rigby@mail.ru
Главная Дискография Интервью Книги Журналы Аккорды Заметки Видео Фото Рок-посевы Викторина Новое

   CLUB SANDWICH 45

страницы


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

IT'S A COMPACT WORLD

Club Sandwich 45

            The issue of the first four Beatles LPs on compact disc was indeed big news. Yet the mild controversy about their appearance in mono only and the fact that these were relatively low-tech recordings whetted the appetite for the group's later albums, where we all suspected there would be more to reveal.
            Help, Rubber Soul
and Revolver were indeed fascinating, though some wished George Martin had felt free to tinker more radically with the stereo mixes of the first two, especially Help. Still, there was no doubt which would be the CD biggie: Pepper, of course. So extravagant had the group and their producer been in indulging every wild idea and whim that Martin feared the results would please them more than the public.
            In fact, of course, the public delighted in savouring every moment of wit or fancy on an album bursting with joyful invention. Although subsequent Beatles albums were full of technical accomplishment - especially Abbey Road - they could not match Pepper for magic and unity of atmosphere. Add to this the special nostalgia felt for 1967, the Summer of Love, and it's easy to see why Sgt. Pepper was the most awaited of the CDs.
            With typical sense of occasion, Paul and Linda were glad to attend the twentieth anniversary party at Abbey Road and give the CD a memorable launch. Just as he and George Harrison had done in the Twenty Years Ago TV film, Paul made plain in his speech that the ideals of that innocent time still meant a lot to him, even if his generation had had to learn that change came slowly.
            Peter Blake, co-designer of the record's famous sleeve, was there as Paul cut the Pepper drum-shaped cake. Peter received a handsome framed tribute, comprising platinum versions of the album in its vinyl, cassette and compact disc forms. Several people having links with various stages of the Beatles' career were present - none with an earlier link than Paul's brother Mike! Early hero Roy Orbison ('Please Please Me' was originally in his slow, moody style) was there, along with Paul's contemporaries John McNally of Liverpool's second-best group, the Searchers, and Tony Hicks of the Hollies, who cut their own Pepper (Evolution) after the Beatles had blazed the trail.
            Also present was ever-hairy Roy Wood, who started the Electric Light Orchestra to play music inspired by the Beatles' 1967 innovations. Paul and George Martin wore sensible sports jackets: apart from Roy's hair, the only hint of psychedelia was George's paisley tie.
            The CD disappointed no one. It was premiered on 31st May by Anne Nightingale on Radio One, with archive comments by the Beatles and more recent contributions by George Martin, Geoff Emerick and Alan Parsons. Next day was Beatles Day on Radio One, with an American-style blitzkrieg of one Beatles song out of every four records played.
            The packaging of the CD, with recording details by Mark Lewisohn and notes on the original design by Peter Blake, was equally praised. The Sgt. Pepper cut-outs, originally in half of the record's gatefold sleeve, were reproduced for posterity. Two of the Dutch design group, the Fool, who decorated the outside of the Beatles' Apple boutique and John's famous psychedelic Rolls-Royce, had their idea for the Pepper sleeve turned down. But, as Blake recalls, they had the consolation of designing a special inner sleeve which accompanied a limited number of the original albums.
            Club Sandwich
asked Tony Wadsworth of EMI about the latest plans for Beatles CDs. In view of their relatively brief playing time, was it possible that the first four albums could be released later on two CDs only?
            "There are no plans to do that."
            Similarly, stereo versions of A Hard Day's Night and Beatles For Sale are "a long way off". Due next are Ve//ow Submarine and the White Album on 24th August and Abbey Road and Let It Be in October. What about the vexed question of the tracks not on the original UK albums?
            "The Red and Blue compilations [1962-66 and 1967-70] will be issued sometime in 1988, when there will also probably be two CDs to fill in the gaps. They will have a creative theme and will have to be agreed with Paul and Apple. The Beatles and Yoko are kept fully informed, but Paul takes the most interest. There are no plans to issue Live At The Hollywood Bowl."
            Regarding Paul's post-Beatles work, 1987 has already seen the issue of McCartney, Ram and Wings Over America (a double). Next up is Venus And Mars, due later this year. Broad Street was the first album to be issued simultaneously on CD, but Paul's earlier 1980's albums have been out in this form for some time. Pipes Of Peace was issued in February 1984 and Band On The Run, Wings Greatest Hits and Tug of War in February 1985. Regrettably, a video of Granada TV's It Was Twenty Years Ago Today will not be out until the question of music royalties is resolved.


LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED!

Club Sandwich 45

            Following upon the twentieth anniversary celebrations for Sgt Pepper, EMI have continued their release of Beatles' singles with 'ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE', their fifteenth Parlophone single, which went straight to the top of the charts within a week of its release.
            'ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE' re-appears in four different formats: in a special picture bag; as a 7" limited edition picture disc; in a 12" format; and as a cassette, the first time a Beatles' single has been issued on cassette. EMI have marked the event by an unprecedented marketing campaign for a Beatles' single.

            ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE/ Baby You're A Rich Man
            Catalogue Nos.
            7" black vinyl: R 5620
            12" black vinyl: 12R 5620
            7" picture disc: RP 5620
            cassette single: TCR 5620

            The Lennon/McCartney song was written, recorded and released in under six weeks, being one of the fastest singles the Beatles ever recorded. It was written for a TV programme called 'Our World', which was broadcast on June 25,1967 to an estimated audience of 400 million people around the world. It was a technological break-through, as it was the first time that a worldwide satellite link had been attempted. Amongst the many famous guests featured singing backing vocals on the show were Mick Jagger, Keith Richard, Marianne Faithful, Keith Moon and Graham Nash.