March 2025 – SATB

301: The Beatles’ Bag of Tricks Vol. 2

Returning guests Cameron Greider and Jack Petruzzelli (both of the RPM-School.com) are on hand to discuss more of what The Beatles used in their songcraft: 6th and minor 3rds. If ths sounds like indecipherable music theory, hang on – it isn’t and once you become aware of it, you’ll recognize it everywhere – how often and how artfully they used it, and to what effect. Also in the conversation: Neil Inness, and the topic of plagiarism. Jack, Cameron and I will all be on hand in upstate New York come June as part of the 3rd annual Magical Mystery Camp, along with Walter Everett and featured guests that include Peter Asher, Joan Osbourne, Steve Forbert, The Fab Faux, Ken Womack, Scott Freiman, and last but not least, Jerry Hammack. A full on days-long music immersion in learning and participating. Details: www.magicalmysterycamp.com/

Newsletter #20 Mar 24 2025

Newsletter / By admin

Hello all; Since the newsletter doesn’t aspire to serve as Grim Reaper, we’ll save the casualties for last, shall we? Instead, we go with the current Beatles-in-the-news story, RE that “find” in Canada of a reel containing the January 1, 1962 Decca audition. The 15-song set has only officially been made available in excerpted form on the 1995 Anthology 1 release (and with plenty of grey market issues along the way). By now, all rights should belong to Apple, if they decide to officially fill this Pete Best-sized hole in their canon, but it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. As to the provenance of this tape, it appears to have been a dub made in the early 70s by someone with access to a first-gen copy and is said to sound stunning, though it’s an open question whether it sounds as good as this. Anything you could possibly want to know about the session and the context around it (drumroll, or maybe atom beat….) can be found in this newly-published book. On the subject of Jerry Hammack’s new co-write, we just guested on the Booked On Rock podcast with Eric Senich. (Video here). Also, The Fest for Beatles Fans NJ edition begins this week – I am happy to report that the signed book labels that were lost in transit arrived, my scribble was applied, and they should be on-site for anyone needing one. We won’t be on hand for this one but come August in Rosemont….. The new episode, number 301, should be up as you are reading this. The Beatles Bag of Tricks Vol. 2 features Cameron Greider and Jack Petruzzelli, whom you all know from previous shows, including Bag of Tricks the first. In this one, we examine the mystery of 6ths and minor 3rds. If that sounds insanely complicated, it isn’t – really! Instead, it puts a spotlight on two musical devices that the Fabs employed repeatedly, where they came from and where they were used. Once you hear them and become aware, it becomes an “A-ha!” for you and another way to appreciate their unschooled talents. Jack and Cameron have been featured a number of times on the show, sometimes alongside musicologist Walter Everett, all of the RPM School. Their spring semester, on Sgt. Pepper, is coming up, and so is a songwriting tutorial that includes recording artist Freedy Johnston, so check out their site. Also, check out the Magical Mystery Camp site if you are interested/curious about the upcoming activities in the Catskills this June, featuring an immersive musical experience and summer fun in a stunning locale. Remember Allison Bumsted? She’ll be the returning guest for 302, on the subject of her acclaimed book, TeenSet, Teen Magazines and Rock Journalism: Don’t Let The Name Fool You. And if anyone reading this is interested in her book but hasn’t yet purchased it, her publisher has a spring flash sale going on but it ends today (March 24). We said goodbye to Badfinger’s Joey Molland last week in a lovely service that was live streamed worldwide. It was a worthy send-off, and on the subject of Badfinger, I can confirm an upcoming show is in the can on the subject; this may possibly be the first of two, depending on listener interest. (You’ll let me know, won’t you?) Also transitioning on: BBC broadcaster Andy Peebles. He famously hung out with John and Yoko during the weekend preceding his death, capturing an hours-long interview with a UK spin. (Not the last – that was of course the RKO one that occurred just hours before…) It is worth a listen if you never have; Andy made the news in recent years when he came forth openly questioning the circumstances of the shooting (and he therefore figures in David Whelan’s book). So as not to end on a downer note: this reimagining of a White Album-era Harrisong was made public recently. Your appreciation of the work (recording and video) may vary depending on how much you like “Sour Milk Sea” or AI, but the toothpaste has left the tube. Let me know what you think!