donderdag 3 november 2016

The Beatles live at Budokan - Japan (1966)

After the Beatles released the Rubber Soul album at the end of 1965, they recorded their follow up album Revolver then embarked on a world tour. In making these two albums, the group recorded music that had become increasingly difficult to reproduce on stage. But that problem only scratched the surface of problems the band would face in 1966.

The Asian leg of the tour began with controversy as right-wing Japanese nationalists protested at the staging of their concerts in Tokyo at the Nippon Budokan in June and July which was built for the staging of the martial arts rather than musical performances.
The performances went ahead but there was heavy security to protect the group from both fans and protesters, meaning the group were forced to stay in their suite at the Tokyo Hilton, although Lennon escaped for a short time. NEMS staff photographer, Robert Whitaker, remembered: "He [Lennon] snuck out using my name, on the basis, I think, that all white people probably looked the same to the Japanese. He got away with it for a while, but then somebody recognised him and he was dragged back to the hotel."

                                           If I Needed Someone.

 Feet planted on Japanese ground for the first time and bleary from lack of sleep, the Beatles faced the usual round of daft probes about their hair, which they handled with customary good humor. Asked about the “motives and incentives” for their hairstyle, Harrison said: “We couldn’t afford a barber at the time.” Ringo: “I think the next change will be when we go bald.”



                                           Baby,s in Black


But then came an ominous question from Ken Gary, representing the foreign press in Japan. “Some Japanese say that your performances will violate the Budokan, which is devoted to traditional Japanese martial arts, and you set a bad example for Japanese youth by leading them astray from traditional Japanese values. What do you think of all that?”
John: “Better to watch singing than wrestling, anyway.”

                                           Nowhere Man

 “It’s amazing security, you know,” commented Ringo at their first press conference. “I’ve never seen so many people guarding us.” It’s for your own safety, he was told. The four found themselves virtually confined to their hotel. Rightwingers protested, screaming invective against the “foreign invaders.” Before the Beatles’ three Budokan concerts, police warned that fans who stood up and made noise would be arrested.

                                          I,m Down

 



dinsdag 1 november 2016

The Beatles working at Apple and Twickenham in London January 1969

                                                        












Mooie beelden van The Beatles tijdens
Get Back / Let It Be sessies .Ondanks meningsverschillen met George Harrison(hij had de groep tijdelijk verlaten)was er van onenigheid tussen de bandleden tijden deze opnames weinig te merken 
Paul en John zijn heerlijk aan het dollen,soms slaat zelfs de meligheid toe.De inbreng van George is niet groot,die van Ringo is nihil..Historische beelden van het laatste kunstje van een superband

zondag 30 oktober 2016

Matthews Southern Comfort - Southern Comfort

The beautiful performance of Iain Matthews with Plainsong in Theater de Wegwijzer was an opportunity to look back at some of Iain's earlier work. In addition to Fairport Convention, Plainsong, his many solo work, there was of course also that other band, Matthews Southern Comfort. I found in my collection is the beautiful album "The Best Off Southern Comfort" by this band, a nice overview of the best work of this formation. The most famous is of course "Woodstock" written by Joni Michell, but I chose the song below.

                   Southern Comfort
This UK band was formed by former Fairport Convention singer/guitarist Iain Matthews (b. Ian Matthew McDonald, 16 June 1946, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England), and was named after his 1969 debut for MCA Records. Comprising Matthews, Mark Griffiths (guitar), Carl Barnwell (guitar), Gordon Huntley (pedal steel guitar), Andy Leigh (bass) and Ray Duffy (drums), the newly formed band signed to EMI Records. The unit’s country-tinged sound proved to be an excellent forum for Matthews’ songwriting talents. In the summer of 1970, their second album, Second Spring reached the UK Top 40 and was followed by a winter chart-topper, ‘Woodstock’. Joni Mitchell wrote the single as a tribute to the famous festival that she had been unable to attend. Already issued as a single in a hard rocking vein by Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young, it was a surprise UK number 1 for Matthews Southern Comfort. Unfortunately, success was followed by friction within the band and, two months later, Matthews announced his intention to pursue a solo career. One more album followed after which the band truncated their name to Southern Comfort. After two further albums, they disbanded in the summer of 1972.(ALLMUSIC)


Fairport Convention (feat.Iain Matthews)
http://arthurfromholland.blogspot.nl/2009/07/fairport-convention-original-line-up.html

Fairport Convention Bouton Rouge Sessions (feat Iain Matthews)
http://arthurfromholland.blogspot.nl/2014/08/fairport-convention-bouton-rouge.html

 Ad vanderVeen -Kersten DeLigney -Iain Matthews
http://arthurfromholland.blogspot.nl/2012/05/ad-vanderveen-kersten-de-ligny-and-iain.html

 Iain Matthews &The Searing Quartet
 http://arthurfromholland.blogspot.nl/2010/02/iain-matthews-searing-quartet-de.html