Episodes
Ep. 38 | Solo Beatles Mt. Rushmore
For this week's show, Tony and TJ blast their current favorite Fab Four solo tracks into the side of a mountain for everyone to see and hear. It's a long and meandering drive to the Black Hills of South Dakota, but along the way:
We learn about Tony's irrational love for a wailin' saxophone and his irrational fear of a pie in the face
TJ reveals just how too-much he knows about ill-conceived sitcom spin-offs
And we make a pit stop for a taste of George Harrison's favorite Indian carry-out.
Hear this week's picks on our Pandora playlist.
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Ep. 34 | Deep Dish: McCartney III (2020)
Is the latest in the McCartney trilogy his best? Only the Untitled Beatles Podcast knows...
While TJ's fractured arm continues to mend, he and Tony have the rare treat of his reviewing a brand new album from a living Beatle, 2020's McCartney III.
They touch on the life during "Rockdown," friendly differences in musical taste (Black Keys vs. Blues Explosion), and speculate about members of Wings as Fat Albert characters.
For Chicagophiles, TJ’s “Angry Chicago Jagoff” character makes a return, and they pay a brief tribute to investigative journalist Pam Zekman.
Get deep down on this deep deep dish!
Ep. 33 | Deep Dish: McCartney II (1980)
While TJ mends a newly fractured arm, the Untitled Beatles Podcast explores Sir Paul’s strangest record, 1980’s McCartney II.
What this episode lacks in live piano accompaniment, it makes up for in analog synthesizers and bonehead needle drops, as TJ and Tony do battle over "Temporary Secretary," "On The Way," and "Front Parlour." Other bouts include TLC vs En Vogue and ET vs M&Ms.
By the end of this unnecessary special edition, you'll know which kind of retail sandwich this album most resembles. Check your machine!
Ep. 32 | Deep Dish: McCartney (1970)
The first in a series of the Untitled Beatles Podcast’s exploration of the “McCartney” albums kicks off with the cute one’s 1970 solo debut.
TJ and Tony make a case for its greatness and its weakness in the context of other solo Beatle ventures that year while revealing which Breakfast Club members they most identified with.
Also, what if Lady Madonna and The Fool On The Hill had made it?
Meanwhile a random Joe Jackson reference unwittingly unlocks a turbulent used car memory for Tony in the California desert of the 90s, and TJ ponders an incontinent Rocky Raccoon.
It should also be noted that Don Mattingly bats left/throws left.
Q: Is this a Beatles podcast or Gen X pop culture therapy?
A: It's both.
Ep. 28 | Plastic Ono Band 50th Anniversary
It's the 50th anniversary of TJ and Tony's favorite solo Beatle LP, John Lennon's 1970 LP Plastic Ono Band. While we wait for the Ultimate Mixes, the tangential two discuss the minutiae of this deceptively simple record.
Like classic male improvisers, TJ and Tony honor Lennon’s most personal, open wound of an album by deflecting from their own emotions with bits and pop culture references to Huey Lewis, Chuck Biscuits, backward baseball caps, and Toni Basil. Meanwhile, Tony confuses Curly Sue with Beethoven.
It's enough to make you seek primal scream therapy.
Ep. 27 | All Things Must Pass 50th Anniversary Part 2
It's part two of TJ and Tony's deep dish on George Harrison's greatest solo set, All Things Must Pass.
Everyone's favorite "B+ Beatles fans" celebrate sides 3-6, while dawging on Allen and Betty Klein & Company, because their perfunkt had a three on it.
Like an unnecessary LP of general jamming, Tony reveals his favorite minor league baseball player name and why Anne Murray terrified him as a child.
You're welcome for the pepperoni!
Ep. 26 | All Things Must Pass 50th Anniversary Part 1
George Harrison's six-sided, 2/3 masterpiece All Things Must Pass is celebrated in true Untitled Beatles Podcast fashion, with fun facts, recycled bits and enough giggles to fill a superfluous third LP.
In the first of a two-part series, TJ and Tony discuss the quiet Beatle's greatest work, even though Phil Spector's production gives Tony a "wah wah." Fab tangents include record stores, grocery stores and dollar stores. Plus, TJ revives an old favorite from his time at Harand Camp.
Settle in for a podcast of mountain tops and vast digressions.
Ep. 21 | Deep Dish: John Lennon Anthology Part 2
In this thrilling conclusion, TJ and Tony dive deep and goofy into discs 3 and 4 of the John Lennon Anthology, in honor of what would have been his 80th birthday.
Special diversions into Cats! ("now and forever") and klezmer Beatle music loom. Plus TJ and Tony pour gasoline on the Q-Beatle Bernard Purdie conspiracy theory. Also in this week's edition of Star Maps to Star Homes, TJ reveals the precise location of Webster's Chicago brownstone.
Yes, these episodes have been getting longer - due in part to a slew of tasty, unYouTube-able needle drops - and also John Lennon is worth it. Happy 80th, wherever you are!
Ep. 20 | Deep Dish: John Lennon Anthology Part 1
In honor of what would have been John Lennon's 80th birthday, TJ and Tony explore the out-of-print John Lennon Anthology.
While combing thru the first two discs, they opine about Rolling Stone's new and improved Top 500 albums of all time, explore the quirks of 1's and 3's vs. 2's and 4's, and disagree about a popular 80s sitcom theme. Also, they finally (reluctantly) get around to addressing Lennon's most controversial single.
Plus shout outs to Nicky Hopkins, The Cyrkle, and Uncle Floyd.
It's the first of a two-parter if you believe the clickbait at the end.
Ep. 18 | Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (2005)
TJ and Tony explore Macca’s very solo Nigel Godrich produced 2005 album, including B-sides, his collaboration with George Michael and the BBC special filmed live at Abbey Road.
Scattered throughout, Tony talks of teenage revenge against Joe Piscopo, TJ pops off on John Popper, and several cultural clashes are addressed: Huddle House vs. Luby's Cafeteria, Fannie May Meltaways vs. Frango Mints, and Condos vs. Bongs.
Plus, TJ and Tony talk Beatles-as-travel-anxiety-salve, and are peer-pressured into divulging their top 3 Macca solo records...at least their favorites on that particular day.