Hello all!
We’re nearly through the month now and depending on where you live, I’m certain that winter can’t be over quickly enough. Chicago has seen plenty of single digit temps this past week, and I hope those of you in similar climes are able to hunker down and get through it without too much difficulty. The good news is - at least where I sit - the month seems to be flying by. Anyway, onward…
NEWS
A couple of items have been circulating of late that are worth mentioning. Despite what has been heard and said by some previously, a Rubber Soul SDE (special deluxe edition box set) may yet be in the works. I don’t like dealing with speculation, but another source has put this word out, seemingly based on some inside knowledge. Despite the fact that corporations, we are told, are these days steering their efforts toward profitable streaming outlets over physical media, I am happy to still live in a world where things like this are possible. In Beatles world, anything can happen and usually does, so once some really solid info hits, I’ll share it. Meanwhile, keep your ears to the ground…
Slightly more credible info is saying that the George Harrison Live In Japan set is coming to Dark Horse/BMG in March; presumably remastered (but a remix would not be unwelcome). No word on formats but one would expect vinyl to be part of it.
Fantastic news: the long-awaited documentary, Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It is finally set for release on February 20. Apple’s Jonathan Clyde and Olivia Harrison are credited as executive producers. You can read about it and see the trailer here.
Other podcasts: Joe Wisbey’s Beatle Books show just commemorated their 100th show and have the best of episode to prove it. (Wonder if he knows about David Whelan’s upcoming book…?)
SATB
Taped a most unique show on Friday with one returning guest and one new one on a topic I guarantee that nobody could’ve anticipated, but I feel really good about: watch this space. Another musical show will be taping this week.
I will tell you that it’s frustrating when there are dialogue exchanges with potential guests and suddenly, communication drops off, or the subjects change their minds, or you’re left wondering what happened to the enthusiasm they had back when we first started talking. This has happened 3 or 4 times in the last several months and I have no idea why, apart from people living up to the lower expectations that maybe I should’ve had in the first place. With certain specialized subjects, there may be only a limited number of people qualified to speak on them, so to my mind it leaves a gaping hole in what I want to cover (or you listeners suggest) when the best potential would-be guests decide they don’t want to talk.
Even worse is people who don’t even acknowledge outreach with the courtesy of any response. Case in point: the Yoko Ono exhibit from London’s Tate has been in Chicago for the last few months and I really want to talk with someone connected to it, especially the curation. It will be leaving in February and will next arrive in LA, so I really wanted to cover it while it’s around. (I want to do something more substantive than just report my impressions and that means speaking with someone knowledgeable.) Anyway, following their direction to send an email to a specific party (which I did), nothing. So if anyone out there knows anyone connected to it personally, a nudge would be nice! (And I mean someone directly connected and not any of the FOYs who are always too glad to talk and peddle their product - thank you!)
THE ILLUSTRATED RECORD SHOW
Okay, spewing done. As mentioned last time, I sent a message out to everyone that I had at hand who indicated that they wanted to be part of the panel for the discussion on the Tyler-Carr book and what it meant to them. If you didn’t get that message, shoot me an email (subject line “Head Count”) and I’ll get you on the list. I will be recording things piecemeal starting before the end of the month and hopefully it’ll all come together sooner rather than later (at last!).
THE BIG SATB ANNOUNCEMENT
Readers of this newsletter have been aware of my general distaste for social media and desire to create some kind of forum for listeners for some time. I have a lot of problems with the usual platforms, including the unsuitability for thoughtful exchanges of any real length, and the open nature (anyone can get in) naturally leading to a lowering of the discourse, where disagreements turn to name-calling and knowledge or experiences are turned into malignant one-upsmanship.
What I have been envisioning is taking the community we have been building over the years this podcast has been in existence, and from the corners of the world where the listeners live, and putting it into a common area where everyone can partake and enjoy it. I get far too many messages from listeners that are absolutely invaluable: speaking of their own fan history, or experiences they have had that would be of interest to others, or their deep thinking on a relevant subject that should be shared. To anyone reading this who has written to me: I want you to know that I read everything that comes in, but feel bad that there aren’t enough hours of the day to respond directly to each (I guess not having enough pens doesn’t really work as an excuse anymore).
But if the messages you guys are sharing can be placed into a forum where everyone can read them, and dialogues can ensue, then maybe this podcast will have served an even better purpose than simply information, history and entertainment. So I had been putting the idea out to you all for suggestion, and sure enough one of you came through with an idea that I thought ticked all the right boxes, was viable, and would cost no one anything.
Michael Claxton suggested Discord, long a platform originating with gamers. My own knowledge was very limited, other than awareness that my son was on it with his friends back in middle school. But it has transcended that original purpose and is used now for all kinds of interests. Features include live chat rooms, potential for staging live events (say a live Q&A with a podcast guest), plus forum threads that you, the population, can start up, and all kinds of opportunity to read what others are posting and respond to it, or elicit commentary or ask questions yourself. You get the idea. This will hopefully one day get to be as big as the one I am familiar with (not on Discord), the Steve Hoffman one, but with tighter control so that it doesn’t devolve into the kind negative stuff I’ve described here. I envision it as an online Pepperland, where Beatle people can hang out, enjoy a virtual water cooler with other members, and interact in a much more efficient and community-based way. It will only be as deep as there are people joining in, so I would encourage you all to at least check it out and if you like what you see, invite anyone who you think would be interested. (There are other Beatles-related groups already here, so there’s that…)
Lest it needs to be said: this is intended as a haven of positivity away from the awfulness of the real world, so leave the axes to grind at the door. No politics and no bad behavior will be tolerated. Disagreements are fine (and healthy) but I want everyone to come away feeling pretty good instead of triggered. You’ve got plenty of outside platforms for that. Also, this isn’t an exercise in SATB promotion: I want to hear from other worthwhile podcasters, authors, creators, etc. The more credible, the better the dialogue. [To anyone out there who is a regular poster on say Facebook and you know who you are: you are welcome to bring it here.] What we’re shooting for is richness of content and not the kind of Beatle-related postings that glut current social media that are going more for “likes” than thought. And no AI pix or video either.
I will tell you that if you are not already on Discord (there are the apps for phones or desktop that I encourage you to first download) that there is a learning curve to it, but not a difficult one - I’m sure anyone who can remember the days of dial up service who then went on to master Zoom during the pandemic will have no problems. But this link gives you the knowledge base and you can always reach out and ask me (or ask clax ) The more robust and populated we can make this, the better the experience will be for us all.
Here is the invitation link. Welcome!
HISTORY
On Friday this week, it will be the 56th anniversary of a certain rooftop performance held in London. I know I may sound repetitious in sending you all to They May Be Parted, but really, Dan Rivkin saves me the trouble of writing up a piece on anything connected to January 1969 (and beyond really) in Beatles world, so I’m happy to do it. But here’s something I want to close with: this may be the best version you will see outside the IMAX version presented in 2024.
Enjoy!
All best,
RR
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