My seventeen year old son just popped this CD in my car stereo. The obvious Beatles influence immediately caught my ear. The song is called ‘Aftermath‘ by a local band named Missing Palmer West. Great song!
Listen here: Aftermath
Then you be the judge on it’s Beatlesque qualities:
I rate this song: 4 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Uncategorized
My neighbor knows what a huge Beatles fan I am, so he asked me a couple weeks ago if I had seen this movie. I told him I had heard about it but hadn’t had a chance to watch it. He said, “It’s not bad…” Well, I’ll be the judge of that!
Paul McCartney Really Is Dead is listed on the IMDb (International Movie Database) as Documentary/Fantasy/Music. This should be the first clue that something just isn’t right about this film. A documentary and fantasy? I believe we call that a ‘Mockumentary’…which brings to mind images of Spinal Tap or Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney.
The story line of the film is that in 2005, a package from London containing two mini cassettes and recorder showed up at Highway 61 Entertainment’s office. The package had no return address. The voice on the tape claims to be none other than George Harrsion, making a confession that Paul McCartney really did die in a car accident in 1966. (Note: the subtitle of this film is ‘The Last Testament of George Harrison? (yes, with a question mark!)) The voice on the tape then narrates the rest of the film as he explains the circumstances around Paul’s death and the ensuing cover-up.
Believable? Maybe to the young and the gullible who, unlike us Beatles freaks, haven’t grown up hearing the tall tales of ‘Paul is Dead’. The movie actually does a pretty good job of putting together all the clues about Paul’s untimely demise that could supposedly be found in the Beatles album covers and lyrics. And I actually found that part of the movie informative since I had never heard ‘all’ the clues. But the ability to find this movie entertaining came crashing down when the stories of how ‘Faux Paul’ ended up married to Linda Eastman and Heather Mills were discussed. At this point, I let out an audible laugh and felt the film became a comedy.
Because of this films ability to show new Beatles fans all the album and lyric ’clues’ that obsessed fans found to support the tall tale of Paul’s supposed death, I gave this movie a bit of a higher rating.
I rate this movie: 2 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Beatles-freak, Documentary, mocumentary, movies, Paul McCartney, reviews
I love this band.
Wait…that wasn’t strong enough…
I LOVE THE VALS!
Okay…that was much better.
Phew…now on with the review.
The Vals are from Belfast, Ireland and appeared in my inbox about 2 years ago when they told me what huge Beatles fans they were and how influenced their music has been by the Fab Four. At first, I thought they were just another band looking for attention, but I went to their site and gave their single “Yesterday Today“ a listen. The song will give you chills! They soon released their first album “Sticks and Stones” in October 2009 which I had fully intended on reviewing but for some reason, I never found the time. The album is amazing for a debut album…there is no doubt it is on my list of favorite albums along with my Beatles collection. There is no mistaking that these guys too are Beatles freaks!
Now this band has released a new single, “Look to the One” and I’m not going to miss this opportunity to let the world know exactly how talented this group of musicians is. An upbeat song, with a sound reminiscent of John Lennon. I’ve embedded the video to this new song into this review, but I highly recommend taking a listen without the visual imagery if you want to truly get into this song. These are the types of songs you pop into your car stereo and all your friends ask, “Who’s this?!”
Did I say I love this band? I LOVE THE VALS! I just wish I could give them more support and bring them to the U.S.. The people at SXSW Festival in Austin, TX, actually turned The Vals down last year to appear at the festival. I think this was a huge mistake on their part and a big loss for the fans that attend the festival. Hey…SXSW! Get on the ball and bring The Vals to the U.S.A.!
You can become a fan of The Vals on Facebook.
I rate this song, this band and all their music: 4 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Beatles influence, Beatles-freak, music, reviews, Uncategorized
I have the honor of getting an advance copy of Paul McCartney’s 9/11 documentary ‘The Love We Make’. This movie will debut on Showtime on September 10th.
This film isn’t what I thought it was going to be. Done in black & white, the camera follows Paul in New York City in his travels from October 11, 2001 to October 23, 2001 and his day-to-day dealings to organize and prepare for The Concert for New York, a benefit concert that was held on October 20, 2001. If you were expecting a 90 minute film on Paul’s reaction to 9/11, then you will be truly disappointed. If you’re a McCartney fan that wants to see what it’s like to be Sir Paul, then this film is for you.
During TV and radio interviews leading up to the concert, Paul touches on issues dealing with how he’s dealt with grief in his life, how he deals with the conflict of being a pacifist after the devastation of 9/11 and how he came to the realization that he needed to do something while sitting in a plane on the tarmac watching the twin towers burn.
Mixed in with the interviews are Paul and his band rehearsing for The Concert for New York with many guest cameos as Paul discusses debuting his new song, “Freedom” for the first time at the show. Celebrities to watch for in this documentary: Ozzy Osbourne, Howard Stern, Barbara Walters, Pete Townsend, Bill Clinton, Harrison Ford, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jim Carey…along with many more.
There are moments when Paul reminisces about the days with the Beatles and is even asked at one point, “Wouldn’t this be a perfect opportunity for the remaining Beatles to get back together”. (Watch the movie for the answer!) And it was interesting to see Paul once again trying to outrun his fans in NYC.
Though not a true post 9/11 documentary, I believe this is a must see for more than just McCartney fans. There are moments that will just give you goosebumps.
Check the Showtime website for their multiple scheduled airtimes over the next week…you won’t want to miss this! This movie will also be available On-Demand starting September 11th.
On December 6, 2011, this documentary became available on DVD and Blu-Ray.
So how would I rate a documentary by an actual Beatle? You’d be crazy if you think I’d give it anything less than…
I rate this movie: 4 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under movies, Paul McCartney, reviews, Uncategorized
There aren’t too many people in this world that would have the nerve to cover a song by John Lennon. I’ve watched as contestants on various singing competition shows try it…and it can easily end any attempt at fame.
And so that brings me to the latest attempt – Shannon MacDonald’s Tomorrow Never Knows. Most people know Shannon as ‘The World’s Greatest Beatles Artist’, a title given to her by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. So one has to wonder, why would her first attempt to make her mark in the music industry be covering a Beatles’ song?
The first thing I noticed when I set out to hear this song for the first time is that it’s 7 mins 38 sec in length. The original version of the song was just 2 mins 57 sec. But that initial feeling of ‘I’m going to fall asleep before I hear the end…” quickly went away as I found that the song has the magical ability of wrapping around you like a comfortable blanket and taking you to your happy place. There is an absolutely peace about this cover that gives you that inner reconciliation like meditating on a high mountain top in the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze gliding across your cheek.
Absolutely, everyone should take a chance and give this song a listen…and come back here to let me know the feeling that it inspired in you. I think it will truly be a grand experience for anyone.
Shannon‘s cover of ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ is currently doing a rapid climb up the charts on ReverbNation and is being noticed by many Beatles’ experts and DJ’s across the U.S..
For those inquiring minds – BAMFs = Bad A** Mother F***ers.
The song is available for download on iTunes and Amazon.
The Lennon Examiner – Shelley Germeaux recently interviewed Shannon about her music and this song. The article is here.
The history behind the writing of the original Beatles version, can be found here.
I rate this song: 4 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under John Lennon, music, reviews
Just as a refresher on who Such As Us is: I reviewed this band’s Priming The Pride EP this past June. They’re managed by Maureen Shames, who is also the publicist for Sid Bernstein – the man that brought the Beatles to America.
I really like this band and I would love to see them perform live! I’m hoping they start doing summer music festivals. This album inspires images of spreading out a blanket at a folk festival and just chilling to the music. Filled with songs with real meaning, it gives you something to think about…or you can just tap your toes and bob your head.
The four songs that were on their EP seem to have been fined tuned and join eleven other songs with beautiful harmonies (“Tall Town”) and some wonderful violin and flute solos.
Two new members have been added to the line-up, both of them percussionist and one providing back-up vocals. Michael and Joni seem to have provided more depth to Such As Us.
For more information on how to get this album and Such As Us’ upcoming shows, go to their Facebook page or find them on ReverbNation.
Such As Us will be having a CD Release Party this week and I truly wish I could be there to have the LIVE experience. If you’re in the NJ/NY area, here’s the info on the party:
Thursday, August 18, 2011 7:30 pm Patsy’s Pizzeria 2287-91 First Ave. (near 118th St.) New York, NYI rate this album: 3.5 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Beatles influence, Beatles-freak, music, reviews, Uncategorized
A Date With A Beatle by Judith Kristen
This was my second attempt at reading A Date With A Beatle. I had bought the book at the Fest for Beatles Fans in NJ in 2010. The first time through, I managed to get to page 61 of this 171 page book about a young girl’s attempt to meet George Harrison. I’ll give my first impression report and in the end…I’ll give my overall impression after actually finishing this book.
I picked up this book after meetin Judith Kristen and her husband at The Fest. Knowing that the first editions of Jude Southerland Kessler‘s self-published novel on John Lennon now sell for up to $1000, I figured I’d pick up a 1st edition copy of ‘A Date With A Beatle‘ as an investment. After reading the first 19 very short chapters of this book, I just cringed. Something just didn’t sit right with me about how a woman could remember such detail after 45 years. It was then I saw in the front of the book, “This book is partially fictionalized”. Then it made sense to me that I wasn’t quite sure how much was made up and I felt duped! I put the book down for over a year.
Last week, I decided to pick this book up again and finally review it, knowing full well that this could turn out really bad for any future dealings with Ms. Kristen or her husband since we’ve been known to be seen in the came circles.
Once again…I struggled. After only 1o chapters, I felt like this was work, but I championed on…determined to finish and review it. I tried to anaylize why I was struggling with the way the story was being presented and then it hit me that Judith Kristen is also a children’s book author and I believe that in her own way…she dumbed down this book a bit much. Or maybe it’s the attempt to write it in her voice as it was when she was 16. Or maybe it was the over-the-top conversations between her and her friends and police officers. Finally, I can say I finished it.
I can honestly say that by the her last attempt to meet George Harrison in the story in this book, she had me hooked. The ending is whitty and will make you smile. I am glad I read it…and the latest edition has a beautiful new cover from Beatles artist Eric Cash. I’ve also read that Ms. Kristen has been invited to Beatles Week in Liverpool later this month and then will start a book tour of German where her book has now been published in German. Best of luck to her!
You can buy her book on Amazon.
I can believe I’m about to say this….but…
I rate this book: 3 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Beatles books, Beatles-freak, George Harrison, music, reviews
