Episodes
Ep. 58 | Black Music and The Beatles
Hey it's Juneteenth! In honor of the holiday, let's take a minute to reflect on the Black artists who inspired, wrote, or originally recorded SO MUCH of the Beatles' music we know and love. T.J and Tony pick some of their favorite songs that the Beatles covered, including some of the lesser-known originals.
There's a ton of great music throughout the show. We loved getting to dig into some groundbreaking R&B artists we already knew a little bit about—and some we're just getting to know for the first time—and we hope you do too.
"I was given back my body in the 1950s by Black music. I appreciate it, and I’ll never stop acknowledging it – Black music is my life." John Lennon, JET Magazine, October 1972
EPISODE LINKS:
If you haven't been checking out our Pandora playlists, this week's is one you're definitely going to want to tune into.
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Ep. 57 | Deep Dish: RAM (1971) 50th Anniversary Part 1
1970-71 was a prolific period for Beatles solo releases, and so last month we were blessed with yet another 50th anniversary edition of an iconic album: Paul and Linda McCartney's RAM. Tony and T.J. use the occasion to deep dish their favorite solo Paul work. And while they're at it:
T.J. and Tony reminisce about their old radio days and the technological marvel of audio cartridges
Tony does his best Magic Alex impression, explaining the technological marvel of half-speed mastering.
And the guys debate whether "Too Many People" can knock off "Motor of Love" and "Ou Est Le Soleil" for the top spot on the all-time greatest solo Paul charts
As usual, there's a lot of great music to talk about, so this one's going to be a two-parter. And also as usual, there might be a little bit of salty language. Though T.J. insists he's just saying "piece of cake."
EPISODE LINKS:
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Where does RAM land on your list of top solo Beatles records? Let the debates begin over on our Facebook page!
Ep. 55 | Plastic Ono Band Ultimate Collection Part 1
This week, the guys finally get to dig into the COVID-delayed 51st anniversary edition of what is arguably the greatest post-Beatles Fab Four solo album: John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band (1970).
The Ultimate Collection contains far more than can be covered in a single podcast, so in Part 1, T.J. and Tony tackle the first two discs of the sprawling boxed set, including the Ultimate Mix collection of the original album tracks, as well as the Ultimate Mix outtakes.
The long-awaited compilation may be exhaustive, but does it include any of the long rumoured (and some might say fictional) rarities like:
An alternate take of Remember with Paul on bass
The lost O’Jays contribution to Fiddler on the Roof
Or the Jeff Lynne + Threetles “My Mummy’s Dead”
Tune in to find out!
EPISODE LINKS:
Check out Pandora for the Plastic Ono Band Ultimate Collection OR for our playlist of music from this week’s episode.
What’s missing from this sprawling collection? Shout at us on our Facebook page.
Like what you hear? Have a minute to do us a HUGE favor? Help other Fab Fans find us — rate and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Ep. 49 | Give My Regards to Broad Street (Film Review)
At long last, T.J. and Tony review Sir Paul's magnum opus: Give My Regards to Broad Street. Starring and written by Paul McCartney, the 1984 movie was panned by critics and audiences alike, but brought us some of Paul's best music of the decade ("No More Lonely Nights"), and some of his worst remakes of his best music from decades past (lookin' at you, "Long and Winding Road").
This long and rambling podcast leads to all the usual goofs and giggles, and—as far as we're able to ascertain—what we believe to be the first reference to the theme music from NBC's "The Days & Nights of Molly Dodd" in podcasting history. And what movie review is complete without also covering the Commodore 64 video game adaptation?
Movie viewing recommended (you might be able to find it on YouTube), but certainly not required. Good times guaranteed either way, or your money back.
EPISODE LINKS
Enjoy this week's Pandora playlist
How many Fabs do you give Broad Street? Holler at us on Facebook.
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BONUS Ep. 47 | "Look at Me" Ultimate Mix, Joe Strummer on Dark Horse
It's another BONUS EDITION to cover some breaking news from the Beatlesverse. Tony and TJ tackle the first album release in a decade from George Harrison's Dark Horse Records—Joe Strummer's posthumous Assembly—and another sneak peek Plastic Ono Band Ultimate Mix of one of John's sweetest tunes, "Look at Me."
But really, the guys are just using these new releases as an excuse to talk about musical theater, John Lennon's love of cats (and Cats), TJ's love of Tucker, Tony's blasphemous lack of love for Prince, and a whole lot more.
We're back with a full episode Saturday morning, but in the meantime, send your hate mail over to our Facebook page.
Ep. 44 | Ringo’s “Zoom In” EP (2021)
It's rare that TJ and Tony get the chance to deep-dish about NEW RELEASES from the Fab Four, but last week, Ringo Starr dropped his new "Zoom In" EP.
Could it be his best work since "Vertical Man"? Will Tony etch another record into his Solo Beatles Mount Rushmore? (Spoiler: NO.)
We also check out the newly released Plastic Ono Band bonus track "It'll Be Me" featuring John, Ringo, Klaus Voorman, and Billy Preston, as well as a couple of early George Martin experimental synth tracks slated for a remix and reissue in May.
As always, things get a little wacky.
TJ geeks out about 1990's Live from Knebworth
Tony gives Ringo the Pete Best cold shoulder
And have you heard Ringo's long-rumored Nine Inch Nails collaboration?
Here's to the songs we might not remember,
With a podcast we won't forget.
LINKS:
Check out this week's Pandora playlist.
We want to hear your hot take on pandemic-era Ringo. Shout at us on Facebook.
Like what you hear? Leave us a review or subscribe anywhere you get podcasts.
Ep. 43 | “Mother” Ultimate Mix and Beatles Streamers
We are back from our hiatus with a brand new episode! In which TJ and Tony evaluate some brand new Fab Four content! (OR IS IT?)
This week, we dig into:
The newly released version of "Mother" from John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band: Ultimate Mix, or Ultimately Uneventful?
The mysterious new "Beatles EPs" popping up on streaming services like Spotify—All About the Girl, New Years Workout, Meditation Mix, and so on
The baffling inclusion of "Here Comes the Sun" on The Beatles For Kids - Animals compilation
Our own proposals for some unique new streaming Beatles EPs
And, of course, all the usual shenanigans, tangents, needle drops, Bernard Purdie mythology, classic TV sitcom talk, and JUST MAYBE... the debut of a never-before-heard Olivia Newton John collaboration.
LINKS
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Ep. 42 | Deep Dish: Brainwashed (2002)
It seems almost unfathomable, but this past week would’ve been George Harrison’s 78th birthday, almost 20 years after his body exited the material world. In honor of that melancholy milestone, Tony & T.J. do a deep dish into his last album of new material, 2002’s Brainwashed; much of which was recorded as George knew he was dying. It’s a poignant, beautiful record, which gets its proper due here, but of course doesn’t stop the Untitled Duo from their usual insane diversions; including, but not limited to:
The not-so Quiet Beatle taking on those perpetual #prannies, Oasis
Thinkin' about girls at church
The Grammys’ favorite band (and #prannies favorite band, too): Toto
And, a hot take on blues legend Robert Cray: COVID denier? (Disclaimer: he’s not. Unless he is. Oh shit is he?)
LINKS:
Check out this week's Pandora playlist
Subscribe here, or anywhere you get your podcasts
Share your favorite George tunes and memories on Facebook.
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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!