When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

Marv, Lonnie and I sit with Nashville HOF songwriter, author and man who worked with a Beatle about his lifelong love of the Fabs, touring (and writing!) with Carole King, his Brian Epstein-themed song on the new Billy J. Kramer record, collaborating (and recording) with Ringo and the forthcoming Ringo country album.     We also dig into his new novel ("Reunion"), which imagines a universe where John Lennon's fate changed, and all four were still present when Paul (at the urging of his daughters) decides to approach the others, as "the right four people" is one of the ways he might be able to overcome his heartache.

The "Mind Games" train rolls on.   Disc four, the evolution mixes.    Possibly the closest we will get to hearing the evolution of the "Mind Games" album.    Each track, from the earliest known demo through the various changes in the studio through to the near-complete version.    John, Yoko, Roy Cicala and all the musicians chime in at various times for a full look at just how the recording process worked for John Lennon in New York City in the early 1970's!

The Ultimate Box review continues!    This week we move on to the third disc - the elements mixes.     How many other (non-instrumental) albums have a disc not featuring lead vocals from the named artist?    This one does.      Marv and I talk about what we learned, and we extend the concept talking about Keltner, Gordon, Something Different, Sneaky Pete and the others that migrated from "Feeling the Space" over to "Mind Games".

Lonnie and I roll on with part two of our "Mind Games" SDE review.    This week, disc two - the Elemental mixes (not to be confused with the Elements mixes).     Lonnie also unveils his initial thoughts on the Mind Games (Ultimate Collection) Super Deluxe Box Set!    Roll the I-Ching and see if it advises you to drop the cash!

Lonnie Pena, Jon Stone and I sit down to discuss the first disc of the "Mind Games: Ultimate Collection" Deluxe Box set.           When asked about the release, Sean Lennon says: "People were having trouble adjusting to the 'new' John Lennon. So, I think Mind Games fell through the cracks for a number of reasons. The fact that the mixes were a bit thin didn’t help either."     Does that apply to Jon, Lonnie (who picked up the disc at release) and me (who didn't get turned on to it until the early eighties and the half-price bin)?    Tune in and find out!

Marv and I talk the Birmingham, UK Soundcheck (2015, "Out There" tour).      Soundcheck is 40-60 minutes of Paul doing (mostly) songs not part of the main show.     This week we talk "Celebration", "Miss Ann",  "It's so Squeazy", "I'll Follow the Sun", and a bit about how the show has changed since Out There (two encores compressed to one!    No "Yesterday").    As they say in "Midnight Special" (another soundcheck favorite of Paul's) "If you ever go to Houston, you better act right!"

 

 

The Last Houston storm resulted in Lonnie Pena uncovering his Seventies Beatles scrapbook.     Festival Seating in the Houston Summit!     Ringo, "I Dream of" Jeannie, Jim Backus and one of the hippest looking sexagenarians captured in a photograph.     Also, more "Got Back 2024" dates, preparations for the "Mind Games" box, and the wonder of AI "Get Back Sessions".

The annual "Peace and Love" bonus episode of Fab.      Fire it up precisely at 11:45 local time on Sunday July 7, and join our shows in wishing Ringo "All the Best" and the world "Peace and Love" as we celebrate Richard, Richie, "Ringo-Starrtime" Starkey.

Marv and I review the second disc of the "One Hand Clapping' set, and the contents of the vinyl EP.    It is becoming popular for many internet types to claim that this collection is now amongst their favorite Wings albums.     That might be a bit of hyperbole, and it might be recency bias, but even so, this new mix and official release of the 1974 Paul McCartney and Wings bootleg favorite is at a minimum, quality product from Sir Macca and MPL.

Lonnie and I review the first disc of the "One Hand Clapping' set (available on Vinyl, Vinyl + single, CD and streaming), the new mix of the 1974 Paul McCartney and Wings Favorite.     Just how good a drummer was Geoff Britton?