Scouring the net, I've seen lots of discussion about the "new" Beatles album. It's funny to me, because it's like this cd has validated some people's perception of the band's greatness. And they should have been all along. I know I personally have been on a Beatles kick like I've never been in my life. I have to give April a big kudo for that, since she's a big influence on me in so many ways. We saw one of the first performances of the "Love" show here in town, when they were previewing the show back in early June. I dare say we even got to see it before Paul, Ringo, Yoko, or Olivia did. And seeing it affected me greatly.

I was never a Beatles fan when I was little. I credit that with Cindy Winkler. She's this British girl I went to school with from like 3rd grade to HS graduation. She was odd. She loved cats, and she loved the Beatles. Her hygiene was questionable. She was very British. Being a stupid lowbrow kid, I used to join in on teasing her, like my older sister did to me. I feel really bad now. She said the Beatles were the greatest band ever. I remember arguing that Def Leppard was better in 4th grade. Yeah, well it wasn't my fault. I grew up in backwater Hanford, CA. What did I know?

Anyways, I got my exposure over the years like most people. Got a passing appreciation with them after high school during my first music store job. And when the Anthology first came out. But after meeting April and seeing the show, I was totally won over myself.

What strikes me the most is how everyone is talking about how well George and Giles Martin did the mash-ups. And I agree, the production is stellar, and revelatory. But what I found the most amazing is that as amazing as it sounds, when you think about how the music was originally recorded. Alot of their stuff (particularly the early stuff) is basically 4-track recordings. Now we have a 4-track ourselves, and it's the most primitive way to record something. I marvel at the sounds and collages they came up with using that technology. I mean, with the technology we have today, the recordings basically do not sound much different. Their quality of songwriting and arranging is unparralled. And ironically, it would probably be much difficult for them to write and record the things they did with the technology today, because it would be almost too many options (as I feel recording is these days, especially with all the Pro-Tool dependent bands out there).

I guess this whole post is almost a moot point, because discussing the Beatles greatness is like discussing how the sky is blue on clean air days, or how life is nothing but death and taxes. But I don't know, I just felt compelled to put in my .02.

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rhymeswithrawk says:

what I found the most amazing is that as amazing as it sounds,

I agree. Paul's toe-tapping on "Blackbird/Something" gives me goosebumps. Why Apple and/or Capitol have yet to reissue that damn catalog in remastered format is beyond me. And while we're on the subject, why the HELL don't we have a commercial release of "the White Album" in mono?! It's unlike a record company to let people sell $40 copies of bootlegs of something like that.

Posted about 1 year ago | Delete

rhymeswithrawk says:

Check that. I meant "Yesterday," not "Something."

Posted about 1 year ago | Delete

Choogaze says:

I agree on the "Yesterday", and being a drummer, I love the "Within You Without You" with the "Tomorrow Never Knows" drum mix. Probably my favorite Ringo piece ever.

Heard the remastered catalog will come out next year. Rumor has it, anyways.

Those crazy Apple/Capitol kids. They like to tease.

Posted about 1 year ago | Delete

So due to some last-minute manuevering by my intrepid girl, we scored tickets to the sold out Tenacious D show at the House of Blues Saturday night. They were great seats up at the balcony, and I am now converted to the fact that I will NEVER do the floor of the House of Blues ever again. Especially at a sold out show.

SPOILER ALERT if you're going to see them this tour!

The show itself was magnificent. After the dynamic duo surfaced under a blanket on the couch of Kyle's living room, and performed some gems from their first album, starting with the crass and sing-along anthem "Kielbasa". This was their first show of the tour to promote the new album and movie, which thankfully, they didn't beat the audience over the head with commercial advertisements.

They were then joined by "Lee", and later went to "Hell" to play an electric set with a fully capable band, comprised of the "Antichrist", complete with crown of thorns, Charlie Chaplin, and Col. Sanders on drums. The show was absolutely rockin, and all involved seemed in very good spirits. Jack Black especially, though he perspired more any mortal man should. One of the highlights was the show ender, which was a perfect rendition of the Who's "Pinball Wizard". All in all, a very humorous and enjoyable show. Definitely worth catching if you're in any way, a fan of the "D"!

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Spencer Owen says:

I think Jack Black is brilliant when he's not being just this much too crass. I'm not a prude so much as I just sorta stop laughing at a certain point. Non-"taboo" absurdity is much funnier and more clever to me.

It would probably be a great show, though.

Posted about 1 year ago | Delete