#159 – Goodnight with Jason Kruppa (author and host of “Producing the Beatles” podcast)

After an unintended, Hurricane-induced hiatus, we’re back in action! And what better way to get the party started back up than by talking about…“Good Night”? The Ringo-sung, John-penned closer to the White Album has always been somewhat of a polarizing song in the Beatles’ cannon. Some love it, some loathe it. Yet, like so many moments in the band’s catalog, there’s so much more at play here. Where else could a song this saccharine fit than after the audio soundtrack of a revolution? Who else but Ringo could sing something so sweet and soothing? But then again, isn’t it rather twisted to end the journey of the White Album with a song like this? Is there maybe some darkness behind the Disney-esque sweetness at play? As always with the Beatles, there’s many layers to this glass onion.

To dive in this week, we’re joined by Jason Kruppa, host of the fantastic Producing The Beatles podcast, and co-author of “All Things Must Pass Away: Harrison, Clapton, and Other Assorted Love Songs,” which he wrote with previous guest Ken Womack (see #162 – “Another Girl”). Jason, who also lives here in New Orleans, joined us in RTB headquarters (before we all evacuated for the hurricane) to discuss the ins and outs and secrets of “Good Night,” the never-ending wellspring of All Things Must Pass, George’s favorite incense, the world of bootlegs, and the on-going saga of Eric Clapton’s self-inflicted career and legacy damage.Be sure to check out Jason’s podcast at https://www.producingthebeatles.com, on Twitter @ptbeatles, IG @producingthebeatles, and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ProducingTheBeatles, as he breaks down how these brilliant songs were recording from George Martin’s production side of things. His book, All Things Must Pass Away can be found anywhere you get good books. 

What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram@rankingthebeatles, or Twitter@rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB’s new official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee

Reviews

Judge Timbers

Ranking the songs of the Beatles? What could possibly go wrong? But somehow this podcast gets it just right thanks to the wit and charm of the co-hosts and their guests. The listener quickly discovers the rankings are used not to incite heated arguments but rather as a starting point to spark a positive deep dive into every Beatle song. Put simply, Ranking The Beatles is a welcome addition to the Beatle podcast universe.

spazaru

Required listening if you like The Beatles at all. Great guests every week and Jonathan and Julia are fun and genuinely funny (even the tired Mike Love jokes). I listen every Tuesday morning as soon as I wake up. One week around Christmas they took the week off so I just slept the whole week until there was a new episode. It was worth the wait.

finfan64

Nice to see a truly excellent new Beatles podcast. This one is hosted by a very appealing young couple, who along with their well selected guests, have a winning combination of professional musical knowledge and the enthusiasm of fans. It’s an interesting format that by definition promises to only get better as it goes along. If they can make the “Only a Northern Song” episode good then they’re unstoppable

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