Joel’s Latest Beatles Course At Stanford’s Continuing Studies: Rubber Soul & Revolver!

I’m excited to announce my next Beatles class offered through our friends at Stanford’s Continuing Studies Program:

MUS 02 The Songwriting of The Beatles: The Experimental Sounds of Rubber Soul and Revolver Fall 2022

Instructor: Dr. Joel Phillip Friedman

Course Date(s): Sept. 28—Oct. 26, Note: No class on October 5

Course Time: Wednesdays, 6:30—8:30 pm (Pacific Time)

Tuition: $315

Registering is EASY. Just click HERE, Registration opens Aug 22, 8:30 am (PT)

Course description: More than 50 years after they exploded onto the music scene, The Beatles still capture our imagination as few groups have. In this course, we will delve into The Beatles’ career, development, and songwriting process through a deep dive into two extraordinary albums, the “bookends” of Rubber Soul and Revolver, which marked the end of the band’s commercially driven era and a transition to a more experimental sound.

Recorded in the fall of 1965 and a decisive step away from Beatlemania, Rubber Soul showcased the band’s growing maturity as songwriters and studio artists. It was also their second complete album of originals after 1964’s A Hard Day’s Night. Steeped in equal parts Bob Dylan, Stax, and Motown soul, Rubber Soul illustrated how pop was rapidly shifting from discrete pop singles to album-length artistic statements. Revolver (1966) was a landmark—arguably their greatest album. With its explosion of influences—psychedelia, American soul, avant-garde European classical/electronic music, Hindustani classical music, and British music hall—Revolver was the album that opened up vast, new artistic spaces and changed rock history. It was also their first album that could not be easily or adequately performed by the band live on stage. The course will include lectures, discussions, and the opportunity to listen closely to individual tracks, as we examine the studio process, equipment, techniques, and songwriting craft that brought these albums to life.

For students who have previously taken this course a few years back, you know Joel, while the structure is the same, some of the content is new!

• Q: If I’m not a Stanford student or I don’t live near Stanford can I take this class?
• A: Absolutely. It is live online and people Stanford, and non-Stanford, from age 20 to 80 register from all over the world. And since it is delivered via Zoom enrollment is not limited like a class room. Every seat is a front row seat.
• Q: I want to take this class but…
  • I can’t on Wednesday nights due to a scheduling conflict
  • I can’t make all 4 sessions
• A: Don’t worry. The classes are recorded and available on our class Canvas site so you can access the recordings any time you want, as often as you want during the rest of the Fall Stanford quarter.
• Q: Will I be able to hear and see what’s going on?
• A: Yes. The audio/video quality of these presentations is terrific and only limited by your technology. It’s recommended that you use headphones or good computer speakers.
• Q: I hear Joel always does a post-class Q&A session. Is that true?
• A: Of course. You know Joel!

as always: A splendid time is guaranteed for all!