Comments on: Redoing the Beatles

Redoing the Beatles

darkripper — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:56:40 -0800

Sgt. Pepper's 2.0 . fourty years later, BBC 2 is preparing a recording session (with the original recording instrumentation and Geoff Emerick) to be aired on 2 June. Oasis, The Killers, Razorlight, James Morrison, The Fratellis, Travis and the Kaiser Chiefs are the artists currently announced. Not the first time someone covers the Beatles (there's even a mashup, previously covered on Mefi).
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By: ZenMasterThis

ZenMasterThis — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:00:30 -0800

Sounds positively dreadful.

By: jokeefe

jokeefe — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:05:14 -0800

*winces* Why on earth do this?

By: jokeefe

jokeefe — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:05:57 -0800

Travis? Please tell me Nigel Godrich isn't involved in this.... *walks away muttering*

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:06:33 -0800

It might just be crazy enough to work! On second thought... maybe not On a related note, here's the trailer for the Sgt. Pepper's movie. It's... something else.

By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:09:16 -0800

Absolutely worstest Beatles covers ever can be found in an odd little album called "All This And World War II" which I played exactly once.

By: puke & cry

puke & cry — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:12:50 -0800

yuck

By: 2sheets

2sheets — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:14:02 -0800

*vomits*

By: tremspeed

tremspeed — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:19:33 -0800

disgusting.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:24:00 -0800

What everyone else said. (Except Dizzy, just cause I never heard that particular covers record.)

By: GavinR

GavinR — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:25:42 -0800

I have a copy of Big Daddy's Sgt. Pepper's cover album. That one was actually not that bad. This new one sounds like garbage.

By: edgeways

edgeways — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:26:32 -0800

def seems like a silly idea, lets take something that means a lot to a bunch of people and fuck with it, perhaps we'll make something mediocre. bah -1

"The range and quality of artists involved ensure that this will be a fitting tribute to one of the great albums of all time."

::coff:: yeah, good luck with that.

By: R. Mutt

R. Mutt — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:30:12 -0800

the Sgt. Pepper's movie... should be evidence enough that this is a bad bad idea....

By: R. Mutt

R. Mutt — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:33:38 -0800

"The range and quality of artists involved" in the bad bad movie... Peter Allen, Australian singer, Academy award-winning songwriter and Las Vegas performer. Keith Allison, member of Paul Revere and the Raiders. George Benson, jazz musician. Keith Carradine Carol Channing Charlotte Crossley, Sharon Redd and Ula Hedwig, (the Harlettes, Bette Midler's back-up singers). Jim "Dandy" Mangrum, vocalist of southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas. Sarah Dash, member of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles and LaBelle. Rick Derringer, guitarist, member of the McCoys ("Hang on Sloopy"), Steely Dan and The Edgar Winter Group. Barbara Dickson, RSO Records recording artist, cast member of John, Paul, George, Ringo....and Bert, a musical co-produced by Robert Stigwood. Donovan, British recording artist, and Beatles friend. Randy Edelman, film and tv score composer Yvonne Elliman, who had a hit with "If I Can't Have You" from Saturday Night Fever (1977) José Feliciano, Puerto Rican singer and guitarist Leif Garrett, teen idol Geraldine Granger Adrian Gurvitz, English singer/songwriter Billy Harper, jazz saxaphonist Eddie Harris, jazz saxaphonist Heart Nona Hendryx, member of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles and LaBelle. Barry Humphries, Australian comedian, appears as his alter ego Dame Edna Everage. Etta James, American blues, R&B, and gospel singer. Dr. John Bruce Johnston, member of the Beach Boys Joe Lala, percussionist D.C. LaRue, disco musician Jo Leb Marcella Detroit,(as Marcy Levy), musician, singer, songwriter who, at the time had worked with Bob Seeger and Bruce Springsteen. Mark Lindsay, lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders Nils Lofgren, member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Jackie Lomax, guitarist, singer/songwriter, friend of George Harrison John Mayall, English blues singer and songwriter Curtis Mayfield, American soul, funk and R&B singer, songwriter and guitarist Bruce Morrow,"Cousin Brucie", an American radio personality Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits Alan O'Day Lee Oskar The Paley Brothers Robert Palmer Wilson Pickett Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters Bonnie Raitt Helen Reddy Minnie Riperton Chita Rivera Johnny Rivers Monti Rock III Danielle Rowe Sha-Na-Na Del Shannon Joe Simon Jim Seals and Dash Crofts Connie Stevens, actress John Stewart Tina Turner Frankie Valli Gwen Verdon, actress and dancer Diane Vincent Grover Washington Jr. Hank Williams Jr. Johnny Winter Wolfman Jack Bobby Womack Alan White Lenny White Gary Wright

By: lisa g

lisa g — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:35:07 -0800

There was a relatively good Sgt. Pepper's cover comp called Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father, released in 1988, with Sonic Youth, the Wedding Present, the Fall (among the first times I'd heard any of those bands, which I grew to love) -- not all of the compilation was great, but to me in a Midwestern suburban high school in the '80s, it had a cool indie-UK vibe. This, though, seems like a weak cash-grab.

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:35:41 -0800

Not the first time someone covers the Beatles (there's even a mashup, previously covered on Mefi). What the fuck? You mean people have covered the Beatles before? I had no idea! Or was this just one of those "Oh shit I have to pad out my posts with half a dozen extra Googled links and Wikipedia pages because single-link posts are bad" efforts? And just for future reference, saying there is a mashup of The Beatles is also a real, real big understatement.

By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:43:43 -0800

Jimbob, please return to the parking lot of BeatleFestConWorldExpo '83. You left the lights on in your Gremlin.

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:45:53 -0800

By: It's Raining Florence Henderson

It's Raining Florence Henderson — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:54:07 -0800

I read the news today oh, boy About some lucky bands who made the grade And though the news was rather bad Well, I just had to laugh I'd burned the phonograph They played the life out of some songs They hadn't notice that the times had changed A crowd of people sat and LOLed They'd seen this shit before Nobody was looking for a retread from a bunch of whores I heard a song today oh, boy Some english artists had just changed the world A crowd of people tried to cash in But I just turned away I'd heard it in the day I'd love to turn... this... off... Logged on, opened this thread Was appalled by what I'd read Clicked over to MetaTalk and dropped a snark Checked my pulse, and noticed I was dead Found my soul and said goodnight Headed straight into the light Found my way upstairs and sat a spell Somebody noticed and sent me back to Hell Ahhhhhhhhhhh I read the news today oh, boy About the Sgt. Pepper's 2.0 And though it impacts me not at all It felt like quite a fall Now I know how many times to bang my head against the wall I'd love to turn... this... off...

By: kozad

kozad — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:02:29 -0800

Go Raining Henderson (the Hendersons will all be there, late of Pablo Fanques fair, what a scene)! No one can stop them. But ignoring them will be something, anyway.

By: Mr_Zero

Mr_Zero — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:02:36 -0800

It will only cheapen the original. While they are at it why don't they cover Stairway to Heaven.

By: darkripper

darkripper — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:05:57 -0800

Mr Zero: don't give them bad ideas :)

By: Chinese Jet Pilot

Chinese Jet Pilot — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:06:50 -0800

It was 40 years ago today? God am I feeling old... At least Love wasn't a train wreck -- of course, it's a remix, not a cover.

By: the sobsister

the sobsister — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:11:50 -0800

Mojo magazine put out an all-covers SPLHCB CD with their March '07 issue. A mixed bag quality-wise but all new artists to discover, for me at least. This just reeks of--dare I say it?--commercialism rather than artistic inspiration. Although at least Oasis will have a chance to play Beatles' music they haven't denatured and called their own, so that'll be a nice change. Did someone look at the Love CD and think, "hmmm...mid-period Beatles, slightly different but not off-puttingly so, mega-sales worldwide...by Jove!...get me Liam Gallagher on the phone!"

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:14:36 -0800

i have a vinyl sgt pepper knew my father (mentioned by lisa g, above). the fall's version of a day in the life is, well, it's the fall. what do i need to say? the wedding present's it's getting better all the time is similarly awesome.

By: cortex

cortex — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:24:46 -0800

Oh, Flo. Why do you do this to me? It will only cheapen the original. I've always found that argument lacking. I understand that seeing someone do a crap job of emulating something you're fond of could be frustrating, but, gods, it's not like they're replacing the album; they're just making a knock-off. Anything that can be cheapened by as little as a poor imitation hasn't got the yarbles to be a classic in the first place. Pepper and the boys will live through this.

By: Methylviolet

Methylviolet — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:27:37 -0800

But when is someone going to update that classic Beatles tribute track, "One Down Three to Go" by the Meatmen? (Here's the tablature, Mefi musicians!)

By: vronsky

vronsky — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:37:42 -0800

Julie Taymor's new film, Across the Universe, looks much more promising. Blake Leyh (mefite) did the sound design. here is his music blog entry with links to the trailer and mp3 excerpt - Across The Universe is a musical featuring 35 re-imagined Beatles songs. It tells the story of a young man from Liverpool named Jude who comes to America looking for his father and becomes embroiled in the counter-culture of the 1960's in New York. The film features new versions of the songs, sung live by the actors, with a few celebrity cameos from the likes of Bono (I Am The Walrus) and Joe Cocker (Come Together). The film is 95% finished, and I think it's great - one of the most enjoyable working experiences of my career, and the most elaborate sound design I have created since The Abyss in 1989. The film is scheduled for a release in September 2007, and you can see the (corny but effective) trailer here.

By: influx

influx — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:38:04 -0800

The cover is going to be the collected bands taking a massive shit on Lennon's grave. Christ alive, I can't think of any bands less appropriate to do this. What do a bunch of throwback trad pub bands have in common with a band who were always looking forwards?

By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:39:59 -0800

dang, vron-- I lurrrve "The Abyss" and am gratified to know you had a hand in it.

By: vronsky

vronsky — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:50:01 -0800

Not me diz, I'm just a fan.

By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:52:39 -0800

Oops. Picked the wrong day to stop huffing Keith's da.

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:55:36 -0800

Geoff Emerick is the engineer who threw a fit and stormed out of the room when George Martin told him to cut up the carnival music tapes into one-foot lengths, thow them up in the air, then tape them back together (Results can be heard in the middle of Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite). The engineer and the equipment may add flavor to the music, and yes, you can learn to distinguish the greats like Tchad Blake of Bill Bottrell, but they don't make the music great. That requires great musicians, and in the case of Sgt. Peppers, a great producer. And Oasis areren't frauds merely because they're self-deluded. Worst. Pablum. Ever.

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:57:04 -0800

...Tchad Blake or Bill Bottrell...

By: eustacescrubb

eustacescrubb — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:05:22 -0800

1. Collect a lot of shitty British bands. 2. Get them to cover the Beatles. 3.??? 4. Profit!

By: jack_mo

jack_mo — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:05:53 -0800

There was a relatively good Sgt. Pepper's cover comp called Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father, released in 1988, with Sonic Youth, the Wedding Present, the Fall Also Wet Wet Wet, Courtney Pine and Frank Sidebottom. Spectacularly fucking odd album, that. Also, as if to prove that my head is full of useless bibble, it's the only LP on the NME label.

By: Sparx

Sparx — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:35:02 -0800

Bearing all the above in mind, it's Pepper 2.0 about as much as the Star Wars kid is Empire Strikes Back.

By: R. Mutt

R. Mutt — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:07:10 -0800

Yea, except I feel sorry for the Star Wars kid.

By: drinkmaildave

drinkmaildave — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:22:09 -0800

And in 2008 it will be the 'Cheap Trick Live at Budokan' 30 year anniversary tribute album. With covers by Paul Anka and Ozzy.

By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:34:11 -0800

I'd pay serious jack to hear ol' Paul cover "Dream Police".

By: Methylviolet

Methylviolet — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:43:58 -0800

No, My Chemical Romance will do "Dream Police." Pussycat Dolls will do "Surrender." Bands that suck now, suck a lot more than bands that sucked in my day, sonny.

By: Lentrohamsanin

Lentrohamsanin — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:13:22 -0800

Sgt. Peppers is a honeypot that keeps these twonkbucklers from doing the same thing to Revolver.

By: jalexei

jalexei — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:23:07 -0800

Wow - I was part of a house painting crew on the 20th anniversary of the release, listening to 8 hours of a classic rock station playing the "It was 20 years ago today!" snippet before and after every commercial - God I feel old. Then I see drinkmaildave's comment about Cheap Trick. Live at Budokan was the first album I ever bought... As an 8-track.... I'm going to go in my room and wait to die.

By: dbarefoot

dbarefoot — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:33:10 -0800

If anybody wants to download an apparent (I haven't finished downloading it yet to confirm) zip file of "Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father", you can do so here.

By: sparkletone

sparkletone — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:44:53 -0800

Please tell me Nigel Godrich isn't involved in this... He needs to be helping finish up the next radiohead record. No extra curricular activities for him!

By: kozad

kozad — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:48:51 -0800

I love "Love," BTW. Didn't expect to. But it's delightful and mysterious and faithful to the Fab Four. Unlike, as we all predict, this forthcoming fiasco.

By: Rangeboy

Rangeboy — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:13:49 -0800

Twonkbucklers?

By: Lentrohamsanin

Lentrohamsanin — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:21:38 -0800

I make up insults when I'm tired. Got a problem with that, mushpaste?

By: Faint of Butt

Faint of Butt — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:29:55 -0800

Thanks, dbarefoot!

By: ZenMasterThis

ZenMasterThis — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:37:58 -0800

And Oasis areren't frauds merely because they're self-deluded. Worst. Pablum. Ever. [in whiny voice] Champagne Supernooooovaaaaaaahhhh. *pukes*

By: cortex

cortex — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 21:12:01 -0800

Here's Flo's parody, recorded.

By: srboisvert

srboisvert — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 02:08:32 -0800

Ah the sweet paralysis of nostalgia combined with the jaded prescience that the future will suck. Either mefites have gone off their meds or they have become parents. Let every song be covered. Let new things be made out of old things. It's life. Fear of letting people experiment and frequently suck is a sign that you have gotten old and conservative. The Beatles don't get diminished when someone covers Sgt. Pepper and neither do you. If all you all close your eyes and hold hands and wish it was 1967 don't be surprised when you open your eyes and find yourself in a nursing home.

By: kimota

kimota — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 12:13:49 -0800

To be fair, the Fratellis did a great cover of T. Rex's "Solid Gold Easy Action," even managing to turn it up a notch. So, whatever track they're doing should be worth checking out.

By: jokeefe

jokeefe — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 13:33:44 -0800

Please tell me Nigel Godrich isn't involved in this... He needs to be helping finish up the next radiohead record. No extra curricular activities for him! As someone who's been waiting with bated breath for LP7 for what feels like years, I can only agree.

By: jokeefe

jokeefe — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 13:39:17 -0800

Oh hang on.... it has been years! What was I thinking. They've had time to mess with Big Ideas beyond recognition [/bitter]. Sorry, derail, etc.

By: KingoftheWhales

KingoftheWhales — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 23:08:53 -0800

I love the Fratellis, and so I at least look forward to their take on the Beatles (a band which I don't particularily enjoy).

By: chuckdarwin

chuckdarwin — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 07:49:25 -0800

Uncut magazine did this last month on their free CD. It was also catastrophically awful.