John Lennon/Beatles Mega Thread

[msLinds]

Have a great time Nico at your upcoming Goastt Concert.I have couple new updates.

Charlotte Creative Loafing Interview
Sean Lennon teams with girlfriend for folk-infused new band
January 4,2011
The name Lennon brings up different images and sounds in each person's head. It's a label that Sean Lennon, the only offspring from the union of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, has gotten used to. It may bring along expectations or intense scrutiny of whatever he does, but, at age 35, he's been able to move past that. His latest project is one that he started with girlfriend/model Charlotte Kemp Muhl. The duo perform under the monicker, Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger and are currently on tour in support of their sophomore album, Acoustic Sessions. I recently spoke with Lennon and Kemp Muhl by phone from their New York home about their tour and their musical inspirations toward each other.

http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com...nt?oid=1147253



From BBC.com
December 22, 2010
The Abbey Road Zebra crossing in north London - made famous after appearing on a Beatles album cover - has been given Grade II listed status.The crossing - the first of its kind to be listed - is being recognised for its "cultural and historical importance" following advice from English Heritage. The Beatles were photographed on Abbey Road in Ian Macmillan's iconic cover shot for the 1969 album Abbey Road. Sir Paul McCartney said it was the "icing on the cake" of a great year.The original zebra crossing, where the photograph was taken, was moved several metres for traffic management reasons more than 30 years ago, and no original features remain.'Huge cultural pull' But John Penrose, Minister for Tourism and Heritage, said: "This London zebra crossing is no castle or cathedral but, thanks to the Beatles and a 10-minute photo-shoot one August morning in 1969, it has just as strong a claim as any to be seen as part of our heritage." Roger Bowdler, head of designation at English Heritage, said: "This is obviously an unusual case and, although a modest structure, the crossing has international renown and continues to possess huge cultural pull - the temptation to recreate that iconic 1969 album cover remains as strong as ever. Together with the nearby Abbey Road studios, also listed at Grade II on our advice, they remain a Mecca for Beatles fans the world over." Sir Paul said: "It's been a great year for me and a great year for the Beatles and hearing that the Abbey Road crossing is to be preserved is the icing on the cake." The crossing is outside the Abbey Road studios, where the Beatles recorded much of their output. That building was granted Grade II listed status in February. A Grade II listing, the most common protected status, means that a building or monument is recognised as nationally important and of special interest.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12059385

[msLinds]

Here is the video clip of Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl's band " The GOASTT "on " Late Night with Jimmy Fallon " that showed last night, wednesday January 5, 2011

http://theaudioperv.com/2011/01/06/t...urg-15-fallon/


Or scroll down to very end of the episode, at 38. 00 minutes into the show

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon....-2011/1268308/

[Nico]

Originally Posted by msLinds

Here is the video clip of Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl's band " The GOASTT "on " Late Night with Jimmy Fallon " that showed last night, wednesday January 5, 2011

http://theaudioperv.com/2011/01/06/t...urg-15-fallon/


Or scroll down to very end of the episode, at 38. 00 minutes into the show

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon....-2011/1268308/

Thanks msLinds! I loved the performance. They added an extra horn. Personally, Jardin du Luxembourg is one of my favorite songs on their album. The second I heard it I fell in love. I'm so proud of Sean. I'm an old-school Sean fan, you know...been a fan since "Into the Sun" and every EP, album, collaboration since. He's an extremely talented fellow who deserves every bit of praise he receives. And now this stuff with Charlotte is just icing on the cake, man. I can't wait to see them.

msLinds: I read a little tidbit on Google news about Julian's new album. It was nothing specific (date, songs, theme) but it discussed that the album was coming out soon and it's entitled "Everything Changes." So I will be getting that one for sure.

Go John's sons!

[msLinds]

Your welcome Nico.I really loved watching their performance on TV to.You certainly are a long time old school Sean Lennon Music fan.I have heard about Julian's Lennon's new album and I am also a fan of his music.So I am looking forward to his new album coming out soon.I have one update.Also the link to that WFUV radio interview for anyone that missed it on 1/4.

The Washington Post : Interview
January 6, 2011
Sean Lennon and girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl find harmony with new band.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...010505246.html


WFUV Radio " Take Five " Interview with Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl
" The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger' is a little bit She & Him and a tad Simon & Garfunkel, and the duo of Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl spoke with FUVs Rita Houston about writing songs as a team. (1/4/11)"

Audio of show

http://wfuv.streamguys.us/archive/10787.asx

[msLinds]

I have a couple new video's to post.

The Fifth Installment of " The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger " New Bedroom Sessions video. January 6, 2011

The GOASTT - Fruit‬

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ly7U...layer_embedded


Making of "Shroedinger's Cat" Music Video
by Jordan Galland

http://vimeo.com/18347225

[Nico]

I think the song Shroedinger's Cat sounds like a Simon & Garfunkel tune. It's really beautiful. Sean's voice on it resembles Paul's [Simon]. It's also interesting because Paul Simon's son Harper is one of Sean's best friends. Thank you for all the links msLinds! Please keep it up!

[Nico]

I just found this article and had to share it...

Personally, I find it pretty hilarious. I would be offended if it was someone I actually loved and respected as an artist who felt this way. But Elvis Presley did nothing for me. Growing up, my dad never played any Elvis music and instead educated me on the black artists who really originated the music that was then known as rock and roll. I adored the Big Mama Thornton version of Hounddog, for example, way more than the Elvis version. And although I could appreciate many of his songs for their incredible historical significance and influence, he never moved me as an artist in any way.Perhaps I was/am the only one who felt/feels this way, because my beloved dad even admitted he loved Elvis as a kid. But I was always "meh" about him. What can I say?

So reading this only irked me in the sense that I'm such a John girl and when watching "The US vs. John Lennon" or "LennonNYC" and seeing how his struggle to stay in this country really caused him a lot of turmoil I get ticked that Elvis Presley- the man who John adulated and always spoke so highly of- was one of the key figures in prompting Richard Nixon to have Lennon deported, along with a few other key figures. It's sad and pathetic. And I don't believe for a second it was motivated by Presley's staunch pro-war advocation but more because he was simply jealous of John's immense success- both in the Beatles (who took over, smashed any other competition, and basically owned both fans and critics in a way that Elvis could never try to match) and on his own. John's voice was one that really resonated with people, because he was an incredibly intelligent, sharp, witty guy who was also very quick-tongued and so anti-establishment. Elvis was an entertainer, plain and simple. He didn't target the audiences John could by simply doing interviews or writing incredibly brilliant books. John didn't have to rely solely on his looks and behind his unconventionally handsome head of hair there actually was a great deal of substance and an incredibly magnetic personality.

I guess that's the part that really bothered me. But truthfully, I never took Elvis seriously enough to care. And Tom Jones is a complete joke. His musical career is so embarrassingly bland and pointless. I think he could have done something really awesome with that voice of his, but instead...he really didn't.

I'm such a music snob, I know. Maybe other people feel differently about this and agree with Elvis and Tom. That's cool. Opinions are necessary, as I feel they make the world go round. John is dead so it isn't like these articles are hurting him. And even if he was alive, I'm pretty sure he would laugh. He was that type of person.

[3rd World Man]

Thanks for that eye-opening article Nico! I trudged through it because it involved John, because I have almost zero interest in Elvis--never have. So reading about Elvis and that creepy Tom Jones dude was a struggle to say the least I was going to say that I put those two in the same category as The Monkees, but then I felt bad insulting The Monkees, because they had more 'talent' than Elvis & TJ combined imho. I agree Nico, "Entertainers" at best.

Well, the fact that those two losers hated John, really doesn't mean much to me. I have such little respect for them as "musicians" and I'm not surprised they would react in such a vitriolic way

I'm more upset they helped in trying to get John kicked out of the country
Those two, like most Vegas Entertainers, are tied to the Mob in some way shape or form. And the Mob, controlling the entertainment dollars across the country, probably saw John (or any overseas artist) as a threat to their livelihood. Everyone would benefit if they managed to kick out that anti-war, peace-loving agitator Lennon. He threatened to eliminate the incredibly profitable Vietnam War by turning red-blooded, macho, patriotic men into peace-loving, dope-smoking pacifists. The Beatles heralded a British Invasion of the monetary sort. These 'foreigners' were taking millions in entertainment revenue away from a nearly monopolistic American Music market. Something had to be done!

I tell you, that article just confirmed what I suspected about the true colors of Elvis and Tom Jones. Pompous, arrogant, over-rated, self-indulgent, egotistical…there's a reason ELVIS also spells EVILS! (JOHN LENNON, on the other hand, is UNIQUE! It can't spell anything else except JOHN LENNON! Go ahead, try it: http://wordsmith.org/anagram/)

[Nico]

Originally Posted by 3rd World Man

Thanks for that eye-opening article Nico! I trudged through it because it involved John, because I have almost zero interest in Elvis--never have. So reading about Elvis and that creepy Tom Jones dude was a struggle to say the least I was going to say that I put those two in the same category as The Monkees, but then I felt bad insulting The Monkees, because they had more 'talent' than Elvis & TJ combined imho. I agree Nico, "Entertainers" at best.

Well, the fact that those two losers hated John, really doesn't mean much to me. I have such little respect for them as "musicians" and I'm not surprised they would react in such a vitriolic way

I'm more upset they helped in trying to get John kicked out of the country
Those two, like most Vegas Entertainers, are tied to the Mob in some way shape or form. And the Mob, controlling the entertainment dollars across the country, probably saw John (or any overseas artist) as a threat to their livelihood. Everyone would benefit if they managed to kick out that anti-war, peace-loving agitator Lennon. He threatened to eliminate the incredibly profitable Vietnam War by turning red-blooded, macho, patriotic men into peace-loving, dope-smoking pacifists. The Beatles heralded a British Invasion of the monetary sort. These 'foreigners' were taking millions in entertainment revenue away from a nearly monopolistic American Music market. Something had to be done!

I tell you, that article just confirmed what I suspected about the true colors of Elvis and Tom Jones. Pompous, arrogant, over-rated, self-indulgent, egotistical…there's a reason ELVIS also spells EVILS! (JOHN LENNON, on the other hand, is UNIQUE! It can't spell anything else except JOHN LENNON! Go ahead, try it: http://wordsmith.org/anagram/)

Wow, thanks for responding. I almost thought someone would scream blasphemy because I dared say what I said about Mr. Presley. I take none of it back, but it has opened a can of worms with EP fans on the boards of these articles. They appear to have a very miniscule understanding of John Lennon and his work. But tis alright...if people want to believe that he was just a peacenik, or just wrote Imagine, or that he was some kind of cruel monster who didn't care about anything but making money that's on them.

I will just sigh, roll my eyes, and play my John Lennon Signature Box all the more loudly as I marvel at his untouchable talents.

[msLinds]

I agree with your views Nico and Third World Mans views and feeling about Elvis and that Tom Jones.I couldn't care less about Jones or Elvis's views on anything political or on John Lennon.Hearing this information about them wanting to get John kicked out of the US makes me really loose all respect for them as people.I agree both are Pompous, arrogant, over-rated, self-indulgent, and egotistial.I hope you have a great time at your Goastt concert Nico.Or if you have allready gone to it.I hope we will get a report back from you with how the concert went.I do have some new Goastt Video's to post.


Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl, " The Goastt " with brass player C.J Camerieri " " at Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia.1/7/2011

The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger - Girl From The North County (live) Philly 1-7-11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnoho...layer_embedded

Sean Lennon Singing ' Dead Meat " from his " Friendly Fire " album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pv4f8ngfEc

New version of a unplayed song from " Acoustic Sessions ".
Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger - Candy Necklace (live) Philly 1-7-11‬

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MakQKFyPu6M

Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger - The World Was Made for Men.‬Philly 1-7-2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcYcj...layer_embedded

Sean talking about New Yorkers.lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzh_GSRePcQ

Ghost of A Saber Tooth Tiger, Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp Muhl, performing "Candy Necklace" at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, January 8, 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1oM3LgwBK4

[Nico]

Thanks msLinds! I love all these songs! I haven't seen the GOASTT yet, but I will be seeing them NEXT WEEKEND!!!! Yay! So I'm creating a Sean/GOASTT compilation for my trip. I even put "It's Alright" on there for goodness sakes.

*Oh, and I AGREE WHOLE-HEARTEDLY with your Elvis/Tom sum-up.*

[elle]

Originally Posted by Nico

*Oh, and I AGREE WHOLE-HEARTEDLY with your Elvis/Tom sum-up.*

i don't know guys, reading through the article Nico posted, and then googling it and looking through comments on various sites where the same article or excerpts were posted, just made me sad, for all involved. and i guess i can partially understand how article and hateful comments can incite angry reponse. however, the whole text/style in that british medium-level paper seems pretty cheezy and probably should be taken with the grain of salt. i did read before that Elvis was not happy with Lennon for telling him to stop making crappy movies and get back to r'n'r, but not for reasons cited in this article; this again leads me to believe that stuff written in the article is at least partially made up.

Lennon was a great musician and a great and inspiring pacifist/altruist. you probably know much more about his music then i do, but his legacy, both musicaally and otherwise, should be appreciated much more than it is, imo. in Lennon or McCartney debate, i've always been a Lennon girl - while most of McCartney's music doesn't do much for me, both Lennon's music and views that he tried to convey do. reading through comments below the article, it is really sad to see how many people irrationally hate his pacifist views. but Elvis is a musical legend in his own right. it is also doubtful that either Elvis or Tom Jones (who btw is Welsh) had any real political influence, whether or not they had any personal petty feelings towards John. Tom Jones, as you said, has a great voice, which he unfortunately may have not used as good as he could have, but it is undeniable that both these people, while not songwriters, were extremely talented. calling them names like overrated loosers and mobsters on the basis of a sensationalistic article without knowing what in it is true i don't think is appropriate, and reading these comments from people who love John just made me sad.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by elle

but Elvis is a musical legend in his own right. it is also doubtful that either Elvis or Tom Jones (who btw is Welsh) had any real political influence, whether or not they had any personal petty feelings towards John. Tom Jones, as you said, has a great voice, which he unfortunately may have not used as good as he could have, but it is undeniable that both these people, while not songwriters, were extremely talented. calling them names like overrated loosers and mobsters on the basis of a sensationalistic article without knowing what in it is true i don't think is appropriate, and reading these comments from people who love John just made me sad.

Elle, please don't infer that I have any real vitriol towards Elvis or Tom Jones. I can't deny Elvis' incredible influence, as I did say, and I really do believe he had talent. He just never inspired anything more than some head bops and nods from me- which is perfectly fine. His legacy and his endurance as one of the key figures in the formation of rock and roll as a mainstream art is sealed.

What did upset me about the article was the so-called quotes from Elvis and Tom. They seemed incredibly ignorant and quite aggressive. I don't agree 100% with everything John stood for, but I always felt passionately that his role as a pop star campaigning for peace at a time when it was neither cool nor heard of that famous millionaire rock stars would go out of their way to promote peace was simply extraordinary. This article belittles all the beautiful things John did with his art, his time, and the overall message he tried to present through almost every medium he encountered. It upset me because John's peace activism was a magnificent facet of his persona, and it's being boiled down to naivete, or "stupid, idiotic drugged-up hippy talk."

So I got worked up about that, as well as the fact that Elvis played such a large role in trying to have John deported from the United States. This was one of the most horrible, stressful moments in John's life. His deportation trial prevented him from visiting England and seeing his friends and the family who he adored and who adored him. I mean...as a John fan and having watched "LennonNYC" and realizing that he was being surveilled by the US Government to such an extent, I can't help but feel some anger towards the key players in all of this. After all, John only had a few more years left in his life and that entire process certainly caused him years of worry that really should have been spent in more of a happy light.

But nonetheless, you are correct. It isn't at all worth it to focus on these negatives or to lambast Presley over something he may have not even been that passionately involved with in the first place. Since we have been celebrating John this past year I think it's right to look at all the incredible accomplishments he had over such a short lifetime. I think I read the other day a quote from someone- a casual music fan- who mentioned that very few artists, if any, can even dream of creating half of what John did in 40 years in their WHOLE lifetime. So I apologize for saying mean things about Elvis. I still dislike Tom Jones, but I will laugh at him in good humor from now on. Thanks Elle.

[3rd World Man]

calling them names like overrated loosers and mobsters on the basis of a sensationalistic article without knowing what in it is true i don't think is appropriate, and reading these comments from people who love John just made me sad.

Elle, i apologize if my comments made you sad. That certainly was not my intention. I get very defensive when John is involved, and i should have taken that article "with a grain of salt" like you said. The mob comments are just something typical from me whenever las vegas is mentioned. I have done research on that topic, and many big entertainers had mob connections. And since I never had any affinity for Elvis (or Tom Jones, for goodness sakes, he shouldn't even be in this conversation!) i really jumped at the chance to defend John. I will stand steadfast in my defense of John whenever the subject is songwriting, musicianship, genius, etc... John is at the top, and I'm sorry, everyone else has to get in line behind him.

How about we change the subject to something more interesting? Like 10 questions about John. ok, here we go:


1. What is your favorite JL solo album and why?

2. If you could travel back in time and meet John in any year, what would it be?

3. What is your favorite John Lennon documentary?

4. Tell me your true feelings about Yoko Ono.

5. Whose music do you prefer: Julian's or Sean's?

6. Favorite John Lennon lyrics from a song?

7. Favorite John Lennon melody?

8. one thing you loved most about John.

9. Best John Lennon hairstyle.

10. Favorite John Lennon Beatles song/solo song?

Here are my answers to the questions above:

1= Plastic Ono Band, because my best friend in the whole world gave that to me as a gift, and I adore it (and her!)
2=I would want to meet him right around the time the Beatles first formed, Maybe thats because i recently saw the John biopic "Nowhere Boy"
3=Can I say "Nowhere Boy"? That's not really a documentary, but i liked it. I like John in interviews, like on the Dick Cavett Show too.
4=I think Yoko and John had a wonderful relationship. She was good for him. She is managing his legacy wonderfully. But as an 'artist', I'm a little dubious. Of course, I'm not a good judge of art...I think Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and a few others were complete frauds. But Yoko is cool.
5=Seans by a long shot. I don't dislike Julians music, just I find Seans much more interesting. Julian is a little to MOR for me. But even Julians talent is far ahead of any other of the Beatles offspring.
6=I'd have to say Instant Karma and Working Class Hero. Sorry, can't pick just one!
7=#9Dream is gorgeous
8=his quick wit and sense of humor
9=Early Beatles, before the beard ;-)
10=In My Life

[msLinds]

I want to first say for Elle.I have do not hate Elvis and think he was a very talented.I respect your views on this.But if this is true that Elvis and that Tom Jones tryed to get John deported and kicked out of the US.I do think it was very wrong and horrible.But I do understand about his musical legacy.Also he was very complicated person like many famous people.

Now I have some updates.I have to get back to Nico's list as soon as I have time to later.Have a safe and great Goastt Performance Nico this coming weekend.I am looking forward to a concert review and maybe even some photographs if you want to take some and they allow them.Have a safe and great rest of the week everyone.


The Boston Phoenix
The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger explore dualism
Parts of a whole
January 6, 2011

When Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl started the Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger (GOASTT), the project was intended as a bit of a joke — an acoustic-folk thing that wasn't supposed to lead to anything particularly serious. One night, when the couple were hanging out, Kemp Muhl played a handful of songs she'd written several years earlier. Lennon was so enthralled, he proposed that they make fresh material together, even if her instrumental abilities were limited. They assembled "The World Was Made for Men" and tossed a hasty recording onto MySpace. Even the name they picked for the band was whimsical — the title of a play Kemp Muhl wrote as a child. Still, Lennon saw a greater opportunity. He was a touring musician and she was a model; the pair were frequently separated by distance. This project provided more incentive to spend time together.

http://thephoenix.com/boston/music/1...r-tooth-tiger-


The Philadelphia Inquirer
Sean Lennon making music in a ghostly duo
January 7, 2011
Sean Ono Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl have backstories that threaten to eclipse any music they create. He's the son of one of rock's iconic figures; she's an American supermodel who at age 16 was the youngest to grace the cover of British Harper's.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weeke...#ixzz1AcNiOdVS

Boston Herald.com
Sean Lennon’s Ghost evokes memories of father
By Jim Sullivan
Saturday, January 8, 2011

http://www.bostonherald.com/entertai...&position=also


The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger Performs at Iota Club

Despite the weather and the fact it was Tuesday, a decent-sized crowd jammed into Clarendon's Iota Club last night to see Sean Lennon perform with girlfriend, Charlotte Kemp Muhl.Together, Lennon and Kemp Muhl comprise The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger. Under low lights, the band performed their dreamy, acoustic folk rock as snowflakes fell outside — a fitting backdrop.The stage was as bare and humble as the music. Lennon and Kemp Muhl vocalized while playing a variety of instruments, with the occasional commentary in between. The melodies were hard to memorize and the tempo decidedly low, but the duo's passion for their craft was evident.If the audience was as into the music as the musicians were, count it a successful outing.


http://www.arlnow.com/2011/01/12/the...+Happenings%29


Clarendon-Courthouse-RosslynPatch
GOASTT Braves Snow, Fills Iota Club
Sean Lennon's subtle new band holds its own.
January 12, 2011
If you're even the slightest lover of live music, the Iota Club & Cafe is a must-visit. With barn-like wooden cross-beams, lofty timber ceilings, and exposed brick walls, the acoustics of bluegrass, folk, and pop have been echoing beautifully throughout this small venue for more than a decade now. And thanks to a recent interior reconfiguration it is now much easier to score one of their many craft beers on tap and find elbow room near the stage.

http://clarendon.patch.com/articles/...ills-iota-club


Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger - A Song For James - Live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC‬

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvZLd...feature=autofb


Here is something that was posted on Yoko Ono Lennon's Facebook Page a couple days ago.

Yoko Ono Lennon on Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox show – by Cindy Sheehan
January 9 ,2011
Yoko Ono Lennon gets a Peace of The Action!* - January 9, 2011 (SOAPBOX #82) - Cindy welcomes famous peace activist Yoko Ono.* Long before there was a John and Yoko, she grew up in Japan during the end of World War II.* It didn't take much more to make her a committed peace activist.* It had a critical formative influence on her whole life.* They discuss the historical growth of the peace movement, plus rippling effects from the dawning public recognition of just how much our "democratically elected" government lies to us.* Yoko and Cindy both suffered great tragic losses in their lives.* Cindy asks how she could possibly keep going and stay so strong and so positive.* Yoko just anwers "It was the only thing I could do."* Optimism is NEEDED.* Both observe we need to "take a sad song - and make it better!"

http://sheehan.streamguys.org/Soapbo...et01092011.mp3

http://imaginepeace.com/archives/136...medium=twitter