Thank you for the gentle introduction in this outstanding masterpice of great English culture! And especially thanks for you perfect English language, understandable for foreigners.
I don't like how Ringo is too often seen as a sort of afterthought. Oh, we needed a drummer, so. . . To my mind, Ringo was the glue holding the whole thing together. Not to get too symbolic about it, he was literally the pulsebeat, the beating heart of the group. Try extracting his drum tracks and see how far you get with those songs. But it was Ringo's unassuming nature and self-effacement (and the sad blue eyes and floppy hair, not to mention crazy phrases like A Hard Day's Night and Tomorrow Never Knows) that really endears him to me. He was just an ordinary bloke performing an extraordinary task. How soon would the whole thing have blown up without his good-natured peacekeeping? He had three egos to herd and tend to, and he did a splendid job of it and kept it together much longer than it would have without him.. Best of all, he's still with us, and some of us are finally realizing that HE was the coolest Beatle of all.
I went to England for the first time in 2008. I was 16 years old and, as I was a massive Liverpool FC fan, had gotten a trip to Liverpool as a confirmation present. I'd listen to a few of the Beatles' singles before the trip and was thorougly impressed, so while at the Beatles museum I bought a CD of Sgt Pepper's. When I got back home to Norway, the first thing I did was to put the CD on. 40 minutes later I was sitting on the floor, staring in disbelief. What the hell did I just listen to? I had never heard anything like it and I absolutely hated it. Waste of space, time and money. A year later I was looking through the CD rack when I stumbled upon this mythical piece of music. I put it on. From the first second to the last it was the greatest experience I've ever had. It changed me. If I had to pick two desert island discs, I'd probably pick two copies of Sgt Pepper's in case one of them broke.
@@WayneFawcett-v1h They're just different. My grandad saw them live in Hamburg when he was a sailor. Nothing special, he thought. If he'd had a camera that night he'd sit on a goldmine.
Mr. Goodall does the Beatles album the respectful analysis that it deserves. I loved it. Learned lots of things even though I've been listening to the Beatles since 1963 and I saw them live in Toronto in 1964 (I think it was that date). Could not hear their music as it was drowned out by thousands of shrieking (moistly girls). Shocked me to see teenage girls pass out in a frenzy. But, I was hooked and remain a fan, all these decades later.
This album, it seems to be popular at times to be maligned. Fine. But to me, at 12 years old and deeply discovering music, specifically The Beatle, first heard this album on the first day of school in my Music Class. The (first year teacher) music teacher asked if we wanted to sing from those horrible little music books, or listen to the latest Beatles album. We voted for the album. And it seems extreme even to me today, that album changed my life. It was a very good sound system, and I had never heard anything quite as good as that. That album haunted me. I had to dive deeper. And I did. And here I am, 57 years later. So yeah, that was a landmark recording. If for no one, but me.
The beauty of Howard Goodall is that he can take a song/album that I love dearly, and fill in the cracks of my musical shortcomings so comprehensively that I'm left feeling embarrassed that I 'merely' loved the same song/album previously. FML
I have watched your videos on The Batles as well as your series on the components of western music. You make it easier for us to understand true genius at work. Thank you for this one,
Sgt Pepper is art. This analysis also puts it into the context of Western music's cultural heritage and why I and many believe it to be one of the most significant albums of music ever recorded. It's also so nice having someone who truly appreciates how music is constructed carefully explain to me why l should like it so much. Thanks! Howard... The Beatles along with George Martin, were a creative force that will live on. They will be playing A Day in the Life (one of the greatest songs ever composed) for decades to come.
Brilliany breakdown of Pepper. As a 57 year-old fan of The Beatles and a stuggling beatleoligist I loved the insight you brought to a piece of art that effected me deeply when my Mom brought home Pepper for me when I was 13 and from the moment I dropped the needle, my soul was transformed.
My favourite album of all times I grew up with it i still remember when my mom bought it back in 1968 it was played every day the next couple of years I was 5 years old but I it loved since then and forever, this analyze whas so good you got the whole analyze of all the most iconic tracks so good that I weaped thousand thanx for this documentary Love 😅 TAO from Sweden
I bought my first copy of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band that first or second week of June, 1967. I had been 'playing' guitar for several years, and I would turn the ripe old age of 11 in the third week of that June. As a budding musician, a middle class son of two professional people who had already divorced some 8 years previous, I didn't stand a fart's chance in a hurricane. My family life was a shambles,s had been for as long as I could remember, and along comes this 'birthday gift' to me, and that was it... I would be a musician no matter what, (regardless of what my parents, who had less than zero credibility in my view, - had to say in the matter, and they said plenty). I moved out a few years later, as I turned 15, and, still attending junior high school, began getting gigs. By age 17 I was studying classical guitar and piano at the Royal Conservatory, and shortly thereafter I got my first steady job playing Fender bass with an established Top 40 dance band whom had already been playing weekly for over a decade, and from which I would derive my living for the next several years, until I got with a singer/songwriter who'd recently had a #1 hit, and by 1980 I found myself recording his next album at the Record Plant, in LA, with some very famous and accomplished people. In retrospect, even though I was able to carve out a decent living playing music, (as well as working in several other creative disciplines such as photography,) this would be the 'high point' of my career. I had several other chances at 'grabbing the brass ring of success' such as it was, but wasn't ever able to reach those lofty heights to which we all aspire in the performing arts. I eventually wound up on the faculty of one of the world's most prestigious universities, as an adjunct professor in performing arts studies. And realistically, I can 'blame it all' on that single week in June 1967, when four lads from an obscure town named Liverpool, released an album with the unlikely title of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. ('And it was 20 years on - away, I was near Liverpool, but not to play'... when an unrelated project brought me to Birmingham's NEC, as a trade show exhibitor in 1987, followed by a week's vacation in London.) Your presentation is really quite good, and I'm very glad to have found it. There are priceless nuggets here that I've never encountered anywhere else, such as how the transition in the first verse of Strawberry Fields sounds without the use of varispeed, and several other tasty deconstructivist tidbits. Thanks for this!
What a treat to listen to the breakdown of these songs in the studio. TA. Very original and an insightful perspective on the Sgt. Peppers eclectic sound that as a teen in the eighties adored and still to this day holds up. Just my opinion but the best thing the Beatles ever did was quit touring and went into the studio that at that time and became the medium of the message at that time as McCluhan used to say. The Studio and technology, changed music. Imagine if they had eight tracks for this album instead of four ?
I always thought Rubber soul was The Beatles Revolver.. this doesn't include the US versions, the US Rubber Soul sounds like a Best of McCartney album. Sgt. Peppers was the first time the US had to release the same as the rest of the world ! @@theGENIUSofART-understood
It's always a jolt when you hear a Beatles song and it strikes me again and again how good it is, was and still is to listen to. Almost nothing can compare to what the Beatles achieved in a brief seven years. The only recent event that we denote "before and after" to is 9/11. But50+ years later we mark a "before and after" to the Beatles era. They were a group of four individually talented artists that together had a musical alchemy unmatched since. It was as Paul has said just magic!
Great doco. Love Howard’s analysis. One correction: the point in SFF where the join occurs is incorrectly stated here - the doco has it at the beginning of the final chorus, whereas it actually happens after the second verse. Surprised this error got through unnoticed. But still, as good a review of Sgt Pepper’s as I have seen. Well done, Howard!
I stopped watching after that blatant/amateurish error and immediately went to the comments to see if anyone else noticed, and you did! No reason to watch any further...
They gave up touring to develop their music. Other bands kept touring because they didn't or couldn't develop further. They were happy to sit on their laurels and stsy in their comfort zone. THAT is why the Beatles were and still are the biggest band in the world
I’ve only seen perfection a few times over the last 65 years. Secretariat’s Triple Crown. David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia, Barack Obama singing Amazing Grace in Charleston Bobby Fischer playing chess - and the Beatles staggering impact on music and popular culture. For me, those four boys are truly the greatest cultural gifts of the 20th century.
Fantastic to see this again, so glad it popped up out of the blue. As a child at school we watched Goodall's Music Time each week, a children's musical education programme he presented. It was so inspiring watching him communicate the fabric of music in such an informative and passionate way, and had me hooked on music for life. It's a testament to his brilliance that Paul McCartney himself watched this very programme and, thinking he knew everything about the album he'd created, actually discovered things he'd forgotten or didn't even realise they'd done. And he then fed what he'd learnt directly into the new music he was working on. ua-cam.com/video/WrVPDWBkDzg/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
I'll have to live to 101 to experience that. Cigarettes may have something to say about it though. But then again, who wants to be 101? I was 1 years old when it happened, that's the main thing!
To add, the song It’s All too Much was also recorded originally in these sessions, but ended up on Yellow Submarine album. That one has become one of my favourites.
Great record, amazing shift in pop and recording tech. Still breathtaking. But how do you get to Pepperland w/o composing “There’s a Place”, “I’m a Loser”, “Drive my Car”, “I’m Only Sleeping” etc..??
Paul McCartney wrote "When I'm 64" at the age of 14. HIs father would have been 54 at the time, though one supposes that the lyrics might have come later.
I never underestimate Paul as to what he knows about music. Same for John - I had never heard of him being a fan of medieval type music, but half of his stuff, Norwegian Wood, I'll Be Back, sounds medieval folk, and then Because is straight up French Church polyphony.
The version of 'Strawberry Fields Forever' on the 'Love' album is really great. Also, take 7 is really good. If the end could have just went on for another 20 seconds or so before breaking down.
The truth is Sgt Pepper was created half a century ago. Furthermore it’s celebrating a time 100-125 years earlier. So from an archeological perspective Sgt Pepper acknowledges something subconsciously unpopular in the 1960s. It is not a classical or jazz inspired artwork, though it’s closer to classical-esque.
Howard is right, you have to include Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane on Sgt Peppers making it the greatest R&R/Pop album of all time. The Beatles tried not to include their hit singles (like Hey Jude or Strawberry Fiekds for ex.) on albums that were huge sellers at 45 rpm…as Paul put it .”we tried not to make our fans pay for the record twice We saw that as a rip off. That’s how good they were !
The narrator doesn't understand, of course, what psychedelics are, musically, and artistically. Psychedelics aren't hallucinations of pure fantasy: ''where is the sofa, and what is that bear doing there?'' It isn't mere fantasy. It is real life turning into fantasy. The sofa became the bear. But you know it is still really just the sofa. And Rita becomes the song..... And Strawberry Feilds become forever. Without diminishing George Martin's part in the Sgt Pepper sound, it must be said, that the effects and processing were the brainchildren of the then audio engineers. George Martin's strength was his classical music training and jazz experience which helped enrichen many chord structues, and assistance with arrangements in Sgt Pepper. In that, drawing on his experience of contextual textures of particular layering of chord structures and sequences alongside each other, he could assist the Beatles in capturing particular 'feels' needed by the Beatles having been informed by LSD-25. And this, due to his educatiomn and experience in classical music, composition, and his his conducting orchestras in studiuo recordings. Also, Geporge did much voice-over poroduction with Ivor cutler etc. So had a rich pool of knowledge to add to the whole product. But the mixing desk? George could do that. yes. But all the bells and whistles? THE ENGINEERS. (Just NEVER let the engineers run the show. They do techniques instead of rock n roll)) And the audio engineers had to cope with making all of the above appear to happen. One designs the bridge, the other has to build it. Ringo is such an anomolous silent and understated hero isn't he? And the enbineer, Townsend, here, desrves a book in his own right. He undersstood much about various effects of various frequencies. And some.
She’s leaving home is not in Aeolian mode.It’s a major melody.Mixolydian is the correct mode.I don’t think it as a model song.Sadness comes from the lyrics and the harp.
At last, somebody else who noticed this bizarre goof by Goodall. It’s so strange that somebody who read music at Oxford could make such a glaring error, and moreover that nobody at the BBC fact-checked him. It’s not just that it very obviously ISN’T in the Aeolian mode, it’s the fact that even supposing it WERE in the Aeolian mode, that still wouldn’t be something even remotely worth mentioning when discussing the distinctive elements of a song. He talks about the Aeolian mode as if it’s exotic and remarkable, rather than the most bog-standard and commonplace way to be in a minor key. Even Mixolydian (the mode it’s actually in) isn’t particularly unusual in the context of rock. It’s so ubiquitous to the genre, in fact, that it’s been called “rock major”, and I suspect there are more major key Beatles songs that are, at least in part, in Mixolydian than there are Beatles songs that aren’t. It leaves one with the impression that Goodall somehow got through an entire tertiary education in music without grasping what modes actually are.
Completely agree.Had he exampled ‘Within you without you’ as a modal song,it would be appropriate.It’s a good description of Mixolydian mode with a few ornamentations. By the way what do you think of Paul mc Cartney concerts? I mean his dissapearing voice.I feel sad.Time to retire?
I don't believe the story of Lucy in the Sky being inspired by an existing drawing. That sounds like a cover story to me, to deny the OBVIOUS LSD origin of the name and the song. I DO believe Julian made such a drawing, but after he had heard John singing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" during the composition of the song.
Very interesting but ever since my secondary school days in the 1960s I've heard people saying Lucky in the sky with diamonds wasn't about LSD. So much of 60s culture was about halucinatory drugs it's impossible to truly believe the song is just about a child's drawing. Similarly phrases like 'I'd love to turn you on' in A day in the life cannot be ignored. I really don't have any problem with the Beatles, but sweeping the Zeitgeist of the 60s under the carpet is ridiculous.
..what do you mean when you say 'much of the 60's culture was ABOUT hallucinatory drugs'? How does 'about' explain what was going on during that time? You might say 'was influenced by' or something like that. But 'about' doesn't really say much. Yes, there was a strain of artists who were taking drugs - as so many have throughout history. And there was a subculture that reflected that. And of course there was a media machine that liked to exaggerate their reporting of them. It's no secret the Beatles have said SPLHB was 'about' drugs - as they were using hallucinogens during then. I lived through that time and I wouldn't try to characterize it so simply. There were a lot of issues banging around during that period - but aside from longer hair, some catchy new slang and crazy fashion the 'hippie paradise' of the '60's was mostly something that relatively few people were actually doing. I guess if you lived in a place like a commune, or SF or the village - maybe that's what it seemed like to you but most people were only reading about it, not actually living it. ...oh, and btw, 'turn you on' or 'turn me on' was not totally owned by the drug culture as it actually started as sexual phrase that got co-opted by them,
@greenlightwilly I was 16 when I left school in 1967. By using 'about' I was meaning all the things you mention, fashion, art, music, writing. You're right not everyone was using drugs but it was very fashionable to go around acting and looking like you did. I do know the broad use of the phrase 'turn you on' and such terms were used widely in a somewhat idiomatic and esoteric way within certain groups. At school in the 60s I remember our English teacher being very anti Itchycoo park ( don't know how if that's spelt right) and the small faces because he said it was obviously about taking drugs, yet he defended the Beatles LITSWD telling us with pleasure the kids drawing story. I was simply expressing my impression and reading your reply is very interesting, maybe we have similar perspectives on the era.
@@Timthi-b4m The truth was, all these musical movements have some drug of choice to sell. Dark forces behind the scene see to it. Hence, Ebeneezer goode by the Shamen. Intelligence handlers wished to encourage rampant drug use as a means of social control. If there is a new leisure drug discovered, you can guarantee there will be a new musical movement in tandem with it.
Allow me to break it to you. Holidays are not preordained. They are ALL based on Market considerations. From Christmas to Ramadan to Sweetest Day to Qwansa.. Somebody decided ( on their own) to hold an event in order to capitalize on a season, or need. Sweetest Day was created by Russel Stover to clebrate his wifes birthday. Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hannukah, etc. Were all arbibitrary . So, every day has at keast one hokiday, some are celebrated more than others. Theyre not Holy..
The Beatles are by far the most overrated band of all time. If they had been born 30 years later, they would basically be Nickelback. Both bands had plenty of hits, and both were decent but mediocre musicians. The Beatles had zero competition when they arrived in the 60s, compared to the many talented bands by the 2000s. That's why The Beatles are considered legends. They weren't, they were only geniuses compared to the talentless hacks that were around at the time. Better to be mediocre and lucky I guess.
Give us a break Sargent peppers ?? I’m sick of it over decades now a piece of music. That’s all. Re envention of the will ? Or something. Move on. There tons of super music. Come on now
Revealing my age, I bought this when it was first released in the US. I was too young to understand what all the fuss was about but nevertheless I enjoyed it as best a 15 year old American could. I liked the references to English life and how oddly familiar they seemed, although I was not English and would not travel to England until much later on. And of course the music itself was just very very appealing. ...But like most of the Beatles 'late period' work the record would continue to intrigue and entertain me throughout my life. I now understand why it was so pivotal to popular music in its time but oddly I still listen to it like I was 15 - mesmerized by the sounds and the feelings it produces. Goodall, the Analogues and Mark Lewisohn all have helped me understand how this important record was produced, but none of them can explain why this music continues to gain admirers 60 years after it was first released. Many will reference the non-replicatable circumstances of the times. Not even the Beatles themselves can really explain its deeply resonant appeal long after those times had passed. ...Like so many other human efforts that have endured over the years, maybe it's just simply a great work of ART? Inexplicable by even the artists themselves - but they knew it when they saw it.
Paul conceded in his book, "Many Years From Now", that John helped Paul with Paul's songs. THEY WROTE THOSE SONGS TOGETHER! Also, the Beatles roadie, Mel Evans, helped Paul with the lyrics to the title song and to "Fixing A Hole". These four guys along with George Martin had influence in ALL of the songs by the Beatles in one way or another and that is why their solo work is so different without this group influence (even Ringo would either give his thumbs up or thumbs down on songs or on various lyrics within songs).
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for the gentle introduction in this outstanding masterpice of great English culture! And especially thanks for you perfect English language, understandable for foreigners.
Ringo’s drumming in Day is nothing short of brilliant.
Agreed, and his drumming in Good Morning, Good Morning is also worthy of praise.
I don't like how Ringo is too often seen as a sort of afterthought. Oh, we needed a drummer, so. . . To my mind, Ringo was the glue holding the whole thing together. Not to get too symbolic about it, he was literally the pulsebeat, the beating heart of the group. Try extracting his drum tracks and see how far you get with those songs. But it was Ringo's unassuming nature and self-effacement (and the sad blue eyes and floppy hair, not to mention crazy phrases like A Hard Day's Night and Tomorrow Never Knows) that really endears him to me. He was just an ordinary bloke performing an extraordinary task. How soon would the whole thing have blown up without his good-natured peacekeeping? He had three egos to herd and tend to, and he did a splendid job of it and kept it together much longer than it would have without him.. Best of all, he's still with us, and some of us are finally realizing that HE was the coolest Beatle of all.
THAT WAS PAUL - JUST ASK HIM.
Howard is such a brilliant musical analyst. Thanks for putting this on!
Your documentary is a real Christmas gift Mr. Goodall !
It is the definitive exploration of this watershed moment in music history.
Merci !
Amazing how I would Just find this 5 years gone by. Enthralling, Excellent Piece! Thank you for your post Finn! You have my like and sub Sir.
@@hammurhead1 Im glad u like it mate... A lot of fab four vids Are censorer by the algorithm..
Same, not sure how I missed it for all these years. Very well done. It must be going around the YT algorithm.
I went to England for the first time in 2008. I was 16 years old and, as I was a massive Liverpool FC fan, had gotten a trip to Liverpool as a confirmation present. I'd listen to a few of the Beatles' singles before the trip and was thorougly impressed, so while at the Beatles museum I bought a CD of Sgt Pepper's. When I got back home to Norway, the first thing I did was to put the CD on. 40 minutes later I was sitting on the floor, staring in disbelief. What the hell did I just listen to? I had never heard anything like it and I absolutely hated it. Waste of space, time and money.
A year later I was looking through the CD rack when I stumbled upon this mythical piece of music. I put it on. From the first second to the last it was the greatest experience I've ever had. It changed me. If I had to pick two desert island discs, I'd probably pick two copies of Sgt Pepper's in case one of them broke.
I felt the same way about the white album. Totally understand.
@@WayneFawcett-v1h They're just different. My grandad saw them live in Hamburg when he was a sailor. Nothing special, he thought. If he'd had a camera that night he'd sit on a goldmine.
Mr. Goodall does the Beatles album the respectful analysis that it deserves. I loved it. Learned lots of things even though I've been listening to the Beatles since 1963 and I saw them live in Toronto in 1964 (I think it was that date). Could not hear their music as it was drowned out by thousands of shrieking (moistly girls). Shocked me to see teenage girls pass out in a frenzy. But, I was hooked and remain a fan, all these decades later.
not forgetting the smell of pss-stained seats that the screaming girls left under them
This album, it seems to be popular at times to be maligned. Fine. But to me, at 12 years old and deeply discovering music, specifically The Beatle, first heard this album on the first day of school in my Music Class. The (first year teacher) music teacher asked if we wanted to sing from those horrible little music books, or listen to the latest Beatles album. We voted for the album. And it seems extreme even to me today, that album changed my life. It was a very good sound system, and I had never heard anything quite as good as that. That album haunted me. I had to dive deeper. And I did. And here I am, 57 years later. So yeah, that was a landmark recording. If for no one, but me.
And Penny Lane and Strawberry fields was rushed out before it was released, imagine how good it could have been
Mine too.
@@liamoconlocha3264what?
Popular to be maligned? Really? Yeah, I read the news today, but it didn’t say anything close to that absurd statement.
@@patrickdelaney8094 well, Patrick, you're missing the news, because many have attacked the a.bum as over produced etc et .
Excellent documentary !! Goodall's analysis is simply brilliant...
Takk for at du lastet opp denne! Flott dokumentar
The beauty of Howard Goodall is that he can take a song/album that I love dearly, and fill in the cracks of my musical shortcomings so comprehensively that I'm left feeling embarrassed that I 'merely' loved the same song/album previously. FML
I have watched your videos on The Batles as well as your series on the components of western music. You make it easier for us to understand true genius at work. Thank you for this one,
Best and deepest dive into Sgt Peper EVER! But still so much he could have added to it. Time restraints... It needs to be a film really!
Sgt Pepper is art. This analysis also puts it into the context of Western music's cultural heritage and why I and many believe it to be one of the most significant albums of music ever recorded. It's also so nice having someone who truly appreciates how music is constructed carefully explain to me why l should like it so much. Thanks! Howard... The Beatles along with George Martin, were a creative force that will live on. They will be playing A Day in the Life (one of the greatest songs ever composed) for decades to come.
I like how an actual musician breaks all that down.
absolutely brilliant! I have been searching for this well presented documentary for years!
What a wonderful presentation!
Brilliany breakdown of Pepper. As a 57 year-old fan of The Beatles and a stuggling beatleoligist I loved the insight you brought to a piece of art that effected me deeply when my Mom brought home Pepper for me when I was 13 and from the moment I dropped the needle, my soul was transformed.
Brilliant breakdown of 'Pepper'.
...when my mom brought home 'Pepper' for me, aged 13. From the moment I dropped the needle, my soul was transformed.
My favourite album of all times I grew up with it i still remember when my mom bought it back in 1968 it was played every day the next couple of years I was 5 years old but I it loved since then and forever, this analyze whas so good you got the whole analyze of all the most iconic tracks so good that I weaped thousand thanx for this documentary Love 😅 TAO from Sweden
Fantastic, creativity and heavenly talent unsurpassed
Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
I bought my first copy of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band that first or second week of June, 1967. I had been 'playing' guitar for several years, and I would turn the ripe old age of 11 in the third week of that June. As a budding musician, a middle class son of two professional people who had already divorced some 8 years previous, I didn't stand a fart's chance in a hurricane. My family life was a shambles,s had been for as long as I could remember, and along comes this 'birthday gift' to me, and that was it... I would be a musician no matter what, (regardless of what my parents, who had less than zero credibility in my view, - had to say in the matter, and they said plenty). I moved out a few years later, as I turned 15, and, still attending junior high school, began getting gigs. By age 17 I was studying classical guitar and piano at the Royal Conservatory, and shortly thereafter I got my first steady job playing Fender bass with an established Top 40 dance band whom had already been playing weekly for over a decade, and from which I would derive my living for the next several years, until I got with a singer/songwriter who'd recently had a #1 hit, and by 1980 I found myself recording his next album at the Record Plant, in LA, with some very famous and accomplished people. In retrospect, even though I was able to carve out a decent living playing music, (as well as working in several other creative disciplines such as photography,) this would be the 'high point' of my career. I had several other chances at 'grabbing the brass ring of success' such as it was, but wasn't ever able to reach those lofty heights to which we all aspire in the performing arts. I eventually wound up on the faculty of one of the world's most prestigious universities, as an adjunct professor in performing arts studies. And realistically, I can 'blame it all' on that single week in June 1967, when four lads from an obscure town named Liverpool, released an album with the unlikely title of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. ('And it was 20 years on - away, I was near Liverpool, but not to play'... when an unrelated project brought me to Birmingham's NEC, as a trade show exhibitor in 1987, followed by a week's vacation in London.)
Your presentation is really quite good, and I'm very glad to have found it. There are priceless nuggets here that I've never encountered anywhere else, such as how the transition in the first verse of Strawberry Fields sounds without the use of varispeed, and several other tasty deconstructivist tidbits. Thanks for this!
Wonderful - really enjoyed this.
Another great doco from Howard, thanks.
What a treat to listen to the breakdown of these songs in the studio. TA. Very original and an insightful perspective on the Sgt. Peppers eclectic sound that as a teen in the eighties adored and still to this day holds up. Just my opinion but the best thing the Beatles ever did was quit touring and went into the studio that at that time and became the medium of the message at that time as McCluhan used to say. The Studio and technology, changed music. Imagine if they had eight tracks for this album instead of four ?
Always thought Revolver was the real game changer.
that's correct. i like it well above pepper. i think the songs are far better
I always thought Rubber soul was The Beatles Revolver.. this doesn't include the US versions, the US Rubber Soul sounds like a Best of McCartney album.
Sgt. Peppers was the first time the US had to release the same as the rest of the world ! @@theGENIUSofART-understood
not even close to Pepper.
Revolver has by far the better songs as such, however the production and sound of pepper is what was revolutionary.
@@hakonberg8003 songs are actually much much weaker and cloying.
It's always a jolt when you hear a Beatles song and it strikes me again and again how good it is, was and still is to listen to. Almost nothing can compare to what the Beatles achieved in a brief seven years. The only recent event that we denote "before and after" to is 9/11. But50+ years later we mark a "before and after" to the Beatles era. They were a group of four individually talented artists that together had a musical alchemy unmatched since. It was as Paul has said just magic!
Thanks for the upload. I thought I'd seen every decent music doco from the beeb.
Great! Thank you, enjoyed that! 8~)
Great doco. Love Howard’s analysis. One correction: the point in SFF where the join occurs is incorrectly stated here - the doco has it at the beginning of the final chorus, whereas it actually happens after the second verse. Surprised this error got through unnoticed. But still, as good a review of Sgt Pepper’s as I have seen. Well done, Howard!
I stopped watching after that blatant/amateurish error and immediately went to the comments to see if anyone else noticed, and you did!
No reason to watch any further...
Ground Zero for Prog Rock. And Hendrix arrives. What a time. Absorbing and energising.
Very good
They gave up touring to develop their music. Other bands kept touring because they didn't or couldn't develop further. They were happy to sit on their laurels and stsy in their comfort zone. THAT is why the Beatles were and still are the biggest band in the world
Fascinating, thank you!
I’ve only seen perfection a few times over the last 65 years. Secretariat’s Triple Crown. David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia, Barack Obama singing Amazing Grace in Charleston Bobby Fischer playing chess - and the Beatles staggering impact on music and popular culture. For me, those four boys are truly the greatest cultural gifts of the 20th century.
Fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Well done. Extraordinary album.
My favourite part of Sgt. Pepper's 50th anniversary.
Howard is The Beatles goat ✌
Fantastic to see this again, so glad it popped up out of the blue. As a child at school we watched Goodall's Music Time each week, a children's musical education programme he presented. It was so inspiring watching him communicate the fabric of music in such an informative and passionate way, and had me hooked on music for life.
It's a testament to his brilliance that Paul McCartney himself watched this very programme and, thinking he knew everything about the album he'd created, actually discovered things he'd forgotten or didn't even realise they'd done. And he then fed what he'd learnt directly into the new music he was working on.
ua-cam.com/video/WrVPDWBkDzg/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
I can't wait for the 100th anniversary edition.
I'll have to live to 101 to experience that. Cigarettes may have something to say about it though. But then again, who wants to be 101? I was 1 years old when it happened, that's the main thing!
@@marine4lyfe85 "Who wants to be 101"? Probably someone who is 100! Lol
@@marine4lyfe85"1 year old"
When what happened? The nicotine habit?
I can.
To add, the song It’s All too Much was also recorded originally in these sessions, but ended up on Yellow Submarine album. That one has become one of my favourites.
FLYING LIZARDS too.
Great bands on this 20th Century
The Beatles may have been the songwriters but fair fair. It was also the engineers that were a young son heroes of those sessions.
I was hoping to fall sleep to this
Great record, amazing shift in pop and recording tech. Still breathtaking.
But how do you get to Pepperland w/o composing “There’s a Place”, “I’m a Loser”, “Drive my Car”, “I’m Only Sleeping” etc..??
Paul McCartney wrote "When I'm 64" at the age of 14. HIs father would have been 54 at the time, though one supposes that the lyrics might have come later.
If this doesn't convince you that John & Paul were the greatest pop composers of all time then I don't know what will
And none of these boys went to public school. How extraordinary!
Irrelevant and I’m a state school boy.
I never underestimate Paul as to what he knows about music. Same for John - I had never heard of him being a fan of medieval type music, but half of his stuff, Norwegian Wood, I'll Be Back, sounds medieval folk, and then Because is straight up French Church polyphony.
The Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane single is pretty much their peak for me.
@PedroHenrique-u8z7e no.
The version of 'Strawberry Fields Forever' on the 'Love' album is really great. Also, take 7 is really good. If the end could have just went on for another 20 seconds or so before breaking down.
The truth is Sgt Pepper was created half a century ago. Furthermore it’s celebrating a time 100-125 years earlier. So from an archeological perspective Sgt Pepper acknowledges something subconsciously unpopular in the 1960s. It is not a classical or jazz inspired artwork, though it’s closer to classical-esque.
Howard is right, you have to include Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane on Sgt Peppers making it the greatest R&R/Pop album of all time.
The Beatles tried not to include their hit singles (like Hey Jude or Strawberry Fiekds for ex.) on albums that were huge sellers at 45 rpm…as Paul put it .”we tried not to make our fans pay for the record twice We saw that as a rip off. That’s how good they were !
tri bom!!!!!!!!!!
Now that’s a Docco
The narrator doesn't understand, of course, what psychedelics are, musically, and artistically.
Psychedelics aren't hallucinations of pure fantasy: ''where is the sofa, and what is that bear doing there?''
It isn't mere fantasy. It is real life turning into fantasy. The sofa became the bear. But you know it is still really just the sofa. And Rita becomes the song..... And Strawberry Feilds become forever.
Without diminishing George Martin's part in the Sgt Pepper sound, it must be said, that the effects and processing were the brainchildren of the then audio engineers. George Martin's strength was his classical music training and jazz experience which helped enrichen many chord structues, and assistance with arrangements in Sgt Pepper. In that, drawing on his experience of contextual textures of particular layering of chord structures and sequences alongside each other, he could assist the Beatles in capturing particular 'feels' needed by the Beatles having been informed by LSD-25.
And this, due to his educatiomn and experience in classical music, composition, and his his conducting orchestras in studiuo recordings. Also, Geporge did much voice-over poroduction with Ivor cutler etc. So had a rich pool of knowledge to add to the whole product.
But the mixing desk? George could do that. yes. But all the bells and whistles? THE ENGINEERS. (Just NEVER let the engineers run the show. They do techniques instead of rock n roll))
And the audio engineers had to cope with making all of the above appear to happen.
One designs the bridge, the other has to build it.
Ringo is such an anomolous silent and understated hero isn't he?
And the enbineer, Townsend, here, desrves a book in his own right. He undersstood much about various effects of various frequencies. And some.
Thumbnail shows replacement Paul ;)
I've always thought Revolver is the real ground breaker.
She’s leaving home is not in Aeolian mode.It’s a major melody.Mixolydian is the correct mode.I don’t think it as a model song.Sadness comes from the lyrics and the harp.
At last, somebody else who noticed this bizarre goof by Goodall. It’s so strange that somebody who read music at Oxford could make such a glaring error, and moreover that nobody at the BBC fact-checked him.
It’s not just that it very obviously ISN’T in the Aeolian mode, it’s the fact that even supposing it WERE in the Aeolian mode, that still wouldn’t be something even remotely worth mentioning when discussing the distinctive elements of a song. He talks about the Aeolian mode as if it’s exotic and remarkable, rather than the most bog-standard and commonplace way to be in a minor key.
Even Mixolydian (the mode it’s actually in) isn’t particularly unusual in the context of rock. It’s so ubiquitous to the genre, in fact, that it’s been called “rock major”, and I suspect there are more major key Beatles songs that are, at least in part, in Mixolydian than there are Beatles songs that aren’t. It leaves one with the impression that Goodall somehow got through an entire tertiary education in music without grasping what modes actually are.
Completely agree.Had he exampled ‘Within you without you’ as a modal song,it would be appropriate.It’s a good description of Mixolydian mode with a few ornamentations. By the way what do you think of Paul mc Cartney concerts? I mean his dissapearing voice.I feel sad.Time to retire?
You don't get it from revolver to Abbey Road was a game changer.
For those interested i the 1966 BBC version of Alice in Wonderland, it is available here on YT.
enjoy.
ua-cam.com/video/2ASBlYNSIjo/v-deo.html
Hendrix recorded equally revolutionary albums Are you experienced and again with axis bold as love around the same time. What an era
He also played parts of Sgt. Pepper's to the Beatles just days after he got the album and learned it. Paul tells the story about this somewhere.
I don't believe the story of Lucy in the Sky being inspired by an existing drawing. That sounds like a cover story to me, to deny the OBVIOUS LSD origin of the name and the song. I DO believe Julian made such a drawing, but after he had heard John singing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" during the composition of the song.
Very interesting but ever since my secondary school days in the 1960s I've heard people saying Lucky in the sky with diamonds wasn't about LSD. So much of 60s culture was about halucinatory drugs it's impossible to truly believe the song is just about a child's drawing. Similarly phrases like 'I'd love to turn you on' in A day in the life cannot be ignored. I really don't have any problem with the Beatles, but sweeping the Zeitgeist of the 60s under the carpet is ridiculous.
..what do you mean when you say 'much of the 60's culture was ABOUT hallucinatory drugs'? How does 'about' explain what was going on during that time? You might say 'was influenced by' or something like that. But 'about' doesn't really say much. Yes, there was a strain of artists who were taking drugs - as so many have throughout history. And there was a subculture that reflected that. And of course there was a media machine that liked to exaggerate their reporting of them. It's no secret the Beatles have said SPLHB was 'about' drugs - as they were using hallucinogens during then. I lived through that time and I wouldn't try to characterize it so simply. There were a lot of issues banging around during that period - but aside from longer hair, some catchy new slang and crazy fashion the 'hippie paradise' of the '60's was mostly something that relatively few people were actually doing. I guess if you lived in a place like a commune, or SF or the village - maybe that's what it seemed like to you but most people were only reading about it, not actually living it. ...oh, and btw, 'turn you on' or 'turn me on' was not totally owned by the drug culture as it actually started as sexual phrase that got co-opted by them,
@greenlightwilly I was 16 when I left school in 1967. By using 'about' I was meaning all the things you mention, fashion, art, music, writing. You're right not everyone was using drugs but it was very fashionable to go around acting and looking like you did. I do know the broad use of the phrase 'turn you on' and such terms were used widely in a somewhat idiomatic and esoteric way within certain groups. At school in the 60s I remember our English teacher being very anti Itchycoo park ( don't know how if that's spelt right) and the small faces because he said it was obviously about taking drugs, yet he defended the Beatles LITSWD telling us with pleasure the kids drawing story.
I was simply expressing my impression and reading your reply is very interesting, maybe we have similar perspectives on the era.
@@Timthi-b4m The truth was, all these musical movements have some drug of choice to sell. Dark forces behind the scene see to it. Hence, Ebeneezer goode by the Shamen. Intelligence handlers wished to encourage rampant drug use as a means of social control. If there is a new leisure drug discovered, you can guarantee there will be a new musical movement in tandem with it.
Who but John Lennon could take a 120 year old poster and craft "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite"?
Its bloody brilliant also have some very spicy chords. Its one ot those songs I never forget its in my brain for ever why? GREAT SONGWRITING.
Agree, the chords are amazing.
It's Sgt Pepper, NOT Peppers.
You wouldn't say I've got Revolvers, Rubbers Souls and Pleases Pleases Mes on vinyls would you.
Sgt Pepper's ...
Helps!
А что ж вы субтитры запретили, светочи демократии?
Faul’s first album.
just listen to Zappa and you will discover where it all began......., just sayin....
Kids don't know who the Beatles were.
Penny lane isn’t nearly as good as Strawberry Fields but that’s my opinion. I always felt John compositions were far more moving.
57 years ago. I think it's time to move on
Allow me to break it to you.
Holidays are not preordained.
They are ALL based on Market considerations.
From Christmas to Ramadan to Sweetest Day to Qwansa..
Somebody decided ( on their own) to hold an event in order to capitalize on a season, or need.
Sweetest Day was created by Russel Stover to clebrate his wifes birthday.
Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hannukah, etc.
Were all arbibitrary .
So, every day has at keast one hokiday, some are celebrated more than others. Theyre not Holy..
Paul is dead... or replaced 1966
Paul replaced 1966? He's a Time lord?!
Your brain has been replaced ya maniac..
Don't be soft Ron...
Gullible 🤡
The Beatles are by far the most overrated band of all time. If they had been born 30 years later, they would basically be Nickelback. Both bands had plenty of hits, and both were decent but mediocre musicians. The Beatles had zero competition when they arrived in the 60s, compared to the many talented bands by the 2000s. That's why The Beatles are considered legends. They weren't, they were only geniuses compared to the talentless hacks that were around at the time. Better to be mediocre and lucky I guess.
Give us a break Sargent peppers ?? I’m sick of it over decades now a piece of music. That’s all. Re envention of the will ? Or something. Move on. There tons of super music. Come on now
No one is forcing you to watch this video. Grow up.
Miss a lot of school did you?
Poor soul. Were you there when this was released?? It was a game changer...
Revealing my age, I bought this when it was first released in the US. I was too young to understand what all the fuss was about but nevertheless I enjoyed it as best a 15 year old American could. I liked the references to English life and how oddly familiar they seemed, although I was not English and would not travel to England until much later on. And of course the music itself was just very very appealing.
...But like most of the Beatles 'late period' work the record would continue to intrigue and entertain me throughout my life. I now understand why it was so pivotal to popular music in its time but oddly I still listen to it like I was 15 - mesmerized by the sounds and the feelings it produces. Goodall, the Analogues and Mark Lewisohn all have helped me understand how this important record was produced, but none of them can explain why this music continues to gain admirers 60 years after it was first released. Many will reference the non-replicatable circumstances of the times. Not even the Beatles themselves can really explain its deeply resonant appeal long after those times had passed. ...Like so many other human efforts that have endured over the years, maybe it's just simply a great work of ART? Inexplicable by even the artists themselves - but they knew it when they saw it.
One of the worst Bearles albums. Way too much Paul.
😂😂
Always someone being controversial 😂
Paul conceded in his book, "Many Years From Now", that John helped Paul with Paul's songs. THEY WROTE THOSE SONGS TOGETHER! Also, the Beatles roadie, Mel Evans, helped Paul with the lyrics to the title song and to "Fixing A Hole".
These four guys along with George Martin had influence in ALL of the songs by the Beatles in one way or another and that is why their solo work is so different without this group influence (even Ringo would either give his thumbs up or thumbs down on songs or on various lyrics within songs).
That's John's fault for going off and eating acid 24/7.
Agreed, It's corny.