"The Beatles Live at the BBC" is one of the Beatles' best albums. There, we said it.
It ranks with the greats -- "Abbey Road," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and any other immortal (well, aren't they all?) Beatles albums.
Those who were familiar with bootlegs had been hearing this stuff for years. The Beatles' BBC recordings made up many of the initial vinyl bootlegs.
But getting them finally released out in the open was both a shock and a revelation. It was a shock to those of us who thought it would never happen. And it was a revelation to the vast majority of the public who'd never heard these recordings.
"Soldier of Love" and "Clarabella" are still two of our favorites on that set. But "Live at the BBC" also brought out versions of "Johnny B. Goode," "Lucille," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "The Hippy Hippy Shake" and "I Forgot to Remember To Forget," songs that those who saw the Beatles live in the early days might have heard but titles the rest of us wouldn't have heard if it wasn't for these.
The live versions of their own songs on the set don't hold a candle to the studio versions, but all the songs they did on the BBC but didn't release more than make up for it.
For us, this is a more satisfying release than the three "Anthology" sets put together. It's just a shame this stuff doesn't get played more often. It deserves to be.
Comments
I recall hearing those sessions on the radio before the CD was released. There was a part where Ringo was complaining (sort of kidding) he didn't have any songs of his own, and Paul says, "How about that one I'm writing for you?" And then sang, "Don't Pass Me By, don't make me cry, don't make me blue." This was several years before the White Album, on which the song is credited to Ringo. Interesting. I'm wondering if that is on the CD.
Also you can tell the keyboard break in Hard Day's Night is dubbed in from the studio version.
I love Live at the BBC today. And besides the great music, the snippets of Beatles' speaking and joking are wonderful. I was just reading that there are even more songs the band did for the BBC, enough for a sequel: Live at the BBC 2. Has anyone else heard that or is is just wishful thinking?
I heard the same thing, Sousa! Apparently there's a 9-CD Italian bootleg out there which contains *all* the shows, but with a lot of repeats, as the Beatles tended to play the latest singles.
I agree, I love that CD. My favorite is Thank You Girl and also the James Mason impersonation, by the host.
There's definitely enough material for full single disc of TITLES they did on BBC but which did not make it on to volume one. I emphasize "titles" as opposed to "performances" as there are literally hundreds of additional performances, but many are of the same songs - you'd REALLY have to like "Twist & Shout", "Long Tall Sally" and "from Me To You" :). Still, a followup volume would contain some very well known songs, including "I Want to hold your hand" and "She loves you" which were not present on the first volume.
I have the 9 disc set and yeah, it's a treasure trove of wonderful! I can't get enough of "Too Much Monkey Business". Brilliant!
I especially can't believe they have actually let it go out of print on CD at least once in the past...glad it is back in print.
The BBC version of "Thank You Girl" blows away the studio version. This is absolutely my favorite live Beatles album because it really captures them when they were at their most exuberant point, full of energy and humor, before the public hysteria and long months of touring had taken their toll on them emotionally. I'd love to see another two or three discs of this material see the light of day legally.
Love it! Soldier Of Love, Lennon at the top of his game !
It originally went out of print due to Paul's wishes. It was intended to be out for only a limited time, as Paul didn't want people to confuse the BBC versions of their songs with the studio versions. He was later persuaded otherwise.
For me BBC is of Historical Value. Other than "Soldier of Love" and "Oh Carol", none of the songs get all that much play, but I wouldn't part with it for love or money. The 2nd Anthology set with the Sgt Pepper songs and I Am The Walrus, Strawberry fields, and especially Hello Goodbye are priceless and are played many times at my house, much more satisfying release than the BBC by a country mile.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!