Tag Archives: music review

November 29, 2015 · 9:31 am

Song & Video Review: “What’s It Like in Liverpool?” by Marc Kenny

Early this week, I was doing my usually daily stroll around my social media accounts when I saw someone had posted this video.  “What’s It Like in Liverpool?” is a song by native Liverpudlian Marc Kenny.

The song is catchy and fun.  The video is bright and lively with scenic shots of Liverpool and the Cavern Club.  So what’s my gripe?  I have to wonder if this song is just another attempt to capitalize on the proud home of the Fab Four?  Kenny’s biography says he’s been reading and writing music since the age of 9 and that while other kids at school were learning classical pieces, his parents bought him the Beatles music book.  I can’t argue with that, I did the same for my son.  But why write a song about Liverpool with lines from Beatles’ songs in it and with a video filled with Beatles related images from around the city?  If someone is so talented (and you only have to read Marc’s long bio to know how talented he claims to be), why resort to capitalizing on the greatest band in the world to become famous?

Then again, I have to wonder whether maybe I’m the only one that is even having these thoughts, since the video currently has over 4,000 viewings and according to Facebook, it’s been shared over 6,000 times.

Well, I do have to admit…I’ve hit the play button at least a half dozen times myself.  The song is very good, the video is also well done, and yes, Marc Kenny has got talent.  And for that reason…

I rate this song and video, 3 out of 4 Beetles!

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You can buy a copy of What’s It Like in Liverpool? on Amazon.com for $0.89 if you’d like to support Marc Kenny.  Or you can buy the studio and live versions, plus one other song here for $2.67.

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October 18, 2015 · 7:00 am

Book Review: “Miss O’Dell” by Chris O’Dell w/ Katherine Ketcham

Chris O-Dell - Miss O'Dell jacket art

Ever since I finished Miss O’Dell: Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton two days ago, I’ve been arguing with myself about how to write this review. I know several people who are still very close to Chris O’Dell and they’re really not going to like what I’m about to say.  But hey, it’s my website…

This book is very well written, though it became quite obvious where the co-author decided to add filler…or as I like to put it “too many words”.  That’s the good news about this book.

The only real word I can use to describe this book is ‘pathetic.’ This women is the most self-absorbed person I’ve ever read about! She not only spends most of her life as the houseguest that overstays her welcome (Ringo, George and Eric Clapton all wanted her out!), she then refers to their wanting her to leave as them rejecting her. Really?! She justifies sleeping with married men by saying she didn’t expect it to last anyway. And then, BOOHOO, she decides that when Maureen Cox tells her to keep an eye on Ringo in L.A., that’s her invitation to sleep with him.  OH NO…she’s lost her friend Maureen!  Whatever will she do? Wah wah…

When she finally nabs an aristocrat with a British title, she decides her knight in shining armor has finally arrived after all she’s been through. Needless to say, that marriage only lasted long enough to produce a child to inherit his father’s title.

This is woman who, when she realized Pattie and George & Maureen and Ringo where splitting up, rambles on about not knowing where she’ll stay when she’s in London if their marriages collapse. Nothing like being there for your friends, Miss O’Dell!

Now maybe this Miss O’Dell is a nice lady and I have her all wrong.  Then again, maybe she should read the book she wrote and the way she portrayed her narcissistic life.  And for that reason…

I rate this book: 1 out of 4 Beetles!

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September 30, 2013 · 12:18 pm

Album Review: “Four” by Andrea Perry

a1915268809_2 Damn!  I got suckered by another musician telling me how “Beatle-y” their songs are and that I should listen to their album.  This time, the request came from a musician/producer in Austin, TX named Andrea Perry and her album “Four“.

Hi, I’m a Beatles freak with a new album with several very Beatles influenced songs. I’d love if you’d check it out. <snip> Tracks 4, 5, 13 and 14 are the most Beatle-y. Track 1 maybe too.

Okay Andrea, I’ll be the judge of that!

There is no doubt that there is a ‘Beatle-y’ sound to many of the songs on this album…some listed in Andre’s note to me and some are not.  But, I wonder how many musicians realize that going around proclaiming their music is heavily influenced by the greatest band in the world opens them up to having the entire album put under the microscope by none other than the very neurotic, anally retentive, OCD Beatles fans?  And do you really want to open yourself up to that?  I guess so…

The violins and cellos on the first song ‘My Lover Said’ are what trigger the Beatles-effect right from the get go and this song sets the tone for the album and I think it’s a more Beatles-esques song than – ‘Back Before There Was You’ or ‘While Spinning’.

Now, how does this album stand on its own away from it’s Fab Four fan influence?  Not bad…but there was a song or two where I would have liked to have heard more layered vocals or harmonies because the lyrics seemed to become background noise to the instrumentals.  And though Andrea says that track 5 – ‘While Spinning’ is Beatle-y, it sounds a lot like track 6 – ‘Where Have You Been’. There was also a part of me waiting for this album to climax and I didn’t feel like it quite did that until about track 13 -‘Welcome Home’.

But don’t take my word for it, head over to Andrea Perry‘s website and listen to it for free.  If you like what you hear, the album is only $7 to download!

I’m not going to rate this album because I just don’t think it would be fair.  Yes…heavy Beatles influence.  Yes…the album can stand alone, but has it’s issues.  How would you rate it?

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June 21, 2012 · 1:26 pm

CD Review: Beatlesque Four by Alan Bernhoft

Looks like Alan Bernhoft has done it again with his latest release, Beatlesque Four!

My last review of Beatleseque Three, Alan had begun to recover from a what I thought was a very disappointing Beatlesque Too album.  I think I can safely say, this album is the best of the bunch.

The CD starts out with a catchy, little head-bobbing, Lennon-esque title track, Love Everyone.  This is one of those songs you can imagine every mom wanting to play for their young children.

Another memorable tune is track 9 – My Rolls Royce…a song you can imagine Ringo singing.  Everything from the limited vocal range to the silly lyrics just screams Ringo!

Track 11, I Fly is an amazing tune that really and truly highlights the talents of Alan Bernhoft.  It’s just beautiful with it’s whisp of Beatles influence but not overdone.

Included in this album are three spoken word tracks from the writings of T.S. Dorglesnout.  They’re amusing little ditties fit perfectly in amongst the songs.  Who’s T.S. Dorglesnout?  When you find out, please let me know too!  🙂

This album ends with the song, Captain Anaujiram.  Though me and the good Captain would never share company, they song is amusing!

I don’t want to leave out that Mr. Bernhoft has included a holiday tune on this album called Imagine Christmas.  I must say I’m a fan of it already since I’ve personally had enough of the same-old, same-old holiday tunes every year.  I’d love to see the song distributed to radio stations across the country and be the next big holiday song!

I’m very impressed with this album and enjoyed getting an early copy of it.  The official release date is Saturday, June 23, 2012.  You can sample and buy a digital copy on Amazon.

I rate this CD: 4 out of 4 Beetles

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March 18, 2012 · 8:38 am

Song Review: “No. 6” by The Quarrymen

I just found this new song by The Quarrymen (thank you Beatles Examiner) called No. 6.  It’s the first song off their new album and features none other than May Pang!

For 99 cents, I figured it was worth it to download it from Amazon and give it a listen and all I can say is….WOW!

This song is a whole lot more than I ever expected.  Just when I thought that this was a band that was still trying to ride the tails of their predecessors, I’ve been proven wrong.  This song, though still with its nostalgic samples, is easily just as hip, chic, awesome, groovy, swag, word or whatever the kids are saying these days.

I’m anxiously awaiting the album!

Absolutely, don’t miss the opportunity to listen and own this new song.  You can download it on Amazon.com. (Don’t let the preview on Amazon fool you…it doesn’t do the song justice!)

I rate this song: 4 out of 4 Beetles

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September 12, 2011 · 8:42 am

Song Review: “Look to the One” by The Vals

Look to the One - The Vals

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

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August 19, 2011 · 3:30 pm

Music Review: ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ by Shannon her B.A.M.F.s

Shannon MacDonald
Shannon MacDonald

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

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August 15, 2011 · 11:18 am

CD Review: In This One Cold Blink of Time by Such As Us

In This One Cold Blink of Time
In This One Cold Blink of Time by Such As Us

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, NY
 

I rate this album: 3.5 out of 4 Beetles

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June 1, 2011 · 9:47 am

EP Review: ‘Priming the Pride’ by Such As Us

Such As UsEarly last month, I got an interesting email in my inbox from Maureen Shames, Sid Bernstein’s former publicist (Sid Bernstein is the promoter that brought the Beatles to America).  She emailed me a promotion package on a new band, Such As Us, that she’s representing along with Sid.  This neo-folk-rock band made my spidey-senses tingle so I offered to review their new EP if she’d send me a copy.

“Priming the Pride” is a four song EP that took me back to the folk songs of the 60’s…seriously!  This band conjured up images of Woodstock and folk festivals old and new.  This is the music that makes you want to spread out a blanket on the lawn and mellow out.  And to stay true to the form of the 60’s folk era, these songs come along with a messages.

The only thing I believe is lacking, is that these songs could probably use a little more producing…but would it really be a folk album if all the edges were smoothed over?

I gotta say…I honestly look forward to hearing this band’s upcoming CD release – to be release Summer 2011.  Their music relaxes me…in the way that Peter, Paul and Mary’s Puff the Magic Dragon did when I was a child.

For anyone in the NYC area, you’ll have the opportunity to see this band live tonight  (June 1, 2011) at Patsy’s Restaurant (see image to the left).

For more information on Such As US or to listen to their EP, go to www.facebook.com/SuchAsUs.

I rate this EP: 3 out of 4 Beetles

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April 4, 2011 · 10:26 am

CD Review – Beatlesque Three by Alan Bernhoft

Beatlesque Three Beatlesque Three is the third CD by musician/actor Alan Bernhoft.  Alan also works part time as a John Lennon impersonator.

Before breaking into my review of this most recent release, I’ll touch upon my opinions of Alan’s first two attempts at recreating the sound of The Beatles.

 

Beatlesque OneBeatlesque One (which for some reason is missing from my CD collection) was/is an amazing collection of songs that if you’re not paying close enough attention, will make you look up and wonder if you’re listening to some previously unreleased songs from the early days of the Fab Four.  Alan recreates the sound so well, that six of his songs were featured in the mock-umentary “Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney”.  The movie’s director/producer, Marc Cushman remarked about his choice of songwriters, “We couldn’t afford The Beatles’ music, so we got the next best thing- Alan Bernhoft”

Beatlesque TooBeatlesque Two was a bit of a disappointment.  The album starts out great, but soon becomes tedious and monotone.  The lyrics are predictable and one song seems to blend right into the next with no diversity within the album.  It almost seems as if Mr. Bernhoft rushed to make this one.

This brings us back to Beatleseque Three. Alan Bernhoft seems to have gotten his groove back with this album.  It’s a fun album with a great opening song “Sunny Sky”.  Other standout songs are “Bored” and “Chun Li”.  This entire collection of songs once again highlights Alan’s ability to write a full/complete album of great tunes that brings its listener back to a bygone era of fun, peace and love.  And the production is superb!  My fingers are crossed that he will be able to keep up the good work from this and his first album to write Beatlesque Four.

I rate this CD: 3 out of 4 Beetles

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