1 1 2 9AM Sets featuring JPG&R (not in that order) all morning long The Beatles - I Feel Fine- A Collection Of Oldies (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John The Beatles’ eighth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label. Recorded in nine takes on October 18, 1964. Written entirely by John Lennon. He based the guitar riff on Bobby Parker’s obscure R&B record “Watch Your Step.” The recording marked the first occasion in which guitar feedback had been deliberately incorporated into a pop song. The sound was achieved by Paul plucking a single bass string and John getting amplifier feedback from his guitar. Issued in the U.S. on November 23, 1964, 2 3 and in U.K. four days later. Not included on the “Beatles For Sale” LP, which was released on December 4, 1964 in the UK. On U.S. albums: Beatles ‘65 - Capitol LP UK: Non-album single (A-side) On UK album: A Collection of Beatles Oldies - Parlophone LP (1966) The Beatles - Savoy Truffle - The Beatles (Harrison) Lead vocal: George George took his inspiration for his fourth song on the “White Album” from a box of chocolates, specifically a Mackintosh’s Good News double centre chocolate assortment box, said by George to be Eric Clapton’s favorite brand. Most of the candies mentioned by George in the song came from the specific candies found in the box. Confections such as Creme Tangerine, Montelimart, Ginger Sling, Coffee Dessert and Savoy Truffle were part of the assortment. Cool Cherry Cream and Coconut Fudge were Harrison creations. When George sings “But you’ll have to have them all pulled out after the Savoy Truffle,” it is a warning to his friend Eric Clapton that he will have to have his decaying teeth pulled out. After some rehearsal, the backing track was recorded in one take on October 3, 1968, at Trident Studios. With George playing electric piano, Paul on Rickenbacker bass, and Ringo on drums. Harrison’s lead vocal was recorded at Trident Studios on October 5. Chris Thomas’ score for saxophones (distorted at Harrison’s request) was recorded at Abbey Road on October 11. The final overdubs for “Savoy Truffle” on October 14 were also the last instruments recorded during the “White Album” sessions: organ, tambourine, bongos, and George playing a lead guitar part on his Fender Telecaster. This is the third of four Harrison songs on the “White Album” that John Lennon does not appear on. 3 4 The Beatles - I’m Looking Through You - Rubber Soul (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul 4 5 Written by Paul after an argument with then-girlfriend, actress Jane Asher. Initially recorded on October 24, 1965, the song was re-recorded from scratch on November 6, but McCartney was still not satisfied. Four days later, on November 10, the group took another stab at it. Paul’s lead vocal was superimposed the next day. The version issued by Capitol Records has two false starts. On U.S. album: Rubber Soul - Capitol LP “Matchbox” (Perkins) Lead vocal: Ringo Carl Perkins is one of the few “outsiders” to be in the studio or control booth when the Beatles rehearsed or recorded. He was in England on a promotional tour and was there at the invitation of George Harrison, who was a huge fan. Perkins got to witness the most famous band in the world recording one of his original compositions on June 1, 1964. Ringo Starr was given the honor of singing the lead vocal. Harrison and Perkins remained lifelong friends. The Beatles would return to the Carl Perkins catalog once more a few months later when George sang “Everybody’s Trying to be My Baby” for their fourth album. Five years later John Lennon performed Perkins’ biggest hit, “Blue Suede Shoes,” during his Plastic Ono Band appearance in Toronto in September 1969, the live recording of which was released as “Live Peace in Toronto.” The subject matter of the song “Matchbox” was lost on some younger American Beatles fans, many thinking the reference was to the popular brand of miniature toy cars wildly popular with American children at the time. In fact, it is about a box of matches used to light cigarettes. On U.S. album: Something New - Capitol LP U.K.: Non-album track (EP song) One song sung by each Beatle to kick of this June 8th edition of BWTB…live from KOBE Steakhouse… 9.12 BREAK MIC ON HERE STEVE Let’s see who’s sitting right in the front here… 5 6 The Beatles - Sexy Sadie - The Beatles (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John On February 19, 1968, the Beatles left the comforts of the UK for an oft-postponed extended trip to Rishikesh, India. Arriving the next day, they had come to learn the powers of mediation under the direction of Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at the Academy of Transcendental Meditation. The compound was located 150 feet above the Ganges surrounded on three sides by jungle-covered mountains. Students would live in stone cottages. Each cottage had twin beds and modern bathroom facilities. George Harrison had been enlightened by the Indian culture and the Maharishi’s teachings and invited his band mates to immerse themselves in it as well. But instead of rejuvenating the other Beatles, the trip became tedious. Ringo and wife Maureen left Rishikesh after 10 days, complaining of missing their children and not liking the food. John and Paul turned it into a songwriting vacation, much to Harrison’s irritation. Paul and girlfriend Jane Asher returned to England on March 26. In April, things came to a head when a rumor circulated that the Maharishi had made sexual advances toward at least one of the women at the compound. John: “We went to see him after we stayed up all night discussing was it true or not true. When George started thinking it might be true, I thought well, it must be true, because if George started thinking it might be true there must be something to it. So we went to see Maharishi, the whole gang of us, the next day, charged down to his hut, his bungalow, and as usual, when the dirty work came, I was the spokesman.” But instead of accusing the Maharishi outright of wrongdoing or inquiring about the specifics of the rumor, Lennon announced cryptically “We’re leaving.” When the Maharishi asked why, Lennon’s response was “Well, if you’re so cosmic you’ll know why.” True or not, Lennon and Harrison had had enough and left with their entourage immediately. “Sexy Sadie” was written by John while waiting at 6 7 Delhi Airport, and was originally titled “Maharishi” with lyrics being “Maharishi, what have you done? You made a fool of everyone.” At Harrison’s request, Lennon backed off and substituted ‘Sexy Sadie’ for ‘Maharishi.’ George Harrison – The Lord Loves The One (That Loves The Lord) - Living In The Material World ‘73 A lengthy-titled composition has a promising introduction, but fails to live up to George’s standards. It was also played live (for one night only) in 1974 and was sent packing with “Who Can See It.” The Beatles - Lady Madonna - Non-LP Track (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul The Beatles’ seventeenth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label. The last original issue Beatles 45 to appear on the Capitol swirl label in the U.S. or on the Parlophone label in the UK. Starting in the summer of 1968, Beatles recordings would be issued on their own record label, Apple Records. The Beatles did not leave EMI or Capitol, they simply had their own custom label, to which they could sign artists. The manufacturing and distribution would remain the same as before. In fact, in America, their releases continued to use Capitol album and single catalog numbering. The Beatles’ oft-postponed visit to India to study Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was fast approaching. They were scheduled to be in India from mid-February until late April. Written entirely by Paul, “Lady Madonna” was the first song to be recorded in the week-long rush to get a single finished before they left for India. It was completed in two straight-forward sessions on February 3, 1968 with some overdubs on February 6. The basic rhythm track consisted of only Paul on piano, and Ringo on drums (using brushes instead of sticks), recorded in three takes on the afternoon of February 3. John and George overdubbed fuzzed guitars played through the same amplifier during that evening’s session. The song was completed on February 6 with the addition of a second McCartney lead vocal, a second piano piece, “See how they run” backing vocals from Paul, John and George, and in the middle eight, the three Beatles cupping their hands around their mouths to imitate the sound of brass instruments. But Paul decided the song needed real brass instruments, so four saxophone players were brought in that evening to play on the song. On U.S. album: Hey Jude - Capitol LP 7 8 Ringo – Don’t Go Where The Road Don’t Go – Time Takes Time Produced by Jeff Lynne Ringo - Lead vocals, drums, percussion Jeff Lynne - Guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, backing vocals MIC ON HERE STEVE Another JPG&R set featuring one song sung by each Beatle…. Should we keep doing this one song from each Beatle theme listener? Who should start this next with? John Lennon – Tight A$ - Mind Games ‘73 8 9 This track was an interesting turn for John’s songwriting, as this was the first song that wasn’t about “something.” The Beatles - What You’re Doing - Beatles For Sale (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul Recorded in seven takes on October 26, 1964.