I'm Only Sleeping is one of Lennon's most Lennonesque songs: the chords keep meandering up and down, the lyrics look simple at first, but become more mysterious as you try to interpret them. The theme is a well-known Lennon view: Lennon is right and the world is wrong. In this case, he contrasts his own relaxed approach to life, to the senseless business of the rest of us. (as in Strawberry Fields, "Nothing is real, nothing to get hung about....") Lennon seems to have a thing with sleeping and w...
Aug 13, 2010•41 min
Basic track formed by 'Je Danst' by Mondoleone. This killer song is complemented by some famous friends: Beatles (The End and Because), Supertramp (Logical Song), Alquin (percussion), Sandy Coast (bottles), Gruppo Sportivo (piano), and a cameo by Stevie Wonder at the end. Extra credit for those who recognise the intro..... The lyrics argue that dancing and loving are closely linked: they both require smooth hip action. This track is featured in lossless format on the Summer Booty 2010 compilatio...
Aug 05, 2010•4 min
September-October 1963 was a busy period for the songwriting duo Lennon-McCartney. Amongst the songs composed in that period, I Wanna Be Your Man and I Want To Hold Your Hand take a special place. I Wanna Be Your Man is pure erotic energy, and this more then compensates for the lack of melody or chord structure. On the other hand, I Want To Hold Your Hand is the first major Lennon-McCartney song, of the quality that earned them a place amongst the greatest composers of all time. Two very differe...
Jun 30, 2010•3 min
"And Your Bird Can Sing" was released on the 1966 album Revolver in the UK and on Yesterday...and Today in the U.S. The song was written by John Lennon. Lennon was later dismissive of the song, as he was of many of his compositions at the time, referring to it as "another of my throwaways...fancy paper around an empty box". Many composers would kill their bird for a throwaway of this quality; still, the lyrics are jibbersih and rather repetitive. The double-tracked guitar solo rates in at #69 on...
May 15, 2010•3 min
Aretha's version, reinfoced with an extra instrumetal track. Perhaps words of wisdom and consolation, for those who need it most.
May 13, 2010•4 min
In Rishikesh, the Beatles attended a lecture by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi about a "son of the mother nature". This inspired both Paul McCartney and John Lennon to write songs about the same subject. Both were demoed at George Harrison's Esher home in May of 1968. The demo featured Lennon's double-tracked vocal and an acoustic guitar. McCartney's composition "Mother Nature's Son" was selected for The Beatles (The White Album), while Lennon's song "Child of Nature" was not. And rightly so, I might add...
May 02, 2010•4 min
The Monkees could never escape their image of being the US Beatles. Nothing wrong with being that, they might have said. Indeed, their first hit single, Last Train to Clarksville ows more than just a bar or 2 to Paperback Writer. How much excactly, becomes clear fom this emix.
Apr 26, 2010•2 min
Herman Brood was the Rockiest Rock Singer the Netherlands ever produced. Starting out as keyboard player in a number of memorable Dutch rock groups, he found his true sound as the singer in his own group, His Wild Romance. He mostly wrote his own songs, and covered few Beatles songs; but Rain is one of those. Brood gave it his typical interpretation, changing both the chord scheme and the lyrics to create his very own Rain. Here, we feature Lennon instead of Brood on vocals; while His Wild Roman...
Apr 25, 2010•4 min
"I Am the Walrus" was the first studio recording made after the death of The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, recorded September 1967. George Martin arranged and added orchestral accompaniment that included violins, cellos, horns, clarinet and a 16-piece choir. A large group of professional studio vocalists named "The Mike Sammes Singers", took part in the recording as well, variously singing "Ho-ho-ho, hee-hee-hee, ha-ha-ha", "oompah, oompah, stick it up your jumper!", "everybody's got one" and ...
Apr 17, 2010•4 min
A Rocking old rendition of this Harrisong B-side. Real experts prefer it over the rather simple A-side (The Ballad of John and Yoko). To liven things up a bit, mashed the Live in Japan performance with the instrumental sections of Dani McCullogh's cover. And slowed it down to a more serious 120 bpm. Enjoy the Shoe even more this way !
Apr 05, 2010•4 min
"Love" is one of Lennon's most beautiful songs, included on the Plastic Ono Band album in 1970. The production on the album is just Lennon (vocals, guitar) and Phil Spector (piano). The track was recorded 'live', which also adds to the dramatic feel. Only vocals were double tracked, which - I think - was a mistake. The piano starts very low in the LP mix, and is faded out at the end. Did Spector feel insecure about his pinao playing (he appeared so according to his remarks on the session tapes)....
Mar 19, 2010•3 min
Step Inside Love is one of McCartney's finest songs that he never released himself. Written for Cilla Black, it brings out the best in her voice, to a level which she found later difficult to reach. The released version sounds slightly over-produced, and it appears that Cilla needs to sing louder than optimal. So, the BDJ engineers started with the rehearsal tapes, that feature Paul on guitar, Cilla, and that's it. A Magical session, which - doubletracked and slightly messed about - results in t...
Mar 01, 2010•3 min
A 'naked' remix of the Rockband version of this classic the Who anthem. Less is better once again; in additon to bringing out the vocals, the track has been condensed into a more listenable length.
Feb 21, 2010•4 min
The first recorded session of No reply ('Take 0') has a more Rock & Roll feel to it than take 1 and the released versions. Unfortunatley, the take 0 is incomplete, and the vocals are not quite OK at some places. So, the BDJ engineers set to have the best of both worlds, and combiend the instruments from take 0 with the vocals take 0. NB: The intro is from the actual take 0.
Feb 13, 2010•2 min
The Heavy Metal thunder suits No Reply remarkably well.
Feb 07, 2010•2 min
A remix of the esoteric with the mundame, the ying with the yang and Yoko with the Void. A thousand monks on the top of the Himalayas rock to the beat of a honeymoon in bag. Dig it ?
Jan 26, 2010•3 min
A 21st Century remix, ready for the clubs and parties on this planet. Heavily looped and techno ornamented, this mix will get you moving.
Jan 15, 2010•5 min
This classic Beatles track (their last no 1 single) was recorded by John & Paul, no other Beatles were hurt in the performance of the song. I don't hear Yoko's caracteristic vocals on it (this would become more prominent later). In this mix, Arik takes the lead vocals, giving the song a new flavour (and new lyrics....).
Jan 02, 2010•3 min
Ringo goes Retro on his new album (Y NOT). As if 40 years haven't passed, Ringo mashes his Beatles vocal performance with a new track (Fill in the Blanks). Certainly, the blanks are filled with cameo 'bap shoe wha's ' by George and Paul ?
Jan 01, 2010•3 min
From Cyrano de Bergerac, to John Lennon, to The Police, it's a giant leap for man but a small step for the BDJ engineers. Result is an unplugged-flavoured rendition, highlighting Sting's vocals escapades.
Dec 19, 2009•4 min
"It seems a shame," the Walrus said, "To play them such a trick, After we've brought them out so far, And made them trot so quick!" "O Oysters," said the Carpenter, "You've had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?' But answer came there none-- And this was scarcely odd, because They'd eaten every one. In Lewis Carrol's poem, the oysters were fooled once too often. By his own admission, this poem inspired John Lennon for 'I Am The Walrus'. His identification with The Walrus (who he co...
Dec 09, 2009•7 min
Less is better for Boston's greatest hit. Thanks to some Rockband isolations, the BDJ engineers were able to bring this song back to its (beautiful) essentials.
Dec 02, 2009•5 min
The traditional Christmas records were sent out exclusively to Beatles fan club members from 1963-1969. These recordings not only featured Christmas songs by the Beatles, but also include entertaining ad-libs and pantomime banter between all 4 Beatles, which provide a fascinating insight into how their lives changed dramatically between `63 & `69. Kenny Everett produced and featured in the Beatles Christmas records in 1968 & 1969. Zak - Ringo's son, designed the cover of the 1969 record....
Nov 30, 2009•29 min
At the dentist, on the escalator, in South America ? Then this is THE remix of Michelle for you. Carefully arranged by Rita Lee, beatifully adorning the soothing voice of ole' brown eyes himself.
Nov 23, 2009•3 min
The Beatles do well in reggea format, and here's Something New: Beatles in Bossa Nova ! With help from Rita Lee (backing vocals), Ringo goes Latin; get your dancing shoes on.....
Nov 21, 2009•3 min
We all know this delightful track from the Abbey Road Album. Paul's thumping bass dominates the lower regions of the soundscape, while Ringo hits his snare drum always just a millisecond late. But what if Harrison had recorded this song just a few months later, as a solo artist ? And what if he had run into BDJ's Tearoom orchstra in studio 2 ? The answer is here......
Nov 15, 2009•3 min
Harrison and friends go back to the Cavern days, for this rock-your-socks-off version of Here Comes the Sun.
Nov 14, 2009•3 min
George Harrison and heavy metal ? This is why (not), and the Voodoo Glow Skulls help George through this track at lightning speed.
Nov 04, 2009•2 min
George Harrison teams up with the famous reggae ensemble Riddim for a Jamaica flavoured rendition of Here Comes The Sun.
Nov 03, 2009•3 min
Two of Harrison's most famous songs in this re-mix: If I Needed Someone vs Here Comes The Sun. Result: a strangely melancholic song, with a spectacular double-tracked Rickenbacher.
Nov 02, 2009•2 min
