"Sessions" Boot Liner Notes
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From: btimmer@herman.cs.uoguelph.ca (Beatley A Timmer)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Sessions Liner Notes
Date: 4 Nov 1993 04:46:05 GMT
Organization: University of Guelph
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This is a trasnscription of the notes contained in my excellent
Sessions CD, apparently reproducing the original package. Remember,
I'm just copying from the package, so no flames for erroneous
material please.
A transcription of the liner notes of the "Sessions" album:
THE BEATLES SESSIONS
Between September 4 1962 and May 8 1970, the Beatles recorded and
released over 200 different recordings through EMI Records. The
fact that during that time, and the period 1962 to 1966 in
particular, they were also busy giving live performances, making
movies and TV appearances and satisfying the demands of the
world's media, makes their recording output even more
extraordinary.
Even before the Beatles split up and stopped recording as a group
in 1970, there was talk of unreleased tracks lying undiscovered
in studio vaults. These stories, depending on your source, put
the number of unissued titles anywhere between 50 and 250. The
truth, however, is a vastly different story; only a handful of
titles were recorded that, until now, have remained unreleased.
The claims from fans and media alike that EMI was sitting on a
veritable "gold mine" of unreleased material have steadily grown
over the past 15 years fired by material continually appearing on
bootlegs or being played on the radio.
The sources of this material are well known to Beatles fans and
collectors:
1. BBC RECORDINGS - Between March 1962 and June 1965 the Beatles
recorded in BBC studios in Manchester and London 36 songs for
radio broadcast only. They were not recorded by EMI for
commercial release. The Beatles also re-recorded many of their
early hits and album tracks at the same time, but it is the
original material that has stirred the public's interest.
2. PUBLISHER'S DEMONSTRATION TRACKS - It has been wrongly and
widely assumed that the Beatles recorded all the songs they
composed for other artists. They did, however, as composers, demo
some songs for their publishers. Based on the tracks that have
been unearthed these few demos consist purely of vocals with an
acoustic guitar accompaniment and were probably recorded at home
or in the publisher's demo studio.
3. OTHER STUDIOS - Towards the end of their career as a group,
the Beatles did record in other studios apart from Abbey Road;
for example, Trident, Apple and Twickenham Film Studios. where
much of the "Let It Be" material was recorded. It is therefore
quite possible that some songs were recorded in rough form, but
these were never delivered to EMI.
However, it is the tracks that EMI do have, those that appear on
this album, that are of the most interest, and we take up the
story in 1976, when the Beatles' contract with EMI finally came
to an end. At that time executives in the company sat down and
listened to all the material that had not been released. In the
main it existed in the form of rough mixes only, and few were
considered suitable for commercial release.
One track - "Leave My Kitten Alone" - was seriously considered as
release for a single in 1980 but with the tragic death of John
Lennon in December of that year the idea was abandoned.
At the beginning of 1982, with the 20th anniversary of the
release of "Love Me Do", the Beatles' first single for EMI fast
approaching and in response to scores of letters from fans, it
was decided to appoint one person to undertake the mammoth task
of listening to every tape the Beatles had recorded for EMI and
note any reference to material that was previously unknown.
The task was undertaken by Abbey Road studio engineer John
Barrett and although no new tracks were found, John did discover
many interesting alternate versions of previously released songs.
In fact, when Abbey Road presented "The Beatles At Abbey Road" in
the summer of 1983, much of the audio material had been
discovered by John during his research. Tragically,John died in
February 1984, but the fruits of his painstaking research remain.
After appraising the original unreleased tracks once more and
listening to the alternate versions discovered by John Barrett,
it was decided that all the titles recorded in anything but mono
would benefit from being remixed. Geoff Emerick, who had worked
with the Beatles and engineered many of their recordings, was
approached and asked to listen to the multi-tracks and remix them
in order to improve their overall sound quality.
Geoff set to work in Air studios in London and Montserrat and
when he finally presented the tapes to EMI it was clear that the
end product was an album that justified its release both
artistically and musically.
SIDE ONE
"COME AND GET IT" (Paul McCartney) 2:26 Lead Vocal: Paul
Recorded in Studio 2 Abbey Road on July 24 1969, the same day as
"Sun King". This song was given to the Apple band Badfinger and
became their first hit in 1970. It was featured in the movie "The
Magic Christian", which starred Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr.
"LEAVE MY KITTEN ALONE" (Turner-McDougall) 2:54 Lead Vocal: John
Recorded in Studio 2 Abbey Road on August 14 1964 during sessions
for the "Beatles For Sale"album. This late 50's rocker was
previously recorded by, amongst others, Little Willie John and
Johnny Preston.
"NOT GUILTY" (Harrison) 3:17 Lead Vocal: George
This track, recorded on August 8 1968 in Abbey Road Studio 2, was
intended for release on the"White Album" in November 1968 but
never made it onto the final album. It has long been rumoured
that a certain well-known guitarist featured on this recording.
Incidently, George re-recorded a gentler version of this song for
his 1979 Dark Horse album "George Harrison".
"I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU" (Lennon-McCartney) 2:53
Lead Vocal: Paul
The final version of this song appeared on the "Rubber Soul"
album in December 1965. This is take one, recorded on October 24
that year, again in Studio 2. Although this version is longer
than the one on the album, the "bridge" or middle part of the
song does not appear, probably because it had not been written at
the time.
"WHAT'S THE NEW MARY JANE?" (Lennon-McCartney) 5:59
Lead Vocal: John
Like George's "Not Guilty", this track was also recorded during
the "White Album" sessions (in Studio 2) on August 14, 1968.
However, it was again omitted from the final album.1
SIDE 2
"HOW DO YOU DO IT" (M. Murray-Edmond) 1:55 Lead Vocal: John
Recorded on September 4 1962, the same date as the original
commercial version of "Love Me Do", with Ringo drumming. Much has
been written about the group deliberately performing this song
badly in order to have their own song chosen as the second
single, but as this track was recorded a month before the release
of "Love Me Do", this theory would appear to be somewhat far
fetched.This song was later recorded by Gerry and the Pacemakers
and became their first Number One in the UK.2
"BESAME MUCHO" (Valazquez/Skylar) 2:33 Lead Vocal: Paul
On June 6 1962 the Beatles recorded for the first time at EMI's
Abbey Road Studios. At this stage the group consisted of John
Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and on drums Pete
Best.Four titles were recorded - early versions of "Love Me Do",
"P.S. I Love You", "Ask Me Why",plus "Besame Mucho". The song,
which dates back to the thirties, was revised in the late fifties
and had long been part of the Beatles stage set. It was included
in their audition for Decca in January 1962.3
"ONE AFTER 909" (Lennon-McCartney) 2:53 Lead Vocal: John and Paul
Despite being on of the earliest Lennon/McCartney compositions,
"One After 909" didn't make it onto vinyl until 1970 when it was
included on the "Let It Be" album. This version, however,was
recorded on March 5 1963, the same day as the first takes of
"From Me To You" and"Thank You Girl".
"IF YOU'VE GOT TROUBLES" (Lennon-McCartney) 2:21
Lead Vocal: Ringo
This previously unreleased Lennon/McCartney original was recorded
on February 18, 1965,during sessions for the "Help" album. It was
no doubt intended as Ringo's vocal contribution on the album, but
it was ultimately replaced by "Act Naturally".4
"THAT MEANS A LOT" (Lennon-McCartney) 2:27 Lead Vocal: Paul
Recorded on February 20, 1965 during sessions for the "Help"
album. The track was given to P.J. Proby and he had a minor hit
with his version a year later.
"WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS" (Harrison) 3:21 Lead Vocal: George
Recorded on July 25 1968, this version demonstrates how a song
can change between the first take and the final released version.
Take one features only George singing and just two instruments -
acoustic guitar and keyboards. It's interesting to note that the
last verse of the song was not retained when it was re-recorded
for inclusion on the "White Album".
"MAILMAN BLUES" (Lloyd Price) 1:50 Lead Vocal: John
Recorded on January 29 1969 during the sessions for a "Get Back"
album that was later re-titled"Let It Be".5
"CHRISTMAS TIME (IS HERE AGAIN)"
(Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starkey) 1:08 Lead Vocal: The Beatles
Between December 1963 and December 1969 the Beatles fan club
issued seven Christmas flexidiscs to their members. These
records, which have become collector's items, ranged from more or
less audio "thank you's" to their fans to mini pantomimes.
Although the records featured strongly the Beatles' madcap
humour, some music was featured, particularly on the 1967
release,which originally featured this track.
Since I first started recording the Beatles on the "Revolver"
album on through to "Sgt. Pepper"and "Abbey Road", I have seen
the recording process go through many stages, from 2 tracks to 24
tracks, even 48 tracks.
The advances that have been made technically, over the years,
have enabled me to enhance the original sound of these songs and
to present them to you at their full potential, musically and
artistically.
Hope you enjoy it.
Geoff Emerick
Remixed at Air Studios, Montserrat
Engineered by Geoff Emerick
Second Engineer Steve Jackson
Assistant to Mr. Emerick Nicole Graham
Cover and Creative Concept Brian Southa
Sleeve design Bill Brooks and John O'Brien
Back Cover photograph by Robert Freeman
Tape Research John Barrett and Ken Townsend
Project research and liner notes Mike Hendley
Production Liaison John Burgess
Sleeve production Quick On The Draw and Tony Wadsworth
Front cover photograph taken between sessions at Abbey Road
Studios.
TAPE NOTES ON "SESSIONS":
1 The version of this song used for the "Sessions" album was a
remix done by John Lennon on November 26 1969, intended for a
Plastic Ono Band release. The version on the tape is the original
1968 mix, and is 6:53 long.
2 Despite the comment above that "it was decided that all the
titles recorded in anything but mono would benefit from being
remixed", this mono track was remixed for "Sessions", with echo
added to simulate stereo. (At least EMI didn't mix it as "duotone"!)
The track on the tape is a true mono version, which is 2:28 long.
3 See 2 above. This true mono version is the same length as the
"Sessions" remix.
4 Some sources identify this song as "If You've Got Trouble".
5 The "Sessions" mix of this song has a faded ending. Also, most
other sources give the title as"Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues"
and credit the song to "(Roberts-Katz-Clayton)". The version on the
tape is the complete recording, 2:53 in length.
NOTES ON "SESSIONS" TAPE BONUS TRACKS:
"OB LA DI, OB LA DA" (Lennon-McCartney) 2:53 Lead Vocal: Paul
This "White Album" outtake began recording on July 3, 1968, but
after almost a week of overdubs, Paul decided to start again.
This remix originally segued into an except of "Christmas Time
(Is Here Again)", and allegedly was done to prepare the track for
use as a B-side to "Leave My Kitten Alone", when released as a
single from the "Sessions" album.
"HELLO HELLO" (Lennon-McCartney) 4:18
Lead Vocal: None (Instrumental)
Take 1 of the song later retitled "Hello Goodbye",
recorded October 2, 1967. It is rumoured that this song was
intended as a B-Side for the "Leave My Kitten Alone" single, U.K.
release,although this version does not seem to be remixed.
"THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN" (Lennon-McCartney) 2:01 Lead Vocal: John
Take 1 of the song later renamed "Norwegian Wood", recorded
October 12, 1965, during the"Rubber Soul" sessions.
"STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER" (Lennon-McCartney) 2:34
Lead Vocal: John
This is take 7 of the song, as mixed for release It was
later edited to provide the first minute of the released version.
"HER MAJESTY" (Lennon-McCartney) 0:24 Lead Vocal: Paul
This complete unedited version was recorded on July 7, 1969,
during the "Abbey Road" sessions.
