FEATURE:
As You Are Me, And We Are All Together…
IMAGE CREDIT: I am the EggPod/Chris Shaw
Celebrating and Saluting the Mighty I am the EggPod
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THIS is not tied to an anniversary…
IN THIS PHOTO: Broadcaster Matt Everitt has appeared on I am the EggPod sevreal times (in December 2020, he chatted to Chris Shaw about Paul McCartney’s McCartney III)/PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Everitt
but, as this is a podcast that has inspired me, I wanted to focus on the brilliant I am the EggPod. I am not sure whether I have written an entire feature about it before, but there is actually a reason why it should be highlighted now. If you do not know about it, I am the EggPod is run by Chris Shaw. It is a podcast where guests talk about a Beatles or Beatles solo album. It has been running since January 2018 and, in that time, it has grown from this promising and interesting podcast to one that is among the best out there. With his endless passion and expert knowledge, Shaw and guests dissect and discuss these brilliant albums from Beatles members. I don’t think one needs to be a massive Beatles fan to appreciate it. Indeed, you can discover some truly great albums by listening to it. Such is the detail and effort that goes into each podcast, it is a must-hear. Wherever you get your podcasts, do make sure that you tune in. You can follow I am the EggPod on Twitter. If you do like The Beatles and, after hearing I am the EggPod are naturally hooked, there is a live event coming soon. On 1st July, I am the EggPod comes live from London’s palatial Opera Holland Park. There are tickets still available, and I would urge everyone to investigate. Chris Shaw will be speaking with Samira Ahmed, David Quantick, Stuart Maconie, and Mark Lewisohn. The latter is the world’s leading expert in all things The Beatles. It is going to be a spectacular event that I am so looking forward to attending!
Through the coming months, I will highlight some important music podcasts. I am as huge fan of The Beatles, but one can only learn so much from listening and research. There is something about hearing guests with Shaw talking about these albums. You get their personal recollections and insights, but there is this expertise and this real immersive experience. Shaw really knows his stuff…and let us not forget that this is not only Beatles albums. It includes solo Beatles stuff – so anything from the varied and vast catalogues of Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison. It is a wonderful podcast that you can subscribe to and support. I am dropping a few episodes in this feature, just so you can get a taste of things. I am going to explain why I am the EggPod means a lot to me, and which album I would cover if I ever got a shot to join a pantheon of enormous Beatles fans! The fact that this podcast that has been going for five years has got this huge live event coming up should not be overlooked. In such a splendid venue, so many fans from around the country will come together to hear some truly fascinating chats. I am not sure what form the event will take. It seems like David Quantick, Samira Ahmed and Stuart Maconie will be in the first part/hour. Possible interviews about their love of The Beatles, they might each take an album to discuss. Mark Lewisohn will be in the second part. That will be a deep and fascinating interview!
Through five years of I am the EggPod, we have heard tears, plenty of laughs and some fascinating revelations! Go and binge the episodes, as you will not only stumble upon albums you might not know or have overlooked. You will learn so much about classic Beatles albums you think that you had figured out. It makes me wonder where this amazing podcast will go in the future – but I shall come to that. Like every big fan of I am the EggPod, you imagine which album you’d chose to talk about if Chris Shaw got in touch (or if you badgered him enough to let you on!). For me, it would be Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. Released in October 1988, this was the debut album from the supergroup that features Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison. This is one of my favourite albums ever, and it is my favourite ‘George solo’ album – or a non-Beatles Harrison release! I have such an emotional and deep connection to that album. Every time I play it, I am taken back to my wonderful childhood. I am sure that someone else has bagged this album for a future episode, but I will look forward to hearing what they say when that comes to light. I have discovered so many terrific albums through the podcast. From Ringo Starr solo albums that I did not know existed, to Paul McCartney, Wings, John Lennon/John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, and George Harrison albums that have gained new importance and light, it has been a wonderful experience!
Of course, it is also thanks to the incredible array of guests that have come on and added their take and voice to these wonderful albums. From Annie Nightingale to Matt Everitt, through to Shaun Keaveny, Samira Ahmed, David Quantick, Dan Rebellato, and Eleanor Gray, it has been a wonderful magical mystery tour. From late legends like Neil Innes, to a new breed of Beatles fans telling Chris Shaw and the listeners about their relationship with The Beatles, I hope this wonderful podcast continues for years! I am not sure what plans Shaw has regarding expanding I am the EggPod. Maybe videoed episodes or regular live events. We shall have the one on 1st July but, given the buzz and popularity, it would be great to get some yearly I am the EggPod Live bonanzas! It is expensive running a podcast and booking guests, so it does need subscribers to keep supporting it so that we can get this amazing content. Having grown and evolved so much since its first episode, I think that we will get many more years of a tremendous podcast. Maybe you already know about it. You may be someone who is only discovering it today. If you can get to the live event at Opera Holland Park on 1st July, I would thoroughly recommend it. Chris Shaw has ensured that this familiar band and the members’ solo albums have found new relevance and life. I am sure there are guests that have not been on that Shaw would like to tick off of the list (Giles Martin springs to mind), but who knows. With every episode and post, the podcast is getting new traction and visibility. In Chris Shaw, here is someone who puts his…
HEART and soul into every episode!