The Beatles: They Came to a Land Downunder

Frank and Gaz are back for their last hurrah in two parts. Once again they come off a long historic run, putting the Beatles 1964 music into the broader sweep of musical history. They consider the legitimacy of comparisons between Lennon/McCartney and Mahler, Beethoven, Bach and even Mach (Tufnel/St Hubbins). Drawing on Frank's part-time classical education, they may have uncovered the mystery of the 'Aeolian Cadence'. Typically eclectic and tangential. Good luck! [In part II they will deconstruct She Loves You and This Boy!, inspired by podcasts like Strong Songs.

In Episode 7 (Meet the Marsupials), Frank and Gaz explore the soft power of the Australian native animal and their interactions with the Beatles downunder and a litany of other stars like Taylor Swift. Our hosts interview the world's leading expert on the endangered Palm Cockatoo (from Far North Queensland) and similarities in its drumming styles with those of Ringo. And they ask - why has everyone here named their pets Ringo? They also explore the cultural significance of an iconic Australian TV show about a genius kangaroo and how it has advanced relations with countries ranging from the US to Iran!

In There’s a Place, Frank and Gaz hit the pavements in search of residual traces of the places downunder where the Beatles stayed, played and partied with locals (What does the rush to redevelop these places tell us about Australia in the 1960s?). Inspired by the true crime podcast genre, our hosts uncover the shady circles within which they mixed in Sydney's ‘Sin City’. In Melbourne, Gaz gathers near definitive unscientific proof of the survival of the London plane trees that supported Beatles fans seeking a view of the fab four on the balcony of the legendary Southern Cross hotel. Frank assesses the symbolism of George’s sidetrip to meet family friends in Mt Taylor, Auckland for a meal of poached eggs and tomato sauce. (Mentioning Taylor Swift didn't seem to help the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) last episode but we will try again.)

Having grown up largely in the analog era, Frank and Gaz refine their use of the podcast technology (so this episode sounds a lot better!). And having smashed through the digital ceiling, they were able to dive more deeply into the 'lucky land' (Cold Chisel's reference to Donald Horne's 1964 book 'The Lucky Country'. They canvass what the Beatles would have encountered upon arrival in June 1964. Expect discussion of gender, the ‘six o’clock swill’, the ‘white Australia policy’, and Australians’ dedication to god, queen and the motherland. And this episode breaks new ground - in a global first, they reveal details on a planned operation by Australian authorities to have the Beatles help promote migration by meeting some Liverpudlians that had settled downunder and 'a few interesting and attractive young immigrants from the Continent'. They also consider a worrying plot by New Zealand shearers to crop the mop tops. (Thanks to Arts Centre Melbourne and the Department of Home Affairs to access to historical documents on migration).

In their first episode, Frank and Gaz introduce themselves, their Beatles interests, and explain the podcast title and its connection to the Beatles, Australia and the Australian psyche. The episode features some historical audio from the tour and excerpts from a rare interview. The podcast will go into detail about the Beatles but, just as much, the nature of the land down under itself. (The audio quality will improve in future episodes).

Australia topped the world in terms of people turning out to meet The Beatles. Where did they go, stay and play? Who did they meet? What was the land down under of 1964 really like - socially, culturally and politically? Stay tuned for more details ahead of the 60th anniversary in June 2024.