Episodes
Ep. 260 | George Harrison, "Cloud Nine" (1987) Side 2
It’s one of the biggest albums of the late 1980’s.
No, not “Small World”, Huey Lewis & The News’ misguided attempt at a jazz-pop record that sadly gave us a song called “Bobo Tempo”, and can be found in near mint condition for a dollar in used record bins across the country. Rather, dear bleeder, it’s George Harrison’s comeback album, “Cloud 9”. Led by its spirited cover of “Got My Mind Set On You”, and the unofficial theme to Disney’s Mulan (“Breath Away from Heaven”), this is a record that’s held up through the years as one of the best by a solo Beatle not named “Pete”.
Tony & T.J. continue their deep-dish of this legendary album, as they explore questions about fonts, album covers, Weird Al, random Billy Joel deep cuts, and more; like:
😈 Whilst (look it up, pal) listening to the 8-Track of “Cloud 9”, do most/moist Harrison fans prefer “Devil’s Radio” (Beginning) or “Devil’s Radio” (Conclusion)? And what meta, psychological data does that provide about the listener?
🐣 Is the UBP so “woke” (ed note: gross) that they won’t let their fans eat Big League Chicken Chew before a little league game?
🏝 (Angry Chicago Guy, he’s angrily waving a dirty, BMG Record Club, CD copy of “The Immaculate Collection”. It belonged to his wife, before she moved to Hammond to "find herself":) HOW COME “LA ISLA BONITA” AIN’T NO BONUS TRACK ON NO “CLOUD 9” REISSUE?
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Ep. 259 | George Harrison, "Cloud Nine" (1987) Side 1
Look. George Harrison took five years after "Gone Troppo" to complete his 1987 masterpiece "Cloud Nine", so excuse us if we take a couple weeks to wrap up our long awaited deep dish.
This week, the Untitled Twotles finally get around to talking about side one, and promise not to wreck the episode with tacky gated reverb like some sorry Fine Young Cannibals knockoff.
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Ep. 258 | George Harrison, "Cloud Nine" (1987)
After spending the past three weeks in 1995’s Anthology universe, the Untitled Beatles Podcast needs a break. So this week… we head WAY BACK… to 1987.
That’s right. At long last, by popular demand—LLGH! Cheers, big ears!—Tony and T.J. delve into George Harrison’s smash-hit solo record, “Cloud Nine”, which T.J. SHANOFF LOVED LONG BEFORE ALL YOU BANDWAGON B*S.
Along the way, they find time to foray into Format Foyer, and answer the pressing questions like:
📼🌴 OK, but does T.J. own the 1987 cassette released on Contessa records in Indonesia?
💿💦 Was Tony’s copy of Cheap Trick’s “Lap of Luxury” CD damaged in a flood, or by teenage Tony’s tears?
💗📻[Angry Drunk Chicago Guy] HOW COME THEY STILL AIN’T PLAYIN’ THESE BEATLE BLOWHARDS ON CHICAGO’S OWN ROCK 95.5 (AN IHEART RADIO STATION)?
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Ep. 201 | Dark Horse Records
Cheer Down, Untitled Beatlefreaks! This week, Tony gives T.J. Cliff’s notes (shouldn’t have left your locker open, Cliff) on the fascinating book, Dark Horse Records: The Story of George Harrison’s Post-Beatles Record Label, written by Aaron Badgley. Did the quiet Beatle create the first indie label, one that featured appearances from Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, and at least one former Wing? The guys discuss this and more, like:
🤠 Joe Cocker toured the country in the musical “Grease”, so why is Eric Clapton too cowardly to step into “Oklahoma”? TULSA TIME, MY ASS. #DonWilliams
🗑️ If Matt Gaetz were a grumpy green monster on “Sesame Street”, would his name be Oscar The Couch; because he diddles couches?
📰 Would Attitudes second album, “Good News”, have sold more copies had there not been a crippling frisbee shortage in 1977?
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Ep. 196 | George Harrison's "Living In the Material World" Super Deluxe Edition
Right around Thanksgiving (the American one, THE ONLY ONE), the Material World got a whole lot more material! The Harrison estate graciously reintroduced one of George’s most acclaimed records to the world; via a sparkling, glorious Paul Hicks remix in honor of its’ (approximately, infinite) 50th anniversary. There are many iterations of this current reissue, as Beatleworld continues its transition from “marketing exclusively for the masses” to “marketing primarily for boomers with loads of disposable cash”.
In arguably the greatest national tragedy of 2024, Theater Tony (The Annoyance) and Theatre T.J. ("Madonna: The Musical") could only afford the 2-LP/streaming version of this title. (Producer Casey, please put an “awwwww” drop here. K? Then do it, damn it!) But fear not! The guys delve into this reissue with their usual panache, like a couple of panache-holes, but also find the holiday spirit to ask other hard questions, like:
🎤 What’s the Kim Deal with Seinfeld?
👺🚽 Does the deluxe remix archive crate gnome edition of “Living In The Material World” come with a skibidi toilet?
🚪 If Krishna showed up to Ed McMahon’s house, would McMahon hand him a cartoonishly large check and then bellow in his face, “you are correct, sir?”
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Ep. 173 | Rolling Stone's 100 Best Beatles Solo Songs (A Very Special Untitled Beatles Penpals Episode)
Is any magazine as influential as Rolling Stone magazine? From the iconic Garth Brooks/Goo Goo Dolls issue (4/93) to the glibly unsuccessful attempts to help sway the outcomes of the ass-brutal 2004 and 2016 elections, hooray for Rolling Stone! (And, Caddyshack fans, hooray for the Douglasses!)
We at the Untitled Beatles Podcast don’t dare hold a Beatles-related opinion without first consulting what the culture-makers at RS want us to know. So we were thrilled - no, THRILLED - when RS (dba Rob Sheffield) released a list this spring of the 100 Best Beatles Solo Songs!
In fact, we were so thrilled, we decided to start an old-school letter writing campaign all about the rankings - to each other! Thanks to the bravery and diligence of the U.S. Postal Service - which the previous president proudly tried to sabotage, because, uh, “Own the libs” I f’ing guess? - the New Box Tops (dba Tony & T.J.) read their pointed correspondences aloud. They have some questions, including:
🍕 (Angry Chicago fella): How come Paul’s got a song about Dominoes, and not a real Chicago pizza joint like the Barnaby’s in South Bend or the Old Town Pizza Hut on North & Wells that they turned into some woke Boston Market? And how come I keep getting kicked out of Old Town Ale House at 2 in the afternoon?
❤️📦 If Kurt Cobain were Jesus, would he have returned to stop “Cut Me Some Slack” from happening?
🍗 Is it a coincidence that the UBP is sponsored by Kenny Rogers Roasters in Malaysia, and longtime Beatle roadie Mal Evans and early 80’s supergroup Asia are both essential parts of The Beatles story? #MalAsia
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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”…?
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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’! _________________________
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Ep. 120 | Concert for George 20th Anniversary Screening (A Very Special Untitled Beatles Field Trip)
Fire up your (Gloria) DeLorian(ing) because we’re going back in time! Back, through the mists of time, to a time we call November, 2022, for a special one night only screening of “Concert for George” on its 20th anniversary. Tony and T.J. road trip to Tony’s hometown—Addison, IL—on a blustery Chicago early winter’s eve to see the film and also ask:
🐅 Has the intro to the Cougs’ “I Need A Lover Who Won’t Drive Me Crazy” ended yet?
🧀 Would Radio Shack still be around had corporate followed their Beaver Dam, WI, franchisee’s decision to stock blank 8-track tapes in the mid 1990s?
🇨🇩 Is Springsteen’s hit “My Hometown” written about Zaire, the country in Africa? Or Zayre, Framingham, MA-based discount store that was popular in Chicago?
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Ep. 114B | George Fest (2014/2016) Part 2
It’s part 2 of George Fest! It rhymes with Pete Best, Bird’s Nest, Math Test, Chest Crest, Crest Chest, and of course—and most importantly—Breast Fest, only at Kenny Rogers Roasters. Yeah, it’s a chicken joke, perv. Sorry! “Merv”.
This week, T.J. and Tony break down the second half of the film and record, and along the way consider:
🌿 Does Perry Farrell need more ginkgo biloba?
🏄 Could Al Bundy front a Beach Boys tribute band? And if so, would they be called the Married… With Siblings, Cousin and Family Friend?
🚫♀︎ Alt: Or maybe called The Misogynist Shoe Salesboys?
💿💿💿💿 How come The Flaming Lips didn’t release “It’s All Too Much” on four separate 10” records meant to play simultaneously?
That’s right, fellow Lips-sters, you finally got yourselves a Zaireeka reference. You’re welcome.
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