Beatle-inspired Archives | Page 3 of 9 | Hey Dullblog, the Beatles fan blog

John Lennon and Branwell Bronte

By Nancy Carr|2015-07-28T11:43:54-07:00July 28, 2015|Beatle-inspired, books, John Lennon, Paul Is Dead (PID), Victorian literature|

St. James' earlier book on the supposed connection between Branwell Bronte and John Lennon NANCY CARR * A recently self-published book by Jewelle St. James, John Lennon and the Bronte Connection, claims that John Lennon was the reincarnation of Branwell Bronte, the brother of the more famous Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. Also that the author is, perhaps, the reincarnation of Emily Bronte. And that in an incarnation previous to this 19th century one, Jewelle and John were lovers (as "John Baron" and "Katherine St. James" in 15th century England). The new book is an elaboration of her 2011 work, The [...]

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Oasis: “Tomorrow Never Knows”

By Michael Gerber|2015-07-25T11:31:48-07:00July 25, 2015|Beatle-inspired, Covers|

I'm really of two minds about Oasis', and specifically Liam Gallagher's, love of The Beatles. On the one hand, this is a nice little cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows." (Extra points for Johnny Marr.) On the other, I just read what the Gallagher brothers supposedly did to John Lennon's talisman. You know the one he wore practically daily from early '67 to late '68. First Noel: “I bought [Liam] a few presents in the 90’s. I bought him a thing from an auction which was an Indian necklace thing that John Lennon wore when he went to see the Maharishi. It's worth [...]

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Man Plays Yesterday During Brain Surgery

By Michael Gerber|2015-07-17T11:38:10-07:00June 8, 2015|Beatle-inspired|

I just had to forward this. Yeah, he's kinda slow on some of the chord changes, but...STILL IMPRESSIVE. I'm putting this into the category "Beatle-inspired" because, holy moley that's fandom. Somewhere, John Lennon is miffed because the guy isn't playing "I Am the Walrus." https://youtu.be/zgs6viZaMOM

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Ziggy Stardust was McCartney? Could be…

By Michael Gerber|2016-01-11T18:33:13-08:00May 16, 2015|Beatle-inspired, David Bowie, John and Paul|

J.R. Clark, guest Dullblogger • Of the many personas David Bowie created during his entertainment career, perhaps none was more memorable and influential than the protagonist of his song, “Ziggy Stardust”. The song tells the story of a musician in a rock band who becomes famous. The fame makes him conceited; he seizes control of the band from the other members, and the fame ultimately destroys the band and the musician. David Bowie, 1971 Rock music fans in general, and Bowie fans in particular, continue to debate which musician(s) Bowie drew upon for inspiration in writing the song, including Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Marc Bolan, Gene [...]

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George Starostin on “McLemore Avenue”

By Nancy Carr|2015-04-21T13:36:47-07:00April 21, 2015|Abbey Road, Beatle-inspired, Beatles Criticism, Beatles tributes, Covers|

We got the front . . . . NANCY CARR * My favorite music reviewer, the indefatigable George Starostin, has just published this review of Booker T. and the M.G.'s McLemore Avenue. He calls it "the first authentic case of musical cosplay in pop/rock history," and I have to concur, though I enjoy the results more than he does. I certainly agree with Starostin's assessment of Abbey Road as exerting an "otherworldly" power: . . . and the back! "It is cozy for me to know that, of all Beatles albums, it was Abbey Road that struck [...]

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Krall does Paul: McCartney cover on “Wallflower”

By Nancy Carr|2015-04-21T13:37:55-07:00March 9, 2015|Covers, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Uncategorized, Unreleased/Outtakes|

NANCY CARR * On her new album "Wallflower," Diana Krall covers "If I Take You Home Tonight," a song Paul McCartney wrote while working on "Kisses on the Bottom" but didn't release. (Not clear if he recorded a version.) I think the romantic ballad blends in seamlessly with the late 1960s to 1970s songs that make up the rest of Krall's album. Listen for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIKrLDyBmGc I can see why McCartney didn't use this on "Kisses," but why didn't he put it on "New"? To my ear it's far better than either "Hosanna" or "Looking At Her," which I think are the two [...]

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Lennon: Through a Glass Onion

By Michael Gerber|2015-02-22T13:06:32-08:00February 22, 2015|Beatle-inspired, New York City|

In a rather shocking display of feckless self-absorption, I just discovered in my inbox a months-old email touting the musical performance Lennon: Through a Glass Onion. Musicians John R. Waters and Stewart D'Arietta are performing a slate of Lennon's work -- written both with and without his Beatles -- at the Union Square Theatre, on 100 East 17th Street. Just the kind of thing Dullblog readers would want to know about, right? Apparently not. Apparently my disjointed mewlings are far more important than an actual professional performer, singing and playing some of John Lennon's songs, for cash money, in Lennon's adopted hometown. [...]

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Apple Jam: Off the Beatle Track

By Michael Gerber|2015-01-12T15:45:12-08:00January 12, 2015|Beatle-inspired, Covers|

Oh, you'll like this In the process of refurbishing Nancy Carr's earlier post on the Seattle-based Beatle-tribute band Apple Jam, I discovered these videos and had to pass them on. 2009's "Off the Beatle Track" is Apple Jam doing an LP's worth Lennon/McCartney songs never released by the Beatles (a recent obsession of mine) in the style of the early Beatles. What I'm noticing as I listen to this stuff is the pure songwriting chops; the variation between songs and sounds, the multitude of hooks. And Apple Jam's performance is convincing me that, if The Beatles had wanted to apply [...]

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Mark Britton: Odds and Sodd

By Michael Gerber|2015-01-10T18:36:23-08:00January 10, 2015|Beatle-inspired, Over the Transom|

Man on a mission-style chair: Singer-songwriter Mark Britton Singer-songwriter (and devoted Dullblog reader) Mark Britton recently pointed me to his latest collection of songs, called "Odds and Sodd." (Sodd is, apparently, a sort of empty-the-icebox Norwegian soup.) "Odds and Sodd" is very Beatle-influenced, he wrote me, and Mark Britton don't lie. I'm listening to it right now, and really enjoying it. Take a listen here on Soundcloud. Which tracks does Mark think Dullbloggers should start with? "I’d suggest 'Family Guy' as probably the most Beatley. Followed by Dear Rosa." But y'know, it's all sounding damn good to me -- I'm [...]

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McCartney’s DJ Chris Holmes

By Michael Gerber|2015-01-07T16:39:50-08:00January 7, 2015|concert, Covers, Remixes & Mashups|

LA-based DJ Chris Holmes. Now that I know what he looks like, maybe I'll bump into him. Rolling Stone comes in for a lot of licks here on Dullblog, mostly from me, mostly for its role in canonizing Lennon and demonizing McCartney in the early 70s. But they've gotten their act together since then, and the Stone's relentless Boomer-focus means that they do get into some interesting Beatle-related nooks and crannies. This article for example, on McCartney's DJ Chris Holmes. Holmes' mixes have been warming up Paul's crowd since 2009; he provided his set to RollingStone.com, and I've been listening [...]

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