Win Janszoon Over to the Beatles

NYSPORTSFAN · 09-19-2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

Imagine if Strawberry Feilds wasn't when it was but saved for Sgt Pepper. The timing of that one song being released when it was changed the course of music forever.

Still, I wonder if Brian didn't have that experience of veering off the road just to listen to Strawberry Feilds Forever would he had released SMiLE... or maybe he would still shelved it for other reasons - like depression or being a perfectionst or whatever other reason he would've had.

I think it's unfortunate that Brian felt that way. Brian already released two of the greatest pop singles IMO in "God Only Knows" and "Good Vibrations".

The Beatles seemed hell bent on merging Classical Music, World Music and Avant-garde with the emerging psychedelic sound on Revolver but they did that all in one track on "Strawberry Fields Forever". Maybe that's what Brian was trying to achieve but I don't know what was in Brian Wilson head. Even listening to this track today it still sounds like a song from another dimension.

Neapolitan · 09-19-2012, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYSPORTSFAN

I think it's unfortunate that Brian felt that way. Brian already released two of the greatest pop singles IMO in "God Only Knows" and "Good Vibrations".

The Beatles seemed hell bent on merging Classical Music, World Music and Avant-garde with the emerging psychedelic sound on Revolver but they did that all in one track on "Strawberry Fields Forever". Maybe that's what Brian was trying to achieve but I don't know what was in Brian Wilson head. Even listening to this track today it still sounds like a song from another dimension.

Usually I get really hyped on a song and play it over and over till I get tired of it. Some song I only listen to two or three times before it wears a little. But "Strawberry Fields Forever" is one of those songs that doesn't wear on me. Imo it's truly an amazing song.

blastingas10 · 09-20-2012, 09:23 AM

I dont think you can fully appreciate the Beatles until you have somewhat of an understanding of the complexity that is in a song like "strawberry fields forever". If people considered that, I don't see how the Beatles vs stones comparison would even make sense.

Howard the Duck · 09-20-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

I dont think you can fully appreciate the Beatles until you have somewhat of an understanding of the complexity that is in a song like "strawberry fields forever". If people considered that, I don't see how the Beatles vs stones comparison would even make sense.

hmmm?

i prefer downright dirty sleazy sloppy blues to experimentalism

**Janszoon** · 09-20-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

I dont think you can fully appreciate the Beatles until you have somewhat of an understanding of the complexity that is in a song like "strawberry fields forever". If people considered that, I don't see how the Beatles vs stones comparison would even make sense.

So complexity = better? I'm not so sure I agree with that.

Howard the Duck · 09-20-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

So complexity = better? I'm not so sure I agree with that.

neither do I

"complexity" can sometimes be a downright mess

blastingas10 · 09-20-2012, 11:25 AM

No, not all. There are tons of simplistic music that I like more than complex music. There's no doubt The Beatles were more innovative and complex, but that's not everything.

Basically, opinion=better. It's just my opinion that The Beatles are better.

Did Hendrix play complex pieces like malmsteen or vai? No, but I still think Hendrix is better. Sorry for leaving out the part that said "unless you just like the stones more." I really intended to put it.

**Janszoon** · 09-20-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

No, not all. There are tons of simplistic music that I like more than complex music. There's no doubt The Beatles were more innovative and complex, but that's not everything.

More complex than the Stones? I guess. They're not all that complex in the grand scheme of music though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

Basically, opinion=better. It's just my opinion that The Beatles are better.

Did Hendrix play complex pieces like malmsteen or vai? No, but I still think Hendrix is better. Sorry for leaving out the part that said "unless you just like the stones more." I really intended to put it.

Ah, okay. Well all that we can agree on.

blastingas10 · 09-20-2012, 12:12 PM

The stones never wrote any songs like "strawberry fields forever" or "happiness is a warm gun". Not that I know of. I don't think their chordal vocabulary was on the level of The Beatles. I think they were pretty complex for their genre and time. Sure, they aren't that technical on a larger scale of music, but there aren't many rock or pop bands who are.

Lisnaholic · 09-21-2012, 11:04 AM

An excellent review of Magical Mystery Tour by Janszoon, full of perceptive comments, almost all of which I agree with. His comment on Blue Jay Way is perfect; "never quite rises above it`s own murk"

And yes, Flying is disappointing, especially as it`s the only officially-released Beatles instrumental. It was a chance for them to show what they could do in this format, and this song seems to give the answer; "They`d probably sound really mediocre."

Yes, the expanded American release is much better, because of the quality of those added-on singles. Luckily, the contentious issues of key, and Harrison`s playing on Strawberry Fields go right over my head. For me this is a fabulous, ground-breaking song which is much more than just the sum of its parts - which is why I wasn`t much taken with the Cadillac`s cover version.
Although Janszoon doesn`t seem to agree, I think I Am The Walrus is also a stand-out classic. Maybe looking back from today, it`s difficult to recall the delicious sense of outrage that this song generated when it was released. Another ground-breaker by The Beatles in their creative prime, I remember people at the time asking each other with disbelief, "WHAT is he singing ? How can he say that ! It doesn`t make sense.". Some people laughed, one impressionable teenager who prefers to remain nameless thought it was the most incredible song ever recorded.

09-21-2012, 11:04 AM	#220 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	An excellent review of Magical Mystery Tour by Janszoon, full of perceptive comments, almost all of which I agree with. His comment on Blue Jay Way is perfect; "never quite rises above it`s own murk" And yes, Flying is disappointing, especially as it`s the only officially-released Beatles instrumental. It was a chance for them to show what they could do in this format, and this song seems to give the answer; "They`d probably sound really mediocre." Yes, the expanded American release is much better, because of the quality of those added-on singles. Luckily, the contentious issues of key, and Harrison`s playing on Strawberry Fields go right over my head. For me this is a fabulous, ground-breaking song which is much more than just the sum of its parts - which is why I wasn`t much taken with the Cadillac`s cover version. Although Janszoon doesn`t seem to agree, I think I Am The Walrus is also a stand-out classic. Maybe looking back from today, it`s difficult to recall the delicious sense of outrage that this song generated when it was released. Another ground-breaker by The Beatles in their creative prime, I remember people at the time asking each other with disbelief, "WHAT is he singing ? How can he say that ! It doesn`t make sense.". Some people laughed, one impressionable teenager who prefers to remain nameless thought it was the most incredible song ever recorded. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

09-20-2012, 09:23 AM	#213 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	I dont think you can fully appreciate the Beatles until you have somewhat of an understanding of the complexity that is in a song like "strawberry fields forever". If people considered that, I don't see how the Beatles vs stones comparison would even make sense.

09-20-2012, 11:25 AM	#217 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	No, not all. There are tons of simplistic music that I like more than complex music. There's no doubt The Beatles were more innovative and complex, but that's not everything. Basically, opinion=better. It's just my opinion that The Beatles are better. Did Hendrix play complex pieces like malmsteen or vai? No, but I still think Hendrix is better. Sorry for leaving out the part that said "unless you just like the stones more." I really intended to put it.

09-20-2012, 12:12 PM	#219 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	The stones never wrote any songs like "strawberry fields forever" or "happiness is a warm gun". Not that I know of. I don't think their chordal vocabulary was on the level of The Beatles. I think they were pretty complex for their genre and time. Sure, they aren't that technical on a larger scale of music, but there aren't many rock or pop bands who are.