Yesterday and Today

Beatles ’87 pt2

The next wave of Beatles compact discs arrived as spring turned to summer, 1987 - marking (handily) the 20th anniversary of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Taking the theme of "It was twenty years ago today" and running with it, Apple and their distribution arms at Capitol and EMI launched an elaborate campaign that culminated in a documentary film featuring current interviews with both Paul McCartney and George Harrison. An enchanted public teeming with nostalgia (and a chance to own such an iconic release in pristine CD-quality) drove Pepper to the #1 position on billboard's top compact discs chart, and the #3 overall slot in the UK. But this was only the beginning of the fruits of this event, as both Paul and George were busy crafting new music with a similarly-attuned nostalgic bent... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’87 pt1

And speaking of things that are "now" and "then"...It's 1987 and another momentous chapter in the Beatles story is unfolding at break-neck pace. As Capitol/EMI plan for the launch of the first round of Beatles CDs (heralding the arrival of fab four music on compact disc for the first time), Paul, George and Ringo were all in their respective studios preparing new music. First up, the rambling Duane Eddy - pioneering guitarist of the early rock days - is making a new album and has enlisted not one but two Beatles to play on it. McCartney's contribution was a slinky, slidey cover of the 1979 Rockestra Theme - while George Harrison )with current producer Jeff Lynne offered up more than one new composition for the guitar legend to record. In February Harrison would also find himself on stage with Lynne, backing up CCR frontman John Fogerty and joined by none-other-than Bob Dylan. Dylan ALSO happened to be working with another former Beatle at this time, joining Ringo in Memphis on sessions for Starr's new album. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’86 pt6

As the year 1986 draws to a close, the musical direction and legacy of the three surviving former Beatles rounds the corner on another eventful decade. With Paul McCartney still busy promoting his less-than-smash-hit LP Press to Play - Macca turns his attention to a new year that would embrace the successes of his past...and an eye toward the next phase of his career in the latter half of the decade. George Harrison, after such a long hiatus from the music business, finds himself too at a crossroads -- feeling once again ready to re-enter the studio and make new music. All this, as we enter 1987... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’86 pt5

As Paul McCartney's latest studio album, Press to Play, at last reached the ears of the listening public, the modest success of its top 40 lead-off single Press must have been bittersweet for its creator. After nearly two years of gestation, Paul's failure to crack the top 20 on either side of the Atlantic with the catchy earworm foreshadowed the album's lukewarm reception worldwide (as compared to prior projects, certainly) -- despite the strength of some of the album's strong musicianship and songwriting. Though a top ten showing in the UK was nothing to sneeze at, this contemporary-sounding LP fell short of resonating with modern audiences as envisioned, and a reassessment of the trajectory of Paul's career was in order. Yoko Ono, meanwhile, was busy at the bottom of the barrel with her late husband's unreleased catalog - releasing the LP Menlove Avenue by John Lennon in October (and sporting snazzy Andy Warhol cover art!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’86 pt4

Oklahoma was never like this...it's summer of 1986 and a new Paul McCartney album is on sale worldwide! Press to Play - Paul's 5th solo studio album in nearly as many years - represented a man on a mission to capture the sounds of the day, forge a new songwriting partnership, and undo the negative attention his Give My Regards to Broadstreet project attracted from all the bitter critics seeking to take a former fab down a peg. Begun mere days in the aftermath of Broadstreet, this project was also one of Macca's longest-gestating studio efforts - and while the music itself exudes trademark McCartney optimism, a darkness also lay on the brim with songs that seemed - at least at the time - bitter and resentful of his critics. But the sunny "Press", released as a single in mid-July, jauntily trotted to decent position in the charts - and while the record would fall short of Paul's "comeback" aspirations, it did point the way to projects, and collaborations, to come... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’86 pt3

As Spring turns to summer in 1986, a flurry of activity points to an early clue to the new direction for the key players in Beatle World. Julian Lennon, fresh off the release of his sophomore LP The Secret Value of Daydreaming, embarked on his second North American tour in June. Ringo Starr's children's entertainment resume grew once more in May, with freshly re-recorded voice acting on the animated Harry Nilsson film The Point. George Harrison returned to EMI/Abbey Road studios after a 15 year absence in May to continue work on the Shanghai Surprise soundtrack. And finally, Paul McCartney returned to the stage once more in June for the Princes Trust star-studded concert - playing some classic Beatles songs for the first time in public in decades. For Paul, Ringo and George, this activity would inspire more moves and music as they enter the back half of the decade.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’86 pt2

George Harrison's return to the limelight was underway in the Spring of 1986, with yet another public appearance fresh off the heels of his Shanghai Surprise press tour. This time the former Beatle took to the stage for the charity concert Heartbeat '86 - and, playing alongside rock contemporaries including former Wings founding member Denny Laine, it's easy to see a relaxed Harrison having fun playing in public once more. Also in the Spring, Julian Lennon released his sophomore album The secret Value of Daydreaming - the newly-minted pop idol's follow-up to the successful 1984 outing Valotte. A host of guest stars and some truly stellar production graced Lennon's latest, which he himself admitted was more slap-dash in terms of writing than his 1984 debut. A Harrison on the rise and a Lennon at his peak in March of 1986... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’86 pt1

It's 1986 and the latter half of the 80s is off with a bang...but not a hitch. The set of George Harrison's latest Hand Made Film's project, Shanghai Surprise, found itself rife with unwanted press attention after a skirmish between star Sean Penn (beside girlfriend and co-star Madonna) and the paparazzi - eager for a story. George himself flew down to the filming location to quell tensions and ensure the remainder of the shoot went smoothly. Despite the drama behind the camera, Harrison was growing more accustomed to the idea of making music, developing several cuts for the movie's original soundtrack. Meanwhile Paul McCartney accepts the American Music Award of Merit, Ringo Starr drums on the protest song Sun City, and Yoko Ono begins her landmark Star Peace tour... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

McCartney & The Historians (A Take it Away Crossover)

The YESTERDAY & TODAY and TAKE IT AWAY podcasts are crossing over! In this special double-feature, double-interview episode, hosts Wayne Kaminski, Chris Mercer and Paul Kaminski join forces to discuss Paul McCartney historiography with special guest authors who have fresh releases on shelves now. Luca Perasi is certainly no stranger to the TAKE IT AWAY podcast -- Luca was interviewed by Chris and Ryan in 2019 to discuss his book PAUL McCARTNEY: RECORDING SESSIONS (1969-2013), which provided much of the framework for the original run of TAKE IT AWAY shows. Luca has returned to promote a brand-new book, PAUL McCARTNEY: MUSIC IS IDEAS, the first volume in a multi-part series which explores the stories behind Macca's massive catalog of solo songs from 1970-1989. Next up, returning YESTERDAY & TODAY guest Paul Salley -- author of LITTLE WING: THE JIMMY McCULLOCH STORY -- is back for the first time in 3 years to discuss the release of his definitive biography of Wings' exceptional young-gun lead guitarist. All this, plus a special announcement about the future of the TAKE IT AWAY podcast in this all-new crossover episode. We hope you will enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt6

It's the end of 1985, and in many ways the end cap on a year of realignment for the former Beatles. While the successes of the Spies Like Us single and his lauded Live Aid performance kept Paul McCartney a part of the cultural conversation, Macca's critical and commercial wounds from 1984's Broadstreet fiasco remained. Ringo Starr and George Harrison's continued musical silence left only Julian Lennon - still riding high on the success of 1984's Valotte - standing to carry the torch of Beatles-related relevance as the back half of the decade approached. Yoko Ono's Starpeace LP too faltered commercially, despite the continued goodwill John's widow enjoyed since that fateful day in 1980. Of course, the latter half of the 80s would see a number of tables turn, and further developments within the legacy of the Beatles... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.