Considering that Help! functions as the Beatles' fifth album and as the soundtrack to their second film -- while filming, they continued to release non-LP singles on a regular basis -- it's not entirely surprising that it still has some of the weariness of Beatles for Sale. Again, they pad the album with covers, but the Bakersfield bounce of "Act Naturally" adds new flavor (along with an ideal showcase for Ringo's amiable vocals) and "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" gives John an opportunity to flex his ock & roll muscle. George is writing again and if his two contributions don't touch Lennon and McCartney's originals, they hold their own against much of their British pop peers. Since Lennon wrote a third more songs than McCartney, it's easy to forgive a pair of minor numbers ("It's Only Love," "Tell Me What You See"), especially since they're overshadowed by four great songs. His Dylan infatuation holds strong, particularly on the plaintive "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and the title track, where the brash arrangement disguises Lennon's desperation. Driven by an indelible 12-string guitar, "Ticket to Ride" is another masterpiece and "You're Going to Lose That Girl" is the kind of song McCartney effortlessly tosses off -- which he does with the jaunty "The Night Before" and "Another Girl," two very fine tunes that simply update his melodic signature. He did much better with "I've Just Seen a Face," an irresistible folk-rock gem, and "Yesterday," a simple, beautiful allad whose arrangement -- an acoustic guitar supported by a string quartet -- and composition suggested much more sophisticated and adventurous musical territory, which the group immediately began exploring with Rubber Soul.
*Award-winning indie movie gets long overdue DVD release in the UK*On the eve of the mass outbreak of Beatlemania in 1963, John Lennon embarked on a short holiday to Barcelona with his manager Brian Epstein. Christopher Munch's thoughtful and provocative film speculates on what might have happened between the two on that brief escape from the spotlight, an intriguing portrait of an often awkwar...
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There is nothing 'new' on The Beatles box, if by 'new' you mean songs or performances you haven't heard before. And if you are a visitor to the world of unauthorized releases, this material in all sorts of configurations (demos, outtakes, mono, stereo, alternate versions) may be in your library already. But peel off a couple of C-notes and spring for a box anyway, if you can find one. I got the...
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My problem is . . . it's not red anymore. Whenever a post with an MP3 comes up, the button is gray. And no clicky. No music. So I'm not able to listen to anything. Anyone know why this might be?
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from WGBH and PRIWeek of June 3, 2007What I Did for LoveWhat have you done for love?On this week's Sound & Spirit, host Ellen Kushner looks into the human psyche to explore how - and why - love changes us in astonishing ways. We'll hear real-life stories of death-defying risk, artistic expression and seemingly impossible feats - all for love! Music tells the story, whether it's a medieval troub...
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I'm watching the once elusive HELP! tonight(apparently the DVD is being released on November 6th - FINALLY) I always enjoyed this film but I'm particularly taken with the set design of their home. Dunno why but I will always have a jones for a sunken living room.Oh and the music's good too...
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This company is dope, man. My girl works for these dudes. They make some high tech equipment that would make Jeff Spicoli go, "...whoah...dude! " And they sell Ecoli packs that totally help 3rd worlders avoid, like, painful deaths, and stuff...Anyway, they are all about the science, right? But they don't really have the creative adverts. So I'm putting up a challenge. I will send the winner a c...
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*Award-winning indie movie gets long overdue DVD release in the UK*On the eve of the mass outbreak of Beatlemania in 1963, John Lennon embarked on a short holiday to Barcelona with his manager Brian Epstein. Christopher Munch's thoughtful and provocative film speculates on what might have happened between the two on that brief escape from the spotlight, an intriguing portrait of an often awkwar...
More >
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 "Help!")
