RIP, Allan Williams

The Liverpool Echo reports that the Beatles first manager Allan Williams has passed away.

McCartney "Flowers in the Dirt" SHM-CDs versions available in Japan

Standard edition 2-CD version

Deluxe 3 CD/1 DVD version

Ringo, Paul, Stella react to death of George Michael

God bless George Michael peace and love to all his friends and family 😎✌️🌟💖

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) December 26, 2016

Paul on George Michael: https://t.co/t7vu2Hyjey pic.twitter.com/ZBq0VsTatB

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) December 26, 2016

George... you inspired, you filled the room with no apology and filled my childhood with such moments of magnificence... thank you x Stella pic.twitter.com/Tpp3CVpgrx

— Stella McCartney (@StellaMcCartney) December 26, 2016

George Michael, who was known for his generosity, saved John Lennon's piano.

George Michael saved John Lennon’s favourite piano so that it could stay in Liverpoolhttps://t.co/OoHTnz66D9

— Liverpool Echo (@LivEchonews) December 26, 2016

Elton John also said this:

I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. RIP @GeorgeMichael pic.twitter.com/1LnZk8o82m

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) December 26, 2016

Special Japanese limited editions for "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week" deluxe with extra disc

The Japanese Amazon.com lists a limited edition version of the deluxe "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years" DVD that we haven't seen elsewhere. It contains a third DVD, It appears from the text on the Japanese site that the third disc is the full Japanese version of the film that is excerpted in the U.S. deluxe editions, though we haven't been able to confirm this.

The Japanese Amazon also has special bundles with T-shirts, a poster and a booklet called "Complete Tour List." Some are labeled "limited edition," but we don't know what the difference is. Amazon listings are not always accurate since they are put up by the retailer, not by the record company. So they could be the same.

Here's the rundown on what Amazon Japan is carrying:

• Collector's Edition with three DVDs and black t-shirt
• Collector's Edition with three DVDs and white t-shirt
• Limited edition with three DVDs and poster

Amazon Japan is also listing a second "Limited Edition" that has three DVD and a poster (See picture at bottom.). It appears that all the "Eight Days" versions in Japan come with a poster not in the U.S. set.

If some of this sounds confusing, we've written this as Amazon has them listed. And if we get more information, we'll revise this. (Thanks to Mitch Axelrod of Fab 4 Free 4 All for the alert on this.)

Limited edition with poster

Beatles goodies up for grabs in two holiday contests

We have some news about two holiday contests where you can win FREE Beatles stuff.

First, our "Things We Said Today" radio show has a contest right now where we're giving away two copies of the deluxe Blu-ray of "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years." Send your name and address (U.S. addresses only, please) to thingswesaidtodayradioshow@gmail.com. Your thoughts about the show would be appreciated, though they aren't a requirement to win. We'll take entries until Dec. 25 and then pick two winners. You can listen to our shows at the Podbean link, on iTunes or on YouTube.

And one of our TWST co-hosts, Ken Michaels, has got his own separate contest through his website www.kenmichaelsradio.com starting Dec. 29. He'll be giving away all this to one winner: Beatles 1+ (CD & DVD), "The Beatles: Eight Days A Week: The Touring Years" BluRay Deluxe, The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl CD, Pure McCartney 2-CD Compilation, and Kit O'Toole's book "Songs We Were Singing: Guided Tours Through The Beatles' Lesser-Known Tracks." That starts Dec. 29.

And if you still need to do holiday shopping, don't forget our That's What I Want Beatles Store with everything Beatles at great prices and with quick shipping. 

Internet petition demands McCartney take downloads out of 'Flowers in the Dirt' reissue

Capitol Records/MPL Communications LTD. 

An internet petition has been started asking Paul McCartney to put the download-material on the deluxed edition of the upcoming "Flowers in the Dirt" reissue on physical CDs. The petition, started by Eugene Sokolov, which minces no words, reads:

We, Paul McCartney fans, are extremely disappointed by the fact that the forthcoming reissue of the classic album Flowers In The Dirt by Paul McCartney will include some great tracks (b-sides, remixes, alternate versions) only as download. The price of the deluxe set is high enough and those who buy those expensive sets deserve actual CD's but not downloads.

Please reconsider the set, otherwise we will not buy it. Please stop hoping that fans are so stupid and blind and will buy everything you put out.

The link to the petition.

George Harrison vinyl box coming

Dhani Harrison posted this on his Facebook page Thursday. It looks like we'll be seeing this next year.

Ordering guide for the new McCartney "Flowers in the Dirt" reissue

Photos MPL Communications Ltd. 

To answer some questions we've gotten on Facebook (we'll add more as time goes on):

• What's the difference between the original and 1988 demos? A. The 1988 versions are with the band, reportedly. 
• Update to above: One of McCartney's reps told us today the '88 versions are "more developed." 
• Does the Japanese version have anything different? A. Not that we can tell. 
• Is "Let It Be" coming, too? A. You never know. 

U.S. Amazon

• Deluxe Edition 
• 2-CD special edition
• 2-LP vinyl  

UK Amazon

• Deluxe Edition
• 2-CD special edition
• 2-LP vinyl

Amazon Japan

• Deluxe Edition
• 2-CD special edition
• 2 LP vinyl

Amazon Germany

• 2-CD special edition
• 2 LP vinyl

 

The press release for the new "Flowers in the Dirt" reissue

The full press release.

You can order the Deluxe Edition, 2-CD special edition, or 2-LP vinyl from these links. (Photos MPL Communications Ltd.)

PAUL McCARTNEY FLOWERS IN THE DIRT LONG AWAITED 10th INSTALLMENT OF THE GRAMMY-WINNING ARCHIVE COLLECTION OUT MARCH 24 VIA MPL/Capitol/UMe FORMATS TO INCLUDE 2CD SPECIAL EDITION, 2LP VINYL AND  3CD+DVD DELUXE EDITION BOX SET FEATURING PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED DEMOS, UNSEEN ARCHIVAL VIDEO, NOTEBOOK OF PAUL’S HANDWRITTEN LYRICS AND NOTES, LINDA McCARTNEY FLOWERS IN THE DIRT EXHIBITION CATALOGUE, 112-PAGE HARDCOVER BOOK DOCUMENTING THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM AND MORE  Check out the teaser here.

Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello, 'Flowers In The Dirt' recording sessions, 1988. Photo credit: 1988 © Paul McCartney / Photo by Linda McCartney. The long awaited 10th release in the multiple-Grammy Award-winning Paul McCartney Archive Collection has been confirmed: On March 24, 2017, Paul’s 1989 international #1 album, Flowers In The Dirt, will be the latest classic solo work from one of the world’s most revered catalogues to get the special treatment across a multi-format reissue released by MPL/Capitol/UMe.   The Paul McCartney Archive Collection release of Flowers In The Dirt was, as always, personally supervised by Paul himself. One of the most critically acclaimed albums of the eighties, nominated for both BRIT and Grammy Awards, Flowers In The Dirt saw McCartney team up with Elvis Costello to co-write a third of the album (My Brave Face, You Want Her Too, Don’t Be Careless Love and That Day is Done) as well as boasting production credits from producers such as Mitchell Froom, Trevor Horn, David Foster, Steve Lipson, Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney himself.  Pink Floyd guitar legend David Gilmour makes an appearance on We Got Married and George Martin’s string arrangement on Put It There is amongst the many album highlights. The Flowers In The Dirt Deluxe Edition Box Set will undoubtedly be yet another crown jewel in the collection of any Paul McCartney fan.  In addition to its wealth of audio and video content, exclusive features of the Deluxe Edition include a 32-page notebook of Paul’s handwritten lyrics and notes, a catalogue for Linda McCartney’s 1989 Flowers In The Dirt photo exhibition, a 64 page photobook featuring the music videos for The One, and a stunning, custom-created 112-page book telling the complete story of the album through exclusive in-depth interviews with Paul, Elvis Costello and other key contributors.  Along with expanded track-by-track information, the book contains album and single artwork as well as previously unpublished photographs by Linda McCartney. Sessions for Flowers In The Dirt began in 1987 and the majority of the album was recorded at Paul’s Hog Hill Mill studio in East Sussex.  During the sessions Costello convinced Paul to dig out his iconic Höfner bass for the first time in years—a suggestion McCartney recalls as  “unsual because I had sort of parked it. I had thought I had outgrown it.  I started playing it again and never really looked back. It’s great that Elvis encouraged me to take it out.”  In preparation for his first major world tour in years Paul was looking to capture songs he could take on the road with him.  Paul told his band that he wouldn’t go out on tour unless he really liked the album. Looking back Paul recalls, “You’re always thinking, ‘Let’s get some new songs and take them on tour’ and you hope your new songs are going to work. Something like ‘My Brave Face’ would be a song that nobody knew at the start at the beginning of the tour and then everybody knew it at the end and it was the high spot of the whole tour.” The original 13-track album was remastered for all the new configurations at Abbey Road Studios. The Deluxe Edition contains 18 bonus audio tracks across two discs, featuring previously unreleased demos, written and performed by Paul with Elvis Costello. Speaking about these tracks Paul said:  “The demos are red hot off the skillet and that’s why we wanted to include them on this boxed set. What’s great about these songs is that they’ve just been written. So there’s nothing more hot off the skillet as I say. So that was the kind of great instant thing about them.  I hadn’t listened to them in ages but when I did I knew we had to put them out. We made a little tape of them and sent them to Elvis, who loved them too.  We said we should put out an EP or something and now the moment’s finally arrived.” The Deluxe Edition also includes, as digital downloads only, three unheard cassette demos, Don’t Want To Confess, Shallow Grave and Mistress And Maid. The DVD that comes with the Deluxe Edition includes all the music videos from the album, three new short films with unseen archive material that show some of the creation process of the album and the documentary Put It There originally released on VHS in 1989 – a behind the scenes look at the making of Flowers In The Dirt as well as featuring live performances from his 1989 World Tour. The 2 CD Special Edition includes the remastered version of the album on the first disc.  The second disc includes Paul and Elvis’s previously unreleased original demos. The 2 LP Edition also comes with a digital download version. The first LP includes the remastered album but in keeping with the original vinyl release doesn’t include Où Est Le Soleil (this track will be available with the accompanying digital download).  The second LP includes Paul and Elvis’s previously unreleased original demos. paulmccartney.com @PaulMcCartney Full Format Information/Tracklisting: SPECIAL EDITION (3CD/1DVD) DISC 1: 1. My Brave Face (2017 Remaster) 2. Rough Ride (2017 Remaster) 3. You Want Her Too (2017 Remaster) 4. Distractions (2017 Remaster) 5. We Got Married (2017 Remaster) 6. Put It There (2017 Remaster) 7. Figure Of Eight (2017 Remaster) 8. This One (2017 Remaster) 9. Don’t Be Careless Love (2017 Remaster) 10. That Day Is Done (2017 Remaster) 11. How Many People (2017 Remaster) 12. Motor Of Love (2017 Remaster) 13. Où Est Le Soleil? (2017 Remaster) DISC 2: 1. The Lovers That Never Were (Original Demo) 2. Tommy’s Coming Home (Original Demo) 3. Twenty Fine Fingers (Original Demo) 4. So Like Candy (Original Demo) 5. You Want Her Too (Original Demo) 6. That Day Is Done (Original Demo) 7. Don’t Be Careless Love (Original Demo) 8. My Brave Face (Original Demo) 9. Playboy To A Man (Original Demo) DISC 3: 1. The Lovers That Never Were (1988 Demo) 2. Tommy’s Coming Home (1988 Demo) 3. Twenty Fine Fingers (1988 Demo) 4. So Like Candy (1988 Demo) 5. You Want Her Too (1988 Demo) 6. That Day Is Done (1988 Demo) 7. Don’t Be Careless Love (1988 Demo) 8. My Brave Face (1988 Demo) 9. Playboy To A Man (1988 Demo) DVD  Music Videos: 1. My Brave Face 2. My Brave Face (Version 2) 3. This One (Version 1) 4. This One (Version 2) 5. Figure Of Eight 6. Party Party 7. Où Est Le Soleil? 8. Put It There 9. Distractions 10. We Got Married Creating Flowers in the Dirt: 1. Paul And Elvis 2. Buds In The Studio 3. The Making Of ‘This One’ (The Dean Chamberlain One) Put it There: 1. Put It There Documentary DOWNLOAD ONLY: Original B-sides, remixes and single edits: 1. Back On My Feet 2. Flying To My Home 3. The First Stone 4. Good Sign 5. This One (Club Lovejoys Mix) 6. Figure Of Eight (12” Bob Clearmountain Mix) 7. Loveliest Thing 8. Où Est Le Soleil? (12” Mix) 9. Où Est Le Soleil? (Tub Dub Mix) 10. Où Est Le Soleil? (7” Mix) 11. Où Est Le Soleil? (Instrumental) 12. Party Party (Original Mix) 13. Party Party (Club Mix) Cassette demos: 1. I Don’t Want To Confess 2. Shallow Grave 3. Mistress And Maid SPECIAL EDITION (2CD) DISC 1: 1. My Brave Face (2017 Remaster) 2. Rough Ride (2017 Remaster) 3. You Want Her Too (2017 Remaster) 4. Distractions (2017 Remaster) 5. We Got Married (2017 Remaster) 6. Put It There (2017 Remaster) 7. Figure Of Eight (2017 Remaster) 8. This One (2017 Remaster) 9. Don’t Be Careless Love (2017 Remaster) 10. That Day Is Done (2017 Remaster) 11. How Many People (2017 Remaster) 12. Motor Of Love (2017 Remaster) 13. Où Est Le Soleil? (2017 Remaster) DISC 2: 1. The Lovers That Never Were (Original Demo) 2. Tommy’s Coming Home (Original Demo) 3. Twenty Fine Fingers (Original Demo) 4. So Like Candy (Original Demo) 5. You Want Her Too (Original Demo) 6. That Day Is Done (Original Demo) 7. Don’t Be Careless Love (Original Demo) 8. My Brave Face (Original Demo) 9. Playboy To A Man (Original Demo) VINYL (2LP) Side 1: 1. My Brave Face (2017 Remaster) 2. Rough Ride (2017 Remaster) 3. You Want Her Too (2017 Remaster) 4. Distractions (2017 Remaster) 5. We Got Married (2017 Remaster) 6. Put It There (2017 Remaster) 7. Figure Of Eight (2017 Remaster) 8. This One (2017 Remaster) 9. Don’t Be Careless Love (2017 Remaster) 10. That Day Is Done (2017 Remaster) 11. How Many People (2017 Remaster) 12. Motor Of Love (2017 Remaster) 13. Où Est Le Soleil? (2017 Remaster) (**not on vinyl, this track will be available with the accompanying digital download). Side 2: 1. The Lovers That Never Were (Original Demo) 2. Tommy’s Coming Home (Original Demo) 3. Twenty Fine Fingers (Original Demo) 4. So Like Candy (Original Demo) 5. You Want Her Too (Original Demo) 6. That Day Is Done (Original Demo) 7. Don’t Be Careless Love (Original Demo) 8. My Brave Face (Original Demo) 9. Playboy To A Man (Original Demo)

Updated: First evidence of new McCartney 'Flowers in the Dirt'

 

Links and photos now on Amazon. You can order the deluxe 3 CD/1 DVD edition, the 2-CD special edition or the vinyl. Unofficial release date (which Amazon's listings are, despite the general feeling they're not) is March 23, though we've heard that is correct. The new set will have a lot in it, including demos, and both CDs and DVDs. An announcement may come Thursday. You can order it now. (Updated 12/14/16) (Photos MPL Communications Ltd.)

Ringo Starr pays tribute to Joe Walsh Thursday night at MoPOP in Seattle

Thursday night in Seattle, Ringo Starr paid tribute to his brother-in-law Joe Walsh, who was given the MoPOP Founder's Award. On hand to perform were Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Todd Rundgren, Robert Randolph and Paul Rodgers.

STARRstruck as @ringostarrmusic makes remarks at #FoundersAward in honor of @JoeWalsh pic.twitter.com/CWhQm4PIG9

— MoPOP Seattle (@MoPOPSeattle) December 9, 2016

Oh, hi. Getting ready for the Founders Awards at MoPOP. This one to Joe Walsh, who will be feted by Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Paul Rodgers, Kenny Wayne Sheppherd and TODD RUNDGREN. I need to keep it together. The struggle is real.

A photo posted by Nicole Brodeur (@nicoleseattle) on Dec 8, 2016 at 6:55pm PST

I love the view I'm getting excited tonight we will be at MoPOP which is celebrating Joe @ Walsh peace and love. 😎✌️️🌟💖🎶🎶☮️ pic.twitter.com/irGbMKhaYk

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) December 8, 2016

(Thanks to Karen Dyson for the alert. Paul McCartney was rumored to also be attending, but he has not been sighted.)

Please visit our That's What I Want Beatles store for all your Beatles holiday needs at the best prices.

A taste of Grapefruit -- a group that both Paul McCartney and John Lennon wanted to succeed

Cherry Red Records

The song “Dear Delilah” by Grapefruit was one of our favorites back when it was released in 1968. We loved the phasing sound that this song featured. “Goodnight Sweet Josephine” by the Yardbirds used a similar effect.

Though “Dear Delilah” was their best-known song, not too many people knew that the Beatles had some connection with Grapefruit. John Lennon had suggested their name and they were the first group signed to Apple Publishing. The original group was made up of John Perry, Peter Swettenham and his brother Geoff. Their manager brought in George Alexander (real name George Young, brother of Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC), who himself was former rhythm guitarist with the Easybeats.

The group's music, though signed to Apple Publishing, didn't get released on the Beatles' Apple Records label. John Lennon attended a press reception held for them and Paul McCartney directed one of their promo films. But Grapefruit's songs didn't make much of an impact on the charts. “Dear Delilah” only hit no. 98 on the Billboard charts in the U.S. and no. 21 in the UK, while the follow-up, “C'mon Marianne” (the song also recorded by the Four Seasons) only hit no. 31 in the UK.

They were, however, quite good. Their two original albums, “Around Grapefruit” and “Deep Water” (both with bonus tracks) have been on CD from Repertoire for a while. “Yesterday's Sunshine: The Complete 1967-1968 London Sessions” (Cherry Red Records) was released earlier this year. It includes the first release of the speeded-up stereo version of the song "Lullaby," which was produced by Lennon and McCartney. And if you look around, you'll find there's a Japanese only “Around the BBC” CD that has 12 music tracks comprising their BBC appearances, some previously unreleased stuff and two interviews.

If you've heard “Dear Delilah” (listen to a rare live TV version below), you'll got a taste of the group's psychedelic rock sound. This is great stuff, all of it.

New Beatles turntable!

Copyright Pro-Ject Audio

A brand new limited edition Pro-Ject Audio Beatles turntable will be available starting Sunday at Best Buy stores. The black-and-white turntable was made to commemorate the Beatles 1964 tour. It has an acrylic platter, carbon fiber tonearm and modern Otofon 2m Red cartridge and is decorated with Beatlemania years pictures of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Get it at this link.

George Harrison memorial tonight in Los Angeles

Steve Marinucci

The15th Anniversary George Harrison Public Memorial Remembrance’ will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. PST at George Harrison’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star located in front of the Capitol Records Tower at 1750 Vine Street. Harrison passed away on Nov. 29, 2001 after a bout with cancer.

Fans can bring candles and flowers to place around his star and are also invited to share songs, poems and personal remembrances at the event “open mic."

A special memorial for John Lennon is set at Lennon's Walk of Fame Star, right next to George's, on Dec. 8. For more information on either event, go to visit www.facebook.com/BeatlesMemorialCelebrations/

Some special Beatle Kindle deals now on Amazon for $1.99

We found two great Beatles deals on Amazon.com for Kindle books.

They are:

• Philip Norman's "John Lennon: The Life"
• Peter Doggett's "You Never Give Me Your Money"

We also found a few others we thought you might be interested in:

• Peter Townshend "Who I Am"
• Paul Stanley "Face the Music"
• Gregg Allman "My Cross to Bear"
• Peter Doggett "David Bowie: The Man Who Sold the World"
• Dennis McNally "Jerry on Jerry: Unpublished Jerry Garcia Interviews"
• Michael Lang "The Road to Woodstock"
• Paul Kell, "Robert Plant: A Life"
• Sharon Lawrence, "The True Story of Jimi Hendrix" 
• Aidan Levy, "The Life and Music of Lou Reed"
• Gordon Thompson, "Please Please Me: Sixties British Pop Inside Out" ($2.99)

Be sure to check out our "That's What I Want Beatles" online store for more Beatles books.

Ex-Klaatu member Terry Draper with new CD, look into the archives

Terry Draper/TerryTunes

Terry Draper, formerly of Klaatu, has two recent releases. The most recent is "Window of the World: The Lost '80's Tapes," a 4 GB USB flash drive with 22 songs that Draper has pulled from his archives. Some of the songs have been modified for the release. The drive also includes four videos and the package also includes a postcard and a booklet.

"Searching," the CD pictured above, was released earlier this year. As did Klaatu, the album has a very lush sound and is very Beatles-influenced. It includes a medley of John Sebastian's "Younger Girl" and "Flower Girl," from the Cowsills' "The Rain, the Park and Other Things."

Get both albums through the links. Also, our "That's What I Want Beatles" online store has separate sections of Klaatu and Terry Draper releases. Be sure to check them out.

How the Beatles 'Eight Days a Week' film missed the target

 Courtesy Apple Corps Ltd. 

On the latest Things We Said Today show, we discuss the new “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years” DVD. I've reviewed it on AXS, but as I said in the show, I watched “The Beatles Anthology” before discussing it there. And I said in the show that the thing that was really noticeable was the huge use of talking heads that really diluted the story and made it much lighter.

We (meaning all of us) took “The Beatles Anthology” for granted. It was so well done, and the opinions of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, who was still with us then, were like being on the inside. The John Lennon comments added a lot as well. 

“The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years” was not that. It was a look at the Beatles' touring years from different viewpoints that included theirs. They called it a documentary, but it was that in the loosest sense of the word. It was really an entertainment film. 

But if there was one thing we wished they had done with it, it would have been to make it more serious. And by serious, we mean somber. Those years of touring were unprecedented in the worldwide reaction. And the Beatles were four humans. “The Beatles Anthology” hinted at it and I don't expect we'll ever really know, but the fact they've survived is probably a miracle. Maybe Ron Howard probably didn't want to go there, but a different angle other than a P.R. story might have made the film more interesting. 

In the meantime, dig out “The Beatles Anthology” again and see the story the way they told it themselves.     

Things We Said Today #208 - What Apple has done right/Leon Russell tribute

Beatles political parodies by Rocky Mountain Mike

Rocky Mountain Mike has been doing tons of song parodies about Trump. Here are two of his recents -- both with Beatles (and solo) melodies.   

Beatle tributes on social media to Leon Russell

Beatles and family social media tributes to Leon Russell:

God bless Leon Russell peace and love to all his family peace and love 😎✌️️🌟💖🎵🎶🌹

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) November 13, 2016

Leon Russell R.I.P. One of my biggest music and style icons. Seems like many of the greatest… https://t.co/ofpnRidLcG

— Sean Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) November 13, 2016

We lost another friend. RIP Dear Leon. - Olivia & Dhani pic.twitter.com/PzzhfQ60Sm

— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) November 13, 2016

Yoko Ono says it best about Donald Trump

Dear Friends,
I would like to share this message with you as my response to @realDonaldTrump
love, yoko pic.twitter.com/s1BqfUgfLr

— Yoko Ono (@yokoono) November 11, 2016

And be sure to visit our That's What I Want Beatles Page (U.S) or That's What I Want Beatles Store (UK) for more holiday ideas.

First look at new Beatles 'Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years' DVD

Just arrived today. It'll be released Nov. 18. Here are views of the inside and outside of the Blu-ray Deluxe. Just popped it open and am still looking through it. Please order it here.

Unreleased music on new Yoko Ono reissue

Among the discussion on the latest (and just released)  "Things We Said Today" #207 with author Chip Madinger is the interesting revelation from Chip that there despite the initial word that the new Yoko Ono reissues are the same as the old Rykodisc albums there is indeed unreleased material on at least one of them. 

That would be "Yoko Ono: Plastic Ono Band," which features some previously unheard music on track 9, "Why (Extended Version)." We don't have any information about other unreleased music on the other albums that are out.  

Exclusive: Huge McCartney reference project from trio of authors to premiere in 2017

The first volume of a new book series on the career of Paul McCartney by three distinguished Beatles authors and researchers will hit the shelves in 2017, we can announce here for the first time. “The McCartney Legacy,” as it will be called, will be written by Chip Madinger, Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair, and published by Madinger's Open Your Books imprint that's also handling his “Lennonology” series on John Lennon. The book has also just started a website.

Madinger, of course, is known for his excellent Beatles books “Eight Arms to Hold You” and the “Lennonology” series of which one volume is available. Allan Kozinn, has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and other newspapers, is the author of two Beatles books, “The Beatles - From the Cavern to the Rooftop” and “Got That Something - How The Beatles’ ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ Changed Everything,” one of the co-hosts (with yours truly) of the radio show “Things We Said Today,” contributing editor to Beatlefan magazine and author of several other music-based books. Sinclair, a Beatles researcher for over 20 years, is also an award-winning documentary editor in the UK. They reveal first details of the project for this interview. Madinger (and Kozinn) also discuss the book in the new Things We Said Today show #207 premiering soon on Podbean, iTunes and YouTube.

Q: When will the first book come out?

Adrian Sinclair: “The book should, be out at the end of next year on the Open Your Books label together with the next installment of (Madinger's) 'Lennonology.'”

Allan Kozinn: “‘McCartney Legacy’ will be a multi-volume set, rolled out over several years and published by Chip Madinger’s ‘Open Your Books’ imprint, which is also publishing “Lennonology.” I’m not sure how many volumes the set will be – probably five, maybe more. One reason it’s changing is because of the amount of material we’ve turned up. The first volume, as we originally envisioned it, was going to cover the whole of Wings through 1979 or 1980. But we have so much documentation, and so many fresh interviews, for the first version of Wings, which fell apart in 1973, just as the group was about to leave for Lagos, Nigeria, to record ‘Band on the Run,’ that we decided to make the first volume a look at McCartney’s work from 1969 to 1973 -- we’re talking about the ‘McCartney’ album through the rehearsals for ‘Band on the Run’ – as well as his first actual solo project, the score for ‘The Family Way.’ It should be out in the autumn of 2017.”

Sinclair: “Volume One (there will likely be five in total) will cover Paul’s solo career 1966-73. Closing when the ‘Band on the Run’ rehearsals ended on 13 August 1973 (you can have one date we found!).”

Q: How did it come together?

Kozinn: “Like a lot of us, I think Adrian was hoping for an update to "Eight Arms to Hold You," but knew that Chip was fully engaged in writing "Lennonology," so began to collect information on his own. He asked me if I wanted to get involved, and while I thought it would be daunting, I liked the challenge. But I also knew that Chip had collected a good deal of info since "Eight Arms" was published, so I persuaded both Chip and Adrian that it made sense to make common cause.

Sinclair: “Much like the Beatles finding one another, we somehow did the same. I had started a project myself and spoke to Allan about helping me out. I’d been gathering information, and needed someone to help me translate that into book form - Allan seemed the perfect fit. After a few weeks Allan had a conversation with Chip who told him that he’d been compiling info for 15 years for an update to 'Eight Arms,' so it felt like a natural thing for us all to join forces.”

Chip Madinger: “After the release of ‘Eight Arms To Hold You,’ in 2000, I began to gather data for potential update, which as I've said before, was the genesis of Strange Days Indeed. Now it would have been irresponsible of me to not stockpile any McCartney data that I discovered during the production of ‘LENNONOLOGY,’ and there was some very exciting information that I came across, which I proceeded to file away with no particular project in mind. So, around a year to 18 months ago, I was speaking with Allan Kozinn and he told me of a project that he was working on with the British researcher Adrian Sinclair. After a few more conversations, it seemed natural for me to join the team and pass along the session information and interviews that I had collected-especially as I was busy working on volume two of the ‘LENNONOLOGY’ series. The combination of contemporary studio documentation paired with an extensive series of key interviews – including some that I conducted over the years with members of Wings and session players who are no longer with us – will result in the definitive history of Paul McCartney as a solo artist-both on his own and with Wings. And It only seems natural that ‘McCartney Legacy’ will be presented in a format similar to the future volumes of ‘LENNONOLOGY.’”

Q: What is the goal of the book?

Kozinn: “Our feeling was that although there are, at this point, a number of McCartney biographies on the market, there really isn't a work that deals comprehensively with his creative work - an extraordinary, varied collection of albums and rock, classical and experimental projects that continues to grow. Chip's "Eight Arms To Hold You" charted that territory to a great extent, but it is now 16 years old, and a good deal more information has emerged since he published it, and we wanted to sharpen the focus. So we will have a detailed write up for each song, including session dates, quotes from both the interviews we've done our selves and from contemporary sources. And each album will be introduced by a biographical overview that will look at what was going on in McCartney's life at the time of each set of sessions, as a way of providing context for the information about the recordings.”

Sinclair: “The initial goal was fairly simple, to update the amazing work done in 'Eight Arms.' But the project snowballed within a matter of months when we realized how much new information we actually had. My own personal aim was to try and speak to everyone (still alive) who worked with McCartney between 1969-73, to tell the story in the voices of those who lived it. So we tracked down most of the key players and Allan and I interviewed them. Lucky for us Chip had already spoken to Henry McCullough before he passed, as well as many other big names from this era. His input in the project cannot be overstated. Through band interviews we struck up several key relationships, through which we’ve been able to piece together an extraordinary timeline of events for 1970-73. This means that we can report accurately on things such as recording sessions, filming, band rehearsals, dinners, holidays, and more importantly, when members joined and quit - down to the very day.

“At the same time, being that I’m in the UK, I spend a lot of time in the British Library, reading all the music newspapers printed between 1969-73 (more than 1000 in total) to get every detail, press interview, report, photo, rumour, you name it from contemporary reports. Contemporary band interviews are as key to volume as new ones, they were of the time, fresh, honest, and at times incredibly revealing.

“We have also done a lot of historical digging, and accumulated as much historical information as possible to tie in with Wings’ work in the studio, on TV and on the road to bring this period to life for readers. At the heart of the volume there will be a full discography and sessionography, this will include a detailed description of the recording process for each and every song, from conception to studio session (sample song coming next week hopefully.) We really hope to offer a definitive, detailed, and most importantly accurate account of Wings first flight.”

Beatles Christmas comes early to Target and Amazon

Robert Barnes sent us these pictures of a new Kurt Adler Beatles Christmas ornament he picked up today at Target. (See first picture.) The drum with the faces is also available at Amazon, as is a Sgt. Pepper drum (third row), a Beatles mini lunchbox (fourth row) and a Beatles retro record player (fifth row). Please purchase them through these links. Thank you. You can find a huge selection of Beatles Christmas ornaments in a special section of our That's What I Want Beatles Store.

And be sure to visit our That's What I Want Beatles Page (U.S) or That's What I Want Beatles Store (UK) for more holiday ideas.

McCartney new album rumors

With all the buzz that the new McCartney song  generated, the word (totally unconfirmed) is already starting to come in about the new album he's recording. We're hearing unconfirmed info that it will be out in March, with a single early in the month. Paul is said to have recorded 17 songs with four different producers, including Giles Martin. We're also hearing that one of the songs will be a tribute to Sir George Martin. We'll see. (Other sources, FYI, are saying more songs.)

New Paul McCartney song available in UK iTunes store as of tonight!

OK, people ... there's a new McCartney song in the UK iTunes store as of tonight. It's "In the Blink of An Eye" from the forthcoming soundtrack of "Ethel & Ernest." From the preview, it reminds me a lot of "(I Want To) Come Home."

Here's a link to the full album in the UK store for pre-order. And here's a link in the UK store to just the song. But if you are not in the UK, you won't be able to buy it. You can, however, hear the 60 second preview. Here's a link to order the album on Amazon.co.ukon Amazon.co.uk, where it says it'll be out Nov. 11. There is no preview there. Much of the album features music by Carl Davis, who you will remember collaborated with McCartney on "Liverpool Oratorio."

Ringo All-Starr begins autobiography

Steve Lukather (Wikipedia)

Ringo Starr All-Starr Band guitarist Steve Lukather announced today on Twitter he's begun working on his autobiography.

"Officially started my autobiography today w/ co -author Paul Rees. Been planning and outlining for awhile now. Out 2018 worldwide."

He's been with Ringo since 2012 as part of the longest running lineup the band has had. He's also one of the original members of Toto, which formed in 1978. He's currently on tour with Ringo and the All-Starrs. The tour began on the West Coast and includes a series of stops in the Far East before it heads back to Hawaii and the West Coast for the conclusion in November.  Get tickets for Ringo Starr and the All Starr Band here.

Ringo's "Photograph" book only $7.49 at Amazon!

The hardcover version of Ringo Starr's mass market version of his "Photograph" book is now only $7.49 at Amazon.com. Please use this link to order.  It is not marked down at Amazon.co.uk, so grab it while you can. It'll make a great holiday gift (or just for yourself). (Thanks to Jessica C.)

And be sure to visit our That's What I Want Beatles Page (U.S) or That's What I Want Beatles Store (UK).

Cynthia Lennon signed painting of the Beatles being auctioned

The St. Thomas Lupus Trust, which auctioned a one-of-a-kind Paul McCartney guitar string bracelet earlier this week,  has another unique item auction going. It's for this Cynthia Lennon autographed painting of the Beatles from "Magical Mystery Tour. The painting was done by Cynthia herself and the Trust has used the design to sell notelets from. But the auction winner will get the original. 
There's a high bid of £127.00, which is about $155.40 USD. You can bid here. The auction runs through Oct. 31.

Some info: The painting is in the UK. The winner either has to pick it up at Guys Hospital in London or arrange themselves for its transportation by courier. More details are on the auction page.

And be sure to visit our That's What I Want Beatles Page (U.S) or That's What I Want Beatles Store (UK).

Ringo Starr gets some long overdue musical respect – from the Russians

A new two-disc Ringo Starr collection, “Ringo Starr Greatest Hits,” showed up on Amazon recently. Thanks to the design and much of the packaging, complete with logos, it looked it could have been a legitimate issue. But it wasn't. It was really an unauthorized Russian issue composed completely of all previously released material. Besides the tiny Russian type on the back cover that gives it away, the cover also shows the listings on “Dick One” and “Dick Two.”

The funny thing is, though, that if it was a legitimate release it would get a four-star rating. Why? Because the music itself is great. For better or worse, the work of the other three Beatles is almost always mentioned ahead of his. And if you count the Beatles as a group, it's fifth. But after listening to this set, that shouldn't be the case. As we said, there's nothing new or nothing anyone with a complete Ringo Starr CD collection doesn't already have. Why would it be a necessary buy if it was a legitimate release?

Unlike the other Beatles who at times have gotten off in tangents in their solo careers either lyrically or musically, Ringo's music has always, even in its few vanity detours (like “Beaucoups of Blues” and “Sentimental Journey”) been down-to-earth. And that's what this set is all about.

The first disc begins, not surprisingly, with 1973's “Photograph,” the first of his two Billboard No. 1 hits. The other was the follow-up, “You're Sixteen,” from the same year, which is the second track on side one. The first disc, with 24 tracks, includes the A-sides of all his top 100 Billboard hits through 1981 – “Beaucoups of Blues” (his first Billboard charter in 1970); “It Don't Come Easy”; “Back Off Boogaloo”; “Oh My My”; “No No Song”; “(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna”; “Only You”; “A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll”; “Hey Baby” and “Wrack My Brain.”

Also on the disc, but certainly not filling it out, are “Drowning in the Sea of Love”; “Wings” (which he recently remade); “Lipstick Traces”; “Heart on My Sleeve”; “Private Property”; “Stop and Take the Time To Smell the Roses”; “In My Car” and “I Keep Forgettin'.”

The second disc features more recent material, starting with “Weight of the World.” Some of the other tracks on the disc are the rockin' “Don't Go Where the Road Don't Go”; “King of Broken Hearts” with George Harrison's tender slide solo; “Never Without You,” his tender tribute to Harrison; another rocker, “Give Me Back the Beat”; “Choose Love”; “Liverpool 8”; “Peace Dream”; “Walk With You,” his duet with Paul McCartney; “Rock Island Line,” his cover of that vintage song; and “Postcards From Paradise,” the title song from his most recent album.

It's only on the second disc that the programming of songs falls off a little. But so much of this disc is absolutely wonderful listening and points up Ringo's talent as a singer. (Yes, we said that.) What connects the songs is the fact that Ringo never appears to be putting on airs. His humanity shines through on this set. The set includes several cover versions and also a surprising number of songs about the Beatles, Liverpool or songs with Beatles references. 

Now, if only he'd do a few more of these in concert. Though the album is no longer on Amazon, it can be found on eBay, at least for now. See the full track list from the back cover below.  The funniest thing about this is that Ringo has long talked about putting out a new career retrospective. It's happened, but he didn't do it.