ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jun 1, 2017 11:20:16 GMT
A fair bit of media attention seems to have been given to the fact that Sgt Pepper was released half a century ago. In response I did play it (vinyl) this morning and enjoyed it a lot. But it did confirm to me once again that is is by no means my favourite Beatles album. It has some good songs and some very clever and innovative recording/production methods for the time. However, for me, it seems to lack the exhuberance that many of their previous albums exude. Definitely too much touring and hurried recording had gone on in the previous years. They must have been knackered. Fading fabness? Favourite tracks? She's leaving home did strike me this morning as being quite touching, lyrically strong, melodically interesting and beautifully arranged. I'd previously thought of it as sentimental tosh, but definitely heard it anew just now. The much praised Day in the Life is a great song but would IMHO be much improved by omitting the orchestral shenanigins. Still like it though! With a little help from my friends was, and still is a favourite with me, possibly because I enjoy doing it in Glyn's band. It's certainly an album of contrasts with a little bit of all kinds of stuff to please not just the die-hard young fans of the time but to appeal to older generations. Maybe they got it right. When I was a die-hard young fan in 1966 I remember first hearing the LP in a mate's house and being extremely disappointed in it. Now I'm definitely in an older generation I enjoy it rather more! But I'd sooner listen to any of their preceding albums, especially Rubber Soul! What do you think? Would love to hear from those too young to have been there as well as those too old to remember. Keith
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Post by dobro on Jun 1, 2017 12:24:38 GMT
I tend to agree. I also appreciate "Revolver" a lot. I think George Martin said that "Pepper" would have been perfect if they had included Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields, instead of putting it out as a single.
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Jun 1, 2017 13:54:40 GMT
It's probably my unfavourite Beatles album, and I've never really liked the cover. It's much too chaotic and so is the music. Call me old-fashioned, but I'm not keen on contrasts in albums, but prefer the mood to be consistent.
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Post by gavdav on Jun 1, 2017 14:53:53 GMT
At least lots of nice events going on here in Liverpool. Hoping to make it to the Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds light show tonight on Camp Hill in woolton.
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Post by robmc on Jun 1, 2017 16:10:41 GMT
I don't own Sgt Pepper and have never really had the inclination to, I just don't like the feel of the songs as much as Help!, Rubber Soul and Revolver.
I was listening to the radio and hadn't realised it was the 50th anniversary, it was 5 Live and they had The Charlatans in the studio playing music from their new (13th!) album and having a chat, seems it will be between The Beatles and The Charlatans for number one this week, Liverpool and Manchester slogging it out again.... I may buy The Charlatans album, haven't bought an album in quite a while (except Phil's!).
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delb0y
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Post by delb0y on Jun 1, 2017 16:52:58 GMT
Another vote for the preceding albums, too. Although I always struggle to get into Revolver. Too many backwards guitar solos for me :-)
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Post by andyhowell on Jun 1, 2017 17:04:51 GMT
Hmm, it sounds dated and uneven to me. Some great stuff and some that has not aged well. Rubber Soul and Revolver are better albums.
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Jun 1, 2017 17:59:26 GMT
When the LP came out I was 13 and was in the Lake District on a family holiday. For every Beatles LP I was at the record shop when it opened to buy it and this time it was in Ambleside. The only problem was that where we were staying there wasn't a record player to be seen (or heard) and so I spent the best part of a bizarre week reading the song lyrics and trying to imagine what the songs were going to sound like. When I got home and played it, it was a strange experience but I loved it and have a soft spot for it. The LP sleeve and cover were amazing and the "build your own cardboard Beatles" stuff inside great fun. I don't think any of the tracks have really dated and as an album I think it still works well. It definitely shows the band continuing to experiment and push the boundaries and sits with the whole swinging sixties "thang". It certainly had a big influence with other performers - Joe Cocker's "With A Little Help From My Friends" coming to mind. You can certainly hear more of the splitting out of Lennon and McCartney on the album rather than Lennon & McCartney and the fragmentation was complete with the White Album. If pushed my favourite albums are "A Hard Days Night" and "Abbey Road" but "Sgt Pepper" is right up there for me. "When I'm Sixty Four" will have special significance for me later this year
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Post by andyhowell on Jun 1, 2017 21:24:24 GMT
I rather like the version of Let it Be with Spector removed.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Jun 2, 2017 0:41:26 GMT
Bought it at 9 am on 1/6/67. My friends and I were astounded when I played it an hour later, lyrics on the back cover, no breaks in the tracks and amazing sounds we had never heard before. I'm glad to have been born at the right time to enjoy the musical journey. I saw them 9 Aug 64. Best album for me is Rubber Soul but they are all good as are the singles (a and b sides).
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jun 2, 2017 6:32:47 GMT
Although I wasn't around for its release, I love the album. I actually really enjoy the opening track too
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Post by vikingblues on Jun 2, 2017 19:55:13 GMT
I find myself in the camp of those who prefer "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" and "Abbey Road", the first of those being my favourite.
But there are some tracks on Pepper that I really like, including two I've not seen mentioned above - "Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite" and "Within You Without You" - I've felt a strong affinity with most of George Harrisons songs on Beatles albums. Doing a compilation set for the car I'd also have more tracks from "Abbey Road" and "Help" than Pepper.
But Pepper did break barriers and inspire alternative thinking - it merits being remembered as special if only due to that. It is astounding that they broke so many barriers and in such a short time too.
Mark
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Post by robmc on Jun 2, 2017 21:22:04 GMT
"When I'm Sixty Four" will have special significance for me later this year Quite spooky Dave but I was browsing in town today and in the window of Oxfam is what looks like the original score and lyric sheet to 'When I'm Sixty Four'.... £11.80... can investigate if you would like some memorabilia to mark the occasion, pretty sure I could play hard ball and negotiate them down to a tenner!
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Post by lavaman on Jun 2, 2017 21:41:29 GMT
I remember buying Sgt Pepper's as a young teenager and thinking wow this is different and a bit weird compared to everything before. Favourite Beatles album? - has to be Abbey Road as it brings back so many memories.
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Post by grayn on Jun 3, 2017 5:25:20 GMT
It all makes one feel very old. Although I'm glad I was around to be contemporary, with the music of this era. I am a fan of Mr. McCartney's bass playing, in the mid-late 60s. Even though I didn't start playing bass until 1972 (at 13) So many great albums from the Beatles. If I had to chose a favourite, it would be Abbey Road.
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