Being A Continuation of My Albums You Should Own: Beatles Special

Ok, so you've read and digested the first part. You've been out to your local record emporium, or been internet shopping, or (through gritted teeth) downloaded the albums in their entirety from that well-known bunch of bastards with a fruity name.

Now, I'm going to tell you why you need to buy the next phase of Beatles recording gold. By now, The Beatles were growing up. Both in life (John was now a father; Paul was heavily involved with Jane Asher; George had nabbed Patti Boyd, who would later be the subject of two truly awesome love songs, and Ringo had his girl, Maureen) and artistically. They'd moved on from the simple love songs aimed directly at the screaming fans, and were now writing more philosophical, personal songs. Yet the constant work-load never let up. By now, the tours were getting huger, even America was struggling to find a venue big enough.

Then The Beatles took live performance to the next level (size-wise at least). Shea Stadium in New York hosted the first ever stadium gig. 55,000 screaming American kids. And The Beatles in the middle of it all. They could hardly hear themselves, let alone the fans hearing them above all the din. They also starred in their second film, 'Help!' and were fitting in the time to write and record new material. And it is here that my continuation, er, continues...

Help!
So then, another movie, another soundtrack. While the film lacked a certain something, the soundtrack album that accompanied it lacked nothing. The blistering title track 'Help!' enabled John to hide his low morale, self-confidence and self-worth behind an upbeat pop song guaranteed to sell millions. From this to a totally acoustic 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' demonstrates their growing versatility as a band. Other stand out tracks include 'Ticket To Ride', 'I Need You', George's second recorded song, which signalled how far his craft had come, yet not necessarily signposting the quality yet to come, and 'You're Going To Lose That Girl'. The other outstanding track on the album which went on to become the most played on radio and most covered song is 'Yesterday'. The story goes that Paul woke up with the melody already in his head from start to finish, played to all his friends an family trying to find out what it was, not believing it was his own creation. Eventually he was persuaded that it was all his own work, and set about putting some lyrics to the tune. Then, when it came to the recording, no other Beatle was able to add anything to it, so it was virtually a McCartney solo recording.

Past Masters Volume 1
I've chosen this point to insert the first of The Beatles singles, b-sides and rarities compilations as the track listing ends with the b-sides from the 'Help!' singles. There are the 4 non-album singles, 'From Me To You' (a little piece of local interest here, this was written on the bus journey from York to Shrewsbury in 1963, a show one of my parents went to at the old Music Hall), the awesome 'She Loves You', the single that broke America 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and it's equally wonderful B-side 'This Boy', and the world's first feedback record 'I Feel Fine'. Then you've got the single release version of 'Love Me Do' (not featuring Ringo on drums), tracks from the 'Long Tall Sally' EP: 'Long Tall Sally' being Paul's rendition of Little Richards rocker, and 'I'm Down', the B-side to 'Help!', itself a McCartney attempt at emulating the energy and noise of Little Richard's song. Finally, as a curio, you have the two German language recordings of their biggest singles of the time: 'Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand' and 'Sie Liebt Dich'. (Answers on a postcard!!)

Rubber Soul
When they reconvened to record the first of what I like to call the "Beatles' Holy Trinity" (ie the three albums which are generally considered to be the most creative and consistently top the 'Greatest Album Ever' polls), drugs were beginning to play a bigger part in the mood and writing of the band. By now it's getting harder to pick just a few strong songs to highlight, given the quality on offer: 'Drive My Car', 'Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)', 'Nowhere Man', 'Michelle', 'In My Life' and George's ever improving writing talent this time showcased with 'If I Needed Someone'.

Revolver
Revolver consists of 14 genuinely brilliant songs. Not one can be considered below par (well, maybe one or two, but that's being overly harsh).
We begin with 'Taxman', George Harrison's first true classic. Written as a riposte at the incredibly high tax rate that they were being forced to pay, it served to give George the image of being overly money conscious. Before you know it, we're on to 'Eleanor Rigby'. Another virtual McCartney solo piece, and the first example of Paul's ability to write songs about other people that don't really exist or have any meaning. But didn't he do well?!! From there to 'I'm Only Sleeping', John's way of saying "hey, slow down, or just leave me be, I'm taking my time".
'Love You To' is George's first really Indian inspired song. 'Here, There And Everywhere' goes together with 'Good Day Sunshine' and 'For No One' as further examples of Paul's genius at this point in time. We all know 'Yellow Submarine', of course. Written specifically with Ringo in mind, and all-out fun with the recording process. 'She Said She Said' and 'Doctor Robert' are a useful duo of drug influenced songs ('She Said She Said' based on a comment made by a tripping Peter Fonda, and 'Doctor Robert' being the well-connected doctor who could get their hands on a plethora of substances for the rich and famous).
'I Want To Tell You' is an unprecedented THIRD Harrison song on a Beatles single album. Which leaves the last two tracks. 'Got To Get You Into My Life' is Paul's song, it could easily be taken as a love song about accommodating a woman, yet it's merely expresses his developing love and use of Marijuana.
And so the album finishes with an aural explosion of sound and effects. Intended to sound like a group of monks chanting on a mountain-top, studio trickery and experimentation gave it the other-worldly sound John hoped for. The lyrics were taken and inspired by the 'Tibetan Book of The Dead' which was being used by the acid generation as a guide for the mental experiences encountered during an acid trip. To listen to this track and then appreciate that this can be produced by the same mind that just two years earlier gave us 'A Hard Day's Night' takes some doing.

And so we come to the end of the second instalment of my Beatles extravaganza. Stay tuned for more...

Albums You Should Own: Beatles Special

Returning to my series which attempts to ensure you have a music collection as good as mine, you're in for a treat this time around. Because I'm going to suggest not one, not two, nor three but four. Yes! Four albums in one go!

Yes, over the next week I am going to tell you that you should own EVERY single Beatles album (the 13 studio albums and the 2 Past Masters albums). And I'm going to tell you why you should own them. When I planned this blog post, I asked myself "how shall I order them? Should I put them in order of my favourite?" Then I said to myself: "Bollocks. I'll do it chronologically!"

So, here it is then, the first part of my Beatles Albums You Should Own Extravaganza!!!!

Please Please Me

The first album which was an attempt to capture them "as live". When they entered the studio to record the album, producer George Martin got them to run through their live repertiore and this album is the result. Recorded in one day (how many artists could boast that achievement these days?), bursting with youthful energy and containing a mixture of covers and self-penned songs, this announced that The Beatles were here, and ready to take on the world. From Paul's count-in on 'I Saw Her Standing There' through changing tempo's of 'Anna (Go To Him)' and 'Chains', the first single 'Love Me Do', a bit of a show tune in 'A Taste Of Honey' to the final rip-roaring, throat-shredding vocal of 'Twist And Shout', this album is a must.

With The Beatles

Having shown their versatility with the first album, The Beatles returned to the studio to provide their ever growing band of devoted fans with another mix of covers and Lennon/McCartney originals. The album also allowed George Harrison to showcase his own songwriting skills. Of the covers, 'You Really Got A Hold On Me' and 'Roll Over Beethoven' stand out, and of the self-written songs, 'All My Loving' is by far the best in my opinion. Then there is the song that inspired Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to start writing, 'I Wanna Be Your Man' which John and Paul finished in front of them and gave to them for a single.

A Hard Day's Night

The first and only album completely written by Lennon and McCartney, and recorded to tie in with their first big screen outing. You've got the heavyweights of 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'Can't Buy Me Love', along side the underrated 'If I Fell', 'You Can't Do That' and 'I'll Be Back'. The fact that they were able to produce 13 of their own songs of such consistent quality amidst the singles, touring and filming shows what talent and commitment The Beatles had to their music. You might wonder how they managed it. But they did. Get it in your collection.

Beatles For Sale
After the exertions of the first years, you would be forgiven for expecting a bit of a lull in quality or activity. Not The Beatles. Still producing 2 albums in a year, still packing them with their own songs, and still touring at the speed of sound, they produced yet more gold. Having had their legendary meeting with Bob Dylan, and his influence now seeping into their output, this album gives us the delights of 'No Reply', the heavily Dylanesque 'I'm A Loser', the world's first fade-in track 'Eight Days A Week', not to mention great covers like the 'Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey' medley and George's rendition of 'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby'.

So, four albums in two years, not to mention the endless tours, a film and hit singles. Bet you can't wait for the next one now!

Words don't begin to describe it...

London's Burning
Panic
I Predict a Riot.

Who thought we would actually see scenes like we have done over the past three evenings? I didn't. I've heard people talk about the Brixton and Toxteth riots without actually appreciating what happened. Much like 78rpm records.

The thing that angers me most about it is that the original incident was dealt with and could have just as easily faded into news history without a second thought. Then some people took offence at a police Stop & Search, which they are well within their rights to do and madness ensued. The police are getting some bad press at the moment surrounding the hacking scandal, and it's true they've handled things badly in the past (the De Menezes case is just one example, sadly) but the complete lack of respect shown to them by a bunch of badly educated, selfish, mindless idiots is beyond reproach. David Cameron's 'Big Society' is currently laying in smouldering ruins right now.

Watching those cars and buildings burn fiercely on the news, I was filled with disbelief, and disgust and frustration that a country like England has bred animals like this, when the youth of other countries are trying to overcome brutal regimes in a far less rowdy manner, yet you would almost forgive them for doing so. Can you imagine what they would do if Dave and Co tried to disconnect the nation's Internet access like they did in Egypt?

People's livelihood have been destroyed by acts of pure vandalism and criminality with no purpose. To be practical, just think of the Insurance claims that will cost the nation (if I'm not mistaken, the Insurers pay the initial claim, then recover their money from the police, who then recover their outlay from HM Treasury). We're already trying to avoid financial meltdown on the scale of the Eurozone, and this sort of thing can easily tip a country over the edge.

The spread of the trouble across London and then to other cities just shows how pathetic our youth culture is. Jumping on bandwagons (then setting fire to them, probably) and smashing up shops to help themselves to things that don't belong to them does nothing to aid their cause. It speaks volumes that McDonalds, JD Sports and mobile phone shops have taken the brunt of the damage. Then the scummy chavs of Birmingham, who already have a huge chip on their shoulder for only living in the "second city" decide to get in on the act and rampage through the city centre for a bit of Armani gear. You can guarantee that the markets will be awash with knock-off gear in a matter of days. And before you know it, Liverpool, Bristol and Leeds are having a go.

My only hope is that the police are given the support they need from the Government and are able to restore order to our streets. There has been talk of the Army being brought in, but aren't they overstretched as it is? Never-ending wars in Afghanistan, unnecessary air strikes against Libya are already taking up their time, without having to take to the streets of our cities to chase after a bunch of dole scrounging dimwits who when gathered together still don't have the brain power to wipe their own arse. Because, don't forget, our Armed Forces are also feeling the pinch, laying off servicemen and women (for all you PC zealots) so they can work effectively within their budgets.

I do believe I'm done for now. And, if by any chance you've been involved in these disturbances and are having this blog read to you because it contains too many big words for you, I have four words for you (in text lingo, to help): Ure a stupid Cnt.

All You Need Is Love
Shropshire 2011.

Here We Go Again...

So, after a summer of boredom, unfulfilled Tennis dreams and pleasantly surprising Cricket success, this coming Saturday heralds the return of the Football season. Saturday afternoons will have purpose once more, the BBC's Red Button will get plenty of action (subject to bloody BBC cuts) and millions will watch the likes of Gary Pallister, Steve Claridge and Garth Crooks watching games on television and discussing talking points until the cows come home.

And, in true footballing tradition around the world, fans will be scouring the fixture list for nailed-on victories, hopeful away draws and potential banana skins, then casting a wilful glance all the way to May to wonder how it will all turn out...

Well, here's how I think it'll turn out (which basically means everything that follows will be as far off target as an American missile in Iraq).

In the Premier League, the race for the Champions League could be quite a congested affair, but when all is said and done, I think it will be title number twenty for Manchester United. Chelsea and Manchester City will complete the top 3, with Arsenal just beating Liverpool and Tottenham into 4th. Liverpool will take 5th place.
At the bottom, Swansea will make the drop back down, along with Norwich, while after a couple of seasons struggling, Wigan will finally succumb to relegation.

In the Championship, West Ham should do enough to get back up as champions, along with Reading. Cardiff will be doomed to another Play-off appearance, along with Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds. I'm going for Leeds to make the jump up.
In the Relegation picture, Brighton and Peterborough will go straight back down, joined by Crystal Palace.

Down in League One, after dropping down last season, Sheffield United will go back up as champions, joined by city rivals Wednesday. Colchester, Huddersfield, Charlton and Preston will fight it out in the Play-offs, with Charlton coming out on top.
In the relegation mire, Stevenage and Bury will find the step up too much, and will be joined back in the basement by Walsall and Notts County.

And in the lowest division, League Two, Swindon will be inspired to the title by Paolo Di Canio, followed up by Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers. In the Play-off picture, Crawley will fight it out with Plymouth, Crewe and Gillingham, with the Football League new boys riding the crest of a financial wave into League One.
At the bottom, Barnet will bid farewell, and it will be a short lived fairy tale for AFC Wimbledon.

Of the Blue Square Premier teams aiming for promotion to the Football League, I think Luton and Lincoln will be celebrating when the season is over.

And there you have it. Either I'll get it slightly right, or badly wrong. Which means that Sheffield Wednesday fans might be better preparing for a relegation battle, and Plymouth supporters had better hope their team survives a whole season with Peter Ridsdale all but confirmed as the new owner!

Feel free to leave your own opinions by the way!

Que Sera Sera etc...

Return of the Top Five

It's been a while, but it's amazing how many things in life can be brought down to a top five... Today, it's my top five favourite Film franchises and my favourite film within that franchise. ('Franchise' is such an American word it's sickening... like using the word 'season' instead of series.)

5) Shrek - In at number five, it's the animated japery of Shrek. The way children's fairy tales have been taken, twisted and then layered with adult humour is genius. Even Mike Myers comedy Scottish accent is funny for no apparent reason. Eddie Murphy gets the hyperactive Donkey act perfectly and Cameron Diaz gets top marks.
My favourite Shrek film - Shrek

4) Harry Potter - The latest in the tradition of 'Good vs Evil' stories has pretty much everything required for success. They're based on hugely successful books and have been adapted pretty well in my opinion. Then you've got the hero at the forefront, but he wouldn't succeed without his sidekicks (the clever one and the funny one). Add in to the mix a bit of adolescent moodiness, hormones and the like and you're left with a film series that will stand the test of time and be passed down to the next generation. Magic!
My favourite Potter film - The Prisoner of Azkaban (for Gary Oldman's performance)

3) Back To The Future - It's difficult to put this at number three, because it's such a brilliant trilogy. Mainly because (at the moment) there has been no attempt to resurrect the series with an unnecessary addition (think Rocky or Indiana Jones). You've got the time travel aspect, crazy Doc Brown ("Great Scott!!") and young Marty McFly who goes backwards and forwards in time, fulfilling every boy's dreams. Plus there is the best scene of the lot when Marty plays 'Johnny B Goode' at his parents' Enchantment Under The Sea dance. Even now, I still think it would be pretty cool to have a DeLorean...
My favourite BTTF film - Back To The Future (for the Johnny B Goode scene)

2) The Godfather - A must for any film lover. A depiction of American Mafia through the ages from the rise of Vito Corleone (portrayed by Robert De Niro in part 2) to the eventual undoing of his youngest son Michael Corleone in part 3. Along the way you get James Caan shot to pieces and Marlon Brando frightening the crap out of a child actor with nothing more than orange peel. Admittedly, in Part 3 you get Pacino's overacting, but it can just be forgiven thanks to the preceeding two films.
My favourite Godfather film - The Godfather (it's just great!)

1) Star Wars - I am of the Star Wars Generation. Therefore nothing will ever beat it. Certainly the original trilogy is untouchable, the prequels a little too reliant on the special effects, but still packed with escapism, excitement and Ewoks... Again, you've got Good vs Evil, the hero with a gift, but still needs help from friends to get by. Acting wise, Mark Hamill's woodenness as Luke Skywalker uncannily transfers to Hayden Christensen as he attempts to act as Anakin Skywalker. Both are overshadowed by fellow actors (Hamill by Ford and Christensen by McGregor) which may explain why neither have really been seen since their Star Wars days. The tone of the series is really set by the opening scene of A New Hope where we see the rebel ship fleeing from the Imperial Star Destroyer that appears, and keeps appearing, slowly eating up the entire screen.

Personally I'm just praying that George Lucas decides to tamper with it one last time to give us Star Wars 3D at the cinema.

My favourite Star Wars film - The Empire Strikes Back (it's dark and it has the unexpected twist at the end)