Billy,  Thank you for doing what you did.  I wanted to PM you about things I have read on here before, particularly the Newguy thread, but I felt like a newbie complaining about an established member.  What he said was so offensive I was suprised he wasn't banned on the spot. So thank you for elaborating on why you didn't.  I also agree his posts are informative and interesting but I often felt intimidated and to be honest, not just by him.  I also agree it can be belittling at times, particuarly since I'm no historian or musician, , I just love the band all all that goes with it.   

Where is Newguy anyway??? 

If twitter was around in the 1970s, Dennis would be tweeting constantly. Brian's twitter feed in 1974-1976 would be hard to take as he tweets his decline.

How about some Brian tweets from the SMiLE era?

Just laid down the final vocals for Look. preview on soundcoud #suckitbeatles

All jokes aside if social media etc was available back then Brian would of finished SMiLE.

What makes you say that?

Well since she put me down
There's been owls pukin' in my bed.

heheh 

They are great photos!  Thanks Rocker and Ed

After all these years he must have the hide of a rhino... still some of the comments on his FB page are really awful. I would delete some of them if it were me.

That is fantastic news, and well deserved       

I'm a nice guy too! 

Yes I think you are, but Bgas was stirring me and my reply to him was sarcastic

Alcohol is such a huge part of the Australian culture.  It has affected everyone to at least some degree.  My grandfather died of alcohol related disease, my father is a recovering alcoholic, my ex husband is almost there, my best friend is there.  I'm sick of it!  I can't talk to my best friend on the phone after 5pm as we will get into an argument as she gets snarky with drinking.  I was a binge/social drinker but in the end only doing it because everyone else was and that's what we did.   Last year though I stopped after only a couple and came to see that some of my close male friends were real a**holes when drunk!  And I thought I would be missing out on great conversations, boy was I wrong..  On NYE I had to initiate talking as my two friends were just sitting there sloshed.  How did I think this was fun?!  I started drinking at 13, it's just what you did.. sad.

Let's go drinking!

Why not, you seem like a nice guy :l

AGD -  Glad you're still here

Alcohol is such a huge part of the Australian culture.  It has affected everyone to at least some degree.  My grandfather died of alcohol related disease, my father is a recovering alcoholic, my ex husband is almost there, my best friend is there.  I'm sick of it!  I can't talk to my best friend on the phone after 5pm as we will get into an argument as she gets snarky with drinking.  I was a binge/social drinker but in the end only doing it because everyone else was and that's what we did.   Last year though I stopped after only a couple and came to see that some of my close male friends were real a**holes when drunk!  And I thought I would be missing out on great conversations, boy was I wrong..  On NYE I had to initiate talking as my two friends were just sitting there sloshed.  How did I think this was fun?!  I started drinking at 13, it's just what you did.. sad.

Love The Band, though I haven't listened to all their albums.  My favourite song is King Harvest.  That song is so damn good!!  Rag Mama Rag is a pearler too.

UGGGGhh!  That's why I can't bear those shows,  butchering of music.  They all stuffed up the lyrics.  The first guy was worse.  They only had to learn a small section and they couldn't even do it.  I now will listen to the BB's sing it to calm down.    

I've been thinking about this for a while and wondering if I'm right,  but it seems that men seem to like Bruce's songs more than women.  Mind you there aren't a lot of females on this board...   My daughter and I don't like Bruces songs, think they are sappy.  Mike, you stating what your wife thinks made me think of it again.  It's a massive generalisation I know, and probably wrong,  but I am surprised at all the love.    Mind you, I live in Australia where men are not especially open in the "emotions" department.  This generation seem to be a lot better though.  Again.... this is a massive generalisation, but true of most of my male friends.

First off, great title with reference of one of my fave BBs songs. Now re subject. I have many favorite oldies (however I hate using this word). I'd recommend to listen to early surf instrumentals & jazz singers/musicians. F.ex., Sarah Vaughan, June Christy, Sun Ra etc. In rock-and-roll I like Danny & the Juniors, Joey Dee & the Starlighters, Sam the Sham, The Coasters & so on. Also some amount of Lesley Gore, Leon Russell, Jelly Beans & some one-off records by some unknown artists, for example, The Beatmen. They're not necessarily ante-British Invasion but still in the oldies category since it's 2013 year now. So, let me give this one example of haunting underrated gem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfSB8TrZs_g Isn't it beautiful?

Yes I agree RR it is beautiful.    Everyone has great taste!  When all your replies I thought "oh yeah, I forgot about that song!" 

I'd say Bruce is more of a terrible lyricist - it's definitely his weakest point, at least. He's definitely not a bad composer or piano player, his songs are far too well constructed for that. But he's essentially the ultimate Brill Building type. He can write a slushy ballad to order, and almost to some kind of mediocre perfection. He fundamentally lacks spark or excitement.

I totally agree with you.  IMHO, even though the BB's covered a fairly wide range of music,  his songs are universes away from all of them,  his are just so totally different (I find them fakish) and I don't think they fit.   I know a lot of folks love his songs though.  As for his Barry Manilow hit?, I prefer Mandy.

Top 5!  That's near impossible, but I'll give it a go

Tower of Strength, Gene McDaniels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM5eYVlztJc

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Gene Pitney

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - By anyone

Rag Mama Rag - The Band

The Streets of London - Ralph McTell

Caledonia - A lot of folks have sung this song. I first heard it sung by a local at a bar in Kilkenny Ireland and fell in love with it.  I've put Dolores Keanes version on here and Paolo Nuntinis.

Paolo -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux-lObXl9Sg

Dolores -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYc-MxAg9XM

Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and the Comets     

You Don't Own Me - Lesley Gore

Thanks Matt,  what a fantastic band to have been born into!  And lucky you inherited talent from your dad to enable you to perform beside him and the other BB's.  Thanks again for sharing

I think Lady Lynda is absolutely gorgeous,  and it is what got me started on my BB fandom.  I heard it on the radio, thought, that's beautiful, and when the DJ said it was the BB's I couldn't believe it.  That's when I started looking more into their post Pet Sounds music.  Lady Liberty?  No. I understand Al may not have wanted to sing it because of the split,  buy to change the lyrics?  Why bother.

Nice to meet you!  Tell your wife to come on board too

Did Brian take credit for too many J&D hits?

That's what I was thinking.  I mean, he co-wrote a few of them, but Berry and Christian and Altfield also had a big hand in them too!

Yeah that was interesting, he made it sound like he was doing all the writing.  Probably just came out the wrong way, but still. 

The whole thing was awesome to see.  Does anyone else hear "old" Brian while listening to "young" Brian talk?  Obviously you know it's the same guy, but it's so odd to me hearing the same speech patterns and style coming from a young clear voice.

Yes I know exactly what you mean about the young/old voice of Brian, I thought the same.  It's fantastic footage.. they were so young and cute! and very polite and well spoken.  If Brian was 22 Mike was then 23?   He looks a hell of a lot older than that!  That is also the most talkative I've ever seen Al.   They just seemed happy

Sheesh,  this album..    I'm an unapologetic fan even though I cop a lot of flack from people who know no better, serenading me with Kokomo etc,  and I gladly and proudly play most of their albums when friends come over.  But I will never play this.  Ever.  I can't really stand it to be honest.  I take what I like and forget the rest.  Also the cover is terrible.  They all look like odd.

Love:
1. It's Ok.  I really love this and it's on my BB faves playlist
2. Just Once In My Life.  I get a bit hypnotised by this song,  I adore it,  Carl's sluryness, Brian's yelly voice.  I dig it big time.

Ok:
Had to Phone Ya
Back Home,  though it's mainly because I love the live clip where he smacks the microphone around

Dislike intensely:
1. Rock and Roll Music.  Please.  Mike's nasal tones do not suit this song, it needs more guts. Dennis would have been better.

Ignore like it doesn't exist:
The rest of the album.

Watching this in another window....

...the narrator refers to the room as a "presidential suite." Huh? Australia doesn't have a president. I guess it means corporation presidents, heads of state from overseas with that title, etc, are supposed to have the wherewithal to stay there.

Presidential is usually used in the hotel sense as a definition of grand.

Yes.  Prime Ministerial Suite doesn't have the same ring to it 

Man, they really attacked Carl, I was feeling bad for him.

School of piranhas.  Extremely unprofessional, Interrupting him constantly, talking over each other.  They did elicit some good answers though, even if untrue as AGD stated.  He really was quite a dignified guy, he handled it extremely well.

"Do you think you were singled out, or are the BB's not as good as they used to be?" (paraphrasing).  What answer was he hoping to get?  "Yeah we're just no good anymore, don't bother coming to see us"    Insulting.   

My boss, who was about 20 at the time was at that concert, she thought it was hilarious. I can imagine others wouldn't have though.   She said the music itself was great but the lyrics and vocals were all over the place, and the drummer fell of his chair.

check it out!!!!!

That looks fantastic!  I love it!   Does she take orders    

1. You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone.  I love the film clip to it as well,  very grungy,  hard to believe it's the same guys with the striped shirts and slicked hair
2. Here She Comes
3. All This is That
4. Marcella
5. Cuddle Up
6. He Came Down
7. Hold On Dear Brother
8. Make It Good