I was familiar with Mauri Kunnas’ work long before. Kunnas is, in fact, the bestselling Finnish author and illustrator. Coincidentally, I worked for the publishing house that locally promoted his children’s books. His skilful art, his fabulous sense of humour and delightful stories turned him quickly into one of my favourite authors. Thanks to Otava Read More …
Needless to say, the songs of the sixties are my favourite full-time hobby. Well, it all started when I first began to chase the stories behind The Beatles’ songs. Then there were The Herman’s Hermits, Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Merseybeats, The Beach Boys, The Shirelles and many others’ songs… on repeat when the nights Read More …
There’s always a song that can inspire, revive and thrill you whenever you feel blue. This song instantly fills you with melancholy and truth, sorrow and joy, memories from the past and hopes for the future. This is mine. There’ll be no sad tomorrow. The title was inspired by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s “Somewhere” Read More …
“John spoke the way James Joyce wrote. To me, he was the Beatles. He was always the spark. In a late wee-hour-of-the-morning talk, he once told me: ‘I’m just like everybody else Harry, I fell for Paul’s looks.’ ” – Harry Nilsson speaking about John Lennon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7J0MBVog-U
“Twist and Shout” is a 1961 song written by Phil Medley and Bertrand Russell Berns (credited as “Bert Russell”). It was originally titled “Shake It Up, Baby” and recorded by The Top Notes and then covered by The Isley Brothers. It was covered by The Beatles with John Lennon on the lead vocals and originally Read More …
The day I discovered “From a Window” I played it on repeat for hours. Billy J. Kramer’s voice had a unique combination of tenderness, refinement and vigor, gently emphasized by the unmistakable beat of a Lennon/McCartney creation. Smiling confident, the 20-year old Billy J. Kramer is offering a touchingly brilliant performance. No wonder the fans Read More …
On March, 22th 1963 The Beatles released “Please Please Me”, their first studio album. The release was recorded quickly to capitalise on the success of the single “Please Please Me”, which had come out two months earlier, and went to number two. “Please Please Me” changed the face of modern music, and cemented The Beatles Read More …
