beatlesque | Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio

A preview by Alan Haber

Roll over, Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news: The world’s most popular Beatlesque foursome, slinging their guitars over their Merseybeat shoulders and bringing the swinging backbeat to the front lines of today’s melodic pop universe, will be spinning and talking about tracks from their forthcoming new album, Studio 2, next Tuesday night, October 18, at 8 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation.

Lefty and Zeek Weekling (aka Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger, respectively), the collective heartbeat of The Weeklings, will be in conversation with me to talk about this amazing long player, presented in glorious monophonic sound, to be released by Jem Records on November 18. Studio 2 is a rocking collection of electrifying big-beat recordings from New Jersey’s fabulous foursome, which also features the pumping performances of Rocky (John Merjave) and Smokestack Weekling (Joe Bellia). Twelve vibrant tracks–seven Lefty and Zeek originals, one Rocky and Zeek co-write, and four rare Lennon-McCartney songs never released by the Beatles–take center stage on this classic platter, one of the very best releases of the year.

Chief songwriters Lefty and Zeek go deep inside the making of Studio 2 with me, giving listeners a virtual backstage tour of their time spent making Beatlesque magic while recording in Abbey Road’s Studio Two; talking about loading their new songs up with Fab “easter eggs,” and telling me how they see The Weeklings’ future unfolding. Plus, I make a rather strong case that I am indeed The Fifth Weekling, despite the possible objections of Little Nicola.

You’ll hear three songs from Studio 2, presented in glorious monophonic sound, including one of the previously unreleased Lennon-McCartney numbers, a smashing uptempo bopper called “You Must Write,” and you’ll hear from Lefty and Zeek about some of the rather ingenious lengths they went to, thereby ensuring that this second album was the very best it could be.

And it is, of course; look for my review soon, and get ready to win a copy of Studio 2. In the meantime, roll up, roll up for a tour of The Weeklings’ new album, being released on November 18 by Jem Records. Join Lefty, Zeek and yours truly for an electrifying hour pounding out the infectious beat on an all-new, rocking edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation. The Beatlesque hits just keep on coming right here on your 24-hour-a-day home for the greatest melodic pop music from the ’60s to today. See you on the radio next Tuesday, October 18 at 8 pm ET!

For this week’s Song of the Week, a fun project we’ve been covering since its inception at the beginning of January, Timmy Sean delivers a sizzling track, recorded at Philadelphia’s Fire Venue and Bar last October–a live, full band version of “There’s No Other Way,” a track from Timmy’s so fine 2010 album, Noisewater.

“There’s No Other Way” is a mid-tempo tune that sounds like a leisurely, melodic slice of heaven that could have come out of the Beatles’ White Album sessions. An enticing chord progression and lead guitar lines that, especially around 2:28, sound quite George Harrison-esque, propel this one into your consciousness. The melody is the usual top-notch specimen that we’ve come to expect from this master of pop and rock forms.

Timmy says: “While I put the final touches on some brand new studio recordings of originals for the next couple weeks, I wanted to drop this one in the ‘ol ‘Song of the Week’ queue.

“…I wanted to feature another live recording from the last time I performed in PA. Back in February I featured an acoustic version of a song from Noisewater, ‘Hold On,’ so here is the opposite–a full-band version of a song that was originally just acoustic and vocals on the album. Recorded this past October at the Fire in Philadelphia, PA, here is ‘There’s No Other Way,’ featuring my east coast line-up of the Celebrities–Frankie Pedano on keys and backup vocals, Michael Vivas on bass, Michael J. Roxx on lead guitar, and John Tiedemann on drums.”

Add Timmy Sean’s live version of “There’s No Other Way” to your collection by clicking here. To get all of Timmy’s music, click here. Highly, so very highly recommended by your friends here at Pure Pop Radio.

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