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In this expanded episode, Richard and Robert discuss the parallels between the concurrent releases, George’s All Things Must Pass and John’s Plastic Ono Band. Songs include “Beware of Darkness,” “Let It Down,” “Love” and “Mother.”
Find Robert’s books here.
Find Richard’s books here.
Longtime listener, and I want to tell you…great work.
Great episode. Plastic Ono Band is one of my favorite albums, ever. I am a first generation Beatles fan, and when that album came out, it was a huge shock. “Lennon Remembers” was also a huge shock. While everyone else was playing their Cat Stevens and Stevie Wonder, I was blasting this. It’s great to hear it being discussed. I’ve always found it difficult to listen to All Things Must Pass. After all those clean Beatles records, the mushy over-production was horrid. Beware of Abkco and the official (though paltry) single disk of George demos both made the songs easier to hear. But nothing ever compared to the raw impact of POB. I’m also a Nation Lampoon fan, so your final song was a brilliant choice. As always, your recent shows have been insightful and fun to listen to. The best-George-bits show was very solid. It was especially nice to hear the guitar work audio clips. If you two ever do wind up on a desert island, make sure you have a tape recorder. Oh. And You Know My Name Look Up the Number has always been one of my favorite tracks. Thanks!
You might have said something about Nina Simone’s Emergency Ward!(1972). It seems to be overlooked by Beatles fans and Nina fans. If you haven’t heard it, find it. The album is essentially an extended riff on Harrison’s first US single “My Sweet Lord/Isn’t It a Pity,” sides one and two of her album, respectively (separated by a brief four minute interlude, “Poppies”). The entirety of side one is an astonishing 18:30 minute live rendering of “My Sweet Lord” that not only melds gospel, blues, and African rhythms but appropriates David Nelson’s (The Last Poets) “Today is Killer.” It’s something both dark and rapturous (recorded at a benefit concert for returning Vietnam veterans. George might’ve appreciated that). After “Poppies,” side-B is an 11 minute improvisation/meditation on “Isn’t it a Pity.” Nina obviously had her eyes and ears on the two former Beatles around this time. The topical sleeve-art of “Some Time in New York City” apparently inspired the album cover.
Robert, your point about the mistaken connection between the screaming on Plastic Ono Band and primal therapy is taken up by John in the Wenner interview. It was probably in the back of your mind as he says basically the same thing: “Listen to ‘Cold Turkey, listen to ‘Twist and Shout,’ […] Listen to ‘A wop bop a loo bop a wop bam boom.’” He also mentions Jerry Lee Lewis.
By the way, there’s detailed account in Guralnick’s new book on how Phillips achieved that slap-echo Sun sound.
All Things Must Pass was the majestic, timeless spirit. Plastic Ono Band was the courageous, forthright head. Ram was the exuberant, youthful heart. God bless ’em all.
Thanks guys for a terrific show.
That whole thing about “I’m only trying to help ya” is so overblown. I don’t think Paul was being a jerk at all. But hey…
I love the show guys and love George, but at times George was a very “Bitter Party of 1” toward John and especially Paul that seemed to flare up at times throughout the rest of his life. Like Ringo said in the Scorcese movie (there is a topic for a possible show!) there was definitely 2 distinct sides to George’s personality.
With respect, WingsJer, I think perhaps you should read more widely about the Beatles (interviews, biographies, etc). George was highly complimentary about John far, FAR more often than he was negative about him; and certainly, John could be very bitchy about George more often than he was complimentary. And I think you’re missing the manipulation that Paul applies in his retelling of Beatles history and his interaction with his ex-bandmates – he’s as skilled as any top politician, and that’s what especially annoyed George (and John) about him. Yes, there were “definitely 2 distinct sides to George’s personality”, just as some Beatles insiders say there was to Ringo’s personality and especially John’s. And again, from what one reads, there were/are dozens of “distinct sides” to Paul: he’s like a chameleon who adapts to whoever he’s talking to, in the interest of being liked by everyone. And that’s something John and George never were, and nor Ringo for that matter. In that way, McCartney’s still the old-fashioned showbiz entertainer. So, thank God that George’s (and John’s) comments and songs are there to remind us all that the Beatles and the ’60s generally were about something substantial and something empowering.
Good Ol’ George !
Love your show. Thank you!
What is very last track you played ? It’s a great song 😀
Found it !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSnjRaGoYyI
Hello R&R,
I absolutely love you series! And only because I’m a drum freak I want to point out that Jim Gordon is playing on what is life not Jim Keltner . I think you may have meant to say Gordon because you mentioned after playing the What Is Life stripped down version said he was playing like a madman … and as we know he lost his mind and killed his mother . Boy what a great drummer he was and I want to give credit where credit is due.
Thank you again for such a wonderful series on the Beatles!
Hi Mark,
Yes, I caught myself right after that show taped, but at the time, studio time was costly and I never went back to correct it. I figured (correctly) that anyone catching the “madman” comment would infer who I meant.
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