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.