July 19, 2015 · 10:29 am

Book Review: “Nights Inside The Vault” by Sharon Richards

Good morning, Beatles Freaks!  This morning’s review is coming to you live from hot and steamy New Orleans.  This is not the review I had intended to post, but thankfully, I had this e-book loaded into my iPad’s Kindle app before I left home.  I had intended to rent a movie from iTunes to watch on the plane ride here, but due to technical difficulties beyond my control (the movie is no longer available on iTunes!), I decided to read this book  during my down time here in the Big Easy.

Nights Inside The Vault by Sharon L. Richards is the story of her short, but important time working the Hard Rock’s Vault in Orlando, FL from 2002-2004.  Sharon worked as a tour guide for the museum that housed many important and rare pieces of music history within it’s walls, including a section dedicated to the Beatles….a band Sharon was very familiar with and has spoken about at Beatles festivals across the country.

I have to applaud Ms. Richards’ work ethic and integrity as she demonstrates throughout this book her unwavering dedication to not only the Beatles, but to all the other bands represented at The Vault.  What started out as her dream job slowly became an illusion as she and the other guides took on the task of providing provenance to the various pieces of memorabilia.  Needless to say, the reader of this book will also loose faith in the machine that is the Hard Rock after reading Sharon’s accounts that came straight from her daily journals.

Though this self-published e-book could have used a good editor for the typos and flow, I think it is a necessary read for those that dabble in collecting music memorabilia.  It was quite the eye opener for me.

You can download a copy of Nights Inside The Vault at Amazon.com.

I rate this book: 3 out of 4 Beetles!

 

Bonus!  Here’s a video of Sharon’s former Beatles tribute band – Luv Me Do. I once referred to them as the only female Beatles tribute band that I could listen to.

 

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July 14, 2015 · 6:30 am

Tea for Tuesday: Review of Mrs. McCartney’s Rockstar Rescue

Mrs. Angie McCartney’s Organic Teas

Rockstar Rescue

 

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Tea(s) From: Egypt / South Africa / Bulgaria / Germany / Vietnam
Region(s): Nile River Delta / Cederberg / Ludogorie / Black Forest / Mekong Delta
Antioxidant Level: Low
Caffeine Content: None – Caffeine Free Herb

 

 

It’s been a tough week in the Beatles Freak Review office and on the home front.  I’ve been busy cleaning out my late parent’s home to get it ready for settlement next week.  It’s been emotional and tiring.  I’ve also been trying to get ready to take Beatles Freak Reviews to New Orleans this coming weekend.  Fear not, my loyal readers, I will be posting from the Big Easy!

With everything going on, today was a great time for a cuppa Rockstar Rescue from Mrs. McCartney’s Tea selection.  Here’s my review:

This having been a hard week, I truly looked forward to the decaffeinated tea for one of my afternoon breaks.  This tea is made from rooibos, chamomile, linden + passion flower petals, lemon balm + lemon verbena leaves, anise, cinnamon, orange pieces and oat.  I really thought it would be the cinnamon and anise that would stand out flavor wise, but it was the citrus-y lemon and orange that came through.  It went very well with the pear tart with almonds, but didn’t mesh well with the chocolate.  Definitely a tea to enjoy with any type of fruity tart or possibly apple pie.

This is definitely a tea that I will be enjoying in the evenings when the colder months move in here.

This week’s tea was paired with a pear tart, dark chocolate ganache and Meringue from the Strawberry Bakery in Malvern, PA.

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July 12, 2015 · 7:25 am

Beatles Freak Review blogger heads to New Orleans in search of the FAB | PRLog

PRLog – July 12, 2015 – PHILADELPHIA — Jennifer Vanderslice is always thinking ahead to what would be of the most interest to her blog readers, and she is excited to announce that she will be taking her blog to the Big Easy for extensive research of the Beatles for future posts to her website – Beatles Freak Reviews.  She will be traveling from July 17-21, 2015.
Read more at: Beatles Freak Review blogger heads to New Orleans in search of the FAB | PRLog.

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July 12, 2015 · 6:45 am

Book Review: “When They Were Boys” by Larry Kane

Larry Kane has been a household name for as long as my family has lived in southeastern PA (40 years!).  And though I have never read his book Ticket to Ride, I was present and accounted for at a local book signing he had for his book Lennon Revealed in 2005…a very good book.  Over the years, Larry and I would meet up once in a blue moon and, once I to him mentioned our mutual acquaintances, he would remember who I am…which was as it should be when you’re Larry Kane.

Enough of the background noise.  Just wanted to clear the air before jumping into my review of Larry Kane’s 2013 release: When They Were Boys: The True Story of the Beatles’ Rise to the Top.  Larry delves into his old interviews with John, Paul, George and Ringo from his days on tour with them in 1964, 1965 and 1966.  And don’t worry about remembering those years, because Larry is going to remind you throughout the book that he was on tour with them in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Along with sharing with his readers from his early interviews with “the boys” (as he calls them throughout the book and even warns you in the early pages that he will be referring  to them as “the boys”), Mr. Kane interviewed many of the people that were involved in the making, and sometimes breaking, of The Beatles.  He does shed light on a lot of new background information from their humble beginnings to their early days of fame, but he doesn’t do it without consistently repeating the old info over and over again.

I really did enjoy reading the new information from the new sources he sought out, but it was a battle to finish this book because of the small issues I found irritating.  Like…when Larry quotes people it seems that Larry is mentioned in the beginning of all of the first sentences.  “You know, Larry,….”, “Well, Larry…”, “You see, Larry…”  We get it!  Where was the editor for this book?  And sorry, Larry, but I don’t consider Yoko a good source to talk about Stu Sutcliffe.

Read this book for the wonderful new information and interviews, but do it with patience…

You can get a hardcover copy for about $0.75 at Half.com.

At Amazon.com you can get a hardcover or Kindle version.

I rate this book: 3 out of 4 Beetles!

 

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July 7, 2015 · 6:15 am

Tea for Tuesday: Review of Mrs. McCartney’s Strawberry Green Fields

Mrs. Angie McCartney’s Organic Teas

Strawberry Green Fields

 

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Tea(s) From: China

Region(s): Hunan Province

Antioxidant Level: High

Caffeine Content: Low

 

Once again, I made this tea in a small pot with 2 cups of water for one tea bag.  I let it steep for 7 minutes and paired it with a slice of triple chocolate mouse cake from my local Wegman’s market.

Strawberry Green Fields is made from Green tea, Papaya and Strawberry pieces.  Like the Liverpool Red tea, it’s the fruity aroma that will be the first thing to hit your senses as you raise the cup for a sip.  Despite it’s name and aroma, it’s the green tea flavor that stood out more than anything for me.  The fruit taste is there, but I honestly couldn’t have told you that it was made from papaya and strawberry had I not been told.

Strawberry Green Fields is an enjoyable light tea and I don’t believe the extra 2 minutes steeping time in the pot strengthened it any.  At first, I thought it was the way I was making the tea, but after having afternoon tea in Philadelphia over the weekend, I realized that liking stronger tea is just my personal taste.  When I get the time to enjoy the second teabag of Strawberry Green Tea that came in the variety pack, I will most likely use it in a large cup and forgo the teapot as I tend to like my tea a little stronger.

For more information, go to: Strawberry Green Fields

Strawberry Green Fields

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July 5, 2015 · 8:00 am

Movie Review: Good Ol’ Freda

I’m two years behind on watching Good Ol’ Freda, the story of Freda Kelly who was the Beatles Fan Club President from the very beginning and up until the very end.  Until the making of this film, Freda willingly remained a silent and loyal figure in the background of the mayhem that was Beatlemania.

Good Ol’ Freda was the brainchild of Kathy McCabe and Ryan White who began a Kickstarter campaign on October 11, 2011 in hopes of raising $50,000 to make a movie telling the story of a young, naive, seventeen year old girl who fell in love with a local band in Liverpool and ended up the secretary of the greatest band the world would every know.  Within one month, Kathy and Ryan were able to raise $58,000 for this project and in 2013 they release this documentary.

Maybe it was all the hype and hullabaloo that has been made about this film over the past two years, but I didn’t find it to be ‘all that’.  I felt as if I spent at least 25% of the time listening to Freda, her family, friends and colleagues tell me how loyal, devoted and honest she was/is and that she would never spill any dirt about the Beatles.  Hmm, so what was this movie about?  From the magazine clippings about Ms. Kelly that appeared in this film, it doesn’t seem as if we were learning anything about her that hadn’t already been told during her years working for them.

This film left me a little confused as to why it was made and it’s purpose.  Near the end of the movie, Freda says she finally decided to tell her story for her grand-children so they would know what she did with her life.  Uh…they probably could have learned that from the four boxes of memorabilia and scrapbooks in her attic that we get to see her rifle through throughout the film.

Now don’t get me wrong…Freda is fun to watch and listen to for the 87 minutes of this film as she giggles like a young girl as she reflects back on her years with Eppy, Richie, John, Paul and George.  And there is no doubt in my mind that she’s a lovely lady to meet and spend time with over tea or such, but I’m glad this movie wasn’t much longer than it already is.

If you’re a die-hard Beatles fan that has to know absolutely everything about the Fab Four, than this movie is for you and you should buy it and add it to your collection.  If you’re just curious about Freda Kelly and her story, you can rent Good Ol’ Freda on Amazon for $2.99 and watch it on your laptop.

You can buy Good Ol’ Freda at Amazon.com.

Or you can purchase from the Good Ol’ Freda website.

I rate this movie: 3 out of 4 Beetles!

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June 30, 2015 · 7:30 am

Tea for Tuesday: Review of Mrs. McCartney’s Liverpool Red Tea

Mrs. Angie McCartney’s Organic Teas

Liverpool Red Tea

MAMT_LIVERPOOL_RED_LOGO_large

Tea(s) From: South Africa

Region(s): Cederberg

Antioxidant Level: Medium

Caffeine Content: None – Caffeine Free Herb

 

My method for making tea:  Pour .5 litre bottle of spring water into kettle and bring to boil.  Pour water into teapot over teabag.  Steep 5 minutes.  Pour into cup over 2 sugar cubes.  Makes 2 servings.

I chose the teas to review in random order, but I gotta say I’m happy with my first choice: Liverpool Red Tea.  This is a rooibos based tea and is caffeine free (something us caffeine sensitive people appreciate).  The aroma from this tea is amazing and the elderberry and blueberry really standout as it’s steeping in the pot.  Incredible fruity taste, but probably could have steeped a minute or two longer…something I’ll try to remember when I make this again after a hard day’s night.

I did encounter one small issue, though, but I’m happy to report that it was easily rectified once I figured out what it was.  I had selected Burton’s Rich Tea biscuits to pair with this particular tea and that turned out to be a huge no-no.  The flavors just didn’t blend well at all.  For the Americans, Rich Tea Biscuits are very similar in taste to Nabisco Animal Crackers.  Once I put the cookies aside, the tea was wonderful.  I tried to think of what I would pair this tea with, but I came up blank.  I was honestly too busy closing my eyes and relaxing to think about it.

This tea can definitely stand on it’s own as a nice relaxing tea in the afternoon or evening without any cakes or cookies.  Enjoy!

For more information, go to Mrs. McCartney’s Teas: Liverpool Red Tea

Helpful link about afternoon tea: Afternoon Tea Etiquette – Top 10 Dos & Don’ts

Liverpool Red

 

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June 29, 2015 · 7:57 am

Beatles Freak Reviews adds new ‘Tea for Tuesday’ feature for summer 2015 | PRLog

Beatles Freak Reviews adds new ‘Tea for Tuesday’ feature for summer 2015 | PRLog.

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June 28, 2015 · 7:30 am

Book Review: “Angie McCartney: My Long and Winding Road”

Angie McCartney bookPhew!  That Angie McCartney can talk…and talk…and talk…and talk!  But, ya know, it works for her and this book.  And she does stop to catch her breathe on pages 156-157.

Angie McCartney has the distinction of being the step-mother of Sir Paul McCartney.  This is a role she took on in November 1964, at the height of Beatlemania, when she married Paul’s dad Jim.  My Long and Winding Road is Angie’s story.  From her humble beginnings, up until present day, Angie tells of her roller-coaster ride of a life and her travels around the world with her daughter (and best friend) Ruth by her side.

Some Beatles fans may be disappointed that at about midway through this book, after Jim’s death, Paul McCartney is rarely mentioned.  I personally had no problem with this since Angie and Ruth’s adventures make this book a joy to read, and in the end, you find yourself rooting for both of them.

Angie does spend a great deal of time thanking the VIPs that she has met in her 82.9 years, but not in a bragging type of way.  With each celebrity that she writes about meeting, she includes a wonderful story of how they met or a funny story to go along with their continued friendship.

Kindle users can download a copy of this book for just $6.99: Angie McCartney: My Long and Winding Road

For those more dedicated fans, you buy a signed copy direct from Angie’s website for $30.

Or for those of you who may be a wee-bit off your rockers, you can buy a used copy of this book on Amazon for about $75!

I rate this book: 4 out of 4 Beetles!

MAMT-VARIETY-PACK

***Note: Don’t miss my new feature starting Tuesday, June 30, when I begin my weekly summer series called ‘Tea for Tuesday‘.  Every Tuesday through July and August, I will post a review of one of the nine flavors of Mrs. Angie McCartney’s Organic and Fair-Trade Teas.  My hope is that this will help some of my readers in their own process of selecting their own favorite flavor.  Or maybe you’ll just buy them all!  See you Tuesday…

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June 22, 2015 · 7:00 am

Book Review: My Kid Brother’s Band (aka The Beatles) by Louise Harrison

What to say…what to say…what to say about My Kid Brother’s Band… a.k.a. The Beatles by Louise Harrison?!  I guess my best bet would be to just dive right in and let the chips fall as they may…

Did I enjoy the book?  YES!  Louise let’s you into her life to tell you HER story.  Along the way, it obviously criss crosses and runs parallel to her brother George Harrison’s life as they grew up together and later when he became a member of the greatest band the world has ever known.  The part that most people will not like about this book is that one of Louise’s strongest personality quirks is that her mouth (and fingertips) have no filter on them.

Let me take a moment here and provide my readers with a little background information on the making of this book.  A couple years ago, I was introduced to Louise via phone and email (I still have not had the good fortune to meet her face to face, yet).  She told me she was writing a book, but that it was more her memoirs than it was a tell all about George.  As the year went by, I found out that she had changed her mind and had decided to not publish her memoirs, but to instead, just print a couple copies for her children and grandchildren.  I could respect that.  Another year passed, and lo and behold, I read that she had decided to publish after all.  I immediately pre-ordered my copy.

Since this is Louise’s book, she uses this opportunity it to give many of her personal opinions on politics, religion and her philosophical beliefs.  She does include a heads-up that not everyone is going to agree with what she has said, so read it at your own risk of being offended.  Was I offended?  No.  It would seem I have a lot more in common with Louise than I ever thought.

Some of her stories are repeated several times over the course of the book and the readers will become aware that she probably could have used a good editor, but her story is well written and easy to read (if you’re not slamming the book down after reading her opinion of Obama, abortion or the environment!).

The book is probably not the story most Beatles fans want to read since she makes it clear that she will respect George’s privacy even in death and not tell all.  I still feel this book is worth picking up and reading for the tidbits about John, Paul, George and Ringo, that Louise Harrison does provide along with her perspective of accompanying the Beatles to many of their shows during their 1964-65 tours of America.

You can order your copy of My Kid Brother’s Band (aka The Beatles) at Amazon.com.

I rate this book: 3 out of 4 Beetles!

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