"The footnotes for my nineteenth book. This is my standard procedure for doing it. And while I compose it, I'm also reviewing it"-Jeremy Hillary Boob Ph.D
“A celebration, not a tribute. A celebration of this man and all his
incredible music. I had the privilege of hearing that first playback,
two and a half hours of amazing music, which was a very emotional moment
for Ralph and me.”- Chris Hutton on The Art of McCartney
Now we all know who Paul McCartney is, if not, then I'm afraid you're on the wrong website. But have no fear, you can simply learn about Sir James Paul McCartney by reading about his life, from young childhood to today's standards by reading 18 Days of McCartney, a tribute to the iconic music legend done this past June. However, 18 Days of McCartney was just a silly little writing piece by an ambitious sixteen year old, another tribute dedicated to a man who defines music will be released this Tuesday (18 November, 2014).
Ralph Sall's has spent twenty years working alongside more than two handfuls, in fact nearly over fort artists, from Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, Barry Gibb and even McCartney's hero, Bob Dylan, whom all paid tribute to Paul in this forty-two track album called, The Art of McCartney.
The Art of McCartney's official website states the following about creating the album;
"It was to be a long and winding road, but here it is at last: the
project that testifies to the songwriting genius of Paul McCartney, and
gathers together a glittering host of Paul’s peers paying tribute to… The Art Of McCartney."
Ralph Sall's has built a successful career with his films such as Addams Family Values and Three Kings; not to mention his collaborations with other tribute albums from the Grateful Dead to The Eagles, and even The Doors . A fan of Paul himself, more than just heart, soul, blood, and sweat has gone into this "too good to be true" album. In fact Sall's has been working like a dog for nearly twenty years on perfecting this album working alongside more than forty artist, from rocker Alice Cooper to bluesy B.B. King to having a country flare with Willie Nelson, and many more, all whom have paid tribute to McCartney with their own covers to be featured on this album. Some covers include the early Beatles "Things We Said Today" from A Hard Days Night Album sung by the legendary, Bob Dylan. Another track to look forward to is The Who's Roger Daltrey's take on the speaker breaking "Helter Skelter".
McCartney however is not just known for his work with the mop-topped phenomenon, The Beatles, but with Paul McCartney and Wings, along with his solo work which have not been missed while creating the album. Billy Joel croons through the beloved "Maybe I'm Amazed" while Steve Miller rock's the upbeat "Junior's Farm".
"Anyone who tried to squeeze all that into a single package,
would struggle. But Ralph Sall has managed to come through with a
genuinely impressive array of artists, matched with a nicely judged
choice of songs. With the label Arctic Poppy, they make the
multi-format The Art Of McCartney a thoroughly fitting tribute to a truly exceptional body of work." - Patrick Humphries, TheArtOfMcCartney.com
For more information on the collection and to Pre-Order your copy I encourage you all to visit TheArtOfMcCartney.com.
It was just after Paul McCartney and Wings had lost two of their members (Henry McCullough Denny Seiwall), Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine released their third and most successful album, Band on The Run, in December 1973, that Wings started on a new project; Venus and Mars.
"With this new album I did this scroll thing and sat down and put one
song there, and another song here. Fiddle about. Fiddle about."- Paul McCartney, Melody Maker, 1975
(L-R) English, Laine, L. McCartney, McCulloch, P.McCartney
The band began recording at Abbey Road Studios in November, 1974 despite their desire to record the full album in the United States, which wasn't possible after Denny Laine had difficulties acquiring a visa to enter the US. Two months later the group, along with Laine, picked up their work and moved to Allen Toussaint's Sea Studios in New Orleans on 16 January and stayed til 24 February, 1975. It was during this time that Wings went searching for two new members to replace their lost lead guitarist and drummer, that's when Jimmy McCulloch, a young and extremely gifted guitarist, and Geoff Britton, a former karate expert, joined the band. However, Britton was found fighting with Laine and McCulloch that he left the group half way through recording leaving Wings to find a new drummer. It was Tony Dorsey, Wings trombonist, who recommended a New Yorker who's drummed with names from Joplin to Hendrix; Joe English.
"I completed half the tracks on the album and then a local drummer called Joe English did the rest.
It's a funny band, Wings. From a musician's point of view, it's a
privilege to do it. From a career point of view, it's madness! No matter
how good you are, you're always in the shadow of Paul."- Geoff Britton, 1975
The album was released after final recordings and mixing held at Wally Heider Studios in Los Angeles on 27 May, 1975 (US)/ 30 May, 1975 (UK). The album toppled charts, reaching Billboard Top 200 for one week and seventy-seven weeks in US Charts, not to mention the twenty-nine weeks the album spent in UK Charts including one week at number one and only three months later on 1 August, becoming platinum. The album has sold over 4 million copies featuring the following tracklisting;
Wings in New Orleans, 1975
Venus and Mars (McCartney)
Rock Show (McCartney)
Love In Song (McCartney)
You Gave Me The Answer (McCartney)
Magneto and Titanium Man (McCartney)
Letting Go (McCartney)
Venus and Mars (Reprise) (McCartney)
Spirits of ANcient Egypt (McCartney) -- Sung by Denny Laine
Medicine Jar (McCulloch-Allen)
Call Me Back Again (McCartney)
Listing To What The Man Said (McCartney)
Treat Her Gently - Lonely Old People (McCartney)
Crossroads Theme (Hatch)
After the album was completed the group took a short break before they began working on Wings fifth studio album, Wings At The Speed Of Sound. Recording took place at EMI Studios starting in September of 1975, however the album was mainly put together in 1976. During this time Wings had begun preparing for their most recognizable tour, Wings Over The World. It was during the tour that the album was released, on 22 March, 1976 (US) / 26 March, 1976 (UK). The album features a track sung by each band members;
1976
Let 'Em In (McCartney)
The Note You Never Wrote (Laine)
She's My Baby (McCartney)
Beware My Love (McCartney)
Wino Junko (McCulloch - Allen)
Silly Love Songs (McCartney)
Cook of the House (McCartney)
Time To Hide (Laine)
Must Do Something About It (McCartney) --sung by Joe English
San Ferry Anne (McCartney)
Warm and Beautiful (McCartney)
The album peaked at number two in the UK and became the fourth best selling album of the year, even spending thirty-five weeks on UK charts. In the US the album reached number one and held the position for seven (non-consecutive) weeks, and placed in US charts for fifty-one weeks. The album has sold 3.5 Million copies worldwide.
Now that you have a bit of history behind the album why not buy them? It was released today, 4 November, 2014, that these two history changing albums have been remastered for the Paul McCartney Archive Collection. The Paul McCartney official website posted this earlier today;
"Venus and Mars and At The Speed Of Sound
- the remastered Wings classic albums and latest instalment of the
GRAMMY award-winning Paul McCartney Archive Collection – are out now!
Wings are one of the most successful acts the UK has ever produced,
achieving no less than 14 US Top 10 hits and 12 Top 10 hits in the UK.
Following 1973’s Band on the Run the mid ‘70s were a commercial heyday for Wings." PaulMcCartney.com
followed by this statement;
"As with all the Archive Collection, Paul has personally supervised all
aspects of the reissues. The remastering work was done at Abbey Road by
the same team who have worked on all the reissues as well as The
Beatles’ catalogue."- PaulMcCartney.com
Each reissued album will contain three discs- two CDs and one DVD. Venus and Mars will feature;
CD 1 – Remastered Album
1. Venus and Mars
2. Rock Show
3. Love In Song
4. You Gave Me The Answer
5. Magneto and Titanium Man
6. Letting Go
7. Venus and Mars – Reprise
8. Spirits Of Ancient Egypt
9. Medicine Jar
10. Call Me Back Again
11. Listen To What The Man Said
12. Treat Her Gently – Lonely Old People
13. Crossroads
CD 2 – Bonus Audio
1. Junior’s Farm
2. Sally G
3. Walking In The Park With Eloise
4. Bridge On The River Suite
5. My Carnival
6. Going To New Orleans (My Carnival)
7. Hey Diddle [Ernie Winfrey Mix]
8. Let’s Love
9. Soily [from One Hand Clapping]
10. Baby Face [from One Hand Clapping]
11. Lunch Box/Odd Sox
12. 4th Of July
13. Rock Show [Old Version]
14. Letting Go [Single Edit]
DVD – Bonus Film
1. Recording My Carnival
2. Bon Voyageur
3. Wings At Elstree
4. Venus and Mars TV Ad
CD 1 – Remastered Album
1. Let 'Em In
2. The Note You Never Wrote
3. She’s My Baby
4. Beware My Love
5. Wino Junko
6. Silly Love Songs
7. Cook Of The House
8. Time To Hide
9. Must Do Something About It
10. San Ferry Anne
11. Warm And Beautiful
CD 2 – Bonus Audio
1. Silly Love Songs [Demo]
2. She’s My Baby [Demo]
3. Message To Joe
4. Beware My Love [John Bonham Version]
5. Must Do Something About It [Paul’s Version]
6. Let ‘Em In [Demo]
7. Warm And Beautiful [Instrumental Demo]
DVD – Bonus Film
1. Silly Love Songs Music Video
2. Wings Over Wembley
3. Wings In Venice
It's been forty four years since The Beatles had released their last studio album as a group, Let It Be. An album that topped UK album chart on 23 May, 1970 and unfortunately an album that ended an unforgettable reign. However, just because The Beatles broke up in 1970 doesn't mean their music has stopped toppling charts with new releases such as The Beatles Live At The BBC Volume II, which was released last November, peaking number seven in US Billboard 20, or even Beatles covers by various artists and bands like Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, and so forth, who have all placed on charts, ranging from as high as first position and staying as long as twenty weeks (Source; The Tastiest UK Cover; Beatles Covers in The UK Charts). Once again, a beloved Beatles classic returns back to the charts on Billboard's Top 10.
It was 25 June, 1967 when a message of peace and love clung to every word John Lennon crooned as The Beatles performed on the first ever live television satellite debut, Our World. The iconic song was heard by millions (a four-hundred million estimate) across five continents becoming an anthem of the late 1960s, topping the charts at number one in eleven different charts, from Billboard Hot 100 to Cashbox staying at number one in US charts for up to thirteen weeks (Source; The GuardianThe Beatles: Every album and Single With Chart Position).
Earlier this month Dave Koz released Dave Koz & Friends: The 25th of December, which peaked number 2 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart, containing classics from "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" to "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and yes, even to "All You Need Is Love", a song that's never thought of as a Christmas or holiday song, so why put it in?
"It was important to me, as an artist to say, 'Here [is] a song that you've never heard before [sequenced among holiday classics] that we're going to throw into the mix.'" - Dave Koz
"This album was made with that spirit in mind…an abundance of love and
joy went into every single note. For me, making it was like hosting the
best holiday party ever! I invited some wonderfully talented friends
over…we ate, we drank, we reminisced, and then we retired to the living
room, sat around the piano, and sang some songs—first, each duet partner
and me; then before the party was over, we all came together for one
last song: the Beatles gem 'All You Need Is Love.' Though not a
Christmas song, it truly holds the message of the holidays (and really,
of life) for me." -Dave Koz, DaveKoz.com
The Dave Koz & Friends Beatles cover has reached Number eight in Billboard charts, making in the last time any recording of the song has place in top ten in the last forty-seven years.
Yes, you read it correctly, the moment most of us Spotify listeners have been waiting for, John Lennon joins the other Beatles by coming to the music media site with a catalogue of his solo albums - Paul and Ringo who has already had their full discographies and George who has a few selected songs available.
A week ago today we celebrated what would of been John Lennon's 74th birthday, and what better way to remember the inspirational musician than having eight, yes eight of your favorite John Lennon and Plaistic Ono Band, albums streaming from your very own phone or computer. As part of the Spotify movement the following albums were added;
Albums;
Milk and Honey
Plastic Ono Band
Rock 'N' Roll
Imagine
Mind Games
Sometime In New York City
Walls and Bridges
Double Fantasy
Compilations;
Gimme Some Truth
Signature Box
Power To The People: The Hits
Although eight of John Lennon's albums starting from the 1970s to 1980 are available to stream, his work while experimenting with Yoko Ono in Unfinished Music No 1: Two Virgins, Unfinished Music No. 2: Life With The Lions and Wedding Album are not yet part of the Spotify collection.
The following was post via Twitter by John Lennon verified account (@JohnLennon) on 7 October, 2014.
St Luke's Church stands proudly at 41 meters (133 feet) tall, 18 meters (60 feet) wide, and 54 meters (177 feet 6 inches) long on the corner of Berry Street and Leece Street in the heart of Liverpool. Designed by John Foster Sr and John Foster Jr in the early 1800s, the building was complete in 1832 becoming an Anglican Parish church becoming known as "the doctor's church", being near Rodney Street, home of many local doctors. Through 1832 St Luke's was not only used for religious purposes but as a venue of celebrations as well as a concert hall until 1849 when the Philhamronic Hall opened on Hope Street. To many Liverpudlians this church is known as 'The Bombed Out Church', due to the Liverpool Blitz on 6 May, 1941. During this brutal bombings St. Luke's suffered from an incendiary device causing a rapid fire. As fire spread, the interior turned to ash while the exterior and shell still stand today. In 1952 the church became known as a Grade II building, being defined as "particularly important buildings of more than special interest" (English Heritage,Listed Buildings).
Yes, yes, I know, the name of this website is "The Fab Four Blog", so why am I telling you about a church?
Two days ago, Sunday 5 October, 2014, it was announced that Sir James Paul McCartney is helping the Bombed Out Church's Crowdfunder campaign and Club Freeze to preserve this "international legend" (says Curator of St Luke's, Ambrose Reynolds). After Crowdfunder raised over £20,000 towards the church, Club Freeze dance music promoter's turned to one of Liverpool's most iconic productions, Paul McCartney, who was delighted to help;
"St Luke's Church - better known as 'The Bombed - Out Church' to the people of Liverpool- is a place that encourages people to express themselves. The people of Liverpool should do everything possible to keep this venue open for the use of the people and run by the people. It is a place that is regularly staffed by students from LIPA and every-day people of all ages, religions and backgrounds. It would be a terrible shame if we lost this cultural icon." -Sir James Paul McCartney via PaulMcCartney.com
Not only has Paul McCartney taken a step towards helping a Liverpool treasure, but John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, who had taken a keen interest in the church, even making it part of her "Skyladder" art work this past March. As part of her work she stated that the idea was for her husband John, Lennon that is, who was "very proud of Liverpool". After her husbands passing she had the urge to visit Liverpool and start a public art display of stepping ladders inside The Bombed-Out church for anyone to bring a ladder that "takes you a bit closer to the sky." (Yoko Ono, Yoko Ono: Skyladders ).
Skyladders
Along with her art display Yoko Ono takes her own part in spreading awareness to raise money for the struggling church via Twitter where she wrote
Yesterday, 22 September, 2014, Paul McCartney and Crew released a new video celebrating Meat Free Monday's fifth Anniversary. What is Meat Free Monday? I encourage you to read all about Meat Free Monday's history and Paul McCartney's part in the campaign by clicking here.
This year alone, McCartney has released six music videos. From his lyric video for "New" to his official videos for "Queenie Eye", "Appreciate" and "Early Days", and two fan videos including "Meat Free Monday" and "Save Us". All songs, with the exception of "Meat Free Monday", came from Sir Paul's Newalbum, released this past October. For those who don't know what a Fan Video is, it simple involved Paul McCartney asking his fans to send in a picture of themselves displaying a line from one of his selected songs, such as the following Fan Video (via Youtube) for "Save Us";
With great success and participation in "Save Us", The McCartney crew along with the musician himself, had decided to continue to spread Meat-Free Monday awareness by asking fans to submit pictures for another Fan Video, this time for Paul's campaign song. In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the organization, Paul, his daughters, Mary and Stella, along with others have been asking around for people to pledge to join Meat- Free Monday and save not only animals lives but the planets. During his attempts to get others to join, Sir Paul released a video of himself rapping;
I now ask you all to join not only myself, The McCartney's, and many others in joining Meat-Free Mondays, one day can save thousands of lives. Please enjoy the following "Meat Free Monday" Fan video;
I know this is a little late, but it's never too late to talk about Ringo Starr now is it?
New York based magazine, the Gentlemen's Quarterly, also known as GQ, is well known for their articles on men's style, culture, through various thoughts from food to fitness, movies to music, films to books, and much more. Amongst these articles are the annual GQ Men Of the Year Awards. Many celebrities such as Ozzy Osbourne, David Beckham, Keith Richards, even to Simon Cowell hold their place in GQ Men Of the Year Hall of Fame, now as GQ nears their 17th annual release of the issue who better to feature on the cover along with the title of "Men of The Year" than Ringo Starr?
Starr recieving the Lifetime of Peace and Love award by Lynch
On Tuesday, 2 September, 2014, Starr along with many others gathered in London's Royal Opera House as guest by GQ, to accept their awards. During the ceremony Ringo was recognized for his effort and support towards the David Lynch Foundation, a non-profit organization to "fund the implemention of scientifically proven stress-reducing modalities" ( as stated on DavidLynchFoundation.org). The charity was started by David Lynch himself in 2005 calling it the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness- Based Education and World Peace to help those "who suffer the living hell of post-traumatic stress disorder and women and girls who are victims of terrible violence." (-David Lynch, DavidLynchFoundation.org). The foundation reaches out to inner-city students, veterans with PTSD and their families, American Indians suffering with various diseases, the homeless who are trying to overcome various addictions, juveniles, anyone who needs help, by using a Transcendental Meditation program, said to be scientifically proven to reduce stress and have received much support from leading medical schools such as Harvard Medical School, Stanford Medical School, and Yale Medical School. Ringo Starr, who himself had started mediation in 1967 with The Beatles (read all about it here), was awarded with the Lifetime of Peace and Love Award in L.A's El Rey Theater this past January,
"We want to generate the electricity of peace through music, and it's a thrill to know that the super-creative, enthusiastic musician of our world are with us to achieve this goal."- David Lynch, Rolling Stone Magazine, Andy Greene.
On accepting the award Ringo stated;
"I truly believe in the David Lynch Foundation. They started to bring meditation into inner-city schools and now it's a fact that those schools and neighborhoods violence has gone down. Meditation brings people back to being human again."
Ringo is proudly displayed (thanks to John Varvatos) on the cover of GQ's autumn/winter 2014 campaign. Starr will be donating his profits to the David Lynch Foundation.
If you would like to help Ringo donate to the David Lynch Foundation, it's simple! For Ringo's 74th birthday (this past 7 July), he started a trend called "Peace Rocks" with John Varvatos, who created a Peace Rocks fall fashion collection to be featured in the autumn/winter 2014 GQ magazine. But how can you help? Just tweet a picture via Twitter, of yourself flashing the peace symbol using the hashtag #PeaceRocks. By doing so Varvato's company will donate a dollar to every tweet sent to the Ringo Starr Peace & Love Fund supporting the David Lynch Foundation.
"It's amazing how this thing has grown from when I started seven years ago on the streets of New York, just asking people to say 'Peace and Love'."- Ringo Starr
John Lennon
