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Martin is joined by John Harris, John Simm and The Anchoress, amongst others, to listen to this ground breaking double album with all the behind the scenes stories

How many albums with a plain cover would be immediately recognised across the planet with just the words “The White Album”? A nightmare for the marketing team, but as ever, the ideas and wishes of the Fab Four fifty years ago were way ahead of their time. Respected, award winning actor Martin Freeman is a huge fan of The Beatles 1968 revolutionary work (which John Lennon regarded as their song writing zenith) and will provide enlightening, entertaining and surprising insights into it.
This special celebration will include in depth appreciation by fans, experts and critics.
Martin Freeman and Giles Martin will introduce and explain a sample of never before heard material from the album’s original fabled Esher sessions at George Harrison’s house.
Most importantly it will be a Listening Party for a double album from one of the greatest and most innovative bands of the time – all the original album tracks played, enjoyed and discussed over an afternoon with the finest commentators and contributors.
Back In The USSR is perhaps the greatest album opener. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Blackbird and Good Night undeniably some of the most beautiful songs written in the 1960s and 70s. Revolution 9 would be most people’s first experience of electronic avant-garde experimentation.
With his thirst for knowledge and previous presenting experience on 6 Music and Radio 2, Martin Freeman is keen to dig deep into key tracks and will also hear about the Abbey Road recordings and production sessions with those involved at the time and with the new 2018 mixes.
Martin will look at the turbulent times of 1968 with archive illustrations and look at the era, reflected on the album, when peace and love started to evolve into something different. It was the year of the Apollo 7 beaming back TV pictures from space, Led Zeppelin’s first live gig, The Kink’s Village Green Preservation Society, the new Trojan Record label and a kiss between Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura breaking new ground.

3 hours

Last on

Sun 14 Oct 2018 15:00
BBC Radio 6 Music

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See all episodes from 6 Music Celebrates The White Album

Clips

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Music Played

  • The Beatles

    Back In The U.S.S.R.

  • The Beatles

    Dear Prudence

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 2.

  • The Beatles

    Glass Onion

  • The Beatles

    Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

  • The Beatles

    Wild Honey Pie

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 5.

  • The Beatles

    The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 6.

  • The Beatles

    While My Guitar Gentley Weeps (Esher Demo)

    • The Beatles.
    • Universal.
    • 6.

  • The Beatles

    While My Guitar Gently Weeps

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 7.

  • The Beatles

    Happiness Is A Warm Gun

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 8.

  • The Beatles

    Martha My Dear

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 9.

  • The Beatles

    I'm So Tired

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 10.

  • The Beatles

    Blackbird

    • The Beatles.
    • Apple.
    • 11.

  • The Beatles

    Piggies

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 12.

  • The Beatles

    Rocky Racoon

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 13.

  • The Beatles

    Don't Pass Me By

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 14.

  • The Beatles

    Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 15.

  • The Beatles

    I Will

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 16.

  • The Beatles

    Julia

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 17.

  • The Beatles

    Birthday

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 1.

  • The Beatles

    Yer Blues

  • The Beatles

    Mother Nature's Son

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 3.

  • The Beatles

    Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 4.

  • The Beatles

    Sexy Sadie

    • The White Album.
    • Parlophone.
    • 5.

  • The Beatles

    Helter Skelter

    • Apple.

  • The Beatles

    Long, Long, Long

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 7.

  • The Beatles

    Revolution 1

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 8.

  • Alexander Courage

    Star Trek Theme

  • The Kinks

    Village Green

    • The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society.
    • CASTLE MUSIC.
    • 9.

  • The Rolling Stones

    Sympathy For The Devil

    • The Rolling Stones - Forty Licks.
    • Abkco.

  • The Beatles

    Honey Pie

  • The Beatles

    Savoy Truffle

  • The Beatles

    Cry Baby Cry

    • The White Album.
    • Apple.
    • 11.

  • The Beatles

    Let It Be

    • The Beatles - 1.
    • Apple.
    • 026.

  • The Beatles

    The End (Remixed)

    • The Beatles: Anthology 3 CD2.
    • Apple.
    • 23.

  • The Beatles

    Revolution 9 (2009 Stereo Remaster)

    • The Beatles (The White Album) CD2 (2009 Stereo Remaster).
    • EMI Records Limited.
    • 12.

  • The Beatles

    Good Night

Broadcast

  • Sun 14 Oct 2018 15:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music

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