Geoff Emerick & Richard Lush (Beatles engineers) talk about Sgt. Pepper (May 2017)

RJOrion said:

nextedition said:

RJOrion said:

alot of black people didnt listen to The Beatles... in spite of their popularity and overexposure, black folks (generally speaking) didnt buy Beatles records, and Black radio didnt play their music, so for Prince to have never been exposed to their albums, is completely normal in the Black experience ...

Im white and i never heard a beatles album. I know maybe 3 songs of them. Never heard the Stg Pepper's album.

then you're very unusual. A Day In The Life is pretty much unavoidable anywhere where there is consistent media.

PeteSilas said:

nextedition said:

RJOrion said: Im white and i never heard a beatles album. I know maybe 3 songs of them. Never heard the Stg Pepper's album.

then you're very unusual. A Day In The Life is pretty much unavoidable anywhere where there is consistent media.

the beatles are not the be all end all of music... they are over rated... i own several beatles records, i played them once, never will again. bunch of lullaby music.

nextedition said:

Im white and i never heard a beatles album. I know maybe 3 songs of them.

How many Monkees song you know?

feeluupp said:

PeteSilas said:

then you're very unusual. A Day In The Life is pretty much unavoidable anywhere where there is consistent media.

the beatles are not the be all end all of music... they are over rated... i own several beatles records, i played them once, never will again. bunch of lullaby music.

ya, ok, any artist can have that said about them and they have.

PeteSilas said:

nextedition said:

RJOrion said: Im white and i never heard a beatles album. I know maybe 3 songs of them. Never heard the Stg Pepper's album.

then you're very unusual. A Day In The Life is pretty much unavoidable anywhere where there is consistent media.

Rubbish, never heard of it til you mentioned it, don't talk balls

RJOrion said:

feeluupp said:

Beatles are the most over rated thing in music since ELVIS... Beatles songs sound like corny fairground melodies... Who would even buy a ticket to see them play live in concert, they stand in the same place without moving for 2 hours... Sorry, I like my artists to have some SOUL.

all my life, i used to feel the same exact way...but, the last few years ive become a student of their catalog... the Magical Mystery Tour album is the one that finally got me into them... Let It Be and Revolver are great albums too...

agree

honer said:

PeteSilas said:

then you're very unusual. A Day In The Life is pretty much unavoidable anywhere where there is consistent media.

Rubbish, never heard of it til you mentioned it, don't talk balls

i don't talk balls whatever that means, your very unusual. Maybe you had parents who raised you in a cave or something.

As someone who grew up in the 60s and adored/still adores The Beatles, I am amazed at people who have never listened to their work, or who have a negative opinion of them. They were/they are the reason music is where it is today. To each his or her own, but "A Day in The Life" is a masterpiece. Conversely, with the exception of Motown of the 60s, I don't care to hear any soul, R&B, rap, hiphop or similar music.

nextedition said:

jaawwnn said:

nextedition said:

Im white and i never heard a beatles album. I know maybe 3 songs of them. Never heard the Stg Pepper's album.

You should give them a listen, they're a good band are the Beatles! Start with Tomorrow Never Knows and then maybe the 1962-1966 Red Album If it seems simplistic at first it helps if you have a working idea of 50's rock and roll and r'n'b to see what they're building on, [Edited 6/7/17 15:42pm]

naw, tomorrow never knows is too much for someone who already seems to not like them, start them off with some of the early stuff I wanna hold your hand or even the rock and roll covers. Also, one of my musical mentors pointed out that a lot of what the beatles did wasn't american at all, a lot of their influences, especially during the psychedelic years, were british music. Of course there were plenty of other elements too. Just wildly creative.

honer said:

PeteSilas said:

then you're very unusual. A Day In The Life is pretty much unavoidable anywhere where there is consistent media.

Rubbish, never heard of it til you mentioned it, don't talk balls

You sound proud too of your blatant musical ignorance

PeteSilas said:

jaawwnn said:

PeteSilas said:

naw, tomorrow never knows is too much for someone who already seems to not like them, start them off with some of the early stuff I wanna hold your hand or even the rock and roll covers. Also, one of my musical mentors pointed out that a lot of what the beatles did wasn't american at all, a lot of their influences, especially during the psychedelic years, were british music. Of course there were plenty of other elements too. Just wildly creative.

I think it's fun to start with the first real mind-trip song and then go back to see how they got there from Love Me Do.

This, as with any artists with longevity.

jaawwnn said:

PeteSilas said:

naw, tomorrow never knows is too much for someone who already seems to not like them, start them off with some of the early stuff I wanna hold your hand or even the rock and roll covers. Also, one of my musical mentors pointed out that a lot of what the beatles did wasn't american at all, a lot of their influences, especially during the psychedelic years, were british music. Of course there were plenty of other elements too. Just wildly creative.

I think it's fun to start with the first real mind-trip song and then go back to see how they got there from Love Me Do. Agreed about the British influences in the most 1966 stuff, there's a book about it called How the Beatles Destroyed RocknRoll that's worth a read if you haven't read it - a good summary in this review though

ya, i've heard that arguement, some of the top rock critics didn't like any of the late sixties rock. I think it was Dave Marsh who said that the only group to stay true to it's roots was Creedance Clearwater Revival. Jerry Lee Lewis said in an interview that "they were great for what they did but I never liked it" when Gumbel asked why he answered "they took the simplicity out of it". I always thought that was a loaded comment coming from a musician as great as Jerry, that his playing was way more complex than a lot of the stuff most rock musicians were doing. The remnants of Boogie Woogie, Jazz and their impact pretty much insured that there would be some level of musical complexity in rock and roll and there was. I read a book once that stated that anything the beatles did was simple compared to classical music. They changed music and you can hear and see it in all the acts that followed them, particularly in the 70's. And....they came back hard to Rock and roll whenever they felt like it, it's not like they lost their ability to do Helter Skelter or Come Together. As for me, I just like music that moves me, i don't really care where it comes from and there isn't a single genre I've listened to that hasn't had a handful of songs that have done that.

1Sasha said:

As someone who grew up in the 60s and adored/still adores The Beatles, I am amazed at people who have never listened to their work, or who have a negative opinion of them. They were/they are the reason music is where it is today. To each his or her own, but "A Day in The Life" is a masterpiece. Conversely, with the exception of Motown of the 60s, I don't care to hear any soul, R&B, rap, hiphop or similar music.

And what a masterpiece is that,

1Sasha said:

As someone who grew up in the 60s and adored/still adores The Beatles, I am amazed at people who have never listened to their work, or who have a negative opinion of them. They were/they are the reason music is where it is today. To each his or her own, but "A Day in The Life" is a masterpiece. Conversely, with the exception of Motown of the 60s, I don't care to hear any soul, R&B, rap, hiphop or similar music.

You sound racist.

rdhull said:

honer said:

Rubbish, never heard of it til you mentioned it, don't talk balls

You sound proud too of your blatant musical ignorance

He does, and i'm quite sure he's lying.

214 said:

rdhull said:

You sound proud too of your blatant musical ignorance

He does, and i'm quite sure he's lying.

Now that you mention it, I'm sure he is. Just to prove a ridiculous point too.

Is The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ really the greatest album of all time? These kids certainly do not think so
By Leonie Cooper | Jun 16, 2017 | NME

It used to be a truth universally acknowledged that The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ – which turned 50 this month – is one of the best, if not the best, albums of all time. But is it really, or is it just a load of old hippy tosh? Leonie Cooper tries out the ultimate classic album on some fresh ears and lets a bunch of kids decide whether it’s the perfect record – or actually kind of ‘meh’…

Duke, 4

What’s your favourite music?
Duke: “The Fire Song.” [Duke’s mum tells us he’s a big fan of Ibibio Sound System’s ‘The Pot Is On Fire’, which Duke then plays us]

When do you think the Beatles’ music is from?
Duke: “I don’t know.”

Does it sound like it’s from a long time ago?
Duke: “Yeah.”

Can you play ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ on your guitar?
Duke: “Yeah!”

When you grow up are you going to be in a band?
Duke: “I’m going to play music by myself.”

Will you write better songs than The Beatles?
Duke: “Yes.”

Are any of these Beatles songs as good as ‘The Fire Song’?
Duke: “‘The Fire Song’ is better.”

Are these the best songs you’ve ever heard or are they silly?
Duke: “They’re silly. They’re for adults.”

VERDICT: ‘Sgt Pepper’s’ is not the greatest album of all time.

Mika, 4

Who’s your favourite Beatle?
[Mika points to Ringo]

He’s called Ringo…
Mika: “Ringo?”
Mika’s dad: “What does Ringo mean in Japanese?”
Mika: ‘Apple!”

What do you like about him?
Mika: “Pink.”

This song’s called ‘Fixing A Hole’ – do you like it?
[Mika gets a spade and starts digging holes in the garden]

Excellent work, Mika! How about ‘She’s Leaving Home’?
[Mika chases a cat] “Cleo! Cleo! I just gave Cleo three cat treats.”

Brilliant – do you think Cleo likes this music?
Mika: “Cleo! Maybe she’ll come if we blow bubbles?”

So are The Beatles the best musicians in the world – or is that Bruno Mars?
Mika: “Bruno.”

Do you think The Beatles are good or a bit rubbish?
Mika: “They’re a bit rubbish, but the ‘Hole’ song is not.”

VERDICT: ‘Sgt Pepper’s’ is not the greatest album of all time.

Aurora, 10, and Kasia, 13

What kind of music do you normally listen to?
Aurora: “She’s a big fan of Ariana Grande.”
Kasia: “I like lively pop.”
Aurora: “I like jumpy songs.”


Hmm – not sure how The Beatles will fit in with that. What do you make of the cover picture?
Kasia: “It looks tropical.”
Aurora: “It looks kind of creepy because of this guy.” [Points to very dead comic actor Oliver Hardy]

How about The Beatles themselves – what do you think of their shiny suits?
Kasia: “They look a bit like formal Power Rangers.”

What about Paul McCartney with his moustache?
Aurora: “I really like the McCartney people – they have really awesome food – I’m a vegetarian. Love it.”

Are any of the band handsome?
Aurora: “Not particularly.”

Now for some music… the first track has got the same name as the album.
Aurora: “I imagine a comedy act dancing to it.”
Kasia: “It’s quite strange, because at first it’s really rock-y and roll-y but you can hear the background laughs, like at a comedy show. That didn’t really fit in. But it’s kind of nice.”

How about ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’?
Aurora: “My music teacher makes us listen to this! He makes us listen to really weird stuff, like the blues.”
Kasia: “It sounds like that Toy Story song about friends, but it’s much slower.”
Aurora: “There’s been nothing really horrible yet.”

You’re coping well, girls. This one is called ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’.
Kasia: “Hmm, it’s a bit weird. Too many dynamic changes.”
Aurora: ‘Oh, it’s my favourite one so far. It has a nice beat.”

What do you think it’s about?
Aurora: “Lucy died. That’s why she’s in the sky. She’s gone to heaven and someone’s sad about it. I could make a really good dance to this song.”

Wow – I’ve never thought of it like that. Thoughts on ‘Fixing A Hole’?
Kasia: “It’s too slow. There’s nothing bad about it, but there’s nothing good about it either.”

How about ‘Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite’?
Kasia: “It’s like you’re in the funfair.”
Aurora: “It’s creepy, but in a good way.”

‘Within You Without You’ is different – do you like that?
Kasia and Aurora: “No!”
Aurora: “It’s like a pancake that’s flopped.”
Kasia: “It’s a bit of a bore. It doesn’t fit with the other songs.”
Aurora: “You know that one song that’s skipped on an album? This would be that song.”

And ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’?
Aurora: “I heard that at my grandmother’s 64th birthday. It’s the kind of song that you’d hire a girl to dance to it.”

This one’s ‘Lovely Rita’ – it’s about a parking warden.
Kasia: “Don’t like it. It doesn’t really have a very catchy tune.”
Aurora: “I think people back in the day would have liked it, but, nah.”

So do you think this is the greatest album of all time?
Aurora: “I never listen to a whole album! I just search for songs on YouTube. I don’t think I’d listen to any of these songs at home. I’m into them, but I wouldn’t take my time to go and search them out.”
Kasia: “‘Yellow Submarine’ is way better than all of these. I feel like this is the beginning of their career when they didn’t really know what they were doing. I wouldn’t pay money for it.”
Aurora: “Yeah, it’s kind of all over the place. They certainly were amazing musicians, but times have changed.”

VERDICT: ‘Sgt Pepper’s’ is not the greatest album of all time.

‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band [50th Anniversary Stereo Edition]’ by The Beatles is out now, and in spite of what the kids think, it is excellent.

What do these boys know about music, they would say the same if they heard Prince's music, they don't even know how to clean their arseholes. What do they know really?. But no, it's not the greatest album of all time. It might be the most influential one, but not the best.

• I think Sergeant Pepper's is an extremely important and brilliant album--its one of my favorites, but I would contend that it was more of an event (in terms of concept albums) for the youth market. Concept albums were indeed already around.

I am a Sinatra fan. I recall reading quite a bit about his being one of the first singers to realize how an album could be more than just a collection of hit songs or covers. He was there when LP's were invented and immediately realized he wanted his songs to have connections either thematically or sonically. His first concept album was Songs for Young Lovers (1953) followed by Swing Easy, then Wee Small Hours of the Morning, and then Songs for Swinging LOvers and then No ONe care and then his masterpiece "Sinatra sings songs only for the lonely". He even had the album Come Fly with Me (all the songs are about places or travel)> He was still doing concept albums into the 1960's with September of My years and the cult classic Watertown (which literally told a story with its songs). The songs in Only the Lonely all have the same theme of loneliness and they are also Nelson Riddle arranged (just as Wee Small Hours was). Nelson Riddle by the way was freaking genius. Only the Lonely is a tremendous album. Its probably my favorite album in which the singer didnt write the songs. Sinatra was great to me because he was the only real male torch singer. Torch singers are generally women, crooners are generally men, but Sinatra was a torch singer.

Moonbeam said:

jaawwnn said:

Moonbeam said: No this is where you're wrong. The Beatles didn't invent the album, I never said that, but they made it an EVENT. There's a reason why everyone brought out high concept albums after it but not before. There's a a reason why suddenly the packaging and the art were all related and part of the experience and not interrupted by adverts for other albums on the record label. Loose song collections like In the Wee Small Hours or Harry Belafonte's Calypso (the first million selling album) are fantastic but didn't have the ambition or impact of Sgt Peppers. It's not even my fav Beatles album but personally I'm sick of people trying to rewrite history and minimize the impact it had.

That's not to say it didn't have a big impact. It did. But to contend that "we wouldn't be listening to albums if not for Sgt. Pepper's" as you did is a big overreach, IMO. People were recording and releasing classic albums before The Beatles and certainly before Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

According to acclaimedmusic.net, there are 10 albums among the most acclaimed 100 of all-time released before 1967.

It just doesn't make sense to argue that without Sgt. Pepper's, none of us would be listening to albums. The obvious implication of such a statement is that people wouldn't be making albums if not for this one particular highly influential album. That's just a huge stretch. Argue that it was impactful all you like, and you won't get a rebuttal from me.

Sgt. Pepper's was not the first concept album. It may have been the first commercially massive concept album. A few others were massive as well, some even more so, such as Dark Side of the Moon (another album I don't care for, FWIW).

[Edited 6/21/17 19:03pm]

those early Jackson 5 albums were great also. they had a lot of filler but had some incredible moments. thats why they sold so well

214 said:

What do these boys know about music, they would say the same if they heard Prince's music, they don't even know how to clean their arseholes. What do they know really?

You must be pretty negative to be upset over what children think. It's not that serious. Why would the average kid today care about The Beatles or Prince? Not the popular acts of their generation like Drake, Ariana Grande, or Miley Cyrus are. It's like an elementary school student in the 1980s, who watched MTV, caring about the music of the Andrews Sisters and Dean Martin. The average person don't listen to their parents music, and especially not their grandparents music. Like one of the girls in the article said that her music teacher played weird music like the blues. Hip hop is the pop music of today and that's what you'll see charting high in Billboard.

MickyDolenz said:

214 said:

What do these boys know about music, they would say the same if they heard Prince's music, they don't even know how to clean their arseholes. What do they know really?

You must be pretty negative to be upset over what children think. It's not that serious. Why would the average kid today care about The Beatles or Prince? Not the popular acts of their generation like Drake, Ariana Grande, or Miley Cyrus are. It's like an elementary school student in the 1980s, who watched MTV, caring about the music of the Andrews Sisters and Dean Martin. The average person don't listen to their parents music, and especially not their grandparents music. Like one of the girls in the article said that her music teacher played weird music like the blues. Hip hop is the pop music of today and that's what you'll see charting high in Billboard.

I don't care, those kids are my enemies now, i don't ever want to watch those boys and girls again.

214 said:

I don't care, those kids are my enemies now, i don't ever want to watch those boys and girls again.

It appears that a certain person who always has a cow when she sees the names Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Elvis Presley, & Justin Timberlake is rubbing off on you.