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In this discussion, Dr. Duncan Driver (SATB 205, Fab4ConJam, One Sweet Dream podcast) springboard off of the title Paul McCartney quote, in which he asserted that each Beatle was as important as another to the group’s success. We explore the shifting power dynamics within the group and the question of leadership; we also discuss Duncan’s thesis of the four distinctive elements of the Beatles collective identity: live performers – singles makers – album makers – songwriters.

In this episode, we examine the process of a song becoming a record, as heard through the ears of those in the producer’s chair. Luther Russell,

My guest Tim English (Sounds Like Teen Spirit, Popology) discuss his newest book, examining the artists that John was listening to in the last few years of his life and how certain artists and records influenced the recordings he (and Yoko) made during the summer of 1980. Some of the acts we’ve known about for awhile (B-52s, Lene Lovich, etc) but many others were less obvious (The Selecter, Christopher Cross, The Doobie Brothers). John Lennon: 1980 Playlist is out now.

Back in SATB 205, Dr. Duncan Driver (showcased 2+xs at Fab4ConJam) and discussed his article on the timeline to The Beatles break-up.  In this episode, returning guest Gary Wenstrup and I dissect the subject further: when exactly did The Beatles – or individual members within – decide they were quits exactly? The answer – like so much else in Fab history – is not as straightforward as you might think.

It was in 1968 that a young Canadian filmmaker, seeking solace in TM for a broken heart, was befriended by The Beatles in Rishikesh during their immersive study with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In 2000, Paul Saltzman published his wonderfully immediate photos in a book (The Beatles in Rishikesh), later augmented and re-published as The Beatles in India in 2018. 2020 saw the release of his documentary, Meeting The Beatles in India – a film that brings together others who were there (Pattie and Jenny Boyd) as well as the real “Bungalow Bill,” Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn and filmmaker David Lynch, a major booster of TM. You can check out Paul’s website here, and see the film as well as participate in a Q&A with Paul at the first Fab4ConJam on February 21, 2021. Details: fab4conjam.com

Big things take much time to execute: both this episode and the long-awaited event I’ve been teasing for the last few months….

In which Luther Russell and myself detail our picks for the things in the vault known to exist, group and solo, that we one day hope for Apple to release, in well-presented packages. This episode was the live round-the-world broadcast we did from Chicago back in September 2020, powered by in.live (thanks David Simon!) and that is why you get to hear a bit of the city in the background, along with loads of rare audio detailing what we’re talking about. Happy Holidays to all and onward and upward in 2021!

If you aren’t already aware of this veteran jazz/blues guitarist’s Youtube channel with loads of deconstructions of their music, by all means, check it out. Mike has been performing and recording for decades (18 solo albums), as well as with artists ranging from Phil Keaggy to Micky Dolenz. Like so many others, his life was changed on the evening of February 9th, 1964. Much of the what he absorbed beginning then became the basis for his career, which he now shares in the form of informative videos. In this discussion, he offers his insights into what The Beatles’ primary guitar players were up to and the basis of their brilliance. Check out MikePachelli.com, and his most recent project – High Standards – which features Tony Levin and Danny Gottleib. Mike Pachelli recordings heard in this podcast: 1) “What A Wonderful World” (excerpt) – from High Standards  2) “Swing 42” (excerpt) – from Impressions 3) “Skylark” (excerpt) – from High Standards 4) “These Are Soulful Days” – from High Standards

This episode features a conversation between Luther Russell and I with producer John Leckie – if you aren’t familiar with his name

Returning guest Jack Petruzzelli of The Fab Faux has been playing Beatles music onstage all over the world since 1998. In this conversation, he goes into detail about what goes into the effort to replicate heavily-produced recordings not necessarily intended for live performance, by a core of five members. Given the current conditions, the band is on hold, but Jack can be seen performing online on his Facebook page (“Thursday night service” November 19th 8pm ET), as well as his interactive Beatle class: https://www.gowanusmusicclub.com/beatles-101   Thanks to Joe Chinnici for recording the Fab Faux in New York for the Sirius XM Beatles Channel.