Michael Gerber • Hey Dullblog, the Beatles fan blog

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich

By Michael Gerber|2014-07-23T23:19:38-07:00January 29, 2013|1966|

Don't ask me which is which. Some of you might remember George's introduction to "I Me Mine" on the Anthology discs where he name-checks this 60s band—which was, apparently, internal Beatles slang for each other. http://youtu.be/ReSuTBoXTWM Now, thanks to this post from Dangerous Minds, I think we perhaps know where The Beatles crossed paths with them…Vic Lownes' Playboy Club. "But," you say, "John, George, and Ringo were all married." To which I respond, "They only went there for the articles." (PS—Just last week, I bought a copy of Playboy from December 1966—a business expense, I assure you—which has a hilarious [...]

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Current favorite song: "Blue Sway"

By Michael Gerber|2013-08-03T04:46:58-07:00January 26, 2013|1980, McCartney, McCartney II, Paul McCartney|

From McCartney II (1980). Paul McCartney is an amazing dude. Here I am, positively obsessing over his stuff for 40 out of my 43 years, and yesterday I stumbled upon this great tune, which I'd never heard. "Blue Sway" has proceeded to dominate my consciousness for 36-going-on-48 hours. Paul, please promise to use this awesome power only for good, never for evil. Whatever else you want to say about the man (and there's a lot to say, and we say it here) pop music just pours out of him. I feel very lucky to be living at the same time, [...]

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Lewisohn on Strawberry Fields Take 1

By Michael Gerber|2013-09-09T08:50:31-07:00January 24, 2013|1966, John Lennon, Strawberry Fields|

No graffiti pre-'67 I'd bet A commenter asked whether Mark Lewisohn's Beatles Recording Sessions attributed the mellotron beginning of Strawberry Fields Forever. Here's what he says: Thursday 24 November Studio Two: 7:00pm - 2:30am. Recording: "Strawberry Fields Forever" (take 1). P: George Martin. E: Geoff Emerick. 2E: Phil McDonald. ...Of all Beatles recordings, "Strawberry Fields Forever" is known for being among the most complicated and difficult to record. It is also known that the song changed shape in the studio not once but several times. Both facts are certainly true. Take one, recorded on this night, was not only magnificent [...]

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Posted without comment

By Michael Gerber|2014-07-23T11:57:43-07:00January 23, 2013|Paul McCartney|

When you go to the URL at the bottom, all it says is, "There are seven levels."

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Evolution of Strawberry Fields Forever

By Michael Gerber|2013-08-22T12:59:25-07:00January 23, 2013|1966, 1967, John Lennon, Strawberry Fields|

If you don't know the blog Dangerous Minds, go take a look. I find it essential reading, and check it nearly every day. This morning they posted a YouTube video which lovingly traces the evolution of Strawberry Fields Forever, which I've embedded below. You'll doubtless recognize the tracks (from It's Not Too Bad, Anthology and other places), but it's a nice piece of work, a good use of the form, and well worth listening to. http://youtu.be/QS6wswlJCB4

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Brian Epstein and Bullfighting

By Michael Gerber|2016-12-01T11:14:11-08:00January 21, 2013|Brian Epstein|

RUFFLES!: Was this the portrait in Brian's bathroom? This morning I discovered this interesting article on Brian Epstein's love of bullfighting. Below is a picture of one of his favorites, "El Cordobés," also called "La Quinta Beatle."

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"Reminiscing"

By Michael Gerber|2015-01-04T00:40:18-08:00January 17, 2013|1970s, John Lennon|

Ran across this oldie this evening in my ramblings, and flashed on something from my reading: John Lennon, lolling in some Midtown bed with May Pang in the late 70s, claiming that this was one of "their songs."I remember finding it very sweet that, even after the strange intense life he'd led, John Lennon OF THE BEATLES, could get hooked on some cheesy syrupy pop tune.Am I remembering it right? Hive mind, help me out. http://youtu.be/voQWlL-jj5Q

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"I’m 15 and I feel like 80"

By Michael Gerber|2020-02-04T22:31:41-08:00January 14, 2013|1964|

Well, sister, I'm 43 and feel like 15. Or 180. It changes from moment to moment. Spending time with the folks sure makes me feel young. They're coming of age at this point, and require personal care. I was a bit worried at first because they didn't want to move out of the house, but after some research I learned about Home Care Assistance Raleigh. They're right nearby at Home Care Assistance 9050 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 (310) 857-4740 so I set up a meeting and they seemed nice and professional enough. They've been working with my parents for [...]

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The connections

By Michael Gerber|2013-01-06T04:00:00-08:00January 6, 2013|Uncategorized|

What does Magical Mystery Tour have to do with Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange? Read on...

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Counterpoint on Magical Mystery Tour

By Michael Gerber|2014-07-23T11:57:52-07:00January 3, 2013|Uncategorized|

For everyone who loves "Magical Mystery Tour" (the film) or has come to appreciate it over the years, there's someone who still hates it -- Jim DeRogatis, a Chicago critic who broadcasts on NPR's WBEZ, is a case in point. If you're interested in reading his vilification of the movie (and a lot of the album), you can do so here: http://www.wbez.org/blogs/jim-derogatis/2013-01/revisiting-one-beatles’-worst-mistakes-104650Here's the executive summary: "Nearly half a century on, the fascinating thing about "Magical Mystery Tour" the film is the rare glimpse it offers into one of the best rock bands of all time at its unaldulterated worst. And make no mistake: [...]

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