LENNON LIVE
THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER 2005
2000- 2300
Radio 2 broadcasts from Abbey Rd Studio 2, the historic venue in which The Beatles recorded virtually everything they ever made, and from studios in the USA.
Stuart Maconie guides us through the night as a very special selection of artists perform their chosen Lennon songs. All will reflect on the power of the music and the influence of the man.
Abbey Rd Studio 2 is full of atmosphere and nostalgia. Barring the occasional coat of paint, little has changed since The Beatles changed the musical world in there, for obvious reasons. In one corner is the old Bechstein upright piano used to record Lady Madonna. In another a newer, smaller upright which was allegedly used for A Day In The Life. Two chords on both confirm the myths instantly.
Our guest artists and their chosen tracks include:
From Abbey Road :
Jamie Cullum - Jealous Guy - Real Love
The Delays - Give Peace A Chance - Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
Katie Melua - Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds - Cry Baby Cry
Paul Weller - Love
Badly Drawn Boy - Happy Xmas - Look At Me
Lulu - Money - Rock N Roll Music
Gomez - Hey Bulldog - Instant Karma
Stereo MCs - I Am TheWalrus - Tomorrow Never Knows
Sugababes - Come Together - A Hard Day's Night
Stephen Fretwell - In My Life - How?
Trashcan Sinatras - Woman - Free As A Bird
From the US:
Dave Matthews - Watching the Wheels - Good Morning, Good Morning
Dr John - Revolution
Daryl Hall - Julia - All You Need Is Love
Teddy Thompson - You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - I'm Only Sleeping
Joseph Arthur - Imagine - Across The Universe
Katie Melua says:
"I chose Lucy In The Sky because it is so not obvious for a guitar voice
version and it could come out either terribly or rather interestingly.
In other words, it's a challenge! Cry Baby, Cry is one of the lesser known ones, as an interesting contrast of nursery rhyme naivety with typical Lennon cynicism."