Apple Bite: The Beatles Remasters

Apple Records finally succumbed to the temptation as they agreed to release a huge catalogue of the Beatles music in digital format this year in an attempt to have a bite of the lucrative market.

Although the Beatles had made it clear in one of their songs that money can’t really buy them love, surely Apple and Sir Paul and Ringo and the surviving widows of John and George will have a lot of love and moolah as they once again reap the fruits of the Fab Four’s labor.

But this Beatlemaniac really ‘don’t care much for money’ that he may have to shell out, if mediocre bands and singers can get away with it, why not the Beatles?






Review: 'Beatles: Rock Band' fun for jamming in groups


Revolution: Beatles leap into digital age


'The Beatles: Rock Band' -- Revolution 09/09/09


The Beatles remasters: The long and winding road

Eternal Flame: Oh! Susanna

Yesterday, I was surfing YouTube when I stumbled upon a video of Susanna Hoffs singing Eternal Flame which was taken in Yokohama, Japan in ‘96. I played the video and some wonderful memories came back of the good ol’ days. In spite of her somewhat odd fashion sense in the video which was obviously dated; the clothes, bad hair day and all, still I came out enamored with her.

The first time I saw her was on MTV singing Eternal Flame in the early 90s. Of course, to people growing up in the 80s Susanna Hoffs is widely known as one of the vocalists of the all- female band The Bangles who first broke out into the music scene with their version of Simon & Garfunkel’s A Hazy Shade of Winter as part of the soundtrack of the movie Less Than Zero which featured a young Robert Downey, Jr among others.

Also, a very good friend of mine loved them to death and was part of the Bangle-mania that swept the teenage girls population in the Philippines in the 80s to the early 90s. In fact, she used to cajole me to play my acoustic guitar for her while she sings Eternal Flame ala Susanna while we pass the time on the banks of the lazy Yawa River in Legaspi during our college days.

It has been 20 years since to the day that I have seen her sing on MTV and yet I can honestly say that-

I am still a fan of the song, I still like her voice and I still love those beautiful bedroom eyes.

Oh! Susanna.

Susanna Hoffs: Eternal Flame from Andy Cafa on Vimeo.

Come see Journey for FREE in NYC!

Exclusive performance in the heart of NYC!

Come see Journey for FREE when they perform at the CBS Early Show. Information about this event can be found below:

Where - CBS The Early Show Plaza 767 Fifth Avenue (corner of 59th and 5th next to the Apple Store)

When - Friday August 28th

Arrival time - no later than 11AM, performance begins at noon

So if you are in New York on the 28th come on down. Hope to see you there!!!!!

The Wizard of Mahwah is Dead

Les Paul (1915-2009)

Come Together

Dear Abbey,

“You say it’s your birthday. Well, Happy Birthday to You!”

Yes, the iconic cover of The Beatles’ "final" album Abbey Road wherein the Fab Four were seen crossing the zebra-striped asphalt on Abbey Road turns 40 today.

No album cover in the history of music has been scrutinized like the Abbey Road photo. What with rumors then that Paul McCartney had died in a car accident earlier and that the plate number of the VW Beetle parked on the left side of the road was actually a code that confirms his death.

Abbey Road went on to become one of the most successful albums in the Fab Four’s short but great career as a group. It was not only laden with beautiful songs written by the most prolific songwriters of all time but also a revolutionary one not only in their approach and arrangement but the use of technology that was available at that time that set the bar high for other bands to imitate or follow.

Hundreds of Beatlemaniacs trooped to Abbey Road today to celebrate the iconic photo’s 40th anniversary and if we are to believe the saying that life really begins at 40, we can be sure then that the legendary status of the Beatles as a pop culture icon will continue to grow in years to come…


If you want to see a live video of the famous Abbey Road Crossing in real time, click
HERE


Here's a rockin' treat from my fave Beatle, John-

Beautiful Detroit!?

"In 1950, Michigan was 1 of 8 states in America that collectively produced 36% of the world's GNP."

"Detroit was the greatest manufacturing city in the world."

Detroit native and controversial superstar - rapper Eminem paid homage to his hometown in this video of Beautiful, the fourth single from his latest chart-topping and million-selling album “Relapse.”

The said video was shot at Detroit’s famous and historic landmarks from its golden years. Now these historic buildings like the Packard Motor Car Company Plant, the Beaux- Arts train station and the original Tigers Stadium that were built prior to 1914 are nothing but shadows of their former selves.

By watching the video, one can see the sad state of the City of Detroit nowadays; down on her knees and out of luck. Detroit may recover some of her pride someday but probably will never be able to equal much less, regain her glory days. It’s sad when a once beautiful city succumbs to urban decay.

Goodnight Girl

"soft music, slow dancing,
sweet wine, mind games
brown eyes, blue eyes
masked emotions, repressed passion."