Podcasts

As you may recall: back in July, SATB featured the first part of a conversation covering The Beatles in the studio in 1968, during the White Album sessions and just before.

Coming on what would’ve been the 80th anniversary of his birth, this collection of Lennon material – Beatles and solo – is being presented by a number of artists associated with Beatles music, among them The Weeklings and The Gripweeds.

You may know her as the award-winning veteran rock journalist (Creem, Kerrang!, Mojo, and so forth) who also penned the best-selling biography of Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen (2011), as well as Debbie Harry’s memoir, Face It (2019).

In which this returning SATB fave (The Beatles and The Historians) and I expand from previous discussions focusing on books to cover the media specifically around the time of the break-up, and how the nonsensical “John vs Paul – who was the greater genius?” discussion got fueled and put forth into the world. The role of Allen Klein in their break-up is also discussed, in this two-hour conversation that drills deep into the dynamic between these two and how the world viewed it.

For SATB’s 200th episode (more or less), we’re doing something special: returning with guest photographer/writer Ethan Russell, one of this most storied individuals in rock history through his iconic visual documentation of The Beatles

In which my returning guest and I discuss this: what if The Beatles’ songwriting credits were more accurately apportioned to reflect actual significant contributions from not-credited bandmates?

Presented as forerunner of the inevitable show revisiting John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band to come later this year as part of the 50th anniversary, returning guest Chip Madinger (Eight Arms To Hold You, Lennonology) and I discuss some of the assorted odds and sods produced (or proposed) by John Lennon under the Plastic Ono Band brand circa 1969/1970. The POB debut year gave us the singles “Give Peace A Chance” and “Cold Turkey,” but what about the other announced releases? (“Laughing”/”Whispers”; “You Know My Name”/”What’s The New Mary Jane,” and the mysterious instrumental, “Rock Peace”). Chip knows the work and chronology better than anyone when it comes to the solo Beatles and John Lennon in particular. He presents some astonishing information about what was originally planned for 1970 (and about the original form of “How Do You Sleep”). This one’s a treasure trove for Lennononistas… Check out his work at https://www.lennonology.com/ (including the current special).

Previous guest Russ Lease returns with stories from the world of top end collecting: vehicles (including the Magical Mystery Tour bus), attire (shoes, boots, jackets), paper (a Brian Epstein contract) and vinyl.

In his return to the show, we discuss 1968 and the making of the “White Album” (mostly), as explored in his most recent work, The Beatles’ Recording Reference Manual Volume 4. Joining us is another returning guest, recording artist/performer/producer Luther Russell (Those Pretty Wrongs, The Freewheelers, solo). Because we covered so much ground, I am presenting the conversation spread over two parts (the conclusion to follow later….) Check out Jerry’s work here.

It seems particularly fitting at the time we find ourselves in to be discussing the art and career of rock pioneer Little Richard, who passed recently at 87.