When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

Happy 77th Birthday to Ringo!     In lieu of a livecast at noon, we present a bit of chat, a bit of music and (hopefully) a bit of fun.      Peace and Love!

The WTWF review of the Super Deluxe edition of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band continues.     This week, we look at the new stereo mix of "side two", a selection of outtakes (as presented across either the two-disc or six-disc versions of the set), and the video presentations repeated across the DVD and Blu-Ray discs.     This leads to a diversion on 4K, and whether the first full resolution commercial release of the "Penny Lane", "Strawberry Fields Forever", and "A Day in the Life" video will come on a physical disc, or in some future, unknown intangible format.    The epic saga ends next week!

The month of Pepper continues as the WTWF guys start their review of the fiftieth anniversary box set of Sgt. Pepper.    This week we discuss the lenticular cover, interior box, paper goods, posters, the book, the fourth (mono) disc, and we even manage to squeeze in side one of the remix.     Even with all that, there is more to come throughout June!

The Beatles-world is fortunate to have a number of Father-son team ups throughout their history.     One of these has been display on late, as Giles Martin was chosen to do the media and be "the face" of the fiftieth anniversary release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.      In this show, the WTWF guys talk a bit about the technology involved in recording (two, four, eight, 16-track, and the virtually limitless possibilities available in the digital realm), how it shaped the Beatles' music, and how we experienced those sounds through the various reproduction formats in our homes (mono, stereo, quad, 5.1, Dolby Atmos).     We close with thoughts on the making and remaking of Sgt. Pepper, includingthoughts from Sam Okell, highlights from Giles' recent appearances, and some classic George Martin interviews.

Part two of out visit with author Bruce Spizer.     We talk about his new book, "The Beatles and Sgt. Pepper: A Fans' Perspective".     Highlights include Bruce's memories from June 1967, the release of Pepper in Canada, classic articles from Beatlefan magazine, and over 80 essays from public figures including Billy Joel, Peter Tork, Pat DiNizio, May Pang, Mark Lewisohn and more.      Stick around for "Return to Pepperland", Paul McCartney's musical remembrance of the era.

"It Was Fifty Years Ago Today!"     Author and renowned New Orleans tax attorney Bruce Spizer joins the show this week to discuss Sgt. Pepper in the context of its era, how the original stands up today, and the magic Giles Martin accomplished with the fiftieth anniversary remix just recenty released to the world.     Along the way we touch upon the surround sound mixes, the difference between "Love" and "Pepper" in 5.1, and how the album united fans across the globe for at least a couple of weeks.

A split show.    We finish up our look at the "Flowers in the Dirt" Deluxe Edition, and slide into its spiritual cousin (in terms of contents, if not sound or production), the Fiftieth Anniversary six-disc Deluxe Edition of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band.     Stay tuned through June as we ceebrate "the month of Seargent Pepper" with a special guest, plenty of music and chat, our own review of the package, its contents, and some of the special celebrations both local and global!

Part two of the WTWF look at the deluxe edition of Flowers in the Dirt.     Remember the mini-controversy over Visa's exclusive sponsorship (and commercial) covering the 1989-1990 Paul McCartney?    That is touched upon as we consider the DVD included in this package.     Ten videos, three jam-packed featurettes and the full-length "Put It There" documentary can be found on this disc, and we tell you what's old, new, borrowed and turquoise!

Part One of the long-promised review of the Flowers In The Dirt Deluxe Edition.      Did the McCartney camp deliver with this in-depth look at what is widely regarded as one of McCartney's better albums?     How badly is the package hurt by the decision to include B-sides and rarities as download-only instead of a physical disc?     WTWF looks at the remaster, the acoustic "Paul and Elvis" demos, the band demos and touches on the download-only material this week.     Just how many copies of "Ou Est Le Soleil" is too many?

This week we check in with James McCartney and the Marshmallow Maiden tour, which started in March covering 34 dates through the US (closing in Vancouver, BC May 13).         For most of these "shoebox venues", the worst seat in the house is closer than the best at one of his dad's shows.     We then turn our attention to a topic suggested on the Facebook group -- "What was the deal with the Klaatu Konspiracy?", and give our own opinions on how such a rumor might begin and be spread in the pre-Internet era.

For many people, Beatle wigs, blankets, cake toppers, Hot Wheels and "Flip Your Wig" games are an integral part of the Beatles story.     For others, they are collectibles, a tangible momento of the era when Brian ruled the Beatles roost, and the band might be on the Ed Sullivan show any given Sunday.       This week, the WTWF guys talk about some of the items they have added to their personal collections through the years, and which of the multitudes of modern-day licensees are worth your time and money. 

Part two of our visit with Joe Baiardi of the Fab 5 and Jamie Daruwala.    One of the advantages of professionally playing Beatles songs is a close and intimate knowledge of the nuances in the music, and the guitars, basses and amps that make them.     In short, Hofners, and Rickenbackers and Gretsches (Oh My!).     What is the difference in sound between Paul's "Cavern Bass" and his later Hofner?     Which guitars show up on "And Your Bird Can Sing" and "The End"?    Which bass is it on "Dear Prudence"?       All this and more this week on WTWF!

Special Guests: Joe Baiardi of "The Fab 5" and singer/songwriter and friend of the show Jamie Daruwala.  This week we look back at the Broadway musical "Beatlemania", and its subsequent Beatle Band offspring.    Indeed, just as the Beatles themselves revolutionized rock and roll, the Broadway show created an entire industry that was previously represented  mostly by an Elvis impersonator here or there.    As the years pass, many of these bands have gone where Paul has not.    Want to see Sgt. Pepper done completely live with with orchestration, Indian Musicians and more?     Now you can.    

Part two of our "Mind Games" review.       Can you hear the opening salvos of the "Lost Weekend" between the grooves?     John's response was to apologize profusely, and consider the lyrics and licks of his Beatle past.      Further, once stripped of the era, the personal and political strife, just how well do the songs hold up as a record?    Over forty years later, is it still worth a spin?     We give our opinions and hope to hear yours!

Mind Games -- in many ways the most forgotten of the mainstream Lennon releases.      The stress of the deportation issues, Richard Nixon's reelection and the fight for Kyoko were taking their toll in the Lennon household.    John's response was twofold:   keep apologizing to Yoko (in both word and song), and come up with an LP in the "Imagine" mold to try and win back the affection of the record charts.     Altough neither was immediately successful, time, a pregnancy and an excellent posthumous remix may have resulted in each of those boxes eventually being ticked.