Ladies and Gentlemen..."The Beatles: Eight Days A Week-The Touring Years"

The Beatles: Eight Days A Week-The Touring Years (2016)

Not Rated

Starring John, Paul, George & Ringo

Directed by Ron Howard

The Story:

It's 1963 and some British band called The Beatles is about to take off on the greatest meteoric rise in music history.

This is their story.

Ron Howard's engaging documentary compiles footage of the band from 1963-1966.

At that point, the band stopped the breakneck pace of touring and simply released albums after that.

The movie concludes with footage of their final rooftop concert in 1969.

There is archival footage from the Beatles discussing these crazy years on the road, as well as current takes from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Along with that, there are some celebrity fans who discuss what life was like growing up during the height of Beatlemania.

Definitely worth a viewing if you're a fan.

And possibly if you're not a fan (tsk tsk) you might see what all the fuss was about.

 Final Grade: A-

You Say You Want A (Musical) Revolution Weekend... "The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles"

The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles

Feb 9th, 1964.

Ed Sullivan introduced the Fab Four to North America.

The world was never the same.

While the Beatles didn't create Rock & Roll, they did redefine it.

50 Years later, the Grammys pulls out an all-star tribute to the Beatles.

Here's some thoughts I had as the extravaganza unfolded...

First, I don't think I will poke too many holes in the performers that got up on stage and offered their renditions.  Some more faithful than others.  Some that were cleverly repackaged.

Why?

Well, it's two-fold.

First, it takes some nerves to get up on stage that is pandering to an audience filled with other singers and celebrities and saying "I'm going to do a Beatles song!"

Then, multiply that by infinity, because you're also doing this performance in front of Paul and Ringo!

As the cameraman caught all throughout the night, Paul McCartney loves to singalong to the Beatles songs.  I would imagine it's reflex.

Next, I think they really, really, really missed out by not having Dhani Harrison and Julian Lennon get up on stage and perform at least one number with Paul and Ringo.  It would have been surreal and awesome.  Surreally awesome, even!



Loved the backstage interviews with the crew that was there on that night, as well as Letterman's interviews with Paul and Ringo back on the actual Ed Sullivan stage where it all began.

It could have used some editing, and it sounds like a DVD could come out with the trimmed for time footage.

I wish they would have aired the Beatles entire performance on the Ed Sullivan show, but again, perhaps they will add that to the DVD.

I think they could also do without so much showing the audience during these shows.  I'm not watching to see what other people think of musicians singing.  I want to see them singing.

Otherwise you end up panning to Tom Hanks awkwardly caught not singing to Hey Jude at the end.

Tsk tsk Mr. Hanks.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I don't think I'll buy it on DVD, but I've got it recorded and there were a few numbers worth revisiting in the future.

Sit Down and Hear Some "Beatles Stories"

It's a story about some famous people who met some even more famous people...

The Beatles!


The Story:

The Beatles.  Perhaps you've heard of them.  Greatest Rock & Roll Band of all time, both opinion and fact. ;)
Well this is their story.  As told by people who met the Beatles and want to recount those stories.  The man behind the project is Seth Swirsky, himself a huge Beatles fan. Of course, he's also a songwriter, so it helps to be an "insider" to talk to famous people.  If you or I were to walk up to these people with a camera, we'd most likely be punched or have the police called.  The stories range from Pre-Beatlemania to post Beatle break-up.  And really, almost all of the stories are very quick, maybe a minute, sometimes 2 minutes.  So it's really...bam bam bam... and the next thing you know, 90 minutes has gone by, and it's time to roll the credits.

So is it worth it?

The bigger the Beatle-maniac, the more you'll enjoy it.

You don't hear from the lads themselves, but you get to hear people reminisce about their interactions with them.  From casual, quick meetings to in-depth recording sessions or meals, this one has it all.

My favorite of all the stories?  I would give the nod to Henry Winkler for his tale of meeting Sir Paul.  Pretty funny, and pretty cool.

It was bittersweet to see an interview with Davey Jones also.  But you'll see how influenced he was by the group, and how he was there when it all began.


It's light, breezy, and a lot of fun.  It's really cool to hear some of the behind the scenes from Rock History.

Naturally, the only thing missing was a chance to have Seth chat with Paul or Ringo, but alas...


Final Grade: B-
Would I Add It To the DVD Library: Probably Not.  I'm the only Beatle fan in the house.  Sacrilege, know...

Available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.