From: RAG Seely (rags@math.mcgill.ca)
Subject: FAAB, RL, and RMB (longish...)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Date: 1995/11/28

(I wanted to wait till the frenzy started to subside before adding my
own tuppence-worth.  Hope I waited long enough...)

Let's start with some thought about the purpose of this group.  rmb
exists for the discussion of a long-since disbanded quartet of
formerly-popular rock musicians.  This in itself is moderately
remarkable, though one might say that it says more about the era in
which we live than anything significant about the band itself.
Personally, I think that the undoubted fact that there is a surfeit of
nostalgia about these days, does not detract in any way from the clear
truth that the Beatles are a continuing presence on the popular music
scene.  I know as many Beatles fans under the age of 20 as over 20.
(Including my two kids...)   So, for the few years that rmb has been in
existence, we have gone over many aspects of this body of music, whose
only new additions have been bootleg recordings.  We have discussed the
speed of the "Decca" sessions, the myth of Paul's death, the tragedy of
John's, the talents of each of the four, the best/worst/most popular/...
songs in the canon (perhaps I'd better admit to liking Mr Moonlight,
just so that half of you can give up on me right now ;-) --- all in all,
these discussions have been fascinating, infuriating, boring,
repetitive, amusing, touching, insightful, superficial and shallow, ...
and all too cyclical.  After all, with no new material, we are bound to
hit the same themes over and over, just as we listen to the same songs
over and over.  They are a delight, but familiarity breeds more than
just content...  (sic)

Now, 15 years after we finally knew a Beatles reunion was no longer
possible, 25 years after the dream was over, we are given this gift from
the gods.  Who says a second coming is impossible? (Well, actually it is
impossible, but this is as close as we can get...)  Two new songs, and a
nostalgia binge that when it is finally exhausted ought to leave us at
least temporarily satiated.  These are without question Beatles songs -
despite what anyone says.  One may like them or despise them - that is a
different matter, but if a record is released with performances by all
four of the lads, bearing the Beatles imprint, it is a Beatles song.
What else could it be?  These guys have the legal right (and only they
do) to determine that.

So now we have something new to talk about.  (And talk about it we
certainly have been doing: up to 900 or more posts a day on a group that,
when I joined it, was getting 30 or 40.)  And the quality has been
pretty high, I will admit.  I am surprised at the vehemence of the
negative reception about 30% of the posts have expressed.  Little of the
typical "love" message that the Beatles have always been so proud to
have represented...  But I respect the opinions of other fellow rmb'ers,
provided that those opinions are cogently and respectfully expressed. I
can sympathize with someone who does not like ELO, the Wilburys,
George's solo career of late, or whatever, who then notices that FAAB
has many features reminiscent of these, and so is bitterly disappointed
with FAAB.  Isn't it a pity, indeed, for such a Beatles fan (and it is
not beyond belief that a sincere Beatles fan might dislike those things
I mentioned above) to have had such hopes for the new releases, only to
find that they don't hit the spot.  That is my point, notice - this is a
real pity:  for such fans have missed out on what is a real joy for many
other fans (including myself).  We have been given a true gift with FAAB
and RL - one that we never could have realistically hoped for a few
years back.  One that seemed a far-fetched rumour when it first appeared
after the Rock Hall of Fame ceremonies.  One that has seemed to deny the
central tenet of all post-Beatles commentary: "the dream is over".

One comment that really struck home (and I forget the attribution,
sorry) was that these songs took away from Chapman his part in ending
the story.  Unfortunately, not true in the important essentials, but I
would rather remember John with FAAB and RL than with the broken glasses
on the ground outside the Dakota.  (This sort of symbolism is small
compensation, I understand, so I cannot endorse the sentiment
completely, but there is some truth there nevertheless.)

To those poor souls who have not been impressed with, or touched by,
these new releases: So you don't think FAAB sounds like your idea of a
Beatles song?  My reaction to any comments of that sort, frankly, is
that I am amazed that you can have any single notion of what their music
might sound like - diversity was one of their main features.
Furthermore, only one quarter of the musical input on these songs comes
from anything like a time close to the Beatles other output: we ought to
expect the musical developments that the individual Beatles have
undergone in the decades since 1970 to show in any new music they
produce.  So I am actually glad to hear a song that incorporates the
solo styles of these four (I do wish we could have had the chance to
hear what John would have produced in the past decade and a half, but
this is the best we can expect - a late 70's demo), and still manages
somehow to capture some features that we all associate with the Beatles
(such as the vocal harmonies, the voice alternations and role changes,
the chord patterns that are standard and innovative at the same time -
thanks, Alan Pollack, for making it all the easier for us to spot these
things).

Re the important stuff: I have to admit I _like_ "Free as a Bird"; more
so on repeated listening - initially I thought it was "pleasant, but
nothing special"; after hearing the CD - with better sound reproduction
- my opinion went up, and as the song became familiar, I like it more.
The main negative stuff on rec.music.beatles is that it is too ELO-ish,
maybe too Travelling Wilburys-ish - in short, too much Jeff Lynne.
Well, I never listened much to ELO, and I actually like the Wilburys
(esp the first disk, with Orbison), so that isn't an issue with me, but
actually I think it has strong links to middle to late Beatles in style
and presentation.  The "thin" vocals from the Lennon demo tape have the
kind of "otherworldly" sound he often tried so hard to get, and are
appropriate anyway here.  The new vocals, and Harrison's slide guitar
solo, manage to suggest that they come from another, more present,
universe (as they do), while still blending with the spirit of the song.
Let it play a few times before dismissing it.  And of course don't ask
too much of it - it delivers more than one might expect, but isn't the
second coming after all.  (In spite of all the hype.)  But I will admit
to somewhat preferring "Real Love" (the other new song).  It is closer to
what one would expect of a Beatles song, and its upbeat spirit is
infectious.  Again, distant vocals in a typically mid-Beatles style
(think of Tomorrow Never Knows) are I think appropriate.  This song made
me feel quite soppy, I confess - I think it was the images of the
group's reconciliation that probably had that effect!  I would like to
hear this song on CD - the TV sound doesn't have enough presence.  Must
wait till next year for that, though.

The FAAB video, however, was superb.  Loved trying to see all the
"clues" - the kids and I have run through it several times to see what
we can spot...   Here's one I haven't seen mentioned before: the video
has a sweep up and down a tree ("it must be high or low").

My overall summary - this was a gift for the fans.  We're lucky to get
this.  And those folks who don't like it, well, buying the record isn't
compulsory.  It is after all just pop music, right?

= rags =