First released: 1978
Though not as funny as it could be, there are quite a few laughs in Eric Idle’s sendup of The Beatles story. I thought the original brief sequence from "Rutland Weekend Television" and "Saturday Night Live" in which Idle was really trying to be David Frost was a lot funnier. Overall, it was well done, but you really had to be a hardcore Beatles fan to even “get” some of the references. Some things were so subtly done, as the humor was even lost on me. "Get Back" to "Get Up and Go" anyone? George Harrison makes a cameo as a reporter though you may not recognize him in grey hair and specs.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
All You Horseriders by Paul McCartney - *
First released: 1986
One of McCartney’s stupidest songs, and wisely left off of "McCartney II". It basically features McCartney shouting out some basic horse calls in a strange cartoony voice backed with a fast-paced clip-clop beat. It is unintentionally laughable. Recorded in 1979 and featured in "Blankit's First Show" in 1986.
One of McCartney’s stupidest songs, and wisely left off of "McCartney II". It basically features McCartney shouting out some basic horse calls in a strange cartoony voice backed with a fast-paced clip-clop beat. It is unintentionally laughable. Recorded in 1979 and featured in "Blankit's First Show" in 1986.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
All Together on the Wireless Machine by The Beatles – (NR)
Unreleased.
Debatable 1967 recording as to whether it is McCartney or not. I'm not sure as I have never heard it.
Debatable 1967 recording as to whether it is McCartney or not. I'm not sure as I have never heard it.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
All Together Now by The Beatles - ***
First released: 1968
One of four “throwaway” songs The Beatles dashed off for "Yellow Submarine". It actually isn’t that bad considering the very simple lyrics. McCartney has used dopey lyrics like this later on (see "Driving Rain", for example), but here it comes across as charming in its simplicity. It was successfully released as a single in some countries, though not the US or the UK. It's also on 1999's "Yellow Submarine Songtrack".
I always liked it when San Francisco TV station KTVU used this song with an interesting edit for a children’s public service announcement about race relations back in the 70s. The line “can I take my friend to bed?” was removed for possible sexual overtones. Like kids would think that. I was a kid when I first heard the song probably around 1971 or 2, and I didn’t even think anything of the line.
One of four “throwaway” songs The Beatles dashed off for "Yellow Submarine". It actually isn’t that bad considering the very simple lyrics. McCartney has used dopey lyrics like this later on (see "Driving Rain", for example), but here it comes across as charming in its simplicity. It was successfully released as a single in some countries, though not the US or the UK. It's also on 1999's "Yellow Submarine Songtrack".
I always liked it when San Francisco TV station KTVU used this song with an interesting edit for a children’s public service announcement about race relations back in the 70s. The line “can I take my friend to bed?” was removed for possible sexual overtones. Like kids would think that. I was a kid when I first heard the song probably around 1971 or 2, and I didn’t even think anything of the line.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
All Those Years Ago by George Harrison - ***
First released: 1981
The Beatles tribute single for John that wasn’t supposed to be. In other words, George wrote and recorded this song with different lyrics with Ringo playing on drums. After the tragedy of 12/8/80, George recorded the vocal with new lyrics and then Paul and Linda added backing “oohs” and “aahs” to round it out. Not a bad tune, but not that great either. It sold well, due to it being a tribute and the fact that all three were on it. It was a hit single and included on the final version of "Somewhere in England" and later on "Best of Dark Horse 1976-1989". Also performed on George Harrison’s "Live in Japan" album and tour in 1991.
The Beatles tribute single for John that wasn’t supposed to be. In other words, George wrote and recorded this song with different lyrics with Ringo playing on drums. After the tragedy of 12/8/80, George recorded the vocal with new lyrics and then Paul and Linda added backing “oohs” and “aahs” to round it out. Not a bad tune, but not that great either. It sold well, due to it being a tribute and the fact that all three were on it. It was a hit single and included on the final version of "Somewhere in England" and later on "Best of Dark Horse 1976-1989". Also performed on George Harrison’s "Live in Japan" album and tour in 1991.
Monday, June 2, 2008
"All Things Must Pass" by George Harrison - **
First released: 1970
If this is your favorite George Harrison album, don’t read this review. George Harrison’s first real solo album and one for me is somewhat overrated and overblown. While I like Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” technique appropriate for other releases, here it seems quite out of place. The album has always struck me as extremely padded and noisy, yet it is usually considered George’s crowning achievement during his solo years. Don’t get me wrong, some of George’s best songs are on this album, but they would have been that much better, if they weren’t so overproduced. Sorry Phil.
The 2001 CD reissue adds some alternate takes of some songs, an outtake ("I Live For You") and a brand new version of "My Sweet Lord" called "My Sweet Lord (2000)". This last one adds nothing to the album.
The album was originally padded out to three discs. If one would discard ("Isn’t it a Pity (Version Two)") or shorten some tunes ("Isn’t it a Pity (Version One)" and "Hear Me Lord") and thrown out the third "Apple Jam" disc, "All Things Must Pass" would be a greater single disc release. As it is, I find the thing too much to take in one sitting. With the advent of CD burners, I have made my own single disc version, which is far superior to the released version. George was just showing off.
If this is your favorite George Harrison album, don’t read this review. George Harrison’s first real solo album and one for me is somewhat overrated and overblown. While I like Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” technique appropriate for other releases, here it seems quite out of place. The album has always struck me as extremely padded and noisy, yet it is usually considered George’s crowning achievement during his solo years. Don’t get me wrong, some of George’s best songs are on this album, but they would have been that much better, if they weren’t so overproduced. Sorry Phil.
The 2001 CD reissue adds some alternate takes of some songs, an outtake ("I Live For You") and a brand new version of "My Sweet Lord" called "My Sweet Lord (2000)". This last one adds nothing to the album.
The album was originally padded out to three discs. If one would discard ("Isn’t it a Pity (Version Two)") or shorten some tunes ("Isn’t it a Pity (Version One)" and "Hear Me Lord") and thrown out the third "Apple Jam" disc, "All Things Must Pass" would be a greater single disc release. As it is, I find the thing too much to take in one sitting. With the advent of CD burners, I have made my own single disc version, which is far superior to the released version. George was just showing off.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
All Things Must Pass by George Harrison - ***
First released: 1970
You’d think that this song was composed as a result of The Beatles break-up, but in reality, it was demoed during the 1969 "Get Back" sessions. That version was finally released on "Anthology 3" in 1996. A different demo snippet is featured on 2003's "Fly on the Wall". George recorded it in this finished version and decided to title his first post-Beatles album after it.
You’d also think that a song like this would be nasty and biting, but instead it is a beautiful ballad of acceptance.
You’d think that this song was composed as a result of The Beatles break-up, but in reality, it was demoed during the 1969 "Get Back" sessions. That version was finally released on "Anthology 3" in 1996. A different demo snippet is featured on 2003's "Fly on the Wall". George recorded it in this finished version and decided to title his first post-Beatles album after it.
You’d also think that a song like this would be nasty and biting, but instead it is a beautiful ballad of acceptance.
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