When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About The Beatles

Too much news!    Marv and I virtually wander the halls of 30 Rock as we learn that Paul will be the musical guest that closes out the 51st season of SNL.     Is it a coincidence the "five timers club" was just opened to musical guests as Sir Macca climbs on for his fifth (official) "musical guest" spot?     Our attention is slightly split though, as we also finish out our look at the tracks on side B of John Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll, and the bonuses from that era that have been uncovered post-"Milk and Honey".   

Marv and I discuss the songs on side A of John Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll.     While we wait for the (fingers crossed) eventual Ultimate Collection, we talk the original versions of the tunes, a bit about how the songs fit into Beatles/Lennon history, and some thoughts on how John chose to modify (or not) the arrangements.     Part 2 (side B + the "others") next week.    #madeonzencastr.

Jon Stone and Marv sit down as we discuss the fun that is the promotion for "The Boys of Dungeon Lane".    Mike Mac, his son Josh, BBC Merseyside, Google, Target and Talk Shop Live all join MPL on introducing and promoting Paul McCartney's new album "The Boys of Dungeon Lane."     Remember, 211 Hale Road at Dungeon Lane! #madeonzencastr.

Marv and I go through some news, and then the power of a new McCartney song summoned Jon Stone from the ether, so the three of us discuss the song, the radio reveal, and lead into next week where we talk about the "Taylorization" (and that's not a negative thing!) of music promotion, even for former Beatles!   #madeonzencastr

Film maker Chris Purcell joins to discuss his new documentary, "Evolver 62" and some of his previous Beatles-related work ("The Beatles and Us").    Along the way we chat about why some Beatles docs work, and others ... not so much.   #madeonzencastr 

Marv and I discuss the Evolution Mixes of the re-christened "New York City" album.     Nine tracks running the demos, early versions, breakdowns and modifications that became "Some Time in New York City" (and then evolved into just "New York City").    #madeonzencastr.   

Following a news segment, more of George Harrison's guest appearances on other people's records.    The "Romanian Angel" collaboration with Eric has just been rereleased, we look through the Wilburys adjacent Del Shannon and Jeff Lynne releases, and wonder just how effective rabbits are at playing cricket!    #madeonzencastr.

Ethan Alexanian and I discuss the theatrical (now streaming) incarnation of Morgan Neville's McCartney documentary "Man on the Run".      Incomplete, but highly entertaining.     Lots of Bert too!  #madeonzencastr

Bonus episode!    A little news, but mostly Marv and I celebrate George Harrison 83 years after his birth.  A reminder of the "British Double Summer" during the second world war, some thoughts on where the new Dark Horse might be headed, and more!    #madeonzencastr.

While we wait for the Amazon premiere of "Man on the Run", we update the news.    Lots of filming on the Beatles quadrology.     A soundtrack for "Man on the Run", and some new zoetrope LPs from George Harrison for record store day!    #madeonzencastr.

Tom Hunyady joins as we look at the decade after Paul was a "Man on the Run".     Tug of War through Flowers in the Dirt.     Paul and Linda.    Paul and Stevie.    Paul and Michael.   Paul and Declan.        More than just    Tom Hunyady (2 Legs) joins for a chat on the decade bookended by the tour that wasn't and the tour that was.   #madeonzencastr.

It is Sixty Years since "The Beatles at Shea Stadium" (the TV production) was completed.    This week, we discuss many different aspects.      Why was the premiere on the BBC, and why did it take "A-Beatle-C" eighteen months to bring the special to American screens.   We talk the re-records, the fun and excitement and the evening at large! #madeonzencastr.

Marv and I go back to 2010 - and actually a bit before, as we briefly sum up the 16-disc "Paul McCartney Collection".     November of this year will mark the fifteenth anniversary of the debut of the McCartney Archive series.    If we don't get another disc in the series by summer, it will be six years since the most recent one entered our lives.    Marv and I consider the past, present and future of McCartney/Wings reissues, and contemplate a physical-media-less reissue future. #madeonzencastr.

Sam Whiles (Paul or Nothing), and "our own" Ethan Alexanian (Fans on the Run) join for a crossover, since none of us want to devote that many episodes to the revised Anthology!      We join the boys in progress, as they move from August of 1964 all the way through a visit to the Philippines! #madeonzencstr

A news update (all best wishes to Lonnie Pena and family), some chat about "rethinking" the Fest for Beatles Fans, which leads into Marv and I chatting about some more of George Harrison's guest appearances from the eighties and into the early nineties. 

News, more of George's guest appearances (some Duane Eddy, some Ravi Shankar, and a bit of Sylvia Griffin), and an interview from Summer 2025 with the one and only Billy J. Kramer.  Marv co-hosts and Kit O'Toole magically appears, filling out our Toppermost trio (http://www.toppermostofthepoppermost.net) on Fab. #madeonzencastr.

Ethan Alexanian joins to complete the six-pack of former hosts as we consider the last 12 months (and a little bit more) in the world of the Beatles.    Ringo hit number one on the UK country charts, Paul played three shows in a small New York City venue all the way through the tours, box sets, books, films and more.   #madeonzencastr

More from (almost) all the Fab Guys.   Dave Persails, Jon Stone, Lonnie Pena, Martin Quibell and me.    We move from our discussion last week of the past ten years to the present (Ringo at 85/86 on the road, Paul "Getting Back" to San Antonio, New Orleans and other places, and then a little bit of future-gazing to our thoughts on where things will go in the next decade and beyond.    #madeonzencastr.

In 1974, Capitol records celebrated "The Beatles Decade."    This week, next (and sort of the one after that), we are celebrating "The Fab Decade."     Original "Beatling About" co-host Dave Persails joins the Gab Four this week and next as we discuss a decade of highlights in the Beatles world  - along with multiple reminders that "we did a show about that."   (Hey, we have to be a little self-congratulatory).    This week, "Get Back", box sets and Jon Stone goes his own way (sorry, wrong band).     #madeonzencastr.

For those of us above a certain age, the biggest expectation of the 2025 Disney+ (sort of, but not quite "A-Beatle-C") Beatles Anthology would be the new episode.    Now we have it!    Does it live up to expectations, is it a disappointment or somewhere in-between.    Tune in for the opinion of Two of Us (writing letters on a Facebook wall!).   #madeonzencastr