Move over, Ms L!

Hi all, wondering why you are looking at this jumbled up page? This is due to the fact that Facebook didn't like our url since it starts with wog, so we have been forced to move the blog. This was some time ago, and we have placed a script which would automatically send you to our new location. Obviously, this hasn't worked for all of you, since we have just finished moderating some of your comments which appeared on this site recently, and not on our new (and improved!) site. So what we're saying is head on over to our new site, and update your bookmarks!

Wednesday 31 August 2016

George's Sgt Pepper suit to go on display

A cut-out from "When We Was Fab" special edition 45 rpm single.
George Harrison's famous Sgt. Pepper suit, worn by George on the album cover "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" as well as in the music videos "Hello Goodbye" and "Ding Dong Ding Dong" is to go on display in London, alongside John Lennon's Sgt Pepper suit. Whereas Lennon's suit has been exhibited several times by museums, this is the first time George's widow, Olivia Harrison has allowed his suit to be displayed. When George wanted to make use of the suit for his retrospective music video for "When We Was Fab", the suit was so badly faded that he had a replica made for the shoot.

The occasion is a new exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, "You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-70" which opens September 10 and runs to February 26, 2017. Alongside the Pepper suits, the handwritten lyrics for Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds will also be exhibited, and perhaps also the Eye mosaic from John Lennon's swimming pool at Kenwood (see this story).

Links:
The Victoria and Albert Museum
Museum shop

Tuesday 30 August 2016

New Candlestick Park footage

The Beatles at Candlestick Park, Aug 29, 1966.
According to the latest issue of Mojo, there’s unseen 1966 Candlestick Park footage in the new "Eight Days A Week" documentary. "We got it from an old lady who had a box of film under her bed. She said, ‘I sat in the 6th row, and I shot this footage.’ We digitally transferred it, we were the first people to ever watch it!"

Yesterday, a bit of that footage was used by The Beatles to commemorate 50 years since that final concert for a paying audience. This short film features both scenes from The Beatles' at the stadium in 1966 and Paul McCartney’s ’Farewell to Candlestick: The Final Concert’ in August 2014.


Rolling Stone also chose to remember the concert on their website.

Friday 26 August 2016

New Giles Martin Interview

Courtesy of the happy lads over at the Fab4 FreeForAll, here's their interview with Giles Martin, asking some of the questions only Beatles nerds would think of:


In other news, sadly we are noticing missing songs in the revised lineup of the remastered Shea Stadium concert film, "She's A Woman" is now audio only, and "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" is nowhere to be found. The latter was released on one of the Anthology albums (curiously in mono, although it had been remastered in stereo by Ron Furmanek), the remastered audio of "She's A Woman" debuts here. We find it puzzling that they did no attempt to do something along the lines of what they did for the "Eight Days A Week" video on 1+ last year.

A Hard Day's Night live at the Hollywood Bowl


The Beatles have released another taste of the new "Live at the Hollywood Bowl"-album, the track "A Hard Day's Night". You may listen to it on Vevo, or from other streaming partners here. Seems to us there's now even more reverb on the vocals, and if anything, the audience noise sounds even louder than before. Go to nrp.org to listen to the song and other samples in an interview with producer Giles Martin.



Alongside "Twist and Shout", "A Hard Day's Night" is now available for purchase from iTunes as a single track.

Live at the Hollywood Bowl on iTunes.

Thursday 25 August 2016

The Beatles in Hong Kong: the unreleased concert tape

Hong Kong press conference
A review of an unreleased audio concert recording of The Beatles, this was sent us by the person who owns the tape, and the review is by a friend of him, who is also a Beatles fan.

Back in 2013, I was approached by someone who has in his possession a tape recorded at The Beatles Hong Kong concert in 1964. He wanted advice about the copyright of the recording. I told him about what was then known as "The Beatles Live Project". Still, three years later, he still owns the recording and has asked a friend, a Beatles fan, to review the tape. Here's that review.

On 9th June 1964, The Beatles played two concerts in Kowloon, Hong Kong as part of their far eastern and Australian tour legs. Notably, Ringo Starr did not accompany the tour, having been hospitalised back in the UK. A session drummer by the name of Jimmy Nicol stood in for Ringo and had a brief moment of fame as a temporary member of the Fab Four.

Apparently, the evening and matinee performances were not sold out, as the local promoter had pitched the ticket prices too high at the equivalent of a weekly wage. In the audience that night was a radio journalist who had decided to attend the concert out of curiosity, as he had previously briefly taught Ringo at primary school. With him he had his UHER tape recorder, and as The Beatles hit the stage he pressed the record button and captured the entire show for posterity on a BASF reel to reel tape.

I have had the privilege to hear the recording on three occasions on a transferred to cassette copy. The original tape is safely and appropriately stored, it is going to be professionally treated to preserve its integrity. Its authenticity has been verified by EMI and independent auction houses.

I am a lifelong Beatles fanatic. They mean everything to me. Growing up in difficult family circumstances, they almost became surrogate parents to me, keeping me on the straight and narrow, with my passion driving me to learn and study music. Now at the age of 53, I have had a lifetime of sharing their music in the various bands I sing and play with.

You can therefore imagine my delight in having an opportunity to hear this once in a lifetime gig, with the most unusual of circumstances attached to it and etched in Beatles history and folklore. So I’m not going to keep it to myself. Here’s a little run through of how the gig sounds, its highlights and feel, and its sheer uniqueness.

First thing to address is whether the sound quality is any good. Those of us who remember the Hamburg Lingasong release of the 70s, still remember the disappointment at how poor the sound quality was. Worth having as a completist, but never succeeding in getting more than one play. This is a whole new ballpark to that.

It’s mono of course and comes from a mere tape recording machine of the early 60s. It is however crystal clear and could probably be sound enhanced further on modern equipment. I listened to it on cassette format through a small machine purchased for about £20. It was a thrilling listen and much to be enjoyed in terms of little moments which I will describe to you. This has to be the only available recording of this snapshot moment in Beatles history and it is wonderful.

The sound starts a little muffled and then drastically improves half way through the first number. There is really clear and interesting audience reaction, the effect you get from actually being in the audience among it. I couldn’t fully make out what the announcer is saying but he does say ‘The biggest ever to hit Hong Kong and The World’. There is audience crescendo and…bang…..they launch into I saw her standing there.

Now I don’t know if it’s a cultural thing, or the fact that it wasn’t sold out, but there is none of the Beatlemania white noise of the screaming, and the audience can clearly be heard reacting to the dynamic of the music, and you get the feeling that the Fabs are a touch surprised to be hearing themselves playing. The Cavern fire, guts and power is abundantly evident.

Jimmy’s drumming is notably different to Ringo. Steady beat and throughout not as cymbal heavy as the Starkey. The sound quality boosts half way through the tune and the second verse is nice and clear with Lennon’s low harmony shining through. Finishing the song there is a lovely audience crescendo, sending the hairs on the back of the neck upwards as you imagine what it must have been like to have been there.

On stage in Hong Kong.
Without dropping a beat, we are seamlessly attacked with the opening riff of I want to hold your hand. George’s playing sounds pronounced and unusual, and is just a joy all the way through, with lovely janglyness. As they sing the ‘touch you’ line in the middle eight, there is a swoony scream in unison from the audience. It’s a powerful performance so much so that when they hit the ‘I can’t hide’ line, there is some distortion which has a certain charm. Paul’s harmony at the end is just divine.

Mass adulation as the song ends, and we are in to the first speaking link from Paul……….’Hello. How are you? We’d like to carry on with a song we recorded not long ago………All my loving!’ Bosh…out rings Lennon’s Rickenbacker with what could be one of the hardest rhythm guitar parts ever created. His speedy triplets ring out loud and pronounced. George’s solo loud and crisp and the harmonies just beautiful. Into the 2 nd verse you hear Lennon shout ‘Sing along’. Jimmy is not as good a sticksman as Ringo but he’s doing the job for them.

Johnny takes the next introduction link. ‘Thank you. Next song we’d like to do is on our last record……. (Interrupted by the audience)...WHAT? …then She Loves You at a pace to rival The Clash. Jimmy’s drumming is so significantly different to Ringo here. It’s a curiosity. Great harmonies as always and George’s twangy fills ring out. As you can imagine, tumultuous applause at the end for one of the pop songs that defined the 60s.

Paul up to the mic introducing a song from ‘The Music Man’ as they glide into a beautiful rendition of Till there was you. I can only presume that George is playing the solo parts on his Gretsch rather than a Spanish guitar because there doesn’t appear to be time to change guitars around. His playing and phrasing is notably different to the recorded version we know and love, and there is very unusual phrase at the end which is worth the price of admission on its own.

Bang! Hits you like a freight train, straight into Roll over Beethoven. Hardly a breath in-between and no time for a guitar change. Great Cavern style attack and real stomping and handclapping from the audience who are really going with the flow. It really takes off in the ‘reel and rocking’ bit. Some unusual little improv in the solo and finishes up on some ringing seventh chords.

Paul back to the mic ‘Next record is our latest record in England. Do us a favour. Join in and clap (the audience does) and stamp your feet. You can hear Lennon alongside joining in the sentiments. Can’t buy me love takes off like a rocket with the audience faithfully living up to Paul and John’s request and sound like they are having a party. Just wonderful. Guitar solo cuts through like a knife. Audience frenzy at the end.

John to the mic this time and introduces This Boy as the B side of I want to hold your hand. His rhythm guitar sounds fantastic as does Macca’s harmonies. John’s vocal makes you want to cry, yay yay yay when he sings that bit at the end of the bridge. Powerful vocals all round and produce some of that charming distortion when they really go full tilt.

Macca introduces Twist and Shout and they power drive in. Lennon’s growl and the call response vocals just so uplifting, and the audience are going crazy – stomping, clapping and screaming. Instrumental bridge superb and a tight crisp finish.

We then get one of the most interesting aspects of the recording. Paul goes to the mic to announce the last song and there is a resounding boo. John says ‘Best to Ringo. He couldn’t make it today but give a round of applause to Jimmy Nicol…… (The audience does) Just found out there are people from Liverpool in the audience.’ They then launch into a fantastic spirited version of Long Tall Sally with a lovely little reprise of the Twist and Shout riff. Then it’s all over. 

The audience scream for more and the announcer states ‘On behalf of The Beatles. Thanks for coming down. Hope you enjoyed the show. Then it goes quiet.

Well a moment in time that I have been honoured to have participated in. Would love to hear this recording again and again anytime. You really do feel in among the audience and I was entirely thrilled to hear the little unusual things going on, the little differences in George’s playing, the inspired vocals of John and Paul, the stage banter and the congruent audience reaction flowing along with the music rather than screaming them off the stage. One of the things I found most fascinating is the absence of Ringo. Jimmy Nicol did a great job for them but Ringo often much maligned, it shows what a truly great drummer Mr Starkey was and is. I wonder if he has heard this?

I hope that one day you’ll have the opportunity too.


According to an article in South China Morning News from 2013, quoting Hong Kong institution DJ Ray “Uncle Ray” Cordeiro, the screaming during the concert  most likely came from military servicemen. In fact, the concert was a flop, because tickets went unsold.

"It was quite a flop because the teenagers couldn’t afford to buy the tickets … and the parents didn’t know who The Beatles were. So the theatre was empty," Cordeiro says. According to Cordeiro, the promoter was forced to offer the unsold tickets to the army, free of charge, and the auditorium was filled with soldiers in uniforms.

Eight Days A Week - DVD and two Blu-ray versions

Paul's back.
A bit of a puzzle here, as the French Amazon site has listed three versions of the upcoming documentary, "Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years" for future release, one DVD and two Blu-ray listings, priced differently. This may suggest that the more expensive Blu-ray perhaps has more added material, either in the packaging or in the contents. If we had to guess, perhaps the expensive version has the newly remastered Shea Stadium concert as a bonus feature or as a second disc?

The listings on French Amazon
There's no release date given.

Bill Harry, John Lennon's friend and founder editor of Liverpool's own music paper Mersey Beat, reports that he was interviewed for the film, but did not make the final cut. He says that he has been informed that footage from his interview will be included on the DVD/Blu-ray release of the film as bonus material. Hopefully, further bonus material will not only be more talking heads, but more home movie concert footage assembled during research and production.

In a recent review of the film by Team Rock, we are informed that "the live footage is riveting: you get several songs in their entirety, the thundering rhythm section and the exchange of exuberant looks giving an idea of how it feels to be centre-stage". In another passage, the review reveals that "there’s a fascinating sequence full of outtakes where they return to the sanctuary of the studio to make Revolver and Sgt. Pepper".

Monday 22 August 2016

George Harrison's music videos

George Harrison Video Collection
By Mike Carrera

A fan recently asked which was the best Harrison “promo clip compilation” and my response was: NONE to date (official or bootleg).

A good effort was the one by the DVD-R bootleg label FAB Productions, who released a 3 disc set many years ago. The downside point is that many videos there, comes from TV broadcasts with station logos, missing slates, low quality on many clips, and missing dozens of versions and adding clips from concerts or TV shows, or even fake fan-created videos.

In 2016, the European bootleg label BFB/Wonderland/Walrus Entertainment was a direct copy of the FAB’s 3 DVD-R collection from 2010, even with the same menus.

So, to date, no bootleg label have released the ULTIMATE compilation.

On the official side, we have three boxes including a few, but not all of Harrison's videos: ‘The Apple Years’, ‘The Dark Horse Years’ and “The Traveling Wilburys Collection”.

The DVD from the Dark Horse Years boxed set was also released as a standalone DVD some time later.
The problem with those videos on the official releases is that the original audio of many of them have been replaced by the commercially remastered versions, replacing the original mixes, and the bootleg labels have copied exactly THAT version  because of the high visual quality. Sometimes, however, the video is also different from the original version and the bootleg makers and some of the fans haven’t noticed it.

This is a humble research of all available Harrison official videos, including the alternate versions and variations, many of them uncirculated or unbootlegged to date, as well a few revelations and stories TOLD and published FOR THE FIRST TIME. Any corrections/mistake reports are so welcome.

YouTube links are illustrative only, not the researched sources. Almost all videos are 4:3 ratio and a few are 16:9 Widescreen, but for some settings reason, my “photo capture” tool copied all in 16:9, simply ignore this.

Mike Carrera

1971


My Sweet Lord (live)

Sadly, no official video for this song was ever filmed, but the live performance from The Concert for Bangladesh on 1 august, 1971, directed by Saul Swimmer was plugged many times over the years on TV channels, the only difference with the film is that the video features a fade out after George says “Thank you..thank you”. The best quality source for this was probably when the film was re-released in 2005 and the clip was shown many times on music channels like MTV and Much Music.
Many bootleg compilations use a "manufactured" video from the UK TV show "Top of the Pops" from 1971, where the dancing troupe Pan's People did a choreography for this song. This very same footage was used on another fake youtube video for "My Sweet Lord (2000)", editing in some footage from the "All Things Must Pass 30th" EPK and, at some point inserting the Pan's People footage. Bootleg labels  have released it over and over but there is NO official video for the re-recorded version as well there is no one for the original. In the Netherlands, another popular TV show from the 60’s and 70’s: TopPop, produced a "video" in 1970 using some photographs taken from the "Let it Be" book plus some other footage, but again, no official Apple video was ever made.
Both clips from the shows "Top of the Pops" and "TopPop" are available.



Another FAKE fan-created video for the song "Give me Love (Give me Peace on Earth)" is available on some bootleg compilations, be aware it's not a real promo video, although it uses very rare 8mm footage. And we have not counted the version from Live in Japan 1991 (included on the official  "The Apple Years" boxed set) as a promo video.


1974


Dark Horse

Promotional video filmed with a brief but live performance (lasting only 1:53) during rehearsals for the 1974 U.S. tour. Available with a countdown "slate"  in good quality among collectors or  low quality at youtube and some bootleg compilations. It was omitted from the official boxed set "The Apple Years".

Video link


Ding Dong, Ding Dong

The video was directed by Harrison and filmed by Nick Knowland at Friar Park, Henley-On-Thames, George’s mansion. For the video he once again wore two Beatle suits: the grey collarless suit and the Sgt Pepper uniform.
The common version available on almost all bootleg compilations comes from the Australian RAGE music TV show from a 90’s rebroadcast (with logo and credits over the image), but  a clean copy is available among collectors.
Video Link

When it was released on the official "Apple Years" boxed set, although restored to best possible visual quality, there is a mistake during the restoration: the first two seconds shows the picture decolorized and at the third second, the image  goes black for a moment; this visual problem has nothing to do with the master copy being damaged or something like that, since the original print that is available or the rebroadcast on RAGE and other TV specials over the years didn’t have this problem, so, if we want the best and complete version, sadly it’s not on the official boxed set.



Video Link


1976


Crackerbox Palace

Filmed at Friar Park, Henley-On-Thames. Directed by Eric Idle (Monthy Python/The Rutles).
Cameos from Monthy Python’s : Eric Idle, Neil Innes, Michael Palin, John Cleese and Graham Chapman, among others; plus Olivia Arias in black lingerie (at 2:23) .
Video Link

True Love
Filmed at Friar Park, Henley-On-Thames, also directed by Eric Idle. For some reason it wasn’t included on the official "The Dark Horse Years" boxed set.
Another video deemed "best" version around is taken from the Australian video show RAGE (with the logo on screen at some point plus the credits of the song), but a CLEAN version with correct color (Rage’s version is saturated, even if it seems better) is available among collectors.



Video Link


This Song (Variation A)
This Song (Variation B)

Directed by George Harrison and Michael Collins for Rosebud Films. Cameos from Ron Wood and Eric Idle (both dressed as women /Monthy Python’s characters), Jim Keltner (future drummer for the Traveling Wilburys) as the Judge, Neil Innes, among others.
Two slightly different versions are available: Variation A shows the credits for "This Song" over the intro while Variation B is clean and can be found in top quality on the "Dark Horse Years" boxed set and standalone DVD, and sadly is the common version that appears on most recent bootleg compilations leaving out the original version which is available in very good quality and also have the outro credits for "Rosebud Films".


Video Link


1979


Blow Away

Directed by Neil Innes (Monthy Python/ The Rutles). Contrary to what’s written in the book "Eight Arms to Hold You" that the film was shot by early March 1979; the promo was in fact filmed by the end of November or early December 1978 and the first master was assembled by the end of 1978 but was put on hold until next year and it seems a "fix" was made since the new slate, mastered on February 21, 1979 says "Final Mix". Still, the audio is the same as the "1978" version, the only noticeable "difference" could be that there is a Warner Bros logo at the intro plus a very quiet "beep" cue which can be heard before the song starts, plus, once again a Warner Bros logo at the end with the 1978 copyright, and the "1979" version does not have the Warner Bros logo intro or finale, but is exactly the same audio mix and video edit.
Another video that was omitted from the official “Dark Horse Years” boxed set.



Video Link


Faster

Filmed between February 4 and April 8, 1979 at the Grand Prix races in Sao Paulo, Brazil;  Kyalami, South Africa; Long Beach, USA and some shots also apparently filmed in Milan, Italy and other unidentified car races. George's chauffeur in the video is Formula 1 driver Jackie Stewart, although it has not been verified if these scenes were filmed in England or in one of those other countries.

Contrary to what’s been reported, this video was not filmed at only one F1 race in Brazil, and also was not broadcast March 20, 1979, since the single wasn't released until July, more car races were filmed in April and some scenes can be seen on the video. It’s not confirmed that George also attended the South African race, but at least there is much footage from that day included on the video.
George was in fact at the Long Beach race, since footage exists and he was also in Brazil from the last days of January and until February 9, visiting Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Very rare interview footage from an Argentinian reporter was filmed at the beach in Guarujá, Sao Paulo with George and F1 driver,  Emerson Fittipaldi, footage is available. The interview was made in “cooperation” with Emerson who asked George first if he wanted to do a four question interview (which ended with more than 7). The interview is mislabeled in some sites  or even the Argentina TV re-broadcast as from 1977 but in fact it's from early February 1979 since George says there is a song on the new album about car racing and (the new album) "will be available at the end of February" (footage exists also from another interview he did for the  TV show "Fantastico" plus another interview for a musical magazine and tons of pictures of George with fans at the hotel, airport and the Grand Prix).
Video Link

1981


All Those Years Ago

Compiled by Ron Furmanek using Beatle archival footage and pictures. The video is available clean (without any credits over it) and very good quality among collectors

This is the original version, beware of fake videos created by fans saying "official video", which can also be found on YouTube.
Video Link


1985


Save The World (Greenpeace version)

Directed by Ian Weiner and does not feature any George footage but Greenpeace people "at work". This is the re-worked version that George did for the Greenpeace benefit album.
Video Link


1986


Shanghai Surprise #1 Long Version
Shanghai Surprise #2 Short Version

Produced by Handmade Films,  Filmed at Friar Park, Hanley-On-Thames where George and Vicki Brown recorded their vocals and is mixed with scenes from the film.
Long Version has the full (5:20) recording, and the short (4:40) version (included on the ‘Dark Horse Years’ box set) cuts out 40 seconds of music and more scenes from the film but gladly there are no more scenes with George on the missing seconds. Short version is available in amazing quality and long version in only medium to good.


Video Link


1987


Here Comes The Sun (Prince’s Trust)

A performance from the Second Annual Prince’s Trust Concert TV special (the show was filmed June 6, 1987 at Wembley Arena, UK), this clip was broadcast many times on music TV Channels as a separate music video.


Got My Mind Set On You ARCADE VERSION:
#1 (Copyright over the video)
#2 (Without copyright over the video)

Filmed in London, Directed by Willy Smax. Two variants are available, #1 has the copyright credits over the video near the end while version #2 has the copyright credits after the video is finished. This second version (without slates and copyright credits) was also included in top quality on the "Dark Horse Years" boxed set.


Video Link

#3 (Raw Edit A)
#4 (Raw Edit B)
Also available among bootleg and video collectors are two raw edits of the same video: Raw Edit A is SIMILAR but not the same as the released version, it has many different angles and scenes that were removed from the final version, specially a different dance sequence from the ballet ballerina.
Raw Edit B shows only the "band performance" without any of the arcade video, plus there is no ballerina. A few scenes from this version were included as well on the final cut, but same as Raw Edit A, there are many differences with the released version. Here’s a sample of RAW Edit B. The finale on both Raw Edit A and B is completely different as well to the released version, showing George and the band singing in front of the camera.
Video Link


Got My Mind Set On You HAUNTED HOUSE/CHAIR VERSION:
#1 (Edit A- “Dancer tired”- Copyright over the video)
#2 (Edit A- “Dancer tired”- Without copyright over the video)
#3 (Edit B)

A second version filmed in Los Angeles, Directed by Gary Weis. Two different versions plus one variation are available. #1 has the copyright credits over the video near the end while  #2 has the copyright credits after the video is finished. This is the less known version where George’s double, the dancer has a longer sequence after his routine, he jumps into the chair and act tired for a few seconds and later the video returns with the real Harrison. Edit B or  #3 doesn’t have this scene, after the dancer jumps into the chair, we immediately cut to George playing his guitar. This is not the only difference between Edit A and B, there are more scenes of the "haunted house" and the animals singing on Edit B while on Edit A we see more Harrison footage of him, playing his guitar.
Edit B was also included in top quality on the "Dark Horse Years" boxed set and standalone DVD.



Video Link


1988

When We Was Fab

-When We Was Fab #1 (Edit A- Copyright over the video)
-When We Was Fab #2 (Edit A- Without copyright over the video)
-When We Was Fab #3 (Edit B)

Filmed at Greenford Studios, London, mainly on 18 Dec 1987 but some cameos were filmed on different days that December, plus some in January 1988. Directed by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.
Cameos from many musicians that also participate on the Cloud Nine album on this innovative video for that time include: Ringo Starr (who appears through all the videos); Jeff Lynne and Ray Copper playing the violin; Elton John putting a coin in a cup while he is being  "robbed" by one of George’s hands. During the near final sequence of this video, while George multiples himself and many characters are passing through (12 to be exact), we can identify more stars that played on the LP: Bobby Kok (cello), Gary Wright (piano) who also looks like Jim Horn (sax) (same look and hair of both of them that December), Vicki Brown (backing vocals), Jeff Lynne (again) and behind him, Jim Keltner, although another bearded musician known as "slowhand" is also a candidate and participated as well on the recordings for this LP, but the final scene is really hard to watch and the other characters are also hard to identify, but there are four women and eight men.
Paul Simon (who didn’t play on the record) also appears pushing a fruit cart during the middle of the video.
A man who looks like (the sideburns don’t match with his looks from that year, or before or after, but let’s say it’s him) Neil Aspinall (The Beatles friend/Road manager and Apple manager for many years) also appears in the key point of the video (definitely NOT Julian Lennon or Phil Collins as reported): holding John Lennon’s Imagine LP while George is playing in the back with Ringo on drums and a mysterious Walrus playing the bass, recreating those Fab days "together" again John, Paul, George and Ringo… or something like that!
The  story of "The Walrus Was Paul" is very well known, so we don’t need to get deeper on that. Also, well known is that Paul is NOT playing the bass wearing a walrus suit on this video. George once told as a joke that Paul was indeed in the video under the walrus suit, and years later Paul answer the same question from many interviews (one, his own Club Sandwich magazine) saying that he wasn’t available on that date (he did some studio recordings) and he’s NOT the man under the walrus suit… but the direct question was: "is that you under the Walrus suit on the “FAB” video?", when in fact it should have been: "Did you participate in the "FAB" video?". And the answer would have been: YESSSS! (If Paul’s mood was in a "myth-breaking" mood)

This is another of those "Beatle-Jokes" that we will never get a YES or NO as a direct answer from them, same as the "Paul is Dead" rumor, among others.
Paul was not available during December 1987 because he was busy in the studio and also making some TV promotion in France and Germany for the "All The Best!" collection, but Director Kevin Godley (a friend of both George and Paul who has directed many of his videos over the years, as well as Beatle projects) managed to film him on a different day and year (plus many more cameos and characters were filmed separately as well) and include THAT over the FAB video. To date, no book or web page has published this info but Paul IS in the FAB video! He appears during the "reunion" sequence looking towards "the band", so we can’t see his full face. This scene is so obvious: Paul appears only during the "Walrus" joke and by the time he passes in front of the Walrus, he turns his face against the man in the costume, like watching the Walrus play. Oh, one other thing, his appearance was distorted to complicate things even more, so recognizing him will be harder!. But any fan that knows every "look" (hair, face, way of walk, etc, etc)  of the Fab’s over the years or any girl with a crush on him, will find this task not hard at all. (Another incorrect theory floating around: Paul is NOT the hippie-dressed guy who’s head is out of the frame and with a large beard around 2:40)


Paul’s cameo was filmed the second week of January 1988 (two weeks before the post production of the video was finished on February 3, 1988), while he was doing some sessions for the Flower in the Dirt  LP. This fact can be verified comparing Paul’s length of his hair. It wasn’t that long during the December 1987 promotion but is THIS long (as he appears on the “FAB” video) during the January footage and pictures that exists plus some TV promotion during February. Check the pictures to compare, just to validate the info that, until today, nobody has published.

This was another "Beatle-Joke", a different clue that was planted on purpose and when the fans were looking directly at the man in the walrus suit playing the bass, the REAL McCartney would appear in front of all of us and nobody would notice him!!



Undocumented but Two different Edits plus one variant are available.
 #1 (Edit A) has the copyright credits over the video near the end while  #2 (Edit A) has the copyright credits after the video is finished.  This is the version that is also available on the official "Dark Horse Years" boxed set and standalone DVD (without slates or copyright credits), sadly they didn’t take care about the original audio, with effects like the sound of the van when Ringo arrives, the coin falling, the apple being bitten, the drunk guys, etc,  and were replaced with the remastered audio track.  Bootleg compilations also use THIS version (because of his high quality), so if we want the original version, sadly it’s not on the official box or the recent bootleg compilations.
Video Link


And #3 (Edit B), being the rarest version barely circulated  and features two different sequences against Edit A:
EDIT A: From 2:45 to 2:47 a woman appears from left to right partially covering George. While on EDIT B there is a different scene.
EDIT B: From 2:45 to 2:46 no woman appears and we keep seeing George and from 2:46 to 2:49, a couple of dunk guys appears from left to right partially covering George. Also blocking two seconds where Ringo appears from right to left carrying a piano.
And the second difference between the two edits:
EDIT A: From 2:56 to 2:59  the same scene of the two drunk guys (see Edit B 2:46 to 2:49)  appears but reversed, from right to left, while on EDIT B we have another notable difference.
EDIT B: From 2:57 to 2:59 from right to left , the same drunk guys appears but using a completely different scene.



This is Love

-This is Love #1 (Copyright over the video)
-This is Love #2 (Without copyright over the video)
Directed by Morton Jankel. Filmed while on vacation at his Maui, Hawaii home. Olivia Harrison make a cameo along with his family. Variant #1 has the copyright credits over the video near the end while  #2  is clean and is the same version available on the official "Dark Horse Years" boxed set and standalone DVD.


Video Link


TRAVELING WILBURYS:

Handle With Care

-Handle with Care #1 (1988 Copyright)
-Handle with Care #2 (1989 Copyright)
-Handle with Care #3 (Australian)
-Handle with Care #4 (Cropped)
Filmed in Los Angeles, CA. Variant #1 has the 1988 copyright credits over the video near the end while  #2  is clean but when the video ends there is a 1989 copyright, so, the first version was distributed late 88 and second in early 89, still, both are the same in visual content.


#3 was broadcast in Australia on the RAGE TV show and everything is the same except for the final seconds, from 3:06 to 3:14, where the white truck with the Wilburys logo appears, the speed for this final sequence runs SLOWER, while on the normal version (#1 or #2) the truck moves from right to left faster, on the Australian edit it goes slower and ends before the woman on the bike appears, but the audio track has no differences at all, the same speed, no alterations.

#4 was released on the official Traveling Wilburys Box set, simulating a widescreen version but cropping picture from top and bottom.

Bootleg compilations also use THIS version (because of his high quality), so if we want the original version, sadly it’s not on the official boxed set or the recent bootleg compilations.
Video Link


1989


End of The Line

End of The Line #1 (Edit A -Copyright over the video)
End of The Line #2 (Edit A- Without copyright over the video)
End of The Line #3 (Edit B)
Filmed in Los Angeles, CA shortly after Roy Orbison’s death. Directed by Willy Smax. Again, two different edits and one variation available.
Edit A Variant #1 has the copyright credits over the video near the end while Edit A Variant #2  is clean. Edit B is available on the official Traveling Wilburys boxed set.
And the main difference between Edit A and Edit B is the intro and finale where the train was removed from Edit B, showing footage of the Wilburys instead, plus, Edit B is in widescreen showing even more picture on the sides that is not present on the first edit but again, is also cropped on top and bottom. Still, this was NOT a 4:3 to 16:9 transfer (like "Handle With Care"), since the master video tapes were used and we get different scenes (intro and finale) and full picture on the sides. Bootleg compilations also use THIS version (because of his high quality), so if we want the original version, sadly it’s not on the official box or the recent bootleg compilations.


Video Link


1990


Nobody’s Child

Directed by Derek Hayes for the benefit album Nobody's Child: Romanian Angel Appeal. It does not features the actual Wilburys, but animated cartoons along with footage from orphanages in Romania. This is the only Wilbury video omitted from the official deluxe box from 2007 and 2016, but it’s in circulation complete with slates and in very good quality. The YouTube clip doesn’t reflects any of that! But due to copyright issues, almost all Wilburys videos were removed and only the official channels are active.


Video Link

She's My Baby

-She’s My Baby Version #1
-She’s My Baby Version #2

Directed by David Leland. Two different versions available. The second was released in 2007 on the official Traveling Wilburys boxed set and is 80% distinct from the original version from 1990. It features not only different angles but also scenes from another take(s). This second version is little bit shorter and cuts the final scene of the man "chasing" the Wilburys aboard a car.

Bootleg compilations also use THIS version (because of his high quality), so if we want the original version, sadly it’s not on the official box or the recent bootleg compilations.



Video Link
Video Link


Inside Out

-Inside Out Version #1
-Inside Out Version #2

Once again, two different versions available. The second was released in 2007 on the official Traveling Wilburys boxed set and is 80% distinct from the original version from 1990. It features not only different angles but also scenes from another take or takes. This second version is 23 seconds shorter and the audio mix uses the remastered track, while the original audio version from 1990 has an instrumental/orchestral warm-up intro behind a red curtain and the sound of claps at the end (removed from Version #2).
Bootleg compilations also use THIS second version (because of his high quality), so if we want the original, sadly it’s not in the official boxed set or the recent bootleg compilations.
Also in circulation is some rehearsal footage (mislabeled on ALL the bootleg releases as being "outtakes" or "alternate version" for  the "She’s My Baby" video, which is incorrect) and also behind the scenes and raw footage from the actual shooting.

Video Link


1991


Wilbury Twist

-Wilbury Twist Version #1
-Wilbury Twist Version #2
-Wilbury Twist Version #3

Filmed in Los Angeles, CA. Three different versions available. Version #1 and #2 (the rarest of the two) have a similar format but alternates distinct footage and cameos from special guests:
John Candy, Eric Idle, Cheech Marin (Cheech and Chong), Whoopi Goldberg, Woody Harrelson , Milli Vanilli, Fred Savage (The Wonder Years), among others. Both versions are available in very good quality and clean of logos and credits among collectors. Version 2 is only available on bootleg compilations taken from a music TV channel with logo and credits over the picture.

Version 3 only features John Candy and Eric Idle over the intro using the same footage from Version #1, the other cameos were eliminated, but the rest is a completely new edit using different angles and takes and was released in 2007 on the official Traveling Wilburys box set.

Outtake footage from an unreleased alternate edit (fourth version) that only shows the Wilburys playing also exist.




Video Link


2003


Any Road 

Directed by Simon Hilton and Pamela Esterson using archival footage from the Harrison State, include some very rare and never before seen clips.


Video Link


2004


Taxman (The Dark Horse Years) 

If you search under the official George Harrison YouTube channel,  many of the "Live in Japan" clips extracted from the ‘Dark Horse Years’ box set are labeled as "official video", but only one of the songs from the 1991 Japanese tour was actually released as a "promo clip" for TV airing and it was "Taxman". This clip was sent to promote the release of "The Dark Horse Years" boxed set.



 2006


-Living in the Material World
-Sue Me Sue You Blues (demo)
-Miss O’Dell (alternate version)

Three videos created for the “Living in the Material World” deluxe edition (CD/DVD) re-release in 2006.

2014


-What Is Life 

Directed by Brandon Moore, winner of the Genero.tv contest to create the official video for the song.

Video Link


GEORGE HARRISON  RELATED VIDEOS:

1985


The Singing Rebel’s Band: Freedom (Promo Version)

Directed by Dick Clement for Handmade films, produced by Harrison for the film ‘Water’.
Billy Connolly (vocals), Chris Tummings (vocals), The Singing Rebels Band: George Harrison (guitar, backing vocals), Ringo Starr (drums), Eric Clapton (guitar, backing vocals), Chris Stainton (bass), Ray Cooper (drums), Jon Lord (keyboards), Mike Moran (keyboards), Jenny Bogle and Anastasia Rodriguez (backing vocals).

The actual promo video for this song is available in regular quality and unbootlegged to date and consist of the same "performance" from the film and a mixture of many scenes from the movie, but the audio over the intro is clean and slightly different, when in the film we can see and hear an actor saying "My God it's The Concert for Cascara!" (a parody of ‘The Concert For Bangladesh’). Also, actor Fred Gwynne (Herman from The Munsters) who also appears in the "Water" film, can be seen in this version saying "Gentlemen, we’re in the water business".



- Freedom (Film Version 1)
- Freedom (Film Version 2)

The common version on bootleg compilations over the years is taken directly from the film Version #1. And when it was re-released on DVD in 2010, a new cut was made including some alternate scenes (an exclusive Harrison/Clapton scene for example), we will call that Film Version #2, cut in Widesceen from the original film tapes adding even more picture on the sides that is not available in the original print that let us see a few more Harrison (and many other members of the band, like Clapton) shots. These two versions are not promotional videos, but worth mentioning.
Video Link


1989


Tom Petty: I Won’t Back Down

Directed by David Leland. The backing band consisted of Jeff Lynne on bass, George Harrison on acoustic guitar, Mike Campbell on lead guitar, and Ringo Starr on drums.
Almost replicating the same personnel from the studio recording, except for Ringo who didn’t play, that was Phil Jones.


Video Link


1990


Jeff Lynne: Every Little Thing 

Directed by Meiert Avis. George plays on the studio recording and also sings three times on this song the line "All the secrets that you hide" at 1:33 and also at 2:42 and the shorter line "the secrets that you hide" at 3:24, but that’s not all. Harrison and Tom Petty make surprise cameos in this video, hanging from a rope from 2:36 to 2:58.

Also versions with and without copyright over the picture at the end are available. The version on bootleg compilations  is taken from a TV broadcast with credits over it, but a clean copy with slate circulates among collectors. The way this animated video was created at that time makes it a little harder to see some hidden details, luckily the Harrison cameo is clearer.


Video Link


Jeff Lynne: Lift Me Up                      

The follow up to the "Every Little Thing" video, also directed by Meiert Avis using the same mix with 3D animation. George plays on the song and also makes a brief and almost unnoticeable cameo dressed as a devil at 2:59 and until 3:03. Sadly the version that appears over and over on FAB’s collections and other labels is taken from a VH1 broadcast with logos and the intro slightly cropped. The full video including the slate is available among collectors. The way this animated video was created at that time makes little harder to see some hidden details, including George’s cameo. Hopefully Jeff Lynne will release an official collection of his solo videos in the future to get a better version.



Video Link


1995


Gary Wright: Don’t Try to Own Me

Directed by Michael Schultz, features Harrison doing some backing vocals that were recorded back in 1992. It circulates with slate and final credits among collectors. Outtake footage also exists from this vocal session and some of these scenes were included on the final video.


Video Link


Official videos from other artists. George plays on these tracks but does not make any video cameos.

1973: Cheech And Chong - Basketball Jones

1989: Belinda Carlisle: Leave a light on

1992: Jimmy Nail: Real Love

2001: Jim Capaldi: Anna Julia

George plays guitar on the record but does not appear on the official clip. A FAKE fan-created video using George footage from the "Real Love" video and the "All Things Must Pass 30th" EPK was inserted during his guitar solo and uploaded to YouTube years ago, and many fans thought that THAT was the real promo video, it’s also featured on bootleg compilations, but the actual clip does NOT feature any Harrison footage.

Another Jim Capaldi promo for the song "Oh Lord, Why Lord?" from 1990,  which supposedly features a cameo from Harrison is not in circulation.

Breaking Myths:

1-"My Sweet Lord" from Top of The Pops 1971 (Pans People dancers) is NOT an official video.
2-"My Sweet Lord (2000)" - an official video never existed.
3- There is no official video for "Someplace Else", also included on bootleg compilations. The clip we see on the "Dark Horse Years" boxed set comes from the TV special "Handmade in Hong Kong", - a behind the scenes look at the film.
4- George Harrison does not play on Roy Orbison’s "You Got It", despite some bootleg labels have included the official video for this song on their Beatle/Harrison compilations.

Songs from TV shows, like "The Pirate Song" from Rutland TV, or "This Song" from DISCO German TV, or "Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" from Jools Holland's TV special are not promotional videos, even though you can find them on every bootleg promo collection compilation, the same situation is the full Harrison Prince’s Trust performances and  Dylan’s celebration concert, among others, that’s just a cheap way to fill a "promo compilation" because the makers don’t have enough stuff to compile the ULTIMATE video collection.

"Bigger than Jesus" documentary

Facebook header of the new film project.
A new documentary is in the making, all about John Lennon's "bigger than Jesus" statement and repercussions. The production, "Bigger than Jesus - The controversy that changed America" will include a vast array of interviews both in the UK and the USA - including one of the last given by Tony Barrow, and a new interview with Maureen Cleave, who carried out the original interview with John in early 1966. Prize winning British TV producer Dave Long is producing the film.
A crowd-funding campaign to help finish it off  will kick off before year end.  In the meantime, you can like their Facebook page to keep getting information about the development of the project.

Links:
"Bigger than Jesus" on Facebook
Maureen Cleave's interview with John Lennon

The Revolver photos

The subject of this item was directing you to a blog post on another blog, which since has been removed at the request of Piet Schreuders, who did not want his article to appear online. We hope those who got to read it while it was available enjoyed it.

Friday 19 August 2016

1st preview from Hollywood Bowl

Advertisement from the September edition of Record Collector
Today, a foretaste of the upcoming new edition "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" album was released, in the form of "Twist and Shout". You can find it on Spotify, or buy it as a single from iTunes and Amazon. The latter two also provide a short sample of the already shortened song - The Beatles only performed an abbreviated version live at the Bowl.

Links:
iTunes
Amazon



The media is also very aware of the release, especially thos oriented towards the "old rock music" segment, like Mojo.

Mojo, including a special "Live Beatles" collector's cover.
Mojo includes two art prints inside, one is of the original Candlestick Park concert poster, the other is a fake poster of the Royal Variety Concert, which I believe NEMS themselves printed up in 1964 (see our previous discussion here).

Here's the blurb from Mojo: "It’s the Beatles: Live! With a new Fabs’ movie – the Ron Howard-directed Eight Days A Week doc – coming to cinemas on September 15th, MOJO lifts the lid on the Beatles’ on-the-road story, from the Kaiserkeller to Candlestick Park with Paul, Ringo, Ron and more. Inside this issue’s handsome card wallet you’ll find our 15-track CD, presenting the songs the Beatles rocked at their formative shows, by Ray Charles, Gene Vincent, The Top Notes and more PLUS two beautiful vintage repro Beatles posters."
The "Live Beatles" cover.

From preview screenings of the new documentary in London and USA, you'll find pre-release reviews here:

Variety
Uncut
Daily Mail

From the reports we are hearing from die hard fans who have attended these screenings, it seems clear that from the unseen footage the film people have amassed, no more than ten minutes at the most has been used in the film. Apart from that, they are finding the film quite enjoyable.

Thursday 18 August 2016

McCartney back on Capitol

Paul McCartney outside the Capitol building. Photo: MJ Kim.
Paul McCartney has signed a new recording contract with his old U.S. label Capitol Records, now owned by Universal Music Group. The historic deal encompasses McCartney’s catalogue of master recordings and welcomes him home to label where he began his career, it says here. Well, not quite historically accurate, as The Beatles had to release their first records in the U.S, on smaller labels, as Capitol's Dave Dexter didn't really want them.

Paul McCartney has signed a worldwide recording agreement with Capitol Records, it was announced yesterday by Capitol Music Group (CMG) Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett.

"This is genuinely exciting for me," McCartney said in a statement. "Not only was Capitol my first U.S. record label, but the first record I ever bought was Gene Vincent’s 'Be-Bop-A-Lula' on the Capitol label."

The new contract encompasses McCartney's entire body of post-Beatles work, from his 1970 McCartney album, through his decade with Wings, to the dozens of solo and collaborative works that have continually reaffirmed his standing as the most popular, influential and acclaimed artist in the history of recorded music. In a career that spans six decades, McCartney has sold more than 500 million records worldwide, and he was recently named the United Kingdom’s most successful albums artist of all time by the Official Albums Chart Company.

McCartney's press release confirms that the artist is currently working on a new studio album, while a comprehensive plan for the artist's catalogue is being conceived by Capitol and Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) – in conjunction with the artist and his management team – and will be implemented beginning July 2017. The catalogue moves to Capitol/UMe from Concord, Paul’s previous label partner. We hope that Capitol Records will continue the ongoing series of Archive releases from McCartney, where the 1989 album "Flowers in the dirt" is up next for this kind of treatment, which sees his back catalogue reissued with deluxe editions, with outtakes, demos and live recordings accompanying each regular album in remastered form.

Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said: "It would be simply impossible to overstate what an honor it is to welcome Paul back to Capitol. It's a homecoming of one of the greatest musical artists of all time to the label that first helped bring his incredible music to the world. Paul's astonishing career has shown no limits - in creativity, in commercial longevity, and in its impact on people and cultures in every corner of the globe. We are thrilled at both Capitol and UMG to be able to contribute to the next chapter in Paul's extraordinary career."

Michele Anthony, UMG’s Executive Vice President of U.S. Recorded Music added, "Paul’s vital and legendary body of work as a solo artist remains essential, relevant and so highly in demand. We’re beyond thrilled at the opportunity to put the global resources of Universal Music behind Paul’s forthcoming work, as well as introducing his previous iconic albums to new generations of fans around the world."

No doubt, recent chart successes with collaborations between McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna again makes the artist a prospective money earner for the label, while his ongoing very successful tours keep him current.

According to Billboard, McCartney visited the Hot 100 chart in 2015 for the first time since 2007, scoring three consecutive top 40 hits thanks to his collaborations with Kanye West. "Only One" (West featuring McCartney) hit No. 35, "FourFiveSeconds" (a collaboration with Rihanna, West and McCartney) peaked at No. 4 -- McCartney's highest charting single since 1983, and "All Day" (West featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom and McCartney) reached No. 15. "FourFiveSeconds" also hit No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, his first leader there since "The Girl Is Mine," with Michael Jackson, led the list in 1983. "FourFiveSeconds" was also a hit worldwide and charted in many countries. At 72, McCartney became the oldest person to score a number one single in Australia, thanks to that song's success in 2015.
Meanwhile, McCartney has also taken stand in the ongoing presidential campaign in the U.S. with this recent Tweet:

Tuesday 16 August 2016

Lost "TOTP" footage in better quality

Last June, we told you about a newly found film of The Beatles' first ever "Top Of The Pops" appearance.

Taped 19 March 1964 for insertion into the 25 March edition, a good portion of "Can't Buy Me Love" and a snippet (at the very end) "You Can't Do That" (version 2) are on the film. The person who originally filmed it simply pointed an 8mm home movie camera at his/her television set on March 25, 1964 - unknowingly saving the contents for posterity, as the BBC proceeded to wipe the recording.

At a boot fair on June 7, a guy found this film, along with a projector and lots of other old films from the 1960's. His mother filmed part of The Beatles' footage with her mobile phone and uploaded it to YouTube. Now, the son has captured the film using a DIY telecine method and he feels it looks good for 405 line footage captured from a 8mm camera. The film is now watermarked, as the uploader owns the original 8mm film, and probably may want to sell it, if the price is right. Here's the new capture:

Monday 15 August 2016

Great grandfather Ringo

Stone Zakamo Low, son of Tatia Starkey and Adam Low, born August 14, 2016.
We are happy to announce the birth of the first Beatle great-grandchild, Stone Zakamo Low, to Tatia Starkey and Adam Low, thus making Ringo a great-grandfather and Zak a grandfather. Congratulations to Tatia and Adam!

Beatles '66: The Revolutionary Year

New book: Beatles '66: The Revolutionary Year by Steve Turner

A riveting look at the transformative year in the lives and careers of the legendary group whose groundbreaking legacy would forever change music and popular culture.

They started off as hysteria-inducing pop stars playing to audiences of screaming teenage fans and ended up as musical sages considered responsible for ushering in a new era.

The year that changed everything for the Beatles was 1966—the year of their last concert and their first album, Revolver, that was created to be listened to rather than performed. This was the year the Beatles risked their popularity by retiring from live performances, recording songs that explored alternative states of
consciousness, experimenting with avant-garde ideas, and speaking their minds on issues of politics, war, and religion. It was the year their records were burned in America after John’s explosive claim that the group was "more popular than Jesus," the year they were hounded out of the Philippines for "snubbing" its First Lady, the year John met Yoko Ono, and the year Paul conceived the idea for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

On the fiftieth anniversary of this seminal year, music journalist and Beatles expert Steve Turner slows down the action to investigate in detail the enormous changes that took place in the Beatles’ lives and work during 1966. He looks at the historical events that had an impact on the group, the music they made that in turn profoundly affected the culture around them, and the vision that allowed
four young men from Liverpool to transform popular music and serve as pioneers for artists from Coldplay to David Bowie, Jay-Z to U2.

By talking to those close to the group and by drawing on his past interviews with key figures such as George Martin, Timothy Leary, and Ravi Shankar—and the Beatles themselves—Turner gives us the compelling, definitive account of the twelve months that contained everything the Beatles had been and anticipated everything they would still become.

Product Details
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Ecco (October 25, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062475487
ISBN-13: 978-0062475480
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches

Available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle and iTunes.

Link: Beatles '66: The Revolutionary Year by Steve Turner on Amazon

Previously by the same author: A Hard Day's Write - The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song