Beatles news from Steve Marinucci, a journalist with over three decades of experience in the newspaper business and a contributing writer to Billboard and AXS.com and host of the Beatles News Briefs podcast heard regularly on podbean.com, iTunes and Fab 4 Radio.com.
On Christmas Day, some enterprising soul leaked the unreleased full musical "Music of the Spheres" suite composed for the "Destiny" video game by Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori and Paul McCartney. The music, which is mostly choral and symphonic, includes McCartney singing "Hope For the Future," which was released on "Pure McCartney," at the end.
You can hear it on Soundcloud and YouTube. Download links are said to be floating around the internet. A great writeup on this is on Ars Technica. (Thanks, John Bezzini.)
The UK Sun reported tonight that Ringo Starr is to be knighted. He will be honored for his contributions in music and charity in this year's New Year's Honours. Starr got the word in a letter a few weeks ago. He is said to be overjoyed at the honor, which comes well after Paul McCartney was knighted in 1997.
Capitol/UMe announced today that "Ringo" and "Goodnight Vienna" have been remastered by Ron McMaster at Capitol Mastering for worldwide reissue on heavyweight, 180-gram vinyl LPs. Preorder both of the albums at the links above.
Tracklists:
RINGO STARR: Ringo
I'm the Greatest (John Lennon)
Have You Seen My Baby (Randy Newman)
Photograph (Richard Starkey, George Harrison)
Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond) (George Harrison)
You're Sixteen (You're Beautiful And You're Mine)" (Bob Sherman, Dick Sherman)
Oh My My (Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia)
Step Lightly (Richard Starkey)
Six O'Clock (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney)
Devil Woman (Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia)
You and Me (Babe) (George Harrison, Mal Evans)
RINGO STARR: Goodnight Vienna
(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna (John Lennon)
Occapella (Allen Toussaint)
Oo-Wee (Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia)
Husbands and Wives (Roger Miller)
Snookeroo (Elton John, Bernie Taupin)
All by Myself (Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia)
Call Me (Richard Starkey)
No No Song (Hoyt Axton, David Jackson)
Only You (Buck Ram, Ande Rand)
Easy for Me (Harry Nilsson)
Goodnight Vienna (Reprise) (John Lennon)
Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 23) next week, Meat Free Monday has released a short film about a huge contributor to climate change that is often left out of conference discussions – animal agriculture.
“There’s a simple but significant way to help protect the planet and all its inhabitants”, says Paul McCartney to the camera. “And it starts with just one day a week. One day without eating animal products can have a huge impact in helping maintain that delicate balance that sustains us all.”
The film is narrated by Paul McCartney, with additional appearances from Mary and Stella McCartney, Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone. You can see the film below.
The Beatles’ Festive Fan Club Holiday Recordings Presented Together on
Seven Colored Vinyl Singles with Original Artwork
Acclaimed ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ Expanded
Deluxe Anniversary Edition to be Released in HD Digital Audio
‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ 2017 Stereo Mix to be Released on
180-Gram Vinyl LP and Limited Edition Picture Disc Vinyl LP
PBS Premieres Ron Howard’s Emmy® and GRAMMY®-Winning Film,
‘The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years,’ Saturday, November 25
London – November 2, 2017– Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe are wrapping up new, global Beatles releases for the holiday season, and a splendid time is guaranteed for all.
The Beatles’ annual holiday tradition of recording jolly Christmas messages for fan club members was an important part of the band’s relationship with their most ardent supporters, affectionately referred to by them as “Beatle People.” Spanning 1963 to 1969, The Beatles’ holiday recordings were originally pressed on flexi discs and mailed to fan club members each December. Never released beyond the fan club until now, The Beatles’ seven holiday messages have been newly pressed on a rainbow of seven-inch colored vinyl singles for The Christmas Records box set, to be released worldwide on December 15. The limited edition collection presents each vinyl single with its original flexi disc sleeve artwork, accompanied by a 16-page booklet with recording notes and reproductions of the fan club’s National Newsletters, which were mailed to members with the holiday flexi discs.
Also on December 15, the Deluxe Anniversary Edition of The Beatles’ 1967 masterwork, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,will debut worldwide in high definition digital audio (96kHz/24bit). The Deluxe Anniversary Edition features the album’s acclaimed 2017 stereo mix, plus 18 additional tracks, including complete alternate takes for the groundbreaking album’s 13 songs, newly mixed in stereo. The expanded edition also features the 2017 stereo mix and an instrumental take of “Penny Lane” and the 2015 stereo mix and two complete alternate takes for “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
On the same date, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’s 2017 stereo mix will be released in two distinct 1-LP vinyl editions: a 180-gram black vinyl LP and a limited, collectible picture disc vinyl LP. Produced by Giles Martin for this year’s universally heralded ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Anniversary Edition releases, the album’s new stereo mix was sourced directly from the original four-track session tapes and guided by the original, Beatles-preferred mono mix produced by Giles’ father, George Martin. Praised by fans and music critics around the world, The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Anniversary Edition is 2017’s most celebrated historical music release and an ideal gift for Beatle People here, there, and everywhere.
On Saturday, November 25, PBS presents the U.S. television broadcast premiere of The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years, Ron Howard’s Emmy® Award and GRAMMY Award®-winning documentary film about The Beatles’ phenomenal early career. The premiere broadcast, from 8:00-10:30 pm ET, will be followed by PBS’ encore broadcast ofSgt. Pepper’s Musical Revolution (10:30-Midnight ET), which continues the story beyond The Beatles’ touring years, during the months the band spent creating Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW, PUBLISHED 23RD NOVEMBER 2017
The Cavern Club is proud to announce the publication of a limited edition book as part of The Cavern’s 60th anniversary year celebrations. The book features many never before seen items including: George Harrison handwritten letter written to Cavern Club DJ Bob Wooler from Hamburg, unseen Paul McCartney images from his historic performance at The Cavern Club in 1999, a collection of replica handbills and opening programme, restored images of The Beatles at The Cavern Club, Bob Wooler handwritten notes “An introduction to the Cavern” from his personal collection, colour images of The Cavern Club/Mathew St circa 1966 from Ray McFall’s personal collection, exclusive 60th Anniversary 250GSM art print poster by original Cavern poster designer Tony Booth.
The Cavern Club opened its doors on 16 January 1957 and undoubtedly, without the 292 gigs The Beatles played there between February 1961 and August 1963, The Cavern’s story would be a very different one. But they did play those 292 gigs and The Cavern was firmly on the world’s musical
map.
Today The Cavern is a thriving live music venue, still attracting big names. Artists to have played here in more recent years include; Oasis, Travis, Arctic Monkeys, Adele, Jessie J, Jake Bugg, Elbow and of course, in 1999, the return of Sir Paul McCartney.
304 pages of glorious history, told in 25,000 words, packaged in unique anniversary slipcase.
Limited edition of 1,957 to commemorate the date when the club first opened.
The e-book version of "John Lennon: The Life" by Philip Norman is now only $1.99 at Amazon.com. It's part of Amazon's monthly specials that are priced down for a limited time.
Brooke Halpin, author of the recently released "Experiencing the Beatles: A Listener's Companion," will talk about his book at 3 p.m. today (Oct. 28) at the Barnes and Noble store at 23630 Valencia Blvd. in Valencia, California. The book is a comprehensive look at the Beatles music. Admission is free. More information is here.
Indie folk-pop artist Fascinoma is releasing Don't Let Me Down: A Beatles Cover Album, across digital platforms only on Oct. 27. The tracks are "Something," "And I Love Her," "Cry Baby Cry," "Don't Let Me Down," "Long Long Long," "Happiness Is a Warm Gun," "I'm So Tired," "I'm Only Sleeping," "Julia" and, to end it, "Her Majesty." The first video below is a video trailer for the album, the second is a live version of the title song. You can preview the entire album on bandcamp.com.
It's one of 15 guitars now on display. From the Rock Hall of Fame: "At the heart of countless rock anthems, head-bangers and ballads is the guitar. 15 iconic instruments, including John Lennon's '65 Epiphone Casino, are now on display in our newly launched Guitar Gallery. See how we put the guitars up on display and click to rockhall.com for more behind-the-scenes stories."
The guitar, as the video shows, was used in the rooftop concert in "Let It Be."
Set your DVRs. The Recording Academy, which oversees the Grammy Awards, today announced a two-hour CBS special on Nov. 24 called "GRAMMY's Greatest Stories: A 60th Anniversary Special," with a look back at Grammy history. Among those featured on the show will be Paul McCartney.
"Never before have we gathered all of GRAMMY's greatest moments from more than a half-century of award shows for one primetime special, and when you see them put together in a parade of amazing clip montages interspersed with the stories behind the performances, it's really pretty unbelievable," said Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the GRAMMY Awards for the past 38 years.
From Chip Madinger, author of "Lennonology": It's been two years since STRANGE DAYS INDEED first hit the street. To celebrate, paperback copies are on sale today (10/9/17) as follows. Prices include shipping (please make sure that you select the proper country).
Six solo Paul McCartney albums and two of his albums with Wings will be reissued in bare bones single disc 180 gram black vinyl, colored vinyl and CD configurations on Nov. 17 in a move that marks his return to Capitol Records, he announced today.
All the albums will be issued in single CD, black vinyl and various shades of colored vinyl with “McCartney” in red, “McCartney II” clear, “Tug of War” blue, “Pipes of Peace” silver, “Ram” yellow, “Band on the Run” white, “Venus and Mars” red and yellow and “At the Speed of Sound” orange. The vinyl albums will include a download card.
Alan White, who played drums with John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band during their live debut at the Toronto Rock 'n' Roll Revival Festival in 1969, and the Seattle Beatles tribute band Apple Jam and will re-create that debut at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at a benefit concert at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle, Washington. Also performing will be violinist Geoffrey Castle. The show, titled "Loispalooza," will raise funds for Lois and Jerry Levin, two Seattle-area photographers and friends of White. Lois was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
White recalled how he got involved with Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band. “The phone rang and there was a guy who said, 'Alan, this is John Lennon. I saw you playing at the club the other night. You’re a great drummer. Do you want a gig?' I thought it was a friend of mine playing a joke and I put the phone down. Five minutes later, I get another callback. The same person. And it was John Lennon.”
Besides the Plastic Ono Band, White was also a member of Yes and the show will include songs from both Lennon and Yes.
“Jerry and Lois have been great friends for many years. They have photographed me in both my personal life and professional career and have given their time selflessly for many charitable causes around Seattle. It’s an honor to be able to give back to them,” White said.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. The Hard Rock is located at 116 Pike Street in Seattle. More info at tickets online is available at www.loispalooza.org.
Six solo Paul McCartney albums and two of his albums with Wings will be reissued in bare bones single disc 180 gram black vinyl, colored vinyl and CD configurations on Nov. 17 in a move that marks his return to Capitol Records.
All the albums will be issued in single CD, black vinyl and various shades of colored vinyl with “McCartney” in red, “McCartney II” clear, “Tug of War” blue, “Pipes of Peace” silver, “Ram” yellow, “Band on the Run” white, “Venus and Mars” red and yellow and “At the Speed of Sound” orange. The vinyl albums will include a download card.
"This recording collects - for the first time - the major orchestral works of iconic composer, arranger and producer George Martin. Performed by the Berlin Music Ensemble conducted by Craig Leon, the album features music from the films Yellow Submarine, Live and Let Die and the previously unrecorded choral and orchestral score for The Mission. Also included are the Overture to Under Milk Wood, the suite Three American Sketches and other previously unreleased original compositions."
And if you're looking for something a little different that's out now, "Louis Van Dyke Plays Lennon-McCartney" is available on import CD. It's E. Power Biggs meets the Beatles and one of our favorite Beatles cover albums. Here's a sample.
"This recording collects - for the first time - the major orchestral works of iconic composer, arranger and producer George Martin. Performed by the Berlin Music Ensemble conducted by Craig Leon, the album features music from the films Yellow Submarine, Live and Let Die and the previously unrecorded choral and orchestral score for The Mission. Also included are the Overture to Under Milk Wood, the suite Three American Sketches and other previously unreleased original compositions."
A sitar used by George Harrison in 1965, the year the Beatles recorded Norwegian Wood sold Sept. 28 for $62,500, it was announced by Nate D. Sanders Auctions. The instrument was accompanied by two letters of authenticity, including one written by Pattie Boyd, who said Harrison played "Norwegian Wood" on the instrument for her when they were on their honeymoon. The second LOA was written by George Drummond, a friend of Boyd's, who was given the sitar by Harrison.
It's not even October and already there's news about Christmas music. Paul McCartney is among the artists featured on "Holidays Rule, Vol. 2," a 16-track collection of holiday songs out Oct. 13. In addition to McCartney, who performs "Wonderful Christmastime" with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots, also featured is Barns Coutney featuring Lennon Stella, Albin Lee Meldau, Calum Scott, Rosanne Cash, Judah & the Lion, The Decemberists, Lake Street Dive, Flor De Toloache, Vera Blue, Muna (who sings McCartney's "Pipes of Peace"), Us Girls and Andrew McMahon. The disc is the sequel to the original "Holidays Rule" issued in 2012.
Freda Kelly and Kathy McCabe, one of the producers
of "Good Ol' Freda" at a screening of the film
in San Francisco. (Photo by Steve Marinucci.)
Freda Kelly, who the world now knows from the superb documentary "Good Ol' Freda," is on the mend at home after undergoing heart surgery. This note was posted on her "Good Ol' Freda" Facebook page today.
A Message From Freda Kelly
Many thanks to all of you who sent get
well wishes after my recent heart surgery. I am recovering well and
your love and support meant so much to me.
I want to tell all my good
friends in Mexico City how sorry I am about the horrible earthquake
that happened. I am thinking of you constantly and hope life returns
to normal for you soon.
Lastly, it is with great sadness I tell you
of the sudden passing of my dear friend Billy Hatton of the great
Liverpool band The Fourmost. We were friends for 55 years and his
sense of humor was impeccable! Billy came to see me several times
while I was in hospital. I'll always be honoured that he appeared in 'Good Ol' Freda.'
Godspeed, Billy.
We send our love and wish Freda, one of our favorite people ever, a speedy recovery. You can also leave your best wishes, as we did, on her "Good Ol' Freda" Facebook page.
Three more behind-the-scenes vids with backstage looks at the Las Vegas Beatles "LOVE" show dropped Thursday on YouTube. You can see them below in order. Catch the first three here.
Three behind-the-scenes vids with backstage looks at the Las Vegas Beatles "LOVE" show dropped today on YouTube. You can see them below in order. (Thanks to Bryan S. Burke.)
