Sara's Beatles travels in the Netherlands

Like many people, I enjoy to travel.   I just love seeing new places and experiencing the culture as well as meeting the people.    Part of my traveling experience is to track town Beatles things wherever I go.    

Last month I went to Liverpool, London and the Netherlands.    I have reported about Liverpool and London in the past, and so I am not sure if anyone wants the whole "what I did on my summer vacation" to those places again.    I can tell you that I had an amazing time.   We celebrated Paul's 75th birthday with a bus load of likeminded fans in Liverpool,  went to the Whirral,  spent time in the Cavern Club and the typical Beatles sites.    In London we crossed Abbey Road, went into the Abbey Road shop, had lunch with a Beatles friend, went on a great Beatles tour and got to go inside of 3 Savile row.   

The last part of our trip took us to Amsterdam and since it was a new experience, I thought I would share a little bit about Beatles traveling in Holland. 

The Netherlands is a very small country, especially if you are from the United States.     We stayed in Amsterdam, but I am pretty sure we saw the entire country.         It was fairly easy to get around in Amsterdam because they had a tram that you rode around the city.   As long as you knew where you were going once you got off the tram, you were all set.  

Everyone in Amsterdam rides a bike.    I have not been a bike since I was a kid.   Here in the United States, bikes are sort of thought of as a child's toy and is not a major mode of transportation for most adults.    There were bikes everywhere and they seem to have more rights than people walking.   Just something to remember if you are ever in Amsterdam.

There are a lot of museums in Amsterdam, but the only one that we went to was the Anne Franke House.    If you are ever in Holland, you must see the Anne Frank House.  It is an unforgettable experience.

 One of the first places we went was to the Amsterdam Hard Rock Cafe.    I make a point of going to the Hard Rock at any city where I am staying.      They did not have a lot of Beatles things on display, but they did have this box that John and Yoko gave out to friends for Christmas in 1980.  

If you are a Beatles fan in Amsterdam you have to go to the Amsterdam Hilton, right?     The outside of the hotel looks very much like it does in the photographs of the hotel from the 1969 Bedin.    I am told that room 702 is decorated in John and Yoko decor.    I tried to get into the room myself.   It costs over $1000 a night to stay there, so that was out of the question.    I went to the front desk and asked the woman there and she told me that they were too busy at the time to take guests up to the suite, but I could come back at 11pm.    It just wasn't possible for me to return so late.   I asked her if I could just go up to the door.   To use the life, you have to have a keycard.    She again told me no and so I left the Amsterdam Hilton with some disappointment.

Speaking of hotels, there was a record shop near ours that had a big Sgt. Pepper display in the front window.    Look what was #2 that week!   Who would have ever thought that the Beatles would be back on the charts after 50 years!

Something else we did that had a Beatles connection was go on a canal boat ride.   As I am sure you recall, the Beatles (without Ringo) did this in 1964 when they were on their world tour.    It was fun to imagine the streets and bridges filled with fans as we took our one hour boat trip around the canals. 

We also made a visit to Alkmaar.    Alkmaar is a quick train trip from Amsterdam--about 30 minutes.   Here is my advise if you want to go to Alkmaar from Amsterdam.   Don't use the ticket machines at the Central Station.   Go to a live person and purchase your ticket.    The machines are for people with the "Dutch card," which if you are from the Netherlands, you don't have. 

Why did we go to Alkmaar?   It wasn't for the cheese---it was for the Beatles museum!   There is a large Beatles museum in Alkmaar.   Once you leave the train station, look for blue signs that say "Beatles museum"  and follow them across a bridge and you are there. 

The Beatles Museum is the personal collection of the fan that runs that place.   I was impressed by how organized it was.    Everything is laid out by album.  So anything that has to do with " With the Beatles" is grouped together, etc.    There is just so much original Beatles memorabilia to look at.  If you go, plan on spending well over an hour to look at everything.    "Let it Be" was showing on a big screen in the back and there was a lot of stuff for sale, including a great selection of "Dutch imports" (which aren't imports since they are in Holland!  I got a good laugh out of that).      My only issue with the museum is that a few of the items on display there (Ringo's Abbey road jacket, Paul's Shea Stadium jacket and George's first guitar to name a few) were labeled as being the original, when I am certain that they are reproductions.    

The last day we were in the Netherlands, we spent on a tour with Guus and Gabreilla of Beatles International.     They couldn't have been nicer or more helpful.    They drove us all around Holland and we saw Beatles things along the way as well as plenty of wooden clogs and windmills.      We went to Blokker and saw where the Beatles (again without Ringo) performed in 1964.   They have a monument build to honor this occasion of the Beatles' performance. 

Another one of the really amazing sites we saw was the WWII memorial where Alan Williams took the Beatles right before they went to Hamburg as well as the store where John stole the harmonica.

The trip ended to a visit to a Beatle friend, Ed's house.   Ed is one of the co-writer of the A is for Apple series, which I contributed to.   It is great to meet Beatles people in person after knowing of them online for so long.   Ed has a great Beatles collection and it was  a real treat to see it in person.

As you can see, the Netherlands has a lot to offer Beatle fans.    I know it isn't on the top of the list like Liverpool or London, but I think it is well worth the time to go and check out these sites as well. 

Happy birthday Ringo! Peace and Love!

It is noon on July 7, 2017 and you know what that means!   It is time to celebrate Ringo Starr's 77th birthday with a lot of peace and love.

Peace and Love!!!

I know that many of you think that Ringo's "peace and love" bit is over the top.    I have read the comments about wanting to tie Ringo's hands behind his back every time he posts a video online so that you dont' have to see him flash a peace sign.    However--- I think we all can agree that spreading a little peace and love for a few seconds once a year is a nice thing.    I think it is such a neat idea.  One that John Lennon would have been all for, don't you think?   Seems right up his alley.  

And so I hope all of you join me right now in claiming peace and love and strive to live the rest of the year with peace and love on your minds.

Best wishes to Ringo.   What an amazing 77 year old man!  And to think---the doctor's told his mother that he wouldn't live past childhood!

I ride this train regularly---twice a week!

Paul was seen yesterday riding in the first class section of a train in London.    I rode train much like this one many times when I was in London last week, but I didn't see Paul on them.

Paul was riding without anyone else.   It is nice to see that he is more independent than I ever recall in the past.    Nancy is a great mate for him and they are a lovely couple, but I like that she doesn't go everywhere with him.    Paul rode on the train alone and read a little while he traveled.   He refused photographs and autographs but he was happy to chat a little with fans and answer questions about his upcoming album and tour.  

Of course one fan was able to sneak a photograph with his/her phone when Paul was reading.  

Touch the Earth by Julian Lennon -- Book Review

Photo by Julespicturepalace 

Julian Lennon has written a children's book called Touch the Earth.   It was illustrated by Smiljana Coh.  
As an elementary school reading teacher,  children's books are something I love.   So I ordered this one (which happened to be autographed by Julian--bonus!) when it first was available to pre-order.

It is a beautiful book.     The illustrations are gorgeous and very eye-catching.   The color scheme of the book is really amazing as well.   It starts out in blue and then goes into more pink tones and ends with dark colors.    

The book's theme is saving the environment and loving the earth.   The shows four multi-racial children getting into a magic white feather plane and traveling around the globe and focusing on how people can get clean water (cleaning up pollution, irrigation, filtration systems,

The book says that it is written for children ages 3-6.  I think it could be for children ages 3-8, because I am sure my 2nd grade students would be interested in this book.   I would say that the book is written at a DRA level 16, which is late 1st grade or early 2nd grade (if you have a student reading right on grade level).    

The only thing I disliked about this book is also something that I liked.  You cannot use this book as a "read-aloud" to a large group of children.    It is not appropriate to be read during story time in school or at the library.   Why?   Because it is interactive and asks the children to  "push this button" or "tilt the book towards the east."   The book does not really have buttons to push but a drawn button, so the child gets to use his/her imagination.   But if you are reading this book to a large group of kids---I wish you luck because every single kid in the room is going to want to "push the button," and you will have tears because someone didn't get a turn.  

However, the interactive part of the book is really fun.  This book is a great book to share with a child sitting on your lap or for an older child to read to a younger sibling.  

Touch the Earth would be a great book to read for an Earth Day celebration.   It also has many social studies concepts (direction, continents, etc.) and is aligned with the common core.

So why would a Beatles fan be interested in this children's book?   Besides the obvious fact that John Lennon's oldest son wrote the book,  it tells Julian's story of the White Feather at the back of the book.  I love that the kids are traveling in a magic white feather flier. I truly believe that Julian is honoring his father through this children's book, and John would have been so proud of the book.

A children's book written by a Beatles' son might not be for every Beatles book collector, but if nothing else, it would be a wonderful gift to give to a special child in your life.

The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon, where you can purchase this book.  I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link.  Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online.  Thank you for your support.  Sara

https://amzn.to/431v080

Joey Molland and the Badfinger Band -- a concert review

This past Saturday, May 6, 2017 Joey Molland and the Badfinger Band came to my hometown of Alton, Illinois and performed outside of Mac's Timeout as part of a Kentucky Derby party.    My town is not a place that usually hosts bands (besides local ones) and I was pretty shocked that Joey from Badfinger was coming here.    The week before the concert Alton, which is located on the Mississippi River, flooded.  The concert was outdoors, just one street over from the flooded area, but thankfully the water didn't get closer!

Photo of some of the Flooding taken right before the concert 

I have heard Joey perform at the Fest for Beatle fans, but this is the first time I had ever seen just him on stage.     At the Fest, I thought Joey's voice sounded rough.   He couldn't hit all of the notes in the classic Badfinger songs, but then he also didn't originally sing them.

This time around, Joey's voice was still a little rough, but it didn't sound too bad.   The guys in his band helped with some of the singing, especially when it came to the higher notes.    Joey's played a great lead guitar on all of the songs.   He really seemed to be having a whole lot of fun on the stage and his energy spread out to the crowd on the streets of downtown Alton.

As expected, they performed most of the big songs that you would expect to hear if you went to a Badfinger show:  "Day after Day,"  "Baby Blue,"  "Money,"  "No Matter What,"  "Without You"
and "Come and Get it" plus other songs that I didn't recognize.     There was a very special treat at the encore of the show.    As you know, Chuck Berry recently passed away and he and his family lived 15 miles northeast of Alton in St. Louis, MO.  Berry's daughter came up on stage and joined Joey in singing "Johnny B. Good."    It was a great moment and Joey was extremely happy to share the stage with the daughter of rock royalty.

Joey Molland signing with Chuck Berry's daughter

I don't think the mid-west US folks there really understood the things Joey said between songs because of his Liverpool accent.   I heard some people saying, "What did he say?"   He mentioned before playing "Day After Day" that George Harrison had originally played the guitar on the song, but since he wasn't here, he (Joey) would have to do his best to play it.

After the show, there wasn't a formal meet and greet and none of the Badfinger t-shirts or music was sold.  However, Joey stood behind the stage and was happy to sign autographs and pose for photos with whoever came near him.    Joey is a really nice guy and does not come across as rude or stuck up.  He always is smiling and truly seems to enjoy playing music for people.

Joey and Sara your happy Beatles blogger

The price was right for this concert (free!), and I had a fun time.    I am not sure why Badfinger was playing in Illinois and why they were having an outdoor party for the Kentucky Derby in the first place, but everyone there seemed to be enjoying themselves by dancing and singing along.

Joey has several other dates planned throughout the summer.   He is worth checking out for a fun concert.

The Marshmallow Maiden Tour - A concert review

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, then you will know that I am a fan of James McCartney.  Not just because he is the son of Paul and Linda (although that does play into it), but because I genuinely like his music.    I have seen him in concert twice and this past Easter, April 16, 2017 I saw him perform for the 3rd time as part of the "Marshmallow Maiden" tour at a coffee house/bar called Foam in St. Louis, Missouri.

My mom and I were early for the concert and they weren't opening the doors quite yet, and so we waited with a few others outside of the door.    It wasn't long before the door opened up and out walked James McCartney!    He said "hello" to all of us and I said "Hi James."  He and a woman walked around the area together.    Meanwhile there were many panhandlers out on the street and I saw at least one of them approach James, asking for money.


I didn't see James get back into the venue because the door opened and we went inside.   I decided to use the restroom.   It is a very small place and there is only one uni-sex toliet.    There was already someone in the restroom, so I waited outside the door.   Guess who comes behind me to use the restroom?   James McCartney!!   I am waiting in line for the loo with James McCartney.    I tell him that I follow him on Twitter and that I enjoyed the video he posted that showed him making the tour posters.   He thanked me.   Then the door opened and whoever was in there came out.   I said to James, "You can go ahead and go if you want."   And he said to me, "No, you can go."    Very surreal!

Onto the actually concert.    It started with an opening act.   I have no idea who these guys were because they never said their name.   I wonder if James has any clue who will be opening for him.   Whoever these guys were, they were pretty entertaining.   Their music wasn't bad (but it was super loud for a small venue).   The lead singer took off his shirt and was literally jumping all around and climbing onto the amps.    At this point, about 50 or so people were in the room.

This is the third concert I have seen of Jame McCartney over the past four years.   This one was by far the best concert of the three.   James has always been extremely talented, however his interaction with the audience has been lacking.    Things were much different this time around and it has been really neat to see Jame grow as a performer.

One big difference on this tour is that James has another musician playing with him, Steve.   Steve made a WORLD of difference!   He played the bass guitar and sang backup.   Not only that, but Steve would talk a little between songs and get James into talking as well by asking him a question or saying, "why don't you introduce this one."    This made James MUCH more relaxed and he seemed to open up a lot more than he had before.     He would ask how we were doing and chat a bit between songs.   It was a nice change.

James sang songs from his Blackberry Train album and a few from his EP set and JaMEs McCartney.  I am glad that he brought back his cover of "Old Man."   He opened with "Too Hard" which is a great song!    Other favorites that he performed included "Ring a roses,"   "Peace and Stillness,"  and "Alice."    He performed two songs sitting at the piano.    

Here is something funny that happened during the concert.    James played the piano that was at the venue.   It was up against the wall and my mom was sitting in a church pew that was up against that piano.    So she was right next to hm why he sang at the piano.   He was singing a great song, "Prayer," and gets to this point in the song that goes "makin' love to you..."    He looks over at my mom and she makes a "who me?" type of gesture and he laughs in the middle of the song!   And people say he never smiles or laughs!  

My mom trying not to make James laugh any more

After the concert James and Steve went out to sell merchandise and meet people.   I bought a print of one of James' artwork and both of the guys were happy to pose for a picture with me.

I told James that we see him anytime he comes to St. Louis and we hope he comes back again soon.
It was a great night!

The Marshmallow Maiden Tour will continue for another month throughout the United States.   James is a great musician who has came a long way from his first tours several years ago.   You can't help but think of both Paul and Linda when you look at him.        Take the time to see if he is coming to your area and go see James-- you won't regret it!

*all photos but the top photo belong to me, Sara Schmidt.  Please do not post them without my permission.

John's wedding

Ringo, Barb, Paul and Nancy all were at John Hammel's wedding.   If you remember, John worked for Paul for a VERY long time.   He was the guy that would get Paul his different guitars during concerts.  

100 years old!

Freda Kelley and her grandson regularly Ringo's Aunt Evie.  However, this weekend it was a special visit because Aunt Evie turned 100 years old!    Best wishes to Aunt Evie!  

I me Mine (Extended edition) - A Book Review

Even Ringo enjoys reading the extended version of "I Me Mine." 

If I was to make a list of essential reading for all Beatles fan, George Harrison's I Me Mine would be in the top 5 of the list.  This book is the closest we ever got to reading a George Harrison autobiography.    It is a rare chance to step into George's mind and read his thoughts.  

The extended version of the book still has everything the original from 1980 had.  It starts with George Harrison and Derek Taylor telling the story of George's life (from birth to the late 1970's).  It is really an overview of George's life.  There aren't many deep details. It goes by so quick. I always get confused about who is writing--George or Derek.  Derek's words are italicized, and George's aren't.  And while I know that, it still confuses me, and I have to re-read the text.

I wish George (and Derek) had included more details about George's life.  We know that John wasn't happy with the fact that he was left out of George's story, however; if John really read the text, he would have seen that George left out just about everyone.   It is not like Paul or Ringo was in there a ton, and John was left out.  Still, while it is just a skim of George's life there are still some interesting stories in that section.

The next section is the photo section, which I have always enjoyed.  Make sure to flip to the back of the book and read the funny captions that go with the pictures.  

The last section is the largest section, and it is the lyrics of a large portion of the songs George has written.  You can see the lyric sheets written in George's handwriting as well as a description as to why George wrote the song.   This is where the extended version was well extended.   The original book ended with the song "Blow Away," but this 2017 edition has songs all the way through the end of George's song catalog.    

This is such an amazing part of the book.  First to see the songs in George's handwriting is really interesting.  One thing that stood out to me when I was reading through them was that George wrote the John tribute version of "All Those Years Ago" on December 12, 1980.  Just really three days after he learned of John's murder.  Re-writing that song must have really been part of George's grieving. The stories are interesting. I didn't realize 1.  How many songs came from words that are carved in the walls of Friar Park 2.  How many song George wrote to give to someone else and ended up keeping for himself.

I was disappointed that not ALL of George's songs were there.  A lot of them are, but Apple Scruffs was missing (and that is the one I really would love to see George's handwritten lyrics and thoughts about).  Sometimes I felt like George sort of went off the deep-end with his religious thinking with the songs.   However, I accept that is who George was.  But I guess I am not educated enough on Hinduism (although I have read some about it) to fully understand what he was talking about in some of the explanations of the songs.  

If you have the old version of I Me Mine do you need this expanded version?   Yes, especially if you are a George Harrison fan.  No, if you aren't that interested in George's lyrics and just want the photos and the written biography (as that didn't change).  

The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon, where you can purchase this book.  I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link.  Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online.  Thank you for your support.  Sara

https://amzn.to/4a2ymtP

Sara's 10 Best things of the Fest for Beatles Fans 2017 (A review)

This past weekend I had a great time at the Fest for Beatle fans in Jersey City, NJ.    I spent most of my time behind a table where I was selling my book and photographs.    I want to say "thank you" to all of the people that stopped and said that they enjoy this blog.   You have no clue how good that was to hear.    While I have always done this blog for my own enjoyment, it is really amazing to see the faces of the people that actually share in this adventure with me.  

It was a thrill of a lifetime to see my name and photograph in the Fest program and to go up on stage and sing along with the "Hey Jude" finale.  

I had a great time at the Fest.   If you haven't been to one or haven't been in a long time, I really want to encourage you to give it a try, if even for just one day.    Yes, the Fests are very expensive and sort of commercialized; however it is really one of the few chances you get to talk in person to other Beatle fans.   There is a real feeling of peace and love and just a great vibe that you won't find anywhere else.     Think about it and I hope to see you there!

Here are my 10 favorite things about the 2017 Fest for Beatles fans in Jersey City, NJ.


10.  The hotel and the view from the hotel.
This year the Fest was held at the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City, which is located on the Hudson.   From one side of the hotel, you could see the Freedom Tower and the New York skyline and from the other side you could see the Statue of Liberty.   This was only my 2nd Fest on the East coast, but from what I have been told, this hotel was a huge stop up from the previous venues.    The staff was very accommodating and I really enjoyed the hotel overall.

The nighttime skyline taken from the window of the hotel

9.  Fabcast live

I listen to a lot of Beatles podcasts.   There are so many that are excellent and it is hard to choose just one to call a favorite.   However, one of my top 5 Beatles podcasts is "Fabcast"  with Howie Edelson, Stephen Bard and David Morrell.   It is a pretty deep podcast and is worth checking out.    In the past, the live podcast discussions have always been one of my favorites to watch and the "Fabcast" session I went to was no exception.      Howie and Bard were on hand and discussing Paul and John in 1980 and how they inspired one another.   It was a really good discussion.  

Howie Edelson and Stephen Bard of "Fabcast"

8.  Sgt. Pepper Party (honoring Brian Epstein)
On Saturday night, there was a party and everyone was encouraged to come dressed in their "Swinging '60's" garb to celebrate the life of Brian Epstein.     It was a little bit "out there" for my taste, with some strange poetry being read, but it was all in good fun.    The best part was the reading of the "5th Beatle" script.

7.  Meeting Facebook Friends
I lost track of all of the people that came up to me and said, "We are friends on facebook."    Some of them I  have had really long conversations with over facebook messenger and others I barely knew.  However, it was awesome to meet everyone in person.

6.  The unexpected mini Wings reunion.
Wings drummers Denny Siewell and Steve Holly as well as guitarist Laurence Juber were all announced to be guests this year at the Fest.    Once the weekend got underway, Denny Laine showed up unannounced!   I am not sure if he was a surprise planned guest or if he just appeared on his own and decided to join in.   However,  the four Wings members sang a few songs and it was really awesome and unexpected.

5. The stories I heard!
As I said, most of my weekend was spent behind a table.    So many fans came up to me and started telling me the funniest and wildest Beatles stories!    I spoke with a woman who went to middle school with Nancy Shevell,  a woman who saw the Beatles in concert in Boston and after their limo drove by, she saw a cup sitting in oil on the driveway and she figured that oil came from the Beatles limo and so she scooped it up with the cup and took it home with her, and a man who hung out at the Dakota in the 1970's and one time with John and Sean returned home from the circus the driver of the car gave this fan popcorn kernels from John's popcorn from the circus.     And so many more little things----it was really fun for me to hear because I just love those stories.

4.  Panel discussions
I was on two panels and gave one presentation.    One of my favorite panels was a discussion on "who was the 6th Beatle."    Now in order to be considered a "Six Beatle" person, that means you aren't ever considered in the "fifth Beatle" category.  Therefore folks like Brian, George Martin, Pete Best and Stu are out.    Who did I ague for?  Can't you guess?  Mal Evans.

The Sixth Beatle Panel discussion

3.  Meeting Klaus Voorman
I actually met Klaus at a Fest in Chicago in the early 2000's.  He signed my Revolver album.   I always had regrets that I didn't get a photo taken with him, and so I fixed that this year.  I purchased his Revolver book (and had him sign it) and sat down next to the one and only Klaus Voorman for a photo.  

Klaus Voormann and me!

2.  Finding Lennon documentary

On Friday night, we had the amazing opportunity to see the world premiere of the new documentary about John Lennon called "Finding Lennon."    The film isn't quite finished yet, but let me tell you---whenever it is, you have to see it!    I wasn't expecting to be blown away by this film because---ANOTHER John Lennon documentary?     But this really was a fresh and fair look into John's life from birth to teenager.   Interviews with friends that John went to school with were shown and they told stories that none of us had ever heard before.    I am going to do a full review of this film once it is official available.


1.  Leon Wildes
I can't speak for anyone else, but the single best thing of the Fest for me was hearing Leon Wildes talk on Sunday afternoon.   I actually left my table and stopped trying to sell books in order to see Leon talk.    As you will remember, Leon Wildes was John Lennon's immigration attorney.    He single handedly was the person that got John Lennon his green card and allowed him to stay in the United States.   I was able to shake the man's hand and tell him thank you for all he did for John and Yoko.     Hearing Leon speak was very emotional for me.    

Me with Leon Wildes and his son Michael (and as luck would have it---my flash didn't go off so the photo is super dark)

Overall I would have to give this year's east coast Fest an 8/10.     I personally enjoy the Chicago area Fest a lot more, but that could be simply because it is the one I have attended for over 20 years and I am familiar with the faces of the people.  

Meeting Ringo at a George event

Over the weekend Ringo and Barbara were at the George Harrison, "I me Mine" book event along with Dhani and Olivia Harrison.   Some of the lucky fans got to meet Ringo!   Look how happy that little girl looks.  

Back to work

Paul and Ringo (along with Bruce Sugar and Joe Walsh ) working on Ringo's new album today (February 19, 2017).  Is it just me, or does thing suddenly seem right in the world whenever you see Paul and Ringo together in the studio?

Deconstructing Sgt. Pepper - A film review

The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band has always held a special spot for me. It was actually the first Beatles album that I owned (cassette tape, actually).  I know that for you first generation fans reading this, it is hard to think that Pepper would be someone's first real exposure to the Beatles, but that is how it was. I listened to that tape nonstop for a very long time, and it was the first Beatles CD I purchased once I could afford it.  For many years, Sgt. Pepper was my favorite Beatles album, and "A Day in the Life" was my favorite Beatles song.  However, I grew and matured as a Beatles fan and was exposed to their entire catalog, and my favorite eventually switched to Rubber Soul.   To be honest, Pepper has been sort of pushed to the back of my Beatles collection, and I really hadn't listened to it in quite a while.

Since 2017 is the 50th anniversary of the Sgt. Pepper sessions and album, it is a great time to dust off the album and give it another listen.  It was with this mindset that I went into seeing the film Deconstructing Sgt. Pepper at the Tivoli Theater in St. Louis with my mom and some other great fans this past Monday night.   I really didn't know what I was going to watch.   I just knew that it was something Beatles.  I quickly learned that I was going to see a lecture by Scott Freiman about the breakdown of the album. I was not familiar with Scott at all, but apparently he teaches Beatles courses at the university level as well as being a very successful composer and producer.

If you are like me, your first thought when you hear the word "lecture" is, "Oh no---this could be really boring." However, I am happy to report that Freiman's lecture was far from boring.  It was very entertaining and educational.  

As the title, "Deconstructing the Beatles," would suggest, Freiman went through the Sgt. Pepper album track by tack and talked about each song in detail.  He gave the background information of why the song was written and then talked about the actual recording of the song.  He showed photographs of the various instruments that were used in the songs, which I found to be helpful because I can read the name of the instrument in a book, but without a photograph of it, the name alone doesn't mean a lot.    

Most of the time was spent breaking down the songs.  Parts of the songs were played by isolating the individual tracks so that you might only hear Ringo's drumming or John's vocals, and then he showed that it all went together to make the song.  There were plenty of photographs of the Beatles in the recording studio as well.  

My only real complaint is that some of the songs he just skimmed over and didn't break it down.   Fixing a Hole, for example, was just mentioned in that "yeah--that song is on there.  It might have been about Paul fixing up his home in Scotland."  I would have liked more information.   If we are deconstructing the Sgt. Pepper album, then let's do it for all the tracks.  

There were some really neat things that came out during this lecture. Some of the things I already knew, but for someone who doesn't know the Melanie Coe story, I am sure would be interested in seeing the video clip that was shown.   I didn't know that in the song "Lovely Rita," the Beatles used a comb wrapped in toilet paper to make a kazoo-like sound.   I also liked hearing what the Beatles were saying underneath the animals' noises at the end of "Good Morning Good Morning."

It was a very interesting lecture, and I think it was a perfect way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sgt. Pepper album.    I am not sure if this program will be released on DVD or shown on a streaming site anytime soon.   But if it happens to be showing in your area, it is well worth your time to go see it for yourself.

The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon, where you can purchase this on DVD.  I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link.  Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online.  Thank you for your support.  Sara

https://amzn.to/3wL3FLa

First photo of 2017

This photo of Paul with Jimmy Buffet was taken shortly after midnight on New Year's.   Not the most flattering photo of Paul, but I will say that it is officially the first Beatles related photo of 2017!