The Arena documentary and tribute to record producer, George Martin, on BBC2 over Easter did not really reveal anything new, but merely confirmed George Martin’s place in the pantheon of great music producers. Whilst a very sophisticated producer of classic and comedy music recordings, including Peter Sellers , Spike Milligan and The Goons, clearly he will be best remembered for his collaboration and association with the Beatles.

Early on in the documentary, George Martin made the wry observation that when he first met the Beatles he was not overwhelmed by their musical talent, but was bowled over by their charm and charisma. Undoubtedly the latter set them apart from their peers in the early years of 1963 and 1964, but by the middle of the decade George Martin’s sophisticated influence was taking a hold on the Beatles’ recordings at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios. Further credit should go to George Martin for recognising the group’s potential, and signing them up to the Parlophone label over which he presided within the EMI stable!!

The early Beatles songs were well crafted pop songs, with catchy hooks, but by 1965 and 1966, George Martin’s classical background and training was becoming very apparent within the Beatles’ repertoire. Once the band made the decision to stop touring in the mid 1960s, they then had much more time to dedicate to songwriting and time in the studio. In the Arena documentary, George Martin observed that John Lennon and Paul McCartney had very open minds and were very receptive to new ideas and trying something different. This radical new approach is epitomised by “Eleanor Rigby”, where the only musical instruments used were violins. How many groups of the time would have had the confidence to abandon their instruments completely? By doing this, clearly the “Fab Four” were making the statement that they had total belief and trust in George Martin’s production techniques. Of course this was bolstered by the fact that such was their popularity, they had licence to more or less do anything and no doubt their fans  would have accepted a recording built around the banjo, triangle, tambourine and recorder, had they so wished to go down that particular route!! Infact they more or less did this by including Ringo Starr’s incongruous “Yellow Submarine” alongside “Eleanor Rigby” on the “Revolver” album!!

The Holy Trinity of the “Rubber Soul”, “Revolver” and “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” albums jettisoned the Beatles into the stratosphere. But as great as Lennon and McCartney’s compositions were, this radical approach was in no small part down to the guidance, cajoling and mentoring of George Martin. Therefore on this basis, the urbane, suave and debonair Mr Martin’s role in the Beatles’ development and evolution, gives him parity alongside John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the group’s success. Forget about George Martin being the fifth Beatle, he was the third Beatle, whilst acknowledging the importance of George Harrison!!

So why not preserve some of the Beatles’ back catalogue for posterity as a souvenir?…………Get your favourite Beatles vinyl records or compact discs ( singles or albums ), framed and mounted, by clicking on….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Alternatively you can buy a Beatles “Song Souvenir” for a family member, or friend……this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration ie a 50th , 60th or 70th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Mother’s or Father’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

MyFirstRecord.co.uk have most of the Beatles albums and singles available in their original vinyl record format, on the Parlophone and Apple Record Labels.  Select from this full list –

Albums

1   Please Please Me

2  With the Beatles

3  A Hard Day’s Night

4  Beatles for Sale

5  Help!

6  Rubber Soul

7  Revolver

8  Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

9  Magical Mystery Tour

10  The Beatles (The White Album)

11  Yellow Submarine

12  Abbey Road

13  Let It Be

Have you selected the Beatles album of your choice? Order now, by clicking on…… http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/framed-albums/

Singles

Regular Issue (UK) Singles

* Love Me Do (w/ P.S. I Love You) 1962

* Please Please Me (w/ Ask Me Why) 1963

* From Me To You (w/ Thank You Girl) 1963

* She Loves You (w/ I’ll Get You) 1963

* I Want To Hold Your Hand (w/ This Boy) 1963

* Can’t Buy Me Love (w/ You Can’t Do That) 1964

* A Hard Day’s Night (w/ Things We Said Today) 1964

* I Feel Fine (w/ She’s A Woman) 1964

* Ticket To Ride (w/ Yes It Is) 1965

* Help! (w/ I’m Down) 1965

* We Can Work It Out/Day Tripper 1965

* Paperback Writer (w/ Rain) 1966

* Yellow Submarine (w/ Eleanor Rigby) 1966

* Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever 1967

* All You Need is Love (w/ Baby You’re A Rich Man) 1967

* Hello Goodbye (w/ I Am The Walrus) 1967

* Lady Madonna (w/ The Inner Light) 1968

* Hey Jude (w/ Revolution) 1968

* Get Back (w/ Don’t Let Me Down) 1968

* The Ballad Of John And Yoko (w/ Old Brown Shoe) 1969

* Something/Come Together 1969

* Let It Be (w/ You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)) 1970

Regular Issue Post-Beatles Singles (1976 and later)

* Yesterday (w/ I Should Have Known Better) 1976 (UK only)

* Got To Get You Into My Life (w/ Helter Skelter) 1976 (US only)

* Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (w/ Julia) 1976 (US only)

* Back In The U.S.S.R. (w/ Twist And Shout) 1976 (UK only)

* Sgt. Peppers Lonely…/With A Little Help… (w/ A Day In The Life) 1978

* The Beatles Movie Medley (w/ I’m Happy Just To Dance With You) 1982

* Baby It’s You 1994

* Free As A Bird 1995

* Real Love 1996

Have you selected the Beatles vinyl single / song of your choice? Order now, by clicking on…… http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/framed-singles/

For all other Beatles merchandise, memorabilia and souvenirs, click on any of these sites –  www.thebeatles.com/ www.thebeatlesonline.co.uk/