Beatles Now and Then

[Uke]

I know this has been discussed here somewhere (I can't find it). But I'm curious about the range of opinions here on LTG with regard to the song. If this has already been touched on, please direct me to it.

 

[SFIV1967]

 

[walrus]

You know, I can't decide if I like that new "Now and Then" video or if it is just a bit too creepy...

I am a long time Beatlemaniac, so I have heard this song on a bootleg already. IMO, it's not much different except for the backing vocals, etc. If I remember correctly it was supposed to be on Anthology III, like "Free As a Bird" was on Anthology I and "Real Love" was on Anthology II. But I think they decided it wasn't good enough quality at the time.

Here's a version of the orginal demo:



Anyway, you asked our opinion. It's not the Beatles.

walrus

 

[Bernie]

Really nice video I find, very realistic, funny, very Beatles, and rather outstanding on the "how did they do it" ?

 

[twocorgis]

You know, I can't decide if I like that new "Now and Then" video or if it is just a bit too creepy...

I am a long time Beatlemaniac, so I have heard this song on a bootleg already. IMO, it's not much different except for the backing vocals, etc. If I remember correctly it was supposed to be on Anthology III, like "Free As a Bird" was on Anthology I and "Real Love" was on Anthology II. But I think they decided it wasn't good enough quality at the time.

Here's a version of the orginal demo:



Anyway, you asked our opinion. It's not the Beatles.

walrus

There’s usually a very good reason that stuff like this never sees the light of day the first time around. I shudder when I hear a lot of posthumous material that gets released by the family reserve after influential artists pass away, and this one is no exception. A definite “meh”.

 

[AcornHouse]

I have to agree with Sandy. Aside from cleaning it up, I don’t hear much added to John’s demo. (And is it just me or did John’s voice sound a tad Paulish?) The few bits that were Georgish weren’t very Georgish aside from being on slide. I could imagine him doing a lot more in quite a few spots. There just wasn’t much there.

 

[GGJaguar]

Technologically amazing what they were able to do. Artistically, it left me flat.

 

[Uke]

just a bit too creepy...

Yeah, a little bit like an aural version of a Madame Tussaud's display (though the song itself as done solely by Lennon I think is nice).

 

[HeyMikey]

I saw the video last night. I thought it was interesting. Haven’t heard the song yet in it’s entirety, but will keep an open mind.

 

[walrus]

There have been so many releases of Lennon's demo recordings, officially and unoffically, that it seems strange this is the one they had orginally talked about doing during the Anthology period. But it has to do with the fact that there were only three recordings that Yoko allowed them to consider. As Sandy said, if it was not good enough then, then why now? Apparently at the time it was George who didn't like it enough to go along with it.

walrus

 

[jp]

I feel that the song is okay, but it's missing those little sparkles of inspiration, like catchy hooks, unique turnarounds, or instrumental embellishments that they're known for. It's missing the unique Beatles/George Martin production treatment. Unfortunately, it didn't really grab me.

 

[Midnight Toker]

I have to agree w/ Rick Beato's take on it.



A pure "John song" given a tad too polished of a modern take. I'm glad it was done, but by no means automatically include it in the official Beatles catelog, at least not without an asterix giving it the designation as "something of interest", but not authentic Beatles. From what I've heard, many of the biggest Beatle fan online communities feel like Jeff Lynn was too heavyhanded in it's arrangement/production. (sounding more like an ELO tune w/ John's voice)

I don't dislike it. When accompanied by the brilliant video, I really love it! On it's own, it's...ok.