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Post by jk on Dec 30, 2019 20:43:28 GMT
This was one of my first posts in the early days before I took eight months off: I grew up with The Beatles. Or rather they were rammed down my throat at school when they first broke in the UK in early '63. I was exclusively into US music at the time--in a tiny minority in other words. Since then I have come to love some of their work, particularly their debut album Please Please Me, Rubber Soul, Revolver and Abbey Road (UK versions where applicable). My all-time favourite Beatles track is "The Word", for which I am occasionally ridiculed: I think I've posted this opinion several times in the past (at least I'm consistent ), but Rubber Soul's (and also Revolver) greatness continues to escape me. Rubber Soul usually finishes very high on Greatest Albums polls, and over the years, Brian Wilson consistently mentioned the album's influence on him, but...I must be missing something. I just don't hear the greatness in the songs. Sorry.
Well, we're all different, Sheriff--and thank goodness for that! The most recent (for me) unknown Beatles song I heard was a few years ago, in a version by Don Henley and others sung for a charity. I grew up with The Beatles (for better or for worse) and had never heard of this one before!! It's an absolute beauty--"Yes It Is": This is now one of my top three Beatles songs, along with "The Word" and "There's A Place"...
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Dec 30, 2019 21:31:40 GMT
"Yes It Is"? Now we're talking. A classic. That was from the Help! sessions but didn't make the album. BTW, I also like "There's A Place", too. So, two out of three ain't bad. I believe Meatloaf said that.
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Post by B.E. on Jan 1, 2020 4:44:36 GMT
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Post by kds on Feb 13, 2020 13:20:44 GMT
I just read that it was 26 years ago this month (Feb 1994) that Paul, George, and Ringo went into the studio with Jeff Lynne to work with John's Free as a Bird and Real Love demos for the Anthology project.
For some mind blowing perspective, there's now been more time separating now and that event (26 years) than that event and the break up of The Beatles (24 years).
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 18, 2020 18:31:39 GMT
The Quest For The Perfect Let It Be
I'm a fan of the Let It Be album. It's among my favorite Beatles' albums, at least in the top half if not the top third. I can understand the criticisms surrounding the album, and actually I agree with some of them. I enjoy Let It Be...Naked, too. That album both exposed and corrected some of the weaknesses of Let It Be for me, however, at the same time it created issues of its own. There must be a happy medium, a compromise, a best case scenario - an ultimate Let It Be! And that's what I'm trying to create - a personal favorite version of Let It Be. These are my steps in accomplishing that:
1. I am using the sequence of Let It Be...Naked. As someone who values sequencing, I find Naked's sequence to be outstanding. I prefer "Get Back" as the album opener over "Two Of Us". I like how Paul comes out firing with a rocker, and the lyrics work well, too. It sets the tone for the album. I also prefer "Let It Be" as the album closer. "Get Back" is a good closer, too, and I hate to lose John's quip, "I'd like to say thank you...and I hope we passed the audition", but "Let It Be" just feels right closing the album, especially following "Across The Universe".
2. I'm including "Don't Let Me Down", the Naked version. I "get" The Beatles and other groups releasing non-album singles back in the day, but "Don't Let Me Down" is a welcomed "John song" to the album. I'm usually for more songs than less anyway.
3. The one thing that bothers me the most about Let It Be is the inclusion of those short (supposed to be humorous?) snippets of songs ("Maggie May") and spoken words like "I dig a pigmy...in which Doris gets her oats." I find them both unnecessary and annoying. They detract and distract from the songs they precede. Some fans appreciate them, thinking that they contribute to the laid back atmosphere of the record. I'm eliminating them.
4. I'm using mostly Naked songs. To me they sound crisper and punchier. I always felt that the Let It Be album sounded a bit muddy and...not clear.
5. This decision might be considered controversial, too, but I actually like Phil Spector's contributions to "The Long And Winding Road" and "Let It Be". They add a certain weight and depth to the songs, and when I heard the Naked versions, I was left cold and underwhelmed. The Naked versions of "The Long And Winding Road" and "Let It Be" sound demo-like and unfinished. Again, it's a matter of opinion I guess. Some fans don't like Spector's influence; Paul certainly didn't. I'm going with Phil on those two songs.
6. While I really like Naked's and the Let It Be album's version of "Get Back", I'm going with the single version. I always liked Paul's inclusion of "Get back Loretta, your mommy's waiting for you, wearing her high-heel shoes and her low-neck sweater..." Gotta have that part. I'm also going with the single version of "Let It Be". It's just personal preference. I don't find it as "in your face" as the album version. The album version mix of "Let It Be", especially George's guitar, ruins the feel of the song for me. I think it rocks too much.
7. The only problem with the Naked sequencing - and again I love it - is that it is difficult to make two album sides out of it. I suppose it would be best to end Side 1 with "Two Of Us" and begin Side 2 with "I've Got A Feeling". That works fine, but the problem then is that the two sides would be out of whack time-wise. Side 2 would be much longer. Finally, by using the original Let It Be album songs, the Naked songs, and two single versions, the volume is all over the place. MUCH volume leveling is necessary. Anyway, this what I ended up with, my ultimate Let It Be.
The Beatles - Let It Be (Sheriff John Stone Version)
Side 1 1. Get Back (single version) 2. Dig A Pony (Let It Be...Naked version) 3. For You Blue (Let It Be...Naked version) 4. The Long And Winding Road (Let It Be version) 5. Two Of Us (Let It Be...Naked version)
Side 2 1. I've Got a Feeling (Let It Be...Naked version) 2. One After 909 (Let It Be...Naked version) 3. Don't Let Me Down (Let It Be...Naked version) 4. I Me Mine (Let It Be...Naked version) 5. Across The Universe (Let It Be ...Naked version) 6. Let It Be (single version)
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 18, 2020 18:42:46 GMT
I say in all honesty that "Maggie Mae" is easily among my favorite parts of the album, so I cannot support your version! That said, otherwise, nice work.
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Post by kds on Mar 18, 2020 18:57:07 GMT
With Peter Jackson's "Get Back" movie coming this September, what are the odds we get another alternate Let It Be?
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 18, 2020 19:09:01 GMT
I'd say about 95%. Soundtrack with slightly different mixes, or with alternate takes ... something. For sure.
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Post by kds on Mar 19, 2020 12:13:23 GMT
I'd say about 95%. Soundtrack with slightly different mixes, or with alternate takes ... something. For sure. Unlike some bands we know, The Beatles never miss an opportunity to get some product on the shelves.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 23, 2020 15:27:58 GMT
George, Ringo and a couple of their friends :
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Post by B.E. on Mar 30, 2020 17:04:49 GMT
I received a ukulele as a gift a few years ago, and as of yet haven't spent much time playing it. Last night YouTube suggested a ukulele tutorial for "I Will" and I bit. As I'm strumming the chord progression, I start humming the melody of "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea". Sure enough, the opening chord progression is nearly identical (and the verse as a whole has further similarities). Furthermore, both songs are in the same key. I just thought that was a fun link between Paul and George.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 1, 2020 19:21:00 GMT
This is an article about Dave Dexter, who rearranged The Beatles' American album releases from the U.K. versions:
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Post by kds on Apr 10, 2020 12:41:50 GMT
It was 50 years ago today that the greatest, and most iconic band in history broke up ultimateclassicrock.com/beatles-breakup-quotes/And now a full half century after their breakup, they are still the most revered and respected band of all time. They have no equal, and I doubt they ever will.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 10, 2020 14:03:11 GMT
It was 50 years ago today that the greatest, and most iconic band in history broke up ultimateclassicrock.com/beatles-breakup-quotes/And now a full half century after their breakup, they are still the most revered and respected band of all time. They have no equal, and I doubt they ever will. Wow, 50 years...I can't tell you how many times I've wondered if The Beatles would've reunited in some form for some project had John lived. The money issue that was diversive in 1969, Yoko's increasing presence, creative differences, some lethargy, getting married/starting families, and wanting do "their own thing" had seemingly passed through the years. But would've it eventually resulted in a reunion?
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 10, 2020 14:08:36 GMT
It was 50 years ago today that the greatest, and most iconic band in history broke up ultimateclassicrock.com/beatles-breakup-quotes/And now a full half century after their breakup, they are still the most revered and respected band of all time. They have no equal, and I doubt they ever will. Wow, 50 years...I can't tell you how many times I've wondered if The Beatles would've reunited in some form for some project had John lived. The money issue that was diversive in 1969, Yoko's increasing presence, creative differences, some lethargy, getting married/starting families, and wanting do "their own thing" had seemingly passed through the years. But would've it eventually resulted in a reunion? First, I agree with KDS's sentiment: amazingly, even after all this time, I don't think there is much (if any) question about the reality that they are the most "revered and respected band of all time."
Second, SJS, I do think the Beatles would have been more or less just like most other legacy bands that were able to reunite in the 80s, 90s, or later: they would have. The most obvious time--had they not done something earlier--would have been with the Anthology project. I could imagine Anthology I still having just a single (though probably a two-sided single), followed by a new EP or album and either some high profile shows (filmed for release, of course) or a full tour.
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