Matthew Yoho asked:


My all time favorite album turned 40 this week. The Beatles self titled double album was released on November 22, 1968. It’s better known as The White Album due to it’s white cover. It was The Beatles only double album and their only self titled album. I also believe it was their best album (and considering the competition that is saying a lot.)

Sure not every one of the album’s 30 tracks is up to The Beatles usual incredibly high standards. Songs like “Goodnight” and “Don’t Pass Me By” (sorry Ringo) won’t ever rank among The Beatles best and in fact they do rank among their worst. But even the not so great songs seem to add to the album’s character. And these few weak tracks are definitely exceptions and not the rule.

Some would say that these weak tracks are an indication that the album should have been a single album instead. I strongly disagree. 13 or so tracks probably would have had to have been cut to make it into a single album and there’s no way there are 13 tracks that could be cut from The White Album.

To me it’s the great variety of The White Album that helps to make it so timeless and so endlessly listenable. It’s the one album I seem to never get bored of. It’s amazing how I still hear new things in the songs all of these years later. I first heard The White Album about 12 years ago and I am still blown away by the nuances and musical layers of these songs. I wouldn’t call the album a “grower” as that term is usually reserved for an album one doesn’t initially enjoy and then grows to like. This is an album I initially loved and then grew to love even more and more over the years.

Songs such as “Martha My Dear” and “Honey Pie” may have seemed like “throwaways” when I first heard it but now they seem essential. These are brilliant songs that show The Beatles at a creative peak. They weren’t merely trying to repeat what they had already done, they were always looking for new song styles to try, new ways to create. If you’re the type that enjoys hearing the same song over and over again (hello Nickelback fans!) then sure this may not work for you but if you’re the type that actually likes to hear imagination at play then it certainly is.

“Revolution #9″ is often brought up as the biggest example of The Beatles “going too far.” Once again I strongly disagree. To me “Revolution #9″ is a vital part of The White Album and I love that it was included. I think, still to this day, it’s the most unusual track ever to be included on a #1 album. That alone would make it an interesting listen. But it’s more than just unusual. It’s an extremely effective track for what it is. It’s aim is to be unsettling. To take the listener on a sort of stream of consciousness journey and to that end it works extremely well. While I do not listen to this track every single time I put on the album (I admit to often stopping the album at “Cry Baby Cry” and thus skipping “Revolution #9″ and “Goodnight.”) when I do listen to it, I enjoy it.

I far prefer that experiments such as that are included rather than hearing an album chock full of average tracks that all sound the same.

The contrasts of The White Album are brilliant. From “Helter Skelter” the album moves to “Long Long Long.” That has to be among the most intense contrasts in rock history. “Helter Skelter” is the heaviest song The Beatles ever recorded and “Long Long Long” is the quietest. These songs are the perfect representation of what The White Album is. Variety, contrast, imagination, and excellence.



Allan

Virgil The Stroyteller asked:


While Paul McCartney was the most well known member of the band to indulge in seemingly ethereal song concepts, John Lennon was also from time to time given to contribute his own musical visions. With Across The Universe Beatles fans were treated to a glimpse into Lennon’s creative process. In 1967, Lennon was inspired during an argument he had with his wife. While listening to her talking at him, rather than to him, the first line of ‘Across The Universe’ kept repeating in his mind: ‘words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup’. Whether this indicated the state of Lennon’s feelings regarding his marriage or was truly a transcendental moment the world will never know, but the line persisted in Lennon’s imagination and he began to search for music and verses to accompany it.

At the time, the Beatles were in their Indian guru / meditation phase, which accounts for the inclusion of the ‘Jai guru deva om’ mantra, spoken in Sanskrit in the chorus of the song. The song was somewhat hastily recorded prior to a trip to India, and Lennon was not satisfied with the results. It was shelved, and other tracks were released to tide the public over until the group could return from their vacation. He later groused that he felt McCartney had tried to steamroll the song through the studio, a glimpse of the impending breakup of the band due to constant inner squabbling. The song was remixed in order to be part of a charity release before it was properly packaged onto the ‘Let It Be’ album. It was one of the few contributions Lennon made during the recording sessions for that album.

Interestingly, the song has had a lasting impact on world culture long after its original release. In a film named Across The Universe Beatles songs and themes were used to tie together a rather loose plot. The film was more of a visual and musical exploration than a proper narrative. ‘Across The Universe’ also had the honor of being broadcast into space on X band radio raves by NASA in 2008. It was only the second time that a piece of music had been intentionally transmitted into deep space, although radio waves from all over the planet routinely bridge the gap between the stars. This was done in celebration of the 50th anniversary of NASA, and hopefully anyone out there on the receiving end will be converted into a Beatles fan.

 



Martin

saram asked:


i have a big problem with japenese beatles how can i get rid of them without killing my flowers

Randy

Peter Cross asked:


“Rock and roll is sexual energy expressed in sound”

It all started with “Elvis the Pelvis”. Why do you think all the girls started fainting all over this country when they heard Elvis’ voice for the first time? It was because nobody had ever heard a man sing something like “All Shook Up” and it shook them to the core. Being **** like that just came naturally for Elvis and the girls picked up on it immediately like some kind of sexual email was being sent directly into their brains! Other rock and roll stars followed in Elvis’ steps very quickly. Jerry Lee Lewis knew what to do and he got himself into a great big ball of fire with his underage lover. Chuck Berry was another natural, and he also created some serious trouble simply because he was black and the white girls went for him big time. I think that may have been the first time that the pathetic and hung up white male population had to deal with the racial *** issue at this level.

Then The Beatles exploded. It was the Elvis phenomenon again except that all The Beatles really did was sing like gods, shake their mop top heads around and look adorable, and thousands of girls got wet panties at the very same time. The effect was enhanced by their memorable simple love songs because those young girls who were coming of age and dreaming about falling in love connected on the emotional level too. At first all they needed to write was “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Please Please Me” and millions of girls wanted to please them and hold something of theirs. The sexual message in their music was often very subtle but Ringo’s driving beat made them want to get up and shake it all around.

Mick Jagger was another natural, just like Elvis. Right from the beginning, “The Lips” knew how to give and get Satisfaction and he followed that up with a long series of balls to the wall hits with strong sexual messages like “Play with Fire, “Live With Me” and the all time classic musical expression of sex, “Going Home”. Strangely enough, it wasn’t Mick who actually got all the girls into bed, it was Bill Wyman, the Stones’ bass player. In his autobiographical book Bill told all, and his groupies totaled in the thousands. He never made it clear in his book exactly why that happened to him and not the same way to Mick who must have gotten and still be getting whoever he really wants to have. But it did happen and all Bill ever did was stand there completely still and play his bass guitar looking sort of sad and forlorn. There simply has to be a logical explanation for Bill’s success, and I think I know what it is. (Don’t ask, I won’t tell).

Not much needs to be said about that most powerful sexual dynamo, Jim Morrison, who told all the girls to “Come on Baby Light My Fire” and before fainting dead away, they did whatever he wanted them to do. I’m not sure how many net surfers understand what “Back Door Man” is all about but the song itself says “the men don’t know but little girls understand”. Enough said on that one.

And then came Jimi Hendrix. The pun is intended. Jimi had to have been the sexiest black musician of all time and few girls didn’t want to be his “Foxy Lady”. They actually used to line up outside his dressing room backstage and Jimi would come out and choose one or more at a time. He was another one who simply couldn’t help himself, although he did understand exactly what he was doing and why. Later on in his career he stopped his **** performance on purpose because he was a serious musician who wanted people to appreciate his playing and his songwriting for being as creative as it was. He felt that his *** show was getting in the way of that kind of appreciation so after the Experience broke up, he pretty much stood still playing with his eyes shut because he didn’t even want to see the girls out there anymore.

I believe the best example of sexual energy expressed in sound is Led Zeppelin. Whenever they played live Jimmy Page seemed to stagger around the stage as if he was drunk, but he wasn’t drunk. It was just that the hurricane of sexual force that blew out of his amp was too much for even Jimmy to withstand. Now I’m sure that most people are aware that rhythmically beating drums awaken the sexual forces. Africans were despised and envied by white people because of the sexual way they danced to their own drum music. John Bonham, who was unquestionably the best rock and roll drummer who ever walked the face of this planet, pounded his drums with such power that Led Zep’s sexual energy increased dramatically. Irresistible sexual energy in their music is only one of the many good reasons why I say that Led Zeppelin is the #1 Rock and Roll Band of All Time.



Ronald

eliaboo asked:


It can be officially Apple-licensed, a knock-off, just having to do with the Beatles.

Elaine

lana_lane010 asked:


I’ve looked just about everywhere,
Spencers, hippie shops, but I can’t seem to find one.
I know there has to be a binder in existence featuring the beatles!
I’d just love some suggestions on what sites to search next.
Anything will help.
Thanks!

Lester

zertilus asked:


I am doing a project in school on the beatles, i one of my topics is to compare, i chose the rolling stones, so can someone tell me some things for it? thanks!

Maurice

Lathum asked:


In June, Rolling Stone.com posted the results of a readers poll for the Ten Best Songwriting Duos Ever. A quick look at the top five proves two things: England has indisputably cornered the rock royalty market, and some of pop and rock’s greatest songs were created by collaboration.

1. Paul McCartney/John Lennon (the Beatles)

2. Keith Richards/Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones)

3. Elton John/Bernie Taupin (Elton John)

4. Joe Strummer/Mick Jones (the Clash)

5. Johnny Marr/Morrissey (the Smiths)

Clearly, there is no shortage of successful songwriters who prefer to work alone (Pete Townshend, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen). However, judging by the caliber of music that’s been created by collaboration, there’s an undeniable argument that two heads are better than one when it comes to songwriting.

Indie darling Liz Phair put this theory to task and caused a stir when she elected to write songs for her 2003 self-titled album with Top 40 production team The Matrix. Phair, who enjoyed a faithful following and critical praise from previously released material, told Filter magazine: “I wanted to get on the radio really badly. And I don’t write those kinds of songs. I write stuff that’s quirky or more personal. So collaborating was a way to get some people who kind of know what they’re doing with chord structures, plus they’re all so talented and really great people.”

Famed songwriter Dianne Warren told John Braheny about the professional advantages a young songwriter has in working with others: “When you write with someone else, you get their whole network of contacts and people they deal with. You have a double shot of getting some major stuff happening.”

Traditionally, songwriters have found success by sitting down together with a piano and/or guitar to develop melodies and lyrics. While this method of collaboration is the most obvious, it isn’t always the easiest. If you don’t have someone living relatively nearby you’re faced with the task of traveling to meet musicians for writing sessions. Facing this dilemma, some artists have looked for other ways to create songs together.

A few years ago, the indie-electro duo The Postal Service “wrote and recorded the better part of their debut album, Give Up (Sub Pop), with no budget and while living 1,000 miles apart,” according to MTV.com. Band members Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) and Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel) overcame the distance between them by sending music back and forth through the mail, with Jimmy handling most of the music and Ben responding with lyrics and melody. The Gold-certified success of their album means the pair will repeat the songwriting formula for a follow-up release, this time exchanging song ideas over the Internet.

No surprise, the Internet has become a good source for finding people interested in collaborating on lyrics and music. In 1998, NME reported how legendary artist David Bowie recorded a song using lyrics “written by US fan Alex Grant, who entered a songwriting competition held by Bowie on his website.”

A Google search reveals a number of sites dedicated to encouraging and connecting songwriters, such as MusesMuse, Songwriters101 and SongWriterForums. Going one step further, musicians have taken to YouTube to share ideas and invite collaborations. Once such posting by “chuckadile” includes a full backing track–complete with lead and rhythm guitars, drums and bass–with an invitation for viewers to come up with the lyrics and melody.

With thousands of people turning to sites like Echoboost.com to share their music, you might just find somebody online right now with the same taste in music who’s looking to collaborate with someone you.



Kim

gяєєη єує∂ gσяgєσυѕ gιяℓ asked:


is there any band so legendary that EVERYONE likes them? i was thinking MAYBE coldplay, but they weren’t so “hot” in other countries. i wish this was the 60’s and we had the beatles. your opinions…
lol, yahoo wanted to put this question in wrestling. haha.

Cathy

Douglas Scott asked:


In the 1960s Liverpool became a centre of youth culture. The Liverpool wall of frame in front of the Cavern Club is a tribute to acts from the city who reached number one in the charts. It has 54 number one hits since 1952 on it. The wall is dominated by The Beatle who have 17 discs on the wall. The National Trust has purchased the McCartneys house in Liverpool.

The soap opera Brookside and currently Hollyoaks for channel 4 were produced by Lime Pictures formerly Mersey television.

Every two years the Liverpool Biennial festival of arts are held it was during this event in 2004 that My mother is beautiful by Yoko Ono caused protest by exhibiting photographs of a ***** woman s public area on the shopping street and it still remains there to day.

The Grand National the famous steeplechase in held every year in April at Aintree Racecourse to the north of Liverpool. The British Grand Prix is also held here.

In 2001 the airport near Speke was renamed Liverpool John Lennon Airport in honour of the late John Lennon. The airport has a sketch that John Lennon had drawn of himself and the word Above us only sky from the song imagine. In the sixties the airport was a starting point for many Beatles tours. 5m passengers pass through the airport every year and it flies to 62 destination.

The song Ferry me across the Mersey by Gerry and the Pacemakers made the Mersey ferry famous with tourists

The heart of Beatleland is the shopping centres at Cavern Walks on Mathew Street.

Some of the trendiest stores or at Albert Dock Such as the Apple store Tate Gallery gift shop and the Beatles Story gift shop.

Liverpool Cathedral is the 5th largest in the world has the largest church organ with 9765 pipes and the largest cathedral in the UK.

Liverpool is home to 2 football team Everton and Liverpool and just minutes from the city centre. Liverpool home Anfield displays silverware of the most successful English football team. Goodison Park Stadium is home to Everton.

Merseyside Maritime Museum opened in 1980 it was a bonded warehouse part of the historic Albert dock tell the story of one of the worlds greatest ports.

Liverpool is celebrating its 800th birthday in 2007 and will be hosting festivals performances debates and variety of heritage themed events.

The restaurants in the city have a range to suit every body palate from Pan American Club to the St Petersburgh Russian Restaurant.



Gene