Hi - Dave Humphries is the newest member of the Blindspot Family - his latest CD, "and so it goes..." (Blindspot 106) full of pop (ala Badfinger, The Lovin Spoonful and other masters of the three minute tune, is getting good reviews, ranging from The North County Times (CA) to The Durham Times (UK). On March 29 the album will be played on BBC Radio Merseyside's Juke Box Jury March 29, at 6:30 p.m. The show is hosted by documentary writer and author of Let's Go Down to the Cellar, Spencer Leigh. The show is also broadcast live online. Bart. http://www.myspace.com/blindspotrecordssd, http://www.myspace.com/davehumphriesmusic

Update (3/14/08)

Hi,

Don't know if you know about it yet, but a new DVD called CLASSIC ALBUMS: JOHN LENNON/PLASTIC ONO BAND is coming out next month, but it's only being released in Japan (for now, at least).

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Update (3/10/08)

A bit of confusion in this news article: Your header talks about "recording decks", which implies tape machines. Actually, the article is talking about "recording desks", which are the mixing boards (otherwise known as consoles). They are not discussing where Abbey Road's old tape machines are being used. Have a great weekend!

Update (3/8/08)

Abbey Road:

Several of the consoles from Abbey Road were purchased by producer Mike Hedges. His main console is the Mk4 desk from Studio2, which was used (amongst many other projects) for the recording of the classic Pink Floyd album "Dark Side of the Moon." Mike also owns several other ex-Abbey Road desks of various sizes.

The second Abbey Road Mk4 console is owned by Kevin Augunas, and is in "Barefoot" Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

One of the former Abbey Road mobile consoles is installed at 2KHz Studios, West London, whilst another is still owned by Abbey Road and used on special projects.

Another of the Abbey Road mobile desks was previously owned by producer Jeff Jarratt, and was leased back to Abbey Road for use during the remastering of the Beatles "Anthology" series of albums. (Photo) This desk is now privately owned and is in regular use in a private studio.

Update (3/7/08)

This month Daytrippin' has THREE different Giveaway contests! Contest 1: TWO copies of the new photography book: INSTAMATIC KARMA: PHOTOGRAPHS OF JOHN LENNON by May Pang. Click here to enter. Contest 2: TWO copies of the new DVD "Paul McCartney: Ecce Cor Meum." Click here to enter. Contest 3: TWO Ringo Starr Prize Packages which include: Ringo Starr's Liverpool 8 Pre-loaded USB Wristband. Click here to enter. Also, read Part two of our exclusive interview with May Pang, John Lennon's former girlfriend, as she talks about her new book, "Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon" at http://www.daytrippin.com/maypangmar08.htm#part2. Full article: http://www.daytrippin.com/maypangmar08.htm

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Update (3/5/08)

You didn't mention that George played acoustic on and sang backing vocals for Jeff's version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

Update (3/3/08)

April 26, 2008: "That Beatles Sound: Recording @ Abbey Road" Exhibition Reception Brian Kehew, author of "Recording the Beatles" and co-curator of this spotlight exhibition, helps us celebrate the opening of "That Beatles Sound..." an exhibition that showcases behind-the-scenes artifacts from daily life at Abbey Road; the surrounding environment when the Beatles were recording there. The exhibition includes verything from tape recorders, microphones and speakers to session documents and memos from the 1960s. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for Museum members. Call (760) 438-5996, ext. 212 for information.

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I certainly would not want to contradict the good Ms. Theobald, but I am curious about this. To my knowledge, George did only one solo tour in the US – that would be the dubious 1974 Dark Horse Tour – but I can assure you that it had only one Bay Area venue, and that was the Oakland Coliseum, November 8, 1974. I was a student at Fresno State, and my long lost friend Keith Chambers and I took the bus up to see the show. (Hey Keith – Google me and get in touch!) (By the way, in double checking that date I see that someone has a ticket for that show up for sale on eBay. Anyway, I don’t think George played the Palace, but I’m open to being corrected by Ms. Theobald or anyone else.

Hi Steve, I was at the Venus & Mars tour at the Cow Palace (tickets were expensive $14.00).. in 1977... and only 3 years earlier, George played the Cow Palace (he didn't play the at Oakland.. not sure where that comes from).. in fact, I've attached a picture from the event! Having grown up in San Mateo (just south of The City) I've seen many, many great, great shows and events at the Cow Palace, Oakland, Berkeley, The Park, Winterland, etc... I assure you, George played the Palace in November 74 (and it was for several days.. proceeds donated to the Height-Ashbury Clinic). Peace & Love! Steve Sullivan

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Olivia Harrison was in the audience for the recent Celine Dion special taped at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles and show on CBS Friday nite (2/15). They showed Olivia a few times during the song. Marge, Barb Bach's sister is sitting behind her (actually the theatre was set up with tables, cabaret style and Marge was sitting at the same table).

Celine said when she was told that Olivia Harrison was going to be in the audience that night, and also Joe Walsh would be there, she and her they threw together an arrangement of "Something" very quickly, and how it was the first song that Celine's son learned to play on piano. She introduced Joe Walsh and said how he had agreed to come on stage to play the song, and she dedicated the song to Olivia.

It looked like Dominic Champagne, the director of the Beatles LOVE show was sitting at Olivia's table (he sat next to Yoko at the Grammys last week).

Also in the audience at his own table was David Foster (the famous Canadian music producer and one time member of the Dark Horse Records group Attitudes and who played on George's "Extra Texture" and "Thirty-Three and a Third" albums) and his wife.

After the song Celine came down off the stage to give Olivia a hug.

Steve, Watching that little Asian kid sing not only Hey Jude, but other Beatlesongs like Yesterday, She Loves You, and Love Me Do on YouTube is kind of creepy. Didn't George and John get into all that Eastern Mystical Re-incarnation thing while they were in Rishikesh?? And the Dalai Lama supposedly is re-incarnated after he dies, into a small child to live again....Hmmm. Jai guru deva! Maybe when this kid is 15 years older, and Paul & Ringo are still around, we might have a "Beatles (or Threetles) Reunion" in this world??? Then again, the kid seems to favor singing primarily McCartney based compositions. Would John or George pick those songs to sing? Now if he did "I Am The Walrus" or "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"...well then.........all that study in India in 1968 with Maharishi might have really paid off!!

on FilmCritics.com .

Update (2/16/08)

Hello. For those who don't know I host a little show on the Beatles called "Beatlesongs" which airs every friday from 8pm - 11pm on WHPC in Garden City, New York. I doing a special on April 4, 2008 where local Long Island/New York muiscians (professional or not) cover the Beatles. All you have to do is cover a song written by a Beatle. It can be a Beatle song or a solo Beatle song. It could be "Drive My Car" or "Band on the Run". It cannot be "Chains" (written by Goffin and King). I've done two of these shows already and they're fun to do. Send a CD (no MP3) or a cassette to: "Beatlesongs," WHPC, One Education Drive, Garden City, N.Y, 11530, attention: Rob Leonard.

Update (2/15/08)

Dear Friends, I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very happy Valentines Day! With deepest love, Yoko

On the left is how the Beatles might have done "Stairway to Heaven" (as done by the Beatnix). On the left is how the Doors might have it.

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Update (2/10/08)

Hi, Steve, Sir George Martin will host the special "On Record: The Soundtrack of Our Lives", an eight-hours miniseries that documents the history of recorded music and popular culture. It is scheduled to air in fall 2010 on PBS. Please click this link to read the article in the Hollywood Reporter. See you.

Steve,

Watching the Youtube video of John & Yoko arguing with the audience members on The David Frost Show, I thought how ironic it is now, especially for Yoko, who was then so concerned with John, in his song about the prisoners at Attica State. Given who now resides there, hopefully for the rest of his life. We all still miss John terribly, (and George), especially when we recall the events that occurred 44 years ago tonite on The Ed Sullivan Show.

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Update (2/8/08)

Today, February 7th, marks 44 years since The Beatles landed in New York City. On DJ Dennis Elsas' website there's a link to a fanastic radio documentary that he produced called "It Was 40 Years Ago Today: The Beatles Invade America." Find it at www.denniselsas.com. Also on his website there is information about how you can hear his new interview with Ringo. Happy listening!

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We've been watching the complete Jane Austen on Masterpiece on PBS. They are doing a series of films of all six Jane Austen novels and one film airing next week about Austen. The first film, Persuasion, was disappointing. It seemed that they had to rush the story to fit a 90 minute timeslot and they didn't have enough time to identify the characters. But if you don't understand the relationship between the various characters the plot doesn't make sense. I found it difficult to follow and I had seen a previous movie version. But Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park (starring Doctor Who's Billie Piper) were delightful. Billie Piper is wonderful. And coming up in February is the BBC/A&E production of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Darcy. It is a beautiful production and not to be missed. In Mansfield Park the part of Rushworth was played by Rory Kinnear. As soon as I saw him I knew he must be the son of Roy Kinnear (Algernon from Help). I could see the resemblance to his father and he sounds like his dad. One of the things I love about watching British TV and movies is making these connections.

There are two Grammy-related CDs worth picking up:

1) 2008 Grammy Nominees - Includes Paul's "Dance Tonight", nominated for Best Pop Vocal
2) Grammy Awards: 50 Years --Available exclusively at Starbucks stores --2-disc set, features a sampling of tracks from the Grammys' 50 year history - including two from our boys: Paul McCartney & Wings' "Band On the Run" and John's "(Just Like) Starting Over

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“SOUNDS OF OUR TIMES”

The Music That Has Changed Our Lives

The “RACE FOR TOMORROW” producers are proud to present the first in a series of charity- based shows called “Sounds of Our Times.” RADIO RFT will pay tribute to the pivotal songs of our times -- and the songwriters who helped fashion them -- in a series of live concert performances. The first in the series is the legendary Donovan at the Cutting Room, New York, on January 31, 2008.

Joining Donovan as special guest is Paul Shaffer (David Letterman) and musical director will be Richard Barone, along with the dream band of Will Lee (David Letterman), Jimmy Vivino (Conan O’Brien), Jerry Vivino (Conan O’Brien), Jack Petruzzelli (Fab Faux, Joan Osborne), Steve Holley (Wings, Ian Hunter), Julia Kent (Antony & the Johnsons), Janice Pendarvis (Sting) and Donovan’s longtime percussionist, John “Candy” Carr.

Donovan will perform songs from his esteemed catalog, culminating in an expanded version of his “Season of the Witch.” Hand-picked each month, our guest composer will choose a charity, adhering to the guidelines established by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (Poverty, Education, The Children, The Environment, Human Rights and Health). Donovan has chosen Drukpa Trust for his charity to raise money for the building of a school for the children of the Himalayas.

The programs will be hosted by international singing artist Astrella Celeste and radio personality Reverend Greg. This unique series was inspired and co created by our first honored composer, the legendary Donovan.

The Launch: January 31, 2008 Show #001 - "Season of the Witch" Featured Composer: Donovan. Charity: The Drukpa Trust. Venue: The Cutting Room, 19 West 24th Street NYC Time: 8:00pm. Ticket Price: $100 - $250 www.thecuttingroomnyc.com 212-691-1900. Special Guest Appearances Paul Shaffer, Richard Barone and More TBA. Dream Band: Bass - Will Lee Drums - Steve Holley Keys/Guitars - Jack Petruzzelli Percussion – John “Candy” Carr Cello – Julia Kent Saxophone/Flute – Jerry Vivino Guitar - Jimmy Vivino Backing Vocals – Janice Pendarvis. Musical Director: Richard Barone

Update (1/19/08)