Sunday, December 8, 2013
New Beatles Postings!
I am going to update my Beatles blog on occasion as quite a few new albums and songs have come out since the first edition of my book: "Mark Arnold Picks on The Beatles". I mean, Paul McCartney has put out albums like "Kisses on the Bottom" and "New" and Ringo has put out "Ringo 2012" and has a new album due out next year. The Beatles even put out "On Air - Live at the BBC, Volume 2", so I should update this from time to time and maybe I will issue a revised version of my book. Stay tuned!
The Collectionary
Information, technology, and innovation are moving at an incredible rate. People are constantly bombarded with the most recent data, newest items, and latest fad. What if their was a place where you could take a break from the constant noise of what’s NEW? The Collectionary is focused on the history and stories of items and collectibles in a way that has never been done before.
What inspired The Collectionary into existence?
The Collectionary was created because we wanted to create a Dictionary of everything in the world that people collect. There are hundreds of e-commerce sites, but there is no dedicated place where you can learn about different items. Whether it's the history, facts, or unique attributes regarding a particular collectible or item, we want to give people a place to learn about the collectibles they love.
What made you coin it The Collectionary?
Collectionary comes from combining the words Collection and Dictionary. A fun play on words that explains what we are working on with our site and brand.
Why is your site devoted solely to The Beatles?
No, the Beatles Collectionary is one out of hundreds of different Collectionaries to join. We have expert collectors we call moderators that help us with each Collectionary to add new and cool items to the site. In fact, we would love to have more Beatles moderators willing to help out :).
What's the takeaway for potential customers? What can they hope to gain from perusing your site?
We hope anyone checking out our site will enjoy looking at all the amazing collectibles ever created. Looking at the older, nostalgic items we want them to bring back many fond memories as a child or another time in your life. We also want people to learn about Collectibles as we point to where those items are for sale anywhere on the internet.
Anything unusual worth noting about your site? The Beatles?
Our site would love to have more moderators helping us out. I'm sure you will find many unusual and never before seen Beatles items here.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
My Beatles Book is Done!
You can now order it on Lulu.com and soon Amazon. Here's the press release:
Mark Arnold Picks On The Beatles is a song-by-song review by Comic Book and Animation Historian Mark Arnold of literally every song The Beatles ever recorded, both group and solo, released and unreleased.
The book features previously unpublished artwork by Bill Morrison (The Simpsons), who also drew the front cover, Jack Kirby (in a drawing presented by Kirby to Paul McCartney back in the 1970s), Patrick Owsley (Classic Media licensee artist) and many, many others.
The full list of writer’s and artist’s names include: Mark Arnold, Jack Kirby, Bill Morrison, Patrick Owsley, Greg Beda, Jerry Beck, Frankie Addiego, Dane Andrew, Armando Betancourt, Gary Bingaman, Lee Hester, Paul Maringelli, Shelley Pleger, Jeff Plotkin and Eytan Wronker.
Complementing each chapter is a survey of Harvey-related feature films, animated series, comic book indexes and reviews, and interviews and tributes to various Harvey artists, writers and creators. Lavishly presented with numerous illustrations.
Author Mark Arnold lives in Saratoga, California. He has four other books to his credit including The Best of The Harveyville Fun Times!, Created and Produced by Total TeleVision: The Story of Underdog, Tennessee Tuxedo and the Rest and If You’re Cracked, You’re Happy: The Cracked Mazagine Story and assisted Craig Yoe with his book Archie: A Celebration of America’s Favorite Teenagers. He has had numerous articles published in Back Issue, Hogan’s Alley, Comic Book Marketplace, Alter Ego, The Comics Journal, and The Harveyville Fun Times! which he also edited and published.
His traveling original art show From Richie Rich to Wendy the Witch: The Art of Harvey Comics appeared in four cities from 2008-2010 including San Francisco, New York, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.
Arnold is currently working on a book about Walt Disney Productions and with Shout Factory on DVD releases for Casper, Underdog and Tennessee Tuxedo.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Last Call for Beatles Artwork
It's the last call for Beatles artwork for my book called "Mark Arnold Picks on The Beatles". Anyone who submits artwork that is used in the book will receive a free copy of the book when it is published.
It looks like I will be publishing it in March, so you have until the end of February to get something to me. Please send it via www.yousendit.com because I expect them to be large files.
I am looking for early Beatles and post-breakup Beatles because I have quite a few Sgt. Pepper/Yellow Sub era Beatles. I won't reject you if you do one from that era, however...
Cover is by Bill Morrison ("Simpsons Comics").
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Zoo Gang by Paul McCartney – ***
First released: 1974
For some reason this Wings song didn’t get released as the b-side of "Band on the Run" in the US as it had in the UK. It apparently is a theme song for some show that I’ve never seen, but it’s not a bad little instrumental. When my parents went to Europe in 1984, I asked my mom to pick up the 45 just for this song. When CDs came into vogue, McCartney remembered this and it ended up being included as a bonus track on the "Venus and Mars" CD.
When Paul reissued "Band on the Run" again in 2010, this was added on the deluxe edition.
For some reason this Wings song didn’t get released as the b-side of "Band on the Run" in the US as it had in the UK. It apparently is a theme song for some show that I’ve never seen, but it’s not a bad little instrumental. When my parents went to Europe in 1984, I asked my mom to pick up the 45 just for this song. When CDs came into vogue, McCartney remembered this and it ended up being included as a bonus track on the "Venus and Mars" CD.
When Paul reissued "Band on the Run" again in 2010, this was added on the deluxe edition.
Zindy Lou by Ringo Starr – (NR)
First released: 1976
Zindy Lou was a track from The Manhattan Transfer album called "Coming Out" in which Ringo played drums.
Zindy Lou was a track from The Manhattan Transfer album called "Coming Out" in which Ringo played drums.
Zig Zag by George Harrison – ***
First released: 1986
Originally from "Shanghai Surprise" feature film where we actually see George perform it. He later stuck it on the b-side of "When We Was Fab". Finally, it was released on the 2004 CD reissue of "Cloud Nine". A nice jaunty sort of tune that really highlights George’s instrumental capabilities as the lyrics consist of “Zig Zag…oh, Zig Zag, etc.”
Originally from "Shanghai Surprise" feature film where we actually see George perform it. He later stuck it on the b-side of "When We Was Fab". Finally, it was released on the 2004 CD reissue of "Cloud Nine". A nice jaunty sort of tune that really highlights George’s instrumental capabilities as the lyrics consist of “Zig Zag…oh, Zig Zag, etc.”
Yvonne by Paul McCartney – ***
Unreleased.
Harmless song by Paul dating from 1985 that didn't make the final cut for "Press to Play". Co-writer Eric Stewart went on to release a version of it on the 1995 10CC album "Mirror Mirror". There it was retitled "Yvonne's the One".
Harmless song by Paul dating from 1985 that didn't make the final cut for "Press to Play". Co-writer Eric Stewart went on to release a version of it on the 1995 10CC album "Mirror Mirror". There it was retitled "Yvonne's the One".
Your Way by Paul McCartney – *
First released: 2001
Too many dull tracks like this bog down Paul's "Driving Rain". He was too much in the ether of his marriage to Heather Mills.
Too many dull tracks like this bog down Paul's "Driving Rain". He was too much in the ether of his marriage to Heather Mills.
Your True Love by George Harrison – ***
First released: 1985
During George's retirement years (roughly 1982-87), he came out to play with Carl Perkins on "Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session", and does a fabulous job on this cover version.
During George's retirement years (roughly 1982-87), he came out to play with Carl Perkins on "Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session", and does a fabulous job on this cover version.
Your Mother Should Know by The Beatles – ****
First released: 1967
A highlight of "Magical Mystery Tour" comes this song-and-dance number in which The Beatles descend the stairs in their white tuxedos. The backing vocals by George and John are just fabulous. A demo version appears on 1996's "Anthology 2".
A highlight of "Magical Mystery Tour" comes this song-and-dance number in which The Beatles descend the stairs in their white tuxedos. The backing vocals by George and John are just fabulous. A demo version appears on 1996's "Anthology 2".
Your Loving Flame by Paul McCartney – ***
First released: 2001
Halfway decent song from Paul's "Driving Rain" album, which is probably why it was released as a single. It's almost like the finished version of "From a Lover to a Friend". A live version appears on 2002/3's "Back in the US/World".
Halfway decent song from Paul's "Driving Rain" album, which is probably why it was released as a single. It's almost like the finished version of "From a Lover to a Friend". A live version appears on 2002/3's "Back in the US/World".
Your Love is Forever by George Harrison – **
First released: 1979
One of the weakest tracks on "George Harrison". It just kind of plods along at a snails pace and isn’t sung or performed remarkably well. George should have polished it a bit more before including it on the album.
One of the weakest tracks on "George Harrison". It just kind of plods along at a snails pace and isn’t sung or performed remarkably well. George should have polished it a bit more before including it on the album.
Your Hands by Yoko Ono – *
First released: 1984
Another Yoko snoozer from John and Yoko’s "Milk and Honey" and I’m a fan of hers.
Another Yoko snoozer from John and Yoko’s "Milk and Honey" and I’m a fan of hers.
Your Feets Too Big by The Beatles – ***
First released: 1977
The Beatles performed it live on "Live at the Star-Club, Hamburg 1962" in 1977.
The Beatles performed it live on "Live at the Star-Club, Hamburg 1962" in 1977.
Young Love by John Lennon – (NR); by Paul McCartney – (NR)
Unreleased.
Both Lennon and McCartney attempted recording versions of this song in 1979.
Both Lennon and McCartney attempted recording versions of this song in 1979.
Young Boy by Paul McCartney – ****
First released: 1997
The first single (at least in Britain) off of McCartney’s "Flaming Pie" album. The song chugs along, but never gains any real momentum, but is pleasant, nonetheless. The US discarded it in favor of the stronger "The World Tonight".
The first single (at least in Britain) off of McCartney’s "Flaming Pie" album. The song chugs along, but never gains any real momentum, but is pleasant, nonetheless. The US discarded it in favor of the stronger "The World Tonight".
Young Blood by The Beatles – ***; by Leon Russell – ***
First released: 1971
The second part of Leon Russell’s medley from "The Concert for Bangla Desh". This part features The Coasters’ hit coupled with The Rolling Stones’ "Jumpin’ Jack Flash". A strange pairing that somewhat works due to Russell performing talents. The Beatles recorded a version of this in 1963, but it wasn't released until 1994's "Live at the BBC".
The second part of Leon Russell’s medley from "The Concert for Bangla Desh". This part features The Coasters’ hit coupled with The Rolling Stones’ "Jumpin’ Jack Flash". A strange pairing that somewhat works due to Russell performing talents. The Beatles recorded a version of this in 1963, but it wasn't released until 1994's "Live at the BBC".
You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away by The Beatles – ****
First released: 1965
Lennon sings Dylan. Problem is, Lennon could never sing as badly as Dylan does, so it comes across as someone doing a Dylan cover, which may have been the intent. It’s from the "Help!" album and film, and in the film there’s a nice performance with The Beatles’ helper contributing a fine flute instrumental while they perform for the lovely Eleanor Bron. Later it appeared on 1973's "1962-1966". A demo version appears on "Anthology 2" in 1996.
Lennon sings Dylan. Problem is, Lennon could never sing as badly as Dylan does, so it comes across as someone doing a Dylan cover, which may have been the intent. It’s from the "Help!" album and film, and in the film there’s a nice performance with The Beatles’ helper contributing a fine flute instrumental while they perform for the lovely Eleanor Bron. Later it appeared on 1973's "1962-1966". A demo version appears on "Anthology 2" in 1996.
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