Beatles News Briefs 2-part series: The Week The Beatles Hit America

 

"The Week the Beatles Hit America"

A two-part Beatles News Briefs series on YouTube

(Also available on iTunes, Google Play, Podbean and wherever you get your podcasts.)

Part 1

Part 2

The Beatles and 'The Big Bang Theory'

Latest "Beatles News Briefs" podcast -- an exclusive interview with Gay Linvill, the associate director on "The Big Bang Theory," who reveals how the show's biggest Beatles fans and Sirius/XM came together for "Big Bang Beatles."

Listen now!!

Very special Beatles News Briefs show looks into new White Album set

Our Beatles News Briefs podcast has a new special show on the 7-disc White Album deluxe set out today (Nov. 9). The show features three Beatles authors, including new Contributing Editor to the show Candy Leonard ("Beatleness"), plus Brian Southall ("The White Album: Revolution, Politics and Recording: The Album, the Beatles and the World in 1968") and Ken Mansfield ("The Roof: The Beatles Last' Concert") plus a very special interview with set producer Giles Martin conducted at Capitol Records in Hollywood. 

Lots to hear and lots of information. Please let us know what you think and subscribe to the show.

Special free Beatles White Album streaming event with Giles Martin Wednesday on YouTube

Giles Martin to lead special White Album
streaming event on Wednesday. 

Capitol Records/Universal Music Group released the details today of the special streaming event taking place on The Beatles' YouTube channel Wednesday to promote the release of the 7-disc (6 CD and 1 Blu-ray) White Album box set and other 50th anniversary releases of the album this Friday.

The panel event, to be streamed live from London at 7 p.m. GMT (2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT) will feature Martin, plus several British journalists and musicians. They are Dan Stubbs, Commissioning Editor for New Musical Express; Felix White, former guitarist of The Maccabees; Andy Bell, guitarist of Ride; Miles Kane from The Last Shadow Puppets; and Georgie Rogers, presenter, DJ and music journalist from BBC 6 Music, Soho Radio and Foundation FM. The moderator will be Matt Everitt of BBC 6 Music. Miles Kane will also perform a live acoustic version of "I'm So Tired."

The panel will talk about the new anniversary edition, its influence and whether an album as diverse as it is could be released in today's musical environment. Fans online will be able to ask questions and make comments.

(Please share this.)

Beatles News Briefs #18 now online

Beatles News Briefs #18 - McCartney set lists, Lennon birthday news, new Yoko interview, McCartney's DJ CD, White Album books.  Available here.

Retracing George Harrison, a fan's account - If you know where you are going, these roads will take you there

(Olivia Anne Morris Fuchs attended this year's International Beatleweek in Liverpool and visited Henley-on-Thames and the Bhaktivedanta Manor. This is her account along with videos and pictures she sent along. Thanks, Olivia!)

Every Beatles Fan I've ever met dreams of going to Liverpool, UK, and attending International Beatleweek. I was so fortunate as to do that in 2017; however, the reason I planned that trip did not come to fruition until 2018. So, I planned Liverpool #2 for 2018. 

First stop was a brief tour of London proper; then, a train into Henley on Thames, and George's Friar Park. George used to walk down the hill from Friar Park to the Row Barge Inn to enjoy a pint and to jam into the night with friends. It is a lovely little 16th century pub in a special little village. Now, it is a bed and breakfast run by Cath and Joe Miller who welcome you like family. (Save yourself money by booking directly with them at info@therowbarge.com) The Row Barge Inn, West Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2ED. Their dinner is wonderful and their Full English Breakfast is as good as I found any place in my travels.

Up the hill from The Row Barge Inn, an easy walk, is the entrance to George's Friar Park. The Friar Park gates are so lovely as to merit a trip on their own. Friar Park still is an active part of Henley-on-Thames. Each trip I made up to Friar Park found someone coming or going. It still is beautifully maintained and lovely to see. The folks at Henley-on-Thames are very protective of Friar Park and those who still count it home, Olivia and Dhani. Having said that, apparently Cath and Joe had done a good job of letting the locals know I was coming to stay for a bit. Every place I went in the village, I was greeted with "you must be the American Girl who loves George," and my name, and a story. That was just lovely.

Sacha Wingard maintains a flat fee London Cab service; he has become my friend. He met me at Heathrow, and had to wait for me for two hours to clear customs. We visited spots in London I asked to see again; then, he delivered me to the train to Henley-on-Thames. The next day, Sacha fetched me from The Row Barge Inn to take me to Bhaktivedanta Manor, the Krishna Temple in Aldenham. Later, we went

back to London; next day he dropped me at the airport for my flight to Manchester. You may find him on Facebook. No amount of praise is sufficient for Sacha. He will make your travels easy; now knows my favorite "George" spots; he is so reasonable; and you will feel so safe while in his company. He's the real deal.

Sacha had saved a few gifts from his last trip to Bhaktivedanta Manor for me, and had mentioned when he was there that I'd be visiting in August. The Communications Director of Bhaktivedanta Manor, Radha Mohan das, greeted me upon arrival and welcomed me to join him on a private tour. We visited the
private quarters of the founder, His Divine Grace Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a very special friend of George over the years. You may recall that before he died, Prabhupada removed the ring from his hand and gave it to his closest Krishna confidants to deliver to George. George wore it the rest of his days. When Dhani helped me select my own ring to commemorate that one, he confirmed that he has the ring still, and loves it, as well. 

Radha Mohan das took me on a special tour of the memorial garden at Bhaktivedanta Manor which had been made to honor George for his gift to the Krishnas of the Temple, itself. It is lovely. Radha Mohan das pointed out special spots where George had spent special time, or meditated. There were a couple of
spots where George and Radha Mohan das had interacted. Then, I was stunned when Radha Mohan das sang some of George's songs to me at the appropriate spots in George's Garden. I was so in the moment that I didn't focus carefully on the videos. But you still should enjoy them. 

After an additional couple of days to tour in London, I flew to Manchester and took the train to Liverpool. Then, I enjoyed all International Beatleweek has to offer. That was a separate joy. If you are a Beatles fan, you should make this a reality for yourself. It is an expense you can manage in many different ways. And, if you need a "consultation," let me know. It really is a place of Peace & Love. 

George taught us All Things Must Pass. But, he also showed us that if we want Here Comes the Sun. I have more stories, photos, and videos on my Facebook profile, here, and would welcome you as a friend, if you ask. 

Olivia Anne Morris Fuchs

(FYI, Olivia tells us there is a Facebook group called The Friar Park Fan Club about the history of Friar Park.)

(Olivia also recommends "Chasing Rhinos With the Swami, Volume 1," which includes memories of George Harrison.) 

Harrison sitar sells for big bucks

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.  

Courtesy Nate D. Saunders Auctions

Report: Unreleased George Harrison tape sells big

Omega Auctions

We don't have confirmation of the final price from Omega, but we have a report that the "Hello Miss Miss Molly Bee" tape sold Sept. 11 for £14,000, which comes out to about $18,440 USD. That doesn't include buyer's premium. (Thanks, David.) 

The tape, which Omega said had never previously heard in public was recorded in 1968 on to a reel to reel tape and was made for his good friend Mary Bee. It described the song as very much in the Indian style of music that George was heavily influenced by and was produced around the time of his first studio album ‘Wonderwall’. Here's a short clip. Unconfirmed reports say the song was linked to Donovan and sounded similarly like his song "Peregrine," but the auction house made no mention of that. 

Here's the Donovan song if you want to compare. 

Unreleased George Harrison song being auctioned

We have no knowledge of what this is, but Omega Auctions says it's an unreleased George Harrison song, "Song to Miss Mary Bee" from 1968 from around the time of "Wonderwall". The estimated value is 10,000 GBP - 20,000 GBP. 

Here's the description:

GEORGE HARRISON UNRELEASED RECORDING - of a track entitled "Song to Miss Mary Bee" along with a reel 2 reel recording of his "Wonderwall" album, postcards sent by George and his wife Patti Boyd to the vendor and a 6 page letter from Patti to the vendor. This incredible recording was made especially for the vendor whose name is "Mary Bee" back in early 1968 and was sent to her by George and Patti along with postcards and other recordings during 1967 & 1968. The song was recorded on an Emidisc Reel 2 Reel tape in 1968 at "Kinfauns" and is very much in the Indian style of the music that he was heavily influenced by and producing around the time of his first studio album "Wonderwall". In addition to the "Song for Mary Bee" which is approximately 2 minutes long there are other recordings of tracks that George would have been working on with The Beatles at the time. The case of this tape has writing on which reads "Tape to Mary Bee". The "Wonderwall" tape again has writing on the box which reads "Music from the film Wonderwall for Mary Bee". The 6 page letter is a great read and has numerous references to the tapes. Patti talks about George working on the "Wonderwall" soundtrack and at one stage says she can't send a tape of the music but then corrects herself (after speaking to George) to say that "George will tape his music". She also says that George has "just come into the kitchen singing Mary Bee, Mary Bee about to make a lovely cup of tea". There are 3 postcards from Patti & George included in the lot which are all addressed to Mary Bee and have been sent from India. The postcards mention where George & Patti have visited, how they are having their first yoga lesson and that she has been thinking of Mary when meditating. On one George has written "Hello Mary - love George". One of the postcards also starts by asking "Did you get the tapes?". Includes a letter of provenance from the vendor along with her transcribed lyrics for the song.

Exclusive: Dhani Harrison solo debut -- a report and photos

 This report and photos of Dhani Harrison at the Echo in Los Angeles comes from Olivia Anne Morris Fuchs, for which we thank her. 

DHANI HARRISON -- FIRST EVER SOLO SHOW AT L.A.'S ECHO

Dhani Harrison has been playing music and performing all his life. Learning the craft of songwriting literally on the lap of his famous father, George Harrison, Dhani has  distinguished himself with his own music. His soundtrack to Beautiful Creatures won critical acclaim. He co-produced and scored the music video, Liminal, about skateboard legend, Rodney Mullen. He has performed with bands Fistful of Mercy and thenewno2 and toured with The Black Leather Motorcycle Club. Monday night in L.A. was Dhani Harrison's first solo concert.

Mereki opened the evening. Her friend Laura performed a ribbon dance before the music which set a good tone for the night. Mereki is a delight to the eye and ear. Her voice is special -- light and high and beautiful. She often dances along as she sings in a quirky pleasant style. Dhani called her back onstage during his set to join is one song. During her set, she had mentioned how tender and gentle Dhani is. As she left after her song with him, Dhani gave her a hug and sweet kiss on the cheek–looked like a nice bit of intimacy there.

It was evident that Dhani was excited to start his first solo show. He began by smudging the stage, instruments and space; then they began. The band was tight and perfectly complimented Harrison's earlier songs and the new ones off his album to be released on October 6, IN///PARALLEL. (Available for pre-order here on Amazon.com.) You may hear a pre-view of "All About Waiting" here. 

There were a few first show snafus which had to be worked out with the sound crew. But, the overall show was great. The bass player even got his own cheering section going because of his excellent contributions. The guests were a raucous lot, yelling and encouraging the band throughout, and were of all stripes--Beatle freaks, like your contributor, Dhani fans, skate fans, and L.A.'s hip set. An excellent time was had by all.

Dhani performed several songs off the upcoming album, and some from previous efforts with thenewno2 and Fistful of Mercy as well as sound track collaborations.

Set list:

• Summertime Police – IN///PARALLEL
• My Eye – Seattle Road soundtrack
• Timezone – thenewno2 album thefearofmissingout
• Sharp Knife – Seattle Road soundtrack
• Poseidon (Keep Me Safe) – IN///PARALLEL
• War on False – IN///PARALLEL
• So Vain – thenewno2 album You Are Here (the song that got the crowd yelling for that amazing bass line)
• All About Waiting – IN///PARALLEL
• Encore:
• Things Go Round – Fistful of Mercy album As I Call You Down
• Make It Home – thenewno2 album thefearofmissingout
• Yomp – thenewno2 album You Are Here

Dhani was backed by

• Josh Giroux, keys (Big Black Delta, Gary Numan)
• Noah Harmon, guitarist (The Airborne Toxic Event)
• Chris Hornbrook, drums (Big Black Delta, Poison the Well)
• Blas Perez. bassist (Big Black Delta, and others) and joined on All About Waiting by his backing vocalist Cami Grey.

New George Harrison demo or not?

Genesis Publications

The deluxe expanded edition of the new "I Me Mine" published by Genesis Publications comes with a disc featuring the studio and demo versions of "All Things Must Pass."  People were wondering whether it was the same as the "Early Takes, Vol. 1" version. Olivia Harrison's reps confirmed for us it is.

Just announced! George Harrison vinyl collection .. here's the press release

GEORGE HARRISON’S VINYL BOX AND BOOK RELEASE ON FEBRUARY 24^TH TO MARK HIS 74^th BIRTHDAY

GEORGEHARRISON - THE VINYL COLLECTION

Vinyl Box Set Includes Thirteen Albums From 1968-2002, plus 12” Picture Discs

I ME MINE - THE EXTENDED EDITION

59 Additional Handwritten Lyrics, Photographs and Memories to be Published in New Extended Edition

The Harrison family is proud to announce the release of GeorgeHarrison - The Vinyl Collection (USM) box set featuring all of George Harrison’s solo studio albums in one collection for the first time. (Order link for Amazon.co.UK in the United Kingdom, Amazon.ca in Canada and Amazon.co.jp in Japan. FYI, the Canadian price converted to U.S. dollars is $387, which is quite a bit less than the $486 price for the U.S.)

 

The vinyl box set includes all twelve of George’s studio albums with exact replicas of the original release track listing and artwork. Also included in the box set are George’s classic live album Live In Japan (2LP), and two 12” single picture discs of ‘When We Was Fab’ and ‘Got My Mind Set On You’. All the discs are 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and are housed in a high-quality two-piece rigid slipcase box. The original analogue master tapes were used for the new re-masters and were cut at the legendary Capitol studios to ensure exceptional audio quality throughout. The individual albums from the collection will also be available separately, with All Things Must Pass as a limited edition title.

George’s autobiography I Me Mine – The Extended Edition

(Genesis Publications)

George Harrison’s I Me Mine was originally published by the specialist book publisher, Genesis Publications in 1980. It became the first of many collaborations between George and Genesis founder, Brian Roylance. In conversation with his friend and former Beatles press officer Derek Taylor, and in a first-person commentary that accompanies his songs, Harrison's own words recount everything from his upbringing in Liverpool, to early Beatlemania, his spirituality and philosophy. This new extended version of the book now spans the complete length of Harrison’s career in music, told in his words and through 141 songs with hand written lyric sheets faithfully reproduced in full color. Now stretching to 632 pages it features lyrics to more than 50 songs not previously included, as well as new photographs, many unpublished until now.

GeorgeHarrison - The Vinyl Collection vinyl LP box set contains:

Wonderwall Music (1968) | 1 LP

Electronic Sound (1969) | 1 LP

All Things Must Pass (1970) | 3 LP *limited edition piece

Living In The Material World (1973) | 1 LP   

Dark Horse (1974) | 1 LP

Extra Texture (1975) | 1 LP

Thirty Three & 1/3 (1976) | 1LP

George Harrison (1979) | 1 LP

Somewhere in England (1981) | 1 LP

Gone Troppo (1982) | 1 LP

Cloud Nine (1987) | 1 LP

Live In Japan (1992) | 2 LP

Brainwashed (2002) | 1 LP

12” Picture Disc Singles of ‘When We Was Fab’ and ‘Got My Mind Set On You’ (only available as part of the box set)

Also available, the perfect companion for the vinyl set is the George Harrison Essential III turntable. This elegant piece is manufactured and designed by Pro-Ject Audio Systems, one of the world’s leading suppliers of record players. The artwork was designed by Studio Number One based on an exclusive 2014 art-print lithograph designed for the Harrisons by Shepard Fairey. This turntable is limited to 2500 worldwide.

                               

What do Beatles fans want? "Let It Be" on DVD

One of the many bootleg "Let It Be" DVDs. 

We conducted an unscientific poll last week on Twitter on what people want the Beatles to release in 2017. (See the actual poll below). We gave four choices to choose from: Shea Stadium on DVD, "Let It Be" on DVD, a Sgt. Pepper 50th anniversary package or the Beatles music on Blu-ray.

The results weren't too surprising. Of the 194 votes that registered, "Let It Be" won by a landslide with 60 percent. Shea Stadium came in second at 20 percent. The "Sgt. Pepper" set was third with 16 percent and the Blu-ray Beatles audio was last at four percent.

This was kind of a test of the Twitter poll and we probably should have run it longer. But "Let It Be" is always coming up as a strong choice whenever these discussions arise. ("Hollywood Bowl" on CD was also in demand before its release last year.) The only question is how much longer we'll have to wait for "Let It Be" -- and whether it'll come while all of us are around.

(Be sure to check out our "That's What I Want Beatles Store" for a huge selection of everything Fab.)

What would you like to see the Beatles release in 2017? #beatles music

— Steve Marinucci (@SteveMarinucci) January 3, 2017

George Harrison vinyl box coming

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

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/

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.

George Harrison Twitter account congratulates Dylan on Nobel Prize

The George Harrison Twitter account today sent out this message: 

George Harrison ‏@GeorgeHarrison  34m

34 minutes ago

Many congratulations to @bobdylan on the Nobel Prize for Literature!

Many congratulations to @bobdylan on the Nobel Prize for Literature!

— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) October 13, 2016

New Beatles LEGO 'Yellow Submarine' announced

Photos by LEGO.

LEGO revealed the first pictures and information Oct. 12 of its new set based on the Beatles' movie “Yellow Submarine.” The company said the set, to be available Nov. 1, will feature over 550 LEGO bricks and figures that represent the four Beatles in “Yellow Submarine” costumes.

According to the description, you can “take a surreal trip under the seas in the LEGO® version of the Yellow Submarine from the iconic 1968 animated musical fantasy film inspired by The Beatles. Ideal for display or role-play fun, the Yellow Submarine features loads of cool, authentic details including a cockpit for the included mini figures of John, Paul, George and Ringo.”

Creator Kevin Szeto said the set is his tribute to the Beatles. “The creation of the Yellow Submarine model was really my way of showing my affection for The Beatles, as well as trying to pay a small tribute to The Beatles phenomenon. " Designer Justin Ramsden said he was also a big Beatles fan and called the LEGO model “a dream come true.” The U.S. list price is $59.99, though some dealers will certainly have them cheaper.

Pre-order the updated George Harrison 'I Me Mine' now from Amazon

The updated and "extended" trade edition of the George Harrison book "I Me Mine," which will be published in February, can now be pre-ordered from Amazon.com in the U.S. and Amazon.co.uk in Great Britain.

From Publisher's Weekly: 

"A 400-page memoir from the Quiet Beatle? Can it be? Well, yes and no: only about 60 pages of this earnest tome, originally published in 1980, are devoted to Harrison's recollections of life before, during and (notably) after the Beatles. His memories, which manage to feel fresh and distant at the same time, come to readers via transcripts of his conversations with Derek Taylor (1932-1997), the Beatles press officer and ghostwriter of Brian Epstein's memoir. Harrison (1943-2001) was only in his late 30s when I Me Mine came out-the Beatles had formed, changed music forever and disbanded before his 28th birthday. The rest of this volume consists of photos with whimsical captions ("the author enjoying a cheese sandwich with some friends" is assigned to a picture of Harrison with a sitar) and facsimiles of his handwritten lyrics (including a fairly different version of "Taxman"), each accompanied by a brief explanation (ideas expressed in "It's All Too Much," for example, were inspired by LSD and "confirmed in meditation"). Most of the songs were composed after Harrison's immersion in Hinduism; divorced from their melodies, lyrics espousing love, peace and harmony tend to take on a certain sameness. This volume offers much to Beatles zealots, but for the casual fan, Harrison will likely remain as admirable and as inscrutable as ever. B&w photos and illustrations throughout."

Genesis is also putting out a more expensive numbered and stamped version available through their website.