speed of dark

In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the release of the Beatles' ground-breaking album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, on June 1 (yes, that's how far behind I am), I am posting some Beatles covers.

I was a Beatles fan; in fact the first concert I went to was the Beatles in New Orleans in 1965 at Tulane Stadium. They could have been any four mop-haired men from the seats I had, and I couldn't hear anything because everyone was screaming. I was screaming too. It all seems so silly now!

But the music has endured through all that goofy teen-fan-club garbage because the writing is solid and the scope is universal. Here are some of their most beautiful songs. I have a hard time choosing between Rufus and Fiona Apple on "Universe."

Here's to the Beatles and to Fridays!

Ted Leo: I'm Looking Through You
Guster: Two of Us
Rickie Lee Jones: For No One
Rufus Wainwright: Across the Universe
Ben Kweller: Wait
The Pretenders: Not a Second Time

From the blogroll:

Dave at The Rawking Refuses to Stop has his mid-year top ten albums list up--a good way to check and see what good stuff you may have missed so far.

Let Eric at Can You See the Sunset From the Southside be your guide for Lollapalooza 2007, in his hometown of Chicago. He has sample songs of the groups that will be there.

Find a delightful cover of Death Cab For Cutie's "Lightness" at Lost In Your Inbox, and more from good stuff from earlier this week as well.

Music Is Art features guest poster, artist Ray Caesar, sharing his favorite songs and revealing secrets about the source of his inspirations. This is a unique and fascinating post.

Nathaniel at I Guess I'm Floating calls Xavier Rudd's show "one of the best" at Bonnaroo. I have recently discovered Rudd myself, and I'll be writing about him soon.

Looking for summer songs? Mars Needs Guitars has got them a double mix for you.

Have you got the scoop about the Apple iPhones? Catch up on the latest at Stereogums. While you're there, read about the new Smashing Pumplins' album, which is being released with different songs depending on where you purchase. Let the buyer beware!

I am SO jealous: Rewritable Content saw Beirut in London and recorded the concert for us. Live tracks of songs from the unreleased new album, The Flying Club Cup!

Happy Friday to all!