#93 – Honey Pie with Dr. Christine Feldman-Barrett, author (A Women’s History of the Beatles, The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Record Store)

Much has been discussed of Paul McCartney’s love of what John Lennon called “granny music.” The music of his parents’ generation, British Music Hall, Vaudeville, Tin Pan Alley…you know the genre…the stuff Lennon loved to complain about when it came from Paul, but seemingly had no problem with his favorite group, Nilsson, whos stock and trade was the song tradition rooted in that era. Paul, however, loved, and still loves, music and art from that time. It gives him a chance to embody the character pieces he so easily writes, putting himself in the shoes of Fred Astaire and getting to pretend he’s someone other than Paul McCartney. Honey Pie also has roots in trad jazz, and Lennon obviously knew a thing or two because he pulls off a spot-on Django Reinhardt impression on his guitar solo. Personally, I love this side of Paul, “Honey Pie,” “You Gave Me The Answer,” “Martha My Dear,” I’ll take it all!

Returning to the show this week is the always wonderful Dr. Christine Feldman-Barrett, author of the brilliant book ⁠A Women’s History of the Beatles⁠ and the newly released “⁠The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Record Store⁠.” She joins us from all the way across the world in Brisbane where we chat about appreciating legacy artists in all their eras, what record stores mean to her, the cyclical nature of culture, and an exciting round of Beatles trivia! Be sure to pick up a copy of her book at the links above or anywhere you get good books!