By Steve Marinucci
Published May 2, 1996, San Jose (CA) Mercury News
SO, HOW does your garden grow?
You can find the answer with Sierra On-Line's LandDesigner 3D, a recently released computer CD-ROM program designed for IBM and compatible computers.
The program allows you to input the dimensions of your property and a rough view of your home, then experiment with plants and foliage to see how your ideas will look as they grow over time through the use of a 3-D mode.
Our computer, a 75 MHZ Pentium with Windows 95 and 16 megs RAM, easily surpassed the minimum requirements: 486SX/33MHZ, Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, 8 megabytes RAM and 12 megabtyes of hard drive space, plus a 12-megabyte swap file in memory. However, when installing the program (and in a supplemental text file added to the program), it would allow only a ''minimum'' 20- or a ''typical'' 30-megabyte of hard disk space. That's more room than some people will want to spare. We opted for the minimum, but ended up forced to switch to the bigger installation after the program kept crashing in 3-D mode.
Still, it's an interesting program. After drawing in the house, we added some greenery and flowers that we'd like to see. The musically enhanced 3-D pictures, which we could view through all four seasons, made our designs look colorful and realistic. The program includes more than 30 landscape and garden plans, and more than 2,000 plants. We had the option of even designing a sprinkler system.
All this, of course, comes at a price . . . money, that is, and LandDesigner 3D will even estimate that, too, plus print out your finished design.
If you don't mind giving over a chunk of your hard disk to it, LandDesigner 3D is a useful tool in planning your landscape without getting your hands dirty.
The list price for LandDesigner 3D is $59.95.
Thursday, May 2, 1996
Tuesday, March 19, 1996
"Anthology 2" put Beatles back on track
By Steve Marinucci
Published March 19, 1996 in San Jose (CA) Mercury News
'THE BEATLES Anthology 2'' (Capitol), the group's second archival return to yesterday, goes on sale today. And even Beatles collectors who think they've heard it all will find plenty of new material to rave about.
The set opens on a high note with ''Real Love,'' the second song reconstructed from a John Lennon demo by surviving Beatles Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr and co-producer Jeff Lynne. Released as a single two weeks ago, ''Real Love'' is much better than the first reconstructed song, ''Free As a Bird,'' thanks to some expressive instrumental work by Harrison and Starr. If nothing else, at least it sounds like the Beatles.
What sounds good
Other highlights of the double-CD, double-cassette, three-LP set:
(box) ''I'm Down'': Early track listings had this as the sixth track on the first disc, but it was later moved to third. Why? My guess is that the reason is simple: It's a real rocker that gets the set off to a good start. Unlike Master Take 7, the heavier version that first appeared on the flip side of the ''Help!'' single, this one, Take 1, has more of a '50s feel to it. McCartney's almost reckless vocal fits well, although the track ends cryptically with his comment, ''Plastic soul, man.''
(box) ''Yesterday'': The set features two of the song's milestones, studio Take 1 and its first performance on stage, on the television show ''Blackpool Night Out'' on Aug. 1, 1965. The studio recording, during which McCartney can be heard discussing what to him must have been a still-new chord progression, is done without the string quartet that was added later. It also includes a change in lyrics. McCartney sings, ''There's a shadow hanging over me, I'm not half the man I used to be,'' which reverses the order in which those two lines appear on the familiar version.
The live version (with the string quartet) includes a comic introduction by Harrison that proved to be prophetic. ''And so, for Paul McCartney of Liverpool, opportunity knocks.'' How true. ''Yesterday'' is Lennon and McCartney's most enduring composition.
(box) ''Got To Get You Into My Life'': Take 5, a lighter and completely different arrangement than the released version heard in Take 9, is propelled by McCartney's soulfully buoyant vocal. One of the biggest surprises and most enjoyable tracks in the set.
(box) ''You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)'': One of the group's most unusual songs becomes even more so with the addition of a two-minute section of Lennon vocals, which also appears here in its first-ever stereo version. The song marks one of the times the Beatles took their music less than seriously.
(box) ''I Am the Walrus'': A bare-bones version, just the Beatles playing with no chorus or sound effects.
(box) ''And Your Bird Can Sing'': In Take 2, included here, Lennon and McCartney erupt in a fit of unexplained giggling.
(box) ''Penny Lane'': Not much difference - until the instrumental break when oboes replace the usual horns. The ending restores the trumpet riff heard on the original promotional single and includes some unheard dialogue.
(box) ''A Day in the Life'': An intriguing composite of unreleased takes that includes John's count-in to the rhythm of ''sugar plum fairy, sugar plum fairy'' and Paul's muttered expletive when he forgets the lyrics in his ''woke up, fell out of bed'' segment of the song.
What doesn't sound good
A few songs in the set don't work. ''If You've Got Trouble'' and ''That Means a Lot,'' which follow each other on disc one, are two of Lennon and McCartney's most embarrassing songs. And (like some of the other tracks on ''Anthology 2'') the version of ''Yes It Is'' here was created by joining pieces of takes - in this case, Take 2, which broke down before the end, with the tone pedal guitar and three-part harmony ending from the version eventually released, Take 14. When the two parts don't fit, as here, the effect is jarring.
Generally, though, ''The Beatles Anthology 2'' is a much more interesting and enjoyable experience than ''Anthology 1,'' which was marred by sub-par quality recordings and interview segments. Collections such as this - tracks that weren't meant to be released - are always a risky proposition, especially for the casual listener. Fortunately, most of the tracks here have a charm that should stand up to repeated listenings.
KEYWORDS: MUSIC REVIEW
Published March 19, 1996 in San Jose (CA) Mercury News
'THE BEATLES Anthology 2'' (Capitol), the group's second archival return to yesterday, goes on sale today. And even Beatles collectors who think they've heard it all will find plenty of new material to rave about.
The set opens on a high note with ''Real Love,'' the second song reconstructed from a John Lennon demo by surviving Beatles Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr and co-producer Jeff Lynne. Released as a single two weeks ago, ''Real Love'' is much better than the first reconstructed song, ''Free As a Bird,'' thanks to some expressive instrumental work by Harrison and Starr. If nothing else, at least it sounds like the Beatles.
What sounds good
Other highlights of the double-CD, double-cassette, three-LP set:
(box) ''I'm Down'': Early track listings had this as the sixth track on the first disc, but it was later moved to third. Why? My guess is that the reason is simple: It's a real rocker that gets the set off to a good start. Unlike Master Take 7, the heavier version that first appeared on the flip side of the ''Help!'' single, this one, Take 1, has more of a '50s feel to it. McCartney's almost reckless vocal fits well, although the track ends cryptically with his comment, ''Plastic soul, man.''
(box) ''Yesterday'': The set features two of the song's milestones, studio Take 1 and its first performance on stage, on the television show ''Blackpool Night Out'' on Aug. 1, 1965. The studio recording, during which McCartney can be heard discussing what to him must have been a still-new chord progression, is done without the string quartet that was added later. It also includes a change in lyrics. McCartney sings, ''There's a shadow hanging over me, I'm not half the man I used to be,'' which reverses the order in which those two lines appear on the familiar version.
The live version (with the string quartet) includes a comic introduction by Harrison that proved to be prophetic. ''And so, for Paul McCartney of Liverpool, opportunity knocks.'' How true. ''Yesterday'' is Lennon and McCartney's most enduring composition.
(box) ''Got To Get You Into My Life'': Take 5, a lighter and completely different arrangement than the released version heard in Take 9, is propelled by McCartney's soulfully buoyant vocal. One of the biggest surprises and most enjoyable tracks in the set.
(box) ''You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)'': One of the group's most unusual songs becomes even more so with the addition of a two-minute section of Lennon vocals, which also appears here in its first-ever stereo version. The song marks one of the times the Beatles took their music less than seriously.
(box) ''I Am the Walrus'': A bare-bones version, just the Beatles playing with no chorus or sound effects.
(box) ''And Your Bird Can Sing'': In Take 2, included here, Lennon and McCartney erupt in a fit of unexplained giggling.
(box) ''Penny Lane'': Not much difference - until the instrumental break when oboes replace the usual horns. The ending restores the trumpet riff heard on the original promotional single and includes some unheard dialogue.
(box) ''A Day in the Life'': An intriguing composite of unreleased takes that includes John's count-in to the rhythm of ''sugar plum fairy, sugar plum fairy'' and Paul's muttered expletive when he forgets the lyrics in his ''woke up, fell out of bed'' segment of the song.
What doesn't sound good
A few songs in the set don't work. ''If You've Got Trouble'' and ''That Means a Lot,'' which follow each other on disc one, are two of Lennon and McCartney's most embarrassing songs. And (like some of the other tracks on ''Anthology 2'') the version of ''Yes It Is'' here was created by joining pieces of takes - in this case, Take 2, which broke down before the end, with the tone pedal guitar and three-part harmony ending from the version eventually released, Take 14. When the two parts don't fit, as here, the effect is jarring.
Generally, though, ''The Beatles Anthology 2'' is a much more interesting and enjoyable experience than ''Anthology 1,'' which was marred by sub-par quality recordings and interview segments. Collections such as this - tracks that weren't meant to be released - are always a risky proposition, especially for the casual listener. Fortunately, most of the tracks here have a charm that should stand up to repeated listenings.
KEYWORDS: MUSIC REVIEW
Tuesday, March 5, 1996
Beatle fans find "Real Love" today
By Steve Marinucci
Published March 5, 1996, San Jose (CA) Mercury News
BEATLE fans get a belated Valentine's Day gift when ''Real Love,'' the second new Beatles song assembled from a John Lennon demo, hits record stores today as the lead track on the group's latest CD single.
''Real Love'' is free of the overproduction that cluttered ''Free As a Bird,'' the first song used from the tapes provided by Yoko Ono. Both were premiered during ''The Beatles Anthology'' telecast in November.
The song includes Ringo Starr's simple but very effective drum fills and George Harrison's soaring slide guitar, which really takes off. Paul McCartney, Harrison, Starr and Jeff Lynne, all listed as producers of the track, have done a marvelous job in transforming Lennon's slightly dour demo, which has been circulating on the Internet and among collectors, into a wonderfully upbeat track.
The song will also be included on the upcoming ''The Beatles Anthology 2,'' due March 19.
Other songs on the four-track single, none of which will be included on ''The Beatles Anthology 2'':
(box) ''Baby's in Black'': This version, recorded live, was taken from two successive nights of 1965 concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. The introduction, in which Lennon, displaying his usual irreverent stage demeanor, calls the song, ''a waltz for all of you people over 10,'' comes from the first night; the song, in gorgeous stereo, from the second.
(box)''Yellow Submarine'': A remix of the master that fades in with a charming, never-before-heard 15-second portion (cut down from about 30 seconds, according to Beatle historian Mark Lewisohn) of a spoken introduction by Ringo. ''And we will march to free the day to see them gathered there, from Land O'Groats to John O'Green, from Stepney to Utrecht, to see a yellow submarine. We love it,'' he says to the accompaniment of marching feet before the song begins. Too bad the whole spoken intro couldn't be included.
The song itself has been remixed to bring up more sound effects, especially the submarine noises.
(box) ''Here, There and Everywhere'': For Beatles collectors, this track will be the real prize. This is a combination of takes 7 and 13 and features a slightly nervous McCartney's guide vocal against a bare snare drum and guitar accompaniment at the beginning, with harmonies from take 13 (remixed in 1995) superimposed over the end to make the song sound closer to the original.
Unreleased tracks
This manipulation, however, will probably be the cause of debate among fans online, although many of the group's releases combined tapes from different takes.
''The Beatles Anthology 2'' will feature 45 unreleased tracks dating from 1965 to 1968. In addition to ''Real Love,'' it will include the first recorded takes of ''Yesterday'' and ''Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)''; a strings-only version of ''Eleanor Rigby''; demos of ''Strawberry Fields Forever'' that document the evolution of one of the group's most incredible studio creations; two songs, ''If You've Got Trouble'' and ''That Means a Lot,'' never released by the group; and unreleased versions of ''Got to Get You Into My Life,'' ''Taxman,'' ''A Day in the Life,'' ''Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,'' ''I Am the Walrus,'' ''Lady Madonna'' and ''Fool on the Hill.''
The set, originally scheduled for February release, was delayed, according to unconfirmed reports, after the track order was revised, reportedly by McCartney. According to a widely reported story on the Internet and in Beatle fan magazines, McCartney ordered a change after ads with the original release date had appeared and the set had begun production.
Album delayed
The change - moving an outtake of ''I'm Down'' from track 6 to track 3 on disc 1 - supposedly caused the scrapping of a reported 2.5 million booklets and other materials, according to Beatlefan/EXTRA!, which said McCartney is paying the $2 million cost himself.
A representative at the group's publicity firm of Rogers & Cowan said the change was made, in fact, by the Beatles and not just McCartney, and the album was delayed because of a huge advance order.
List prices for the available configurations of ''Real Love'' are $5.99 for the CD single, $2.49 for the cassette and $2.99 for the vinyl.
Published March 5, 1996, San Jose (CA) Mercury News
BEATLE fans get a belated Valentine's Day gift when ''Real Love,'' the second new Beatles song assembled from a John Lennon demo, hits record stores today as the lead track on the group's latest CD single.
''Real Love'' is free of the overproduction that cluttered ''Free As a Bird,'' the first song used from the tapes provided by Yoko Ono. Both were premiered during ''The Beatles Anthology'' telecast in November.
The song includes Ringo Starr's simple but very effective drum fills and George Harrison's soaring slide guitar, which really takes off. Paul McCartney, Harrison, Starr and Jeff Lynne, all listed as producers of the track, have done a marvelous job in transforming Lennon's slightly dour demo, which has been circulating on the Internet and among collectors, into a wonderfully upbeat track.
The song will also be included on the upcoming ''The Beatles Anthology 2,'' due March 19.
Other songs on the four-track single, none of which will be included on ''The Beatles Anthology 2'':
(box) ''Baby's in Black'': This version, recorded live, was taken from two successive nights of 1965 concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. The introduction, in which Lennon, displaying his usual irreverent stage demeanor, calls the song, ''a waltz for all of you people over 10,'' comes from the first night; the song, in gorgeous stereo, from the second.
(box)''Yellow Submarine'': A remix of the master that fades in with a charming, never-before-heard 15-second portion (cut down from about 30 seconds, according to Beatle historian Mark Lewisohn) of a spoken introduction by Ringo. ''And we will march to free the day to see them gathered there, from Land O'Groats to John O'Green, from Stepney to Utrecht, to see a yellow submarine. We love it,'' he says to the accompaniment of marching feet before the song begins. Too bad the whole spoken intro couldn't be included.
The song itself has been remixed to bring up more sound effects, especially the submarine noises.
(box) ''Here, There and Everywhere'': For Beatles collectors, this track will be the real prize. This is a combination of takes 7 and 13 and features a slightly nervous McCartney's guide vocal against a bare snare drum and guitar accompaniment at the beginning, with harmonies from take 13 (remixed in 1995) superimposed over the end to make the song sound closer to the original.
Unreleased tracks
This manipulation, however, will probably be the cause of debate among fans online, although many of the group's releases combined tapes from different takes.
''The Beatles Anthology 2'' will feature 45 unreleased tracks dating from 1965 to 1968. In addition to ''Real Love,'' it will include the first recorded takes of ''Yesterday'' and ''Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)''; a strings-only version of ''Eleanor Rigby''; demos of ''Strawberry Fields Forever'' that document the evolution of one of the group's most incredible studio creations; two songs, ''If You've Got Trouble'' and ''That Means a Lot,'' never released by the group; and unreleased versions of ''Got to Get You Into My Life,'' ''Taxman,'' ''A Day in the Life,'' ''Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,'' ''I Am the Walrus,'' ''Lady Madonna'' and ''Fool on the Hill.''
The set, originally scheduled for February release, was delayed, according to unconfirmed reports, after the track order was revised, reportedly by McCartney. According to a widely reported story on the Internet and in Beatle fan magazines, McCartney ordered a change after ads with the original release date had appeared and the set had begun production.
Album delayed
The change - moving an outtake of ''I'm Down'' from track 6 to track 3 on disc 1 - supposedly caused the scrapping of a reported 2.5 million booklets and other materials, according to Beatlefan/EXTRA!, which said McCartney is paying the $2 million cost himself.
A representative at the group's publicity firm of Rogers & Cowan said the change was made, in fact, by the Beatles and not just McCartney, and the album was delayed because of a huge advance order.
List prices for the available configurations of ''Real Love'' are $5.99 for the CD single, $2.49 for the cassette and $2.99 for the vinyl.
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