On "Hey Jude" and Love

In November Capitol Records released Love, the soundtrack album for the Cirque de Soleil show in Las Vegas that uses remixed Beatles songs as its soundscape. It’s a fascinating album to listen to, presenting new ways of listening to old favorites. Some songs are heavily reworked, with backing vocals, instrumental parts, and the like takenContinue reading “On "Hey Jude" and Love”

On a Beatles Christmas

Today I went in search of my Christmas music collection. It took a little digging, a little rearranging, and I probably needed a torch and a pith helmet, but ultimately the prize was mine. I had my Christmas music. 🙂 The Beatles themselves recorded a Christmas song–“Christmas Time Is Here Again,” released originally on oneContinue reading “On a Beatles Christmas”

On Remembering George Harrison

George Harrison–lead guitarist for the Beatles, songwriter, mystic–died five years ago today. What I wrote at the time: My favorite Beatle depends as much upon what day of the week it is as it does upon my mood for that day. Some days my Beatles-sense revolves wholly around John, other days Paul, sometimes George, sometimesContinue reading “On Remembering George Harrison”

On Paul McCartney's Birthday

Paul McCartney turns sixty-four today. Sixty-four. I’ve seen around the ‘Net in reference to his impending divorce to Heather Mills a number of jokes made at McCartney’s expense playing on the lyrics to his song, “When I’m Sixty-Four.” Particularly these lines from the chorus: Will you stil need me, Will you still feed me, WhenContinue reading “On Paul McCartney's Birthday”

On New (To Me, Anyway) Beatles Variations

The Collector’s Choice Music catalog arrived in the mail two weeks ago. I’ve received this catalog for years, though I seriously doubt I’ve ever bought anything from it. Sometimes I’ll look through it, but mostly I pitch it in the trash can, unopened and unwanted. This latest catalog, though, received some attention and for noContinue reading “On New (To Me, Anyway) Beatles Variations”

On Describing My Life With Song Titles

Shamelessly stolen from Keith DeCandido: Choose a band/artist and answer only in titles of their songs:John Lennon, just the solo work, just to be challenging. 😉 Are you male or female:“Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy).” Describe yourself:“Give Me Some Truth.” How do some people feel about you:“Watching the Wheels.” How do you feel about yourself:“Crippled Inside.”Continue reading “On Describing My Life With Song Titles”