Hark! Who goes there? The Faux Four? The Ersatz Beetles? The Querymen? Dirk, Stig & The Moon Dogs? Something's afoot in Tune Tag land, and we may need Jelly Babies to solve it! "Ladies & gentlemen..."
This was sooo much fun! Expert level Tune Tag, this was! I loved how both of you let things flow, and not once did either of you go for an obvious choice. You kept the momentum going, whilst staying true to the spirit that the game chose for itself, so to speak. If this is not communicating without words, only with tunes, then I don’t know what is!
Mad props to Ian, most certainly! Not only to open with "Help!", but in staying the course in our Liverpudlian adventure! I've been gleefully wallowing in this all week...the original playing the Tag with Ian about 3-4 weeks ago, then this past week compiling it all, and just now, I'm enjoying it, with you, like I've never seen/heard it before! It's a highlight of the series, no doubt, and I happily share the credit with Ian!
I sense there are a few more "like these" (songs) that are out there, but, all these I was aware of, as you might guess, Andy, at the time...."Dukes," Todd's, and, of course, The Rutles. I only learned of "Lies" probably in the early-'70s, from the rock press. I might have heard it a few times in '65 (I was 10, and as you know, all over The Beatles!), but couldn't have processed, at that age, anything regarding "sound-alikes," etc. Regardless of who I might have thought it was, it was just another of the glorious sounds coming out of Mommy's car radio, mid-'60s!
A total tune-al, tonal Tune Tag this was! Which ones might've been new to you, Andy? And, which had you heard before, but maybe weren't familiar with their origin? Faves?
It was certainly a blast! All of them were new to me except (obviously) Help. I particularly liked “Lies” (I love how quintessentially Beatles it is, but it’s got an edge of its own, and it’s catchy as hell. I also really liked Primrose Hill. It’s a beautiful area in London (the park, and the hill itself, are emblematic, in a non-touristy, more cool/trendy/local kind of way), and I can feel those musical genes didn’t have to travel far 😜 I tend to favour powerful belts, in-your-face kind of sounds, but this one was special.
Thanks for this, Andy.....I like hearing your reflections and perspectives! Make sure you catch that video within that shows the chord changes and the similarities between "Lies" and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," etc! For a non-player like me, that was really helpful! I'm glad they showed "Primrose Hill" in the vid, and thanks for filling in the "local color," too!
Yes, the similarities are indeed mind-blowing! Always happy to fill in the local colour. The video and the song capture the essence of the place very well.
What he said . . . really impressive to work a fairly specific vein and both convey the impression that you had plenty of choices. It didn't even feel like playing chicken -- who will blink first -- but the fun, which comes through in the text of, "ooh, that was a good choice. I've got another one for him."
Glad you liked, Nick! For me, once I saw we were rolling into that direction ("not The Beatles, but various simulations"!), I almost couldn't wait to get to the next song! Being a power pop aficionado, I've always had exposure to bands and acts who were quite obviously influenced by the Fab Four. That wouldn't necessarily always (or ever) yield a sound-alike sound, but that little lane ended up being a favorite of mine to collect, all thru the '70s.
Kinda like Beach Boy-adjacent/surf artists/tunes i.e. Legendary Masked Surfers, Bruce Johnston solo, Ricci Martin, Dean O. Torrance, et al! Even after saying the above paragraph, you see, in the piece, where Ian came up with things I was aware of, I just failed to think of them (Rutles a good example, or even/especially Dukes)!! Had/loved both albums at the time!
So, with your first sentence, while, yes, a specific, seemingly limited vein, I know from my experiences of records/'70s, that there's even more that Ian and I didn't get to, although, avoiding parody or certainly mockery (Chipmunks!), might've narrowed the field more than I realize! To have this come out like it did made it so much more fun (for everyone, I think!) than if we had set out with a pre-determined themed TT! This was far more organic and less-forced than a pre-set one might've been!
Thanks, as always, Mark! I always appreciate your presence FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE, and your comments and reactions! This was too much fun to play and put together, and Ian was amazing with the songs he came up with! As I mentioned somewhere, here, it was, I think, so much more enriching and fun because it came together organically! The Tune Tag will go where it will go!
Really fun and funny tune tag, especially watching the Beatles lip synching on a plank as Ringo holds a brolly (have never seen that before), the Rutles , and the 'Bockers (also new to me).
Kudos to the ladies in the Hollywood a Go Go 'Bockers vid -- that is some very sharp sixties dancing and they almost stole the show.
Loved the Todd Rundgren stuff, natch, and fun to be introduced to the Dukes and the Beatles' kids.
Wished I had time to watch the 2.5 hours on legend Rupert Holmes. Someday.
Ian, I lived down the M1 from you in St Albans for quite a few years. Never been to Olney but used to go to Milton Keynes. People don't realise how beautiful those shires around the M1 and A1 are -- a well-kept secret and great place to live.
Glad you like, Ellen! Thanks! As for that Beatles vid, I hadn't seen it either, but what a bold, creative vid for some 2 decades before something called MTV would emerge for just that purpose! Ahead of your time, are we lads?! And, yes, our beloved Beatles having no problem "lowering" themselves to such shenanigans, instead of just pretending to stand in front of mics! I mean, with Ringo just holding sticks (or whatever), they're not even trying to make it appear "real"!
Yeah, I still have the Pomeranz/Rupert YT window open, and trying to gnaw off bits and pieces at a time! But, again, with 2 longtime, successful insiders, it's like we're eavesdropping on behind-the-scenes!
I loved the seamless journey through Beatles-inspired tracks, especially Ian's deep dives into The Rutles and Steve Hillage's unique takes. Your back-and-forth with Ian was excellent; the anecdotes keep the whole piece at its usual high level.
This was a true blast from the past! See, the themed Tune Tags are developing naturally on their own! Always loved The Rutles and of course, The Dukes of Stratosphere! Or is it sphear? Eh, who knows and who cares.
That's what I've always said......the Tune Tag will go where it goes! Andy the Partridge, I'm sure, would appreciate you notice his pun-worthy spelling of Dukes of Stratosphear! He'd have it no other way! Things went pretty well for Andy, didn't they, after The Partridge Family flew their separate ways! Honestly, the times he and Tracy would fight over the tambourine? Priceless!
Well, we can fret about the evils of AI, but if it will allow me to replace Danny Bonaduce with Andy Partridge when I watch Partridge Family reruns, count me in as a supporter!
Ha! Oh, yeah, the cure for what ails ya! I had it on release...and, I might've actually seen Lenny write about it in PRM or somewhere! I know Greg Shaw was talking it up in Bomp, and all the critics at all the mags were raving about it! Maybe we can Note Patti to get Lenny to send Ian a signed copy! Glad you liked it, Jeremy! Yeah, this was a fun one, and I sense it'll be a hallmark of the set....I think it is now, and again, give it up for Ian!
It was a scream, no doubt! '78 was a fun time in the record biz, in general, but working at a record store at the time (I was 23), there was certainly a palpable buzz around The Rutles....Warner Bros. came big with the promo materials, and then the appointment TV that was the marriage of The Rutles with SNL and NBC....it was a whirlpool of fabulous music and visuals!
After The Knickerbockers split up, Jimmy Walker worked briefly as Bobby Hatfield's partner in The Righteous Brothers after Hatfield and Bill Medley parted ways.
I didn't know that, David........pretty cool. I just noticed that Walker recorded 3 singles after that brief Hatfield coupling...one for The Knickerbocker's weak Challenge Records, and two, amazingly, for Columbia! If only the 'Bockers could've hung on long enough, they might've also slid into a CBS deal! I'm going to go listen to those Walker singles, and see if there's a musically-riveting story there! Thanks for this!
This was sooo much fun! Expert level Tune Tag, this was! I loved how both of you let things flow, and not once did either of you go for an obvious choice. You kept the momentum going, whilst staying true to the spirit that the game chose for itself, so to speak. If this is not communicating without words, only with tunes, then I don’t know what is!
Mad props to Ian, most certainly! Not only to open with "Help!", but in staying the course in our Liverpudlian adventure! I've been gleefully wallowing in this all week...the original playing the Tag with Ian about 3-4 weeks ago, then this past week compiling it all, and just now, I'm enjoying it, with you, like I've never seen/heard it before! It's a highlight of the series, no doubt, and I happily share the credit with Ian!
I sense there are a few more "like these" (songs) that are out there, but, all these I was aware of, as you might guess, Andy, at the time...."Dukes," Todd's, and, of course, The Rutles. I only learned of "Lies" probably in the early-'70s, from the rock press. I might have heard it a few times in '65 (I was 10, and as you know, all over The Beatles!), but couldn't have processed, at that age, anything regarding "sound-alikes," etc. Regardless of who I might have thought it was, it was just another of the glorious sounds coming out of Mommy's car radio, mid-'60s!
A total tune-al, tonal Tune Tag this was! Which ones might've been new to you, Andy? And, which had you heard before, but maybe weren't familiar with their origin? Faves?
It was certainly a blast! All of them were new to me except (obviously) Help. I particularly liked “Lies” (I love how quintessentially Beatles it is, but it’s got an edge of its own, and it’s catchy as hell. I also really liked Primrose Hill. It’s a beautiful area in London (the park, and the hill itself, are emblematic, in a non-touristy, more cool/trendy/local kind of way), and I can feel those musical genes didn’t have to travel far 😜 I tend to favour powerful belts, in-your-face kind of sounds, but this one was special.
Thanks for this, Andy.....I like hearing your reflections and perspectives! Make sure you catch that video within that shows the chord changes and the similarities between "Lies" and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," etc! For a non-player like me, that was really helpful! I'm glad they showed "Primrose Hill" in the vid, and thanks for filling in the "local color," too!
Yes, the similarities are indeed mind-blowing! Always happy to fill in the local colour. The video and the song capture the essence of the place very well.
What he said . . . really impressive to work a fairly specific vein and both convey the impression that you had plenty of choices. It didn't even feel like playing chicken -- who will blink first -- but the fun, which comes through in the text of, "ooh, that was a good choice. I've got another one for him."
Glad you liked, Nick! For me, once I saw we were rolling into that direction ("not The Beatles, but various simulations"!), I almost couldn't wait to get to the next song! Being a power pop aficionado, I've always had exposure to bands and acts who were quite obviously influenced by the Fab Four. That wouldn't necessarily always (or ever) yield a sound-alike sound, but that little lane ended up being a favorite of mine to collect, all thru the '70s.
Kinda like Beach Boy-adjacent/surf artists/tunes i.e. Legendary Masked Surfers, Bruce Johnston solo, Ricci Martin, Dean O. Torrance, et al! Even after saying the above paragraph, you see, in the piece, where Ian came up with things I was aware of, I just failed to think of them (Rutles a good example, or even/especially Dukes)!! Had/loved both albums at the time!
So, with your first sentence, while, yes, a specific, seemingly limited vein, I know from my experiences of records/'70s, that there's even more that Ian and I didn't get to, although, avoiding parody or certainly mockery (Chipmunks!), might've narrowed the field more than I realize! To have this come out like it did made it so much more fun (for everyone, I think!) than if we had set out with a pre-determined themed TT! This was far more organic and less-forced than a pre-set one might've been!
Wow this was fantastic, an entirely Beatles-adjacent Tune Tag! Thoroughly enjoyed this one gents!
Thanks, as always, Mark! I always appreciate your presence FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE, and your comments and reactions! This was too much fun to play and put together, and Ian was amazing with the songs he came up with! As I mentioned somewhere, here, it was, I think, so much more enriching and fun because it came together organically! The Tune Tag will go where it will go!
Really fun and funny tune tag, especially watching the Beatles lip synching on a plank as Ringo holds a brolly (have never seen that before), the Rutles , and the 'Bockers (also new to me).
Kudos to the ladies in the Hollywood a Go Go 'Bockers vid -- that is some very sharp sixties dancing and they almost stole the show.
Loved the Todd Rundgren stuff, natch, and fun to be introduced to the Dukes and the Beatles' kids.
Wished I had time to watch the 2.5 hours on legend Rupert Holmes. Someday.
Ian, I lived down the M1 from you in St Albans for quite a few years. Never been to Olney but used to go to Milton Keynes. People don't realise how beautiful those shires around the M1 and A1 are -- a well-kept secret and great place to live.
Glad you like, Ellen! Thanks! As for that Beatles vid, I hadn't seen it either, but what a bold, creative vid for some 2 decades before something called MTV would emerge for just that purpose! Ahead of your time, are we lads?! And, yes, our beloved Beatles having no problem "lowering" themselves to such shenanigans, instead of just pretending to stand in front of mics! I mean, with Ringo just holding sticks (or whatever), they're not even trying to make it appear "real"!
Yeah, I still have the Pomeranz/Rupert YT window open, and trying to gnaw off bits and pieces at a time! But, again, with 2 longtime, successful insiders, it's like we're eavesdropping on behind-the-scenes!
I loved the seamless journey through Beatles-inspired tracks, especially Ian's deep dives into The Rutles and Steve Hillage's unique takes. Your back-and-forth with Ian was excellent; the anecdotes keep the whole piece at its usual high level.
Thanks so much, Jon! It was fun dueling toons with Ian, and I even heard a few I'd not heard before....the Hillage one, for sure!
This was a true blast from the past! See, the themed Tune Tags are developing naturally on their own! Always loved The Rutles and of course, The Dukes of Stratosphere! Or is it sphear? Eh, who knows and who cares.
That's what I've always said......the Tune Tag will go where it goes! Andy the Partridge, I'm sure, would appreciate you notice his pun-worthy spelling of Dukes of Stratosphear! He'd have it no other way! Things went pretty well for Andy, didn't they, after The Partridge Family flew their separate ways! Honestly, the times he and Tracy would fight over the tambourine? Priceless!
Well, we can fret about the evils of AI, but if it will allow me to replace Danny Bonaduce with Andy Partridge when I watch Partridge Family reruns, count me in as a supporter!
Loads of fun! And someone needs to get Ian a copy of Nuggets for his birthday...his mind will be blown...
Ha! Oh, yeah, the cure for what ails ya! I had it on release...and, I might've actually seen Lenny write about it in PRM or somewhere! I know Greg Shaw was talking it up in Bomp, and all the critics at all the mags were raving about it! Maybe we can Note Patti to get Lenny to send Ian a signed copy! Glad you liked it, Jeremy! Yeah, this was a fun one, and I sense it'll be a hallmark of the set....I think it is now, and again, give it up for Ian!
I loved that Rutles movie! <3
It was a scream, no doubt! '78 was a fun time in the record biz, in general, but working at a record store at the time (I was 23), there was certainly a palpable buzz around The Rutles....Warner Bros. came big with the promo materials, and then the appointment TV that was the marriage of The Rutles with SNL and NBC....it was a whirlpool of fabulous music and visuals!
Brad, you could do a compare and contrast piece between the Rutles and the Monkees!
After The Knickerbockers split up, Jimmy Walker worked briefly as Bobby Hatfield's partner in The Righteous Brothers after Hatfield and Bill Medley parted ways.
I didn't know that, David........pretty cool. I just noticed that Walker recorded 3 singles after that brief Hatfield coupling...one for The Knickerbocker's weak Challenge Records, and two, amazingly, for Columbia! If only the 'Bockers could've hung on long enough, they might've also slid into a CBS deal! I'm going to go listen to those Walker singles, and see if there's a musically-riveting story there! Thanks for this!
Beatleishus...
🎵🤗🎶💖🎸❕