Saturday, February 26, 2005
Beatle Bits #284
My good friend from Gotham City, Johnny W suggested to me that on the 62nd anniversary of the birth of the Quiet One, George Harrison, I should weigh in with a list, grading the recorded works of Stig even against those of the other Rutles, er, Beatles.
So here goes:
Best solo Beatles LP: All Things Must Pass
Plastic Ono Band/Imagine
Band on the Run
Ringo
Best Beatle song: Something
Best first solo Beatle tour: Dark Horse, 1974
Best solo Beatle live album: Live in Japan, tied with Wings Over America
Best solo Beatles single: My Sweet Lord
Best solo Beatles album that got sheit on by the critics: Living in the Material World
Best solo Beatles outside group effort: Concert For Bangladesh
Best solo Beatle film performance: as a journalist in the Rutles All You Need is Cash
So there you have it.
When you really think about it, George was pretty darn good, eh?
So here goes:
Best solo Beatles LP: All Things Must Pass
Plastic Ono Band/Imagine
Band on the Run
Ringo
Best Beatle song: Something
Best first solo Beatle tour: Dark Horse, 1974
Best solo Beatle live album: Live in Japan, tied with Wings Over America
Best solo Beatles single: My Sweet Lord
Best solo Beatles album that got sheit on by the critics: Living in the Material World
Best solo Beatles outside group effort: Concert For Bangladesh
Best solo Beatle film performance: as a journalist in the Rutles All You Need is Cash
So there you have it.
When you really think about it, George was pretty darn good, eh?
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Beatle Bits #283 HST/RIP
I don't think that the late, great, gonzo journalist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson wrote much about the Beatles-although if he did and I didn't notice I'm sure I'll hear about it from you-and it would seem to me that Hunter would have been great in prosing the life and times of the Fabs.
Many of us grew up through the 60s and 70s reading Thompson's drug fueled, wacko ramblings in Rolling Stone, back when RS really was important to the counterculture, rather than an ad vehicle for iPods and Juciy Fruit gum.
In fact, it was the good Doctor's exploits that got me interested in the writing rackets in the first place, and when I woke to the news Monday morning that Hunter had apparently committed suicide at age 67, it was a bummer on par with Nixon, man.
But perhaps HST did not take on the Beatles because he could very well have considered them beyond reproach, even in the dog's breakfest that became the later 20th century pop culture.
Man, I would have loved to see and hear a one on one with Thompson and Lennon; now that, really would have been something.
Yet I'd be willing to bet John could have held his own, although I'm not so sure that Hunter and Sir Paul McCartney would have been such a good match.
Thompson sniffed show-biz-gone-Hollywood from a 1000 yards, and he and Macca may not have hit it off.
In any event, another great 20th century Baby Boomer icon has bit the dust in an untimely fashion, and I will really miss him.
If there's a rock 'n roll heaven....
Many of us grew up through the 60s and 70s reading Thompson's drug fueled, wacko ramblings in Rolling Stone, back when RS really was important to the counterculture, rather than an ad vehicle for iPods and Juciy Fruit gum.
In fact, it was the good Doctor's exploits that got me interested in the writing rackets in the first place, and when I woke to the news Monday morning that Hunter had apparently committed suicide at age 67, it was a bummer on par with Nixon, man.
But perhaps HST did not take on the Beatles because he could very well have considered them beyond reproach, even in the dog's breakfest that became the later 20th century pop culture.
Man, I would have loved to see and hear a one on one with Thompson and Lennon; now that, really would have been something.
Yet I'd be willing to bet John could have held his own, although I'm not so sure that Hunter and Sir Paul McCartney would have been such a good match.
Thompson sniffed show-biz-gone-Hollywood from a 1000 yards, and he and Macca may not have hit it off.
In any event, another great 20th century Baby Boomer icon has bit the dust in an untimely fashion, and I will really miss him.
If there's a rock 'n roll heaven....
Monday, February 21, 2005
Beatle Bits #282
Every so often, I get a deluge of e-mails asking me "what really is going on" with the Beatles back catalogue remaster.
Well, I have to be honest and tell you that I rarely have any dope "from a source close to the Beatles," and thank God, because those such reports usually turn out to be fantasy.
However, I do have some plain old common sense ideas as to what is going on, and what will (eventually) may happen.
If the Michael Jackson part ownership of the the Beatles song catlaogue was an issue-with Macca dead set against the weird one making any more dough off the Fabs- holding up the remastering, then that obstacle is removed, as MOJO mag has reported that Jackson unloaded the rights to Sony/ATV for around $300 million, last year.
The other relevent issue, the shakey state of the Beatles record company, EMI, is still ongoing, with several mergers of EMI with several other, bigger entities have so far fallen through.
However, would not a Sony/EMI partnership fit nicely now? The publishing and the music would reside at the same address, and perhaps Apple could negoiate a blockbuster deal with Sony/EMI to get some of that publishing money back into the Beatle family.
Finally, the other issue is/was the question of audio format.
For a while, the SACD format-championed by a whole back catalogue reissue by the Rolling Stones in 2002- was all the rage, but now appears to have run out of steam, supplanted by a retro-fitting of the previously very limited and expensive DVD-Audio format, which now plays on any DVD player with Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding.
So, don't be surprised that if all of the above factors come together within the coming year, we finally get the Beatles back catalogue both in remastered CD and Dolby Digital 5.1 format, for a double delight, that may-just may-been worth the wait.
But then again, don't hold yer breath.
Well, I have to be honest and tell you that I rarely have any dope "from a source close to the Beatles," and thank God, because those such reports usually turn out to be fantasy.
However, I do have some plain old common sense ideas as to what is going on, and what will (eventually) may happen.
If the Michael Jackson part ownership of the the Beatles song catlaogue was an issue-with Macca dead set against the weird one making any more dough off the Fabs- holding up the remastering, then that obstacle is removed, as MOJO mag has reported that Jackson unloaded the rights to Sony/ATV for around $300 million, last year.
The other relevent issue, the shakey state of the Beatles record company, EMI, is still ongoing, with several mergers of EMI with several other, bigger entities have so far fallen through.
However, would not a Sony/EMI partnership fit nicely now? The publishing and the music would reside at the same address, and perhaps Apple could negoiate a blockbuster deal with Sony/EMI to get some of that publishing money back into the Beatle family.
Finally, the other issue is/was the question of audio format.
For a while, the SACD format-championed by a whole back catalogue reissue by the Rolling Stones in 2002- was all the rage, but now appears to have run out of steam, supplanted by a retro-fitting of the previously very limited and expensive DVD-Audio format, which now plays on any DVD player with Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding.
So, don't be surprised that if all of the above factors come together within the coming year, we finally get the Beatles back catalogue both in remastered CD and Dolby Digital 5.1 format, for a double delight, that may-just may-been worth the wait.
But then again, don't hold yer breath.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Beatle Bits #281
Wow! Have I ever received a lot of e-mails asking about TOUP, AKA Two Of Us productions ever since I started writing about them and their 5.1 mixes in Beatle Bits.
Hopefully TOUP's long awaited 5.1 mix of the White Album is close to being finished.
In the meantime, there is another interesting audio development I'd like to share with you.
Most home theater systems are equiped with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS decoders, to play music and movies in surround sound.
And most have something called Dolby Pro Logic, which is supposed to simulate 5.1 for source material that is not so encoded.
However, most people do not think much of DPL even for movies and TV, while listening to music through it was, well, bad.
But now, some systems are providing DPLII, which is like night and day to the original.
In fact, I have found that many record companies who put out 5.1 discs, but neglect to master from the multi-tracks, simply run the stereo master tape through a DPLII processor, to provide a 5.1 mix.
I have found that playing the stereo PCM track of any music DVD through the DPLII on my system, is so darn close to real 5.1, it is not funny or easy to tell the two apart.
However, I still believe that TOUP's process of attempting to seperate the individual stereo tracks and then rebuilding the mix in DTS 5.1 may be a superior soundstage. I will A-B the two formats as soon as I can, and report back.
Hopefully TOUP's long awaited 5.1 mix of the White Album is close to being finished.
In the meantime, there is another interesting audio development I'd like to share with you.
Most home theater systems are equiped with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS decoders, to play music and movies in surround sound.
And most have something called Dolby Pro Logic, which is supposed to simulate 5.1 for source material that is not so encoded.
However, most people do not think much of DPL even for movies and TV, while listening to music through it was, well, bad.
But now, some systems are providing DPLII, which is like night and day to the original.
In fact, I have found that many record companies who put out 5.1 discs, but neglect to master from the multi-tracks, simply run the stereo master tape through a DPLII processor, to provide a 5.1 mix.
I have found that playing the stereo PCM track of any music DVD through the DPLII on my system, is so darn close to real 5.1, it is not funny or easy to tell the two apart.
However, I still believe that TOUP's process of attempting to seperate the individual stereo tracks and then rebuilding the mix in DTS 5.1 may be a superior soundstage. I will A-B the two formats as soon as I can, and report back.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Beatle Bits #280
I have upon this day received a small package of some great value from the boys at TOUP.
Yes, I have in my hot little hand the (in)famous TOUP White Album Chronicles, an 8 (!) disc set of TOUP's WA track extractions.
The WA was the first Beatle album to be recorded in 8 track stereo, and so TOUP has isolated all 8 tracks, and from these, so shall the highly anticipated DTS 5.1 WA spring forth.
Now, I won't bullshit you: these extractions are not perfect, with many of the 8 discs burdened by bleedthrough from other tracks, but for the most part, this set is a hell of a lot of fun to listen to, and quite revealing.
For example, many heretofore burried sounds have been brought to the sonic surface by the TOUP wizards. Way, way too many examples to listen at first listen-oh allright, one good example is the almost perfect extraction of lead vocal and bass on Martha My Dear- so I encourage you to get your hands on these little buggers, especially if the WA is your fave Fabs LP.
Now, of course, a heavy weight sits on the shoulders of TOUP in that they-unlike most commericial 5.1 mixes that are simple Dolby Pro Logic II recreations from the master tapes, not the multis- are essentially reproducing the whole album and you just know that if they don't get it "right," they will no longer be touted as genius makers.
I'll bet they will be so tired when finished.
Yes, I have in my hot little hand the (in)famous TOUP White Album Chronicles, an 8 (!) disc set of TOUP's WA track extractions.
The WA was the first Beatle album to be recorded in 8 track stereo, and so TOUP has isolated all 8 tracks, and from these, so shall the highly anticipated DTS 5.1 WA spring forth.
Now, I won't bullshit you: these extractions are not perfect, with many of the 8 discs burdened by bleedthrough from other tracks, but for the most part, this set is a hell of a lot of fun to listen to, and quite revealing.
For example, many heretofore burried sounds have been brought to the sonic surface by the TOUP wizards. Way, way too many examples to listen at first listen-oh allright, one good example is the almost perfect extraction of lead vocal and bass on Martha My Dear- so I encourage you to get your hands on these little buggers, especially if the WA is your fave Fabs LP.
Now, of course, a heavy weight sits on the shoulders of TOUP in that they-unlike most commericial 5.1 mixes that are simple Dolby Pro Logic II recreations from the master tapes, not the multis- are essentially reproducing the whole album and you just know that if they don't get it "right," they will no longer be touted as genius makers.
I'll bet they will be so tired when finished.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Beatle Bits #279 (after Super Bowl Special)
All in all, I'd have to say that Sir Paul McCartney's Super Bowl half-time performance was a winner, especially for Sir P, who apparently is to receive about $3 million bucks for 12 minutes work.
But I really got a larf out of the many get-a-lifers who were posting on various Internet message boards and groups, honestly, within minutes of the end of the show.
Some posters were proclaiming that basically, Pauly the pop singer was God, or even more.
Another thing that caught my eye was a magazine publisher who was offering for sale the complete Macca show, plus some extras, all within a hour or so of the performance.
But for McCartney, He seems to be damned if He do, and (real) damned if He don't.
When He should have been basking in the after-glow of the SB gig, up pops his former mate and PR weasel, Geoff Baker, whose new book promises to rip a chunk from Sir P's hide, and arse.
Apparently, Baker has said that if he was going "mad" as Macca has also alleged, it is the direct result of dealing with the tag-team of Paul and wife Heather, who, the gossip wags claim, has been playing Edger Bergen to Paul's Charlie McCarthy. (For you younger fans, Edger Bergen is best known as the dad of Candice-Murphy Brown, and old Charlie McCarthy was a puppet/dummy.)
If I was Paul, I would have nothing further to say about Mr. Baker, or any of the details of Geoff's new book, because in this sort of piddling contest, the accuser will always get the last word, and best sales.
No, if I was Sir P, I'd be trying to figure out how I could get all my future concerts to pay at least $3 million a piece, and go back to just fighting with Yoko.
But I really got a larf out of the many get-a-lifers who were posting on various Internet message boards and groups, honestly, within minutes of the end of the show.
Some posters were proclaiming that basically, Pauly the pop singer was God, or even more.
Another thing that caught my eye was a magazine publisher who was offering for sale the complete Macca show, plus some extras, all within a hour or so of the performance.
But for McCartney, He seems to be damned if He do, and (real) damned if He don't.
When He should have been basking in the after-glow of the SB gig, up pops his former mate and PR weasel, Geoff Baker, whose new book promises to rip a chunk from Sir P's hide, and arse.
Apparently, Baker has said that if he was going "mad" as Macca has also alleged, it is the direct result of dealing with the tag-team of Paul and wife Heather, who, the gossip wags claim, has been playing Edger Bergen to Paul's Charlie McCarthy. (For you younger fans, Edger Bergen is best known as the dad of Candice-Murphy Brown, and old Charlie McCarthy was a puppet/dummy.)
If I was Paul, I would have nothing further to say about Mr. Baker, or any of the details of Geoff's new book, because in this sort of piddling contest, the accuser will always get the last word, and best sales.
No, if I was Sir P, I'd be trying to figure out how I could get all my future concerts to pay at least $3 million a piece, and go back to just fighting with Yoko.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Beatle Bits #278 (Super Bowl Special)
My good friend from NYC, Gotham Johnny, suggested the topic of this BB, to wit, it is agreed that if Sir Paul McCartney plays either Get Back or Hey Jude during the half-time show at this weekend's Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida,then said Sir P should be lustly booed, and scorn heaped upon Him from 85,000 there, and hundreds of millions worldwide. Whew! That, was a mouthful!
And even though the SB half-time show is elongated, it is still only about 30 minutes long, and Macca is the 5th and final act to take the stage for the intermission bash.
So it would appear he would only have enough time for 2 numbers, and Live and Let Die is probably an even money bet, and not a bad choice, either. (Some recent reports say that Pauly will do 4 numbers, including Drive My Car, and yes, GB and HJ.)
After that, it's anyone's guess what Paul intends to play, although those around the stadium during the sound check may get a better idea.
If it were my choice, I would say how about Long Tall Sally, Getting Better, or even Coming Up, although I doubt he will do 2 Wings numbers.
So I am predicting that the Beatles song will be I Saw Her Standing There, and, according to the Feb 4. New York Times, all the potential songs that Macca may play have already been vetted by the NFL, so as not to offend (!) Totally bizarre.
I am also predicting that although the Philadelphia Eagles may not win-although they could very well outright-I am predicting they will cover the Las Vegas point spread of 7.5 points. (For the inexperienced, the New England Patriots are favoured to win by 7.5 points, so to collect on a bet placed on Philly, the Eagles would have to win, or lose by 7 or less.)
In any event, enjoy the show!
And even though the SB half-time show is elongated, it is still only about 30 minutes long, and Macca is the 5th and final act to take the stage for the intermission bash.
So it would appear he would only have enough time for 2 numbers, and Live and Let Die is probably an even money bet, and not a bad choice, either. (Some recent reports say that Pauly will do 4 numbers, including Drive My Car, and yes, GB and HJ.)
After that, it's anyone's guess what Paul intends to play, although those around the stadium during the sound check may get a better idea.
If it were my choice, I would say how about Long Tall Sally, Getting Better, or even Coming Up, although I doubt he will do 2 Wings numbers.
So I am predicting that the Beatles song will be I Saw Her Standing There, and, according to the Feb 4. New York Times, all the potential songs that Macca may play have already been vetted by the NFL, so as not to offend (!) Totally bizarre.
I am also predicting that although the Philadelphia Eagles may not win-although they could very well outright-I am predicting they will cover the Las Vegas point spread of 7.5 points. (For the inexperienced, the New England Patriots are favoured to win by 7.5 points, so to collect on a bet placed on Philly, the Eagles would have to win, or lose by 7 or less.)
In any event, enjoy the show!
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Beatle Bits #277
Attention all high end audio Beatle fans: Get ready for some "blockbusters."
I have it on pretty darn good authority that the boys from TOUP are working on some incredible faux 5.1 mixes, including-ta da:All Things Must Pass!
And with the TOUP DTS 5.1 White Album just days away, it looks like this late winter and spring are going to be very good times indeed for us surround sound Fabs devotees.
Oh, and if that is not enough, TOUP has already placed the info on bootleg zone, for their recently completed White Album Chronicles set, an 8 disc collection of all the WA track seperations.
As George Harrison once sang, it's all too much!
Now remember, these mixes will not be "perfect," for after all the TOUP boys don't have the multi's from which to mix, but their hard work on seperating the individual tracks from the best available sources-in the case of the WA mostly from Mirror Spock's German Metal Master-has lead to some pretty darn impressive results.
Personally, I can't wait to hear the fruits of their labour.
I have it on pretty darn good authority that the boys from TOUP are working on some incredible faux 5.1 mixes, including-ta da:All Things Must Pass!
And with the TOUP DTS 5.1 White Album just days away, it looks like this late winter and spring are going to be very good times indeed for us surround sound Fabs devotees.
Oh, and if that is not enough, TOUP has already placed the info on bootleg zone, for their recently completed White Album Chronicles set, an 8 disc collection of all the WA track seperations.
As George Harrison once sang, it's all too much!
Now remember, these mixes will not be "perfect," for after all the TOUP boys don't have the multi's from which to mix, but their hard work on seperating the individual tracks from the best available sources-in the case of the WA mostly from Mirror Spock's German Metal Master-has lead to some pretty darn impressive results.
Personally, I can't wait to hear the fruits of their labour.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Beatle Bits #276
This may seem like a bit of a wankfest, but what the bloody 'ell, here goes anyway.
I can not believe the number of you dear readers who have taken the time to e-mail and ask "what's up," with the AbbeyRd site, as well as Beatle Bits.
Well, as you may know by now, Steve had some computer gremlins and was not updating for about 10 days.
Thanks so much to all that took the time to care to ask what was going on.
For me, I used the time to recharge the old batteries-now almost 50 years old-and also work on my new radio show, the Pop Culture Connection, on Hamilton, Ont.'s AM 900 CHML.
You can tune in the show at www.900chml.com on Saturday's from 2-3PM eastern standard time.
My co-host, Bob Sherwin, and I, will be devoting at least one full segment a show on Beatles news, and on the Feb 5 debut, we will have some John Lennon audio from his stint on WNEW in 1974, and some news about the upcoming TOUP White Album 5.1 mix.
So, once again, many thanks for your thoughts and interest.
I can not believe the number of you dear readers who have taken the time to e-mail and ask "what's up," with the AbbeyRd site, as well as Beatle Bits.
Well, as you may know by now, Steve had some computer gremlins and was not updating for about 10 days.
Thanks so much to all that took the time to care to ask what was going on.
For me, I used the time to recharge the old batteries-now almost 50 years old-and also work on my new radio show, the Pop Culture Connection, on Hamilton, Ont.'s AM 900 CHML.
You can tune in the show at www.900chml.com on Saturday's from 2-3PM eastern standard time.
My co-host, Bob Sherwin, and I, will be devoting at least one full segment a show on Beatles news, and on the Feb 5 debut, we will have some John Lennon audio from his stint on WNEW in 1974, and some news about the upcoming TOUP White Album 5.1 mix.
So, once again, many thanks for your thoughts and interest.
