PodÂcasts often have a nice way of bringÂing the past back to life. BeaÂtÂles fans will undoubtÂedÂly appreÂciÂate sevÂerÂal audio files dedÂiÂcatÂed to the Fab Four. Let’s start with a parÂticÂuÂlarÂly good one. Rolling Stone MagÂaÂzine, as part of a web feaÂture called Lennon Lives ForeÂover, has released a podÂcast (iTunes — Feed — Web Site) of Jann WenÂner’s famous 1970 interÂview with John Lennon, which was conÂductÂed shortÂly after the band’s bitÂter breakup. RunÂning over 3 hours, it is one of Lennon’s most extenÂsive interÂviews, and it ranges broadÂly, touchÂing not just on the breakup, but also on art and polÂiÂtics, drugs, Yoko, priÂmal therÂaÂpy and more. AnothÂer notable podÂcast along these lines is The Lost Lennon Tapes (iTunes — Feed — Web Site). OrigÂiÂnalÂly preÂsentÂed by WestÂwood One in 1988, this podÂcast presents a colÂlecÂtion of Lennon’s priÂvate tapes — tapes that include earÂly recordÂings of The BeaÂtÂles, radio interÂviews with John, demo tapes, chronÂiÂcles of the DouÂble FanÂtaÂsy recordÂing sesÂsions, and priÂvate moments at home.
Next up is someÂthing for George HarÂriÂson fans. This podÂcast, called George HarÂriÂson LivÂing in a MateÂrÂiÂal World (iTunes — Web Site) takes a look back at George Harrison’s 3rd solo album. And, among othÂer things, it includes interÂviews with artists who played on the album. LivÂing in a MateÂrÂiÂal World, which went to #1 on the charts in 1973 and was digÂiÂtalÂly remasÂtered last year, repÂreÂsents, at least for some, HarÂrison’s most artisÂtiÂcalÂly pure solo work.
LastÂly, we conÂclude with a couÂple of podÂcasts that look at The BeaÂtÂles as the colÂlecÂtive BeaÂtÂles. Here, we give you BeatÂlegs PodÂcast (iTunes — Feed — Web Site), a show that always feaÂtures rare interÂviews or behind the scenes clips, folÂlowed by a rare outÂtake or live perÂforÂmance that few have heard before. And then there is BeaÂtÂles Minute (iTunes — Feed — Web Site), a podÂcast comÂing out of PhiladelÂphia that gives you short, daiÂly tidÂbits about the band.
Bonus: you can get a few alterÂnaÂtive takes on songs from the Help! and Abbey Road-era here. (The site proÂvides songs in mp3 forÂmat.)
As a final note, all of these podÂcasts are housed in our develÂopÂing Music PodÂcast ColÂlecÂtion. If you are not sure what a podÂcast is, check out our PodÂcast Primer. And finalÂly, if you want more culÂturÂal media along these lines, be sure to SubÂscribe to Our Feed.