The Beatles Backyard

[AnotherSpin]

The Beatles attracted mythology to themselves. I remember from childhood how many incredible stories surrounded them, even in the USSR — or rather, especially in the USSR, where there was no regular flow of information about anything related to the West. The most famous rumor was that the Beatles secretly came to Moscow multiple times to perform for Brezhnev, who greatly admired them. To this day, a fake photo circulates on the Russian internet, showing Paul demonstrating guitar chords to Brezhnev.

As for the solo in Penny Lane, I heard a story that the famous Barbirolli recording of Mahler's 5th took place at Abbey Road Studios at the same time the Beatles were there. And they "borrowed" one of the orchestra members for the solo. Wikipedia provides quite different details about the same.

[AnotherSpin]

Now, this is not a myth, but a real story. McCartney met with the petty dictator during his concerts in Russia. It was reported that when Sir Paul asked if The Beatles were popular in the USSR, midget replied (quote): "Your music was like a breath of freedom." Freedom? WTF...

[LKB]

As a side note, today is the forty-fourth anniversary of John Lennon's murder.

RIP, and Imagine...

[Karl Henning]

Battered by high winds and bitter cold, we've spent the day huddled by an open fire, stoking it up with logs. For lunch we ate cheese on toast, drank a giant pot of coffee, and read our books (mine being Dreaming the Beatles, still). To go with all this, we needed something warm, cosy, and gentle, with Christmas not so far away. We chose Paul McCartney's Working Classical, and it was bloomin' perfect. Great music it is not, if we're thinking Mozart or Wagner. But restorative, gentle, lovely and melodic - yes, it is those things.

Prompted by your post, I'm revisiting this. Probably only my second listen. Very nice, indeed.

[Kalevala]

Battered by high winds and bitter cold, we've spent the day huddled by an open fire, stoking it up with logs. For lunch we ate cheese on toast, drank a giant pot of coffee, and read our books (mine being Dreaming the Beatles, still). To go with all this, we needed something warm, cosy, and gentle, with Christmas not so far away. We chose Paul McCartney's Working Classical, and it was bloomin' perfect. Great music it is not, if we're thinking Mozart or Wagner. But restorative, gentle, lovely and melodic - yes, it is those things.

Did you end up losing power?  How are things in your area now?

K

[Elgarian Redux]

Did you end up losing power?  How are things in your area now?

K

No, we were fine thanks. The wind loosened part of the wooden fascia at the edge of the roof, which needed fixing afterwards, but it was of no significance compared with the havoc being wraught elsewhere. We never lost power, fortunately.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Paul played about 40 songs for 3 hours. He is 82 years old. I guess playing music has positive effect on bodies and brains? Does it enhance antioxidant hormone and dopamine? Same for conductors?


https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/21/paul-mccartney-o2-arena-london-live-review-got-back-tour

[Karl Henning]

Paul played about 40 songs for 3 hours. He is 82 years old. I guess playing music has positive effect on bodies and brains? Does it enhance antioxidant hormone and dopamine? Same for conductors?


https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/21/paul-mccartney-o2-arena-london-live-review-got-back-tour

He's really a marvel. But yes, the experience of music-making is a significant health and cognitive benefit.

[Szykneij]

Paul played about 40 songs for 3 hours. He is 82 years old. I guess playing music has positive effect on bodies and brains? Does it enhance antioxidant hormone and dopamine? Same for conductors?


https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/21/paul-mccartney-o2-arena-london-live-review-got-back-tour

I wish that were true for all. I just read recently that Phil Collins can no longer play drums because of the physical toll it took on him over the years. I'm grateful that, despite knee problems, I have no issues with my hands and can still play bass. Two guitarists in my age range (sixties +) I've worked with recently are both struggling in that area (although an 87 year old sax player sounds as good as ever.)
  Yes, kudos to McCartney for what he continues to do. I think making music does benefit cognitive and emotional health, if not always physical health.

[Karl Henning]

I wish that were true for all. I just read recently that Phil Collins can no longer play drums because of the physical toll it took on him over the years. I'm grateful that, despite knee problems, I have no issues with my hands and can still play bass. Two guitarists in my age range (sixties +) I've worked with recently are both struggling in that area (although an 87 year old sax player sounds as good as ever.)
  Yes, kudos to McCartney for what he continues to do. I think making music does benefit cognitive and emotional health, if not always physical health.

Yes, I saw that viz. Phil Collins, who indeed was one hell of a drummer! I have just helped make Duke my PT's favorite Genesis album.

[Szykneij]

Yes, I saw that viz. Phil Collins, who indeed was one hell of a drummer! I have just helped make Duke my PT's favorite Genesis album.

I need to explore Genesis more. Even though I was a huge rock fan throughout the 70s in my teens and beyond, there are still very many bands I never became familiar with. The amount of great music being produced during that era is amazing.

[The new erato]

I have been listening repeatedly recently to Lucinda Williams album "Sings the Beatles from Abbey Road". Holy crap what an outstanding album. Made me rediscover some of these outstanding songs from Abbey Road or later.

[Karl Henning]

Well, when @Elgarian Redux brought this set to my attention, I knew what I wanted to ask of Santa, and lo! 'tis arrived!

[Peter Power Pop]

I have been listening repeatedly recently to Lucinda Williams album "Sings the Beatles from Abbey Road". Holy crap what an outstanding album. Made me rediscover some of these outstanding songs from Abbey Road or later.

Some generous soul posted the entire album on YouTube:

[Karl Henning]

Well, when @Elgarian Redux brought this set to my attention, I knew what I wanted to ask of Santa, and lo! 'tis arrived!

Dang! This is good! @Elgarian Redux -- why didn't you say?! **checks notes** Oh! you did! Which, come to think of it, is why I'm watching now....

[Karl Henning]

At a guess, they decided not to do "Long Tall Sally" for the Royal Variety....George's solo in "Till There Was You" was lovely.

[Karl Henning]

At a guess, they decided not to do "Long Tall Sally" for the Royal Variety....George's solo in "Till There Was You" was lovely.

The first two episodes went down so smooth, the temptation to move right on to 3 & 4 was powerful, but it would have supplanted my Christmas Eve viewing. 

[Karl Henning]

Some generous soul posted the entire album on YouTube:

Thanks for finding this. I was curious, too.

[Elgarian Redux]

Dang! This is good! @Elgarian Redux -- why didn't you say?! **checks notes** Oh! you did! Which, come to think of it, is why I'm watching now....

The first two episodes went down so smooth, the temptation to move right on to 3 & 4 was powerful, but it would have supplanted my Christmas Eve viewing.

Merry Christmas Karl. What a treat! And think on this: it will be even better the second time around.

[Karl Henning]

Merry Christmas Karl. What a treat! And think on this: it will be even better the second time around.

That, I readily credit!