Scouse word you’ll only ever need, some terrible Beatleplaces merchandise ideas, even naming the maternity nurses who brought John into the world in 1940, and most importantly of all, an update on Paul’s rotary drier. As per usual, the whole thing’s glued together with love of all things Beatles and Liverpool, ‘cos that’s who it’s about and where were from. We’re certainly not slick and we know it, but we hope you'll at least have a laugh listening to us whilst attempting to cure your insomnia.   Zzz.   

The odds (and sods) were against us, but we did it anyway. Well hi, hi, hi and hello all. We’re back with another Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col, the show with more Beatles stuff per square inch than you could shake a stick at. Yes, we’ve returned, with an abundance of fun and facts about the Fabbest Four in the world, talking our heads off as per usual about The Beatles and Beatle places here in lovely Liverpool, presented by two blokes who might know what they’re talking about for a change. So, what’s in this show then smarty pants? I hear you say, well… it’s the letters K and L which feature in our Beatles With An A series (thought you deserved two letters after keeping you waiting). Mark enthralls you with the origin of Love Me Do and Col explains why a local place called Knotty Ash was so important to the band. We always have a heap of Beatle quizzes and random gumf for you, so Mark and Col duly provide a few rounds of The Terribly Terrific Beatle Trivia Quiz each, notwithstanding a special one from Col about, The Teachers Who Taught Me. Then Mark responds with another podcast fave, What Track Came Before & After, which always proves too much for Col’s brain and patience. As for features, we have a few interesting ones this time around, namely, Ringo Goes to College, who was Hilda Knipe, and name the shop where the band got their equipment repaired, amongst other random chat. Col tells you about the chemist who gave young John singing lessons. Luckily, we go off on a tangent more often than usual and talk about This Month in Beatle History, this time being January 1966 and January 1967 respectively, Col talks about Linda McCartney's one and only contribution to the Beatles records, the local Doctor who was asked to help Stuart Sutcliffe, and meet the real Uncle Albert. Beatle pseudonyms get a mention too, Mark gives his tonsils a workout, reading one of John’s stories again and somehow, once again, Col babbles on and on, chunnering about Stevie Wonder, illegal hedge trimming at Paul’s house and even a teacher nicknamed Hitler. If you like the show, drop us a message via the Beatleplaces Instagram page or better yet, tell Radio Merseyside all about us. And in conclusion, we promise more BPWMAC episodes before you can say, "Jack Robinson". Just don’t say it for a fortnight. Nighty-night folks.      

The Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col – Episode #24 – Yer daft get!

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good grief, we’re back. Mark and Col have had a brief sabbatical between podcasts to recharge themselves to being match-fit again for yet another vibrant Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col. As a result, we’ve got a longer than usual show cos’ we haven’t exercised our tonsils in such a long time. And in the show we’ve packed in as much as humanely possible for all lovers of Liverpool and The Beatles. Covering the letter “J” in our Beatles with an A series, we talk about a multitude of miscellany and a ton of tangential trivia to go with it, all hopefully connected to (or as near as dammit about) the Beatles and Liverpool and we hope you like it. We have the well-loved Mark providing the more well-loved than him, “This Month in Beatles History”, this time going through all the 18th Augusts’ in Fab 4 history, which proves an interesting earful. He also delights us with more readings from John’s poetry books once more. In the opposing corner is Col and as usual, he talks too much, but this time tells you about all the John Lennon’s there ever were in the Lennon family tree, why Cynthia Lennon was born in Blackpool, a mention about Pete Best's girlfriend, the significance of the Jolly Miller pub, the secret girlfriends of John and Pete Shotton in Penny Lane, Paul's paypacket July 1962, all about the mysterious Mary Lennon, John’s first Japanese love, plus the Irish side of Ringo Starr and a whole heap more. All these items are glued neatly together with a few fave quizzes and features, “What Track Came Before & After”, "Krappy Karaoke" and a new one all about Beatles song titles. In addition, and as well, we chat about the real Bungalow Bill, plus the origins of Liverpool’s favourite dish and dialect, Scouse, and we also go on the hunt to find the missing co-writer of a Beatles hit song. On the home front, Col also provides news on Paul’s rotary drier this time too. Frankly, we went on a bit too much this time and we still weren’t finished yabbing. Time for a jam butty I think. And BTW if you like what you hear drop an email to BBC Radio Merseyside, you never know, they might like us too.

The Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col – Episode #23 – Two lagers and lime and two lagers and lime.

Hola, howdy and how’s your hollyhocks.? Yes, indeedi, Mark and Col have returned to the internet airwaves to provide yet another Beatleplaces With Mark & Col. (I seriously doubt whether anyone else would). Boldly babbling on where no hand has set foot, the terrific twosome, Col and Mark are excited to provide you a brand new letter in our “Beatles with an A” series. This time around, we’re discussing Beatles things connected with the letter “i” and what a jolly interesting, introspective and incisive show it proves to be (see what I did there). Mark instantly sets the tone with a few enjoyable recitations from John’s book “In His Own Write”, Col tells what he knows about when the Beatles nearly bought an island. Staying on a geographical theme, we find out a bit more about the one and only time the Beatles went to Italy and the first time the band ventured to India and very nearly didn’t. As usual, we find time to talk about the background to a few Beatle songs, namely, I’m Only Sleeping and I Feel Fine amongst others. Col tells all about the birthday song George made just for John. The Beatles first experience of Hamburg playing at the Indra club reveals a few things too. There’s always room to shoehorn a few Beatle quizzes and we do that, plus feature a few items about the Beatles solo TV appearances, the rather lucrative Intertel Videos they made, an appreciation of the LIPA/Liverpool Institute and a biog about the wondrous Neil Innes and Eric Idle. Col even gave us an update on Paul’s wheely bins. In short, if it isn’t worth talking about, it isn’t in the podcast. As you can expect, we add a lot of stuff and nonsense to proceedings as we don’t take life too seriously, except when its’ bin day. Enjoy the podcast and all who sail in her.            

Welcome back, (assuming you’ve been somewhere) to another Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col (who haven’t been anywhere). Once again, we’ve wolfed down our tea to present to you a right old ding-dong of Beatles-related merriment for your enjoyment and general well-being. There’s nothing like a bit of random is there.? Our regular feature, Beatles With an “A” has reached the mighty letter “H” and we can provide you with a wealth of Beatles stuff on that very letter. Mark begins proceedings with a celebration of the Beatles fave music shop, Hessy’s, giving Col a chance to tell his well-worn anecdote of buying his first guitar from there. Col also barges in with some reminiscences about John performing in “Treasure Island” at his junior school and reveals all about his bespoke posh grammar school clothes. Under Beatle people we mention Dolly Hipshaw (who.?) and John Ivan Hayward (who.?) Charlie Hodgson, Jonathan Hague and Harriet Hafez (see previous) and we explain all there is you need to know about them. Mark does the honours with a couple of Beatle quizzes naturally, and we open a can of worms discussing the origins of several “H” Beatle songs, Hey Jude, Here Comes The Sun, Helter Skelter to name but three. We also let you know which Paul songs John complimented him on- a very rare occurrence. You may even learn which was the very first song recorded by EMI on their brand new 8 track mixer on, (hint- it was a Beatles one). Pondering Beatle places, we talk about Hoylake, where Cynthia lived, Brian worked and John and George had eggs and chips. There’s even time to tell you more about George’s brothers, Harry Jr and Peter, who led interesting lives there’s no denying and we even have a few moments to tell you about the last place the band stayed on their last residency in Hamburg. As usual, we make sure there’s plenty of humour and silliness to go round to make it all worthwhile and as it cost you nothing, I think that says plenty. Enough said, now press play.       

The Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col – Episode #21 – I Don’t Like Your Tie For A Start.

Hello all and welcome (wipe your feet first) to a brand new Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col- It’s a George Harrison Special this time under the “Beatles With An “A” series. All things George, all things Harrison. Your eminent hosts, Col and Mark have lined up yet another pile of fun and facts for Beatle fans under the letter “H” so allow us to indulge in all manner of George Harrison gubbins. Features include (deep breath) George visiting his sister Louise in Benton, Illinois in 1963, what he did with his MBE (or rather, what he didn’t do with it), when George made Electronic Sounds, two of his earliest girlfriends and the Henley On Thames connection, Quotable George- some of his best sayings, George’s favourite and least favourites sweets, his first ever job, who is Glynn Trower, and how George got to know Ravi Shankar, the love of comedian George Formby and why he was in his fan club, what did the Harrisons keep in their back yard at 12 Arnold Grove, the story of “Something”, George’s sad World War 1 story and even George in outer space. How do we fit so much into one iddy biddy podcast.? We even managed to squeeze in a couple of George quizzes to confound you, but we doubt it. Hopefully, this will give you a chance to while away an hour enjoying Beatles stuff. So if you like noise, here’s some more. Turned out nice again.        

The Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col – Episode #20 - Just Rattle Your Jewellery..

Hello folks. Well shiver me maggots, there’s no stopping Mark & Col this time. After a brief sabbatical, the didactic duo are back. Invigorated with fresh supplies of porridge, tea and some necessary chiropody appointments, we eagerly return to present another thrilling, nee splendiferous, but frankly, fun Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col, featuring “Beatles With An “A”” looking at Beatle things with a “G” in them. The Beatle places, Beatles people, Beatles songs, the list goes on as we do too. Ooh, we’ve been busy. Mark talks about the songs, “Girl” and “Got To Get You Into My Life” and “Good Morning, Good Morning” plus the strange stories behind their origins. Meanwhile, Col tells you of his tale of woe trying to see George’s first electric guitar and failing miserably. Other than that, he also talks about some great Beatle people, featuring the lives of Jim Gretty- guitar man and Harry Graves, the nicest step-dad in Dingle. We pick the month of November in the Beatles diary this time and tell you what John was really going to ask the audience at the Royal Command performance in 1964, and when John first met Yoko in 1966. There’s plenty of Beatleplaces to speak of too, discussing Gambier Terrace, when John was an art student, Garmoyle Road, where John met with Cynthia for romantic dalliances no less, and even the best place a Beatle could get pancakes in Hamburg. You can’t have a Beatleplaces Podcast without a few quizzes and we don’t disappoint. Mark asks, “What track went before (and after)” plus Name the Beatle B-Sides. Col provides a quiz on Beatles first jobs and Name the Beatle to the girlfriend. You won’t know some of them I’ll bet. And hold the phone, there’s also news of Col disclosing where Paul really first met John and our up and coming George special when our next podcast is out but right now, enjoy yourself with our little show. We aim to please.   

The Beatleplaces Podcast With Mark & Col # Episode 19

I Got Blisters On Ma Fingers!

Lights, camera, action.. well actually one microphone, some custard creams and a few beers. Col and Mark have re-appeared once again with more Beatle stuff to entertain you for an hour or so. Beatles With An “A” is our little attempt to give you some interesting facts and whatnot on the world’s greatest band, The Beatles and our hometown of Liverpool. You’re all very welcome. Covering the letter “F” this time, we’re here to enlighten you (and each other) on the Beatles people, Beatles places, Beatles songs and Beatles trivia you’ve come to love and expect from two idle Beatle nitwits like us. It’s a good show if I say so myself- and I just did. Mark dishes out his popular Beatle quiz feature, “What song came before” and the popular spin off quiz, “What song came after.”, equally tough enough and I dare you to get them all right. Col talks about the close friends of the Beatles, Arthur Kelly and Roy Trafford and how little we knew about them both, plus we have a chinwag about Paul’s home at 20 Forthlin Road, whilst Mark tells all about 36 Faulkner Street, the honeymoon love nest of John and Cynthia. In the midst of all this Col chucks into the mix a few Beatles quizzes too and along the way we find out about John’s musical pseudonyms, the origin of Northern Songs, the brilliantness of The Philharmonic Pub (and its pies), where Paul lost his virginity and when the Beatles nearly played in Berlin. The show is that busy, it left poor Col no time to mention his newly acquired air fryer. Perhaps that can be a one-hour special podcast next time. Stay tuned and remember to clean after use. Ding!