I agree that they are un-listenable. I had the Ryko editions for a while, but just sold them off recently.

The coolest thing about the original vinyl versions WAS the packaging (‘Two Virgins’ nude photo, all the collateral stuff that came in ‘The Wedding Album’ box, etc.), so if the Japanese editions mimic/shrink-down this material, they might be of interest...but mostly as cultural artifacts. It’s also interesting to me that Lennon/Ono decided to use the tabloid cult of personality aspect of their lives as fodder for this out there experimentalism – which actually might be more of the point of these then their being an enjoyable listen.

I do actually find the existence of these albums interesting for this reason too: could you think of any other 28/29 year old former teen heart throb releasing three records like this at the height of his popularity? Imagine this: Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz releasing ‘Two Virgins’ (and I’m not just talking about middle-age-guy-acting-like-a-boy wishful thinking on the cover shot).

These may not be good records, but they have guts. I admire them more than like them.

Thanks for the descriptions. While I had of course known OF them, I have never actually heard them. I think I'll stick with collecting foreign picture sleeves of the actual Beatles.

This was posted on another site late today...


Paul McCartney Signing In NYC, 11/13/06 - Virgin Records
Paul McCartney to do in-store signing in New York City


(11/7/06) This announcement was released to the press on Monday:

PAUL McCARTNEY CELEBRATES RELEASE OF NEW CONCERT DVD AND CLASSICAL CD WITH NEW YORK CITY SIGNING

WHO: PAUL McCARTNEY
WHAT: IN-STORE AUTOGRAPHY SIGNING
WHERE: VIRGIN MEGASTORE in TIMES SQUARE
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036

WHEN: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13th
12:00PM SIGNING BEGINS

Anyone in NY planning on going to this... good luck with the crowd.

It should be a huge turnout.

Let's face it. If Yoko had not married John, she would not have gotten a record contract. It is total crap. It is really difficult to listen to.

Wasn't the Wedding Album the one where John & Yoko moaned each other's names for an entire side?

Yep!

To expand on Steve's answer a little :

Side one of The Wedding Album contained one track called "John and Yoko" in which John and Yoko said each other's name over and over and over but they said it a different way each time. The second side also contained a single track called "Amsterdam" which was basically just John & Yoko talking to each other while in their honeymoon bed at the Amsterdam Hilton (I believe they drove there from Paris... ). Pretty boring stuff but nowhere near as excrutiating as Unfinished Music Number 2: Life With The Lions.

I could live with Cameron Diaz being naked on an album cover. But only Cameron.

I'll wait for the extended dance mix.

Oh wait, that's right, I already have the CD...

Hope everyone caught Paul McCartney last night on SNL!

During a skit with guest Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, Paul McCartney shows up with Martin Short as guys in the VIP lounge at SNL.
Steve keeps trying to poison Alec because Alec is about to trump Steve's many appearances on SNL. Martin Short plays a waiter that serves them drinks. Steve keeps saying to Alec "Look, there Paul Simon!" but in the end Paul Macca comes into the room looking pretty good. He got a good hand from the audience.

Also appearing last night was Tony Bennet.

Here's a link to see it...

Click on "Platinum Lounge":

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/videos

Gotta say, that was one of the most "star-studded" episodes of SNL that I've ever seen! Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Paul McCartney and Tony Bennett all showed up and took part in the show. Tony Bennett's bit as "Anthony Benedetto" (his real name, right?), the Tony Bennett impersonator (his stage name was "Phoney Bennett"! ) with Alec playing the REAL Tony Bennett was hysterical!

I agree the "Tony Bennett Show" sketch was hysterical... and... it was the last sketch of the show (usually the funniest ones occur at the beginning).
Also enjoyed Alec Baldwin introducing Tony Bennett and Christina Aguilera... in his Bennett-character voice.

from npr.org--

In Performance
Paul McCartney's 'Ecce Cor Meum,' Live in Concert

Listen Online Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET



NPR.org, November 10, 2006 · Legendary pop star Paul McCartney has sold untold millions of albums with The Beatles and Wings, as well as in his prolific solo career. Though he's dabbled in classical music before, Ecce Cor Meum marks one of his most conceptually and logistically audacious projects: a work written in the style of sacred English choral music, a tradition dating back 500 years. On Nov. 14, NPR.org -- in collaboration with member station WNYC -- will present a live webcast of the only U.S. performance of Ecce Cor Meum, taking place at New York's Carnegie Hall from 7:30 to 10 p.m. ET.

A piece of spiritual music, written in part right after the passing of his wife Linda, Ecce Cor Meum is the first piece of choral music McCartney has written to include a children's chorus. Hosted by NPR's Fred Child and WNYC's John Schaefer, the special will also include an interview with McCartney during intermission.


The Program

I. McCartney songs performed in classical style

"My Love" -- featuring Kate Royal and the Loma Mar Quartet

"Warm and Beautiful" -- featuring Kate Royal and the Loma Mar Quartet

"Calico Skies" -- featuring Kate Royal, Andy Staples and the Loma Mar Quartet

"Golden Earth Girl" -- featuring Andy Staples and the Loma Mar Quartet

"Some Days" - featuring Andy Staples and the Loma Mar Quartet

"Junk" - featuring Kate Royal, Andy Staples and the Loma Mar Quartet

II. Classical pieces by McCartney

"Nova" -- performed by the small Chamber Orchestra

"The World You're Coming Into" -- featuring Kate Royal

"Ghost Suite" -- featuring Kate Royal and Andy Staples

"Celebration" -- featuring Kate Royal and Andy Staples

Intermission, featuring an interview with McCartney

III. American premiere of Paul McCartney’s Ecce Cor Meum

Gavin Greenaway, conductor

Kate Royal, soprano

Orchestra of St. Luke’s

Concert Chorale of New York

American Boy Choir

Colm Carey, organ


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=6468926

I saw the show last night too. It was very good. Loved seeing Paul and the others making cameos.

I thought it was cool, when Paul showed up, it appeared that his appearance was a surprise to the others - Steve Martin looked like he was about to scream.

And Christina can sing her ass off (annoyed that I missed the duet with Tony).

Except for her duet with Tony, I believe Xtina was lip-synching.

Could be, although I was paying a whole lot of attention to her during her first number, for that particular reason. If I was betting, I'd say she was the real deal, particularly on her finish. But it really doesn't matter to me one way or the other.

FOOTAGE OF THE BEATLES' FINAL CONCERT EMERGES

Unseen footage of THE BEATLES' final official concert is to be shown on British television later this month (NOV06), and will reveal that the band's tours where less than professionally handled. Recordings made by BARRY HOOD at the gig in San Francisco's Candlestick Park on 29 August 1966 show GEORGE HARRISON, SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY, JOHN LENNON and RINGO STARR taking the stage for the last time, and a row breaking out between the venue's ground staff. He says, "I filmed the stage being prepared and the fans queuing to get in. "There was a row between the equipment manager and the field manager who was frightened that the equipment van was going to ruin the baseball pitch." A spokesperson from the BBC adds, "This is the first time it has been shown. "It shows how The Beatles' tours were quite amateurish and chaotic."

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/ar ... es_1012887



VIDEO on Google TV--
It runs about 45 minutes, but definitely worth watching:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 2922826134

Enjoy...
Steve

Oh, my! An arguement broke out before a concert between someone protecting a manicured field and someone who was going to drive a vehicle right over it. Chaos! Flammatory remarks ensue!

Yeah, that's a real indication that a Beatles tour was amateurish.

On one level, they were amateurish - nobody had ever embarked on these kinds of tours before. Most of them were amateurish in that sense.

In another sense, they were very professional. Plans were made, people showed up on time, did the best they could under limited conditions of the time, etc.

I've worked on shows in the 70s, 80s, and 90s where fire marshalls or their representatives would threaten to stop a show for this or that. Some of these shows bordered on extremely amateurish.

Sorry, it just struck me poorly that this or that instance would be indicative of amateurism.

Barry

Twenty-six years ago today, I was getting ready for school when I got a 7 AM phone call from my cousin. "John Lennon's dead!" I was told. I don't think I quite believed it. I didn't think my cousin was lying, but it just didn't seem like it could be real.

A while later, I got to school and what was on most people's minds was...John Lennon's death. I know it was much discussed that day - that much I remember.

We all know how it happened although I don't think we'll ever understand why.

It's a sad day to recall, but I popped in a Lennon CD today and guess what...John Winston Lennon shines on. And on and on and on.