When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About The Beatles

This week we look at the "not-quite-a-Biography" about George Martin produced by the Arena folks in 2011.     A young Giles, the previous iteration of Beatles history, and some interesting tales concerning the comics, musicians and others George Martin encountered during his youth, military career and adult life within Parlophone and AIR Studios.     Lots of Judy Martin as well!

This show starts out with discussion on the "Stowe" tape, and what such an exciting discovery means to the world of Beatles fandom and scholarship.      This is followed by our main topic - the US Singles.   VJ, Swan, Tollie, MGM, Capitol and ATCO (oh my).      What did the abundance of 45's mean to the average fan, and what has "collectibility" meant to the world of Beatles singles.

What's the best way to break in a new drummer?     Take him with you on a high-profile television appearance.      Paul McCartney was coming off his World Tour, lost a drummer (was Paul a model for Spinal Tap?) and agreed to appear on MTV's new-ish television show (interesting performances, moderate audience) called "Unplugged".     This week we go back a little over thirty years to talk about the performances, the songs and see how well the TV special holds up for modern audiences.

Letters, we've got letters! We've got stacks and stacks of letters!      Viewer mail, where Jon and I answer questions from our listeners.     Who needs facts when you've got opinions for miles?

Our review of the second set from "George Fest" in Los Angeles, September, 2014.    Weird Al, the Flaming Lips, Perry Farrell and more keep the tributes rolling celebrating the "The Quiet One."     Dhani then leads the ensemble through a final two numbers as we fade into the sunset with Dhani "and friends."    

On 28 September, 2014 Dhani Harrison hosted a charity concert celebrating the life of George.   Conan O'Brien, members of Spoon, the Cult and Killers took the stage to play favorites written by George (and a select few others) backed by a top-notch group of session musicians.    This week, the first set of that show with thoughts on the news of the week.

One of the first things John Lennon did when landing in New York City was an "art film" named "Clock" that was promptly locked away.    While the film remains in limbo, the soundtrack found its way to the public, first through the "Lost Lennon Tapes", and later (in a more complete form) from the "Dutch Import" market.    Four years later (after buying the Holly catalog), Wings (in the form of Paul, Linda and Denny) would go into Rude Studios in Scotland and attempt something conceptually similar, if with a little studio finesse.     While the album remains in limbo, we are hopeful a release is possible.    Tune in to hear Lonnie Pena and I talk about both projects and the benefits and detractions of going "homespun".

The WTWF guys are firmly in that "easy listenin' mode" this week with our review of "The Rutles Archaeology".    How well did Neil Innes manage (artistically) with a second dip into the world of the pre-fab four, and does anyone know where Sony Studios is located?     Tune-in and find out.

During ten days in 1977, Neil Innes, Rikki Fataar, Ollie Halsall, John Halsey and Andy Brown recorded twenty+ songs that would last a lunchtime.     No time for trousers, but plenty of laughs and maybe a poignant comment or two about the boxing kangaroo's.  

Jon and I sit down to review the 2010 documentary "LennoNYC" (aka: Lennon NYC).      Lots of interviews, lots of fairly rare footage, a bit of surprisingly candid Yoko Ono, but does it deliver on the stated objective.    Hint: "Does Exactly what it says on the tin" may be stretching things.     Also a bit of chat about the new single featuring Ringo on drums, Louise Harrison and speculation concerning the announced McCartney/Wings documentary.

George Harrison was quite generous with his talents - not just for friends and relatives, but associates and "friends of friends" as well.    Kristof Engelhardt has been chasing such recordings for thirty years, most recently in "The Beatles Fully Uncovered."    https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Fully-Uncovered-Kristofer-Engelhardt/dp/1897350619. The George Harrison corner of that square can be filled in with "Spot the Looney" from FLO records, and we go through some of our favorites from the set, and the enirety of one of the discs.

Part two of our chat with Allan Kozinn (co-author of "The McCartney Legacy" with Adrian Sinclair).      Lots more chat about Wings, Thrillington, Bruce McMouse and other oddities from the RAM era.    THIS is pure McCartney.

Part 1 of our discussion with Allan Kozinn, co-author (with Adrian Sinclair) of "The McCartney Legacy: Volume 1, 1969-1973".     Some might describe this book as "Everything you wanted to know about Sir Macca, but was afraid to ask", but that would be inaccurate, as Allan has asked plenty of Paul when he got the opportunity to speak with him several times during "the Kozinn era" at the New York Times.  

This week we look at the 1965 Granada television special "The Music of Lennon and McCartney".      Peter Sellers, Billy J. Kramer, The Beatles and a thingie which is not too terribly fiendish.       We close out with some additional thoughts on Mary McCartney's "If These Walls Could Sing", which is getting a lukewarm reception from the public at large.

What do "Benny and Joon", "Mad Men" and 1976 (the year) have in common?     The VH-1 television movie "Two of Us", which featured two of the leads from those projects in a fictionalized version of what happened when John Lennon and Paul McCartney hung out one evening, and Lorne Michaels (on the then new "NBC's Saturday Night") made an offer to four guys - "The Beatles."

We start 2023 by looking  back to 2022.      The Revolver box set, Paul and Ringo tours and more!    Happy New Year to everybody listening, and thank you for downloading each week and offering up your support.

Merry Christmas everybody!    This week, Jon and I talk "Unforgettable" (aka "Paul's Christmas Message"), the Beatles Christmas disks and the finances at Apple.   

Episode 2 of Toppermost of the Poppermost!      November 1962.    More "Love Me Do", Helen Shapiro, Frank Ifield (and Iris Caldwell), The Beach Boys and more.   Please like, subscribe, review and give both WTWF and Toppermost five-start ratings on Apple podcasts or your provider of choice.      Only one more episodes will be included on the "When They Was Fab" feed.     https://zencastr.com/z/nn_rpxPS

Disc five of Lord Reith's "Live at the BBC" series.     Three of the four "Pop Goes The Beatles" episodes on this virtual disc were recorded in a single day.     Join us as we discuss several incredible performances by Ringo, a performance of that new single "She Loves You", and their guests The Shadows, The Hollies, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Russ Sainty.    As always, Rodney Burke, Jon Stone and me too.

Part two of our look at a year of "Get Back".    A bit of discussion on the theatrical screening of the rooftop show,  a bit more pondering on the future of the Blu-Ray, and lots more chat covering the book (Apple Studios to January 31 and beyond).