1968 NME Awards

At the end of 1968, NME published its annual Awards

1968

World Male Singer: Elvis Presley
World Female Singer: Lulu
World Vocal Group: Beatles
World Musical Personality: Elvis Presley
British Vocal Group: Beatles
British Female Singer: Lulu
Top Disc Jockey: Jimmy Savile
Best TV/ Radio Show: 'Top Of The Pops'
Best New Group: Love Affair
British Vocal Personality: Cliff Ricahrd
British R & B Group: Rolling Stones
Best British Disc This Year: Beatles - 'Hey Jude'
British Male Singer: Tom Jones
New Disc Singer: Mary Hopkins
British Instrumental Unit: Shadows

The Paul McCartney Archive Collection

Paul McCartney has been busy over the last couple of years.

One of the biggest efforts was arguably the remastering of a large part of his back catalogue, followed by the re-issue of his older work in lavish deluxe boxes.

Here is an overview of the albums already released:

1. Band on the Run - October 2010

2. McCartney - May 2011

3. McCartney II - May 2011

4. Ram - May 2012

5. Wings over America - May 2013

6. Venus and Mars - November 2014

7. Wings at the Speed of Sound - November 2014

8. Tug of War - September 2015

9. Pipes of Peace - September 2015

10.Flowers in the Dirt - March 2017

International BeatleWeek Festival Liverpool 2017

When I heard that this year's International BeatleWeek would be the last in its current form, I knew I had to attend.

I had only been there once before (in 2014) and had a great time discovering the sights & sounds of Liverpool.

So this year I'm coming back. My tickets are reserved, my ferry is booked and I'm especially looking forward to the recreation of that time when Paul met John, exactly 60 years ago.

Watching Rainbows - 1969

During the "Get Back Session" (as seen in the Let It Be movie) The Beatles performed over 100 songs, many never released and still sitting in the Apple vaults.

They played and recorded old classics, blues & Rock 'n Roll standards, some old Beatle songs (both released and unreleased.

One of those songs is called "Watching Rainbows". It is a playful, jammy track from the Let It Be sessions, and would eventually mutate into the final album's "I've Got a Feeling."

John's lyrics sound improvised, and there is even a reference to "I Am the Walrus."

Excerpt:
 Instead of watching rainbows I'm gonna make me someInstead of watchin' rainbows I'm gonna make me someStandin' in the garden, waitin' for the English sun to come and make me brown so I can be someone

1976 NME Awards

At the end of 1976, NME published it's annual music awards

1976

Best Group: Led Zeppelin
Best Female Singer: Linda Ronstadt
Turkey Of The Year: Sex Pistols
Best Male Singer: Robert Plant
Most Promising Emergent Act: Eddie And The Hot Rods
Best Keyboardist: Rick Wakeman
Best Drummer: John Bonham
Best Songwriter/ Composer: Bob Dylan
Best Television Show: 'Old Grey Whistle Test'
Best Disc Jockey: John Peel
Most Missed Dead Act: Jimi Hendrix
Best Guitarist: Jimmy Page
Best Single: Thin Lizzy - 'The Boys Are Back In Town'
Best Album: Led Zeppelin - 'The Song Remains The Same'
Most Wonderful Human Being: Johnny Rotten
Best Miscellaneous Instrumentalist: Mike Oldfield
Best Radio Show: 'Alan Freeman's Saturday Show'
Best Dressed Sleeve: Led Zeppelin - 'The Song Remains The Same'
Best Bassist: Paul McCartney

1966 NME Awards

At the end of 1966, NME published its annual awards

1966

World Male Singer: Elvis Presley
World Female Singer: Dustry Springfield
World Vocal Group: Beach Boys
World Musical Personality: Elvis Presley
British Vocal Group: Beatles
British Instrumental Unit: Shadows
Best Male Singer: Cliff Richard
British Vocal Personality: Cliff Richard
Best R&B Group: Spencer Davis
Best TV/Radio Show: 'Top Of The Pops'
Top Disc Jockey: Jimmy Savile
British Female Singer: Dusty Springfield
New Disc Singer: Stevie Winwood
Best New Group: Spencer Davis
Best British Disc This Year: Beatles - 'Eleanor Rigby'

CHOBA B CCCP - Back in the USSR - Paul McCartney

On a recent trip to Denmark I stumbled across a second pressing of CHOBA B CCCP, the Russian LP that Paul McCartney released on the Melodia label in 1988/89.

The record (translated in English as "Back in the USSR") is similar to John Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll album in the sense that it contains cover material that pre-dates the Beatles' official recordings.

Most of the songs would have been on the Ballroom dance halls repertoire or at the Star Club in Hamburg.

My favourite songs from the album are Lucille, Summertime and Midnight Special. And yours?