I Need You

The Beatles***Re-mastered in mono-2009 : From the film Help ! Mr. Harrison gets a some what rare occasion at the write & the Mic.

I think George could have written quite a bit more, but when you're dealing with Lennon/McCartney...What are you gonna do.

That's not a volume pedel on the guitar, but the same type of effect one can use right on the guitar's volume switch. Just don't do it too much though, cause you'll end up freezing the knob & pay the price...*

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away

The Beatles***From the album Help ! ; An acoustic 12-string guitar leads the way to a nice tune. John on vocals ; No drums on this number, just tambourine & Flute.

Some say that this was a song influenced by Robert Zimmerman-[Bob Dylan]-to that I say Tommy Rot-[which is english slang]-for baloney...*

You Like Me Too Much

The Beatles*** From The Beatles Album VI. Comes in about 2:43. A touch of electric piano & Mr. Harrison's vocal.

As a vocalist , George is rather under-rated. He's done a lot of the harmonies on a great deal of The Beatles material, but one might not hear it, unless you have a keen eye for hearing vocals. Is that an oxymorone ?

The song he has the lead & pulls of the double tracking, with ease of performance. There is a lot of double tracking on The Beatles material in regards to the vocals. It is for them & George Martin, a technique well used.

So a lot of vocals that you hear on a variety of bands, it is actually double-tracked. There's a real trick to it which I won't bore you with at the moment. sometimes even triple tracking takes place.

On harmonies, it's another matter because you all ready have a few voices going at the same time. I won't bore you with that either. In fact, I employ the same dynamics to my material.

Where did the Beatles get that stuff...How's about the Every Brothers. Where did I get the stuff...from The Beatles...*

Eight Days A Week

The Beatles***Off of Beatles VI ; great material just doesn't let off. Sessions are slowly becoming more involved as new gear manifests.

But more so in the mind of Mr. Lennon. The rate at which they knock off these tunes, under 3 minutes is beyond my realm of conception. They just keep cranking them out, around two albums per year or something like that.

I'm only talking about the American market. There's a whole lot of stuff that the marketing department is spinning out into other countries across Europe, Asia & beyond. It's like a treasure chest & you wonder how many jewels can this thing hold...*

I Should Have Known Better

The Beatles off of the Hard Days Night album. The video is pasted together, a bit different from the straight ahead lip sync on The Beatles performance in a London auditorium.

Another nice light & breezy song from John, with some acoustic guitar & the all now familiar Rickenbacker 12-string guitar that George is playing...along with the six-string Rickenbacker guitar from John.

Put together a Hofner semi-acoustic electric bass from Paul & a Ludwig Drum set from Richard & there you have the basic setup that lasted for quite some time ; Especially in the time period between 1963-66 or so...*

You Keep Me Hanging On

Vanilla Fudge***A great rousing version of this song from the Ed Sullivan Show-live. I always liked the Supremes version, but this one blows that away.


I don't frankly know much about the band other than Carmine Appice is a great drummer. I'll have to dig a little deeper. Plus great vocals & the arrangement itself, turns this song inside out ; Thanks to the talented singer/songrwiter Mark Stein ; Who has also worked with Alice cooper & The Tommy Bolin Band...*

Please Please Me

The Beatles***I've listened to the mono & stereo re-masters & I have to say I prefer the mono. Because to bring their vocals in on one side & the music on the other, I wasn't meant to be recorded that way originally. It's a technology thing.

In mono, the vocals are straight down the middle, as they should be ; Even today from a production standpoint, It's usually down the middle ; I won't get in to the tech with you beacause It'll probably bore you, unless you're into engineering & production.

This song was originally conieved as a slower type of tune with a Roy Orbision influence. When George Martin & I think more so the band themselves-[I wasn't there]-wanted to speed it uptempo.

The key to this song for me, is not so much the chromatic chord progressions, as much as the vocals themselves. When Sir Paul McCartney keeps a continues logato on the upper third ; John-[it's another John song]- then sings counterpoint with a whole melody line that starts out as the same note as Paul. But Paul doesn't move vocally.

So there you have a wonderful double harmony like no one has heard before. George & Paul add in on the chorus parts & in the end of the 2 minutes, the end with a 1-3-5 triple harmony.

That musically caught me more than anything else. I find still unreal that they pull these songs off at like 2 or 21/2 minutes. utterly amazing....& the first number 1 hit. George Martin told them at the of the session, "boys, you have just recorded your first number 1 hit...*

Message Of Love

The Pretenders***Live in Los Angeles ; I have to use this take, because anytime I try to get the original video, they yank it.

All I can say is I think this is the best song they have & they do have a few. The original promo video was shot live in a studio, with the original lineup.

The Pretenders have an excellent vocalist, I think she's just about the best for this genre if you like.

When James Honeymoon Scott was playing live on a Rickenbacker 12-string, well I go a bit numb. They might have double tracked him & Chrissy Hynde was also in their with her Fender Telecaster, it was just a wonderful wall of guitars. On top of that, Martin chambers is a great & unique drummer.

That was the best video of them doing that song. it sounded wonderful. So what we have here is a live performance in Los Angeles, & the guitarist does his best.

This was the kind of song I could play over & over again. Never got tired of it. But I sure do wish I knew how to get that original music video. I guess I may as well get the download. Do the same & at least you'll hear how great the track really is.To Scott & Pete Godspeed Sirs...*

I Think I'm Go Go

Squeeze***Off of the album ArgyBargy...; I've seen quite a few bands in multiple venues & when I saw Squeeze, it was a band that one could really get into. They sounded great live.

Like so many of todays' musicians, there is for me, no comparison in regards to certain bands from the 70's & midway into the 80's. Go listen...don't take my word for it. It's rather blatant.

Everything moves in cycles, be it hair styles, music or whatever. Be with a band like Squeeze, it's timeless. So labeling certain decades of music is a fools course. This album was packed with great music, when many of you might not have been born yet. So what.

All I can say is that is that the compositional body of work is mesmerizing. Thanks to Glenn Tilbrook & Chris Difford's music-writing skills, it's a hypnotic sound. Mr. Tilbrook has one of the most adroit voices I've ever heard. To be truthful, it's right around where Mr. McCartney stands.

This video was shot in Los Angeles live & I was probably there. Glenn has just an exquisite voice : The lyrics are poignant & cerebral ; But at the same time it's like they're out in the street. Their lyrical ability I would compare to Elvis Costello at times.

It's great to now they're still out there out there Fighting the good fight & as for me, I'd say they have prevailed...* Godspeed Sirs...*

I'm A Loser

The Beatles off of the album Beatles 65 in America. I wish someone would colorize these photos, but in the meantime...; Another nice stage-set, could be a concert, but more likely a TV shot.

A period for Mr. Lennon to become more introspective about his themes & such. Some say it was the influence of Robert Zimmerman-[Dylan]-; I say to that tommy-rot, which is an English slang word for Bull.

Nice to again see some acoustic guitar in the mix ; Probably a Gibson Hummingbird. Beautiful acoustic. I wish I would have kept a lot of my gear, instead of selling it to pay the rent. What a fool I am...*

Midnight Rondevou

The Babys***Well...It is a great song. Funny how cycles work. Someone now is wearing the new hair style, but I was wearing it that way decades ago. Leather keeps you real warm when it's cold. I've been looking for one of those drop down earrings for ages. The fellow who made the video, obviously has a car fetish. But the audio is fine.

Essentially, If you take the time & listen to their material, you can draw your own conclusion. They were a really good rock band & having John Waite's pipes, is a big plus. The fellow on the upper left, went on to play keyboards with Journey...; Check out the stuff & see what you hear about it. Is see to hear an oxymoron...*

Ashes To Ashes

David Bowie***I don't know of anyone in the music world, that can re-invent himself as often as Mr. Bowie.

He's a brilliant artist in a world where that magic doesn't come along very often. I have nothing but respect & admiration for this gentleman.

We attempted to grab the official video, but I just don't think it was so great. But What Do I Know Any...*

Missing You

John Waite*** Solo, I think it's the best song he's ever done yet...' Associations with other bands that include The Babys & Bad English.

Mr. Waite has a great stylistic voice, that's quite uniquely of his own design.

The video to this song is a really fine one, on a level that rates admiration for the singer/writer & whoever did the video...*

Matte Kudasai

King Crimson Ft Adrian Belew***Off of the King Crimson album Discipline. I am a fan of king Crimson ; But it's more of a love-hate relationship.

When Mr. Fripp decides to integrate melodic tones vs atonal music, The results can turn out to be amazingly beautiful. It depends on which cast of musicians he decides to use.

In this case, to bring Mr. Belew in to sing as well as play guitar, was a mind opener. I've known Adriane as a marvelous adroit guitar player, but I never knew how well he could sing. What a beautiful song.The translation is Japanese & means "please wait for me"...*

Burning Of The Midnight Lamp

Jimi Hendrix***A man of such unusually profound spirit. A visionary. Another soul, but like no other.

The melding of the blues with hard rock, some may say. But to the audiophile & fan alike, this artist of sound takes music to a place it's never experienced before.

Yeah...I've been there a number of times. As Mr. Hendrix would say "not just high, but like beautiful & everything. The spirit in the music transcends the banal.

His legacy lives forever as does he ; Journeying onwards to the next destination on the periphery.

Godspeed Sir...*

Shakedown Cruise

Jay Ferguson***Live version is really good. Respect & admiration. I have to take the live version because they pulled the studio cut. That bridge just melts & adds so much to the song. Studio version is a stunner.

I just think this is one heck of a great song & I'm wondering what Mr. Ferguson is up to these days...*

Yes It Is

The Beatles***Coming in around 2:43 ; Another John song with some nice harmonies. A more melancholy & resolute type of ballad. That neat little guitar thing is called a volume pedal & can be used to sound kind of like a Steel guitar. The type that is played on your lap, used a lot in American country music.

Perhaps, as in much of the work, It's always of a auto-biographical nature...generally wherein comes the sincerity.

One of the nicest things about music & in this case The Beatles music, is that everybody hears it in a different way & relates their own life experiences, as a type of connection. No two connections are the same in the individuals subjective mood & feeling of a particular song. You follow me...

Beatles VI is one of my favorite albums. The sound great, they look great. Great haircuts...; The band is going through it's theme changes & topics. Ever expanding their repertoire, which is oh so deep. But What Do I Know Anyway...*

You Like Me Too Mch

The Beatles***a fine tune from Mr. Harrison. Writing in an environment with the greatest two songwriters in the world of modern music, is not an easy task.

George was a late bloomer & one can witness or shall I say hear, Of the great solo efforts of his compositions after The Beatles broke up. Godspeed Sir...*

What Your Doing

The Beatles***Again from the Beatles For Sale album UK ; Clocks in around 2:30. A fine Paul song, topical at any time, as is all of there material. Some call it classic. I call it timeless.

An interesting intro with an off the wall kind of beat. Great vocals as usual & the ever-present Rickenbacker 12-string guitar to add to the mid tempo ambiance...*

I Don't Want To Spoil The Party

The Beatles***Comes in at 2:33 off of The Beatles For Sale in the UK. These are 2009 re-masters in mono HD.

Interesting to note that a lot of the bands material really sounds better in mono than stereo. That's because the songs were originally recorded, arranged & mixed in that mono format.

It just goes to show you, that even in mono, they are on a level all their own & whether or not anyone is going to come around & pull off what they've done...Well, don't hold your breath.

One other note to this track. It's about as close to new country rock as you'll hear from them ; Unless they were doing a cover tune.

Also be quite aware & If you don't know, I'll tell you ; The Beatles were very influenced by The Everly Brothers & harmony vocals-[more than one person singing at a time]-Many times double harmony & at times three part vocals, especially in the hooks & in some chorus'.

I'd go as far to venture that The Everly Bbrothers along with Roy Orbison, at least vocally, were the biggest influences.But Alas...What Do I Know Anyway...*

Every Little Thing

The Beatles***Off of the Parlophone release in the UK, as titled Beatles For Sale. Coming in at a scant 2:05 ; Another on the fly from John with some Paul input.

Nicest part of this one is the addition of the 12 string Rickenbacker, semi hollow body. A wonderful instrument...A good electric 12 string. Also for ambiance some acoustic Gibson guitars & a Timpani Drum I think it's called ; Or a Kettle Drum.

At this point it's almost effortless, but it's now been that way for some time. With the creative output from the band & George Martin's production ; A tip of the hat to the engineer, Geoff Emerick...*

Eight Days A Week

The Beatles***Off the Beatles For Sale & also was included on Beatles VI ; Depending on which side of the Atlantic you were on.

Some nice harmony vocal work as usual & the bridge, they sing right through that on this one. Comes in at about 2:44, another one for Mr. Lennon. Am I biased towards Mr. Lennon vs Mr. McCartney...Yes...*

Baby's In Black

The Beatles***Marketing gets a little involved at this point, when you look at the point of sale-[which country they are releasing in]-; The songs are a culmination of Beatles 65 & actually Beatles IV-[one of my favorite albums]-;

They're still playing live at this point between 65-66 in Europe & the Pacific Rim. The second trip to the U.S., left them with a bitter taste in the mouth. For reasons we don't need to discuss at this time.

Have to remember, that live performance at that time in comparison from now, is as different as night & day. I won't get into the technical terms at the moment.

Note Mal evans... & Neil Aspinall-[pictured]-* Intrinsic to the Beatles operations & wearing so many hats it's not even funny. Godspeed Sirs...*

This period for the band was most productive, coming off of the earlier works & venturing onwards to the middle period of composition...If we may call it that...*

The song itself is in waltz time, which is termed 3/4 for all you musicians out there. Waltz time is actually real cool & some music from way back in Europe was in this idiom....

In other words, waltz has been around for a long time especially in places like Germany & Poland, to name a few. Actually it is recognized all over the globe & at times, can be rather romantic, if you're into the vibe of the moment...*