Expert: Chalk - 11/10/2008

Question
I would like to understand what part does Indian music, and also philosophy,
play in the songs of the Beatles?

Answer
Hi, Shawn,

Sorry for the delay in answering your question, but I've had to think about it because it deserves a *book* to give you a full answer.

I have been to Google.com and searched via this phrase "Indian music Beatles" (without the inverted commas). There is lots there for you to read, especially http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=87 - I hadn't realised that "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" was the first pop song to use a sitar! Go to http://www.google.be/search?hl=en&q=Indian+music+Beatles&btnG=Google+Search&meta...

Go through the Google links and you will find that much of your question is answered there. From my own perspective at the time, we Beatles fans knew that new sounds were coming into pop music but we didn't really attach that much importance to it at the time. It was the development of a group that had, from the beginning, introduced us to new sounds anyway, as of "Love Me Do"...

You should also learn about Ravi Shankar who influenced George so much - there's lots here: http://www.google.be/search?hl=en&q=Ravi+Shankar+Beatles&btnG=Search&meta=

Enjoy the reading!

Regards,

Chalk.