More new episodes are coming soon, but today Tony and TJ have pressed a limited edition light green vinyl of another classic episode exclusively for their top fans on Spotify. Personally curated by Producer Casey, the fresh remix and remaster of Discovering the Beatles features an A-List assortment of musical moments and nostalgic needle drops. A limited quantity is available for this offer - while supplies last - so act quickly! [FROM JULY 2020] TJ and Tony take their long and rambling road down memory lane, reminiscing about discovering the Fab Four for the first time, with detours to Grease, Webster and NBC-era Letterman.  Shout-outs to Pear Records, Denny Dent and Valerie Harper. Fact cheque please: D.A. Pennebaker not Pennemaker, Sherman Hemsley not Helmsley. Special "She's So Heavy" style edit courtesy of Zoom.   LINKS: This week's Pandora playlist We want to hear all about your Fab Firsts on Facebook Help the show! Leave us a review or subscribe anywhere you get podcasts

The guys go all Dave Dexter this week, issuing a remixed, remastered, special deluxe vinyl edition of their August 2020 deep dish into the Help! LP. More music, more goofs, maybe a little extra reverb, but always the same classic Tony and TJ tangents. [FROM AUGUST 2020] For the 55th anniversary of the Help! album, TJ and Tony go track by track, offering hot takes on Maureen Cleave and a cautionary tale for prospective buyers of the Back to the Future III soundtrack. LINKS: Listen to this week's Pandora playlist Help! our fine show, and leave us a review or subscribe anywhere you get podcasts Shout at us and let us know what you want to hear on our Facebook page

It seems almost unfathomable, but this past week would’ve been George Harrison’s 78th birthday, almost 20 years after his body exited the material world. In honor of that melancholy milestone, Tony & T.J. do a deep dish into his last album of new material, 2002’s Brainwashed; much of which was recorded as George knew he was dying. It’s a poignant, beautiful record, which gets its proper due here, but of course doesn’t stop the Untitled Duo from their usual insane diversions; including, but not limited to: The not-so Quiet Beatle taking on those perpetual #prannies, Oasis Thinkin' about girls at church  The Grammys' favorite band (and #prannies favorite band, too): Toto And, a hot take on blues legend Robert Cray: COVID denier? (Disclaimer: he’s not. Unless he is. Oh shit is he?)  LINKS: Check out this week's Pandora playlist Subscribe here, or anywhere you get your podcasts Share your favorite George tunes and memories on Facebook. Have a second to help the show? Tell all your friends, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

This week, Tony and TJ hop in their time machine to revisit some of the earliest proto-Beatles (pre-Ringo!) recordings: The Decca Auditions. Never officially released—you can find them all on YouTube, or if you're lucky, a Japanese import CD—these tapes capture the band at their most raw. Things to look forward to: The guys get... a little punchy The Fab Three get a little nervous for the big audition Poor Pete Best gets the Charlie Brown treatment (why's everybody always pickin' on him?) Tony gets a lesson in British proper noun pronunciation And TJ (spoiler alert?) finds a way to tie it all back to musical theater and 80s sitcoms. We'd like to say "thank you" on behalf of the show and ourselves, and we hope we passed the audition.   LINKS Check out this week's Pandora playlist Subscribe here, or anywhere you get your podcasts Pete's the best Beatle drummer. Change our minds on Facebook. Like what you're hearing? Do us a solid and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Love is in the air, and for Tony, TJ, and the Fab Four, it's more than just holding hands. This Valentine's Day, the guys present some of their favorite Beatles love songs. Not the 1977 Love Songs compilation; not the 2006 Cirque du Soleil soundtrack. They cut straight to the good stuff. We're talking: Romantic and carnal love (content warning: the F word gets some action here) Freudian mother-lover mashups Chili dogs outside the Tastee Freez And just maybe an unexpected wild card or two LINKS: This week's Pandora playlist Subscribe here, or anywhere you get your podcasts What'd we miss? Yell at us on Facebook.

The gang continues its exploration of the early U.S. Capitol Records releases, this week covering the covers-heavy Beatles' Second Album. Tony owns up to his early underestimation of this classic TJ goes to bat for his official Fifth Beatle Bryan Adams brings his piano to your mom's porch And we think we've maybe stumbled upon the next great (grown-ups only) classic rock radio format, just in case this whole podcast thing doesn't pan out Apologies in advance to the City of Sacramento, and those who are sensitive to explicit language. LINKS: Enjoy this week’s Pandora playlist Let us know what you think on Facebook Subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts

    For this week's show, Tony and TJ blast their current favorite Fab Four solo tracks into the side of a mountain for everyone to see and hear. It's a long and meandering drive to the Black Hills of South Dakota, but along the way: We learn about Tony's irrational love for a wailin' saxophone and his irrational fear of a pie in the face TJ reveals just how too-much he knows about ill-conceived sitcom spin-offs And we make a pit stop for a taste of George Harrison's favorite Indian carryout. Hear this week's picks on our Pandora playlist.   Enjoying the podcast? Tell a friend! Subscribe! Find us on Facebook and tell us what you think!

This week TJ and Tony dust off their "Sneak Previews" sweaters to review the cult classic Caveman, starring Ringo Starr. Is this difficult-to-stream comedy superior to A Hard Day's Night? Is this hard-to-watch romp more enjoyable than Two Virgins? Is it better than a stag film shown in a small room at Beatlefest 81? In this spoiler-laden assessment, the Tangential Two wax nostalgic about the golden era of NBC's Thursday night line-up, Ribbie and Roobarb, and a pre-Fox television landscape. Meanwhile, R.E.M. finds their way within blowtorch range of a Barenaked Ladies/They Might Be Giants hot take. Plus TJ and Tony dream of turning this celluloid oddity into a cruise ship musical that's sure to win a coveted "Code Oscar." See you at the movies!

As a bonus podcast, we have an excerpt from Twitch & Shout on the Chicago4Real Twitch Channel, in which TJ and Tony acknowledge the passing of legendary murderer and record producer Phil Spector. They discuss his connection to the Fab Four and the complications of assessing the artistic work of a convicted killer.  Plus an excerpt from I Dream of Jeannie! This was originally broadcast on January 18, 2021.

To brighten up this winter of discontent, the Untitled Beatles Podcast resurrects a buried American classic, the Fab Four's Capitol debut Meet The Beatles. TJ and Tony will get geeky and soapboxy about mixes and pressings (as everyone knows "T" stands for "Mono") while expressing their love for this unstreamable masterpiece. Meanwhile, TJ confuses Porgy and Bess with Toto, and Tony confuses a Music Man tune with a groan-inducing improv warm up game. Plus a few Star Wars references fall off the truck. Our producer Casey Baker made a playlist of the original album made from the most recent mixes available, as Dave Dexter would NOT have intended. Enjoy that on Pandora and YouTube.

Is the latest in the McCartney trilogy his best? Only the Untitled Beatles Podcast knows... While TJ's fractured arm continues to mend, he and Tony have the rare treat of reviewing a brand new album from a living Beatle, 2020's McCartney III. They touch on life during "Rockdown," friendly differences in musical taste (Black Keys vs. Blues Explosion), and speculate about members of Wings as Fat Albert characters. For Chicagophiles, TJ’s “Angry Chicago Jagoff” character makes a return, and they pay a brief tribute to investigative journalist Pam Zekman. Get deep down on this deep deep dish!    

While TJ mends a newly fractured arm, the Untitled Beatles Podcast explores Sir Paul’s strangest record, 1980’s McCartney II. What this episode lacks in live piano accompaniment, it makes up for in analog synthesizers and bonehead needle drops, as TJ and Tony do battle over "Temporary Secretary," "On The Way," and "Front Parlour." Other bouts include TLC vs En Vogue and ET vs M&Ms. By the end of this unnecessary special edition, you'll know which kind of retail sandwich this album most resembles. Check your machine!

The first in a series of the Untitled Beatles Podcast’s exploration of the “McCartney” albums kicks off with the cute one’s 1970 solo debut. TJ and Tony make a case for its greatness and its weakness in the context of other solo Beatle ventures that year while revealing which Breakfast Club members they most identified with. Also, what if Lady Madonna and The Fool On The Hill had made it? Meanwhile a random Joe Jackson reference unwittingly unlocks a turbulent used car memory for Tony in the California desert of the 90s, and TJ ponders an incontinent Rocky Raccoon. It should also be noted that Don Mattingly bats left/throws left. Q: Is this a Beatles podcast or Gen X pop culture therapy? A: It's both.

Picking up where they left off, the Tangential Two cherry pick their favorite moments and quirks from Revolver to Let It Be, and including Past Masters. Spoiler: Tony likes it when Beatles scream and lions supposedly roar. Along the way they reveal "Beatle insiders" shorthand, explore deep Brady Bunch, and connect the “ying” and yang of cruise ship spas and rodeo rap-rock.  Plus more fun needle drops and Beatle drips. This podcast originally came with a 24-page full color picture book, but is now covered up by an ugly purple bar.  

From squeaky bass drum pedals to orgasmic yeahs, TJ and Tony divulge their favorite moments and quirks from the Beatles recorded catalog, covering Please, Please Me to Rubber Soul. Along the way, TJ tells us what life was like when Benson was on television while Tony ponders what we may hear on future Beatle reissues.  Hopefully this episode will secure the Untitled Beatles Podcast a slot on MeTV Radio...or at least make their bone phones ring.  

A bonus podcast recorded on the 40th anniversary of John Lennon's death. Broadcasted live on Chicago 4 Real on twitch, TJ and Tony celebrate John Winston Ono Lennon, with lots of visual references you will just have to Imagine. Heads up: Audio is as is and Tony comes in loud. Long live Long John

It's the 50th anniversary of TJ and Tony's favorite solo Beatle LP, John Lennon's 1970 LP Plastic Ono Band. While we wait for the Ultimate Mixes, the tangential two discuss the minutiae of this deceptively simple record. Like classic male improvisers, TJ and Tony honor Lennon’s most personal, open wound of an album by deflecting from their own emotions with bits and pop culture references to Huey Lewis, Chuck Biscuits, backward baseball caps, and Toni Basil. Meanwhile, Tony confuses Curly Sue with Beethoven. It's enough to make you seek primal scream therapy.    

It's part two of TJ and Tony's deep dish on George Harrison's greatest solo set, All Things Must Pass. Everyone's favorite "B+ Beatles fans" celebrate sides 3-6, while dawging on Allen and Betty Klein & Company,  because their perfunkt had a three on it.  Like an unnecessary LP of general jamming, Tony reveals his favorite minor league baseball player name and why Anne Murray terrified him as a child. You're welcome for the pepperoni!

George Harrison's six-sided, 2/3 masterpiece All Things Must Pass is celebrated in true Untitled Beatles Podcast fashion, with fun facts, recycled bits and enough giggles to fill a superfluous third LP. In the first of a two-part series, TJ and Tony discuss the quiet Beatle's greatest work, even though Phil Spector's production gives Tony a "wah wah." Fab tangents include record stores, grocery stores and dollar stores. Plus, TJ revives an old favorite from his time at Harand Camp. Settle in for a podcast of mountain tops and vast digressions.

It's time to serve up a deep dish of The Beatles most colorful LP with a b/w cover. In this episode, TJ and Tony talk ADT, LSD, Geoff Emerick recording techniques, and the Alan Civil War. Plus diversions into the goth Lennon & McCartney, Rupert the Bear, The Frogs, and the Soul Train Scramble Board. Revolver's track-by-track musings come augmented with enough collector scum needle drops to power a small, fab village, including a sample of their favorite punching bag, 60s Capitol Records honcho Dave Dexter. Turn off your mind, relax and float tangentially.

It's election month in the US and the Untitled Beatles Podcast is cautiously optimistic. After paying lip service to the recently released John Lennon Gimme Some Truth Ultimate Mixes, TJ and Tony delve into the political songs of The Beatles and their solo work, with the occasional zoom glitch and personal political view expressed. Q-flakes beware! Plus, TJ opens up about his Marshall Crenshaw support circle, and at long last one of the UBP off-topic tangents spawns an important social justice movement. Lookin' at you, U2...

The 45 rpm single is a many-splendored thing. A souped-up hot rod, a calming salve, a flop on the plug-side, a bullet on the flip. Of the 22 singles in the official Beatles canon, TJ and Tony each pick their three favorite, with a few honorable mentions and curiosities addressed. Also, Tony teases a new musical, TJ tests the waters of Kennedy jokes in the 21st century, and there are enough Gen X references to power a small city.* *built on rock n roll Plus all your favorite schtickbits (comedy fishsticks)...repeated!

In this thrilling conclusion, TJ and Tony dive deep and goofy into discs 3 and 4 of the John Lennon Anthology, in honor of what would have been his 80th birthday. Special diversions into Cats! ("now and forever") and klezmer Beatle music loom. Plus TJ and Tony pour gasoline on the Q-Beatle Bernard Purdie conspiracy theory. Also in this week's edition of Star Maps to Star Homes, TJ reveals the precise location of Webster's Chicago brownstone. Yes, these episodes have been getting longer - due in part to a slew of tasty, unYouTube-able needle drops - and also John Lennon is worth it. Happy 80th, wherever you are!  

In honor of what would have been John Lennon's 80th birthday, TJ and Tony explore the out-of-print John Lennon Anthology. While combing thru the first two discs, they opine about Rolling Stone's new and improved Top 500 albums of all time, explore the quirks of 1's and 3's vs. 2's and 4's, and disagree about a popular 80s sitcom theme. Also, they finally (reluctantly) get around to addressing Lennon's most controversial single. Plus shout outs to Nicky Hopkins, The Cyrkle, and Uncle Floyd. It's the first of a two-parter if you believe the clickbait at the end.

TJ and Tony praise the comedic and musical genius of The Rutles, with about a trailer’s worth of spoilers. This episode is chockful of chuckles (and chug-a-lugs) honoring Eric Idle and Neil Innes’ pre-fab spamsterpiece. Along the way, they talk Chainsaw & Dave, autographed long boxes, and the merits of Grease 2. Plus, TJ pinpoints the moment Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band “jumped the sharrk.” And it’s the debut of TJ & Tony’s Fife & Jam Band, The Fools on Hill. Occasional glitches brought to you by Zoom (free account).

TJ and Tony explore Macca’s very solo Nigel Godrich produced 2005 album, including B-sides, his collaboration with George Michael and the BBC special filmed live at Abbey Road. Scattered throughout, Tony talks of teenage revenge against Joe Piscopo, TJ pops off on John Popper, and several cultural clashes are  addressed: Huddle House vs. Luby's Cafeteria, Fannie May Meltaways vs. Frango Mints, and Condos vs. Bongs.  Plus, TJ and Tony talk Beatles-as-travel-anxiety-salve, and are peer-pressured into divulging their top 3 Macca solo records...at least their favorites on that particular day.

In this episode of Pizza Talk, TJ and Tony get acrobatically off-topic trying to discuss The Beatles collaboration with Cirque de Soleil. It contains 101 local Chicago references. We think this episode will sell a lot of tickets for the Vegas show.

Pills, Punk, and Knuckle-Dusters! This week TJ and Tony zip, zap and zop through the long out-of-print collection of lo-fi recordings of the Fab Four in Hamburg. Also, TJ tries out both his sexy voice and his creepy voice (it’s two different voices) while Tony dogs on Ferris Bueller. And they accidentally do a Harold...we think. Get out your Grundig reel-to-reel tape recorder and bootleg this episode. It could be worth something someday!

For the 55th anniversary of the Help! album, TJ and Tony go track by track, offering hot takes on Maureen Cleave and a cautionary tale for prospective buyers of the Back to the Future III soundtrack. While Tony provides eagle-eared recording trivia yet fails to discern the difference between the Hofner and Hohner musical instrument companies, TJ speaks to the wonders of a new miracle drug called NUJV. They also ponder the placement of Matchbox 20 on the Mt. Rushmore of Rock while doing their best not to get “PJ Probied.”

This week TJ and Tony grapple with the permutations of the Fab Thirteen post-breakup compilations - from the "Red & Blue" LPs to the Tomorrow Never Knows iTunes cash grab. TJ takes his case for "Please Please Me" appearing on a greatest hits album to the Supreme Court, while Tony throws down the gauntlet on the "so good" Neil Diamond phenomenon. Plus, ramblings on gas station pizza, the true origins of the fajita and that band LinkedIn Park. Fact cheque: The Outback Steakhouse douchebags were from Florida, not New Jersey. Also, Tony meant "She's A Woman - Take 7", not take 6. Irregardless (that's a word now), file this episode under Rock.

Why listen to a cover of The Beatles when The Beatles version is often the best? Because freedom! TJ and Tony delve into the endless jackpot of Beatle covers, including favorites, flops, and curios. They were unable to review all of them, but they did get to 136 of them. Also, Tony auditions for a rock zine and TJ settles an old score with Judd from Latin school. Please pardon the zoom-related glitches, some occasional sweetening was required. As a token of our appreciation, the Untitled Beatles Podcast has curated a playlist of Beatle covers. Listen here

After a brief tease of their other hit podcast “Talkin’ Prov,” TJ and Tony delve into their favorite solo John Lennon songs. During which, Tony explores therapy for his relationship with Catholicism, and TJ ponders the whereabouts of Vanessa Williams.   Attention linguists: In this episode TJ coins the word “bagpack” while Tony employs the adjective “CD-shaped.” Plus, TJ and Tony swap “getting dosed” stories.   Facked cheque: John Cage beat everyone to the silent punch with “4’33”” in 1952.

What’s the deal with The Beatles in Mono?   Bird chirps and squeak toys? Extra droplets of fab scat? Lattice cut sound pies?   TJ and Tony meander thru the magical minutiae of the Beatles monaural and stereophonic records, with detours into US LP quirks, the creepy Beach Boys, and the Honus Wagner T206 tobacco card of Beatle releases. Plus a snippet of “I’m So Tired (Overdub Track 8).”   Brought to you by Heinz Beans.

For Ringo Starr's 80th birthday, TJ and Tony wax percussive on the bearded drummer who was known to have a Zephyr Zodiac, including favorite Beatle drumming moments and a deep dive into his solo heights and depths. Plus hot supermarket takes from TJ (Jewel vs. Mariano's), and Tony's fascination with pillows continues. Also, what sitcom character would Ringo play? The long and rambling road eventually has most of the answers.

TJ and Tony dissect the fab-themed rom-com “Yesterday” from the perspective of aging Gen X Beatle jerks trying really hard to give it the benefit of the doubt. There will be spoilers, beefs, and the occasional charitable offering.

TJ and Tony profess their love for Sir Paul, celebrating their five favorite post-Beatles McCartney songs while contemplating future nuptials. It's 60+ minutes of fuzzy feels and fuzzy math.

TJ and Tony take their long and rambling road down memory lane, reminiscing about discovering the Fab Four for the first time, with detours to Grease, Webster and NBC-era Letterman.  Shout-outs to Pear Records, Denny Dent and Valerie Harper. Fact cheque please: D.A. Pennebaker not Pennemaker, Sherman Hemsley not Helmsley. Special "She's So Heavy" style edit courtesy of Zoom.

TJ and Tony rattle off their favorite Beatles songs from Live at the BBC Volumes 1 & 2. This week their detours veer around Nina Simone, WKRP and Elvis (both). FACT CHECK PLEASE: We meant to say "anvil" not "cowbell"

Tony turns TJ on...to Yoko Ono's 1973 double-LP Approximately Infinite Universe. They explore the merits of her influence and the complexities of her marriage to John at the time this album was recorded. TJ comes to terms with his disdain for Elephant's Memory, particularly the saxophone, and Tony reveals his least favorite song of all time. Spoiler: it's not by The Beatles (Remember, they like them!)