The AMAZING Tale of the Macca from the East (from Bizarre Beatles Coincidences)

                                                                                                 Ah, go on, give us a go ...


Yes, there are still many AMAZING Beatles stories to tell, and they can all be found in my forthcoming book, Bizarre Beatles Coincidences. 

You can, for example, read about how Cilla Black's real name inspired the title of a Beatles album ... or did it?

But it's another curious tale I have to tell in this post, a mish-mash of coincidences and unlikely events coalescing. I call it ...

Bizarre Beatles Coincidences - the Frankest Tale of All (buy the book)

My final extract from Bizarre Beatles Coincidences is perhaps the most staggering of all. After this you really will have to buy the book. I call this story ...

More stuff about sitcoms

On the general subject of new or newish sitcoms I have been unimpressed with two of the latest, Family Tree and Big School. The former is directed by Christopher Guest, and I've never been that keen on his films, so perhaps enthusiasists can discount what I have to say. But I'll try to say it anyway in case anyone else has been underwhelmed.

More thoughts about Count Arthur Strong

There's an interview with Steve Delaney, creator of Count Arthur Strong, here. It's worth reading all the way through, but the responses to two questions in particular interested me. One is that he both knows and doesn't know Arthur: that is, he knows instinctively how the character will react but couldn't necessarily articulate that beforehand:

A further extract from Bizarre Beatles Coincidences (please help fund the book)

Another extract from my forthcoming book Bizarre Beatles Coincidences. Please consider contributing to my Kickstarter page as the American publishers withdrew their offer once they read the completed MS for some reason.

STARKEY - THE BALD FACTS

I'm sorry that I doubted you, I was so unfair
You were in a car crash and you lost your hair

So runs the lyric of Ringo Starr's Don't Pass Me By, one of Ringo's most accomplished compositions, according to top Beatles authority Howard Goodall, who has singled out that couplet in particular for its "playfulness, originality and invention." He continues:

The unexpectedness of Starkey's vision, perhaps as a result of the Indian soujourn which had such a profound effect on him, enables us all to see the world afresh.

It is a bold, disturbing image, certainly. But original? I think not, Mr Goodall.

Goodbye, for the moment, to Count Arthur Strong

 

It doesn't really need to be said, because you'll either get it or you won't, but the TV adaptation of Count Arthur Strong has been beautifully judged and got better with each succeeding episode. I have just watched the final episode (there is definitely going to be a second series) and it's difficult to describe except in the most general times - I don't want to ruin the surprise for those yet to see it on iplayer.

But the real achievement is the marriage of comedy and sentiment - no, that's not fair, because that implies unearnt emotion. You're taken into the lives of these strange and isolated characters - the cafe regulars - and really believe they have been united by the childlike Count Arthur. In the last episode in particular you see the effect when, for a while, he isn't there.

"To you, Murray ..". the ASTONISHING tale of Macca's embargo in more Bizarre Beatles Coincidences (buy the book)

Some more BIZARRE and ASTONISHING coincidences from my forthcoming book. Murray the K, as everybody knows, was the fifth Beatle, contributing to many of their records. But how well did Paul McCartney get on with him? 

Not very, is the answer which can now be revealed. It may already be self-evident from that scowl in the image above but if you are still in any doubt listen closely to the Novello Award-winning song All Together Now from the Yellow Submarine soundtrack. Macca sings "EFGHIJ, I love you," but STOPS before K! 

Coincidence? I think NOT. 

Bizarre Beatles Coincidences to be published in America!

There has already been interest from America in publishing Bizarre Beatles Coincidences as a proper book, with an advance offered and everything. Which is bit embarrassing, as I've only written the stuff that's in the previous post. On the other hand, how long would it take to write another 90,000 words or so?

They are quite insistent on new packaging, which I suppose is fair enough, given that they're paying for everything and I mocked up the earlier one in two minutes. Using Paint. But their proposed cover looks a bit tasteful to me. And what's wrong with "William"? Even if it is a nom de beat. Okay, let's rattle something out ...

Another AMAZING Beatle coincidence: after he left the Beatles Paul McCartney the song Another Day. So what? you might say. But what no one seems to have remarked upon before is that Blue Monday, also a day of the week, but a more specific one, was recorded by Fats Domino, whose style was copied for the song Lady Madonna. Coincidence - or something more disturbing?

AMAZING new Beatles book!

 

I am about to self-publish my new book entitled "Bizarre Beatles Coincidences - Or Are They?!" As a lifelong student of the "Fab Four" (yes, that's what they were called) I am constantly surprised that no one has made the kind of connections which seem self-evident to me. So if you're tired of the usual so-called "revelations" (really rehashing of information easily accessible on the internet-web), this publication may be something of a surprise. A life-changing one! Naturally I don't want to release too much, but here are a few appetisers. You thought you knew everything about the Beatles? Think again! These are just a few snippets, and there is plenty more in the book.

Three Hats for Lisa officially released on DVD on Monday

This is to bring you the happy news that Three Hats For Lisa, the candyfloss-light yet endearing film musical which I wrote about in this earlier post, is about to be given a proper DVD release in a couple of days. And judging from what appears to be a period trailer, or a rather good mocked-up version of one, the print is pristine.