The Beatles

[Anita Bensoussane]

The documentary about how the song 'Now and Then' was put together was shown on The One Show this evening. It was really moving to watch, and I look forward to hearing the whole song.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

I have just listened to Now and Then, and I'm sure it will grow on me. The harmony of John and Paul in the middle gave me a tingle!

If you go to Radio 2 Scott Mills, it is played at the start of the show.

[Bertie]

I've never really got into The Beatles, to be honest.

There's a number of groups (I won't list all the others) who I can tell obviously did some very good songs, but I never really 'warmed' to them as a group for some reason. So while I can fully appreciate their quality whenever I hear them, I never really go out of my way to listen to them in the same way I do with other groups that I just 'warm to' more.

Fully aware of how pretty much blasphemous that sounds.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

Thanks to Anita for suggesting the One Show

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m ... w-01112023

I'm a bit bewildered at the shot of Chesil Beach from Abbotsbury Hill in Dorset, though!

I shall be enjoying this 6 part series
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001s6hw

[Boodi 2]

Fully aware of how pretty much blasphemous that sounds.

Everybody is different and there is no accounting for taste! Mind you, I love the Beatles, but my absolute favourite music is French chanson (especially the late Charles Aznavour), which I am sure many people cannot understand!

[Anita Bensoussane]

Having listened to 'Now and Then', it certainly isn't up there with the best of The Beatles. Having said that, the story of how the song came about and how it brings The Beatles together for the final time is special.

[Courtenay]

Yes, I agree — not the greatest Beatles song by a long shot (and they weren't aiming for it to be that), but a good song in itself and quite poignant to know how it came about. John's vocals are so clear and familiar-sounding that you could swear he was there in the studio with them. Just a pity they only had a recording of George playing the accompaniment and not an awesome guitar solo, but at least all four of them are part of it... a fitting farewell.

[Lucky Star]

I agree. By no means their finest but it's amazing that it has appeared after so long and it's definitely a good song. Very poignant video to go with it as well.

[Katharine]

I've always been a bit indifferent to the Beatles - possibly because when I was growing up they were made such a fuss of, that the rebellious part of me didn't want to run with the crowd!

In recent years, I've come to appreciate that they did produce some pretty good songs, and last night there was a programme about them. I only had it in the background, so didn't pay it too much attention, but just enjoyed the music.

Just before the end I realised that Paul McCartney was speaking this year, and that it was about the video for the new release. So I gave the screen my full attention. I'd heard the song twice before, the first time I nearly switched it off half way through as I thought it a bit boring, but it grew on me, and this morning I woke up with it as an earworm!

I found the video quite moving, especially the end. I agree with the comments that say it's not the finest thing they've produced, but finding and releasing such a long time after their heyday, and with only 2 of the band still alive, I think the title 'Now and Then' quite fitting. Somehow I don't think something fun like Yellow Submarine would have been as special.

[GloomyGraham]

The ''new" song isn't a great one and I can't think it would ever have been released as a single back in the day.

But it still is very 'Beatlish' and I could certainly think it might have been a track on one of their albums.

Paul McCartney is playing some concerts in Australia right now and at 81 is performing sets longer than two hours with 30+ songs at each performance to very good reviews. Quite amazing.

[Chris_jr]

The new mixes all stereo in the triple lp/two set expanded reissue of 1962-1966 are interesting from the point of view of how they deal with everything on far left and right stereo versions of some of the songs notably those from With The Beatles and Rubber Soul.

[pete9012S]

John's Solo album 1970 merged with Paul's 1971 Wild Life.

These two album covers have always reminded me a little of each other.
I decided to merge them to see how they would fit..

[pete9012S]

Some early Beatles pics before they achieved massive, worldwide fame:









Paul must have liked that style of shirt as he seems to be wearing a very similar one years later!

[Splodj]

Who are the other people?

There is a photo of John Lennon, Peter Sissons, Brian Labone and Jimmy Tarbuck on a school trip.

[pete9012S]

Here is the last batch of pics of The Beatles before they achieved massive fame: