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Archive News May To Oct 2002
GEORGE NEWS
News of George's next album!
Not quite sure whether we should believe this but it does seem promising.
EMI has reissued
George's "My Sweet Lord" but the fate of Harrison's last recordings
is still unknown. Various reports claim that Harrison had recorded or reworked
enough material over the last year of his life for a final album ... or ultimate
compilation.
The collection's original working title ... according to an email from George
to TheBeatlesPages.com in August 2000 .. was "Your Planet Is Doomed,
Vol 1". But contributing session drummer Jim Keltner says "Harrison
changed the title in early 2001 to the Monty -Pythonic "Portrait Of A
Leg End" Among those participating in Harrison's home studio sessions
were Keltner, Eric Clapton, former Rutle Neil Innes, Ravi Shankar and fellow
Wilburys Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne.
Harrison passed on the psychedlic-tinged production style of Lynne for the
sessions because he wanted the new tracks to be basic, bluesy acoustic-heavy
rock. Harrison & son Dhani were said to have collaborated on most of the
final production.
Harrison did tap Jeff Lynne, however to help with a Traveling Wilburys anthology,
tentatively titled "Maximum Traveling" according to one report.
The compilation allegedly includes a cover of Paul Simon's "Run That
Body Down" and three tracks featuring the late Del Shannon as the fifth
Wilbury.
Up to 25 unfinished solo tracks dating back as far as the "Somewhere
In England" sessions were being worked on for Harrison's final solo album,
according to one source. The "Somewhere" sessions included the unreleased
(but highly bootlegged tracks ), "Sat Singing" and "Flying
Hour"). A cover of Dylan's "Abandoned Love" from the "Gone
Troppo" sessions was reportedly redubbed with duet vocals by Harrison
& Dylan. According to Keltner one finished track "Rising Son"
may be an ambiguous reference to Dhani. Harrison remained active writing and
recording up until his last days. George and Dhani co-wrote and performed
"Horse To Water" for Jools Holland's "Small World Big Band"
all-starr collaboration album. Dhani also helped his dad with the remake of
"My Sweet Lord" which appeared on the 30th anniversary reissue of
"All Things Must Pass". the publishing credit for the Holland album
track is attributed to "RIP Ltd.2001". It was recorded October 2nd,
less than 2 months before Harrison's death. Harrison played slide guitar on
former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman's recent single, "Love Letters"
as well as two tracks for Jeff Lynne's ELO revival album " Zoom".
Harrison also re-recorded several guitar tracks for the "All Things Must
Pass" reissue. He also contributed a Beatlesque lead on former Traffic
member Jim Capaldi's album" Anna Julia". "He was only too pleased
to do it for me" Capaldi told Billboard. " I was honoured and grateful"
I was messing around with him in the studio when he was putting some stuff
together toward a possible solo album. There's some stuff lying around, some
really nice things"
Cancer specialist Dr Gil Lederman who treated Harrison at Staten Island University
Hospital for about a month says the former Beatle was writing and recording
new music during his time in New York and that he played some of the songs
for the doctor. " They were great songs" Lederman said adding that
one was called "Brainwashed".
George's Attacker To Be Released
Michael Abram will be conditionally released from a secure hospital. An independent panel including a judge, a psychiatrist and a member of the public said Michael Abram, 35, was fit to be released from the Scott Clinic, a psychiatric facility in Liverpool, northwestern England. It was unclear when he would leave the clinic.. The former Beatle's family called the decision "upsetting and insulting." The conditions of Abram's release would remain confidential. Olivia and dhani released a statement to thr press which said Geroge would have reacted to the news with "a mixture of anger and dismay. The statement went on to say "We certainly wish Mr. Abram no ill, but to be presented with this as a fact after the event is deeply upsetting and insulting, and we feel again completely let down by the system," "It remains the case in this country that the victim simply has no voice. The law must be changed." In a separate interview, Abram said he no longer poses a danger to society, and he asked Harrison's family to forgive him. "I honestly don't think I am a risk any more. I am glad the doctors have agreed that it's safe to let me out," he said. "If I could turn back the clock, I would give anything not to have done what I did. But I have come to realize that I was very ill at that time, really not in control." Abram said, "People may find it hard to accept, but with the help of the medication I'm on, I am sure I can lead a normal life. I just want to be an ordinary bloke. ... I can only hope the Harrison family might somehow find it in their hearts to accept my apologies."
PAUL NEWS
Liverpool Art Exhibition
Paul was in Liverpool in late May to laucnh his first UK art exhibition " The Art Of Paul McCartney" at the Walker Art Gallery The Art Of Parl McCartney was launched on May 23rd with a private party in the evening. It is basically the same exhibition which was shown in Germany a few years back with a couple of new paintings thrown in. Besides 70 of Paul's paintings being on display there is also some of his wood sculpture and photographs. There are no plans to take the paintings on a world tour. None of the exhibits are available for sale. "I don't need the money" said Sir Paul.
Paul Rocks The Palace
Paul was recently part of an all star concert that celebrated the Queen's Golden Jubilee on June 3rd. Paul,backed by his current band (and Wix) perfomed "Her Majesty", "Blackbird", "Sgt Peppers", "All You Need Is Love", "Hey Jude" and I Saw Her Standing There". Paul even played piano on Eric Clapton's version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".
Paul & Heather Tie The Knot
Paul & Heather
finally became husband & wife on June 11th at 4.30pm at St. Salvator's
church part of the 17th century Irish castle, Castle Leslie in Glaslough,
Ireland.
The Irish location for the wedding was chosen because Paul's mother Mary lived
in nearby Castleblaney, Co Monaghan and was raised there before moving to
Liverpool at the age of 11. Heather who was traditionally late (but only by
eight minutes!) walked down the aisle to a bridal march variation of "Heather"
which appears on the Driving Rain album. Heather was given away by her sister
Fiona Mills and wore a fitted ecru lace dress. Paul's brother Mike was best
man yet again just like he was at Paul and Linda's wedding back in 1969. Heather
carried a bouquet of 11 McCartney roses - named in honour of her new husband
- and two peonies.
Instead of a traditional reading the couple's friend, poet Adrian Mitchell,
read Roses In The Summertime - a poem he wrote specially for the newlyweds.
It is also rumoured that Ringo did a reading during the service based on "All
You Need Is Love".Hymns at the 30-minute service were Praise My Soul
The King of Heaven and Lord Of All Hopefulness. As the new Mr & Mrs McCartney
walked down the aisle after the formal part of the ceremony, the organ played
the Wedding March from the film The Family Way, for which Paul wrote the soundtrack
in the Sixties. After the ceremony, the 300 guests moved from the church into
three marquees by the side of the lake to tuck into a vegetarian Indian banquet
and Champagne on the banks of the lake on the enclosed 1,000-acre estate A
covered walkway had been custom built between the chapel and the marquees
to prevent the possibility of the heavy rainfall of previous days dampening
the celebrations. The guests were treated to a band playing Indian and Celtic
music under the strict instructions that mobile phones should be switched
off or left behind. McCartney had said earlier that no dress code would be
required and that while the menu was vegetarian it would also be "very liquid
and alcoholic." "It's a rock 'n' roll wedding," Sir Paul said. "We are going
to have family and friends and a lot of fun." True to form, guests said, McCartney
was the musical highlight of the evening, climbing up on a specially construcucted
outdoor stage to perform a "marriage rap" for his bride. "He looked like he
was improvising but it was unbelievable. Thousands of flowers, including lilies
and roses, had been delivered to the site. Lighting effects were put in trees
and floating pontoons laid along the banks of the lake, possibly for a spectacular
fireworks display expected to round off the wedding, estimated to have cost
$3 million. At evening's end Paul & Heather were helped on to the wedding
barge and taken to the middle of the lake - where they watched a spectacular
firework display in their honour.. After 10 minutes of pyrotechnics, their
boat continued across the water where they were picked up by a helicopter.
Illuminated by spotlights, the chopper whisked them away to begin their new
life as man and wife. There has been much contention as to where the newlyweds
would be spending their honeymoon. Some reports said that Paul had hired a
174ft luxury yacht, with Geoff Baker hinting they would be honeymooning "somewhere
in the Caribbean.". There were also reports that they intended to visit Paul's
house in the Hamptons in the US. Neither report has been confirmed.
Visit here for the complete rundown of the wedding
of the year
RINGO NEWS
May 3, 2002 KOCH RECORDS SIGNS FORMER BEATLE RINGO STARR AND WILL RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM IN SPRING OF 2003 New York, NY –
Ringo Starr is currently in the studio working on a new studio album, which is scheduled for release on KOCH Records in the spring of 2003. Production duties are once again being handled by Mark Hudson, who has produced the last 3 studio albums from Ringo, in addition to working with artists such as Aerosmith and Hanson. KOCH, who released The Anthology…So Far – the three CD live set from Ringo and his All-Starr band last summer, plan to promote the release in conjunction with several promotional appearance by Ringo. Ringo says; “It’s a pleasure to be on the KOCH label and to continue the great relationship we have with Ringo and His All Star Band – The Anthology – So Far.” New York based KOCH Entertainment has the #1 market share in the US as both a label and a distribution company. Other titles on their roster include releases from artists such as Carole King, Charlie Daniels, Public Enemy, Onyx, The Ying Yang Twins, former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and Kinks co-founder Dave Davies. Bob Frank, President of KOCH Entertainment says, “It’s certainly an honor to be able to work with Ringo. We feel he is poised for his greatest worldwide solo success yet.”
A tour will hopefully follow the release of his new album. Ringo's new album will possibly include a guest appearance by Paul and at least one new song written by George before his passing. Ringo reportedly said " George had given me a few song demos and I'd like to do at least one of them. Mark Hudson & I were even discussing bringing in Dhani ot record it with us.".
JOHN & YOKO NEWS
John's Uncle Charlie Passes Away
John's Uncle Charlie Lennon, who never tired talking about John to Beatle fans and was credited with helping to heal the rift between John and his father, died early Sunday morning, May 26th. He was 83. Charlie could often be found at the Mathew Street Festival leading the tourists on to the various haunts of the Fabs. Described as John's favourite uncle, he was the youngest brother of John's father, Freddie and was invited to spend weekends at John's home in Weybridge, Surrey.
Lennon Family Website
Julian has opened up a new website dedicated to the Liverpool Lennon's: Himself, John and Cynthia. The site located at www.lennon.net will feature stories, pictures and memorabillia from Julian's own collection.
