BWTB Playlist August 23rd 2015 Special guest author Ivor Davis

Transcription

1 1 BWTB Playlist August 23rd 2015 Special guest author Ivor Davis 9AM/Open And lets start with George Harrison who has a word or two for you. The Beatles - Think For Yourself - Rubber Soul (Harrison) Lead vocal: George The fifth original composition by George Harrison to be recorded by The Beatles was completed on November 8, 1965 in one take with overdubs under the working title Won t Be There With You. The song features Paul playing his bass through a fuzz box to give it a distorted sound. On U.S. album: Rubber Soul - Capitol LP The Beatles - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - Sgt. Pepper s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Lennon-McCartney)

2 2 Lead vocal: John Recorded March 1, John Lennon s classic song of psychedelic imagery was inspired by a drawing brought home by son, Julian, who was four years old at the time. In February 1967, Julian returned home from his nursery school with a painting depicting one of his classmates, Lucy O Donnell. Young Lucy was pictured with a background of stars in the sky. When asked by his father about his painting, Julian said it was Lucy, in the sky, with diamonds. John was so taken with the phrase he combined it with passages similar to two books by Lewis Carroll that he d loved as a child, Through The Looking Glass and Alice s Adventures in Wonderland. Paul added the line about newspaper taxis and Lennon s beloved Goon Show got a shout out. Their famed plasticine ties merged with Through the Looking Glass to become plasticine porters with looking glass ties. Work began on Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds with an evening full of rehearsals. The rhythm track was recorded on March 1 with Paul playing the opening riff on a Lowery organ (with a bell stop), George on acoustic guitar, Ringo on drums and John on maracas and offering a guide vocal. John s lead vocal and other instruments (George s tamboura, Paul s melodic bass) were added the next evening. The Beatles - She s A Woman (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul Recorded in seven takes on October 8, 1964, take 6 is the released version. Written by Paul McCartney while waking around St. John s Wood the morning of the recording session and finished at home before heading off to Abbey Road studios. Issued in the

3 3 U.S. on November 23, 1964, 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. The B-side of I Feel Fine. On U.S. albums: Beatles 65 - Capitol LP UK: Non-album single (B-side) The Beatles - Penny Lane - Non-LP track (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul The Beatles fourteenth single release for EMI s Parlophone label. Following the disastrous 1966 world tour the individual Beatles took control of their hectic schedule. They were no longer in a rush to do anything. In September 1966, Brian Epstein informed EMI and Capitol that there would be no new Beatles album, and quite possibly no single, ready in time for the 1966 Christmas season. EMI quickly assembled a 16-track greatest hits album ( A Collection Of Beatles Oldies ). In the U.S., Capitol did not release a hits compilation and instead waited impatiently for a new single. The band reconvened in late November to begin work on their next LP. With no deadlines, they simply brought in new songs as they dreamt them up. Contains at least TWO slightly slang obscenities ( finger pie and keeps his fire engine clean ). On U.S. album: Magical Mystery Tour - Capitol LP

4 4 BREAK Up next one of those songs that just sounds better on Sunday morning as opposed to say Monday morning. Here s Johnny. John Lennon Bless You - Walls And Bridges 74 This track was an ode to Yoko during the Lost Weekend phase. It is considered by some to be one of John s most tender solo compositions. Paul McCartney & Wings My Love Red Rose Speedway 73 Another massive hit for Paul and a great shot in the arm after being derided by critics, who were still unimpressed by McCartney s solo efforts. This song was written about Linda and has become a staple in McCartney s live set list. My Love was also released as a single in March 1973, reaching #1 on the US charts, with a #9 showing in the UK.

5 5 The Beatles - Something - Abbey Road (Harrison) Lead vocal: George The Beatles twenty-first single release for EMI, and fourth on the Apple Records label. Although initially crediting Lennon and McCartney as the songwriters, legendary crooner Frank Sinatra called George Harrison s Something the greatest love song ever written. Commonly referred to as George s first Beatles A-side, some sales chart makers at the time considered the single a double-a, as both sides of the record received significant radio airplay, and charted both Something and its flip side (John s Come Together ) as one combined chart listing. The song is the first of two CLASSIC songs George delivered for the Abbey Road album, the other being Here Comes The Sun. It was a phenomenal one-two punch that had to have Lennon and McCartney wondering what else Harrison had up his sleeve. Some easy listening Beatles for yer Sunday morning Aug. 23 rd 2015.(read em follow w/ adding long quiz tones ) QUIZ # 1/ Let s Play it was 50 years ago today KLOS

6 6 Where were the Beatles 50 years ago today? 9.27 BREAK Winner HERE The Beatles had arrived in Los Angeles shortly before midnight on 22 August They had five days of rest prior to their concerts in San Diego, San Francisco and the Hollywood Bowl, which concluded their North American tour. The group rented a large house at 2850 Benedict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills, which was owned by actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. Less than 12 hours after their arrival, however, the address had been announced by radio stations, and the LAPD were called in to keep fans away from the property. A group of security men from the Burns Agency were also on hand to offer protection.

7 7 In the evening The Beatles went to a party at the Bel Air home of Capitol Records' president Alan Livingstone, where they were presented with a number of awards. Also present were Edward G Robinson, Jack Benny, Vince Edwards, Gene Barry, Richard Chamberlain, Jane Fonda, Rock Hudson, Groucho Marx, Dean Martin, Hayley Mills and James Stewart. While in LA!!! John wrote this song after a hang with Crosby & Fonda not Bing and Henry The Beatles - She Said She Said - Revolver (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John The rhythm track was finished in three takes on June 21, 1966, the final day of recording for Revolver. When the recording session started the song was untitled. The key line came from a real-life incident. On August 24, 1965, during a break in Los Angeles from their North American Tour, The Beatles rented a house on Mulholland Drive. They played host to notables such as Roger McGuinn and David Crosby of the Byrds, actors and actresses, and a bevy of beautiful women, From Playboy, I believe, Lennon remembered. John, high on acid, found himself in a strange conversation with actor Peter Fonda, who kept coming up to him and whispering, I know what it s like to be dead. As a child, Fonda had a near-death experience after accidentally shooting himself on the stomach. The song was a last-minute addition to the Revolver, rehearsed and recorded on the final day of sessions when the band discovered they were one song short. McCartney recalls getting into an argument with John and leaving

8 8 the studio. He believes this is one of the only Beatle records he didn t play on. It is assumed George played the bass in McCartney s absence. John sings the lead vocal and plays the organ, and John and George double-tracked the backing vocals. On U.S. album: Revolver - Capitol LP Wings Getting Closer This song had been lying around since 1974 in an unfinished form. This was the first time in five years that a leadoff single from the album was a rocker. This may have had to do with why the single didn t perform as well, as the audience who had expected some lighter material. The Beatles I ll Follow The Sun - Beatles For Sale 100% pure McCartney. Written pre- Beatles?

9 9 Recorded Oct. 18 th, Musicians: Paul McCartney lead vocal, acoustic guitar; John Lennon harmony vocal, acoustic guitar; George Harrison lead guitar; Ringo Starr knees(?) This was written in the late- fifties when Paul was sixteen years old (not bad for a little kid I didn t learn to ride a bike til I was twenty!). Pete Best remembered that he used to busk it on the piano, in- between sets at The Kaiserkeller. It may well be the earliest song that they ever committed to tape. Nobody s sure what Ringo s playing, but he might be pounding out the beat on his knees. (Or maybe it s someone else s knees!) McCartney 1.00 Lead vocal Paul US - Capitol LP Beatles '65 The Beatles - Every Little Thing - Beatles For Sale (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John (with Paul on the choruses) Written primarily by Paul between and recorded on September 29 and 30, 1964 in nine takes. Ringo makes his debut on timpani (the orchestral drum instrument), which appears only on the final take (Take 9) of the song. On U.S. album: Beatles VI - Capitol LP BREAK An interesting number in that Paul wrote the song and John sing s lead vocal which didn t happen too often though John wrote most this next song and Paul sings the verses which is also quite unusual..let s listen in mono.

10 10 The Beatles - Day Tripper Past Masters Recorded: 16 October 1965 Rubber Soul sessions Oct. `65 Yesterday & Today LP here in the US The eleventh official EMI release. The first official double "A" side release of We Can Work It Out Inspired in part by John and George's first experience with acid, "Day Tripper" was written under pressure for use as a single for the Christmas season. John wrote most of the song, with Paul contributing to each of the verses Stevie Wonder We Can Work It Out - Signed, Sealed, and Delivered, That single reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in `71. Stevie Wonder's cover version earned his second Grammy Award nomination in 1972, for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

11 11 The Beatles - Roll Over Beethoven With The Beatles (Berry) Lead vocal: George Chuck Berry s rock and roll standard was released as a single in May 1956 on Chess Records. It peaking at #29. A staple of The Beatles live show from the earliest days, Beatles fans will be surprised to learn that John Lennon was the lead singer of the song in those very early club days. In 1961 George Harrison took over lead vocals. Roll Over Beethoven was the opening song at The Beatles first concert in America, February 11, 1964 in Washington D.C., and opens Capitol s The Beatles Second Album, released on April 10, On U.S. album: The Beatles Second Album - Capitol LP 9.57 BREAK Back still to come on today s show Ivor Davis who was with the Beatles at Elvis house 50 years ago this weekend.and a fill in for Jackie DeShannon who s away on a birthday vacation! And speaking of if yer listening Jackie.

12 12 The Beatles - Do You Want To Know A Secret Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon) Lead vocal: George Recorded February 11, Written primarily by John Lennon for George Harrison to sing. The song was given to another Brian Epstein-managed act, Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas, to cover. Their version topped the British charts in late spring Inspired by "I'm Wishing," a song from Walt Disney s 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that Lennon s mother used to sing to him when he was a child. On U.S. albums: Introducing The Beatles - Vee-Jay LP The Early Beatles - Capitol LP The Beatles - In My Life - Rubber Soul (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: John with Paul Recorded October 18, 1965 and written primarily by John, who called it his first real major piece of work. Of all the Lennon-McCartney collaborations only two songs have really been disputed by John and Paul themselves -- Eleanor Rigby and In My Life. Both agree that the lyrics are 100% Lennon, but John says Paul helped on the musical bridge, while Paul recalls writing the entire melody on John s Mellotron. The gorgeous piano solo is provided by George Martin. To give his solo a harpsichord sound the producer played the piano at half speed and an octave lower so that when played at regular speed it would be in the correct key for the song. On U.S. album: Rubber Soul - Capitol LP

13 13 Paul McCartney Cosmically Conscious - Off The Ground: The Complete Works 93 Originally written in India in 1968 this fades in after C Mon People as a bonus hidden track. A hidden song that didn t make it to the White Album (Holy $%&^)? 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

14 14 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 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. Again No news w/ Jackie this week but I am tryin` to locate Beatle Raj remember Raj? You don t know Raj do ya Semi New Eng Jordan? He studied w/ Maharishi or the guy who ran the Source Restaurant one or the other ever see that documentary? The Source fascinating account But I digress. The Beatles - Love You To - Revolver

15 15 (Harrison) Lead vocal: George George s first composition written with Indian instruments in mind. The basic track was recorded in six takes on April 11, The song s working title was Granny Smith, a reference to the name of the green apple popular in the UK. George s lead vocal was recorded on April 12. A harmony vocal by Paul was omitted in the final mix. The tabla is played by Anil Bhagwat, who is credited on the album s back cover. It is assumed that George Harrison plays the sitar on this track. The phrase Love You To does not appear in the song. The closest George comes to the title is I ll make love to you if you want me to. Two years later, the Granny Smith apple would become the logo for The Beatles company, Apple Corps, and would be featured on their record labels. With the exception of the Let It Be album issued in 1970, which had a red apple featured on the label, the standard Apple Records album and single labels displayed a bright green Granny Smith apple on the A-side, while the flipside/side 2 displayed the midsection of the apple cut in half. On U.S. album: Revolver - Capitol LP NEWS HERE W/ Raj! BREAK B/The Beatles Polythene Pam - Abbey Road

16 16 Recorded July 25 th w/ She Came in Through The Bathroom Window. The only Beatles song inspired by a woman in New Jersey who dressed in polythene (but not jack boots or kilts). Written in India, demoed for the White LP. Lennon 1.00 The Beatles She Came In Through The Bathroom Window - Abbey Road Recorded July 25 th Written while in NYC to announce Apple. Based on a true story about some Scruffs breaking into Paul house at St. John s Wood. Paul wrote w/ Joe Cocker in mind who later coved it as he did with most Beatle songs. McCartney 1.00 The Beatles - You Won t See Me - Rubber Soul (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul Written entirely by Paul. Recorded in two takes on November 11, 1965, at the final recording session for the Rubber Soul album. The song is notable for Paul s melodic bass line, something new to rock and roll. Paul: It was very Motown-flavored. It's got a James Jamerson feel. He was the Motown bass player, he was fabulous, the guy who

17 17 did all those great melodic bass lines. It was him, me and Brian Wilson who were doing melodic bass lines at that time. Beatles roadie Mal Evans is credited on the album s back cover with playing Hammond organ on this track, but it is inaudible in the final mix. On U.S. album: Rubber Soul - Capitol LP QUIZ #2 Who s singing this Beatles song? And before we play it let me say in advance I apologize. A/ Milton Berle 1968 single VMC Records produced & Arranged by Tony Harris That was unfair to Ringo having Uncle Milty sing his song like that and don t think we ve heard Ringo sing a song yet this morning unless we played one before I got here Jordan? No? Good. The Beatles Boys Please Please Me (Dixon-Farrell) Lead vocal: Ringo

18 18 Recorded in just one take on February 11, Boys was drummer Ringo Starr s first recorded lead vocal. Luther Dixon and Wes Farrell s song was originally recorded by The Shirelles and was the b-side to their smash hit Will You Love Me Tomorrow? This song was usually Ringo s contribution at The Beatles live performances during their North American Tour in the summer of On U.S. albums: Introducing The Beatles - Vee-Jay LP The Early Beatles - Capitol LP The Beatles - Glad All Over (George) BBC The Beatles - When I Get Home - A Hard Day s Night (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John Recorded in 11 takes on June 2, It was the next to last song completed for the A Hard Day s Night album. In his 1980 interview with Playboy magazine John Lennon said: That s me trying to get that Wilson Pickett type sound, a four-in-the bar cowbell song. On U.S. album: Something New - Capitol LP The Beatles - I Me Mine - Let It Be (Harrison) Lead vocal: George

19 19 It should be noted that none of the Beatles rehearsals at Twickenham Studios in January 1969 were recorded on multi-track. Those official recordings took place at Apple headquarters, either in the studio set up in the basement or on the rooftop during their concert. In the Let It Be film George can be heard playing his song I Me Mine to Ringo while John and Yoko dance a waltz. He had composed the song the night before in five minutes flat. Unfortunately, George s song was not one the group recorded when they went to Apple Studios to record the new album tracks. Because the song was being used in the film it needed to be recorded for the soundtrack album, prompting George, Paul and Ringo to return to Abbey Road Studios on January 3, 1970, to record the song. John was on vacation in Denmark. Had he been in London it is doubtful he would have attended the session because he had quit the band in September Sixteen basic tracks were recorded with George playing acoustic guitar, Paul on bass guitar and Ringo on drums. Overdubs recorded that day were electric piano, electric guitar, new lead and backing vocals and a second acoustic guitar part. John Lennon Look At Me - Plastic Ono Band 70 A song written around the time of Julia during the White Album sessions, it was never offered for that particular record BREAK

20 20 The Beatles That s Alright Mama Live BBC /POP Go! July `63 written by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup That s All Right (Mama) Elvis recorded his version of Arthur (Big Boy) Crudup s song at Sam Phillips s Memphis studio on July 5, It started him on the way to stardom, and he never stopped singing That s All Right (Mama), including it in many live shows through the rest of his career. The Beatles had been singing it since the group s earliest days, when they were known as The Quarry Men. Paul sang lead on The Beatles' version of That s All Right (Mama) that was broadcast over the BBC airwaves. He followed Presley s rockabilly treatment of the song instead of Crudup s original r&b version. I Got a Woman I Got a Woman, the first song Elvis recorded at his first RCA recording session in Nashville in January 1956, was a hit for Ray Charles the year before. It s another of the songs Presley used in his live appearances through the seventies. The Beatles would have heard Elvis s version in 1956 on his first UK album, titled Rock n Roll No. 1. John sang lead on The Beatles BBC version, recorded in July The pace is slower, but the grinding ending makes it obvious it was Elvis s version and not Ray Charles s that the group had in mind. I m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) Elvis recorded this cover of Joe Thomas s early fifties r&b hit at the end of January It appeared as a track on his first U.S. album, as well as on his Rock n Roll No. 1 debut LP in the UK. John and Paul sang a duet on the song when they recorded it in the BBC studio in July I Forgot to Remember to Forget Elvis s last record issued on the Sun label was recorded in July Elvis signed on with RCA while I Forgot to Remember to Forget was on its way to #1 on Billboard s country chart. RCA issued it immediately on its label, and the record remained on the country chart for 40 weeks, longer than any other Elvis single on any Billboard chart. In February 1964, The Beatles arrived in New York for their first historic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Three months later, in May 1964, the group was back in London recording I Forgot to Remember to Forget for later playback on BBC radio. George Harrison sang lead on what would be the last Presley cover the group would make BREAK LIVE 1974

21 21 Dark Horse Whatever Gets Ya Through The Night Let Me Roll It No No Song All Live all out in 1974 Paul McCartney Little Willow Flaming Pie 97 Written January 1995 as a tribute to Ringo s ex-wife, Maureen Starkey, who passed away the previous December. It was composed as a song instead of a letter to her kids. The track would go on to serve as Paul s tribute to Princess Diana.