The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour
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Free Music Notes for Magical Mystery Tour
Free Music Review: Magical Songs
Hit: 5 Stars
First off, "Magical Mystery Tour" isn't a real Beatles disc. As the British versions are the only true releases of the Beatles music, this album wasn't incorporated into their discography until contracts with EMI/Apple/Capitol were sorted out in 1976. The Beatles recorded six songs for their movie "Magical Mystery Tour" and released a EP (Extended Play) of just those songs in England. Capitol, the Beatles company in America, knew they were in a bind because Americans didn't buy EPs. As profilic as the Beatles were, they had several songs from the same period that they had not put on any album before. Capitol just filled the second side of "Magical Mystery Tour" with these songs. However, it's amazing to hear just what songs the Beatles had "lying" around.
Some people called this "Sgt.Pepper Part II." That's an unfair assesment of this disc. While there is that psychedelia of that time heavy on this album (panning in the mix, vocal and extraneous sound effects, heavy EQing and period production)---"Magical Mystery Tour" has some songs on it that are better than "Pepper." From the opening ride on "Magical Mystery Tour" you know it's going to be special---from the opening cymbal crash it's a good feeling type of song. The reverbed vocals and the bus effects going from speaker to speaker are the highligh for me. "Fool on the Hill" is up next and it's McCartney with this oddly solemn song with really good words. Subtle flute playing highlight the song. "Flying" is a mostly instrumental song written by all the Fabs. Interesting and soothing, it's a pleasant and welcome distraction on this disc. "Blue Jay Way" has Harrison drearliy going on in this organ based song. While a bit redundant, it's always good to the hear the difference that Harrison brings to Beatle records. "Your Mother Should Know" is pure McCartney. Never one to shy away from the schmaltz, this is Paul's "When I'm 64" for "Magical Mystery Tour." While not as good as "64" it's still very enjoyable. "I am the Walrus" is the spotlight of this disc. Lennons' imagery in his lyrics have never suited his music better until now. Inspired by a New York City police siren, Lennon wrote a song that seemingly has each verse topping the previous, showing why he's rock premier songwriter. This song touches simply levels his contemporaries (Dylan, Jagger) can't come close to. Now we get to Capitol's makeshift side, starting with "Hello Goodbye." This is Paul's word-play fun, at it's most basic level. But because it's McCartney he backs it up with a super tune and a real good riff. "Strawberry Fields Forever" is another classic from Lennon and was done during the "Sgt Pepper" sessions. Again, strong lyrics from Lennon---more introspective than "Walrus" but no less impressive. Tremendous drumming, sound effects and excellent production (courtesy: George Martin) highlight the song as does the fade out/fade in at the end. "Penny Lane" is another left over cut from "Pepper" and it's really defined by Dave Mason's high piccolo trumpet playing. One could see the difference in the two writers from these 2 songs about places in their past. Lennon's take is more ominous and dark and McCartney's is cheerful and fun. Most people dismiss "Baby You're a Rich Man" as filler but I think it's one the most underrated cuts in Beatle history. Recorded in a day, this stumbling, shuffling song makes excellent use of the clavioline (synthesizer-like instrument) to make a very endearing song. "All You Need is Love" closes this satisfying set with really, the ode to the summer of love. Easily singable, really catchy and most of all, something you'd want to sing. But then again, it's what the Beatles do.
Free Music Review: Underrated, nice compilation of the Beatles' work in 67
Hit: 4 Stars
Again, I'm generally against Capitol's massacre of the Beatles' albums pre-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band HOWEVER, this is one exception where the US version is lightyears better than the UK double EP set which sold horribly. That being said, though it's been adopted by Apple, and generally accepted as a studio album, I still consider it to be a compilation of the Beatles' later 1967 work..and thus not being a studio album.
That being said, it's a great compilation. Probably more psychedelic, but certainly not as important as its predecessor. It has the rocking opener, Paul at some of his best lyrics with "The Fool on the Hill" the fun, but trippy instrumental "Flying", George's trippy "Blue Jay Way", Paul's fun number "Your Mother Should Know" and Lennon's epic "I am the Walrus."
And that's just side 1 - the songs from the film
The second half is why i refer to this album as a compilation - it's just a bunch of singles - but it's a bunch of damn good singles..well except "Hello Goodbye", that one's just okay
Paul's "Hello Goodbye" opens the second side of the record. While it has nice guitar parts, and a dangerously catchy melody, though the lyrics make a fun singalong, they're quite trite, and can grate on the nerves in excess. That being said, it's still a good song\
John and Paul both have their reminisicing songs back to back. John with his masterpiece "Strawberry Fields Forever", with John at his height of philosophical lyrics, and Paul's catchy "Penny Lane" Both have great qualities, and both are great in their own way
Baby You're a Rich Man is a nice song. An underrated gem, but nothing extra ordinary. Don't get me wrong, it's a great song, but one of the weakest, if you ask me.
All You Need Love is John's emotional anthem, and a pefect, and fitting closer to the album, and the year 1967, which featured the "Summer of Love"
I'd give it an 9/10
Free Music Review: Bad movie---great record
Hit: 5 Stars
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR was a dismal failure as a BBC television special, and justly so. In fact, it was so awful the program was never aired in the United States. Unscriptedly ad-lib and haphazard, the film's occasional musical performance highlights couldn't redeem this silly exercise in group personal excess.
Conversely, the American record album of MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR (ironically unavailable in Britain) was a wondrous thing indeed. The entirety and order of its songlist are included on this CD release. Inside the original record's foldout cover were several pages of 12" stills taken directly from that strange movie-- these appear here in miniature. The LP and CD also contain the complete song lyrics. Best of all, several Top 40 records that weren't a part of that original TV show were used to flesh out this set.
The majority of the songs on this Xmas '67 release received a great deal of American AM radio airplay at the time. No other US Beatles album contained as many chart topping hits as MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR. Pretty good for what at the time was considered a letdown for all involved and their fans.
In many ways, MMT holds up better than SGT. PEPPER'S. Musically, if not cinematically, this was the Beatles at their height as a cohesive group.
Free Music Review: SO GREAT THAT IT IS TAKEN FOR GRANTED!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Track Listings
1. Magical Mystery Tour
2. Fool On The Hill
3. Flying
4. Blue Jay Way
5. Your Mother Should Know
6. I Am The Walrus
7. Hello Goodbye
8. Strawberry Fields Forever
9. Penny Lane
10. Baby You're A Rich Man
11. All You Need Is Love
Rolling Stone magazine did not include this masterpiece on the top 500 all time greatest rock albums
l suppose they would not include the PAMANA CANAL in a list of the 500 greatest canals of the world!!!!!
Free Music Review: Why don't people make music like this anymore?
Hit: 5 Stars
Is it that hard to make music like this for the musically accomplished? All you need are some surreal lyrics, orchestration, and playfulness. And, no: drugs aren't required either. Really. Goo Goo ga joob.
Even in the 60s bands stopped making music like this (appr. 1968).
Musicians have been boring people ever since.
Someone should have a psychedelic poetry contest or something.
Resurrect the fields from sour grapes. Electric peels. Now.