Hard To Find Records Presents:
THE BEATLES
THE BEATLES
THE BEATLES ARE THE CAMP FAMILY
PUTTING THE WESTERN BACK INTO THE COUNTRY.
Old Beatles Joke: In 1973, Ringo enjoyed several hit records. In 1974 he bought
some more and enjoyed those too.
But in 1975….one of the
most popular groups in the world, The Beatles, attempted to bury their
differences and reunited for one last time together in those famous studios at Abbey
Road
They laid down the fourteen tracks for their final, and some would
argue, least popular album ‘The Camp Family
It’s easy to be cutting in retrospect but it’s fair to say that it
wasn’t the most inspired idea they’d ever had. This LP became about as popular
as mozerella left for several days on the back seat of a Skoda in the Sahara
Unsurprisingly it was Paul who was most enthusiastic about the new
album. Temporarily disbanding his ‘supergroup’ Wings for a long weekend, in
order to spend some quality time with boy friend John, it was he who suggested
a camping trip to the Blue Ridged Mountains of Virginia inspired by his
enjoyment of some episodes of ‘The Virginian’ he’d watched with his long term
spouse, Linda, in between recording sessions for the ‘Venus and Mars’ long
player.
In later interviews he explained his decision in his endearingly
thick scouse accent: ‘I watched some episodes of The Virginian with Linda which
inspired me.’
In a state of excitement he had telephoned John and was encouraged
by his confession that he had now become hopelessly addicted to Marlboro
Cigarettes and would love to, as he put it, ‘Come to Marlboro country, come to
where the flavour is.’
By now both men were thoroughly stimulated and determined to
reunite the greatest band ever to come from Woolton. Summoning George and Ringo
by rubbing their magic lamps, in a puff, all four decamped from England only to
set up camp in the vicinity of the aforementioned mountains at a place called
‘Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet’ with only the hard earth for a bed and the light of
flickering candles to compose by.
Paul instantly conjured up an exciting title for their new Magnus
Opus: ‘The Virginian’. However, John – somewhat reasonably – suggested that
this title had already been used and proffered ‘Marlboro County
Latterly, in interviews, Paul explained the dilemma in his
charmingly broad scouse accent: ‘I suggested ‘The Virginian’, but John said
that was shit.’
Things looked grim, but ever the peace maker, George quickly
stepped up to the plate. ‘Gee guys,’ he proffered, ‘like, we’re a family and
we’re camping. How about ‘The Camp Family
Creating the record, as is well documented, was far from easy, as
they were constantly and incessantly interrupted by Ringo. ‘I like my beans
with ketchup, George, how come we ain’t got no ketchup?’
‘Christ!’ exploded George, ‘Whatever we ain’t got, that’s what you
want! I could live my life so easy if it wasn’t for you! What’s that you got
there? Is it another mouse? Give it to me! I’m a throwin’ it into that there
brush! I ain’t doing it for meanness, that mouse ain’t fresh!’
‘Tell me about the rabbits, George.’
John and Paul knew they were up against it. The first two tunes
‘No Ketchup on my Beans Blues’ and ‘Mouse Ain’t Coming Home’ were complete non
starters musically speaking. But by an astounding stroke of luck, in the very
next tent to theirs, was none other than Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Willy
Nelson. The rest, as they say, is history. If you want to know any more, look
it up on Wikipedia for Christ’s sake.
Released on the budget K Tel record label, ‘The Beatles are The
Camp Family’ bombed, selling less well than the Buttoneer and Brushomatic. It
was propping up the bargain bins next to the pick n mix in Woolworths just in
time for Christmas.
Ironically it is now as rare as Woolworths, Buttoneers and
Brushomatics. If you see one, post it to me, will you? Thanks.
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