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Solo forums => George Harrison => Topic started by: alexis on October 20, 2008, 04:55:28 PM

Title: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: alexis on October 20, 2008, 04:55:28 PM
I have always been attracted to this song, it is so original in style/chords, etc.

I wonder though - if it had been released without the "Beatle treatment" (harmonies, McCartney Bass, Starr drums, phased/odd-beat piano) - would it have been as good, would it have sounded as good?

In other words, how much of it's excellentness (for those who feel it is) is due to the quality of the song itself, vs. the arrangement/production?

Thanks for your opinions  :)
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Bobber on October 20, 2008, 06:58:11 PM
I happened to listen to Old Brown Shoe the other day and my evil mind thought that John and Paul approved of releasing the song because Paul plays an excellent bass on the song!
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Geoff on October 20, 2008, 07:44:18 PM
Quote from: 568
I wonder though - if it had been released without the "Beatle treatment" (harmonies, McCartney Bass, Starr drums, phased/odd-beat piano) - would it have been as good, would it have sounded as good?

In other words, how much of it's excellentness (for those who feel it is) is due to the quality of the song itself, vs. the arrangement/production?

Thanks for your opinions  :)

Have a listen to the demo version on Anthology 3: the dour and sardonic George of "Don't Bother Me" meets Bob Dylan. :)
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: fendertele on October 20, 2008, 07:45:48 PM
Bass is fantastic but song is pretty poor.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Mairi on October 20, 2008, 08:23:21 PM
Pretty boring song in my opinion. It just drags on. It gets a skip most times.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: DoBotherMe on October 21, 2008, 10:53:04 PM
Of course, I love the song. According to Lewisohn's notes George did the arrangement for the recorded version on his birthday. And according to George:http://www.creemmagazine.com/_site/BeatGoesOn/GeorgeHarrison/Interview001.html
Quote
You also told me you played bass on "Old Brown Shoe."
It
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: alexis on October 22, 2008, 01:59:24 AM
Quote from: 1380
Of course, I love the song. According to Lewisohn's notes George did the arrangement for the recorded version on his birthday. And according to George:http://www.creemmagazine.com/_site/BeatGoesOn/GeorgeHarrison/Interview001.html


George was playing both bass and lead guitar on Old Brown Shoe. I didn't know that! Dana ; )



Great article, thanks! And who would have known that George played bass on that track!
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Bobber on October 22, 2008, 08:00:59 AM
That's interesting. Didn't know that! I always thought that Paul did an amazing job on bass.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Geoff on October 22, 2008, 01:38:48 PM
Quote from: 1380
George was playing both bass and lead guitar on Old Brown Shoe. I didn't know that! Dana ; )

I didn't know it either. I'd always assumed it was Paul.  :)
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: The Swine on October 22, 2008, 01:49:40 PM
and every source i have checked tells me it is indeed paul
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Geoff on October 22, 2008, 02:00:22 PM
Quote from: 748
and every source i have checked tells me it is indeed paul

Yeah... Ian Macdonald says it's Paul (p.305). Anyone have Lewisohn handy?

Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: An Apple Beatle on October 22, 2008, 02:08:15 PM
I do like this song...Didn't when I first got into The Beatles but since come to admire it's greatness more over time. It is a busy mix...I wonder if they were compensating at the time to what they considered may have been a weaker tune? I love the sound of the piano, the organ seems busy but I love it on the outro.

Regards the bassline it may have been Georg as it's very syncopated to the guitar line......Also love the sound of the big F guitar chord just before 'baby I'm in love with you.'

Oh and the drums....lol

I also got a hunch that George put the vocals down relatively quick and simply but they spent more time on accompaniment.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: sewi on October 22, 2008, 02:16:00 PM
Quote from: 1161

Yeah... Ian Macdonald says it's Paul (p.305). Anyone have Lewisohn handy?



What I have:

Chronicle (1992)

Wednesday 16 April (1969)
Studio Three, EMI Studios, London

Proper, group recordings of `Old Brown Shoe' and
'Something', both taped in demo form by composer George
on 25 February. Actually, George recorded a second demo of
'Old Brown Shoe' during this afternoon, 2.30
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Bobber on October 22, 2008, 02:22:07 PM
A new mystery is born!

WHO PLAYS THE BASS ON OLD BROWN SHOE?  ;D
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: An Apple Beatle on October 22, 2008, 02:59:22 PM
^Heheh I got hold of the multi-tracks for A Day In The Life and I REALLY do know the answer to that one. ;)
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: fendertele on October 22, 2008, 05:25:40 PM
When you listen to it, it does sound vintage macca but like you know if you spend long enough with someone you pick up there habits, sayings ways of doing things(way of Playing/Writing), so i think theres a good chance it George.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: DoBotherMe on October 22, 2008, 08:47:07 PM
I've always thought that the three played guitar similarly. But that would be true since they all learned together and from each other (and "Teacher" Tony Sheridan). D ; )
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: BlueMeanie on October 23, 2008, 08:27:01 AM
Quote from: 15
^Heheh I got hold of the multi-tracks for A Day In The Life and I REALLY do know the answer to that one. ;)

Yeah, me too. I'm not telling though!!
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: DoBotherMe on October 23, 2008, 03:21:50 PM
 
Quote
Heheh I got hold of the multi-tracks for A Day In The Life and I REALLY do know the answer to that one.

What's the secret? Do tell. Dana ; )
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: BlueMeanie on October 23, 2008, 03:32:52 PM
Quote from: 1380


What's the secret? Do tell. Dana ; )

Long ago, on a thread far, far away there was a discussion on who sang the 'Ahh's' on A Day In The Life. It's difficult to tell, but becomes slightly more apparent when you hear the multi-track.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: DoBotherMe on October 23, 2008, 03:49:46 PM
Not to be thick, but why was there a discussion about who sang the "ahh's"? D ; )
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: BlueMeanie on October 23, 2008, 03:51:24 PM
Quote from: 1380
Not to be thick, but why was there a discussion about who sang the "ahh's"? D ; )

It must have been a quiet week! ;D
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: harihead on November 19, 2008, 10:00:15 PM
Quote from: An Apple Beatle
^Heheh I got hold of the multi-tracks for A Day In The Life and I REALLY do know the answer to that one.
Quote from: 483
Yeah, me too. I'm not telling though!!

I'm going to beat you both bloody with a hammer.

I say that with all love.

Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: tkitna on November 20, 2008, 01:37:13 AM
I think George played the recorded bass on 'Old Brown Shoe'. It sounds to busy for Paul and not thought out enough in my opinion. As George said, he didnt really know how to play the bass so he just played it like the guitar and it sounds like it too.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Kevin on November 20, 2008, 12:12:43 PM
Quote from: 373
I think George played the recorded bass on 'Old Brown Shoe'. It sounds to busy for Paul and not thought out enough in my opinion. As George said, he didnt really know how to play the bass so he just played it like the guitar and it sounds like it too.

Bugger me. I've always found the bass a real highlight, especially those fast little runs he does. I really like this song, but like most of George's stuff it lacks a big moment, or at least a good refrain.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: Ovi on November 08, 2010, 09:35:35 PM
The Old Brown Shoe bass is brilliant, so is the guitar solo but George's vocals are dull, lifeless, and sound like someone's strangeling him...Sorry, but I've always considered Old Brown Shoe a downer.
Title: Re: Old Brown Shoe - Great song?
Post by: glass onion on November 10, 2010, 12:11:44 AM
definitely george on bass on 'old brown shoe',and definitely paul singing the 'aahs' on 'day in the life'.