I’ve Got a Beatles Podcast!

Episode 67: McCartney's "Tug of War" Reissue!

We dig deep into the new reissued/remastered/remixed Tug Of War, Paul McCartney's acclaimed 1982 album. Hear about each track, the album's background and context, as well as our take on the bonus tracks included with the "deluxe" edition. It was released on the same day as the Pipes of Peace deluxe edition that we'll discuss in our holiday episode.

Episode 66: Songs under the Microscope, Vol. 4: John Lennon, "How Do You Sleep?"

In honor of John Lennon's 75th birthday today, we go back into the lab to dissect his 1971 song "How Do You Sleep?" from the album Imagine. Hear about the background, the music, and lyrics of the song written as a dig against Paul McCartney. Thanks as always for listening!

Episode 65: The Beatles Live in '65!

In this episode, hear about the Beatles' 1965 American tour that took them across the country (and even into Canada a bit). We'll discuss the opening acts, the venues, the setlist, some of the special people they met along the way, and make the argument that this tour was the last real gasp of Beatlemania.

Episode 64: Paul McCartney's Basses

Everyone knows that Paul McCartney is one of the world's great bass players. Nowadays you only see him playing his iconic Hofner bass, but a look into his career reveals that he played several other types of basses that each sound quite different. We discuss Paul's five most used basses and play musical examples of each, touching on the Hofner, the Rickenbacker, and others. We hope you listen closely not only to the amazing bass playing, but the different sounds Paul gets from each instrument!

Episode 63: Apple Scruffs, Vol. 3: Doris Troy

You may know her as the singer on Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig In The Sky" from "Dark Side of the Moon," but she also had an association with the Beatles. It's time for a look at another Apple artist in our "Apple Scruffs" series -- this time, it's singer Doris Troy, who recorded her eponymous album on Apple in 1970. You'll hear about the the history behind the album, all the celebrities who played on it, and some discussion about why it wasn't a hit despite some great players and songs. 

Episode 62: Solo Covers, Vol. 1

We've discussed covers of Beatles songs, as well as played "reverse covers" where we hear the originals of Beatles covers, so now it's time for some solo covers! Hear great versions of solo tunes by people like Nina Simone, Bill Frisell, David Bowie, and even a Beatle covering another Beatle's solo song with another Beatle performing on the same track! 

Episode 61: Songs under the Microscope, Vol. 3: "Helter Skelter"

We're back with a new installment of the popular "Songs under the Microscope" series with a look at the Beatles' 1968 song "Helter Skelter." We'll discuss the inspiration for the song, the lyrics and music, the mono and stereo versions, and the song's connection with Charles Manson.

Happy Birthday to Ringo, who had "blisters on his fingers" at the end of this song!

Episode 60: Ringo's New Album: "Postcards From Paradise"

In this episode we review Ringo's new album Postcards From Paradise and give the background on each song. Though we don't love every song on the album, we're just happy Ringo's still working on new stuff!