NOW AND THEN

Being touted as "the final song by The Beatles", "Now and Then" effectively brings an end to the sounds of the Fab Four, the British rock band from Liverpool that helped shift the culture in the '60's and has continued to be highly influential long after they came to an end in 1970. And the story behind the creation of this track is as fascinating as the idea that the Beatles are together for one last time.

It all began when John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono gave the three surviving members of the group, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, four unfinished demos by Lennon for an anthology project they were working on. After rejecting one track as unsalvageable, they went to work on "Free as a Bird", "Real Love" and "Now and Then". With Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, who had worked with Harrison on their side project, The Traveling Wilburys and Harrison's 1987 comeback album, "Cloud Nine", on board to contribute, "Free as a Bird" was completed in 1995 and "Real Love" was released the following year. But work on "Now and Then" ended not long after when Harrison decided there just wasn't enough there on the track and not worthwhile to devote any more time on.

However, McCartney strongly disagreed and wanted to finish "Now and Then". After Harrison's passing in 2001, McCartney no longer had a dissenter in the band to stand in the way, yet the song still proved to be extremely complicated to complete. That changed last year when technology helped overcome some of these obstacles. Filmmaker Peter Jackson's team had developed a way to isolate specific sounds on an audio track in order to clean up a muddied recording. McCartney along with Giles Martin, son of the Beatles' legendary producer, George, went to work arranging the track with Starr's original drums, McCartney providing an accompanying vocal with Lennon and playing all other instruments while merging elements of Lennon's piano and Harrison's rhythm guitar.

As for the completed song? While it's certainly wonderful to once again have something "new" from this classic band, "Now and Then" simply lacks a vitality that makes this ballad still feel like a work in progress. I certainly understand the attraction that made McCartney want to attempt to finish this song, with a lovely melody and Lennon's wistful lyrics but without the rest of the band available to offer contributions, "Now and Then" continues to leave an impression as a possibility of what could have been. The music video for "Now and Then" reflects the sentiment of the song, featuring the current McCartney and Starr merged seamlessly with past images of Lennon and Harrison and them all together as a band. This final collaboration from one of the world's most popular musical acts is absolutely thrilling in concept yet remains slightly disappointing in execution.



And here are the previous two tracks released by The Beatles:

RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

It's been five years since rock god, Lenny Kravitz has released new music and has returned with a single and news of an upcoming album. While the title might possibly be in reference to something in "Star Wars" or "Boogie Nights", the song, "TK421" is clearly Kravitz's call to find freedom in spirituality. This dance-rock track is the first delivery from "Blue Electric Light", the musician's twelfth studio release which will be a double album and due out early in the new year. But Kravitz surprises us even further with the music video for "TK421" which has the almost sixty-year-old artist looking ageless, revealing an impressive physique and plenty of skin. 



Here are some new songs from Australian pop artist, Troye Sivan (who makes a startling transformation in the music video); fellow Aussie, Sia; indie pop artist from Britain, PinkPantheress; the latest solo single from Alabama Shakes member, Brittany Howard and a dance track that serves as a shout-out to an Italian fashion house.

The British pop singer, Paloma Faith may be far better known in her home country and throughout Europe, but she is someone that should be paid attention to on this side of globe. "How You Leave a Man", the first single from her upcoming sixth studio album, "The Glorification of Sadness" has been released and is inspired by the end of her decade long relationship. This emotional, power ballad about the painful decision to leave an unfaithful husband behind is what the forty-two-year-old artist claims to be one of her most personal yet.

Rudolph Isley, one of the founding members of the celebrated family r&b group, the Isley Brothers, passed away on October 11th at the age of eighty-four. The trio, with his brothers, O'Kelly and Ronald, had their first hit in 1959 with the single, "Shout", the first of many songs they would go on to write. This was followed by another popular song, "Twist and Shout" and the Isley Brothers were lured to Motown Records in 1966. But they managed to only find charting success with the single, "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" which was written by the label's songwriting team, Holland-Dozier-Holland. The brothers chaffed under Motown's controlling creative methods and left the label two years later. The Isleys started their own label, T-Neck Records and altered their sound from smooth soul to funkier r&b, hitting the top-five on the pop and soul charts with "It's Your Thing" in 1969. With younger brothers, Ernie and Marvin and brother-in-law, Chris Jasper joining in 1971, more hits followed for The Isley Brothers with "That Lady", "Fight the Power", "For the Love of You", "Between the Sheets" and soulful covers of rock songs, "Love the One You're With" and "Summer Breeze". O’Kelly Isley passed away from a heart attack in 1986 and Rudolph decided to retire from the group three years later. The Isley Brothers would continue on as a popular musical act but earlier this year, Rudolph sued his brother Ronald with claims that he had sought to cut him out of the trademark for the group. While Ronald was usually the lead singer, Rudolph occasionally provided leading vocals on some songs. Here are a couple of tracks:

STOP MAKING SENSE

In December 1983, the art-rock band, Talking Heads were on tour to promote their latest album, "Speaking in Tongues". Reuniting after a three-year hiatus to create their fifth studio record and enjoying commercial success with their first (and ultimately only) US top-ten hit with "Burning Down the House", the Heads, made up of Jerry Harrison on keyboards and guitar; Tina Weymouth on bass guitar; her husband, Chris Frantz on drums and lead vocalist and songwriter, David Bryne, decided to film their concert for a feature film. Shot over four nights at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and enlisting relatively new filmmaker, Jonathan Demme to direct, "Stop Making Sense" was created to highlight the band in live performance and its unique sound that merged new-wave, punk, soul and world music.

Now, almost forty years later, "Stop Making Sense" returns to theaters newly restored in 4K and in IMAX. The Heads had sadly disbanded by 1991 but all members reunited for a special screening and conversation with Spike Lee during the premiere at this year's Toronto Film Festival last month for the first time since their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. 

Now I didn't have the opportunity to see "Stop Making Sense" when it was first released as I was a young man living in the suburbs in Michigan at the time and it did not play anywhere near me. Over the years that followed, I just never had a chance to catch this film, so I was determined to finally see it on the big screen.

And I can now say that all the praise that has been heaped upon "Stop Making Sense" as one of the greatest concert films ever made is no exaggeration. From the beginning with Bryne coming out solo with a guitar and boombox to perform "Psycho Killer" to the entire sweat-drenched band together on the final song, "Crosseyed and Painless", the film presents, at a brisk eighty-eight minutes, a wild, thrilling ride of a show that you truly do not want to see end.

With impressive backing musicians, keyboardist Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir on guitar, percussionist Steve Scales and back-up vocalists Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt on board to help enhance their sound, Talking Heads deliver a lively, highly energetic production with unfussy yet inventive staging that effectively brings fresh vitality to the live versions of their quirky pop songs. There is even a brief moment when Weymouth and Franz's side project, Tom Tom Club get a chance to do their funky hit single from 1981, "Genius of Love" (which has been sampled to death ever since) before Bryne returns to the stage in the infamous big suit while performing "Girlfriend Is Better". Inspired by Kabuki, Bryne has later stated that the point of his wearing this oversized outfit was to make his head look smaller although I'm still not sure why he wanted to do that.

But what I do know is that the response from a new generation of viewers to "Stop Making Sense" has been quite remarkable, with people actually dancing in the aisles at some screenings. Whether you saw the film when it first came out or are a curious, young music lover, do yourself a favor and catch Talking Heads in a movie theater on the biggest screen possible.

NEW SOUNDS

VICTORIA MONET

The original plan by r&b singer, Victoria Monét was to create a trilogy of EPs called "Jaguar" before her first album. However, after that first collection was released three years ago, the thirty-four-year-old performer has delivered "Jaguar II" which will now serve as her official debut album. This record continues Monét's musical journey of classic soul with a contemporary edge. She spent the early part of her career successfully writing songs for other music acts like Brandy, Chris Brown, Blackpink, Chloe x Halle and Ariana Grande before deciding to focus more on her own path as an artist. "Jaguar II" perfectly highlights Monét's gifts; sultry, smooth vocals which help elevate her songs of love, sexuality, pride and confidence. Be sure to check out Monét on the road now with The Jaguar Tour where she will cover North America and Europe through November.





MAREN MORRIS

Maren Morris made news recently by announcing that she was leaving country music because of her frustration with the industry's unwillingness to deal honestly with its long history involving racism, sexism and homophobia. Having been vigorously vocal in criticizing Nashville and what it currently represents for some time now, causing some rifts along the way, she has realized it was getting her nowhere. And while Morris might be departing from the business side of the genre, her music will likely remain deeply embedded in the roots of country. The thirty-three-year-old from Arlington, Texas is currently in the process of creating new music with production assistance from Greg Kurstin and Jack Antonoff who had helped Taylor Swift smoothly transition from country to pop. Morris has released a two-track EP called "The Bridge" that seems to highlight the potential new direction she's moving towards with the songs, "The Tree" and "Get the Hell Out of Here".





KIM PETRAS

The long-awaited debut of pop star, Kim Petras' first album, "Feed the Beast" was finally released in June. However, the album was met with a tepid reception. This collection of largely, generic dance-pop songs disappointed especially after all of the amazing singles Petras had released over the last few years which includes "Unholy", her smash hit duet with Sam Smith. But Petras had recorded an album two years ago that originally was supposed to be her official debut, but it was ultimately shelved by her label due to a major leak of the work. "Problématique" has now been released and the songs here captures more of the catchy, high-energy Euro-pop that first brought her attention. Two singles, "Future Starts Now" and "Coconuts" were released in 2021 to promote this album but were dropped from this release although "Coconuts" does appear on "Beast".

ANGRY

For over sixty years, The Rolling Stones has remained "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World". And this British band, which the current lineup features founding members, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (following the passing of original drummer, Charlie Watts in 2021) and Ronnie Wood (who joined in 1975), is still making music together. The Stones are about to release a new album of original material (their first in eighteen years) called "Hackney Diamonds".

With production by Don Was and Andrew Watt, the band had begun work back in 2020 before being interrupted by the COVID-19 shutdowns, then going back in earnest in late 2022 and concluding in early 2023. The album, due out on October 20th, has an impressive list of guest musicians appearing which includes Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, former Stone, Bill Wyman and a member of their "rival" Brit rock band back in the '60's, former Beatle, Paul McCartney. There are a couple of tracks that features Watts on drums with the rest of the album featuring new drummer, Steve Jordan.

The first single, "Angry" delivers a classic Stones sound, filled with thrashing guitars, pulsating beat and a characteristically cheeky vocal by Jagger. The music video has actress, Sydney Sweeney as a black leather clad chick gyrating seductively in the back of a convertible as the car cruises down Sunset Blvd in LA, watching vintage Rolling Stones billboards come to life.

RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

After teasing this album's release since 2019, it appears that Nicki Minaj's fifth studio album will finally be out to the world. And while it's understandable to be a little bit skeptical, "Pink Friday 2" has been given an exact release date of November 17th. This record is somewhat a sequel to her 2010 debut and Minaj appears ready to venture back to the more pop sounds of her early days. We had gotten a little sample with the first single, "Super Freaky Girl" (which debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart) and the follow-up release, "Last Time I Saw You" is a rap-ballad that features Minaj prominently using her singing voice. This emotional song (written only by Minaj) explores coping with loss as the rapper had her father sadly pass away shortly after the joyous event of the birth of her son.

How many of you remember Exposé? They were a popular female trio who first found success on the dance floor in the mid-eighties before moving over to the pop charts, ruling the US charts until disbanding in 1993. This band was the mastermind of Lewis Martineé, a Miami DJ and producer, who wanted to form a dance group. He found three female singers, called them "Exposé" and put together a single. "Point of No Return" would reach the top of the Billboard Dance chart in 1984 which helped introduce the sounds of Latin freestyle. Record labels became interested, and they eventually signed with Arista Records.

During the recording of the debut album, the original singers either quit or were fired, depending upon who you ask. A new line-up was created with Gioia Bruno, Ann Curless and Jeanette Jurado and their album, "Exposure", released in 1987, became a hit with the singles, "Come Go with Me", "Let Me Be the One" (my favorite), "Seasons Change" and a re-recorded version of "Point of No Return" all reaching the top-ten on the pop chart. The 1989 follow-up album, "What You Don't Know" produced more top-ten hits for Exposé: "When I Looked at Him", "Tell Me Why" and the title track. By the time of their third, 1992 self-titled album, Bruno had left the group due to health issues and was replaced by Kelly Moneymaker, the band was waging a legal battle over profits with Martineé and the album failed to achieve great commercial success. Exposé would first reunite in 2003 and Bruno would rejoin three years later with Moneymaker remaining as an honorary member. In 2007, the singers sued over the rights to use the name "Exposé" and it would take four years for them to win the trademark.







And I would like to pay tribute to a couple of gifted musicians we have lost this month.

Best known for the eerie atmospheric sounds and mystical lyrics of his 1975 hit, "Dream Weaver", Gary Wright passed away on September 4th at the age of eighty. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in the 1954 Broadway production of the musical, "Fanny". But he had always loved playing music, learning how to play several instruments, but after deciding that a career in this field was too unstable, Wright went on to study medicine in college. But a trip to Europe changed his plans to become a doctor, forming his own band and touring throughout the continent. Wright settled in England in 1967, developing connections with other musicians and joining a blues-rock band, Spooky Tooth. After three albums, Spooky Tooth was over, and Wright decided to pursue a solo career in 1970.

His debut, "Extraction" didn't generate much interest, but it did lead to Wright being invited to play piano on George Harrison's 1970 album, "All Things Must Pass". Wright would go to play on several of the former Beatle's subsequent albums, but he hadn't given up on his own musical aspirations. It would take until his third recording effort, "The Dream Weaver" for Wright to breakthrough with the title track (inspired by "Autobiography of a Yogi" which was given to him by Harrison) peaking at number two on the US pop chart. Another song from the album, "Love is Alive" would also only make it to number two on the chart. This would be the highlight of Wright's career, but he would continue to make music, rejoining Spooky Tooth to tour and making nine more solo albums with his last release was "Connected" in 2010.

Steve Harwell, the lead vocalist of the '90's alt-rock band, Smash Mouth, died on September 4th. He had struggled with several health problems over the last decade and was forced to leave the band in 2021. Harwell was only fifty-six. Born in Santa Clara, CA., he began his start in music as part of a rap act called F.O.S. which stood for "Freedom of Speech". They had released a single before Harwell decided what he really wanted to do was rock.

With Greg Coleman on guitar, Paul De Lisle on bass and drummer, Kevin Coleman, Smash Mouth was born in 1994. They were signed with Interscope Records and their 1997 debut album, "Fush Yu Mang" (a take on Al Pacino's bad Cuban accent in "Scarface") featured their first hit, "Walking on the Sun" which reached number two on the US pop chart. Two years later, Smash Mouth broke through with their follow-up album, "Astro Lounge" that had two big hit singles, "All-Star" and "Then The Morning Comes". Harwell and the band also charted with a cover of the Monkees 1966 number-one hit, "I'm a Believer" for the soundtrack of the 2001 animated movie, "Shrek".

WORLD MUSIC RADIO

After receiving several awards (including the Oscar) for his work co-writing the score for the animated film, "Soul" and winning the top Grammy prize of Album of the Year in 2022 (with a total of five wins) for his album, "We Are", Jon Batiste's career is on a major roll. He has just recently given up his night job as the musical director on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" (which he held for seven years) in order to devote more time for his own music projects. 

Batiste, who comes from a distinguished musical family in the New Orleans area, began as a child playing percussion and drums with his family's jazz outfit, the Batiste Brothers Band before later switching to the piano. He studied classical piano throughout his teenage years but went on to attend Juilliard where he received a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies. Since he finished school, Batiste has had an impressive career that began teaching classes and workshops throughout the Netherlands, recording several jazz albums and even doing some acting, appearing in the HBO series, "Treme" and the Spike Lee films, "Red Hook Summer" and "Da Sweet Blood of Jesus".

With his latest album, "World Music Radio", Batiste ventures into global music in an unconventional way. The collection is a concept album with a DJ named "Billy Bob Bo" who is playing songs on an intergalactic radio station, transmitting an eclectic mixture of musical sounds for a truly otherworldly audience. There is also an interesting mix of collaborators which includes Spanish singer, Rita Payés; the psychedelic rap of Lil Wayne; Leigh-Anne of the English girl group, Little Mix; the K-pop group, NewJeans; the dream-pop goddess, Lana Del Rey and the classic cool sax of Kenny G.