The last Beatles song - worldwide release November 2

[LMG]

Ah, but you forget one thing - the little old ladies who work in the charity shops don't know what's gold, so I find gold...

BTW, next time you are in one, make sure you tell the little old ladies about BCB, and that they are welcome here any time to start threads and tell us about their musical interests.

Just saying.

[GoogaMooga]

That would be cruel. But you are fortunately above it all, with your immaculate taste. Tell you what, keep the Rhino recommendation, and I'll go with the Basie. Howzabout that?

[pcqgod]

I watched the "making of" video last night and listened to the song a couple of times today. I didn't think I'd like it but it has a good, moody melody. The lyrics aren't particularly interesting and the production threatens to overwhelm the song. "Less is more" would have been a good guide here. Strings should have been kept to a minimum and McCartney's voice is way too prominent in the mix. They went to all that trouble to get a clear cleaned up vocal from Lennon, so don't cover it up with a co-lead from Paul. Concurrent lead vocals is not a very Beatles-y thing anyway. I like Harrison's contribution, but it's not clear from the making of video how much of it is actually Harrison or how much of it is AI and/or McCartney. My final verdict: better than "Free as a Bird," not as good as "Real Love."

[LMG]

It's a dirge.

They should have done what they did and put it out under the name 'John Lennon'. Then fans can make what they like of it.

It isn't a Beatles song, and everyone involved knows it.

[pcqgod]

Definitely a strong melody. I like some of the tribute versions popping up on Youtube better than the final official product.

[GoogaMooga]

Got the single today, a skimpy release in a vinyl replica sleeve. No inner sleeve and no liner notes. Does anyone know if it's Pete Best or Ringo on drums on "Love Me Do"? I forget whether it was the single or the album version that Pete drummed on, but I suspect it was the single from 1962.

[GoogaMooga]

Google is my friend:

wikipedia:

The original 1962 single version of the song, with Ringo Starr on drums, received a new stereo mix by Giles Martin and was released on 2 November 2023 as the flip side on the double A-side single of "Now and Then". It was also included in the expanded edition of the 1962–1966 compilation released on 10 November 2023.

[Neige]

Ah, but you forget one thing - the little old ladies who work in the charity shops don't know what's gold, so I find gold - not every day, but certainly every week. That does entail trawling though heaps of Robbie Williams, but that is a relatively small price to pay.

No, what I forgot is that you are beyond the reach of all mortal reason.

You will be needing this:

Hmm... looks like a Will Elder drawing to me!

It's William Stout

The cover was famously controversial because it depicted Mark Chapman; Rhino subsequently released a "clean" version.

I like most of it and this still makes me chuckle:



(meanwhile I still refuse to willingly listen to the "new" track.)

[LMG]

The cover was famously controversial because it depicted Mark Chapman; Rhino subsequently released a "clean" version.

Yes.

They justified it at the time by saying it depicted the darker side of fandom. Which I think is a fair point.

Eerily, Woody Allen's film Stardust Memories made a similar dark comedic point, and appeared in cinemas only a couple of months before Lennon's murder, released in September 1980. In the film, Allen's character is approached by a young fan who has been stalking him. The fan explains 'I love you Sandy - that's why I am going to have to kill you', and he takes out a handgun and fires repeatedly.

Personally I felt the LP cover was justified as a way of reminding us that not all fan worship is benevolent. But appearing within two years of Lennon's murder it was too soon.