Monday, May 31, 2010

I Feel Fine**

The Beatles*** An alternate take utilizing web FX ; Clocks in at about 2:20 ; I just cannot understand how they put these tunes together in under 3:00 minutes.

This was sure a knock out song around the 65 period. I don't really know if coming in works any more under 3:00 minutes ; But if I can come in under four minutes...say -3:00-3:30 I may be alright. So what am I talking about...

I tell you another time if you don't already know ; Everyone has their own style or lack there-of, I know where my roots are & I know what I like & I like what I know.

Sorry for missing yesterdays' post...; Whoever said that life was easy is...I'd like to know their formula...*

Saturday, May 29, 2010

No Reply


The Beatles***Clocking in at 2:15. I'm constantly amazed at how short in time length, that the Beatles period between 1963-66 ; Comes in at amazing short times.

Can this be done on the present jaded music scene history ? I hope I can, but that's another story for another time. If I could come in at three-four minutes, I would be satisfied.

I don't really know if I could compress this type of time onto one song. Probably not. But three-three & 1/2 is a legitimate hope.

Again utilizing acoustic guitars along with electrics, gives the background a wonderful way to feel warm & human ; with all its' intrinsic weakness ; Highlighting the vocal harmonies...; What can I say...They're my main influence.

Again I wish I could colorize, I could, but I'll leave the black & white as it is...; The other note is again, in their youth-being in their 20 somethings, there is a search for themes & once in a while it will come up spelling jealousy.

Ridiculous for a band that had too many fans that they didn't know what to do with ; Except the obvious.

But probing further, one could see that it was a legitimate idea to talk about romantic jealousy I guess ; At any age actually. Do you follow me ...*

Friday, May 28, 2010

Tell Me Why

The Beatles***From The "Something New" album, which was released in America but not in the U.K. Again see as the marketing dynamics keep changing to accommodate the ever rising demand for the bands' music.

There was a point I can myself remember, where they were almost coming out 3 to 4 times in the space of one year.

This tune was another throw-away John song coming in at about 2:10 or so. Notice that this tune, has the idea to be somewhat of a rock tune with a bit of swing thrown in on the beat. Also, the three part harmony on the hook. This happened quite a lot on the earlier material say between 1963-66 period.

I must admit, even being The Beatles fanatic that I am, never fully realizing Georges' significant contributions to the harmonic vocal style that are the Beatles.

Needless to say also...Essentially besides the compositional factors, the Beatles multi-harmonic vocal style led them a great deal of new momentum, cause other than the Everly Brothers for the most part ; Groups were not utilizing multiple harmonies until the Beatles came along & changed the course of modern musical history.

Well you can't really blame the greed on the record label at the time ; EMI in Britain in laison with Capital in America. The irony as was always the case, the ridiculous royalty that the band was getting vs the label.

By this time, if they were getting an unprecedented 15% or at the end even perhaps 20% ; It's quite obvious who's fleecing who. Sadly that dynamic has never changed. As a consequence we now see the utter demise of the once all powerful "major" record labels.

Not just the artists, but the listening public as well. It's the old Humpty-Dumpty thing ; All the kings horses & all the king's men, couldn't put the record labels back together again. Finally, the tables have turned due to the technology factor, which becomes the downfall of label greed.

Could you call it Karma...sure ; We can just call it plain old greed. Just like the institutional banks & stock market going broke & bringing every little guy with them. But What Do I Know anyway...*

Thursday, May 27, 2010

When I Get Home

The Beatles***From the album "Something New, released in America ; In tandem in some ways with the first U.K film. We'll go with a 2009 mono remix.

Track differentials aside, the nut in a shell is that the Beatles recordings in this period were recorded in Mono vs stereo. Why...because stereo didn't exist at the time: circa 1964 or so.

Ironically because of the original recording in mono, in my ear, it actually sounds better in mono.They set it up that way at the time & even when I hear other songs from their prolific works, there are some on occasion, that do actually still sound better than stereo;

How can you fly a jet plane, when there are only propeller driven aircraft...? This is all producer's talk anyway & probably somewhat boring unless you are an avid audio file or work in production/engineering...in the industry, ad etc.

I like the bridge the best in this tune ; "When I get home tonight I'm gonna love you tight"...;

There's a bit of looseness in this track, I would say they wanted a quick good outtake & at their age, there was a little bit of jealousy mixed into John's lyric. Sure...I get jealous too...;

Also a desire to rock one off, as they were keen to do from time to time, sounded a bit ragged at the edges, especially in the hook. All I can say subjectively, is that The Beatles were never a rock band...They were so much much more...; We'll leave it at that. Besides,What Do I know Anyway...*

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Any Time At All

The Beatles***Another knock off from around the 1964 circa ; John on the fly, with a nice compassionate lyric; Idea that could suit his male or female friends. But What Do I Know any... ;

The member of the British order, on the sly means, thanks a lot for all the tax money that you've generated for Britain. Taxes at that time were unusual to say the least. If you were in the upper tax bracket at that time, O Please... correct me if I'm wrong on the numbers in the 90% area for the well to do...*

That is why many times artists from Britain chose to live in Scotland or Ireland , to escape the ridiculous taxes imposed upon the British for making wads of money. Actually, if you made a certain amount of money & became an "Irish Resident Artist" ; You could escape the tax law altogether...; Anyone with extra data on that, please contact myself or my music lawyer: MoonDogGreen@gmail.com


Clocking in at around 2:11...seems like another run off on the 1st film, but I never heard it in the film in America ; Referencing "Parlaphone", Generally exudes the British release title, on the Hard Days Night album & again serves up a little tad of confusion.

Need not to worry, it all comes out in the wash if you're examining a particular discography per say.

But this is a subjective analysis based upon the interplay of the video artist's conception of the meaning of the particular song. Who could say & What Do I Know Anyway...*

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I'll Be Back

The Beatles***Pictured here with their producer, Sir George Martin. Probably the best modern music producer that has ever come along. Could they have done it without him ? Listen to what their early garage tapes sound like & you'll come up with your own answer.

Another clocking in at 2:21 from the first film, A Hard Days Night. When extrapolating from discography databases, being that there are so many alternate releases & takes ; Besides the fact that different countries have slightly altered track listings...; Makes for a bit of a mess.

This song is a perfect example. I don't remember it from the United Artists' sound track album & I didn't hear it in the film, when I was in America. But I believe it's on the U.K. track list.

I seem to remember this song, as coming out around the next album released in America...called "Something New" ; With the great Ed Sullivan color picture on the front cover.

I could have slightly colorized the picture, but chose not to. Sometime I'm sure officially, that a lot of these archive pictures will be colorized. It's amazing to look at black & white pics & then compare them to colorization.

It's another truly great John song & I'm again with jaw dropped, at how quickly a song can grab ones attention ; In the Beatles case.

Additionally, this is simply a great song with a warm atmosphere. It sounds human & that's one of the major points in Beatles compositions from my subjective view.

It's a great song to compare up to "Things We Said Today' ; Off of the same 1964 film & discography, but in America, it wasn't released on the film album.

It's a lot to do with marketing & I'll have to leave it at that ; Country to country wise...Get It...*

Monday, May 24, 2010

I'm Happy Just To Dance With You


The Beatles***I thought I'd make a change today & do a number by The Beatles, from their first film, A Hard Day's Night.

This song highlights George Harrison for a change & it comes in at 1:46 ; There are to be sure, many songs that George has sung on with harmonies & such. I've only recently been scratching the surface on that level...*

I don't think they could have done it without George. Godspeed Sir...*

Sunday, May 23, 2010

I'll Cry Instead

The Beatles***Again from the first film, clocking in at an amazing time of 1min:46sec. ; How can they do this stuff so fast...& they've got the listener by the ear & the heart in many cases.

Another on the fly by John...Like brushing your teeth in the morning. If you have the green light & have the goods,,,; Just go ahead & strike while the iron is hot.

They might not have realized, how much more than their own subjective perception might have seen, whilst viewing the long road of ramifications on the positive level, into forever-land.

That was an uncommon touch of humility. When is the last time you can remember witnessing humility in this industry, from an artist ? Ah...But What Do I Know Anyway...*

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Things We Said Today

The Beatles***From the Hard Day's Night album, a song somewhat overlooked. By me. Don't know why really, tis quite a good song with a great atmosphere, considering the lyrical topic. Perhaps looking back in the day...sort of thing.

A Paul song, well you know how I'm going now with this discography extrapolation. Did I say that already...Ah...But What Do I Know Anyway.

I think the utilization of acoustic guitars at times, leads to a warm ambiance. Needless to say that the acoustic guitars they were using today, would cost & arm & a leg. Top of the line you know.Unless you were wealthy.

I'm continuously amazed at the depth of & spectrum of songs, the band comes up with.

All stand the test of time to say the least. Have you heard anyone of late, playing & composing anything on this level ? I haven't. If you have, drop me a line...*

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

I Want To Hold Your Hand

The Beatles***Almost looks like figures in the London wax museum. I suppose that goes along with the territory that they conquered. In mind & in spirit.

I won't go into the sociological ramifications that belong in the area of iconic changers of world history. Don't get me started. I've decided to extrapolate from the discography.

At the time, this phrase was not considered unusual, more so it was considered bold. Even now, one might argue the same point. Does that have anything to do with nice guys finish last...*

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The Night Before

The Beatles***Who ever said I was a Beatles fan...; From the movie Help ! Which is what I could use right now. Yes, It is a Paul McCartney number. Yes I know, he is truly a brilliant guy.

I happen to like the four chord pattern they're using in the verse actually. So as the song winds its' way around, I actually like the first part. Smart composers as they are, they put the hook in the verse, rather than the chorus, or some would say, the hook.

Any way you want to look at it, there was never any filler in The Beatles prolific body of work. How many bands can you say that about. O...well you could say the song # 9, but that was a touch of avante garde.

Besides I have a deep fondness for # 9...; John Lennon's birthday falls on the 9th of October for instance. But I better stop there, lest a run off on a long enigmatic tangent.

Monday, May 17, 2010

# 9 Dream

John Lennon***Off of The Walls & Bridges album, which I believe to be his best solo album. Please forgive the opening of this video, it was done in very bad taste to say the least. So much so, that You-Tube, blocked the comment section & I see why.

On a brighter note, the visual montage is quite decent & there was not really anything much else to choose from a Multi-media standpoint.

I will add subjectively speaking, the fact the we are spiritual beings having a material existence. Our soul given to us with also a spirit, makes us children of time & space. As such we are immortal & the journey goes onwards to the next destination unto infinity ; Working slowly homeward towards the Creator.

Friday, May 14, 2010

That Boy

The Beatles***Again showing their diversity on a musical level, to please their fans & the so called "label" ; They could conjure it in anyway that you could imagine.

Brilliance is easy to spot & their three part ballad harmony, is nothing to laugh about. It is much loved by certain sections of the fan base & this was an early release to boot.

Who can do these things nowadays...; Yeah right, good luck. They're timeless & it's really going to take someone to even come close to the level they were. Even in 1963-1966...*

What Do I Know Anyway...*

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Don't Bother Me

The Beatles...***Many do not know of the integration of George into the entire Beatles sound. Not only his guitar work, but his vocals...:

I don't think that they could have done it all, without him. It's tough to get some writing royalties when you competing with Lennon/McCartney.

But it did not stop him. His spirituality & temperament just grew & matured at a Godspeed pace. God Bless You Mr. Harrison. He was quoted as saying that forty years, just goes by like a snap of the fingers & he was right.

Life is fleeting as is youth & we best give love & compassion in this world, while we have the short chance...*

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

You're Gonna Lose That Girl

The Beatles***Off of the film Help. More so I like the multi-media aspect of this ; The visual with back lighting & pastel colors.

So visionary & before its' time. Typical of the band. Visionaries, there is no doubt. What more can you accept but a video from 1965...That makes the common day star look like infants. You have to be there. Re-live it by watching it. The whole ballgame. It is timeless.

If you know of anyone with a higher vision of modern music, please enlighten me...*

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Girl

The Beatles***Who said I like the Beatles...It's a terrible lie. Speaking of lying in bed...: Well, I don't really want to hunt around for another entry tonight.

So I go with what I know. John Lennon is a very honest lover, when he reveals himself in song. How he handled all of the people that were thrown at him, like girls for instance, God only knows.

I do remember one thing, when they were interviewing him verbatim in a car or some one of the books ; Someone asked him how do you choose to be with which woman at a certain point, being married twice. This was probably somewhere in his years between 35-40 years old.

He said to the question..."Son this is one of the hardest things to figure out". Perhaps he believed that a man can love more than one woman at a time. Of course in western society, this is frowned upon & I believe it's called Adultery. A major sin. When you put yourself for a moment in his shoes, it is indeed a touchy subject, no puns intended.

I'll leave it at that...*

Monday, May 10, 2010

Hide Your love Away

The Beatles ***From the film Help ; A great acoustic song of beauty & lyrical clarity. The Beatles films are never retro-or time dated. They are simply classic. If you have a chance to pick them up via P-2P or whatever, do yourself a favor & watch the supernatural in action in the medium of musical art.

John was some-what interested in Dylans work at the time ; Not anywhere as much as George, but the idea to speak you innner feelngs...in the music is sometimes quite cathartic. A good way to communicate your inner feelings to the outside world & people in your circle.

John has a lot of ambiguous feelings, having married Cynthia, because she was pregnant & it is what a real man would do at that time in history.

Thank God for Julian Lennon. John always said that "it is really hard to love one woman at a time & trying to do the right thing ; Mentions in his ruminations about May Pang & others.

Being Mr. Lennon was not an easy job between 20 & 40 years of age. So many temptations. John on the earth was a human being, subject to all of the desires that a man of his position, had to deal with. Especially in his line of work. It's an occupational hazard that goes with the job.

Needless to say he was very attractive & handsome in his own way. He battled & worked & pondered these things up to the time he left this world & he was only forty years old.

I've never met a person such as he & I wonder if I ever will ; Perhaps on the other-side as where we all go after this experience. We love you John...Now & forever...A soul as bright as his,comes along rarely in this world...*

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Thank You Girl

The Beatles***From the second album ; I thought to do something as a change of pace today...; Actually I'd have to say I think it's one of their best albums, minus the cover songs.Circa-1964. Who decided to utilize all of this orange color...

This song represents to me the coming of Post Modern Power Pop-[P.P.P.]-; The work is two minutes long. Do you know of anyone today that can do that, this good in 2 minutes...?

At any rate, I've come to the conclusion that in the world of music today...that what is old...is new...& what is new...is old. Try that on for size...*

It's all in the root influences & for me, this is a perfect example of the band via 1963-1966. Welcome to DP9...* It's not going to sound like them, but I surely know where my roots are firmly in the ground as we speak....*

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Help ! Live

The Beatles***I'm not sure if this is the American TV Shindig music show, or some other European TV. Either way, It's a dream to see them on the fly, especially John, who is, if you don't mind, The Leader of the Beatles...The conception & everything else.

Without John, there is no Beatles. Now don't take me wrong here. He could not have done it himself without the other fellows & George Martin-producer & even Brian Epstein-manager.

But for my 2 cents...The Beatles are John Lennon. period. I love the other guys & respect * admire them. But no John...No Beatles. I would also lie if I said that the songs for the most part that I appreciate the most are the Lennon compositions.

There also is no doubt, that with Mr McCartney working with John on composition, we would not experience the fullness of the whole agenda. George too ; His guitar work & vocals are intricate with their sound as a band.

Besides, everyone knows at least in the music world that Richard Starkey was the best drummer to play without any extra flash what-so-ever & his anchor is an intricate part of the success.

But What Do I Know Anyway...*

Friday, May 07, 2010

Stardust

David Essex***Some might have seen the movie, there were two ; This song is from the second. At the time It seemed rather good in a unique type of way.

Looking in retrospect, there are traces of Bowie & T-Rex influences, but that's only my two cents. I always found it somewhat baffling when an artist such as Mr. Essex, is widely popular in Britain, yet doesn't altogether crack the American machination of the time.

Then there is the reverse projection ; Jimi Hendrix hits Britain hard & wide before America, as did The Walker Brothers.

Perhaps the business machine of the old school surely played a role. The old payola, politics & nepotism thing ; Which I & United Global Artists have been bitching about since around 2002.

Now at least there are some organizations formed to make the playing field more level, but even then, The old crumbling facade of the so called 'major label" syndrome, of course want their piece of the pie as usual. Ten years ago there were roughly 36 majors & subsidiaries. Now essentially there are three left.

Although they don't know a bloody thing about music or who cares anyway ; As long as the business men have their wallets loaded & live in the mansion on the hill, who cares.

If the average fan wants to hear a certain song & yet pay has to pay a retail price of $25.00 US for the one song & the rest is filler. Those days are gone, thanks to the advent of technology. Download what you want for a buck & make your own albums.

Does it matter if 98% of the old rosters of 200-300 artists were all right-offs for tax purposes, as their records collected dust in the retail chains. They admit to it.

Every penny the label spent for recording, videos, tour support, promotion & the rest, the artist payed back every cent, until they saw a dime in their pocket. The label liked it that way, as the artist was continually enslaved by the corporate money machine. It's nothing but greed, like the economy & banks that bellied up in America & the rest of the world.

Why... it only took a quarter of a million, back in the day in payola, to the radio station to put a record into rotation. It had nothing to do with the record's popularity.

Sorry to go off on a tangent ; Godspeed Mr. Essex. Even if you choose to look old & gray, & happiness is not happily ever after, If you dye your hair & get some length to it, I know you could go out there again & pull it off.

Maybe your just tired of the game. But What Do I know Anyway...*

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Kiss On my List

Hall & Oates***I can't say I'm a fan, but on the other hand, this sure is a nice tune. I can remember when it came out & it pulled the heartstrings on my ever faithful romantic ideals, that love was supposed to have a melancholy quality to it.

Later on, I realized that they called this unrequited love & I realized that wearing my heart on my sleeve & being a Gentleman, wasn't working for me. In fact, I was attracting the wrong kind of women. So after being stepped all over, I decided to get married to solve this problem. Man, what a nightmare that was...*

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

I Feel Fine

The Beatles***Ah yes...another fine twist of the tail from those that are near & o so far...Ladies, Gentleman, Did any one ever tell you that I'm a Beatles fan...?

A bevy of Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Hofner & Ludwig..; But more so, the Vocal chords of Mr. L... Mr. P...& Mr. H...

What a time to ignite the world. Except, as was the case, It's like pouring fire on gasoline. The songbook was out of control & the world will never be the same...*

Sunday, May 02, 2010

She Loves You

The Beatles***Performing She Loves You Live At The Festival Hall, Melbourne 17/6/64 ; Will the world ever see a band such as this...melodic, powerful, enigmatic, eclectic, enthralling...

Not a copy job. But some form of 21st century hybrid, that has the abilities to follow the path of The Beatles...; The photo itself is rather consummate. Ed Sullivan I believe.

God only knows. Time will tell. Something as unique in its'own way, that inspires others along a road that was less traveled in their time period.

Perhaps one day we shall see & hear. Until that time, keep scanning the horizons at the meridian...*

Saturday, May 01, 2010

I Call Your Name

The Beatles***I think off of the second album-(about my favorite)-; Another example of how they could knock them off one after another. Sometimes even around two minutes or so.

The other thing that strikes at the moment is their consistent ability to have strong songs per album. Perhaps out of the original two hundred or so, you're looking at about roughly six years. From the American standpoint.

They could clip them off at two or three a year...Someone thought to "strike while the iron is hot".

By today's standards from every angle ; Recording, Touring, Movies, Videos, Public Relations, Publicity, Merchandising, Marketing...on & on.

With technology from that period, say recording or playing live for example. If you have any idea how they could do it all as they have ; Plus an actual sociological impact that changed the world in effect. All I can say is...Divine Intervention...*