Long John Silver said
meanmistermustard said
Pauls bass, are you seriously saying A Taste Of Honey is an equal to Twist & Shout?Long John Silver, some people dont like Lucy, Good Morning, Good Morning or Mr Kite much (tho personally i think they are all better than the Sgt Pepper song, When Im Sixty Four and Lovely Rita & i think Paul wrote the majority of With A Little Help with some help from John but i could be wrong and that isnt any better either), + Paul wrote the middle 8 of ADITL and ‘I’d love to turn you on’. Cant remember who came up with the idea of the orchestral noise, tho i think it was Paul. I said Paul based more on that it was his concept and did play a large part in ADITL and the other songs. Not that the concept won him Abbey Road .
unknown said
Long John Silver said
Well I will ask again, aren’t the two best tracks on Sgt. Pepper actually Lennon’s songs, so how can it be a Paul’s album? It was his idea as a concept but I though we are talking here about the songs?Isn’t most of A Day In The Life Paul? And yeah this is subjective, but doesn’t that include the best part of the whole song?
EDIT: Sorry Mustard, didn’t read see you already said that. The orchestra was indeed Paul’s idea.
To me personally, Lennon part of A Day In The Life is what makes this song epic, especially his guitar and voice, and that part after Paul’s. Also I never heard that the orchestra part was Paul’s idea? I know John asked George Martin a sound that will sound like an orgasm, and that’s how we got that middle part.
LSD (lol) is primarily written by John, like a lot of their songs they have contribution from other members. Following that logic, than Eleanor Rigby is not only Paul’s song but from all Beatles since they all contribute with lyrics, but you will always say it’s a Pauls song (which in fact is). That song (LSD) was an anthem of psychodelic era, and probably one of songs that makes Sgt Pepper on the top 10 lists of most influentual albums, as that certainly isn’t because of Lovely Rita …
I’d argue that the reason Pepper is on those lists is because it was the first concept album, and the first album to take itself seriously as a complete “art form” with linked songs. Not to mention the little details- the “alter ego” band, the audience chatter at the beginning, Ringo being “Billy Shears…” All of that was Paul’s idea. Obviously John’s songs are fantastic and influential too, but by his own admission John didn’t have much to do with the album. It was McCartney’s brainchild.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
3.24pm
9 May 2012
Ben Ramon said
Long John Silver said
meanmistermustard said
Pauls bass, are you seriously saying A Taste Of Honey is an equal to Twist & Shout?Long John Silver, some people dont like Lucy, Good Morning, Good Morning or Mr Kite much (tho personally i think they are all better than the Sgt Pepper song, When Im Sixty Four and Lovely Rita & i think Paul wrote the majority of With A Little Help with some help from John but i could be wrong and that isnt any better either), + Paul wrote the middle 8 of ADITL and ‘I’d love to turn you on’. Cant remember who came up with the idea of the orchestral noise, tho i think it was Paul. I said Paul based more on that it was his concept and did play a large part in ADITL and the other songs. Not that the concept won him Abbey Road .
unknown said
Long John Silver said
Well I will ask again, aren’t the two best tracks on Sgt. Pepper actually Lennon’s songs, so how can it be a Paul’s album? It was his idea as a concept but I though we are talking here about the songs?Isn’t most of A Day In The Life Paul? And yeah this is subjective, but doesn’t that include the best part of the whole song?
EDIT: Sorry Mustard, didn’t read see you already said that. The orchestra was indeed Paul’s idea.
To me personally, Lennon part of A Day In The Life is what makes this song epic, especially his guitar and voice, and that part after Paul’s. Also I never heard that the orchestra part was Paul’s idea? I know John asked George Martin a sound that will sound like an orgasm, and that’s how we got that middle part.
LSD (lol) is primarily written by John, like a lot of their songs they have contribution from other members. Following that logic, than Eleanor Rigby is not only Paul’s song but from all Beatles since they all contribute with lyrics, but you will always say it’s a Pauls song (which in fact is). That song (LSD) was an anthem of psychodelic era, and probably one of songs that makes Sgt Pepper on the top 10 lists of most influentual albums, as that certainly isn’t because of Lovely Rita …
I’d argue that the reason Pepper is on those lists is because it was the first concept album, and the first album to take itself seriously as a complete “art form” with linked songs. Not to mention the little details- the “alter ego” band, the audience chatter at the beginning, Ringo being “Billy Shears…” All of that was Paul’s idea. Obviously John’s songs are fantastic and influential too, but by his own admission John didn’t have much to do with the album. It was McCartney’s brainchild.
Yeah I agree about that, but as for the songs IMHO Lennon is what makes it psychedelic, even in Paul’s song Lovely Rita and Getting Better (John being the back vocal), and what makes it influential (beside the concept/cover).
Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
4.21pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Sorry but the better songs on Pepper are Johns by a mile, others may have contributed to them but as LJS says each beatle contributed a lot to many other songs. Its George’s guitar work which makes And I Love Her into a great song but its still viewed as Pauls.You cant highlight And I Love Her as a great Paul song and then claim Lucy is 50/50 John & Paul at the same time. Ticket To Ride is John’s but the drums were Pauls idea.
Also as LJS said when folks look at Pepper Lucy is higher on the list of great songs than WI64, Rita, Fixing A Hole , She’s Leaving Home and the others Paul wrote, and Mr Kite is admired for the effects that were created for it.
As for the ADITL crescendo i think John & Paul wanted some amazing noise and then Paul came up with the orchestra idea, Paula also conducted the orchestra alongside George Martin.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
6.16pm
9 May 2012
meanmistermustard said
Sorry but the better songs on Pepper are Johns by a mile, others may have contributed to them but as LJS says each beatle contributed a lot to many other songs. Its George’s guitar work which makes And I Love Her into a great song but its still viewed as Pauls.You cant highlight And I Love Her as a great Paul song and then claim Lucy is 50/50 John & Paul at the same time. Ticket To Ride is John’s but the drums were Pauls idea.
Also as LJS said when folks look at Pepper Lucy is higher on the list of great songs than WI64, Rita, Fixing A Hole , She’s Leaving Home and the others Paul wrote, and Mr Kite is admired for the effects that were created for it.
As for the ADITL crescendo i think John & Paul wanted some amazing noise and then Paul came up with the orchestra idea, Paula also conducted the orchestra alongside George Martin.
Finally someone who understands my posts .
paulsbass said
First, could you please clean out your quotes from ealier quotes’ quotes, that’d make your posts a lot easier read. Thanks.
If you agree that the WHOLE ALBUM CONCEPT was Paul’s baby and he wrote most of the songs, how can you deny it’s “his” album? (Goes without saying that it wouldn’t be the same without the others, I still say it…).
Well, what’s so psychedelic about LitSwD (recognized that LSD joke all by yourself? Well done!)? The lyrics, of course. But what would they be without the music?
Musically there’s the very psychedelic keyboard: Paul.
There’s the tamboura bordun which is the DEFINITION of psychedelic: George (didn’t play it but came up with it)
Then of course all the strange sounds and alterations: Geoff Emerick, George Martin.
John’s own contributions are not that big. He was unhappy in suburbia and the Beatle most under the influence and not that much interested in Pepper at all. He would have laughed in your face and strongly denied the huge part you give him in this, probably being more annoyed than pleased that you thought this was more “his” album.
All or most of Paul’s songs have very psychedelic elements (Fixing A Hole , Getting better, Lovely Rita ), and you surely remember With A Little Help From My Friends getting turned into on of the Woodstock generation’s anthems by Joe Cocker.
Damn, I can’t believe I’m still discussing this…
Good morning: Yeah, that guitar riff is great, isn’t it? Guess who played it.
Alright, it looks like I offended Paul’s fan, and your arrogant comment about me discovering LSD joke and whatnot just shows your frustation that your idol is attacked, there is no need for that. I don’t know why but a lot of Paul’s “fans” just enjoy bashing the contribution of every other Beatle, like it’s 1970.
Those songs (Lovely Rita etc…) have psychedelic elements because of John. Try isolating John and see if it’s still a psychedelic song.
As for your argument about “Good Morning”, who plays guitar in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps “? Because someone plays the part in the song doesn’t mean they “invented the chords” or most of the Beatles guitar riffs would be Georges idea.
As for the animal sound, I stated my personal opinion about that, maybe most of people like it, I don’t mind it that much, but I think it would be just fine without it.
Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
6.45pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
A telling contribution to Getting Better , highly praised by Paul himself, was Johns “it cant get no worse”, sames goes for Johns lyrical contributions to She’s Leaving Home . So if we take some of Lucy for Paul can we take some of Getting Better and SLH for John?
This all reminds me of that interviewclip in the I Me Mine book thread, where when George is asked about John taking offense at not getting a mention George replies that he has much more to be upset about when it came to not getting credit in beatles songs.
And can we all be civilised when discussing these matters, there is no reason for people getting irritated, nothing is meant to be taken personal – hopefully. Love is all you need and all that.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
7.08pm
10 August 2011
I agree with meanmistermustard that this seems to be degenerating into mere personal preferences and mud-slinging.
It’s clear that with some exceptions, what made the Beatles great was the TEAM effort.
Therefore, to single out one Beatle per album is an automatic recipe for dissing the other three.
Having said all that, on Sgt Pepper , we do at least have the opinion of one Beatle: Lennon.
1) Lennon called it his lazy album (in contradistinction to, say, The White Album , where he was fully invested.) He was wasted on drugs with no direction home, and all his contributions were or could have been written from his bed: Lucy – his son’s friend’s drawing, Good Morning – from the Kellogg’s Corn Flakes box, A Day ITL – a newspaper article, and of course, Mr. Kite – the lyrics lifted from a 19th century poster. [of course, we should all be such geniuses on our lazy days!]
2) Lennon called Sgt Pepper “Paul’s baby” or something to that effect.
At least for this one album, doesn’t this kinda settle it?
"Into the Sky with Diamonds" (the Beatles and the Race to the Moon – a history)
paulsbass said
For some reason I can’t reply to ITSWD’s posting.
Neither can I! It’s extremely annoying. Might tell Joe?
I have to agree with Paulsbass in that I believe Paul was the strongest on Sgt Pepper (and this from someone who’s had lengthy debates with him about Paul/John stuff before)!But I certainly appreciate that it’s impressive the material John came up with for Sgt Pepper , definitely some of his best and most personal and original work released in that period, considering he was in a real mess emotionally and dropping a tab of acid every evening.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
9.53pm
12 April 2012
Ben Ramon, you asked why I don’t like lennon so much, sorry I didn’t answer becuase I gorgot to read your question. It’s just that I don’t enjoy his songs as much as paul’s and george’s.
Once there was a way to get back homewards. Once there was a way to get back home; sleep pretty darling do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby
11.04pm
22 May 2012
All Ringo. Spesh MMT, LIB and AHDN .
I kid, it would for me go:
PPM : Tie (Best: There’s A Place )
WTB: Paul (close. Best: Don’t Bother Me , then Hold Me Tight )
AHDN : John (Best: You Can’t Do That )
BFS: Paul (Best: Eight Days A Week )
Help : Tie (Best: Ticket To Ride /Yesterday /I Need You )
RS: George (Best: If I Needed Someone )
Revolver : Paul (Best: Here, There And Everywhere )
SPLHCB : Paul (Best: WALHFMF)
MMT: Paul (Best: Penny Lane /I Am The Walrus )
WA: Tie (they’re all equally sloppy. Best: While My Guitar Gently Weeps )
YS: John (the other three tracks are AWFUL)
AR: Paul/George (Best: Here Comes The Sun /You Never Give Me Your Money )
LIB : Paul (Best: The Long And Winding Road . No, really! I love it!)
11.05pm
18 December 2011
Long John Silver said
Well I will ask again, aren’t the two best tracks on Sgt. Pepper actually Lennon’s songs, so how can it be a Paul’s album? It was his idea as a concept but I though we are talking here about the songs?
Not just the songs. The things I were also reviewing and judging were:
– creativy (ideas, concepts)
– who was the driving force at the time this album was recorded?
– which Beatle(s) wrote most songs?
– instruments, vocal performances, style, image etc.
– who did most of the album work?
"Real music is made by real people playing real instruments using own creativity and skills."
12.10am
9 May 2012
I hope you all don’t mind of not quoting posts as it gets a bit messy so I will just type a nickname that I am replying to.
@meanmistermustar
We can be civilized, but if someone tries to be funny with smarta** comments, then that someone can’t expect respect in the discussion, I hope you agree.
@ISD
Exactly, I don’t mind of calling Paul “a driving force behing Sgt. Pepper ” but I got a impression that some stated that Paul only contributed to that album even though two (IMO) most epic songs were primarily written by John, and John’s voice gave that psychedelic atmosphere of the album.
Also you have to admit that even though with all these laziness you are talking about, he made some wonderful contribution, now that is what is called a genius .
@paulsbass
To be honest, I never saw any, but of course I can’t say there isn’t one.
I stated that maybe I am too much biased because I like John’s voice most, but that really it’s mostly a tie on every album (beside Let It Be obviously). You mate, are much more biased than I ever can be.
My frustrations? Did I started making stupid remarks about discovering a LSD reference? I though I could maybe make this discussion more pleasant with a bit of smile as I didn’t get too emotionally in this discussion, which can’t be said about you.
I think you don’t understand what I mean by Johns psychodelic contribituion, it’s his voice and overdub of one, but meh never mind, to someone psychodelic is only tambura and other Indian instruments. It looks like Indians were psychodelic before it was popular (hipster Indians).
Anyway ad acta.
Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
1.25am
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
The best way is not to react when you feel you have been provoked, insulted, belittled or whatever. Turn the other cheek etc. Either let it go or offer a kind word. Debate, discuss and disagree but none of this stuff is worth getting worked up over.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
3.58pm
4 December 2010
Going to give my answers to the OP:
PPM : John by a slender margin. The stand out songs for me are Please Please Me (mostly John), I Saw Her Standing There (mostly Paul), and Twist And Shout (contributions from all four, but what makes it a great track is John’s vocal).
WTB: I’ll pass on this one as I have only listened to it a few times. If forced I’d go with Paul because of All My Loving .
AHDN : John
Beatles For Sale : my favourite track of the first two years is I’m A Loser , and I also love Eight Days A Week and No Reply , whereas I’m not fond of any of Paul’s songs from here. John.
Help !: I think all the Lennon-McCartney compositions are of similar quality, except Help ! and Yesterday . Too close, another draw between John and Paul.
Rubber Soul : very close again, John shades it this time though thanks to In My Life
Revolver : Definitely George, this album has the cohesion it does because of his guitar and sitar parts. A real team effort though, all four Beatles and George Martin would be credible selections
Sgt Pepper : Paul provides the concept and most songs, but tbh I don’t think the concept enhances the album very much in retrospect. I also don’t rate Paul’s songs very highly, though his contribution to A Day In The Life is excellent. Doubtless Paul is responsible for Sgt Pepper ‘s reputation, and his best songs are better than most of John’s… I don’t know, I don’t want to give it to any one of the Beatles really. George Martin then, for his excellent scores for WYWY and ADitL and production generally.
The White Album : again this is blooming hard. To make it easier I’m going to ignore the weakest songs and concentrate on strengths Paul contributes great bass lines and some really good songs. John also contributes great songs and his picking guitar style that he learned from Donovan enhances several songs. George has some great guitar parts, writes the best song on the album and also writes a couple of other songs I like. Ringo drums excellently throughout, except at the start of course, and Don’t Pass Me By is better than a lot of the Lennon/McCartney songs on the album. I’d probably have to go with Paul, strong song contributions are similar to John but his contributions on instruments are better.
Let It Be : Billy, then George, then Paul, Ringo, John.
Abbey Road : Paul for the medley.
Going to award Paul 3/4 for WTB and J/P half each for Help !
Scores: John 4.75, Paul 3.25, George 1, George Martin 1, Billy 1.
I told her I didn’t
4.16pm
9 May 2012
meanmistermustard said
The best way is not to react when you feel you have been provoked, insulted, belittled or whatever. Turn the other cheek etc. Either let it go or offer a kind word. Debate, discuss and disagree but none of this stuff is worth getting worked up over.
You are right .
paulsbass said
Long John Silver said
I hope you all don’t mind of not quoting posts as it gets a bit messy so I will just type a nickname that I am replying to.
Good decision.
Unfortunately you forgot to reply to the two postings that really mattered:
The Beatles Bassist (OP) who explained to you how you assumed wrong about this discussion being primarily about the songs (like I said).
Into the sky with Diamonds who quoted your idol thus rebuffing any attempt of making Pepper a John album (like I said). Why do you want to give something to someone who doesn’t even want it?
You also didn’t elaborate your thoughts about the guitar solos.
I won’t comment on your personal remarks.
The LSD joke? Sorry, but this is the Beatles Bible. Don’t you think EVERYONE here has heard of the “LSD” reference in the song title?
And no one here stated that ONLY Paul contributed to Pepper (I guess that’s what you meant). Getting that impression is another sign of being too biased.
It’s funny how a lot of John fans tend to attack other fans because they feel they want to take something away from John when all the Paul fans do is reacting to attempts of taking something away from Paul…
Musically I find it hard to understand how someone would find a single backing vocal a more psychedelic element than an Indian instrument which was still unusual and VERY psychedelic.
But if you feel like that, totally fine!
And of course I said nowhere that the tamboura is the ONLY psychedelic element.
Just stick to the facts, kid.
Sorry this dispute got so long, that wasn’t necessary at all, imo.
LSD part was funny to me because I never wrote it in any discussion (this is the only Beatles forum I participate) but nevermind that, I just didn’t like your reaction. Since you call me a kid, you are probably a lot older than me, in which case it makes it even more inappropriate.
Yeah I saw Bassists post, and by that most of the albums will be Pauls as he was the one that kind of took it after Brian, but music wise they were pretty much equal on most albums and that is what comes in my mind when someone says “strongest beatle per album”. It all comes to an opinion, I mean to someone Ringo was the strongest Beatles per every album, or George. I like listening to Pauls songs on SgtP because of his collabartion with John (which can be kind of vice versa).
About psychedelic stuff, I can’t really imagine Paul singing LSD, the same goes for e.g. for John and Yesterday . Their voice suited their style. Wasn’t the George one that brought sitar during the Rubber Soul sessions? Shouldn’t he be most praised about using of Indian instruments?
I am actually glad the discussion went this way, and it should be done with every album. It makes it more interesting to read rather than just listing albums and names, don’t you think?
Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
The Walrus said
Beatles For Sale : my favourite track of the first two years is I’m A Loser , and I also love Eight Days A Week and No Reply , whereas I’m not fond of any of Paul’s songs from here. John.
Even What You’re Doing ? I’ve always thought that song was hugely underrated.
Let It Be : Billy, then George, then Paul, Ringo, John.
Very interesting opinion putting Billy Preston as strongest. I’d always thought how cool it would be if Let It Be was released by “The Beatles and Billy Preston.” The guy was surely a great keyboardist and it’s great how he brought the old magic back to the studio when he joined them at Abbey Road .
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
8.47pm
4 December 2010
paulsbass said
Long John Silver said
Yeah I saw Bassists post, and by that most of the albums will be Pauls as he was the one that kind of took it after Brian, but music wise they were pretty much equal on most albums and that is what comes in my mind when someone says “strongest beatle per album”. It all comes to an opinion, I mean to someone Ringo was the strongest Beatles per every album, or George. I like listening to Pauls songs on SgtP because of his collabartion with John (which can be kind of vice versa).
Nothing wrong with different opinions, only when someone vehemently insists of an opinion that is strongly against all facts it will evoke some comments. (Had a “discussion” once with a guy who said that George was the best bassist in the Beatles…)
This from the man who thinks Paul sang the vocal bridges in ADitL.
Ben Ramon said
The Walrus said
Beatles For Sale : my favourite track of the first two years is I’m A Loser , and I also love Eight Days A Week and No Reply , whereas I’m not fond of any of Paul’s songs from here. John.
Even What You’re Doing ? I’ve always thought that song was hugely underrated.
I quite like the Drive Me Car/What You’re Doing /The Word medley on Love. The original sounds tame in comparison. I like the guitar riff (Paul’s?) and the opening and closing drums (also Paul’s?)
I told her I didn’t
9.09pm
4 September 2010
Not familiar enough with Please Please Me , With the Beatles or Beatles For Sale to say which Beatle is the strongest.
A Hard Day’s Night : John definitely
Help !: John again for Ticket To Ride , but Paul is close behind.
Rubber Soul : John, for In My Life , Norwegian Wood .
Revolver : John and Paul equally. John for the experimental She Said She Said and TNK, Paul for some perfect songwriting.
Sgt. Peppers: Very much Paul’s album, but I think John has the strongest song(s).
White Album : John and George. John for Julia and HISWG, George for Long Long Long and WMGGW.
Let it Be: Paul.
Abbey Road : George.
(MMT EP: Paul)
You all will have read that Dave Dee is no longer with us. But Mickey and Titch and I would like to carry on the good work that's always gone down in number two.
12.14am
9 May 2012
paulsbass said
Long John Silver said
Yeah I saw Bassists post, and by that most of the albums will be Pauls as he was the one that kind of took it after Brian, but music wise they were pretty much equal on most albums and that is what comes in my mind when someone says “strongest beatle per album”. It all comes to an opinion, I mean to someone Ringo was the strongest Beatles per every album, or George. I like listening to Pauls songs on SgtP because of his collabartion with John (which can be kind of vice versa).
Nothing wrong with different opinions, only when someone vehemently insists of an opinion that is strongly against all facts it will evoke some comments. (Had a “discussion” once with a guy who said that George was the best bassist in the Beatles…)
Everyone’s free to think of Ringo as being the strongest Beatle, but the objective facts will reduce that opinion to him being more like the “personal favourite” Beatle, and – depending on the posters attitude – others might bring this to him more or less friendly.
I like their collaborations as well, of course, they made them what they were.
About psychedelic stuff, I can’t really imagine Paul singing LSD, the same goes for e.g. for John and Yesterday . Their voice suited their style.
Paul’s voice is actually quite strong in the chorus, but I know what you mean and of course I agree. Paul – being one of the most versatile singers ever – still had his own share of psychedelic vocals (Fixing A Hole most prominently on this album, and of course the “aaaah” on ADITL).
Wasn’t the George one that brought sitar during the Rubber Soul sessions? Shouldn’t he be most praised about using of Indian instruments?
Yep, and I never gave praise to anyone else for that, just pointed out it wasn’t primarily John who made the album that psychedelic.
I am actually glad the discussion went this way, and it should be done with every album. It makes it more interesting to read rather than just listing albums and names, don’t you think?
No problem with in-depth discussions.
Only keep in mind that strong or strict opinions might get you strong or strict reactions.
And of course I tend to patronize people from time to time, I can still work on that.
Got myself my fair share of patronizing over the years and I’m still alive.
Great post . Anyway Paul sang the “ahh” part on ADL? Now I am confused, it doesn’t sound like him.
Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
1.26am
10 August 2011
DoctorRobert said, “Revolver : John and Paul equally. John for the experimental She Said She Said and TNK”
There are a number of aspects to “Tomorrow Never Knows “ that are original/experimental.
One of those is the recurring tape loops/sounds effects; but that’s Paul (with Mal Evans running from one tape recorder to another).
"Into the Sky with Diamonds" (the Beatles and the Race to the Moon – a history)
paulsbass said
Long John Silver said
Anyway Paul sang the “ahh” part on ADL? Now I am confused, it doesn’t sound like him.
It’s hard to tell in the whole mix, but the isolated vocal tracks reveal it’s Paul.
Still, for many people that’s evidence it’s John.
We had quite an engaged discussion about that:
https://www.beatlesbible.com/f…..l-or-john/
I got some of them convinced, at least (I think Joe closed the thread at the end or something…)
To me, it sounds like John and Paul together- rather like the “she loves you yeah yeah yeah” joke at the end of All You Need Is Love . There are certain moments when it really sounds like John’s more “nasal” voice, but also times when it sounds like Paul’s brightness on the higher notes. Still, don’t wish to dig up old arguments, I’m happy believing it’s either of them.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
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