[Len Upton]

Yes, Jung those blogs in Hamburg are a real delight to watch, especially with our favourite trip leaders. Informed commentary in combination with actual locations makes for a really informative travelogue. I laughed out loud when Mona and Lisa slipped down the alley way to pose in the doorway where John Lennon’s Rock n’ Roll album cover picture was taken so long ago.

All of this would, of course, be impossible without the technical assistance of Rudi and Michaela. Especially Rudi and his favourite toy, the drone camera, with which he has become quite expert . This began long ago with Don’t Know Birds That Well, and continues more recently with Song Bird, and the comical retrieval of the lost drone during the filming of Song Bird.

There are already lots of blogs from in and around Liverpool, but I’d be more than happy to go along for the ride if Mona and Lisa wanted to take us around to what has become “their” Liverpool. We know they are adventurous, hiking, running marathons, sky diving etc, not to mention Mersey Side music. Let’s go! assuming we can keep up.

[Len Upton]

This is getting out of control, people. What’s Goin’ On? (Marvin Gaye)

[Len Upton]

Here’s a couple from the pen of John Sebastien:

Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind? And, of course, Do You Believe In Magic?

I’m sure Mr. Einstein would have an opinion about both of those questions.

[Len Upton]

So Jung, and interested others: Quite awhile ago, I came to the conclusion that MLT (along with with the resident techno Papa Rudi), were not only excellent creators of original material, but that they are also capable of parody and satire in a most subtle way. So, too were the Beatles in their own way. Back In The U.S.S.R ,and Harrison’s psychedelic It’s All Too Much, for example.

But keeping to the topic, first of all, the title is much too close to I Want To Hold Your Hand to be just a coincidence. Then, the MonaLisa Twins, take us straight back to the middle nineteen sixties with a Pop Art tour de force that particularly resonates with the style and work of Roy Lichtenstein. Wham! Bang! Crash! etc. Too much fun! Other Pop artists of the day included the legendary Andy Warhol, and Jasper Johns.

But here’s another little angle and coincidence that Mona and Lisa may not know. An early proponent of Pop Art was Eduardo Paolozzi, born in Edinburgh of Italian parents, died 2005, and who taught for two years at the University Of Fine Art in Hamburg. In 1961 he taught Stu Sutcliffe for a short time. Sutcliffe, as many will know, was a close friend of John Lennon, and played bass with the Beatles in Hamburg. He then went on to become closely associated with photographer Astrid Kircherr before tragically dying of a brain hemorrhage. After that, Paul McCartney played bass in the band.

Just to finish with my original premise: Let me suggest that the girl group in Questionable is of one part MLT, one part Amy Winehouse, and one part The Ronettes. What further surprises are in store do you suppose, as we await further releases from this small but mighty cottage industry?

[Len Upton]

Sometimes the obvious is staring straight back at us on our television screens. Men make war, women do not!

MLT, Adele, Streisand, King, Krall, Springfield, Odetta, Simone, Ross, Black, Warwick, Nicks, Mitchell, Franklin, Kidjo, Ono, Sainte-Marie, Baez, Turner, Faltskog, Joplin…..

[Len Upton]

Hi there Fred, and yes, now that you’re down the MLT rabbit hole, you will find much to enjoy. Not only is there Mona and Lisa, but also unexpected contributions by club members, such as music clips, and even mini essays.

Given that you’re from Holland, I’d like to flag a Dutch band that it seems to me you must already know about. I see that Deidre D. has already asked Mona and Lisa about them in the December Summary Q & A. If you’re seriously interested in The Beatles, you and anyone reading this should investigate The Analogues. They are from Amsterdam, and are devoted to recreating the last five Beatle albums, that were never performed live. The Analogues have, from what I can tell, performed primarily in Holland, Germany, London, and Beatles Week in Liverpool. They are not your average tribute band! Sargent Pepper, and the White Album are standouts.

Again, welcome, and have fun!