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Setting aside the thematic full album works like Run Devil Run, Rock ‘n’ Roll or Sentimental Journey, the former Beatles recorded a fair amount of material written by others. Naturally, Ringo – the least prolific writer among them – relied on covers the most, but each of them had favorite tunes that they took on, mostly (but not always) for official release. Robert and Richard present some of their favorites (and some, not so much). Songs include Randy Newman’s “Have You Seen My Baby,” Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You” and Ian Dury’s “I’m Partial To Your Abracadabra.”
Find Richard’s books here.
Find Robert’s books here.
Who is the piano player in the picture?
The great Allen Toussaint.
How do you set aside “Rock and Roll”? The greatest cover by a solo Beatle: John’s version of “Stand By Me”. ( IMHO, the only classic track from that album )
Because we already talked about it in a dedicated show:
http://somethingaboutthebeatles.com/45-rock-devil-roll-john-and-paul-get-back/
We try not to repeat ourselves.
That’s not George’s voice on ‘I Really Love You’, is it? (Perhaps Bobby King?) Anybody know?
Anyhoo, luv Harrison’s version. And luv this whole show too; great job as usual.
That’s Willie Green Jr., who’d worked with Ry Cooder (as had the other singers on this track) and Bob Dylan. He’s with the current performing line-up of The Temptations.
‘kay, thx
My own favourite (sort of qualifies since it’s a de facto McCartney / Wings performance) is the great version of Bryan Ferry’s Sea Breezes on the McGear album. Radically different to the original with a wonderful Macca production / arrangement culminating in a brilliant saxophone finale. Work checking out. Good podcast subject – a bit off the Beatle track
Regarding James Ray’s “If You’ve Got To Make A Fool Of Somebody”, I’m pretty sure I recall Mark Lewisohn saying in “Tune In” that Paul took the lead vocals. I’ve also seen somewhere — and I’ll be damned if I can remember where I read or heard it, maybe it was in a YouTube video somewhere — where Freddie and the Dreamers DID start doing it because the Beatles did it, and in fact cribbed the Beatles’ arrangement which caused the Beatles to stop doing it.
The bit above re: FreddieAndTheDreamers is mentioned on the FATD Wikipedia page.
I may have missed it, but did you mention Paul covering a certain 60s British band on Give My Regards to Broadstreet ?
Surprised “All My Trials” went unmentioned. Sounded a bit like “Venus & Mars” in its intro. Elvis Presley had included it as part of the “American Trilogy”, largely using Mickey Newbury’s version.
One more thing about “If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody” is that Ron Wood did a fine version on his superb “I’ve Got My Own Album To Do” from 1974, which also included a performance and co-write with George Harrison on “Far East Man”.
Naomi Neville was actually Allen Toussaint’s mom. Not as kinky as you’re implying. 🙂
Another great SATB – I hope Mike does a program of “And Your Bird Can Sing” is it one, two or three guitars going? I think George said it took him and Paul ages to get it right.
Mike Pachelli is one of the best go to guys out there to learn Beatles songs. I go to his youtube channel all the time just to see him play the tunes. He is exact down to using as close as he can get to the guitars models they used. He points out small changes in a part from verse to verse in songs a lot I never noticed before. As he says including mistakes!
Yinz are the best n’nat. Great to see Mike Pachelli out here on this really kool shew.
Great episode and super impressed with the instrumental Beatles songs.
As an Aussie I have to give you this link to what I think is an amazing rendition of 2 Beatles songs done instrumentally. I saw Tommy way back in 1984 and he held the entire audience for the whole performance with nothing but him and a guitar.
https://youtu.be/cPkQn5nDTZs
Thanks for your ongoing dedication to absolute quality content.
Neil MacKinnon
Following my last comment you may also like this from Tommy Emmanuel
https://youtu.be/jxH8t_RzvxA
Cheers
Neil MacKinnon
Sorry for persisting but you nee to listen to this guy!
https://youtu.be/ENJuNCkPfx0