Swinging Through The Sixties: The Beatles and Beyond

A remixed White Album, the complete stereo Esher Demos, a wide array of high-quality, previously unheard outtakes… and the album in 5.1 surround. Need we say more? Actually, we do, according this historic release the attention and analysis it so richly deserves. Featured tracks: * Helter Skelter (Second Version – take 17) * Yer Blues * While My Guitar Gently Weeps * Blue Moon (Studio Jam) * (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care (Studio Jam) * Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey (Unnunbered Rehearsal) * Revolution 1 (Take 18) * Good Night (Take 10 with a guitar part from Take 7) * Honey Pie (Instrumental Backing Track) * Dear Prudence (Esher Demo/Vocal, Guitar and Drums) * Let It Be (Unnumbered Rehearsal) * I’m So Tired (Take 14) * Sour Milk Sear (Esher Demo)

A tribute to the recording engineer whose in-studio innovations helped shape The Beatles’ sound—and alter the course of popular music. Geoffrey Emerick (born 5th December 1945, died 2nd October 2018) was just 16-years-old when, on 6th June 1962, he joined the EMI Studios on Abbey Road as a tape operator. Two days later, he attended the group’s first recording session with Ringo Starr on drums. He subsequently assisted on a number of sessions, including those for ‘She Loves You’ and ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, before replacing Norman Smith as The Beatles’ chief engineer in early 1966 and diving straight into the deep end with the first track committed to tape for their landmark ‘Revolver’ LP: the revolutionary, now-legendary ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’. The following year, ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ won him his first of four Grammy Awards. In this episode, Richard, Erik, Allan and Craig examine how, together with producer George Martin, Geoff helped realize The Beatles’ most far-flung creative ambitions. And there is also an enlightening interview with multi-award-winning engineer John Kurlander, who assisted Geoff on the group’s final album, ‘Abbey Road’. Featured Tracks * Tomorrow Never Knows (STTS remix) * Yer Blues * Good Day Sunshine * Good Morning Good Morning * Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End (STTS remix) * I’m Only Sleeping * A Day in the Life (STTS remix)

The cripple impersonations, the Nazi salutes, the MBEs (received and returned), the groupies, the ‘Butcher cover’, the ‘bigger than Jesus’ controversy, the drugs, the love anthem, the naked album cover, the politically-charged lyrics, the peace campaign, the erotic artwork… However we slice and dice The Beatles’ story, it’s never boring,. What they said, sang and did still incites heated debates and disagreements five decades later. And what was deemed acceptable or unimportant back in the 1960s is often judged far more harshly today—as well as the other way around. So, diving into this often amusing, sometimes disturbing topic, we appraise things according to not only current mores, but also the era in which they took place—guaranteeing an action-packed episode… and a splendid time for all. The Music * I Saw Her Standing There * Day Tripper * The Word * Girl * Run for Your Life * Got to Get You into My Life * Tomorrow Never Knows * Doctor Robert * Penny Lane * Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds * A Day in the Life * All You Need is Love * Revolution 1 * Blackbird * Piggies * No Pakistanis * Maggie Mae * I’ve Got a Feeling * Don’t Let Me Down * Give Peace a Chance * Come Together * You Can’t Do That * Across the Universe * Piggies * Happiness is a Warm Gun * Revolution * Commonwealth

They’ve been labeled the Prefab Four, America’s answer to The Beatles; a manufactured group performing songs on TV and in concert that were written by accomplished composers and recorded by crack session musicians. All of which is true—up to a point. Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork boasted assorted pedigrees as actors and/or musicians, and they eventuially exerted greater control over their own career. But, as fast as they became superstars on both sides of the Atlantic, they flamed out, and to this day the debate continues regarding their musical validity and credibility. Which is where Richard, Erik, Allan and Craig enter the picture… The music featured on this show comprises a wide array of singles, session tapes, outtakes and tracks from the albums ‘The Monkees’ (1966), ‘More of The Monkees’, ‘Headquarters’, ‘Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.’ (all 1967), ‘The Birds, The Bees and The Monkees’ and ‘Head’ (both 1968). Featured Tracks: * (Theme from) The Monkees * Mary, Mary * Goin’ Down * (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone * Cuddly Toy * Daydream Believer * Your Auntie Grizelda * Ladies Aid Society * Saturday’s Child * Papa Gene’s Blues * Take a Giant Step * Last Train to Clarksville * I Wanna Be Free * She * When Love Comes Knockin’ (at Your Door) * Sometime in the Morning * The Day We Fall in Love * Porpoise Song (Theme from Head) * Laugh * I’m a Believer * Gonna Buy Me a Dog * For Pete’s Sake * Randy Scouse Git * Shades of Gray * A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You * Salesman * The Door into Summer * Words * What Am I Doing Hangin’ ’Round? * Star Collector * Love is Only Sleeping * Peter Percival Patterson’s Pet Pig Porky * Valleri * Ditty Diego – War Chant * Pleasant Valley Sunday

Rock-solid and understated, subtle yet ballsy, inventive and full of feel—these are just some of the descriptions that have been applied to the artistry and iconic, highly influential drumming of Sir Richard Starkey, M.B.E. Now, hot on the heels of Ringo’s 78th birthday, Richard, Erik, Allan, and Craig analyse and appraise his Beatles-related contributions behind the kit—both onstage and in the studio—while discussing his musical evolution, comparing him to his contemporaries, and assessing if he was indeed the man best suited to drum for the world’s greatest rock group. Featured tracks: * Rain * Long Tall Sally * I Call Your Name * I Want to Hold Your Hand * She Loves You * Ticket to Ride * Please Please Me * Thank You Girl * I Feel Fine * You Can’t Do That * You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me * A Day in the Life * Long Long Long * The End * Good Morning Good Morning * Here Comes the Sun * I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)

Arguably the most famous of all unfinished albums, at the center of an infamous showdown between Brian Wilson and his fellow Beach Boys, SMiLE was envisaged as a means of elevating the standard pop opus to unprecedented artistic heights. Commercial considerations, a copious intake of drugs and Brian’s rapidly deteriorating mental health put paid to that—especially after he heard The Beatles’ landmark Sgt. Pepper. For years it was alleged that he had destroyed the session tapes, yet these eventually emerged intact and a rejuvenated Brian has since performed the entire set live. So, how would SMiLE have fared if released as intended at the start of 1967? And what kind of impact might it have had on the contemporary music scene? Erik, Richard, Allan and Craig dive into this intriguing, part-tragic, ultimately inspirational topic along with special guest John Anderson, the Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated director of numerous films featuring Brian, The Beach Boys and assorted other rock luminaries. Check out John’s credits here: http://www.thisisandersonproductions.com/AboutUs.html (http://www.thisisandersonproductions.com/AboutUs.html) Featured tracks: * Our Prayer/Gee * Heroes and Villains * Do You Like Worms? (Roll Plymouth Rock) * I'm In Great Shape/Barnyard * You Are My Sunshine/Old Master Painter * Cabin Essence * Wonderful * Look (Song for Children) * Child is Father of the Man * Surf’s Up * I Wanna Be Around/Workshop * Vega-tables * Holidays * Wind Chimes * Mrs. O'Leary's Cow * Love to Say Dada (In Blue Hawaii) * Good Vibrations

The Beatles played five shows in Chicago between 1964 and 1966—more than any other American city—and there was no little drama: from the total hysteria of their first gig at the International Amphitheater and staying at a Mob-run hotel during their second visit to kicking off their third and final tour with press conferences defending John’s “more popular than Jesus” remarks. Re-live the excitement of those years via live Windy City performances by the Fab Four and on-the-spot interviews with fans, deejays, reporters, a concert promoter and a security guard, as well as the analysis of special guest Chuck Gunderson, author of the definitive two-volume ‘Some Fun Tonight! The Backstage Story of How The Beatles Rocked America: The Historic Tours of 1964 – 1966’.

The things we loved back in the 1960s that we're now embarrassed about, as well as the things we still love from the 1960s that we should be embarrassed about: the music, movies, TV shows, products, fashions, you name it. The musical content on this show includes: * Ian Bernard – ‘Inquistive Tango’ (theme from Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In) * Bikini Beach cast – ‘Bikini Beach’ * Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs – ‘Wooly Bully’ * Elvis Presley – ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ * The Flintstones – ‘The Way-Outs’ * The Jetsons – ‘Jet Screamer’ * Gary Miller – ‘Aqua Marina’ * The Flower Pot Men – ‘Let’s Go to San Francisco’ * Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch – ‘The Legend of Xanadu’ * Paper Dolls – ‘Something Here in My Heart’ * The Glitterhouse - 'Barbarella' * Elvis Presley – ‘Wolf Call’ * Ricky Nelson – ‘Hello Mary Lou’ * Napoleon XIV – ‘They’re Coming to Take Me Away’ * Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs – ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ * The Royal Guardsmen – ‘Snoopy vs. the Red Baron’ * The Swingin’ Medallions – ‘Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)’ * Sopwith Camel – ‘Hello Hello’ * The T-Bones – ‘No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In)’ * Tony Hatch/Wings –Crossroads theme * Ann-Margret – ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ * Doris Day – ‘Move Over Darling’

Back in the 1960s, courtesy of Capitol Records executive Dave Dexter, Jr., American Beatles fans bought different records and often heard very different mixes to those enjoyed by their British counterparts: ones bathed in reverb and converted into fake stereo “with the assistance” of Mr. Dexter. Those mixes have long since been eliminated from the catalogue, but they’re back with a vengeance in this show—and subjected to the scrutiny of Messrs. Taros, Buskin, Bartock and Kozinn as they discuss the pros, cons, and marketing strategies behind these alternately popular and egregious alterations to The Beatles’ music. What emerges is information that will enlighten listeners on both sides of the Atlantic—while jolting them with juxtaposed U.S. and U.K. mixes of some legendary tracks. The music: * ‘Thank You Girl’ * ‘I’ll Get You’ * ‘I Call Your Name’ * ‘You Can’t Do That’ * ‘The Word’ * ‘I’m Looking Through You’ * ‘And I Love Her’ * ‘She Loves You’ * ‘Help!’ * ‘She’s a Woman’ * ‘I Feel Fine’ * ‘I’m Only Sleeping’ * ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’ * ‘Doctor Robert’ * ‘That Means a Lot’ * ‘Long Tall Sally’ * ‘Roll Over Beethoven’

Even by the standards of the 1960s, it was quite a week: the murder of peaceful-protest civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., resulting riots across the U.S.A., multilateral talk of a ceasefire in the Vietnam war, the fall of Czechoslovakia’s communist government as part of the pro-democracy movement’s ‘Prague Spring,’ the appointment of Pierre Trudeau as Canadian Prime Minister, the release of movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Planet of the Apes, and a wide array of now-classic chart hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Among this episode’s musical attractions: * Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’ * The Beatles’ ‘Lady Madonna’ * Elvis Presley’s ‘Guitar Man’ * The Move's 'Fire Brigade' * Aretha Franklin’s ‘Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You’ve Been Gone)’ * Donovan’s ‘Jennifer Juniper’ * Otis Redding’s ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ * The Lemon Pipers’ ‘Green Tambourine’ * James Brown’s ‘I Got the Feelin’’ * Bobby Goldsboro’s ‘Honey’ * The Monkees’ ‘Valleri’ * Cliff Richard’s ‘Congratulations’ * The Delfonics’ ‘La-La (Means I Love You)’ * Sly and the Family Stone’s ‘Dance to the Music’ * Mahalia Jackson’s ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’ * Cilla Black’s ‘Step Inside Love’

What elements make up a psychedelic song-be it rock, pop or folk, British or American, East or West Coast? 1960s artists didn't categorize the music. They were just pushing the envelope-lyrically, musically, technologically-while ingesting the necessary chemicals. So, differentiating between the authentic, borderline and phony is a largely subjective topic, as revealed in this episode's acid-drenched discussion between Richard, Erik, Allan and Craig. And there's also a brief cameo by Donovan. The featured tracks include: * '2000 Light Years from Home' - The Rolling Stones * 'Eight Miles High' - The Byrds * 'All Along the Watchtower' - The Jimi Hendrix Experience * 'It's All Too Much' - The Beatles * 'Psychotic Reaction' - Count Five * 'Mind Flowers' - Ultimate Spinach * 'Hole in My Shoe' - Traffic * 'Pictures of Matchstick Men' - Status Quo * 'Magic Potion' - The Open Mind * 'Time Has Come Today' - The Chambers Brothers * 'Incense and Peppermints' - Strawberry Alarm Clock * 'Itchycoo Park' - The Small Faces * 'Astronomy Domine' - Pink Floyd * 'White Rabbit' - Jefferson Airplane * 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)' - The Electric Prunes * '1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)' - The Jimi Hendrix Experience * 'My White Bicycle' - Tomorrow * 'A Very Cellular Song' - The Incredible String Band * 'Witches Hat' - The Incredible String Band * 'Porpoise Song' - The Monkees * 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' - Donovan * 'Good Vibrations' - The Beach Boys * 'Third Stone from the Sun' - The Jimi Hendrix Experience * 'The Star Spangled Banner' - Jimi Hendrix

"I don't see too much difference between Rubber Soul and Revolver," George said in the 'Beatles Anthology' documentary. "To me, they could be Volume One and Volume Two." Many might think he should have paired Revolver with Sgt. Pepper. But, bearing in mind that George wasn't nearly as involved with Pepper, let's view things from his perspective... In August 1965, John and George took acid intentionally for the first time, together with Ringo. In October and November, The Beatles recorded Rubber Soul. The following month, 10 days after the album's release, a day after the end of the group's final UK tour, Paul took LSD for the first time (with Guinness heir Tara Browne). Less than four months later, the Revolver sessions began. Very different albums, but within just five months of one another: 'Volume One' shortly after three Beatles had dropped acid; 'Volume Two' after Paul had done so. Featuring ear-catching, ultra-rare audio clips, this episode will dive deep into how hallucinogens influenced not only The Beatles' songwriting and studio techniques during this period of unsurpassed group unity, but also the attitudes and instrumentation evident on record.

This show's just the first installment of a multi-parter because, if you do a little research, you'll discover that it might be easier to compile a list of famous actors who, back in the 1960s, didn't record a pop song… or album… or several of them. They were all at it, on both sides of the Atlantic, and some of the results weren't nearly as bad as you might think. Some were actually quite good while others were at least amusing. Such is the varied selection we have here: * Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren, 'Goodness Gracious Me' & 'Bangers and Mash' * Richard Chamberlain, 'Three Stars Will Shine Tonight' * Audrey Hepburn, 'Moon River' * William Shatner, 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' * Leonard Nimoy, 'Highly Illogical' * Bette Davis & Debbie Burton, 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?' * Barbara Eden, 'Bend It' * Patrick Macnee & Honor Blackman, 'Kinky Boots' * Lorne Greene, 'Ringo' * Pattie Duke, 'Say Something Funny' * Yaphet Kotto, 'Have You Dug This Scene' * Brigitte Bardot, 'Harley Davidson' * Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg, 'Je t'aime… moi non plus'

Just because a record’s a hit doesn’t mean it’s good. And there are many good records that never achieve chart success. This show focuses on the former: 1960s singles that cracked the top 100 in the U.S. and/or U.K.—in certain cases even topping it—yet which are universally condemned or divide opinions: some people love them, others hate them. Incorporating several of their own choices with those of listeners, Richard and Erik bravely take a trip through an assortment of Sixties stinkers—ranging from novelty records to artistic blunders—and also recruit the Celebrated Mr. K (Allan Kozinn) to try figure out what in hell the artists and composers were thinking.

Following are the featured tracks. But this is just the beginning—no way can all of the contenders fit into a single episode… Following are the featured tracks. But this is just the beginning—no way can all of the contenders fit into a single episode… * Ray Stevens — Jeremiah Peabody's Polyunsaturated Quick-Dissolving Fast-Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills * Brian Hyland — Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini * The Trashmen — Surfin’ Bird * Jimmy Cross — I Want My Baby Back * Freddie and the Dreamers — Do the Freddie * Elvis Presley — Do the Clam * Mrs. Miller — Downtown/A Lover’s Concerto * Sgt. Barry Sadler — The Ballad of the Green Berets * Esther and Abi Ofarim — Cinderella Rockefella * Senator Bobby — Wild Thing * 1910 Fruitgum Company — Simon Says * Richard Harris — MacArthur Park * Tiny Tim — Tip Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me

In this final installment of the STTS ‘White Album’ trilogy, Erik and Richard team up with musician Craig Bartock and musicologist Allan Kozinn to discuss the contributions by The Beatles’ lead guitarist and drummer – as well as what might have been in terms of tracks that didn’t make it onto the album. In so doing, they prove that, between them, the pair would have been capable of creating far more than just an EP! Once again, Craig doesn’t have a track listing – but the other three do… Erik 1. It’s All Too Much (long version) 2. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 3. Don’t Pass Me By 4. Savoy Truffle 5. Piggies 6. The Inner Light 7. Dehra Dun 8. Circles 9. Not Guilty 10. Sour Milk Sea 11. Long, Long, Long 12. Only a Northern Song 13. Good Night 14. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Take 1) Richard 1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (acoustic & electric) 2. Piggies 3. Long, Long, Long 4. Don’t Pass Me By 5. Savoy Truffle 6. Not Guilty 7. Dehra Dun 8. Sour Milk Sea 9. Circles/Only a Northern Song 10. It’s All Too Much (long version) 11. Good Night Allan 1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 2. Piggies 3. Don’t Pass Me By 4. Long, Long, Long 5. Savoy Truffle 6. Circles 7. Only a Northern Song 8. Not Guilty 9. The Inner Light 10. Dehra Dun 11. Sour Milk Sea 12. It’s All Too Much (long version) 13. Good Night