Pianist David Lanz has just released a new album, "Liverpool ... Re-Imagining the Beatles" (also available on iTunes) that features his interpretations of Beatles songs such as "Things We Said Today," "Yes It Is," "Lovely Rita" and medleys of "Rain"/"Eight Days a Week" and "Because"/"I'm Only Sleeping." The arrangements are gentle and beautiful and make for wonderful listening.
We asked him some questions about his music by email.
Q: Can you give an outline of your love of the Beatles? When you first heard them? Did you ever see them together or solo? Any special memories of hearing them in the '60s?
David Lanz: What can I say...they have influenced just about every song I have ever written or arranged...and I have been composing for at least 35-40 years. My first real memory was Feb. 9, 1964 when the lads took America by storm on "The Ed Sullivan Show." I was hooked from age 13 on, following their music and waiting for each and every new album they put out until they disbanded. I did get to one of their shows during the Beatlemania period....and was very disappointed that the only thing audible were the teenage girls screaming. No wonder they gave up touring. It must have been very hard for them as a band to carry on in that environment! But not touring of course, led them into their studio experimentation, which led to all that amazing music post the live Beatles!
Q: We happened to pick up your "Songs From An English Garden" CD a long time ago from a now long gone store where you could listen to CDs before buying them. You did some great songs on that album including "Sunny Afternoon" and "Conquistador," two huge favorites of ours. How does "Songs From an English Garden" compare to "Liverpool" in terms of your approach to Beatles songs?
David Lanz: I guess my approach really is the same whenever I cover a song. First I have to love it...it needs to be a good fit for me as a pianist, and then most importantly, I have to “own” the song, making it my own. In the process of making Liverpool, I really felt as if I was collaborating with Lennon and McCartney! The "English Garden" record was a great warm up for "Liverpool." I spent nearly six months listening to every Beatle record I could get my hand on, and then spent a lot of time playing through and trying songs out to see how they laid on the piano, so to speak. I went deep into Beatleland..and drove my wife a little crazy in the process. But I have to say, even though she got a little burned out during the process, she was very happy and proud of the final result:-)
Q: You mention in the liner notes you took a trip to Liverpool, including a tour of "Mendips." What were your impressions of the city and, especially, visiting Mendips?
David Lanz: Liverpool was like going to Mecca! To be in the city walking around following the lads footsteps was more than a thrill! Having a pint in the local pubs where they famously hung out, seeing where they all grew up and realizing how close they all were, geographically speaking, including their manager, Brian Epstein, just seemed amazing. From that small town on the Mersey River, they all set out and changed the world in such a tremendous way! The folks of Liverpool are proud of the lads, and very friendly to visitors...a visit there makes for a great holiday and is highly recommended! While in Liverpool, the National Trust gave us an intimate look inside both John and Paul’s boyhood homes. These were the homes they lived in when they first met and began writing together. John’s home, Mendips, was so cool! His backyard bordering on Strawberry Field...and it was set up to look like it did in the day...but for me, walking up the stairs and standing alone in John’s bedroom was just overwhelming! I really felt his energy in that space and it was almost too much to take in....I will certainly never forget that experience!
Q: Any other Beatle projects being considered?
David Lanz: This recording has given rise to The Liverpool Trio. We are out now touring in support of "Liverpool...Re-Imagining the Beatles" and preparing shows through next year. That being said, an EP is in the works covering a few more of my Fab Four favs, including... "Here Comes The Sun," "Please Please Me," "Help!" and "I Am The Walrus," all done up in my style and supported by Gary Stroutsos on various world flutes, and Walter Gray on cello. We just returned from a great Korean tour...and the trio is really sounding excellent!
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