When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

2023.11 George Fest review, pt.1

On 28 September, 2014 Dhani Harrison hosted a charity concert celebrating the life of George.   Conan O'Brien, members of Spoon, the Cult and Killers took the stage to play favorites written by George (and a select few others) backed by a top-notch group of session musicians.    This week, the first set of that show with thoughts on the news of the week.

2023.10 Two Buddies on Holly Days (overview, ”Holly Days” and ”John Lennon at the St.Regis: Clock”)

One of the first things John Lennon did when landing in New York City was an "art film" named "Clock" that was promptly locked away.    While the film remains in limbo, the soundtrack found its way to the public, first through the "Lost Lennon Tapes", and later (in a more complete form) from the "Dutch Import" market.    Four years later (after buying the Holly catalog), Wings (in the form of Paul, Linda and Denny) would go into Rude Studios in Scotland and attempt something conceptually similar, if with a little studio finesse.     While the album remains in limbo, we are hopeful a release is possible.    Tune in to hear Lonnie Pena and I talk about both projects and the benefits and detractions of going "homespun".

2023.09 The Rutles Archaeology (Review)

The WTWF guys are firmly in that "easy listenin' mode" this week with our review of "The Rutles Archaeology".    How well did Neil Innes manage (artistically) with a second dip into the world of the pre-fab four, and does anyone know where Sony Studios is located?     Tune-in and find out.

2023.08 The Rutles (Soundtrack Review)

During ten days in 1977, Neil Innes, Rikki Fataar, Ollie Halsall, John Halsey and Andy Brown recorded twenty+ songs that would last a lunchtime.     No time for trousers, but plenty of laughs and maybe a poignant comment or two about the boxing kangaroo's.  

2023.07 LennoNYC (Documentary Review)

Jon and I sit down to review the 2010 documentary "LennoNYC" (aka: Lennon NYC).      Lots of interviews, lots of fairly rare footage, a bit of surprisingly candid Yoko Ono, but does it deliver on the stated objective.    Hint: "Does Exactly what it says on the tin" may be stretching things.     Also a bit of chat about the new single featuring Ringo on drums, Louise Harrison and speculation concerning the announced McCartney/Wings documentary.

2023.06 Spot The Looney (George Harrison For Friends)

George Harrison was quite generous with his talents - not just for friends and relatives, but associates and "friends of friends" as well.    Kristof Engelhardt has been chasing such recordings for thirty years, most recently in "The Beatles Fully Uncovered."    https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Fully-Uncovered-Kristofer-Engelhardt/dp/1897350619. The George Harrison corner of that square can be filled in with "Spot the Looney" from FLO records, and we go through some of our favorites from the set, and the enirety of one of the discs.

2023.05 Allan Kozinn (The McCartney Legacy, pt.2)

Part two of our chat with Allan Kozinn (co-author of "The McCartney Legacy" with Adrian Sinclair).      Lots more chat about Wings, Thrillington, Bruce McMouse and other oddities from the RAM era.    THIS is pure McCartney.

2023.04 Allan Kozinn (pt.1)

Part 1 of our discussion with Allan Kozinn, co-author (with Adrian Sinclair) of "The McCartney Legacy: Volume 1, 1969-1973".     Some might describe this book as "Everything you wanted to know about Sir Macca, but was afraid to ask", but that would be inaccurate, as Allan has asked plenty of Paul when he got the opportunity to speak with him several times during "the Kozinn era" at the New York Times.  

2023.03 If These Walls Could Sing The Music of Lennon and McCartney

This week we look at the 1965 Granada television special "The Music of Lennon and McCartney".      Peter Sellers, Billy J. Kramer, The Beatles and a thingie which is not too terribly fiendish.       We close out with some additional thoughts on Mary McCartney's "If These Walls Could Sing", which is getting a lukewarm reception from the public at large.

2023.02 Two of Us (2000 TV movie)

What do "Benny and Joon", "Mad Men" and 1976 (the year) have in common?     The VH-1 television movie "Two of Us", which featured two of the leads from those projects in a fictionalized version of what happened when John Lennon and Paul McCartney hung out one evening, and Lorne Michaels (on the then new "NBC's Saturday Night") made an offer to four guys - "The Beatles."