94 Baker Street : The Pop-Psych Sounds of the Apple Era 1967-1969 (RPM)

Another in RPM' interesting series of psychedelia compilations presenting songs from the Beatles' Apple record label. This one concentrates on the period when Apple was trying to be a normal record label and not just for Beatles records. There are some great songs on here by bands largely forgotten nowadays but well worth rediscovering (in some cases). Some of the songs have not been released before including Focal Point's amazing "girl on the corner" who also score with the scruzzy psychedelia of "Sycamore Sid".

The album is dominated by Focal Point and The Iveys (who later became Badfinger). Their sweet pop sounds can be enjoyed on "Maybe tomorrow".

Another interesting track is Paintbox's bouncy pop thrill on "get ready for love". While a couple of the tracks are a bit forgettable taken overall this is a lovely compilation of lesser known bands and sounds from the psychedelia era. One final point, the track listing on the back of the CD is wrong which adds to the mind-bending fun of course.

An Apple A Day : More Pop-Psych Sounds From The Apple Era 1967-1969 (RPM)

This is volume 2 in RPM's collection of re-releases (and in some cases releasing for the first time) of songs by artists on the Beatle's Apple Records in the late 60s. Bands and artists include the likes of the Iveys (later Badfinger), Gallagher & Lyle and the wonderfully named Turquoise. As with the first volume some of the previously unreleased tracks sound like they should have remained so but some of the others are wonderful.

Best tracks are The Iveys with their psychedelic pop rush of "black and white rainbow" and Denis Couldry's wonderful "I am nearly there", all deadpan vocals and tempo changes. Majority One's "Charlotte Rose" has plenty of psychedelic whimsy and great 60s pop moments. Its a mixed bag, like a mix of sweets you used to get from the shop as a kid. Sometimes the sweet shop owner would put in a couple of sweets you wouldn't like but you just knew that the good ones would make up for it.

The Beatles - rubber soul (remastered)

Rubber Soul was one of the few Beatles albums i had bought before in the pre-mastered days (though i don't know whats happened to my old copy) and i remembered at the time i was a little disappointed with it. I think at the time i was a too little young to appreciate it, i wanted "I am the Walrus" and the like but really this is one of the best Beatles albums. One to truly appreciate now.

It was the last album before psychedelia began to feature in the fab four's music in any meaningful way but this a very modern album. Well crafted pop songs songs like "Drive my car" and music inventiveness like "Michelle" which is still one of my favourite Beatles songs of all.

Mostly though this album takes me back to the 1960s, or how i imagine it was (as i wasn't born). Listening to this album a few mornings ago in the car i drove up behind a Mark 1 Ford Cortina complete with fins. The feeling of nostalgia nearly overcome me.

The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour

This album, released in 1967 followed Sgt. Pepper (you have heard of that i'm sure), and originally was a pair of EPs containing songs from a film Magical Mystery Tour. Later it was filled out into an album by including some singles from 1967. Oddly this accidental album is maybe one of the best Beatles albums you can get as it includes immortal songs like "Strawberry fields forever", "Penny Lane" and "I am the walrus".

Its a psychedelia tour de force therefore and much better received than the film was. Despite the amazing singles included to pad the album out one of the best tracks is from the film soundtrack "Your Mother should know" is a typical piece of McCartney retro nostalgic nonsense and is terrific.

The Beatles - revolver

If i was going to pick one Beatles album for my desert island exile then it would likely be this one. From the driving rock and roll pop of "Taxman" to the rich sounds and touching whimsy of "Eleanor Rigby" to the psychedic awakening of "Tomorrow never knows" this album has it all. Even some Ringo-esque nonsense in "Yellow submarine"...

Sgt. Pepper was still a year away but this was the prototype and the sign of things to come in the Beatles, in rock and Western civilisation in general in the next few years... Oddly enough that probably isn't hyperbole. Revolver has been called one of the first psychedelic albums and is up there with the likes of Pet Sounds. The drugs were still working, everything stays just the right side of weird.

94 Baker Street Revisited (RPM)

94 Baker Street Revisited is the 5th and latest volume in RPM's look back at (mostly obscure) songs released or published by The Beatles' Apple Records. As with the earlier volumes most of the 22 tracks here are previously unreleased, in some cases you can understand why, but some are gems which at long last can enter the light. Unlike some of the earlier volumes most of the songs are not what you would call "psychedelic" but rather are more mainstream 60s pop.

There is nothing wrong with that of course though you shouldn't expect much of a swirl of noise or lyrics about fairies and chocolate spread. Coconut Mushroom's "any day now" is one of the best tracks and a terrific yet straightforward 60s pop song, nothing that original and rather dated by the 1967-69 period but very well done. You will be singing along on the first listen.

Timon's "who needs a king" is probably the closest the album comes to psychedelia with its pop whimsy. Some of the songs kind of wash over you without you really taking much notice but its still enjoyable, its still interesting pop. And good pop too.

George Harrison - all things must pass (EMI)

The story of this album is well known, it came out in 1970 not long after the final break-up of The Beatles and astounded people with the sheer amount of music on offer (3 LPs worth which has translated to 2 CDs here with some extra tracks added) and the sheer quality too. So how does this remastered version of the album stand up 42 years on...

It stands up perfectly well thank you, an album that is just sheer class. The album didn't spring out of nowhere, it included songs George had written during the latter years of  the Fab Four (indeed some of which where rejected in favour of Lennon & MacCartney songs on the Beatles final few albums).

Whether it is the familiar hit "My sweet Lord" or the sublime adult rock of songs like the amazing and moody "Beware of darkness" it just oozes class. True there are hints of what some might term Dad rock excess in the years to come in some of the tracks especially the jams but i think they are fine and anyway can be omitted if you wish. On this album George certainly came out from behind the shadow of John and Paul, the album showcasing his songwriting and musical skill, heart and feel.

MV : "Beware of darkness" by George Harrison

Friday Links (18/05/12)

• A backwards version of the iconic Abbey Road photo is up for sale. You'll need around 9 grand to buy it though.
• The popular Eurovision website Daily Eurovision Centre has unfortunately been hacked by homophobic idiots, but the show goes on... on their Facebook page for now!
• RIP Donna Summer, here is an interview with her from 1976.

Friday Links (27/04/12)

• "Unseen" photos of The Beatles are to go on sale next month (alternative link)
• How Madchester put the E into enterprise zone.
• Psychedelic Jukebox
• Dr Schuss' Garage of Psychedelic Obscurities

Good Friday Links (06/04/12)

• Several sons of the Beatles could form a band, a kind of Beatles 2.0. James McCartney said "I would love to be equal to The Beatles - but even that's quite tough." You think? A poll on the Guardian seems to show the fans are rather cool to the idea, 80% plus thinking no!
• Lyrics from the Marillion hit "Kayleigh" are to be inscribed in the paving stones of the town of Galashiels, which is where the song was set.
• Jim Marshall, of amplifier fame, dies at the age of 88.

Jenny Moss - please let it happen to me

Friday Links (30/03/12)

• Jocky Wilson said and other rock myths.
• Star Wars themed guitars? What?
• Lost George Harrison guitar solo for "Here comes the Sun" ..er.. found. Should be enough for a new Beatles boxset.
• Model Village will release an album at the end of next month collecting songs released from various singles and compilations.

Veronica Falls - my heart beats

John Lennon at 70

Forget me being 39 next month (no thats not a hint, you don't have to buy me anything but if you want to i am too polite to stop you of course) but more importantly John Lennon would have been 70 next month if he hadn't been shot of course (or died in the meantime). In an article in the Observer how John would have reacted to all the things he missed like 9/11, Thatcherism and ...er... David Beckham is discussed. Well thats what the article says it will talk about though it doesn't really touch on these things much apart from saying he would have loved Twitter.

What-ifs are always interesting, i suspect he would have joined the Traveling Wilburys and made a series of solo albums throughout the 80s, 90s and 00s that became ever more laid-back and probably bland before ending up critically acclaimed yet largely unheard.