Saturday, December 29, 2012

"Pop Go the Beatles" episode number nine, number nine, etc.

The ninth episode of this popular BBC radio show was taped at the same time as number eight and number ten. Probably taped in between both (naturally) on July 16 1963 at BBC Paris Studio in London, England.
The host for this particular show is the same as the other two; namely Rodney Burke. This taped performance was recorded during the early evening. Unlike the previous episode, this one contains some original composed music as well as the first time we hear the new single !
The show starts with the Little Richard cover "Long Tall Sally" which is sung by Paul. The official version for EMI would only be recorded and released the following year. The A-side of the second single is then performed - John's "Please Please Me". The new single is promoted by way of a live performance of "She Loves You"; the first time this is performed live for the BBC and giving the fans to hear a preview of the single before release. Sandwiched in between the A and B side of the new single is a cover of Smokey Robinson's "You Really Got A Hold On Me" which would be featured on the group's second LP to be released later in the year. The B side of the new single is now played in the form of "I'll Get You" sung jointly by John and Paul. This episode is completed with a cover version of "I Got A Woman" sung by John.
Most of the show is available on bootleg via the way of LP: "Yellow Matter Custard" "Outakes 1", "Beautiful Dreamer" and "The Beatles at The Beeb, Volume Five" It can also be heard on disc four of the CD box set "The Beatles - The complete BBC Sessions". Two of the songs were made official via Apple - "Long Tall Sally" and "I Got A Woman" which can be heard on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "Live At the BBC".

Saturday, December 22, 2012

"Pop Go The Beatles" episode number eight

Moving on to the middle of July in 1963, the Beatles once again performed for the BBC on their radio show from the Paris Studio in London. Actually, three shows were taped this day but for this entry we will concentrate on the first taping. The date was July 16 1963. The host for this show is Rodney Burke.
Let's take a look at the tunes performed on this episode. The first song is "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)", an Elvis cover which features some really, really good playing by Ringo. Definitely a hightlight for the drummer. This is followed by "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" - another cover but this time originally recorded by Buddy Holly.  The third song performed is a cover version of "Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey" with the Little Richard arrangement. This tune would eventually be recorded for the Beatles' fourth LP "Beatles For Sale" but this performance is recorded nearly a year before the commercial version.
The next song performed is the Teddy Bear's classic: "To Know Her Is To Love Her" which was also taped during the Decca Auditions on the first day of 1962. This version is much tighter featuring Ringo on the drums rather than Pete Best for the earlier taping. Following this is a cover version of "The Honeymoon Song" taken from the soundtrack for the movie "Honeymoon" logically enough. Another version of the song would pop up on the Apple LP "Postcard" by Mary Hopkin with Paul on acoustic guitar and production. Lastly, The Beatles perform a version of "Twist And Shout" being the last song from the first LP. All the songs performed are covers with no original compositions played (for this episode).
The show can be found on bootleg LP including "Yellow Matter Custard", "Airtime", "The Beatles At the Beeb, Volume Four" as well as CD four of the "Complete BBC Sessions" Great Dane box set.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

"Pop Go The Beatles" episode number Seven.

Recorded on the same day as the previous episode; the date being July 10 1963 and at the same location as well: Studio Five, Maida Vale Studios in London Town. This certain episode also contained the same host (as all this was recorded in one day !!) Rodney Burke.
Let's run down some of the songs performed for the tape recorders on this episode: A couple of covers being previewed for the upcoming second Beatles' LP, a future 1964 EP contender and some mish-mash as well.
The first song performed is "Memphis, Tennesee" sung by John and a cover of the Chuck Berry classic. I've noticed a lot of Chuck Berry sung through John; a very big influence for sure ! This is followed by an original "Do You Want To Know A Secret?" which is sung by George but penned by the songwriting team of Lennon/McCartney (mainly John); a song from the first LP. The next song is the cover sung by Paul "Till There Was You" which would appear on as yet to be completed second LP "With The Beatles" released later in the year (November to be exact; the 22nd to be even more exact). The Carl Perkin's cover "Matchbox" is up next with Ringo on vocals. A version of the song would later appear on the "Long Tall Sally" EP released in 1964. The next song covered is "Please Mister Postman" sung by John with lads on backing vocals and this one would also appear on the as yet to be released upcoming November spectacular "With The Beatles" LP.  Paul completes this episode with a rendition of "The Hippy Hippy Shake".
This episode can be found on the bootleg LP "Broadcasts" as well as the LP "Airtime". Another alternative can be found on the bootleg LP "The Beatles at the Beeb, Volume Four". Keep in mind that three of the above tunes have been released commercially on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "Live At The BBC". "Memphis, Tennesee", "Matchbox" and "The Hippy Hippy Shake" can be found on the above.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

"Pop Go The Beatles" episode number Six.

On the tenth of July 1963, The Beatles recorded a radio show in London for the BBC. The studio used was Studio Five, Maida Vale. The host for this programme was Rodney Burke.
Once again, The Beatles performed a few songs that they would never officially release for EMI and all of which are commercially available as of the mid 90s.
The first song in the show is "Sweet Little Sixteen" sung by John followed by "A Taste Of Honey" (sung by Paul) from the first LP. Next up is a George vocal on the slightly obscure "Nothin' Shakin' (But the Leaves on the Trees)", a rock-a-billy number. The Beatles' first A-side single is then performed "Love Me Do" with Paul on vocal. Following this, a Johnny Burnette number is played with a John vocal "Lonesome Tears In My Eyes" with triple guitar strumming later used by John on his own composition "The Ballad of John and Yoko".  Lastly, an Everly Brothers tune is next in the form of "So How Come (No One Loves Me)" sung by John and George in harmony.
All of the above songs have been bootlegged on various discs over the years including "Yellow Matter Custard", "Young Blood", "Airtime", etc. They were eventually all pulled together on the excellent LP "The Beatles At the Beeb, Volume Four" and also on the Gread Dane CD box set "The Complete BBC Collection".
All of the above tunes were released commercially on Apple's 2-LP/2-CD "Live At the BBC".

Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Beat Show - Live from Manchester

On July 03 1963, The Beatles performed live in Manchester at the Playhouse for the BBC. This show was recorded in the evening. The host for this show is Gay Byrne.
Three songs were performed although only two have shown up on the "Complete BBC Sessions" box set: The first song is the current single (at the time) "From Me To You" and this particular version has not appeare don bootleg. The second the third songs are both from the first LP; these being "A Taste Of Honey" and "Twist and Shout".