Yesterday...
When I was younger, so much younger than today...The most surprising gift I received for Christmas was the new Beatles mix by Cirque Du Soleil. You see, I’ve been a Beatles fan since I was a small boy living in
I grew up with the Beatles and their music has always been an important part of my intellectual and spiritual growth. What they talked about in interviews and sang about in their music became interests of mine that I’ve pursued to this day.
World philosophies and religions, the peace movement, even politics and psychology are topics that became significant to me because they were important to the Beatles. When they said, “All you need is love.” I believed them then and I believe them now. It is still a code by which I try to live each and every day.
Usually, whenever I hear a band do a cover of a Beatles song I am disappointed. The music of the Fab Four contained intricate and beautiful harmonies. They were amazing vocalists and perhaps the best group of singers I’ve ever heard perform together. Yes, there are some amazing individual singers that surpass the vocal talents of either John Lennon or Paul McCartney, but as a group of four voices working together the Beatles were special.
No one understood the musical vision of the Beatles better than George Martin. If you really want to experience the boys at their very best look for the name George Martin listed as producer. Together, this combination of talent changed the face of music. Like it or not, it’s the truth.
When I removed the gift wrapping and discovered a Cirque Du Soleil Beatles C.D. the disappointment was difficult to restrain. I quickly set it aside and moved on to what I hoped would be more exciting goodies. The new digital camera I unwrapped a few minutes later saved Christmas and in my eyes redeemed my wife’s gift giving expertise.
As many couples do on Christmas day we decided to venture out into the world and catch a holiday movie. Now, I figured the drive to
The C.D. captured my attention from the moment it started playing. I was singing and head bobbing like a teenager. I opened the booklet that came with the two disk set and started reading. George Martin and his son, Giles had produced the music for the Cirque Du Soleil production. No wonder it sounded so fresh and vibrant.
I have been listening to the C.D. for days now and it is pure musical genius. If you’re already a Beatles fan, you’ll love this collection of remastered and sometimes reworked songs. If you’ve never been a Beatles fan, give this C.D. a listen and you’ll discover why they were so popular in their heyday. Good music is timeless and the Beatles are great music. Cirque Du Soleil proves it.
My wife never ceases to amaze me. She continually surprises me with her ability to show me new things. I love the way she intellectually and spiritually enriches my life; just like the Beatles did when I was younger. She is teaching this old dog a lot of new tricks and I am a much better man for it.
Thanks, babe. I love the musical gift you gave me for Christmas and I love the gift of love you give to me each and every day.
DirkStar, Thursday, December 28, 2006
28 Comments:
You know, I'm really amazed nobody gave me a copy of this CD for Christmas! I ended up with two copies of THE BEATLES AT THE BEEB the year that one came out. I guess I'll cash in my BEST BUY gift card on one of these - especially on your say-so.
FWIW, there's a whole cult of audio geeks (and I use that term with great fondness and respect) that have been deconstructing and reconstructing BEATLES tracks prior to this release. If you're interested I can hook you up with more info. Much of their stuff is pretty good!
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!
What a weird (and scary) coincidence that I'm reading your post while "All you need is love" is playing on my iTunes! Eddie, I'm not kidding!
I have a George Martin produced-Beatles compilation. It's called George Martin: In my life and features celebrities doing their own Beatles song versions. There's Sean Connery narrating "In my life" in his usual diction..."There are playshes, I remember...", there's Robin Williams & Bobby McFerrin doing "Come Together",and oh, Jim Carrey doing "I am the Walrus" (hated his version though).
Overall, the album is good. Check it out at:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Life-George-Martin/dp/B00000DFE9#moreAboutThisProduct
And I love a man who appreciates his wife and says so publicly. You two are so apparently blessed and complemented by each other.
My husband and I have been known to spontaneously dance a "slow dance" in the kitchen to our own giggly singing of some silly song, ending with an exaggerated "dip" or maybe by tripping over the kitchen stool.
Love is all you need... although patience, appreciation and a sense of humor go a long way toward getting you to when you're sixty-four.
Sweet post.
Oh man, I gotta listen! That CD was under our tree, but one of the kids grabbed it right away and went to listen. I've not seen it nor heard it yet! Perhaps it is time for me and the kid to have a meeting of the minds! :)
The Beatles were the greatest group of all time. They changed not just the musical world, the THE world itself.
Pretty soon all Beatles music will be digitally remastered and available for download by the song and able to be played on our iPods. That will be great.
*comes in through the bathroom window*
I have always loved The Beatles but I like their later works best. Abbey Road is my favorite album and I think it's their best. I have so many great memories associated with it.
Congratulations on finding a new way to enjoy your old love. I'll have to check the album out. You are indeed lucky to have such a sweet and thoughtful wife. If all you need is love then you have that covered in spades.
I have to agree with you on the Beatles. I will have to check out the CD you mentioned. Definitely sounds like a winner.
Whoa- that was so cool to read. It's so great to hear about other couples who love each other and are doing sweet things for Christmas.
I grew up listening to the Beatles as well (a generation late- my pa was a hippy in his time), and when I was real little, I thought "Hey Jude" was a hymn- like one would sing at church. I think it's because there's a Bible book called Jude and it mentions 'mother Mary'; that song has always had a sacred ring to it in my mind.
I am a dork. After that last comment, I was singing Beatles songs to myself and quickley realized my faux pas in the prior comment. The mother mary reference is obviously from "Let it Be" (another hymn-ish sounding Beatles tune!)
I hang my head in shame!
what's all this about getting a camera? we want photos! sounds like you had a very joyful christmas. will you sing us some beatles songs?
i am so grateful to have met you this year. you have brought me so many wonderful new friends. just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you once again.
I too am a fan of the beatles and grew up with them. They definetly changed the world of music. My fav is the Concert For George. I watch and listen to it over and over and over again.
Happy New Year
awww wow, I'm glad you ended up enjoying the CD! Have a happy new year!
PS You rock b/c you lived in Jeffersonville INDIANA!!!
Awww I'm glad you ended up liking the CD! I hope you and your wife have a happy new year!!!
PS you rock b/c you used to live in Jeffersonville INDIANA!!!!! woohoo
..and in the end.. the love you take.. is equal to the love you make..
I remember the first time they appeared on Ed Sullivan too. It was like nothing ever seen before.
I also remember my teachers getting all whacked out because the guys were growing their bangs out. LOL!
Man. Those were some original times. And the Beatles....a one and only of their kind. I want that cd.
PS. Dirk, I'm linking you at the Cowpie Field. Is that cool with you? I mean, we are kinda nuts over there. LOL!
I love The Beatles, too. Brings back great memories. I'm going to look for this CD. Thanks, Dirk.
Dirk! Britain's Royal Mail is about to release a "Celebrate the Beatles" stamp series. You will need to find somebody over there to get some of those for you.
Here's the story
BEATLES STAMPS
Hope my HTML works!
All we need is love, love... Love is all we need!
I love the Beatles, Always have. My father introduced me to them a LONGGGGGG time ago. Very cool stuff.
Strawberry fields forever man!! =P
so only flower kids can post here now :(
"You say you want a revolution...."
My Mom loved the Beatles & that rubbed off on me. They are much more than just music.
Loved your post. Your sig other sounds like a very lucky person.
The Beatles fourth-ever concert in the US was at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park, New Orleans. I was there. My sis and I found out the next day that a family friend had called our home after we had been dropped off a the stadium to stand in line. He was the premier local newsman and needed some girls to make background noise (ie: screaming Beatlemanics) while he did a studio interview. We didn't get to go, of course (no cell phones back in 1964.) I was heartsick for the longest time about missing that chance. Surely I would have been Mrs. Paul McCartney if he'd only had that opportunity to meet me (thought my 12-year-old self!)
I love your posts that proclaim your love for the woman who shares yor life. You are both truly blessed to have each other.
Well, goo goo ga joob and a Happy New Year to you, sir.
I am afraid that I don't really know much about the Beatles. I do however respect very much their contribution to music.
Merry Belated Christmas, Master Star.
I did not intend to "snub" you. And, your assumption about my affection for "hippies" was incorrect. I am one of the few liberal cops you'll meet that's in it for the honor (not the glory). Thank you for your support and your insightful commentary on life.
Your faithful reader and admirer,
Officer Gary
Ahhhh, I've made the coveted 'List'. Thanks, Mr. Star, I appreciate the gesture (and the ribbing).
Sounds good ,I must check it out.
George Martin is a genius!!
I was Beatle mad when I was in high school, not so much now but they are probably the only band I know that I can sing the lyrics to most of their songs.
Lucky lucky Dirk to have such a great wife , and lucky here to have someone like you!
p.s I am still not sorry about the elf, pixies still rule ;)
People from Indiana should really listen to Phil Harris.
I like the Beatles--the first record I ever owned was a Silver Beatles record that had Pete Best on it--somehow, I lost it, that thing is probably worth some righteous dinero now. I was looking at that little TV thing on the elevator, and somebody just paid $150k for an autographed early Beatles album that they gave to some relative of George Harrison.
Having said that, I am glad that Cirque du SoGay is covering the Beatles, since the only way I can get down a woman's pants nowadays is buying tickets to a Cirque du SoGay performance and staying awake during the whole show.
Great post, great cd -- a good one to listen across the generations, as my sons try to identify the different songs mashed... and they actually listen to something dad says is cool!
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