Thank God for the Beatles!

For this holiday season, Beatles fans are treated to Giles Martin's remix of the Red album (and Blue album) compilation which was originally released in April, 1973. This new edition is compelling because fans can now engage with new versions of the group's earlier songs. And, if that wasn't enough exciting news, the single Now and Then has been recorded and released as the final bookend of the fab four's catalog. For both releases, Giles Martin used Peter Jackson's extraction technology to isolate the original instruments and vocals allowing greater access to each studio performance.

In this episode, Karen and Jeff compare notes about the new Red Album remixes and sort through their emotional connections to Now and Then.

Join co-hosts Karen and Jeff as they share their observations (in no particular order), interpretations and favorite moments of Peter Jackson's Get Back Documentary Series that premiered on Disney+ in November 2021.  Over the past few years, Peter Jackson lovingly combed through 60 hours of video footage of the Beatles recording both at Twickenham Studios and their own newly minted Apple studio.  Jackson's three episodes reveal a different take on how the Beatles worked together and treated each other during the Let it Be sessions in January 1969.  

In September 1969, word got out that Paul McCartney had died in a car crash and was replaced by a talented lookalike.  The news was shocking and the detailed list of album clues created a worldwide frenzy for worried fans.  The Paul is Dead conspiracy theory has endured for over 50 years and continues to create doubt among many.  Join Karen and Jeff as they share about playing albums in reverse, combing for additional clues and the likelihood of the Beatles being in on the hoax.

The album Abbey Road would be the last time the Fab Four recorded together at Abbey Road studios.  Despite the difficulty and acrimony of Beatle business, John, Paul, George and Ringo worked with George Martin to produce an album of "Everest" proportions.  From the iconic cover photo of the Beatles walking away from Abbey Road to the superlative songs & arrangements on the album, the Beatles finalized their career as a group with a masterful and cohesive collaboration.

Join co-hosts Karen and Jeff for an in-depth look at how the Beatles created the legendary album Revolver.  The album paved the way for experimental music, introducing world music and depth in lyrical content.  Some critics say that, in hindsight, Revolver might be the Beatle's most significant record.

Co-hosts Karen and Jeff discuss the Beatles Help! album and movie which was released in 1965.  With songs like I've Just Seen a Face, Help, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, Ticket to Ride and Yesterday, the Beatles continued their evolution as songwriters willing to take risks.   Join us as we share a laugh or two about the Beatles zany yet influential second feature film.

Co-hosts Karen and Jeff compare notes and argue against the notion that the fab four's 1964 album, Beatles for Sale, was too cynical, a downer or a weak spot in the group's discography.  The Beatles for Sale album highlights the Beatles covering their favorite artists with fierce energy, the introduction of Dylan's introspective influence on their own songs and accentuates the vocal power/harmonies of the band.

Co-hosts Karen and Jeff fondly recall the album and feature film A Hard Day's Night.  The movie, directed by Richard Lester, provided a rollicking glimpse of a day in the life of the charismatic group.  The movie was cheeky, clever and was the perfect vehicle to capture the joy of Beatlemania.  And the songs were pretty great too!

Co-hosts Karen and Jeff share their reflections on how With the Beatles (Meet the Beatles in the US) solidified the talent, energy and potential of the Fab Four.   This album was the impetus for making the Beatles an unparalleled success by which millions of records were sold.  Fans were captivated, Beatlemania was born and the British Invasion took off.  Rock and roll was never the same.  A new era had begun.

Co-hosts Karen and Jeff discuss how the Beatles grew up from adored moptops to artists creating a cohesive and timeless album.  With the Rubber Soul album, the Beatles found a new way to record in the studio and satisfied their desire to explore new sounds in their songs

Co-hosts Karen and Jeff consider the worldwide impact of the song All You Need is Love in June, 1967.  We have a fun time sharing anecdotes and behind the scenes stories of the filming & song recordings of Magical Mystery Tour!

Join Karen and co-host Scott Hamilton for a robust discussion on the Beatles' recording techniques and innovations that changed how records are made today.  We go all in on how the Beatles used the studio as a musical instrument on their albums and gush over the brilliance of Tomorrow Never Knows!

Co-hosts Karen and Jeff tackle the complexity, influence and brilliance of songs recorded by the Beatles during the iconic 1967 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band sessions.

Karen and Jeff explore how the Beatles returned to high-energy rock and roll with the 1968 White Album release.  We focus on the demos and alternate takes that were included in the 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition and talk about the evolution of the songs.