CLUB SANDWICH 73

SUE’S LETTER

            We initiate 1995, and another round of Sandwiches, by revealing a project of Paul's which has been sitting around on the back-burner at MPL, bubbling along quietly, since the early 70s - Oobu Joobu. Slowly, Oobu Joobu has worked its way forward to the front-burner, and now is finally ready to come off the cooker and out into the world. "And what is this Oobu Joobu?" you might well ask. Well, it's a unique series of radio programmes which Paul has been working on these last 20+ years, whose content will prove to be fascinatingly original. Also, because the production has spanned Paul's entire post-Beatles career, it mirrors the changes in his viewpoint over that time. Our features OOBU JOOBU, FROM UBU COCU TO OOBU JOOBU and MEET EDDY PUMER (Eddy is the man whom Paul has appointed to produce the series) unfold the story of what it's all about, and you lucky Americans may get the first radio broadcast sometime in the middle of this year.
            We continue by checking out the splendid TV commercial Paul has filmed for the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, which will open its doors for the first time this autumn. Those with European cable TV channels will be able to judge for themselves what a performance feat of Paul's the commercial is. As for the rest of us, we shall have to base our impressions on the feature PAUL ADVERTISES LI PA and its accompanying stills.
            Amongst the other features sandwiched into this issue you will find a new one that is likely to pop up from time to time and is sure to prove a fascinating addition: INSPIRATION, which will unearth some of the sources behind Paul's songs. We kick off by looking at the origin of 'Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)' from Band On The Run.
            Those of you with a keen eye for the unusual will be pleased to know that EMI is about to issue the obscure 1977 album Thrillington on compact disc for the first time, and we mark this with an illustrated celebration of Paul's alter ego in BACKWARDS TRAVELLER. Going back almost as far, 15 years to be precise, we remember the incredible 'Coming Up' video in MINING THE FILM AND VIDEO ARCHIVE.
            We received a shoal of letters from readers thrilled with the exclusive Club Sandwich interview with Paul in the winter issue. Now, your questions return to their traditional place in WRITE AWAY, plus we display another selection of your artwork in GALLERY CORNER.
            Here in the United Kingdom, the hottest news story of the year has been the fervent demonstrations at seaports and airports against the export of live animals to Europe. Joining in at the front line has been writer and environmentalist Carla Lane, Paul and Linda's close friend, who, at Paul's request, shares her passionate feelings with us in AND IN THE GREEN CORNER. Carla also features in THE RETURN OF RED-STRIPED SUZY, as co-writer with Linda of the song 'The White-Coated Man' which is issued on the American CD Animal Magnetism. Juxtaposed with these stories of man's cruelty to animals, though, we give you another perspective with the charming story THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY, written in fairy tale style (although, paradoxically, it happens to be true).
            With this issue, as we enter our 19th year, we shall be inaugurating some production changes in the magazine. Firstly, we welcome to our readership members of the Beatles Fan Club of Japan, which is producing a Japanese translation of the Sandwich. (This is a very special arrangement for Paul's many fans in Japan, who have requested help with the English text, so don't expect to see editions in other languages!) Also, although our production of the Sandwich has been primarily for the members of the Fun Club, it has served a secondary purpose by keeping the media up to date with Paul's activities. However, we have decided to alter our policy regarding distribution of thes promotional issues. From now on, these copies will require subscriptions to the Fun Club, the address of which can be found on the back page.
            Multi-talented as he is, Paul nonetheless continues to amaze us with his versatility, and he has recently moved into another area: Paul the poet, a natural development from Paul the lyricist. The 27 January edition of the weekly British journal New Statesman & Society devoted a page to a selection of Paul's current poems, which I hope some of you saw.
            During these past months, although keeping a somewhat low public profile, Paul has been busily working on a number of different projects. Next time, in our summer issue, we'll take you behind the scenes of at least one of these: a special benefit evening which Paul is heading up for the Royal College of Music. Taking place almost as we go to press, it will be something of a departure for Paul from his usual concert format. No time to expand further here, though, so look out for the complete story in our summer issue.

Have a great spring,
'til next time
Sue