New Lens Series: Beatles go-to journalist Ray Connolly on his time with Lennon, Ono and McCartney

Explicit content warning

03/25/21 • 167 min

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A wide-ranging discussion with British journalist Ray Connolly, who has the distinction of being friendly with both Lennon and McCartney in the 60s and 70s. Ray spent significant time with the Lennons from 1968 until 1980. He is a true insider, someone so deeply involved with the Beatles that he almost is a character in their story. Diana and Ray discuss a number of topics including Lennon/Ono's relationship, The Breakup, Paul and Linda McCartney, The Lost Weekend, and the Lennon/McCartney partnership. Ray is the author of many books including Being John Lennon: A Restless Life, The Ray Connolly Beatles Archive, and Sorry, Boys, You Failed The Audition. Most recently he wrote a radio play called Devoted, about his experience with Covid. DEVOTED: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000td1b https://www.rayconnolly.co.uk/books/ Support the show
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New Lens Series: RAM Engineer Eirik Wangberg on being in the studio with Paul and Linda

This is a multi-part episode that celebrates Paul and Linda McCartney's brilliant and influential album RAM. In part one, Diana talks to Eirik "The Norwegian" Wangberg, the engineer that spent two months alone in a studio with Paul McCartney during the making of RAM. Wangberg's access put him in a unique position as observer and collaborator and he not only paints a vivid picture of Paul and Linda at that time but he provides additional dimension to Paul as an artist. Few people have the ability to provide this kind of insight given the insularity of Paul and Linda McCartney in 1971 so it was a treat to speak to the charming Norwegian. Wangberg was also able to comment on the creation of the album itself as he wore many hats in its construction, ultimately selecting, sequencing, and mixing the songs on RAM. Support the show
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Next Episode

New Lens Series. Revisiting RAM—McCartney's Eccentric Masterpiece (pt 1). With Duncan Driver

In this epic two-part journey from the wilds of Scotland to the sky-scrapers of Manhattan, Diana and Duncan fly above the maddening crowd of rock reviewers in celebration of Paul and Linda McCartney’s RAM. In Part A, they explore the cultural context of the album’s origin and reception and puzzle over why this ambitious, eccentric and distinctive masterpiece remains overlooked by many. They also amble (with their dogs) along the album’s first three hill-like songs, a luxuriant experience to be continued in the meadow of Part B. Support the show
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