On the I Ching and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

Two months ago, give or take, I was talking with a friend of mine about George Harrison. Specifically, I was sharing an interesting story about the composition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” his song from The Beatles’ “White Album” on which Eric Clapton guested as lead guitarist. While I can’t recall the exact wordsContinue reading “On the I Ching and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps””

The long-awaited digital remasters of the Beatles’ albums has finally been scheduled. September 9, 2009. The same day, by the way, that The Beatles: Rock Band comes out. The albums — Please Please Me to Let It Be and the two Past Masters compilations — will be packaged together as a 14 disc compilation. InContinue reading

On Completely Nerdy Knowledge

On Friday I mentioned how Snoopy made his annual report to the Head Beagle in a Peanuts strip that ran on Sunday the 4th of January, 1970. That date, it nagged me in the back of my mind yesterday and today. And then, this morning, I realized what’s so important about that date. I justContinue reading “On Completely Nerdy Knowledge”

On “Beautiful Dreamer”

Sometimes, the depths of my ignorance surprise me. In this instance, the song “Beautiful Dreamer” by Stephen Foster. Like, doubtless, a good many people, I knew it from Danny Elfman’s Batman score; he used the melody as the Joker’s “love theme” for Vicki Vale. And I’ve been known to whistle it or hum it inContinue reading “On “Beautiful Dreamer””

On “Carnival of Light”

There are a couple of unreleased Beatles tracks that fans have been wanting to hear for forty-plus years. Holy Grails, basically. Tracks like the 27-minute “Helter Skelter.” Or tracks worked on during the “reunion” sessions in 1994 and 1995 like “All For Love” and “Now and Then.” And then there’s “Carnival of Light.” It’s aContinue reading “On “Carnival of Light””