Beatling About

This week we hop on the minibus with Allan Williams, Beryl Chang, Lord Woodbine and five unknown musicians from Liverpool as they make their way to "that city of sin" Hamburg to learn about music and life.     About the only question that doesn't get answered is whether Mimi actually did "pay the taxi" after John's inglorious return home from the first trip.     Continued in part 2.

The Beatles reconvened at George's home (Kinfauns) in Esher mid-1968 to demo a bumper bundle of new songs for their next album.     Appropriately enough for Easter, we discuss these colorful tunes, and their bright surroundings.   (There are probably still some eggs hanging about in the corners).     A single disc was never enough to hold all of the ideas bursting forth.

This week we present part of our tribute to Sir George Martin by looking into his personal relationship with Sir Paul McCartney.    From that first session in 1962 through the end of the Beatles, Live and Let Die, Tug of War and the early 80's collaborations, Montserrat and the benefit concert for the island.     We will be back in a few weeks to look at the more colorful working relationship John Lennon had with his producer.

This week, part two of our look into Brian Epstein.   We start by busting some myths common in the Beatles world.  What involvement did Brian have with the trousers (and the rest of the suits?)     We also discuss Seltaeb, Manilla, Robert Stigwood , and the "Our World" broadcast.    A Splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Brian Epstein was an impresario in every possible manner.       Largely because of Brian, the term has moved from one who organizes and finances public performances to the organizer.     An impresario in the Epstein model is a connector -  one who recognizes talent, and is willing to go against the grain, and take risk to unite new, exciting and interesting ideas.     It certainly helps to have a talent as large as the Beatles covering your aspirations, but Brian understood, improved and presented the best version of "his boys" to the world, allowing the group to "loom large in his [Brian's] legend"

Is It Streaming in London?    This week we examine the 250+ million streams (and that's only Spotify, so the actual number may be twice that or more!) that the Beatles have had since Christmas 2015.     This is rounded out with the Beatles themselves discussing their favorites over the years.

This week, the latest and the greatest of them all takes you to India, as we investigate the fascination the Beatles (particularly John and George) had with Transcendental Meditation, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Guru Dev (who is name checked in "Across the Universe"), and then later what happened to cause them to leave the ashram.

The Traveling Wilburys burst onto the scene in 1988, five fresh faced kids with over a century of history in the music business between them.   This week, we look at their collective past, and how a drinking joke (and the addition of Jim "Buster Sideburn" Keltner) became a real band.

Handclaps, pt. 2 with special guest Jai Young Kim.   Fifty two years ago, the Beatles were storming New York City with their haircuts, trousers and new beat.    We celebrate by continuing to talk about musicians, selling beer, stomping feet, clapping hands and the dangers of playing with a BOMF.   Please leave feedback! 

This week Dave and Ed are joined by special guest Jai Young Kim, known to our listeners as our musical director, and the man behind the "Beatling About" theme.     Our topic is the Beatles' use of handclaps, starting with Please Please Me, through Abbey Road and the solo years., and how it shaped their sound.  Part two will follow next week.   An interesting bit of trivia for those who mentioned it, Frank Sinatra was slightly less than 5-8, so we do know what we are talking about!

This week we continue the story of Beatles reunions with the Anthology project, the "Threetles", Free As A Bird, Real Love and the recent updates of both tracks on 1+.

Show Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine features the guys discussing the opportunities the Beatles had to reunite, and whether the concerted effort could possibly fulfill everyone's hopes and dreams, including theirs.     Continued in Pt.2 next week.

Living is easy with eyes closed, but going to the cinema is not.    Instead of Gene and Roger, you have us discussing the multiple-Goya award winning film "Living is Easy with Eyes Closed."    Although fictional, it has a lot to say about Spain in 1966, the changes in the world, and how John Lennon's visit to film "How I Won the War" changed the lives of individuals

Welcome to 2016 Everybody!    December was a busy month for Beatles people and places, with updates to almost all of our previous shows.     Tune in to find out how Bruce Springsteen, the film Creed, Kenny Aronoff, Andy Peebles and the Roots all entered the Beatles orbit.

Paul McCartney asks the musical question "No Values?", while we investigate the world of auctions, museums and Beatles memorabilia.        Had a chance to visit a Beatles exhibit?     Join our Facebook page and tell us what some of your favorite pieces have been!