Colin Hall & Bob Harris

A Sunday evening at The Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke in the company of Colin Hall and Bob Harris was attended by an absorbed audience gathered to listen to a neglected component of the wider Beatles story … the songs the Beatles gave away.

Our hosts first collaborated in 2007 on the BBC radio programme “The Day John Met Paul” which won a Sony award and then prompted a further programme “The Songs The Beatles Gave Away” which in turn prompted this speaking tour and a book of the same name. Colin Hall, for the last 20 years, custodian of Mendips, author and music journalist recounted the story of the songs and artists that were gifted compositions by Lennon, McCartney and Harrison during the span of the Beatles career. Broadcasting legend “Whispering” Bob Harris navigated the story as well as contributing his own invaluable take of the music and the artists. The narrative was punctuated by the playing of many of the songs discussed and demonstrated just how varied the compositions were and how far they progressed in musical ambition from the very earliest Beatles rejections to soundtrack contributions.

The show includes a healthy serving of humour as well as a couple of audience participation instances for which the Basingstoke audience did more than a fair job. It was enlightening to hear Colin and Bob recount their meetings with the Beatles and in particular Bob’s landmark interview with John for the ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ in 1975.

The evening was a comfortable stroll with some familiar landmarks along the way and perhaps more appropriately suited to the more casual fan than the die-hard it was nevertheless an enjoyable trip.

By Gwyn Jenkins.