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The Beatles Coming to a USB Near You

Sara Harowitz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:10:48 +0000

In a highly digital age such as the one we are currently in, it’s hard to believe that not all music is legally sold online. However, with the Beatles, that’s just the case.

While you can play their songs on Rock Band and listen to their music on remastered CDs, you still cannot buy the Beatles’ music on iTunes and other digital stores. That is, not yet.

According to rollingstone.com, Apple Corps. and EMI Music will release a limited-edition USB drive featuring the entire Beatles in Stereo remastered discography on Dec. 7 in the UK and Dec. 8 in North America. While Apple Corps. had up until recently kept the view of not selling John, Paul, George and Ringo’s music digitally, 320 Kbps MP3s will house all 14 Beatles albums and 13 “mini-documentaries,” and will be available for public purchase. The 16GB USB drive will be shaped like the famous Apple logo, with “The Beatles” written on it. Only 30,000 of these Beatles USBs will be produced.

The USB can be pre-ordered on the Beatles’ website. The price for this limited edition USB $279.99 (US), states the site, and includes the Beatles’ albums, Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, Beatles For Sale, Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, The White Album, Abbey Road, Let It Be, and Past Masters.

EMI Music is also currently going after a digital music site called BlueBeat.com for offering a digital download of the Beatles catalog without permission. A copyright-infringement lawsuit was filed yesterday by EMI, which has the digital rights to the Beatles’ music through an agreement with Apple Corps.

Not only is the site selling the Beatles discography without permission, BlueBeat is doing so at below market prices. Each track on BlueBeat costs only 25 cents, so while iTunes would charge $9.99 (US) for an 11-track album like Magical Mystery Tour, BlueBeat only charges $2.75. The entire catalog is being sold for $53.25. The site has reportedly been streaming the catalog since Sept. 16, which was just one week after the remastered CDs were released.

Michael Jackson’s Life Up For Grabs

Emma Renda — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:34:07 +0000

For a minute there, the entire history of pop music was hanging in the balance of some very unsteady hands. Michael Jackson’s esate, now in the control of his family, is famously known to include the entire Beatles discography but TMZ assures us the Fab Four’s musical history will not be included in a massive auction scheduled for April.

Jackson’s personal effects, many from his fabled Neverland ranch, will be auctioned to boost the assets in order to pay off the debt claimed by a number of creditors, according to the Guardian UK. But the Beatles catalogue, and the rest of Jackson’s publishing catalogue, will stay in the trust of his kids who can expect to profit more from it in the long-term than any immediate return if it were sold now.

In financial reports released in August, Jackson’s bottom line net worth was calculated to be $1,360,839,979, according to TMZ who viewed the documents. Of that, though, $1,150,000,000 is the Sony-ATV Publishing Trust holding the Beatles catalogue. The Jackson trust purchased ATV in 1985, after McCartney turned down the opportunity, and merged it ten years later in a deal with Sony. Now the third-largest music publishing company in the world, it owns the rights to music by Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Eminem, Willie Nelson and Taylor Swift, to name a few.

The Los Angeles auction is the first salee of Jackson’s property actually sanctioned by Jackson himself, after he tried to halt an auction in 2007 of he and his family’s properties acquired by a New Jersey businessman.

In life, the sale would signify Jackson’s departure from the grandeur of his celebrity existence – perhaps in the wake of his aquittal in 2005 of child molestation charges, which was followed by his abandonment of Neverland Ranch.

Now after Jackson’s death, the auction could mean one of two things: either a very poignant glimpse to the extraordinary extent to which Jackson tried to substitute real life with inanimate materialism. Or, it could turn out to be nothing more than a public bone collection of the only tangible remains of the King of Pop.

Neverland Ranch was literally emptied last summer, when Jackson commissioned Darren Julien, a renowned celebrity autioneer, to scrutinise the land. More than 2,000 items were cleared from the premises, including the amusement park that occupied only part of the 38 acres inside the ranch. The iconic gates of Neverland are now leaned against the wall of a warehouse somewhere in Los Angeles.

Julien is forecasting the April auction to be a regular frenzy of a sale as both media and fanatics are expected to flock to the Beverly Hilton event. Jackson’s signature diamond-studded glove that he wore when he married Debbie Rowe was auctioned to Warwick Stone on behalf of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for a whopping $49,000.

The April auction will feature more than 2,000 items, including exclusive artifacts from Jackson’s Neverland Ranch that have never been seen by the public eye. When Julien and his team were invited by Jackson in 2007 to scrutinise the Ranch, they were astonished at the bizarre accumulation inside.

“It seemed as if everything he owned was made of bronze and marble and gold,” said Michael Doyle, a member of Julien’s team according to the Guardian UK.

Along with custom-made crowns and an ornate throne that was part of Jackson’s bedroom decor, vintage arcade games and Jackson’s vast collection of 18th- and 19th century art will be available. Jackson’s stage costumes will inevitably go up for grabs, such as the fedora he wore in the video for “Billie Jean” and outfits dating as far back as his days in the Jackson 5. His personal souvenirs, such as military insignia he gathered during his world travels will go, along with a regal cape his children Paris and Prince Michael gave him as a Father’s day gift.

A large part of Jackson’s personal belongings will not be included in the auction, and only time and financial necessity will determine what other aspects of Jackson’s historic life will be sold to the clamouring hands of his admirers and debt collectors.

The Beatles Remastered Catalog To Be Released In September

Ilan Mester — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:00:01 +0000

Apple Corps Ltd. along with EMI Music have announced September 9 will be the release date for the highly anticipated original Beatles catalog, the same day “The Bealtes: Rock Band” video game is due to hit stores.

The catalog has been digitally remastered for the first time and will feature replicated original album art for each CD.

The remastering process has taken four years to combine new recording technology with vintage studio equipment, all in an attempt to try to remain true to the original analogue recordings.

The collection includes all 12 Beatles albums in stereo, as well as the U.S. version of the “Magical Mystery Tour” LP and the collections “Past Masters Vol. I” and “Past Masters Vol. II” (which are now one title).

There will also be booklets that include historical notes and recording notes within each CD.

Two new Beatles boxed CD collections are due for release on the same day as well.

Beatles Video Game In 2009

andPOP Staff — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:23:30 +0000

Shout! There’s a Beatles music game coming from MTV.

MTV and Beatles license-holder Apple Corps will join forces to create the first-ever Beatles-themed video game, set for release in the 2009 holiday season.

It’s not a Rock Band or Guitar Hero-typed game, according to Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos, but users can still expect to “twist and shout”. It’s a “creative exploration of their music and a celebration of their legacy.” It will also be a music-making game, – so users can wear their “blue suede shoes” and “shake, rattle and roll” with interactive performance. The game will take users “across the universe” of the band’s career, from first album to last, but it wasn’t stated whether or not the game will include every Beatles song ever written.

Apparently, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison all gave input and back the project. In a press release from MTV, McCartney said, “The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of the Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out.” Yoko Ono commented that she hoped the game would appeal to “young blood”, saying “I love it and hope it will keep inspiring and encouraging the young generation or many decades.”

Not many details were revealed, but the game is already in development and will be compatible with Rock Band instruments. No word of whether or not the game will come with a Yellow Submarine, either.

Mookie Sent Packing on Canadian Idol

andPOP Staff — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:30:11 +0000

Five become four on tonight’s results show of Canadian Idol.

Starting the show with tired and contrived banter with the judges, Ben gives a recap of last night’s performances followed up with a Beatles medley from the top five. “Blackbird,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Get Back,” “Revolution,” and “Let It Be” are the featured tunes.

In the first unnecessary video montage of the night, Jully Black visits the Idol mansion and asks what they’ve learned from being in the competition. “Just to be in this industry, you have to have such thick skin,” says Theo. “Get some lotion, baby,” replies Jully.

After asking Earl about Canadian politics from a text message question asked by “Hot Soup” Ben gets to the results. Theo is announced safe, along with Mitch.

Earl, Drew and Mookie are left. Drew becomes the first member of the bottom two. Earl is announced safe, and Mookie joins Drew on centre stage.

Ben asks the judges for advice on behalf of Drew and Mookie. “Drew, this show is a leg up. If you’re going home or not going home, keep doing what you’re doing. You can never get worse, you can only get better,” says Sass. “Mookie, we all know you’re a star and you have a huge future in the music business. Whether you stay or you go, call me Monday,” says Jake.

After a commercial break, Ben breaks the news that Drew is safe and Mookie Morris, the youngest singer on the show, has been eliminated. Looks like Mookie’s mother’s aggressive postering campaign in his Rosedale neighbourhood wasn’t enough.

Mookie Morris sings the show out with “Come Together.”

Drew Wright, Earl Stevenson, Theo Tams and Mitch MacDonald are the final four competitors and they’ll be singing from the Anne Murray song collection. Four faux indie rock guys singing Anne Murray songs? Comedic gold, people.

Canadian Idol Top 5 Recap

andPOP Staff — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:58:34 +0000

It’s down to the final five on Canadian Idol and they’re singing (or butchering) Beatles songs, handpicked by the judges.

Opening the show with “With a Little Help from My Friends” is Earl Stevenson. Half of the song is sung by the backup singers and it’s underwhelming. The judges, however, give him a standing ovation. “You did exactly what I thought you would do with it. It was spectacular,” says Jake. “It was like being transported into another world,” says Sass. “That was bang on,” says Zack.

Dressed in an outfit reminiscent of the Sgt. Pepper Lonely Heart’s Club Band, Mookie Morris sings “Come Together.” Mookie ends on the song on a terrible cracked note. “Just one great jumbo pot of mmm, mmm good,” says Sass. “You really captured the old blues soul funk of that thing. To be honest, that was the best version of the song I’ve ever heard,” says Zack.

Theo Tams is up next with “Long and Winding Road.” Back with the piano, Theo’s performance is more Broadway, less rock star. “My expectations for you and that song were through the roof and that’s exactly what you did,” says Farley. “I thought you made some really strong choices in the arrangement that you were able to show off that operatic training. I don’t know if we’ve ever had a male singer on this show with the kind of virtuoso skill that you have,” says Zack. “Strength, courage, melody, purity. Your voice reflects some of the most beautiful things about the human spirit. Thank you,” says Sass.

With “In My Life,” Mitch MacDonald performs alongside a harp that can only be described as epic. “Adorable is a good word. Luckily, thanks to the genius of the Beatles and the genius to us, you guys are having the best night so far,” says Zack. “That was probably the best vocal performance you’ve given so far,” says Sass. “That song is really naked and you handled the exposure really, really well. For the record, collectively, you guys are the best top five we’ve ever had,” says Farley.

Closing the show is Drew Wright with “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” The judges picked the song for Drew, hoping he would be more emotive than past performances. “Last, but certainly not least by far,” says Sass. “Fantastic,” says Farley. “We all learn different things from Idol and I hope in getting to sing that song, you learned some lesson about who Drew is. Dude, that was heartfelt and honest. That was phenomenal,” says Zack. The judges then give Drew a standing ovation.

That’s it for Monday’s daily dose of Canadian Idol. Tomorrow, one of the men will be the show’s next victim on the results show at 8 p.m. EST on CTV.

Beatles Hit To Fly Across The Universe

Eva Lam — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:00:36 +0000

On Monday, NASA will beam a Beatles song into deep space — 431 light years away from Earth to be exact.

“Across the Universe,” appropriately enough, is the track chosen by the U.S. space agency to undergo the intergalactic transmission toward Polaris, the North Star.

The tune will be sent through the Deep Space Network, an international network of antennas used in space exploration missions, on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. ET.

That day will mark the 40th anniversary of the song’s recording, as well as the 50th anniversary of NASA and the 45th anniversary of the Deep Space Network.

In a message to the space agency, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney said, “Amazing! Well done, NASA! Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul.”

John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono said, “I see this as the beginning of the new age in which we will communicate with billions of planets across the universe.”

Fans have been invited to take part in the historic event by playing the song around the world at the same time that NASA is transmitting it.

Though “Across the Universe” will be the first song ever to be beamed directly into space, NASA has sent up Beatles tunes before.

McCartney played “Good Day Sunshine” for a concert in 2005 that was beamed to the International Space Station.

Astronauts in orbit have also been woken up to the sounds of “Here Comes The Sun,” “Ticket to Ride” and “A Hard Day’s Night.”

Cineplex Showing Exclusive Restored ‘Beatles: Help!’ This Month

andPOP Staff — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:57:30 +0000

If hearing the music of The Beatles in “Across the Universe” wasn’t enough for you, Cineplex has got just the thing: the real Beatles movie, “Help!”

Exclusively at the theatre chain, the restored and remixed film will be played in High Definition and 5.1 Digital Surround Sound. The one-time only event is on November 26th, at 32 select theatres across Canada.

That’s not all. Only at these screenings will fans be able to see a 15-minute interview with director Richard Lester and actress Eleanor Bron, which was shot recently in London. The interview does not appear on the “Help!” DVD, released Tuesday.

Advance tickets go on sale tomorrow on Cineplex.com

Yoko Pays Tribute to Lennon

andPOP Staff — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:26:15 +0000

Has Yoko Ono finally done right by Beatles fans? Tuesday marked what would have been John Lennon’s 67th birthday, and Ono celebrated her late husband’s life and contributions by erecting a statue in his honour.

Standing 65″ tall, the “Imagine Peace Tower” in Iceland was unveiled for all to see. A blue light beams from the top of the wishing-well’esque structure into the night sky, in an island in Reykjavik. The installation features the words “imagine peace” in 24 different languages.

“I hope the ‘Imagine Peace Tower’ will give light to the strong wishes of world peace from all corners of the planet and give encouragement, inspiration and a sense of solidarity in a world filled with fear and confusion,” said the 74 year old Ono to a news source.

The ‘Imagine Peace Tower’ will be lit up every year from the date of Lennon’s birthday until the date of his untimely death on Dec. 8, as well as New Year’s Eve and all throughout the first budding week of springtime.

Laine To Spill Secrets Of Fractured Friendship With McCartney

andPOP Staff — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:51:50 +0000

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY’s former WINGS bandmate DENNY LAINE is set to spill the secrets behind their turbulent friendship in a new book.

McCartney formed the group with guitarist Laine in 1971, but the pair fell out in January 1980 after the former Beatle was taken into police custody for marijuana possession at Japan’s Tokyo airport.

The arrest forced the group to cancel international tour dates and Laine reportedly never forgave McCartney for what he saw as an act of betrayal.

Laine has since teamed up with a professional ghostwriter to work on his autobiography, which is expected to shed light on his fractured relationship with the Let It Be hitmaker.

A source close to Laine says, “Denny has been approached by one of music’s most reputable authors about a much-anticipated biography. In the past, questionable motives. Denny would have none of it.

“But this time, the project will be done on Denny’s terms.” (MT/WNTEX/LJ)