Episodes

Beatlesverse, Solo Projects, Paul UBP Producer Beatlesverse, Solo Projects, Paul UBP Producer

BONUS! Back in the U.S.S.R. from McCartney: A Life in Lyrics

Cue the Salt ’N’ Pepa: Pu-Pu-Pushkin’s real good…at producing podcasts and audiobooks! They’re the force behind the just-dropped “McCartney: A Life in Lyrics” pod, which is off to a delightfully entertaining and insightful start. The dulcet tones of Paul Muldoon had better be the future voice of AI. (We’re talking about practice. Not a game.)

And on this very special episode of the UBP, the Gab Two is proud to present, in partnership with Pushkin, a special airing of “McCartney: A Life in Lyrics” Episode 2. How cool is that?! This one one’s a Double Paul deep-dish on “Back In The U.S.S.R.”, a definitive #FileUnderRock track, though, as the episode sadly fails to acknowledge, was largely unknown until Billy Joel’s live take on “Kohuept” (2 LP’s on 1 CD!).

We’ll be back with our usual chicanery and a whole new episode/world, DON’T YOU DARE CLOSE YOUR EYES, next week. In the meantime, all 3.5 of us at the UBP are absolutely honoured to be associated with anything Macca-related. We hope you will enjoy the show as much as we did. Five Freaking Fabs!

-----

McCartney: A Life in Lyrics | Back in the U.S.S.R

What’s Paul McCartney, a Liverpudlian, doing writing about the Soviet Union in 1968? Turns out McCartney was doing a little Chuck Berry, a bit of The Beach Boys, some pastiche and a lot of subversion. Opening “The White Album”, “Back in the U.S.S.R.” raised some eyebrows. And because of The Beatles’ evolving position within the former Eastern Bloc the song has over the years taken on a life of its own, following the trajectory of the West’s often fraught relationship with the region.

Read More
Solo Projects, John, Yoko UBP Producer Solo Projects, John, Yoko UBP Producer

Ep. 143 | John & Yoko / Plastic Ono Band - “Some Time in New York City” (1972) Part 2

¿Què Pasa, New York? Mornings, on WXTV, Univision 41, Nueva York! But also, that’s a refrain from arguably the most commercially viable song from John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band’s “Some Time In New York City”. So why wasn’t the semi-title track a single? Why didn’t it lead off the album; not enough racial epithets in the title? And who in the love of Danza decided “Angela” - a heart-wrenching tribute to Judith Light - belongs on ANY Lennon comp? So many preguntas! Què Pasa, indeed!

Fortunately/Maybe (#Oasisish) it’s time for part two of the highly anticipated CHICAGO STYLE deep-dish of one of the most derided solo Beatles albums this side of “The Family Way” soundtrack! And as if this 2LP set isn’t long enough - the Giles Martin deluxe remix is slated to include the full 117 minute version of “Au” - the UBP’s very own Cap’n Jamrag and Lt. Scumbag (#PossibleForestGumpReference), to answer these, and more!

🎅🏽 Who the HELL did Bono think he was when he spent Christmas Eve ’93 hand delivering cassettes of “Zooropa” to everyone in the world?

🍕 Was Yoko the inspiration for one of 1982’s great raunchy comedy films? Hint: check out her #SixPack. #KennyRogersRoasters

🍆💨 There may not be much difference, between Tucker Carlson and someone with an actual dong, if you listen to their fartbeat. True?

 

 EPISODE LINKS

Read More
Solo Projects, John, Yoko UBP Producer Solo Projects, John, Yoko UBP Producer

Ep. 142 | John & Yoko / Plastic Ono Band - “Some Time in New York City” (1972) Part 1

All four solo Fabs released legendary albums in their lives. But among the critical darlings (“Gone Troppo”), chart topping smash hits (“Ringo Rama”, 5.1 edition) and absolutely despised, forgotten about, piles of doggie poo poo doo doo (“Band On The Run”), there are some solo albums that remain quite difficult to categorize. Like this week’s Deep Dish Part 1 (CALORIE ALERT!) on the ever-controversial John & Yoko “Some Time In New York City”.

Is this a terrible record? Is it actually brilliant? Has it aged better than expected in the 50 years since its release? What do you think this is, pal, “Sound Opinions?” Sure, you come here for us to answer those fab questions, but you also may be wondering:

💿🍆 Is it fair to judge what’s on a CD by the size of its’ ’87 longbox?

📻 Should classic rock radio still play the heavily edited, phat-shaming, radio friendly version of the album’s single, “[Your] Woman Is The Bigger Of The Girls”? Or is it time we finally cancel The Drive, 97.1? (Ed note: Cancel Culture is ruining America and must end! Unless it's books, constitutional rights, science, personal freedoms, rule of law, arts funding, kindness, actual f**king facts, etc...)

3️⃣4️⃣ (Angry Chicago Guy) How come Coach Ditka let William the Fridge Perry tackle a nun during Super Bowl XX, (slower, rhythmically, drunk on Malort) but not Sweetness?

Like Was (not Don Was) once sang: open the door, get on the floor, everybody go watch “Dinosaurs”! (#NotTheMama) Fridays, on ABC! But first, yo, check dis out!

 EPISODE LINKS

Read More
Solo Projects, Yoko UBP Producer Solo Projects, Yoko UBP Producer

Ep. 4.1 | DELUXE REISSUE: Approximately Infinite Universe (1973)

Yang Yang! You’ve given me a Yang Yang! And we’re thinking of Yoko…so we’ve decided to reach into our archives for a limited, deluxe remix/remaster/reissue/bonus Gnome edition of our vaunted 4th episode in 2020, where we deep-dished a Tony favorite: Yoko Ono’s “Approximately Infinite Universe”!

Did you know it’s TWO albums? Well hell yeah, it is! Good for Tony. Butt, what about T.J.? Well, there are even more questions that must be answered, such a$:

🧹Spoilers: Did Yoko’s “Death Of Samantha” predict the “Who’s The Boss?” series finale decades before it aired?

☀️🍔 Does anyone remember the 1990’s Fiddler On The Roof/Don Henley theme restaurant, “Sunrise Sunset Grill”?

🏀 Was San Diego Clipper great World B. Free really a bastard? And if not, WTF with Yoko’s hateful tune?

EPISODE NOTES:

 

——-

Originally published June 20, 2020

Tony turns TJ on...to Yoko Ono's 1973 double-LP Approximately Infinite Universe. They explore the merits of her influence and the complexities of her marriage to John at the time this album was recorded. TJ comes to terms with his disdain for Elephant's Memory, particularly the saxophone, and Tony reveals his least favorite song of all time. Spoiler: it's not by The Beatles (Remember, they like them!)

 

Read More
Solo Projects, Ringo UBP Producer Solo Projects, Ringo UBP Producer

Ep. 133 | Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band (1990) Part 2

From TV's "All Star Blitz" to the the NBA all star celebrity game (feat. some dude from "Grey's Anatomy"), a collection of rando all-stars usually sucks. But not when left to the devices of our dear Ringo, as evidenced in part two of our deep dish on his first all starr band LP!Along the way, Tony and T.J. ask:

🔦🤫 Is "Shine Silently" to 1989 what "Shine Silently" was to 1979, only double?

🛥🛥 Speaking of double, If T.J. plays Double’s “The Captain Of Her Heart” on the piano for no reason, and Tony doesn’t notice the forgotten '85 yachty deep cut jam, did T.J. even play it? #GetRidOfThePiano #Horrible

🧙💩 (Angry Chicago Guy:) How come Ringo had a Cardinals shortstop play guitar in his first all starr band? And what ever happened to that big guy, big home run hitter, oh yeah, poo holes? Dat's rite, my friendt, POO HOLES!

EPISODE LINKS:

Read More
Solo Projects, Ringo UBP Producer Solo Projects, Ringo UBP Producer

Ep. 132 | Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band (1990) Part 1

The Traveling Wilburys were all right, even if they say you're wrong (#JulianLennon). But sometimes you gotta be strong and make the claim that they were only the 2nd best solo Beatle supergroup of the 80's.

#1? Obviously, it's Paul, Linda, and Eric Stewart! Ringo and his first All Starr Band!

Ok maybe that's a stretch. But as the 1990 tour LP & video show, they were a damn fine band, with a strangely cohesive line up of rock legends that Ringo would never again replicate.

This week, the UBP gets really serious (angry  fan: "DAT'S VOLUME TOO!") about this great record and also ask:

 Did Keef get beef in his teef doing Improv Warmup Wednesdays at Kenny Rogers Roasters?

 Is Tony the UBP's Joel Whitburn, which is a sick reference for those of you who are familiar with longtime Billboard chart historian Joel Whitburn?

Was the All Starr Band promoter experienced at novelty concerts, or more of a Fishof out of water?

EPISODE LINKS:

Read More
Solo Projects, George UBP Producer Solo Projects, George UBP Producer

Ep. 128b | Living in the Material World 50th Anniversary Part 2

Let’s pick up where we left off! This week, the gents go track-by-track on George Harrison’s most famous Madonna cover, “Living in the Material World.” Along the way, we ponder:

  🪩 How does Right Said Fred’s “Too Sexy” translate to Latin America?

 🐴 How might this album be for the benefit of Mr. Specter?

 📖 It’s always a shame… is the Genesis track “That’s All” superior to the album closer “That is All”…?

 

EPISODE LINKS:

Read More
Solo Projects, George UBP Producer Solo Projects, George UBP Producer

Ep. 128 | Living in the Material World 50th Anniversary Part 1

George Harrison holds a special place in the hearts of the Untitled Beatles Podcast, and millions of Beatles fans. As prolific as John and Paul were, and as much as few could lay a beat down like Bernard Purdie, who overdubbed many, if not all, of Ringo’s tracks (chew on that, Lewishon), George was arguably the spirit and soul of The Beatles; no little feat. #DixieChicken

Join us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his 1973 blockbuster, “Living In The Material World”. It heightened the spirituality of “All Things Must Pass”, while ditching that album’s sprawl and layers upon layers of production, resulting in a fascinating, beautiful record laden with musical and lyrical juxtapositions.

In part 1 of this Deep Dish, the Material Two, with an assist from Producer Casey and a rather aggressive P3Z-nuts, break down the album’s history, reception, and legacy, and also ask:

🍗 Is Minnie Pearl a Nashville sexpot, or more of a Nashville Hot Chicken Wrap? Now available at participating Manillaland/Northwest Indiana Kenny Rogers Roasters.

🤕 If Whitney Houston is the Beatles of the 80’s, and the Miami Heat Threetles were the Beatles of the 2010's, and Skittles are the 80’s candy equivalent of the 60’s Beatles, are the Miami Heat Threetles to the '10's what the actual Threetles were to the 90’s what the 60’s Beatles were to Skittles in the 80’s? #MeetTheSkittles

🐀 Sign here if you think Rhonda Santis should ban book slappin’! _________________________

 

EPISODE LINKS:

Read More
Solo Projects, Paul UBP Producer Solo Projects, Paul UBP Producer

Ep. 126c | Red Rose Speedway 50th Anniversary Part 3

How much 'Red Rose Speedway' is too much Red Rose Speedway? It’s the age old question. Paul wanted it to be a 2-LP set. EMI said, “no”. And, with that, Macca’s recording career was effectively over.

So today we’ll look at Julian Lennon’s 1989 hit, “Mr. Jordan”! [BUZZER SFX]

No! It’s actually Part Three of our 17-part deep dish full-on-sausage-patty salute to Wings’ 2nd album, which sadly does not feature “Thank You Girl”. THANKS FOR NADA, DAVE DEXTER.

This week, we look at Paul’s original 2-LP iteration of this title, which finally surfaced as a limited vinyl set in 2018. Is it an improvement on the single (pigeon) album we've known for 50 years? Tony & T.J. select the best of the best of tracks left off the original Red-and/or-Blue Rose Speedway, and along the way they ponder:

🚗 If Willie Dixon is also Willie Nelson, did Harry Nilsson drive a Nissan?

🦅 Is the civil rights anthem “Blackbird” also Paul’s most nazty, bangin’ f**k tune?

🥞🍳🥓 Woah woah woah woah! Woah woah woah woah! Does Denny’s do it good? #MoonsOverMyHandy

EPISODE LINKS: 

Read More
Solo Projects, Paul UBP Producer Solo Projects, Paul UBP Producer

Ep. 126b | Red Rose Speedway 50th Anniversary Part 2

Hey Weepers! Hey Creepers! Hey Hugga Me Righters! Whether dragonfly or pigeon, we think you're gonna dig part 2 of our Red Rose Speedway deep dish even more than George Leroy Chickashea loves "Ebony and Ivory" (solo version).

Along the way, they take a (Cleveland) Brown Line L train around the Loup, and also discuss:

🍄 Where's the long delayed digital remaster of "Portobello Road: Mushrooms Salute The Beatles"?

🟤 Is Bernie Kosar to Paul what Brian Epstein was to John? And how come Lewishon won't talk about it? What's Apple hiding, exactly?

⚾️ Holy Ann Margaret, Bartman! Paul wrote "Bye Bye Birdie"?!?!?!

We strangely encourage you to buy lots of Bud Light (legit only if you're over 21, tough gal!!) put yer carpet sleepin feet up, and enjoy this week's sumptuous, sunset cruise along the Red Rose Speedway...

EPISODE LINKS: 

Read More