50th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

June 1, 2017 is the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album by the Beatles. Considering the literally millions of albums released in the history of the universe, the very fact that this album always is in the running for the greatest of all time says plenty. I would like to point out that there are a number of things that make the case for "Sgt. Pepper' so compelling.

The first is the incredible production values. They are still overwhelming and intimidating.

Next are the vocals - the lead vocals and harmonies are not only perfect, they are inspired.

Then there are the arrangements; imaginative, never overdone but always enough that repeated listenings always reveal something new.

Finally, some of the songs have no counterparts, from that time until today. What compares to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" or "A Day in the Life"?  These are all one-of-a-kind songs.

As a performed, writer and producer, I must admit that I wonder to myself "why bother" after hearing this. Compared to this, most everything else is like screeching chalk on a chalkboard. You have to feel a bit like a failure.

So perhaps it is not the G.O.A.T,, but there is no obviously superior choice. If you are a bit young and have not carefully listened to this album, it is time to plunk down the money and purchase the best quality recording of this available and then think about the fact that it is 50 years old.

http://www.thebeatles.com/news/bbc-celebrate-50th-anniversary-sgt-peppers-lonely-hearts-club-band

Also a reminder: UniversalDice's Gerry Dantone will be interviewed on A.V.A. Live Radio Behind The Music with Jacqueline Jax on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at 6:40PM. (This is episode #473.) The topic will be the tune "Honestly" from the band's latest CD "birth, love, hate,death." To hear the interview, go to http://www.universaldice.com/gig at 6:40PM on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.

"Honestly" is a song where both of the primary characters are featured. This song is my idiosyncratic way of expressing doubt about our own motivations; do we really know what love is? Maybe...

 

Once again, to hear the interview you can either go to the band website noted above or go directly to: http://tobtr.com/10012427