When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About The Beatles

Dr. Kenneth Womack of Monmouth University and author of more (Beatle and other) books than you can shake a stick at joins us this week for a look back at George Martin questions that have emerged since "Get Back", and forward to Mal's diaries, the (unpublished) diaries/archives, and the two forthcoming books covering the life and times of "The Gentle Giant".    A man quite possibly the closest to the group, and the only assistant worthy of working alongside the Beatles.    

This week we start a periodic (i.e.: not contiguous) series covering the Beatles at the BBC, using the Lord Reith "BBC Archives" series (available at finer Internet sites everywhere) as our basis.      We run through the first volume of this 24-disc set (which roughly corresponds with their first year) watching the drummers change.

September 1968.     Paul McCartney tells the media that the Beatles would be performing live before the end of the year.    We know that project eventually became "Get Back", but what if it had proceeded as planned?

We conclude our seven weeks of Get Back (with more to come soon enough) live on a London rooftop.     It would soon enough become a golden age for lawyers (although none with a legal bent ever went broke at Savile Row), but right here, right now (well, 53 years ago), it was four young men singing for the world without the aid of wine, bowties or black slip-ons [size 8].    Oh, yeah, there was also day 22.    

The penultimate episode of our "Get Back" review.      Allen Klein enters the Beatles world, weather delays the proposed show, and Paul gets cold feet.       Rehearsals and recording continue while Glyn Johns and Michael Lindsay-Hogg hold their collective breath (for reasons other than Ringo farting).

Darin Murphy joins us for Days 15-17.     The deadlines for Ringo and Glyn Johns draw ever closer as January comes to end.    The Beatles do not quite manage a breakthrough, but they do start to get some numbers down for the album, while the crew scrambles for a replacement ending for the film now that Primrose Hill is no longer possible.

WTWF 2021-ish year end review.     Jon and I start last October (with the John Lennon "Gimme Some Truth" set), and carry through to Peter Jackson's "Get Back".    20+ discs of material: remixed, remastered and sometimes just plain new.   Happy Holidays!    All the best for 2022!

Lonnie Pena (and the one-time Mrs. Lonnie) return this week as we continue our look at Get Back.     George has returned to the band and the sessions are ready to begin in earnest at Apple Studios.    Billy Preston wanders down to the basement (after an invitation?), and is swept up into the world of the Fab Four.

The third week of our look at "Get Back".      This time, Martin ("Marv") Quibell of "Pods Like Us" and "P2 Podcast Blues" joins us for George Harrison's departure and eventual return to the Beatles.     (For those playing along at home, the end of Part one, and the beginning of Part two).    Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice?    Try Eric and Charlotte and George and Pattie.

This week, we continue our look at "Get Back" the film, but just begin the journey with "Get Back" the song.     While waiting for John, Paul strums the Hofner and comes up with a little bit of magic.     Three days (mosty) without arguments, although there is still some lingering thoughts of a trial separation between the rehearsals.     Special guest, Alan Doss - drummer of Galactic Cowboys and bass player for the Rikki's.

WTWF starts its deep dive into the new production from Disney+, Peter Jackson and the Beatles.    This week, the first three days as presented in part one of the new feature.   A new year, a soundstage (paid for by another production), four Beatles, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Glyn Johns and Mal Evans in search of some chairs.     Is it any wonder the disagreements move from subtext to screen.

Part two of the WTWF (and "Winter of Discontent") first look at Peter Jackson's: The Beatles - Get Back.     Stick around as Jon will soon return, and we will begin our deep dive into the days of their lives.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody.    Jon spent the holiday with family, so we will wait for the forthcoming "Deep Dive" to hear his thoughts.     In the meantime, I was joined by Nick Anthony of the "Winter of Discontent" podcast (Nagras, nagras and more nagras!) for our first impressions of the nearly eight hours that is "The Beatles: Get Back".     Part two will be arriving as soon as I can make it happen.

Jon and I talk a bit about the original Michael Lindsay-Hogg "Let It Be" and the comings and goings of the Beatles in the studio as Ringo began work on "The Magic Christian".     George Martin, Glyn Johns production and overdubs were the order of the day, making one wonder if they were continuing on from January, moving on to the next project or still figuring it all out.

Week 4 of the WTWF review of the Let It Be Superdeluxeedition.     This week, Disc 3:     Rehearsals and Apple Jams.      Quite different from George Harrison's "Apple Jams".     Eric Clapton is only whispered about here, John's safety net if George doesn't return.    Have a sit, pull up a bowl of cauliflower with cheese sauce, and let us know what you think of what we thing.     All through the day....

Week 3 of the WTWF look at the "Let It Be" SDE box.     This week, Apple Sessions.       Chat and sessions from January 1969.     The Beatles are working on their next project with the start date on filming for "The Magic Christian" looming.     Jams, recording sessions on EMI's portable in the basement and more!

Continuing our look at the "Let It Be" box set.     This week, a bit of recap on the history of the "Get Back" LP.     Glyn Johns mixes, radio airplay, bootlegs and other artifacts from 1969.     We then follow this up with a look at Disc 4.     We ponder the mystery of the "Japanese mixes", and discuss how an unreleased, unmastered tape went on to become something nearly as well-known as Phil Spector's "overproduction".

The "Giles Martin" Let It Be is finally here!     This week Jon and I start our dive into the project with the remix of the main record (*waving fist at Phil Spector*) and the EP.     More to come as we do our usual thorough job on the fun and excitement to be found within the bits of cardboard.

A repost of our first visit with Martin Quibell from 2019.     More ukuleles and banjoleles than you can shake a stick at!     Remember, The ukulele is a type of lute class that is quickly becoming the primary choice of instrument for musicians everywhere.

Kit O'Toole - the Queen of All Beatles Media (Talk More Talk), and Martin Quibell (Pods Like Us) join the show this week as we go deeper in-depth on the trailer to the forthcoming Peter Jackson's "The Beatles: Get Back" than some might have thought possible.    Roll on November!