Friday, September 11, 2009

Beatlemania takes over Chestnut Hill


Sometimes it seems we’re constantly looking backwards.

Take a look at popular television. There’s the retro-styled hit “Madmen,” a critically acclaimed TV series about cigarette-smoking, martini-swilling advertising men of the early ‘60s. There’s “American Idol,” a TV show dedicated to young would-be stars singing hits recorded before they were born, many of which are best left forgotten.

So it seems appropriate that just as the wave of Woodstock memories fades, the nostalgia machine will stay in high gear with the CD re-release of the entire Beatles catalogue. All of the albums and two box sets of material that have been worked on for four years by sound engineers and audio mix masters are set to hit stores this Wednesday, Sept. 9.

You’ve likely seen the buildup to the release, which is being received as a significant cultural event. The most recent issue of “Rolling Stone” has the Beatles on its cover, as does “Entertainment Weekly,” and the music network VH1 Classic has become a 24-hour network of Beatles film and music.

Despite flagging record sales, the Beatles’ releases figure to be a big hit. The band that defined what the rock album should and could be are pulling off what just may be the last big record release of the album era. Kids these days download singles. Even Radiohead, a band as ahead of the pack on the business of rock as the sound of rock, have said recently that they plan on releasing material in short, downloadable bursts rather than full-length LPs. (The Beatles are the one big band that has yet to put their catalogue up for download.)

Of course the Beatles’ catalogue is not simply empty nostalgia. Whether you like them or not, the Fab Four put out some great art: “Rubber Soul,” “Revolver,” Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and the “White Album” are as great a set of records as any put out by any pop artists of all time. So, aside from some of Paul McCartney’s most heartwarming pabulum, the Beatles’ records may be worth owning again.

Brian Reisman of Chestnut Hill’s Hideaway Music, 8612 Germantown Ave., is planning a big event on Saturday, Sept. 12, to recognize the releases. In addition to a stockpile of Beatles’ albums and memorabilia — vinyl records, original buttons and terrific posters, including one vintage poster worth $15,000 — Hideaway will host radio personality and “Breakfast with the Beatles” host Andre Gardner of MGK 102.9 from 1 to 3 p.m. that day. If you’re a fan of the Beatles, the Hideaway will be the place for you.

Reisman’s event has even managed to instigate a whole Beatlemania Day in Chestnut Hill with many other local businesses, from Campbell’s to the Candle Shop, Cobblestones, Tavern on the Hill, Cuba, etc., hosting events, specials and Happy Hours, too. (See www.chestnuthillpa.com/events/beatlemania/ for a complete list.)

The events promise to be a great diversion for Beatles’ fans, but it’s still the music that counts. Like most, Reisman’s eager to hear what’s been done to the albums. “I always thought the CDs [when first converted from vinyl] had their flaws, “ he said in a recent interview at his shop.

And, though nearly everyone alive already owns Beatles’ albums or CDs, Reisman expects the new masters to be popular. The Beatles’ albums, he said, are not only about those great artistic accomplishments.

“I think it’s the sound,” Reisman said. “When you hear those songs, it immediately recalls that era. They were the sound, the look and style of that time.”

For that reason, he says, the Beatles’ albums have always been a big seller, be it on CD or on vinyl, the latter form of which Reisman has a great supply. Not only can you get a great rock record. You can buy an entire piece of the ‘60s.

“People of all ages come in looking for the Beatles,” Reisman said. “A lot of kids come in looking for them. When they want to get into rock, those Beatles’ albums are the ones they come in looking for.”

Say what you will about the Beatles, but they seem unlikely to fade from popular memory anytime soon. These re-releases may be a last hurrah for the form, but they are likely to endure in popularity with young and old alike. As can be seen by the reception, the Beatles achieved a cultural significance the likes of which have not been duplicated. It appears many people just don’t get tired of the Beatles.

For more information about the Hideaway event, call 215-242-1494.

(appeared in the Chestnut Hill Local, Sept. 10, 2009)


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