Aloha - The George Martin Interview

The Aloha album may be familiar to th' Four Or Five Guys©, but the discovery of the original back sleeve design [below - Ed.] shows a different track order, and in addition to re-presenting the album we're delighted to run, for the first time ever, an exclusive interview with "fifth Beatle" George Martin, recorded just prior to its release in 1968, and the Beatles' break-up.

Mr. Martin - as he then was - [left - Ed.] spoke candidly about the inception and intent of what has come to be regarded as the Beatles' finest album in the relaxed ambience of his Knightsbridge mews house.

FMF© Firstly, Mr. Martin, I hope you won't take offence at my not calling you Sir George, on account you're not getting knighted until the end of the century.

GM Good Lord. That long? But do please call me George.

FMF© And secondly, thank you - George - for letting us reproduce the original cover, as an exclusive for th' Isle O' Foam©.

GM It's a beauty, isn't it? The boys wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, as they called it - actually a working title for the album - and the cover reflects that. Quite exceeded everyone's expectations, and makes Sgt. Pepper look a little dull in comparison.

FMF© Can you tell us a little about the genesis of the album?

GM Well, the boys were more than a little hurt by the adverse reaction to the Magical Mystery Tour project -

FMF© [cutting in] Shit movie.

GM [chuckles] That was unfortunately the, ah, consensus of critical opinion! Anyway, the gang had a case of the glums, tails between legs all round, so Ringo suggested, quite brilliantly, he never quite gets credit due, that rather than split up on such a disappointing note - pardon the pun! - they assemble an album from all the contemporary tracks that weren't recorded for a specific Beatles album. The others leapt at the idea. They were at the height of their creative powers, yet had the sense to admit if they didn't split up they ran the very real risk of tarnishing their record - pardon the pun! - with yet more sub-par material. And here was this amazing treasure trove of fabulous songs - some of their greatest - waiting to come together as a fitting envoi to their career! It was, as teenagers are yet to call it, a no-brainer!

FMF© It was also their best-selling album, and regularly tops critics all-time best lists. Jann Wenner [magazine printer - Ed.] said it was "not only the Beatles' greatest and most lasting achievement, but captured the essence of the era like no other work of art in any field."

GM The blaze of glory they deserved! All those number one hit singles! And of course it gave the boys the confidence they needed to launch the new label and their solo careers. [looks at watch] Great Heavens! Is that the time? I'll have to let you go, I'm afraid. I'm due at Television Centre for an interview with T.V.'s Michael Parkinson, for my sins!

 

Our thanks to Mr. Martin for the tea and cakes.