Dec 19, 2006 04:57 PM
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IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN WHICH WE ALL LOVE . THIS YEAR CELEBRATE IT WITH "THE BEATLES"....
Their (Beatle’s) rock contemporaries (The Rolling Stones, The Animals) looked down on the novelty of a Christmas Record, while their pop contemporaries (The Four Seasons, The Beach Boys) saw it as an opportunity to cash in, yet the Beatles themselves managed again, somehow, to have it both ways.
What sounds like novelty is actually a quite fascinating slice of the legacy. For one thing, the album contains original Beatles songs that haven't been released or are hard to find. From obvious goofs like "Everywhere It's Christmas" to the excellent "Christmas Time Is Here Again" (a song which contains some of Ringo's finest moments on the drums), to the Paul solo "Happy New Year", which sounds like "I've Got A Feeling".
Most importantly, though, these records contain a clear delineation of the Beatles Arc of History. When listened to all at once, chronologically, they provide a startling parallel to the band's own adventures. The earliest ones are full of energy and overwhelming optimism, but they're simple and only subtly adventurous. As they move into 1965, more experimentation comes into play, and the lads begin to take creative hold of the medium, ad-libbing and using the studio to full effect. By the time the series ends, the series is only perfunctorily about Christmas or the Fan Club: everyone sounds restless and the collaborative spirit has vanished. These records never uncover the unhappiness that Let It Be does; they're very pleasant (and fun) listening. But don't think they don't tell part of the story... by 1969, Yoko appears more than Paul does.
I always wondered who thought up of the idea for the Beatles Xmas Fan Club messages?
Well, it wasn't the Beatles themselves, that's for sure. Nor was it Brian Epstein. In fact the person who came up with the idea was Tony Barrow and he decided: Why not have the Beatles call out to their fans and send it out on a record just before Christmas?
And so the Beatle Fan Club Members got their first Beatle Xmas message in 1963. Bet you all thought (for those who have heard it) that the Beatles wrote the the message themselves for their fans? Wrong! In fact the first three Xmas messages were more or less scripted by Tony Barrow with the idea that the Beatles "ad-lib humor" might prevail along the way as they're reading it (ie: one of the boys goosing another one or whistling the queens anthem).
Interestingly enough, the first three Beatle Xmas records -- that is, 1963, 1964 and 1965 were all recorded at EMI studios at the end of their recording sessions. By 1966, the Beatles took a totally different approach to their next Xmas message. Mainly Paul McCartney's idea, the recording of this message had quite a few firsts for itself.
First of all, it was to be "Pantomime" - an idea Paul came up with as opposed to the usual "happy greetings and Xmas goodwill" found on the previous three Xmas messages.
Secondly, the record became the first Xmas record to be double-sided.
Thirdly, the sleeve cover was done in color for the first time!
Fourthly (and a bit of surprise here for this fan), the Beatles recorded this message at their publishers studios...that's right, in Dick James' studios in 1966!
In 1968, the Beatles were not working together (due to problems within the band) on their Xmas messages but instead they recorded "separate messages" to be "edited together." The lucky person who got to do this envious task of producing and editing was none other than Kenny Everett. Basically, Ken took the recordings back to the BBC radio and did some special mixing which still gave the impression of Beatles doing another great fan club message. But in the1969 Xmas message, Kenny Everett's efforts were more constrained by the lack of input from George Harrison - who only spoke a mere 6 seconds on the record and Ringo, only a mere16 seconds - made the Beatles last Xmas message appear far less of a group effort at all. .
Interesting history behind the Beatles Christmas Album. And I still play my copy around Christmas time- IT’S FUN YOU WILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT..
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A FABULOUS NEW YEAR TO ALL …. MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH ALL HIS BLESSINGS …
