1967 - April: Beatles ”Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

A reasonable case can be made that the eighth studio album by the Beatles is the most important album in all of Rock and Roll.  Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band creates a dividing line between 60's rock and what Rock and Roll would become in the 70's.  Incorporating elements of eastern mysticism, psychedelic music and art, counter-culture sensibilities, and complex orchestration, Sgt. Peppers was a groundbreaking demonstration of what an album could be.

Sgt. Peppers is one of the first concept albums - taking a theme and incorporating it into the entirety of the record.  The Beatles adopted personas for this album, becoming the fictional "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."  This allowed the band members to experiment with styles they either hadn't previously explored, or had not fully developed.  The studio also became an instrument for the band, and they incorporated techniques like multitracking, variable speed recording, and the use of sound effects to create complex soundscapes.

Lyrics vary from social commentary to whimsy, to surrealism.  While many songs remain lighthearted, others take a more somber tone, mirroring the cultural upheaval that was happening in the late 60's counterculture.  The album also brings visual art into the mix, with psychedelic cover art rather than simple photographs.

Sgt. Peppers tops many "best albums" lists, and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide.

Friend of the show Steve Hardin presents this monster album this week, and we're joined by friend of the show Julie Doran as Wayne and Lynch are out of town for today's podcast.

 

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band The opening track introduces us to the alter ego of the band, including an intro of a pit orchestra warming up and a transitional brass band in the middle of the song.  Paul McCartney acts as the carnival barker introducing the band, reunited after 20 years.  Lennon then takes over, thanking the audience for their attendance.  

With A Little Help from My Friends Drummer Ringo Starr takes lead vocal duties on this song that has a more intimate touch.  In contrast to the bombastic start, Starr shows vulnerability as he asks what would happen if he sang out of tune, and leans on his friends for support.  Ringo Starr didn't write the music like Lennon and McCartney, but typically would sing lead on one song on each album.

Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! The track that finishes side 1 was inspired by an old circus poster from 1943 that Lennon had purchased in an antique store.  The song is a collage of circus images, complete with calliope.  It returns to the theme of the first song, but this time focusing on circus performers rather than the band. 

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)/A Day in the Life The concluding album tracks are often played together.  The reprise of the opening track is faster paced, and more rock oriented.  The concluding track alternates between a dream sequence and the rush of an ordinary day.  It concludes with four pianos simultaneously sounding an E-major chord.  

 

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Casino Royale by Herb Alpert (from the motion picture “Casino Royale”) Not your ordinary James Bond fare, this film was a comedic spoof on the popular spy franchise starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, and Ursula Andress.

 

STAFF PICKS:

For What Its Worth by Buffalo Springfield Bruce's staff pick peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Stephen Stills was inspired to write the song by the Sunset Strip curfew riots in Los Angeles.  Buffalo Springfield got a close look at the riots as the house band at the Whiskey a Go Go, when young people rebelled against a strict 10:00 p.m. curfew successfully advocated by local residents, annoyed with club goers clogging the streets late at night.  

The Loser (with a Broken Heart) by Gary Lewis and the Playboys Rob brings us a jangle pop hit from the son of Jerry Lewis. Gary Lewis and the Playboys cultivated a "boy next door" image and had a string of hits in the late 60's.  Lewis was drafted into the army in 1967, and though some songs previously recorded (like this one) continued to be successful, the band began to diminish in popularity.

I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) by Aretha Franklin Julie features a soulful song from the iconic Queen of Soul.  This is off Franklin's tenth studio album.  The first nine were jazz oriented, and much less successful than this influential album.  This album was recorded in Mussel Shoals where an altercation resulted in an abrupt change of venue to New York.

Strawberry Fields Forever by the Beatles It might appear that Steve is double dipping on this staff pick, but this well known Beatles song was a non-album single popular at the time.  The song was the result of multiple takes spliced together.  Lennon was inspired by a memory of a strawberry field where he played as a child.

 

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Wade In the Water by Herb Alpert Alpert had a TV special this month on which he played his jazzy rendition of this gospel standard. 

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