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Deconstructing The Beatles

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:25 pm
by Folkie
I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with Scott Freiman. He's a businessman and CEO turned musicologist, with a penetrating intellect, a lively speaking presence, and a great passion for The Beatles. I didn't know who he was until last Sunday, when he gave a presentation at our local art museum entitled "Deconstructing The Magical Mystery Tour." It's part of a series of lectures and films called "Deconstructing The Beatles," in which Freiman analyzes (or rather anatomizes) famous songs, by breaking them down take-by-take, track-by-track, to reveal the genius of all four band-members, not to mention George Martin and Geoff Emerick.

The highlight, for me, was a brilliant 35-minute track-by-track analysis of many of the 27 takes of "Strawberry Fields Forever," probably my favorite Beatles song of all time. It was such a vibrant presentation that a few days later I attended one of only two showings in Cleveland of Freiman's new film "Deconstructing Sgt. Pepper," where he takes apart the Sgt. Pepper theme, "Lucy in the Sky," and, perhaps most brilliantly, "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite," "Within You, Without You," and "A Day in the Life."

A series of films going in reverse chronology will follow, starting with "Deconstructing Revolver," and including "Deconstructing Rubber Soul," and "Deconstructing The Early Beatles." Also out there is "Deconstructing The White Album," and another presentation focusing just on "Strawberry Fields." And reportedly in the works is a single presentation on Abbey Road and Let It Be. By all means, attend the films and the presentations when they appear in your city! As one enraptured fan put it, "You'll never hear the songs the same way again!"

http://www.beatleslectures.com/about-lectures/

Re: Deconstructing The Beatles

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 6:42 pm
by Folkie
Here are a few trailers from Scott Freiman's lectures and films:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiDsI3DUPEs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09PlbDZSVZY

Re: Deconstructing The Beatles

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 1:22 am
by DavyR
I saw the Sgt. Pepper film. Enjoyed it. He referenced the books "Recording The Beatles", "The Beatles: Recording Sessions", etc. and the isolated tracks available. Well done!