Tag Archive | Music

The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets: Setting The Stage

May20

I read The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice back in November 2010.  It never really let go of my imagination.  As in so many cases, there is so much to say I find it hard to know where to begin.  Set in post-World War II Britain in the early/mid-1950s, it is hard not to see the influence of the unbridled optimism of the period on just about everything, especially music and fashion.

Despite being a piece of fiction, the musical superstars of the era, Johnnie Ray, and later Elvis, are very real.  I have to admit that I had never heard of Johnnie Ray before this book and wasn’t quite sure if he was just a fictional part of the book.  A tiny bit of internet research made it clear that he was indeed real.

What I love most about the book is Eva Rice’s well-developed description of true love of music, not just the passing fads of impressionable teenage girls.  Yes, Penelope Wallace, the teenage protagonist of The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets, is a devoted fan of Johnnie Ray’s, but right from the beginning of the novel you can tell it is so much more.  She is deeply in love with the music.  She is so deeply in love with the music of Johnnie Ray as a matter of fact that it becomes a part of her whirlwind teenage life in London with her friends Charlotte, Harry, and later her brother Inigo, who idolizes Elvis.

Ok.  This is where I’m going to stop for a minute.  Does any of this bring anything to mind?  As I read the book back then, it hit me.  I was very reading about the Britain in which the Beatles grew up.  They, like Inigo, loved Elvis and treasured any and every album they could get imported from the United States.  The music they grew up with inspired them so much that they later went on to not only create a huge catalog of their own, but also became the biggest band rock and roll has ever seen.

What made the connection so obvious to me were the descriptions of the crowd outside of the London Palladium before a Johnny Ray concert – a taste of the Beatlemania that would later sweep the country – and descriptions of Teddy Boys encountered by Penelope and her new friend Charlotte.  Teddy Boys in 1950s England dressed in leather, defied authority, and greased back their hair.  As an American, I would compare the 1950s British Teds to 1950s American Greasers.  The TED look was very much a part of the early Beatles look, that is until Brian Epstein agreed to help the band and helped them to clean up their act.  My favorite part of the entire “look” has to be the DA haircut.

Until I read John by Cynthia Lennon, I had no real clue what the haircut was called.  As she met John and all the Beatles during the TED phase, she talks a little bit about the haircut, which she terms the DA, shorthand for Duck Arse.  I couldn’t help but laugh.  It does indeed look exactly like a duck’s butt.  She states she felt the mop top was a huge improvement, and I have to agree.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice.  It gave me a glimpse into a world long since gone, full of optimism and glamour that may never return.  I love how music is used in the novel and hope I can only do it half as well someday.

Book review: ‘The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets’ by Eva Rice | write meg!

John Lennon, pre-fame, with the DA haircut.

Beatles, early 60s, dressed as Teds – probably in Hamburg.

 

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April 2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge: Beatles Edition ~ Wrap Up

May12

I’ve tried unsuccessfully over the last few evenings to fully summarize my experience with April 2012 Blogging A to Z.  There is that much to say.  For a full understanding of why I chose to write about the Beatles, you really have to go way back.  I have hundreds of memories of Beatles music from my childhood, just a lot of very fun memories.  I even remember when I first became aware of who the Beatles were.  I happened to be riding with my parents in my Mom’s car at age 6 or 7 when a Beatles song came on.  My parents started talking about the Beatles, almost arguing really – my Dad isn’t exactly a fan, and I was lost.  I wanted to take sides, but I had never heard of the Beatles before.  I just did what all kids do.  I asked.

Back then, in the mid-1980s, I don’t think people fully appreciated the Beatles impact on pop culture yet.  I still have no idea how they managed to be so far ahead of everyone else.  Decades ahead of their time, I think at least some of their music sounds as though it firmly belongs in the 1980s, or in some cases, the 1990s.  By the time the Beatles became popular again in the mid-1990s thanks to the Anthology project, I, as a cynical young teenager, relegated them to my early childhood.  I really didn’t think much of them at the time or fully realize just how much of their music impacted everything else that came after it.

By the time I was a freshman at Michigan State 1999-2000, everything changed.  At the time there was a lot going on in the “alternative” music scene and in pop music generally.  For every White Stripes, there seemed to be two Backstreet Boys or a Britney Spears or two.  My freshman year roommate, much to my despair, loved the Backstreet Boys.  Fortunately for me I became friends with a girl who lived across the hall who loved good music as much as I did.  Her little sister joined us in Snyder-Phillips Hall the very next year.  The three of us, occasionally joined by a random friend or two, would spend entirely too much time just wandering around a used music store nearby.  Normally each of us would end up with a new used CD or two.  We’d then go back and share, acting like total goofballs.  Somewhere along the line I realized that my love for the Beatles will never really die.

After my freshman year I made a decision that would eventually shape the rest of my time at Michigan State and my life.  I decided to spend a good chunk of the summer studying in London through MSU’s study abroad program.  It was the first of five study abroad programs I’d complete by the time I graduated in 2004.  London was everything I expected it to be – and more.  Oddly enough I didn’t take the time to visit any of the Beatles related sites in London – not even Abbey Road – or visit Liverpool.  That will have to wait for another day.

As part of the study abroad program I had to create a final research project relating either to art or literature.  The project had to have approval of our Professor before we could even begin.  My original idea was to detail the influence of the Beatles on today’s pop music, particularly modern pop music in the UK.  It pains me to even write the truth because it just shows you how ignorant I was at age 19.  My professor kindly suggested that the subject was way too broad.  Of course it was, I just didn’t know it at the time.  Keep in mind at this time I wasn’t very familiar with the Beatles best works, nor did I know just how innovative they were as most of their innovations are common practice in the early 21st century (think music videos, concept albums, writing original material, etc.).

In the end I decided to compare five different theatrical performances – and nailed the project.  I enjoyed spending time in London’s West End and loved every minute of my study abroad experience.  Still, I never truly forgot my original idea for the project.  I think it might have been in the back of my mind when I decided on a Beatles theme for April 2012 Blogging A to Z.

So, what did I learn from the experience?  Well, I learned a ton about the Beatles.  I’ve always been a fan, particularly of Paul.  Throughout the entire series what struck me most was just how talented they all were – and in the case of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, still are.  It is so easy to hinge their success on John Lennon/Paul McCartney, but it became so clear to me that you needed the talents of George and Ringo too to truly account for their success.  And speaking of their success, it continues to blow me away.  In my opinion, it is all rightly deserved.

I also learned a lot about Paul and Linda McCartney’s relationship, Wings, their family, and Linda’s photography.  Now I want to learn more and plan a series discussing those topics at a later date.  When it came to John Lennon and his relationship with Yoko Ono, I actually wanted to avoid the subject for the most part.  I’m not a big fan of Yoko Ono even though I don’t think she deserves the popular blame for breaking up the Beatles.  Well, curiosity got the best of me and I happened to check out her entry in Wikipedia.  After watching several interviews, reading the Wiki entry for Yoko, and learning a little about John Lennon’s childhood, I actually feel for her – and for John.  It seems as though they tried to make the best out of some very bad family situations.  Sometimes it is all too easy to place the blame at Yoko Ono’s feet.

Now that April 2012 Blogging A to Z is over, I still find myself wanting to write about the Beatles or at least add a Beatles song to posts.  I love the music, I find the topic endlessly fascinating, and there is always something new to learn.  I will always be a fan.  It’s just sad to think that it’s unlikely another such talent will come along in my lifetime.  I hope everyone enjoyed my posts as much as I enjoyed writing and “researching” them.

Taken from vintage everyday: The Beatles (1964) by Robert Whitaker

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Just Because …

May7

What is better than history and music?  A new version of this song needs to be made for Gen X/Y.  As I was born in 1980, I somehow fall on the fault line.

Notice how somethings never seem to change:  Still war in Afghanistan and tension with Iran.  I could go on and on and on.

For extra-credit:  Anyone know the actress who played the bra-burning hippie chick?  I should know who she is – and it is driving me crazy.

Z is for Dizzy Miss Lizzy/The End

Apr30

Z is for Dizzy Miss Lizzy/The End.  For some reason The Beatles had a way with cover songs early in their career.  Originally composed and performed by Larry Williams in 1958, the Beatles released their version on Help! (1965).  Sadly, we now come to the end of April 2012 Blogging A to Z:  Beatles Edition.

I just couldn’t end this series without including “The End.”  It is the very end of the album Abbey Road – and the last recording of the Beatles together as a band.  I seriously doubt the world will see another such talented and successful band in my lifetime.  The Beatles is and always will be a subject of endless fascination for me.  I hope all of you enjoyed my project as much as I enjoyed putting it all together.  And yes, as always with the Beatles, there is more to come.  Stay tuned.

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Y is for Yesterday

Apr30

Y is for Yesterday.  Written almost exclusively by Paul McCartney in 1964/1965, “Yesterday” has a story and a life all its own.  Originally recorded for the 1965 album Help!, “Yesterday” wasn’t released as a single in the UK until 1976.  The Beatles agreed that it didn’t really fit the rest of their catalog at the time or their image.  It was released as a single in the US in 1965 paired with “Act Naturally,” topping the charts for four weeks and selling over a million copies within five weeks.

Today “Yesterday” is widely acknowledged to be the most recorded popular song of the 20th century with over 2,000 cover versions produced.   In recent decades it topped several lists of best popular songs of the 20th century and all time put out by the likes of MTV, Rolling Stone, and the BBC.  “Yesterday” will be with us for a very long time.

Among Beatles’ fans the story of the song’s inception is legendary.  Paul McCartney supposedly dreamed the entire melody – and couldn’t get it out of his mind.  He went around asking people in the music industry about the song, thinking it was an older song stuck in his subconscious.  After realizing it was an original, he claimed he wrote it in his sleep.  It was only then that he began to work on the lyrics.  And yes, it is true that the original working lyrics were:

“Scrambled Eggs/Oh, my baby how I love your legs.”

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X is for Merry XMas (War Is Over)

Apr29

X is for “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”, released in 1971 as a single on Apple Records by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir.  While the song is in theory a protest song about the Vietnam War, it has become a Christmas standard.  After John Lennon’s murder on 8 December 1980, the song was rereleased in the UK.  In recent years the song seems to land very high on any list of favorite Christmas songs.

While the song certainly isn’t directly Beatle-related, I felt I should include a song from John’s post-Beatle work, as I did with Paul McCartney.  The song is beautiful, and I think it is a shame that the Beatles didn’t write any Christmas music together.

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W is for The White Album

Apr29

W is for The White Album, or more formally, The Beatles.  Released in November 1968 after a contentious year for the Beatles, and the world, in many ways the double album defies description.  Personally, I love it, warts and all.  With the help of modern technology I can selectively skip a few of the subpar songs.  That said there are so many hidden gems on the album even fans tend to forget some of their favorites.

On a personal note, I’ll always associate The White Album with the semester I spent in Spain January to May 2002.  Despite being a huge Beatles fan and hearing about The White Album for years, I never really listened to the entire thing until that point in my life.  My schedule included class Monday through Thursday, leaving three-day weekends to explore Spain.  I’ll leave it at this:  The White Album accompanied me, along with books and a journal, through several hundred miles of Spanish countryside, whether by train or bus.  It will always put a huge smile on my face.

Unfortunately, as a Beatles fan, it is easy to tell it’s the beginning of the end for the band.  It is very possible to indentify “Paul songs” and “John songs” on the album.  The Beatles were growing a part and the fissures in their relationships are apparent on the album.  The album is a mess and all over the place.  That is part of what makes it so much fun.  Enjoy!

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U is for Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey

Apr28

U is for Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey.  I understand that I must justify the Beatles connection.  First, I have to admit that I’ve loved this song for a very long time for a couple of different reasons,  both of which directly relate to the Beatles catalog and are a part of the reason why I love their music so much.

  1. “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” is really two songs or more, in one, connected by a bridge.  The Beatles used this to great effect in both on both “A Day In The Life” and “Happiness Is A Warm Gun.”  Paul McCartney discusses this technique in his recent interview with Fresh Air’s Terry Gross.  I discussed the interview here.  I’m fascinated by this technique.  I’m not sure whether it was Paul McCartney or John Lennon who first decided to try and combine songs, I’m just happy it worked.  The Beatles used a slightly different version of this technique on Abbey Road.  The entire second half of the album is a medley of snippets of songs.  It all blends together well.
  2. “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” also makes extensive use of sound effects, such as a thunderstorm and an answering machine.  The Beatles did this well – and to great effect – on Sgt. Pepper, the song “Piggies,” among others.  This seemingly small point really does help the lyrics tell a true story.  It is the fact that most of the Beatles’ music tells a story that fascinates me as a writer.

Released on 1971’s Ram, “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1971.  Although not technically a Wings’ release, it is featured on several later Wings compilation albums.  It was the first #1 hit for Paul McCartney as a solo artist in the 1970s/1980s.  It is very easy to imagine Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey as a Beatles song.

Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey

Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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T is for Taxman

Apr26

T is for Taxman.  It is one of my favorite Beatles songs for the guitar work alone.  It is one protest song I can get behind whole heartedly.  Originally released on Revolver (1966), “Taxman” is one of three songs written by George Harrison on the album.  While I knew George sang lead on “Taxman,” I did not know Paul McCartney played guitar on the song.  That guitar riff is one of the reasons why I love “Taxman” so much.  Madness.

Paul McCartney and George Harrison Deutsch: Pa...

Paul McCartney and George Harrison Deutsch: Paul McCartney und George Harrison (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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