So today’s big Apple announcement was not streaming iTunes, as widely predicted. It was Beatles music being available for purchase at iTunes.
Mashable Adam provides good brisk coverage. Comments on his post tend to be variations on the theme of “I’m younger than Steve Jobs, so I don’t care.”
CrunchGear’s Devin valiantly tries to explain why we care. “Being that the Beatles MP3 holdout is emblematic of the recording industry’s resistance against modern distribution methods, the way in which the Beatles discography will be made available should be telling.”
I’m inclined to think that those who really want Beatles music already have the CDs, while many of those who want the music in digital form without the hassle of a disc also want to avoid the hassle of payment. But the holiday/gift/rampant commerce season is upon us, so a lot of money may change hands.
I’ll be watching to see when and how the other music services announce: Beatles for Sale. As for Beatles music, I care enough to have allowed myself to be talked into a festival of Beatles cover bands (Abbey Road on the River, in DC earlier this year, and that’s Britbeat in the photo), and to be putting together a Beatles playlist/CD.
When it comes to the playlist, I’m surprised at how much Paul there is. When I think of the Beatles songwriters in the abstract, I think of Paul as sentimental, George as having penned a classic or two, and John as the man. When I listen to the music itself, I’m reminded of just how good McCartney’s best is, how annoyingly self-absorbed Lennon often was, and how Harrison doesn’t quite make the cut in that elite company.
My favorite few minutes of the Beatles come on Revolver, on which John’s “And Your Bird Can Sing” is followed by Paul’s “For No One.” The best of John (and a fine band performance) followed by the best of Paul.
Enough about the Beatles, lest I start sounding as old as Steve Jobs.
Hi Andrew,
Just a quick note of “Thanks!” for sharing your unexpected surprise “at how much Paul there is.” I completely concur w/ your post-listening feedback, having always defended McCartney’s superb sentimental skills against intensely devoted (perhaps also self-absorbed?) Lennon fans. I LOVE the band as a whole, owning both the original and remastered boxed sets, as well as each members solo Greatest Hits discs. However, I’m never surprised at “how much Paul there is” in my collection…I made it that way 🙂 Wings GH, every solo album, and even The Fireman project. I Macca!
Best to you and yours!
Later ~ Tater (Austin, TX – USA)