Part 69 of my youtube countdown is a funny one. I have Ozzy Osbourne wandering around New York City with a bouquet of flowers singing John Lennon’s “How?” from Imagine. Eventually he discovers Strawberry Fields at Central Park and lays it down for John. It’s both touching and funny as bewildered tourists and New Yorkers furiously snap pictures with their ubiquitous camera phones as Ozzy vamps about in the way that only he knows how. Ozzy of course, is a notorious Beatles fan, and he made this video for the charity Amnesty International as a tribute for John on what would have been his 70th birthday. The sentiment, the video, and his performance are all spot on and in a spirit that reflects John’s humor and love, and its really good, so check it out.
Well, the world didn’t end, which is nice, so the youtube countdown continues with part 68. I have the “Jimi Hendrix of Ukelele,” Jake Shimabukuro, performing “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” from the “White Album.” Taking place at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, this is one of the most amazing performances I have ever seen. This guy plays the song with flawless soulful precision. The way he incorporates the melody of the song into his beautiful precise rhythm is uncanny. It’s also just a flat out wonderful tribute to George Harrison, who LOVED the ukelele. Actually, all the Beatles loved the ukelele, having gained an appreciation from John’s sweet mother Julia. If you’ve never played or heard a ukulele in person, I highly recommend it. It’s really easy to play, and just produce the most buttery gorgeous tones. Anyway, enjoy this video, its really something else.
In part 46 of my youtube countdown, we travel back to the past again, my past. When I was 17 years old, “Strawberry Fields Forever” was my favorite song in the world. I don’t know why exactly, but this song just seemed like the greatest work of music I’d ever heard. I loved the loping mellotron introduction. I loved the way John’s voice stretched over the distorted string quartet, as if it were being pulled like taffy. I loved Ringo’s manic jungle like drumming. In fact, this is the most psychedelic drumming Ringo achieved with the Beatles, a massive achievement in a string of drumming highlights for Ringo in this period, (A Day in the Life being Ringo’s true drumming masterpiece.) I remember as a teenager writing the words, “Living is easy with eyes closed,” everywhere; in my notebooks, on desks, on my locker, on walls. I remember finding an old newspaper in my attic that my dad had from 1969 with the original “Paul is Dead” article, highlighting all the clues, with one claiming that John is chanting “I buried Paul” in the outro. The reality of course being him saying “Cranberry Sauce;” (an equally delicious phrase in a song full of gorgeous imagery.) Speaking of gorgeous imagery, the video I present here is the most perfect, stunning capture of the Beatles legendary video for “Strawberry Fields.” The video presents the Beatles at their most weird. They are reveling in their artistry and merry prankster like shenanigans. What is the theme of this video? As far as I can tell, the Beatles are gathering in a field, and are constructing some sort of magical piano by tying the strings to a tree. Then of course they paint it with beautiful psychedelic colors. So, here you go, unabashed strawberry love from me to you.