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Tom O'Brien
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Topics

4/2/2024 2:43:03 AM
A Song about Stevie

3/3/2024 2:52:06 AM
Which Side of the Brain Do You Write With?

2/6/2024 1:50:17 AM
This is what Happens When I write on Electric Guitar

1/12/2024 1:21:04 AM
Anyone Read Dylan's Book on Popular Song?

1/4/2024 1:52:04 AM
What's a Favorite Old TV theme of Yours?

12/13/2023 10:39:14 PM
Kind of an Odd Song

10/16/2023 2:10:15 AM
A New Love Song

9/12/2023 12:11:21 AM
I Need a Delete Button in My Head

6/26/2023 11:56:36 PM
Most Insincere Song Ever?

6/15/2023 2:48:41 AM
A Song Should Be One of Two Things ...

6/3/2023 1:43:09 AM
A New Song About an Old Subject

5/2/2023 1:49:46 AM
Finishing a Song is like Solving a Crossword Puzzle

3/21/2023 2:41:43 AM
Some Thoughts on the Electric Guitar

1/8/2023 12:45:42 AM
One More Time ...

1/3/2023 1:44:21 AM
The Joy of Taking One's Time

12/19/2022 2:22:04 AM
Possibly the Worst Hook Ever

12/13/2022 2:34:33 AM
And if I ever lose my hands ...

11/6/2022 1:05:37 AM
And the Song Goes On

10/5/2022 3:45:02 AM
Favorite Voice of the 20th Century?

8/27/2022 4:00:09 AM
A Sad Question

7/26/2022 9:31:38 PM
Wrote This Song Six Months Ago

5/29/2022 2:38:18 AM
Ultimate Make-Out Song?

5/29/2022 1:40:00 AM
The Value of Live Music

5/3/2022 2:41:43 AM
Music is So Mysterious

4/19/2022 3:21:31 AM
Musical Joke Thread

1/13/2022 12:16:32 AM
A Song to Make You Smile

12/25/2021 8:32:57 PM
And Now for Something Completely Different ...

10/16/2021 3:44:13 AM
A New Song - "Glad We Came"

8/5/2021 2:05:47 AM
What's your Favorite Love Song?

5/22/2021 3:18:39 AM
It's a Love Thing (New Song)

5/15/2021 2:25:36 AM
How Do You Think Primitive Music Started?

4/30/2021 4:28:30 AM
At first, it was the chicks.

4/23/2021 1:41:38 PM
Tribute to a Fallen Brother (New Song)

3/27/2021 3:33:11 AM
Ready for a Slow Dance?

3/6/2021 2:25:33 AM
I think I'm a pretty good musician, until ...

2/20/2021 3:30:32 AM
Yet Another Love song

2/14/2021 3:44:58 AM
A realization about songwriting

1/22/2021 3:29:40 AM
I have this theory ...

1/11/2021 2:33:41 AM
A fun little groove

12/29/2020 9:06:24 PM
In the end she used me, but the falling sure was nice

12/21/2020 1:47:09 AM
A song inspired by my 95 year old father

10/18/2020 4:27:05 AM
Overheard a 20-something saying that the Beatles were overrated

10/13/2020 10:29:55 PM
A Feel-Good Song

10/4/2020 1:54:19 AM
Why do you write?

9/25/2020 2:36:43 AM
An easy late night jazz tune

9/2/2020 2:21:37 AM
Love is the Key

8/1/2020 3:36:53 AM
Any advice on recording a tambourine?

6/23/2020 4:16:14 PM
An odd new song

3/8/2020 3:32:39 AM
New Song

11/19/2019 4:38:20 PM
Why Wonder Why?

6/30/2018 3:03:34 AM
What do you think of Steely Dan?

5/8/2018 11:31:12 PM
Shopping Music

5/3/2018 2:06:57 PM
New Song

7/25/2017 2:55:33 PM
The MonLisa Twins

7/22/2017 9:08:31 PM
Hello old friends and new

8/3/2014 6:07:01 PM
The origins of music

6/18/2014 5:20:14 PM
For the Want of You

5/25/2014 8:53:05 PM
Please give a listen!

2/24/2014 5:25:29 PM
It has been awhile ...

9/22/2013 7:07:18 PM
I've been so out-of-touch lately - here's a new song

8/8/2013 12:36:50 PM
A new mix - your comments welcome

8/3/2013 11:07:19 AM
Was Hank Williams rock 'n' roll?

7/18/2013 10:45:05 AM
All Over Again

6/26/2013 2:26:45 PM
Get your producer hat on

5/14/2013 5:17:34 PM
A rough of a new song

4/15/2013 10:00:19 PM
I'm not sure if I should post this, but ...

4/12/2013 8:04:57 PM
Why I love IAC

3/23/2013 2:58:51 PM
The singer as actor

2/15/2013 10:31:59 AM
I've been hiding again

2/3/2013 10:43:25 PM
This is kind of a crazy song

1/11/2013 11:19:46 AM
A simple love song

12/31/2012 9:32:10 AM
Do you get high?

12/18/2012 6:36:08 PM
A song about my childhood?

12/17/2012 6:50:36 PM
What I love about IAC

12/14/2012 7:25:29 PM
Is virtuosity dead?

12/10/2012 7:51:04 PM
Tell me if this title is too cliche.

12/7/2012 7:15:12 PM
What dead artist do you wish you had seen live?

12/1/2012 7:45:12 PM
One of my favorite things

11/16/2012 8:54:00 PM
This song might have been a hit in 1932.

11/11/2012 9:46:12 AM
Some more new rock

11/2/2012 8:06:51 PM
Listen to a remix

10/21/2012 4:55:54 PM
Tom gets heavy

9/30/2012 2:26:37 PM
The Disappearing Heart (new song)

9/12/2012 2:29:09 PM
You like a little reggae/pop/ska?

8/28/2012 6:32:30 PM
Check out this new pop tune!

8/17/2012 7:56:46 PM
A new sound experiment

7/24/2012 8:36:08 PM
Something I'd overlooked

6/25/2012 8:32:17 PM
Where I've been hiding lately

5/20/2012 2:56:27 PM
A little jazz track

4/22/2012 8:54:46 AM
"Ordinary Girl" is just acoustic guitars and voices - give it a listen!

3/26/2012 4:25:20 PM
First new song in a while

2/25/2012 5:25:05 PM
Announcing our new album!

1/27/2012 12:52:57 PM
You're out there are your surfboard ...

12/30/2011 7:54:37 PM
My first live gig in a while

12/26/2011 2:48:08 PM
Can you help?

12/6/2011 4:00:04 PM
Your sheckles needed!

11/27/2011 12:20:31 PM
Your Roots They Go Down

11/15/2011 8:33:53 PM
A song about a survivor

10/16/2011 2:21:52 PM
New Song "Crush"

10/2/2011 12:38:13 PM
"Change the World"

9/18/2011 2:16:48 PM
Just in case you're interested

9/3/2011 8:36:16 PM
I Will Leave No Song Unsung

8/12/2011 12:52:46 PM
Passing of our beloved bunny

8/8/2011 8:57:07 PM
My girlfriend didn't like this song ...

8/8/2011 2:35:10 PM
Check out the Trip Poppies

8/5/2011 7:24:20 PM
Can we help who we are?

7/26/2011 11:01:54 AM
New groovy, moody song

7/13/2011 6:38:10 PM
Just thought of a new idea for IAC

7/1/2011 6:43:54 PM
Predominance of hot chicks on the Hitline

6/26/2011 8:04:32 AM
I was in a bit of a funk

6/18/2011 10:14:16 AM
Papa don't preach

6/12/2011 7:19:00 AM
Losing her virginity

6/6/2011 10:21:48 AM
Attention Seattle beer drinkers and art lovers

5/28/2011 1:52:17 PM
God Don't Care

4/17/2011 1:55:45 PM
Groove on this:

3/31/2011 1:29:05 PM
"Welcome to the Party"

3/21/2011 8:06:51 PM
I'm so wanting to upload my new song...

3/3/2011 9:09:49 AM
I have to beg your indulgence ...

1/30/2011 12:33:12 PM
Welcome back IAC!

12/17/2010 12:03:56 PM
A new social consciousness song

12/13/2010 11:43:34 AM
Christmas Muzak! Aaaaaargh!

12/4/2010 3:59:05 PM
This is your reminder ...

11/23/2010 3:46:54 PM
Just in time for Thanksgiving...

11/19/2010 7:49:19 PM
Am I reading this right?

11/17/2010 10:50:46 AM
Played my first open mic in quite some time

11/15/2010 9:18:34 AM
I've posted a new song ...

11/8/2010 10:17:07 AM
So, Rolling Stone rated "A Day in the Life" as the top Beatles' tune ...

11/7/2010 2:26:50 PM
The Buddha's Christmas video

11/1/2010 11:05:21 AM
Any art lovers out there?

10/25/2010 8:36:51 PM
Check out my new song - I promise it's not typical!

10/19/2010 6:49:39 PM
Just discovered the band "minipop."

10/16/2010 5:15:17 PM
And I don't even really like blues ...

10/9/2010 1:33:39 PM
I have a new song!

10/6/2010 5:42:52 PM
My song, "Beautiful Pain" is on the hitline!

9/29/2010 11:23:25 AM
Who are the big names at IAC?

9/25/2010 12:06:18 PM
"This Is the Moment" and "Broke My Brain"

9/17/2010 6:50:12 PM
Anyone familiar with ACM Records?

9/14/2010 5:43:20 PM
Re-mix of an older song

9/11/2010 3:10:49 PM
"When Push Comes to Love"

9/5/2010 12:11:38 PM
"Beautiful Pain"

8/29/2010 3:08:52 PM
A new pretty song

8/20/2010 7:39:33 PM
Voices that move you?

8/15/2010 12:15:45 PM
A new rockin' song!

8/10/2010 6:36:22 PM
Humdinger of a weekend!

8/1/2010 3:56:00 PM
Don't know what to say about this song ...

7/25/2010 1:27:28 PM
A bit of silliness.

7/20/2010 12:25:57 PM
Check out this fun pop tune, please!

7/9/2010 6:44:59 PM
First new release in a while

7/6/2010 10:11:52 AM
A Modest Proposal

6/15/2010 6:35:44 PM
The 10 second test

6/6/2010 1:44:09 PM
Finally cracked the top 100 in a genre!

6/6/2010 1:19:52 PM
What gives your life meaning?

5/18/2010 6:41:39 PM
Remember those free lyrics I offered?

5/14/2010 6:53:11 PM
Would you rather have a rockin' bod ...

4/30/2010 3:29:14 PM
Heading to Kauai

4/23/2010 8:41:57 PM
Wonky charts again

4/21/2010 11:36:28 AM
WIN ... FREE ... SEX

4/18/2010 3:20:25 PM
Check out this talent!

4/16/2010 8:53:13 PM
The story of music

4/9/2010 8:19:25 PM
Free Lyrics

4/4/2010 1:11:13 PM
What's the difference between a jazz guitarist and a rock guitarist?

3/31/2010 12:08:08 PM
What would you do with a million dollars ...

3/23/2010 9:11:14 PM
This site has seemed a little quiet lately.

3/16/2010 12:05:16 PM
She isn't Quite Not

3/9/2010 3:27:17 PM
And now for something completely different ...

3/8/2010 2:58:20 PM
I just want to write an "Under the Boardwalk"

3/1/2010 11:18:24 AM
Little by Little

2/22/2010 4:26:10 PM
Which is sexier - guitar or drums?

2/21/2010 4:11:50 PM
"When You're Looking Down" - another new song - Are you tired of me yet?

2/15/2010 3:22:26 PM
Groovy new tune for Valentine's Day

2/8/2010 12:33:35 PM
Dig This

1/22/2010 12:04:22 PM
A radical message

1/19/2010 3:52:57 PM
Alarming spike in listens?

1/10/2010 1:14:27 PM
Tell me if this song is too corny

1/4/2010 12:11:51 PM
How do I get on Neil Young's "Living with War Today" site?

1/1/2010 5:17:32 PM
Do you Brits prefer to called "English" or British?"

12/31/2009 3:48:26 PM
Worries of the World...

12/28/2009 8:14:39 PM
Do lyrics really matter?

12/27/2009 5:19:41 PM
Peace in the New Year to come

12/22/2009 10:15:40 AM
The Buddha's Christmas

12/20/2009 2:41:46 PM
An overlooked Christmas song

12/14/2009 8:53:44 PM
Petition to get "cuz" in the dictionary

12/6/2009 1:22:05 PM
OK, problem fixed (I hope) - now please give a listen to my new song.

12/3/2009 3:24:23 PM
New song to share

11/15/2009 3:11:32 PM
Any connections in the Seattle/Portland music scene?

11/6/2009 9:30:59 PM
Please listen to my new song, Digging This Ditch."

10/30/2009 9:15:39 PM
John or Paul?

10/23/2009 9:38:19 PM
Ever been "busted" at work?

10/17/2009 1:31:17 PM
New tune and free CD!

10/4/2009 4:19:58 PM
Little known fact: reindeer will eat fried chicken

9/26/2009 1:10:20 PM
Sad, but true, story

9/20/2009 4:26:19 PM
Please give my new song a listen?

9/16/2009 7:49:14 PM
Tooting my own horn

8/30/2009 11:58:18 PM
Any Crowded House fans out there?

8/29/2009 8:23:06 PM
Rough mix of a new tune

8/28/2009 6:53:41 PM
Which came first - rhythm or melody?

8/26/2009 1:45:42 AM
Bob Elliott and I have made the Underground 40!

8/21/2009 7:09:01 PM
Now with Drums!

8/17/2009 5:34:12 PM
Little Shot

8/14/2009 10:28:24 PM
Anyone seen my song?

8/14/2009 8:53:25 PM
New song to check out

8/8/2009 11:06:02 PM
This song will change your life...

7/30/2009 1:53:15 AM
I don't mean to whine but...

7/27/2009 5:48:37 PM
What's your reason for songwriting?

7/24/2009 8:37:17 PM
I like these lyrics - listen to the tune if you like them!

7/19/2009 7:57:49 PM
If you like rockabilly...

7/12/2009 9:17:13 PM
How do we vote?

7/2/2009 10:01:15 PM
My new favorite song - and it's my own!

6/24/2009 8:24:57 PM
Lyrics to entice you

6/17/2009 6:35:58 PM
Are you a happy person?

6/17/2009 1:51:16 AM
An interesting thought about race...

6/10/2009 1:22:49 AM
How important are titles?

6/8/2009 5:49:54 PM
Low volume tune

5/31/2009 11:41:35 PM
I don't get tattoos!

5/26/2009 8:36:56 PM
Is this a cliche?

5/26/2009 5:39:24 PM
A new old song

5/20/2009 5:49:10 PM
Who (besides yourself) should I listen?

5/19/2009 12:28:34 AM
Don't let the title put you off!

5/18/2009 5:44:41 PM
This is a dumb etiquette/technical question

5/10/2009 6:20:10 PM
Honored to be charted!

5/6/2009 7:02:31 PM
CDs for free!

5/6/2009 2:52:50 AM
The problem with apostrophes

4/30/2009 10:18:43 PM
For the visual among you

4/28/2009 5:16:11 PM
Just want to share my world



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Tom O'Brien

10/30/2009 9:15:39 PM

John or Paul?
And don't say Ringo!


Add Comment

Jeff Allen Myers

10/31/2009 1:01:58 AM ---- Updated 10/31/2009 1:04:35 AM


I used to be squarely in John's Corner, but the older I get and the more I learn about the Beatles...the more I appreciate McCartney and his role . I do believe he was the Musical backbone. He was the perfect match to Lennon's cynic nature...both made each other better. Lennon's Iconic state grew more and more after his death, and I do believe when McCartney passes his legacy will be incredible...and we will all miss him terribly. Lennon and McCartney...... their names will be linked forever. It really does not matter who you like more, the two together are magical. Harrison's chemistry fit perfect as well. Ringo?? He had his moments,and who knows what would have happened with a different drummer.

I do Know Lennon could be a world class ass at times, and McCartney could be egotistical...Harrison was quiet but shrewed. Ringo was affable....It all came together at the right time...Lightning in a bottle.


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never never band

10/31/2009 1:39:41 AM


Man I get tired of this question...

It's like saying which is better, Cello of Viola?


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Tony Vani and Debbie Hoskin

10/31/2009 8:28:01 AM


I'm not a big fan of Paul. Never was.


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Jeff Allen Myers

10/31/2009 12:11:43 PM


Cello or Viola? They re both needed, as is the Violin :) As for me I never get tired of the topic...plus there is really not a hell of alot going on here at the moment.

Debbie, I think you are suffering from classic over exposure. You either love, hate, or don't care either way He has some great songs..period.His musical legacy is felt today...in ALL genres. If you are lucky enough to see him Live you will see how really great he is. It's easy to look back and dismiss him, and the impact that was made. Listen to the charts of the time, and you will see the separation. The man is 67 years old and still sounding pretty damn good today. I give him props for that! Alot of artists lose it completely when they hit their sixties.

But thats just your opinion, and it's cool. I am a little biased if you can't tell :)

Regards,

Jeff


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Tony Vani and Debbie Hoskin

10/31/2009 12:31:45 PM


You're absolutely right Jeff. I agree. He is a musical legacy for sure. He's one of the greats of all time. I've just never been a big fan of his; not sure why; can't even put my finger on it. He has a couple of songs, however, that are favorites of mine like "long and winding road" and "let it be" and "yesterday" I really love those songs.


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Jeff Allen Myers

10/31/2009 12:55:16 PM


Well if someone "Loved" one of my songs I would deem that a success. :)

You just named three songs and that is pretty good! , Most don't even get one :)


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Hop On Pop

10/31/2009 2:32:51 PM


The Beatles were not The Beatles without any one of them; it took all 4 (yes, Ringo, too). So, I can only take it to apply to their solo albums. In that case, I would have to take them one by one because there are some that I like more than others. Both had some amazing albums and both had some clunkers.
But, you know. I don't have time to go through those one-by-one that this point.

I love music.


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Jeff Allen Myers

10/31/2009 3:39:43 PM


Having played with about 25 drummers "Back in the day" I can appreciate Ringo, but I believe without him, with an excellent Drummer in his place, the Beatles still would have had the the great music. Now some like his dopey Charm, I am not one of them.

I am not dismissing him, he did "Great" work. The new Mastered versions really make him shine. He was a vital part of the Beatles, but as a writer and singer...and my exposure to many different drummers I just take a different view of drummers in the creative process.

And make no Mistake, McCartney had a big hand in the arrangement of drums as well. There are many who believe he is actually playing on some of the songs. I don't believe that...but I know he added a few tracks here and there.


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The Man With No Band

10/31/2009 4:49:21 PM


John ... A vision beyond sight ... Some one who bled through his music ... No facade ...
no dissing Paul ... But I think John was purer to his beliefs ...


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Tony Vani and Debbie Hoskin

10/31/2009 5:07:45 PM


I feel the same way about John.

It's not that I dislike Paul, I'm just not his #1 fan, even though there were numerous songs of his that I loved.

Paul always seemed more commercial than John. John seemed to write more from his heart while, my gut feeling was always that Paul was writing for commerical success. Yet, he still had some very hearfelt songs along the way.


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Tom O'Brien

11/1/2009 3:36:14 PM


You're obviously right in saying that it was the chemistry that did it, and yes, Lennon and McCartney will be forever linked. But I think Paul was the artist of the two, was more creative with poetry and melody. Perhaps John was the brain and Paul was the heart, and I can't say which of those two organs are my favorite either.


Add Comment

Bob Elliott

11/1/2009 7:51:08 PM


I don't prefer either over the other in the long run.

I've never heard anyone accuse John of being the head and Paul the heart before, but I often hear it the other way around, and I think that is just a silly underestimation of Paul which happens a lot.

I will always stand on anyone's drum stool and sing the praises of Ringo. I think he is about the best drummer I ever heard, the most musical leaving most others behind making beats while he was making music.

I think the key to the Beatles is you start with talented people (a talent not unmatched by other musically inclined people) and then put them in Hamburg strip clubs for 8 hour shifts seven nights a week 280 days in a year. That is how four talented people became The Beatles: time on task. More time working it out live together than most people will ever have in a whole band career, and they had all that time before they even got signed.

Extraordinary talent is a function of talent plus extraordinary amounts of time...


Add Comment

Jeff Allen Myers

11/2/2009 12:17:25 AM ---- Updated 11/2/2009 12:20:27 AM


Ringo's Mechanics are all f'd up...doing rolls from left to right, instead of right to left. As I said, he was a great fit...and it is hard to say what the songs in a more accomplished drummers hands would sound like.

I am not bashing Ringo, it's just that I have just been around the block playing in many different rhythm sections...playing with drummers that no one will ever hear of.... but were incredible. I am talking Dave Weckle, Steve Gadd, Bill Bruford caliber drummers.

Maybe the Beatles songs needed someone who was "In the pocket" with tasty bits thrown in here and there. It certainly worked..big time!!! A more accomplished drummer might have been counter active. What made the Beatles great began with songs..The Melodies, Harmonies, Voices, Arrangements. Technical ability on their respective instruments is far down the list.

And yes, make no mistake...Technical ability is only a small bit of the puzzle...Far behind heart and creativity. Ringo certainly had the latter.

Ringo is just not a great (Technical)drummer relative to other drummers. I am a huge Beatles fan (If you have not noticed) But I am also a musician..and a realist. As you state Bob, he was very "musical" and that may be the most important skill any musician can have.

Respectfully,

Jeff


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Richard Scotti

11/2/2009 7:57:26 AM ---- Updated 11/2/2009 12:44:24 PM


Ringo once said he never plays the same fill the same way twice. I think that was one of his main strengths: unexpected and/or surprising fills that were always exciting and creative. He also made great use of the open hi-hat and ride cymbal which were often mixed very up front in the mixes of the early songs.

On the subject of John or Paul, why speculate? At different stages in my life each one of the four meant something special to me. They were four sides of one unique object, a perfect storm of combined talents and personalities where the sum was greater than the parts. I've grown to love them all equally as a conceptual memory. There will never be another confluence of energies like that again. I don't want to rank them individually in any kind of hierarchy.


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/2/2009 4:40:36 PM ---- Updated 11/2/2009 4:40:53 PM


Perhaps you should read EVERY word I wrote Laree...No where did I say his drumming was F'd up. His Mechanics were, but many musicians make their playing style work....as did Ringo.


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/3/2009 11:08:50 PM


The timing in the tom roll in "come together" is a result of his mechanics..the slight delay was caused by his opposite roll technique. So yea, it created something cool :)


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11/4/2009 12:58:56 PM


A team.

Competitors and co-consipirators.

You can never shake the bond formed at that age, in the hometown.
The bond was forged and tempered as young men abroad in that skank-town of Hamburg.

They were already seasoned show-biz vets when they hit America in '64

Paul needed John and John needed Paul

They were both flawed. It's the way they embraced their flaws that finally set them apart and highlighted the differences.


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11/4/2009 1:13:06 PM


"the more I appreciate McCartney and his role . I do believe he was the Musical backbone."

Hmmm ... that is the reworking of the Beatles myths that have you believing that.

It's not quite true.
Paul and John both could play guitar (but not as good as George).
Paul and John both could play piano and mellotron.
Paul and John both could play drums.
Paul and John both could sing very well.

It is just that John always pushed 'the Bealtes' as a group.
A group he invited Paul into to make stronger, better.

Paul always niggled at pushing his own legend, his own myth.

The musical backbone in all of it was George Martin.
Without his hand and ear things would have been vastly different.
The difference is Paul still to this day will not accept that, nor will he ever stop proving that he was the musical backbone despite what anyone says to the contrary.

What will be interesting is how the Beatles story changes when Ringo dies and Paul is left alive. Paul has already changed the Beatles story after John died and George died.


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Tom O'Brien

11/4/2009 1:29:19 PM


No doubt, George Martin is the essential element in the Beatles' musical development.

George and John liked Paul because he knew how to tune a guitar - they used to have some older guy up the lane do it for them, so I think Paul had the inborn talent, and was just the most naturally musical gifted. From my teaching days, I know that some kids are just naturally musical and some kids have to learn it. I've always felt that, Liverpool being so close to Ireland, they had the influence of the great Irish music tradition and love of words.


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/4/2009 4:39:26 PM ---- Updated 11/4/2009 4:46:57 PM


" the more I appreciate McCartney and his role . I do believe he was the Musical backbone." I said that :)

"Hmmm ... that is the reworking of the Beatles myths that have you believing that"
Flame top said that....

With all due respect, I do not base my opinion on the latest news or "Positioning" by the living Beatles, or Beatles wives in the Beatles Legacy.

I am an avid reader of all things Beatles, To name , but a few...I have the Lewisohn "Recording Books", "Anthology", Martins 'All you need is ears", Emericks "Here there and Everywhere", the Epic "Recording the Beatles", Hunter Davies original Autobiography', and a million quotes over the years.

I have formed an opinion after digesting the info, and meshing them.

Martin was a great arranger, and a very efficient musician. That said, some of his arrangements were transcribed from Paul Singing them. His Keyboard solos were often sped up...the solo for "In My Life" was played at a much slower tempo. He was a great Fit, and I regard him as the true "Fifth" Beatle.

The Backbone" is probably too strong a word to use for any of them because of the great Chemistry....However Paul was a "huge" musical force within The Beatles.

Lennon, was a great writer, but he was not much for details in the arrangements. He would often say..."I want it to sound like I am singing to the Dalai Llama from a mountain top". He once had the idea to hang from a rope from the ceiling, and while spinning in circles record a vocal. :)

Lennon as a Musician??? He was proficient, not great. Many of us on this site are his equal as Guitar players/Keyboardists. Many here have surpassed Lennons talent as a musician.As a writer and Singer??? ....Not so much :) McCartney on the other hand, few of us here are his equal as a Musician. I saw him Six times in Concert, he is amazing. Seriously...Piano, Guitar,, Bass Vocals.... he plays decent Drums as well. I base these opinions on being a musician myself. He impressed me every time.

Of course this is just my informed opinion. In the end, my opinion is no more important then the guy with just a passing interest.. So it's ok to call me a Beatles Full of Shit Snob :)

FYI - I love Lennon and McCartney equally......


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Tao Jones

11/4/2009 4:59:40 PM


I think Flametop is on the money when pointing out the things both John and Paul could do. People have always wanted to see them as split talents, one doing what the other didn't, but I never have seen it that way. They like to say Paul is better with melody, john with words. I think that is silly since they are both good at words and melodies.

I think they were both good at much the same things with a few exceptions.

They just outworked everyone else, and were each appreciative of the other and didn't try to be the only one as happens in many other bands.


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Beth Fridinger

11/4/2009 5:20:11 PM


Interesting discussion. I always liked John's sarcastic bite...he balanced Paul's mellowness; John's raw emotion/opinion, Paul's commercialism. I like them all. Well John also played some piano...Paul plays mandolin as well as the bass, the guitar, keyboards, and drums. I saw Paul in an interview where they guy said "You don't read music do you" and Paul said "No, is that a problem?" That was funny. Interesting about Ringo and the drums. I don't know enough about drums to judge or comment really.


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/4/2009 5:52:11 PM


Bob, Paul is better then John on just about every instrument

Piano - Paul (Paul played Piano on Lennons "Sexie Sadie"...nuff said)
Bass - No Contest
Guitar - Acoustic - Leans toward McCartney (I will, Blackbird) - Johns best work "Julia" Travis Picking taught by Donovan
Electric Rhythm - Slight nod to Lennon, simply because volume of work
Solo Guitar - McCartney (McCartney played Lead on Harrisons "Taxman) nuff said)
Vocal - Toss up....equal Magic.

Again, just my opinion...


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Bob Elliott

11/4/2009 8:03:45 PM


I guess I don't know. To me 'better' is only judged by what I feel like hearing. I like to hear the way John plays at least as much as how Paul plays, and to be honest a bit more. Like on demos and stuff. Something interesting to me in how John plays...

They both have that 'musician' thing...


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/5/2009 1:03:18 AM ---- Updated 11/5/2009 1:03:40 AM


Bob, You are a far better Guitar player then Lennon...Believe it dude :)

The older I get, the more I think of the two of them as just People, one of the Guys.....Like each of us. When I was younger they were like Gods, now I think I could just hang with them and Jam :) .... It's a nice dream....


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11/5/2009 12:48:22 PM ---- Updated 11/5/2009 12:49:05 PM


Jeff, with all due respect .... Jeff YOU IGNORANT SLUT

John was a far better guitar player - or at least far more unique. And most certainly in the area of rhythm guitar playing, John is very, very underrated. In just about all the early Beatles stuff, the song drive comes from John's playing. The thing is that at times it is hard to hear his specific playing, but it is what locks the song together.

True - this is hard to hear in many recordings. But by process of eliminatrion (I hear the drums, I hear the bass, I hear George's guitar .....) John's chops are sharp and pretty amazing ... certainly never duplicated.

Paul did create some great lead guitar work.
So did John. ... what's that track on White Album ... where John plays the kind of french parlour electric guitar part ... anyway

To my mind though, Paul's guitar work never contained that certain something that John's did ... call it individual guitar voice or expression.


One of my favorite Beatles guitar moments is the three of them trading solos on the "The End" jam. I forget the order ... but it sounds like they were having fun. Not sure if they did that live, together? I hope so.


John was by far the better of the two at acoustic guitar playing.
But they were both very good and god darn it, wrote a lot of great acoustic guitar songs. John's finger picking (learned from Donovan) was just a little better, a little more thorough.

While Paul might have had the slight edge in piano playing, it was John's piano playing that stood out in so many of their tracks, as being quite unique.

I cite Paul's "Let it Be" piano work to John's "Imagine"
In that case it's easy to compare (even though Imagine came after the Beatles)

I like John's touch on the piano more than Paul's ... there is something more individual and expressive about John's piano


anyway, they were both pretty good ... good enough

I often wonder what the Beatles would have been liked if Roy Young had joined them? A 5-piece Beatles? Would have changed the landscape for keyboard players .... might have seen synthesizers come out far earlier. Who knows?

I am a piano player, and I have always found their piano playing on equal footing.

( Remember too that many Beatles piano tracks are the two of them sitting side by side on the piano bench - or maybe having George Martin on piano with one or the other of them at times.)

Anyway, it's all moot and academic.
But sure can get us all fired up, still to this day.



What John did in the early days was assemble a band.


He drove that band, even to the point of bullying his bandmates.



John pushed Paul to be better, be different.
Paul pushed back. That seemed to create some splendid fire and magic.

They were brothers, or more than that, they were musically married in the Beatles.
This seems to be the case for all the great bands. Getting married musically.

Which naturally makes the divorce pretty nasty.



They were a trio from about 1957.
They were a tight band from 1962 through to 1965.
They reached their pinnacle in 1967.
They evolved as expressive musicians during 1968 (still my favorite Beatles year).

"Ballad of John and Yoko" still holds the magic for me, of what there was between the two of them.

Paul was always better with John.
John was always better with Paul.

I think it was Linda McCartney that pointed out "they were like a mirror image of each other. John right-handed, Paul left-handed. When they sat across from each other working on songs, it was like one person working in front of a mirror"




But I digress.

Great band. Great songwriters. Great singers.

and everyone misses how entertaining they were. They were Entertainers with personalities ... we don't seem to have so many of those anymore.



lucky bastards


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11/5/2009 1:00:47 PM


Originally I was a Paul fan.

The first records I owned at 13 years old were:
McCartney & Wings - Band on the Run
Beatles Anthology (Red 62-67 and Blue 67-70)

I got all of those in October and December 1973. Almost at the same time as Elton John's 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Just the Piano Player' and 'Led Zep IV' ...so all that music is a whirl in my soulbrain. That was the start of my record collection.

A N Y W A Y

I started out more of a McCartney disciple.
No mistake: McCartney's songwriting and production prowess can immediately draw one in. His hits are immediate.

Lennon was more of the slow-appreciation for me.

And I always held the whole band and the two of them in high esteem.



It would be just the little quips, the little slight-of-hand that McCartney would say or do that would gradually piss me off. He really has this thing about proving how he was the one true talent in the Beatles. He HAS been re-writing Beatles history. He can't just leave it be .... I guess his thing that he will take to the grave.

So anyway, that always kind of spoils it for me, with regards to Paul. Those slights and manipulations. There was always this something under the veneer that was less than sincere.

Not that they weren't both huge assholes at times.


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11/5/2009 1:02:08 PM


: ) heh hee

in regards to the Beatles, McCartney can't "let it be"


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/5/2009 3:31:26 PM ---- Updated 11/5/2009 3:34:06 PM


You a funny guy flame top Freddie :) Ignorant? Not when it comes to the Beatles....

We can bore the hell out the site of you wish, but I am no hack...and if you haven't noticed I am a musician.

Comparing Piano ability with "Let it Be" vs. "Imagine" ? Please I can play both and I am a novice Piano Player. How about listing "Martha My Dear"? or as I pointed out, John trusted Sexie Sadie to Paul on Piano. Its more then his usual technique.

As for acoustic guitar? I learned the "Travis Picking" technique for Julia in a day, I wrote a song to honor my Mom based on it. Played at twice the speed. the song is "Mother Mary" check it out :)

I love John, don't get me wrong. I believe he is a better Artist then Musician.That is not to say he is not an excellent musician, he is. Sure his Rhythm Guitar playing was tight, I would think nothing less. They were a tight band. His playing on 'All my Loving" is impressive!

This is a fun little discussion, no one is wrong its just opinions... you are obviously well versed in The Beatles...and that makes you ok in my book. You have my respect..... Just don't call me ignorant....Ya bleeding Bastid!!! :)~


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Bob Elliott

11/5/2009 4:56:59 PM


Nah, I'm not a better player than John, and I find playing Julia to be a bit tricky if I have to get every note.

But I think I share something with his playing. See, I'm for some reason, not very technically good of a player even after all these years, and that has always been a problem, but what I do have that can work some magic is a certain feeling to it. I don't play anything real hard, but there is a personality to it.

John's playing always has that personality element to it, and that is what I mean when I say I am often more interested in listening to his playing.

So by my lights that makes him a great musician. In fact, that is generally all I am looking for when thinking of what makes a great musician: that personality that makes me want to hear it.

Technical prowess means little to me unless they have that.

Jimi is technically great, but he has personality to go with it. Other slingers have all the technical proficiency, but often lack any personality element, and I can't listen much over a minute or two.

John's playing just has that "music stuff" I long to hear, so I still say he was every bit the musician McCartney was.

But I am a fan of McCartney, and his first two solo albums are a couple of my all time favorite albums.

So is Plastic Ono Band...


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/5/2009 5:06:49 PM ---- Updated 11/5/2009 5:08:37 PM


I don't know Bob, your tune 'First Contact" is some pretty damn good playing :)

John used the travis picking again in "Happiness is a warm gun" and then on his solo "Look at me" . McCartney relied on a specific strumming/Picking style on many tunes as well , "Blackbird" for one

I could go on for days...sorry boys :)


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Bob Elliott

11/5/2009 5:23:51 PM


"I don't know Bob, your tune 'First Contact" is some pretty damn good playing :)"

Thanks Mon, but if you just drop your E string to D and put a capo on the third fret, you'll find it ain't that hard of a song...


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/5/2009 7:49:39 PM


"Thanks Mon, but if you just drop your E string to D and put a capo on the third fret, you'll find it ain't that hard of a song...:

Don't sell yourself short Bob, that;s like saying Just drop your shorts and you can be a pornstar :) I believe there is a bit more involved :)~


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11/6/2009 10:22:31 AM


The power in the Beatles was the two front men.
That can't be stressed enough.

When you look at old footage of bands from the 1950's or 1960's it was only the Everley Brothers that had two lead singers. But they were country, pop at best and certainly didn't have the power behind them.

Zooming ahead to 1962-1964 the simple and powerful presentation of the Beatles as a band with two lead singers (one left handed one right) hit the world with a mighty wallop.

Just as with Elvis it was the TV appearance (especially of course on Ed Sullivan) that propelled those acts to mania. Elvis looked incredible on TV. The Beatles burst out of TV sets everywhere .... and I wager TV added millions more to record sales than radio.

It helped that they had talent to back up their TV image.


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/6/2009 12:18:42 PM


It sucks that Sullivan butchered the mix, Lennon can barely be heard on a few tunes :)

The Everly brothers had a big influence on them, The Everly's tunes stand the test of time.


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The Man With No Band

11/6/2009 12:43:34 PM


I woke up this morning with "From Me to You" playing in my head ...

"McCartney/Lennon" one of the many early co-writes ... Lennon wrote the first line ... as in many of their co-writes .... interestingly, this was one of the last tunes to be labled "McCartney/Lennon" ... then IMO they got it right and changed to "Lennon/McCartney" ...

A funny thing on "From Me to You" ...

singer Kenny Lynch, upon hearing The Beatles singing "ooh", remarked "You can't do that. You'll sound like a bunch of fucking fairies!" Soon afterwards he stormed off, declaring the Beatles didn't know anything about songwriting.Roger Greenway recounted the story:

John and Paul were sitting at the back of the coach and Kenny Lynch, who at this time fancied himself as a songwriter, sauntered up to the back of the coach and Kenny Lynch ... decided he would help them write a song. After a period of about half-an-hour had elapsed and nothing seemed to be coming from the back, Kenny rushed to the front and shouted, 'Well, that's it. I am not going to write any more of that bloody rubbish with those idiots. They don't know music from their backsides. That's it! No more help from me!"

Bwahahahahahahahhahahaha !!!!!!!!


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joekidd

11/6/2009 6:28:49 PM


for me , this question could be
beethoven or mozart?

i could live without mozart
i could not live without beethoven

lennon spoke to and from the core of what qualifies us as a higher species
he was absolutely artistically fearless
he explored & challenged everything that crossed his path
and he brought this powerful , shattering interpretation of
history , art , religion , politics ...
in otherwords , the universe
back to us in the form of 12 notes , 26 letters
and some psychochild line drawings

he gave his time , money , efforts
and eventually his life to the cause
of brotherhood & exposing the truth

i feel so incredibly fortunate
to have shared his time in this world

no amount of rewriting history can change it


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Jeff Allen Myers

11/7/2009 3:36:38 AM


I get a kick out of the "rewriting history" bit.... No one is doing that. McCartney f'd up once by asking that the majority writer of each song get his name first. For example. "Yesterday" by McCartney/Lennon" There was an immediate backlash, he realized it was a stupid idea, backed down, and hasn't said shit since. He is not trying to rewrite history.

In fact, since Lennon died, his stature and legend has grown...as do all Icon's after their death. Lennon was an Icon, he did alot in the name of Peace, but frankly the man could be a world class asshole as well. He was a man. a man with a few issues that he worked through his entire life.

Now, before anyone bashes me, please know I revere the fricken dude as much as anybody. I thought I would say that in case someone reads this without know anything about me :)

I would say, since Lennon died the rewriting of history has been in Johns favor...when they are both gone we will miss them the same, and they will be revered equally....I have no doubt about that.

Regards,

Jeff


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Fyvwunsyx

11/7/2009 4:50:24 AM


John's vocals - Paul's musicianship.
Beatle era songwriting - John.
Post Beatles - Paul.


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Chris Hance

11/7/2009 5:36:35 AM


And don't say Ringo!
sure, there was never a Pope Ringo yet was there, but theres been Pope Paul, Pope John, and Pope John Paul....... Pope Paul II ?


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