트랙리스트
1. In Spite Of All The Danger (2:23)
2. Better Than The Rest (2:58)
3. Humans (5:21)
4. Somehow (4:34)
5. You Can (2:55)
6. Right At Home (2:54)
7. Let It Grow (2:58)
8. Ain't That The Game (3:39)
9. Dark Before The Dawn (3:12)
10. Is This Love (3:35)
11. Beautiful Woods (3:58)
12. This Is A Knowing (3:05)
13. Is It Over (3:21)
14. Sailing (5:04)
15. Two Wars (4:06)
16. Loving You (3:15)
노트
The idea for this originated in 1987. A friend, Murray Schwarz of RPMC Los Angeles invited me to Abbey Road, Studio Two for the day. Like many fortunate fans I had been to the studios once for the EMI Beatles Presentation in 1983. The aim of this exercise had been two-fold, a use of the facility during a complete overhaul of the studios and an opportunity to allow fans access to the "Hallowed Ground." It had been a great PR coup for EMI as it had finally facilitated the fans, which hitherto had been impossible, as the studio's primary purpose is of course recording, and although they obviously appreciate the fame that their association with The Beatles has brought, it is not without a heavy price as fans have been encamped outside the last 40 years/ I took up Murray's offer and spent an entire day in Studio Two. The hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention, a feeling I get whenever I pass through the doors of Studio Two, which I have done on many occasions since. Murray's company has hired the studios, which was broadcasting live back to the United States. There were dozens of US radio stations broadcasting coast to coast commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper. I was surprised at this use of the facilities but Murray assured me that the 'nice people at EMI were very approachable and amiable as long as their integrity was not compromised'. Ten years on, the festival that I organize with my partner Dave Jones has become a huge success. Held annually in late August in Liverpool, it celebrates the impact that The Beatles have had upon the region and it typically attracts fans and bands from all over the world. Indeed, Apple and EMI endorsed the festival in 1999. Bands were traveling from Japan, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Moldova, Russia, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey, Belgium and Holland to name but a few. Their dreams were fulfilled by traveling to Liverpool, seeing all the famous sites and playing in venues such as The Cavern Club, The Casbah, The Jacaranda, Litherland Town Hall and Aintree Institute. We even had gigs at LIPA, Quarry Bank School and Strawberry Fields. However, there was one dream we couldn't make come true and that was for the bands to go into Abbey Road Studios. Or could we? Remembering Murray's words, we contacted EMI. We wanted to make a record, and of course if we were going to do so 'Why Don't We Do It In Abbey Road?' The project gained momentum and the first bands into the studio couldn't believe their luck. For most recording in Studio Two was almost a religious experience, many become very emotional. But there was precious little time for that, as there was a job to be done. Fortuitously, we had engaged the services of Will Schillinger, a top producer from NYC (he has his own company, Pilot Recording Studios), who is a great Beatles fan, but more importantly a friend who was able to treat the project sympathetically. However, Initially he was skeptical with the concept, which was to bring into the studio a series of professional, semi-professional and amateur bands into Studio Two, who would each record one of their own compositions in half a day! He tried to convince me that it doesn't quite work the way it did in 1962; half a day isn't even enough time to set-up, let alone record an original composition. However, he went for it and I'm so glad he did. Every year in late August, for five consecutive years Will recorded six bands in three days! The bands were all Beatles tribute bands that were appearing at the festival. Their Beatle influences permeated their original songs. So here it is, the best of those sessions, a project of truly international proportions, involving bands from the USA, England, Scotland, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Sweden, Australia and of course, Liverpool. For Everybody involved, this has been a labour of love, and I hope that you enjoy the results, which have been sprinkled with a little bit of gold dust, which you can only find in Studio Two of Abbey Road, London. - Bill Heckle, August 10th 2002
1. In Spite of All The Danger - The Overtures: One of the most popular bands ever to play the festival. The Overtures are from London, their dynamic stage show is the best 60's tribute show you will ever see. This track has no association with the Beatles Anthology track of the same name, it is a catchy opener with a feeling of 1963-64 about it.
2. Better Than The Rest - Ringer: The title track sums up how the fans felt about this Scottish band, as they were the mainstay of the festival from 1984-1992. They have undergone many changes but their present line up as good as any that has gone before, as this track with clear 1965 influences, demonstrates.
3. Humans - Liverpool: If there was to be a single, this would be it. This is pure Lennon, the song he never wrote. It is really eerie, Ollie the lead singer has captured John's politics and sentiments to the full, which perhaps explains why he won Sweden's version of 'Stars In Their Eyes', with his impersonation of John.
4. Somehow - Fab Faux: Another advantage of having Will Schillinger on board was that he introduced the Fab Faux to the project. A multi-talented group of America's finest musicians with credits as long as your arm. They include Will Lee of Letterman fame, who apart from being voted the best bass player in the world, played with Bowie, The Stones, Clapton and McCartney in one evening at Madison Square Garden for victims of September 11. He also appeared with George Harrison at the Royal Albert Hall in 1992. Jack Petruzelli, Rich Pagano, Frank Agnello & Andy Yorke - New York's finest - join Will on this track, highly reminiscent of Badfinger, circa 1970.
5. You Can - The Beats: The Beats from Argentina capture the Fabs energy on stage perhaps better than anyone else. Their youth and innocence give the boys a look of 1964 and this track reinforces that persona.
6. Right at Home - Hard Night's Day: This Texan group have been a big hit on Merseyside and this track would be right at home on a compilation of songs from 1966 or so.
7. Let It Grow - Banned On The Run: Lead singer Bob Bartey from Halifax is blessed with a voice that sounds uncannily like Paul's solo voice. Indeed this track would sit comfortably on any of Paul's albums, a catchy melody which has all the trademarks of Paul's songwriting.
8. Ain't That The Game - Instant Karma: John's nasal sound is easily captured by Jon Keats, A Liverpudlian and Will's sympathetic production gives a Plastic Ono Band feel to this song, which boasts a strong hook that you will be singing wherever you go.
9. Dark Before The Dawn - Hare Georgeson: Featuring Rick Alan, the world's foremost George Harrison tribute act, who performed along with Paul McCartney at the Liverpool Empire on 34th February 2002 at a concert in George's memory. Rick has been performing as George for over ten years and it is no surprise to learn that this track has snatches of his influences throughout.
10. Is This Love - Los Beat 3: This Venezuela group took the festival by storm in 1999 and performed at the Apple endorsed'Yellow Submarine Day'. This song sounds as if it was recorded at the same time as the White Album; it possesses that same stark, stripped back production.
11. Beautiful Woods - Lenny Pane: These four guys are classical trained musicians from Sweden and it shows. This song is very complex when compared to many of the others and features an arrangement which is reminiscent of songs such as 'Rain'.
12. This Is A Knowing - -Get Back band with Gary Gibson: Gary is the world's foremost Lennon impersonator and this is obviously a song derived/inspired by the Revolver/Sgt Pepper period.
13. Is It Over - Beatals: 'Is It Over' was written by the Australian Beatals from Adelaide. They actually recorded two songs in their half of a day and it was difficult to pick one but we plumped for this one.
14. Sailing - Clube Big Beatles: Solo Paul from the nineties, it reminds me of 'Wine Dark Open Sea' and songs of that ilk. The Brazilian band has performed for the last eight years at the Liverpool Beatles Festival and remain a firm favourite of the fans.
15. Two Wars - Sgt Pepper: Another Brazilian band who features Marco Gauguin on lead guitar, who is possibly the finest lead guitarist to ever grace Beatleweek. He looks like Carlos Santana but his influences are firmly based in Liverpool. Listen to his wonderful guitar in this song which instantly reminds me of 'Free As A Bird'/'Real Love'.
16. Loving You - Tunel Do Tempo: Tunel Do Tempo means Tunnel of Time and this is really a trip back in time as the Brazilian band capture the innocent simple feel of 1963.
Recorded August 1998-2001
Special Thanks to Colette Barber and all staff at Abbey Road Studios, all of the bands: TP: and of course J.P.G.R. without whom there would have been no inspiration in the first place.
