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Including Mitch & Tony's 2011 interview with Micky Dolenz
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A FUN BONUS SHOW FOR YOU!
Fab 4 Free 4 All talk with special guest Ken Scott at the 2013 NY Fest for Beatles Fans!
150-'Sgt. Pepper': Review and Analysis pt. 3
149-'Sgt. Pepper': Review and Analysis pt. 2
148-'Sgt. Pepper': Review and Analysis pt. 1
Well, it had to happen eventually. And many people … including US … are surprised that it hasn’t already; the Fab 4 Free 4 All take on the challenge that is ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. Now, some would argue that recording a ‘review and analysis’ type show about any Beatles album is an epic task … and we would be inclined agree. But the mythos that surrounds “Sgt. Pepper” puts the album in a unique place. It may be the “album that launched the Summer of Love”, but is it, as some say, the Beatles “crowning achievement”? In this three-part episode Fab 4 Free 4 All explore the back story behind, the music within, the ripple effect that followed, and the mythical aspects of the Beatles eighth studio album … ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.
147-The Threetles: A Success? (Live)
When Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr met at Paul’s Mill Studio on February 11, 1994 they began work on a project that would result in the release of the first new recordings credited to The Beatles in almost 25 years. These unique new recordings, initiated by a cassette recording of John Lennon demos given to them by Yoko Ono, would be featured on the first two ‘Beatles Anthology’ volumes. But was the much anticipated reunion of the remaining members of the world’s most famous band a success? In an episode recorded in front of a live audience at the 2016 ‘Fest for Beatles Fans’, the Fab 4 Free 4 All address the phenomena that somehow came to be known as ‘The Threetles’. The guys were delighted to meet some of their fans at this very special event.
146-Beatles '1+' DVD Disc 2 (pt. 2)
145-Beatles '1+' DVD Disc 2 (pt. 1)
Well, here it is, and you knew it had to happen sooner or later! In this two-part episode the Fab 4 Free 4 All take an up-close look at ‘the other disc’ in the recently released ‘1+’ package. The deluxe edition of the package contains a second DVD that (thankfully!) does NOT follow the original ‘1’ template. Like the first disc, this ‘bonus’ DVD contains a number of original Beatles promo films. It also contains TV appearances, clips made for packages like the BBC releases and the anthology discs, and much more. The guys have already reviewed the DVD from the ‘1+’ package that was intended to correspond with the original CD, but this episode offers an in-depth look at some of the extremely interesting films that were made for the tunes that didn’t top the charts.
144-'George Fest': Analysis and Review (pt. 2)
143-'George Fest': Analysis and Review (pt. 1)
On September 28th, 2014 dozens of famous musicians gathered at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, California to honor the musical and spiritual legacy of George Harrison at a charity concert event aptly named ‘George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison’. The evening’s proceedings were released in multiple formats on February 26, 2016. With performances by Brian Wilson, Norah Jones, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Harrison's son Dhani, and members of the Killers, Spoon, Velvet Revolver and more, the show offers up exciting and unique renditions of some of George’s greatest songs. In this two-part episode, the guys review and analyze the ‘George Fest’ DVD.
142-David Bedford Takes Us to 'Liddypool'
Somewhere within the first paragraph of any article that attempts to summarize who and what The Beatles were there will always be a sentence very similar to "The Beatles were four young men from Liverpool". The most successful group in popular music and the city in Mersyside, England are forever joined in the annals of history. But since the meteoric rise of the Beatles there have been some misconceptions and myths that have been perpetuated about Liverpool. Author David Bedford's book 'Liddypool: Birthplace of the Beatles' is the definitive, most comprehensive book about the Beatles' story as it relates to their collective home city of Liverpool. In this episode, the Fab 4 Free 4 All talk with the author about this amazing city, how the Beatles and their estates are still a part of Liverpool, and the continuing celebration of the group's incredible history.
141-Beatles '1+' DVD Disc 1 (pt. 2)
140-Beatles '1+' DVD Disc 1 (pt. 1)
At the end of 2015 the Beatles’ company, Apple Corps, released a multi-disc package that fans had been requesting for many years. Well … sort of. The company used the song list from the Beatles “greatest hits” album ‘1’ as the template for a collection of Beatles films and videos. The new ‘1+’ video and CD package is not quite a collection of the Beatles’ promos, and it does not exactly present the Beatles’ films exactly as they had filmed (or even performed) them from 1963 to 1970. The package contains some new films, unique edits and … perhaps we should say “interesting” … clean-ups and fixes. The guys have already reviewed the remixed and remastered CD that comes with the package. In this two-part episode the guys review the DVD from the ‘1+’ package that is meant to correspond with the original CD.
139-'Tug of War' and 'Pipes of Peace' Remasters Reviewed
In the second half of 2015, Paul McCartney released the eighth and ninth titles in his Archive Remaster series. ‘Pipes of Peace’ received the usual remastering treatment, and the standard album now comes with a nine-track bonus audio disc. But for the Archive edition of Paul’s 1982 album ‘Tug of War’, McCartney did much more than add a second disc of bonus tracks and demos, along with doing the usual remastering that has been the standard for this series. Quite interestingly, for this 2015 reissue ‘Tug of War’ has also been remixed! Why is this album the first to receive this treatment from Sir Paul? How dramatic are the changes? And do the new remixes actually improve in any way on what some consider a classic album? Are lifelong fans of the album going to lock themselves in their room with their 1993 edition? Was this some kind of publicity stunt? Does Tony actually LIKE this album now? Find out the answers to these and other burning questions on this ‘Analysis and Review’ episode of Fab 4 Free 4 All?
138-Beatles '1+' Audio with Richard Buskin pt. 2
137-Beatles '1+' Audio with Richard Buskin pt. 1
Finally, they've gone and done it! The Beatles organization and Apple Corps. have finally released a long-awaited (and requested) collection of The Beatles' original promotional films, accompanied by a few newly-created clips. The titles correspond with the song list that first appeared on the Beatles' album '1', released in 2000. As with many current releases, the Beatles release of '1+' comes in a variety of formats, including a deluxe package with two blu-ray discs featuring almost ALL of the group's promo films. And all versions of the release include a newly remastered and, even more importantly, newly remixed CD of the songs that appeared on '1'. In the two-part episodes numbered 137 and 138, the cast members of Fab 4 Free 4 All, joined by their friend, noted author and fellow podcaster Richard Buskin analyze and review the remixed CD that is included in this momentous Beatles release.
136-'Red Rose Speedway': Analysis and Review pt. 2
135-'Red Rose Speedway': Analysis and Review pt. 1
As 1972 rolled into 1973, Paul McCartney’s solo music was not exactly tearing up the pop charts. Of his last three singles, two had been banned, and one (in particular) had been critically panned. His first full album with his new band, Wings, had tanked. What now? The band had become more cohesive during their recent tours. But was it time for them to ‘spread their wings’ on a double-album? Record execs didn’t think so. Despite the limitations being placed on him, Paul wrote a ballad that placed him back on the top of the charts, guaranteeing that ‘Red Rose Speedway’ would mark the beginning of a new era for the ex-Beatle. The cast of Fab 4 Free 4 All analyzes and reviews the second full-length effort from Wings in a two-part episode.
134-Once Upon A Song Ago
As it has been for all of you, the music of the Beatles, as a group and as solo artists, has been extremely important in the lives of the Fab 4 Free 4 All cast. In this reflective episode, the guys look back at various times of their lives, and how individual songs uniquely intersected and interrelated with their circumstances and experiences. Join the guys on a journey from childhood, through the teen and college years, and up through to the current day … while making some stops at significant times in their lives … and find out what songs have been along with them at each point in the ride.
133-A Trip to the '1+' Preview!
On Tuesday, October 6th, 2015 the Fab 4 Free 4 All made our way into New York City to be the guests of Apple Corps and Universal Music at an exclusive preview press screening of clips from the upcoming '1+' deluxe package. We were so excited about the twelve clips we had just seen and heard that we wanted to share our enthusiasm ... as well as some inside information about the upcoming package ... with you, our loyal listeners. We will, of course, do a full review of the audio and video once we actually have the product, either shortly before, or immediately upon, its release. But for now, spend some time in the back seat of Mitch's car with the '1' and only Fab 4 Free 4 All. (And we did actually have a '+', since Mitch's wife was in the car!)
132-'Rarities' US and UK: Analysis and Review
The Beatles’ extensive collection of recorded songs was distributed in unique ways, and across dozens of different LP, single and EP releases, in different countries around the world. As a result, there were songs or versions of songs that ‘slipped through the cracks’ in every country in the world with regards to their inclusion on what was considered to be the Beatles’ “core collection” of releases. In the UK and the US, two of the largest markets for the Beatles’ music, the record labels attempted to remedy this situation with the release of collections titled, simply, “Rarities”. But did these albums really live up their titles? Did they actually the “need” of Beatles’ fans at the time by properly filling the gaps in their collections? And is there a need to release them now? The guys in Fab 4 Free 4 All tackle these and other challenging questions like “How DO you pronounce ‘Sie Liebt Dich?’ in this fun-filled episode.
131-Five Most Important Beatles Songs
The Beatles’ music had a profound effect on the world, with songs and albums creating social change upon their release, and over the course of the subsequent years since the group disbanded. Of course, any three Beatle fans will have different opinions with regards to the significance of an individual song! So, in this episode each member of the Fab 4 Free 4 All cast discusses what he believes are the five most culturally significant songs in the Beatles’ catalog. You may be surprised at some of the choices.
130-'Imagine': Analysis and Review pt. 2
129-'Imagine': Analysis and Review pt. 1
In 1971 John Lennon was still recovering from his primal scream therapy, a veritable trip though the emotional ringer. He had reached down into the depths of his soul to record the intense and raw ‘Plastic Ono band’ album. But what was to come next from one of the Beatles’ two chief songwriters? Besides the ‘P.O.B.’ album, the public had only gotten a handful of non-LP singles, two ‘Unfinished Music’ recordings, the ‘Two Virgins’ album, and a live release from John. Now, in 1971, we were to see the release of John’s second studio album. Named for its majestic, philosophical title track, the album ‘Imagine’ was, by some accounts, a quieter and gentler look into John’s emotions, opinions, fears and dreams than ‘P.O.B.’ had been. In this ‘unplugged’ analysis and review episode, the F4F4A cast explores the powerful music … and ideas … behind John Lennon’s album ‘Imagine’.
128-Beatles and Solo Abandoned Projects
The Beatles did not always get to do exactly what they wanted to do. There were times when, owing to a number of variables, projects involving the Beatles as a group or as solo artists were planned, but ultimately shelved. In this episode, definitely the first of an ongoing series, the Fab 4 Free 4 All crew takes a chronological look at some of the most interesting of the Beatles’ “abandoned projects”. Suggested recording locations, possible movie ideas and live albums that never were are all part of this spirited discussion. The guys are looking forward to the next installment of this … if they don’t abandon it.
127-'Help!': Analysis and Review pt. 2
126-'Help!': Analysis and Review
The Beatles’ second movie for United Artists would be their last film to have a plotline and a script. Of course, the film would feature a bunch of brand new songs … seven to be exact. And, just as they did a year earlier for the album ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, the Beatles UK label would feature the new film’s songs on one side of a long player, while a set of seven recently recorded non-soundtrack tunes would fill out side two. Fifty years after the album’s release, the following questions arise: Was every tune a winner on this album? Was it a well-thought out and perfect piece of work this time around? With ‘Rubber Soul’ and ‘Revolver’ often recognized as the pinnacle period of creativity for the group, where does ‘Help!’ fall, relatively speaking? And what of The Riddler’s diabolical scheme? The Fab 4 Free 4 All crew answers these questions and more on this two-part episode, a review and analysis of the Beatles fifth studio LP, ‘Help!’?
