O, Sweet Lordy!

Left, Bob Dylan and George Harrison, right.

A few months back, Jen and I went to a dinner party, one of the first in a long time, post-COVID. The food and conversation were lovely, but one person in the group launched into a diatribe against George Harrison, the deceased lead guitarist of the Fab Four.

The Beatles, in my mind, are unassailable.… Continue reading

Get Back to Where You Once Baked Bread

Beatles at Twickenham Studios, London, 1969 (Linda McCartney / Apple Corps Ltd. / Disney+)

One of the most compelling moments in Get Back, the three-part documentary about the Beatles’ last days, is when Paul McCartney sits down and begins strumming his bass guitar like a man on a mission. He’s intense, hunched over. It’s restless, aggressive, edged with frustration.… Continue reading

The Beatles and Hot Cross Buns

Beatles for Sale in 1964 and they still sound great!

During last week’s great hot cross bun bake-off, I found companionship, joy, and energy in The Beatles. I am not kidding!

Do this right now: find the original recording of John Lennon singing Twist and Shout (on the Please Please Me album)! I defy anyone not to stay still, let alone dance, while listening to this ball of energy.… Continue reading