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[nimrod]

OK first question, who played drums ?

Some sites say Paul, Some say Ringo.

I think its Ringo. 

As far as the song goes, its an ok song, nothing special imo. Some nice piano work from Paul on “jangle box” on track four, this instrument also refered to as “tack piano.” Andy Babiuk's book “Beatles Gear” explains that a "jangle box" was a modified upright piano. "The instrument's hammers were brushed with cellulose, which then dried hard, and some of its strings were re-tuned. The result was a percussive, jangling piano sound.”

On June 4th, 1969, Apple Records released a new Beatles single in the US, “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” backed with “Old Brown Shoe.” While Beatles' fans were inundated with singles on the charts in 1964, even occupying the entire top five positions on the Billboard charts in April of that year, it was quite unusual by 1969 standards to have more than one single by the group in the charts at the same time. Their previous single, “Get Back / Don't Let Me Down” had just been released on May 5th, their previous single “Hey Jude” being released over eight months before.

Instrumentation (most likely):

George Harrison - Lead  Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitar (1968 Fender Rosewood Telecaster), Organ (Hammond RT-3)
Paul McCartney - Piano (1964 Challen "Jangle Box" upright 681834), Bass (1966 Fender Jazz Bass), backing vocals
John Lennon - Backing Vocals
Ringo Starr - Drums (1968 Ludwig Hollywood Maple)

[Moogmodule]

This is one that passed me by when I was younger but I like it more as time passes. A bit of light hearted fun. Some nice instrumental moments; the bass runs, piano and guitar all sound good. I prefer it now to the A side which was a bit self indulgent.

Isn’t there some question on who played bass? I thought it was suggested George played it as Paul was on piano.

[blmeanie]

familiar with this as a young fan because of it being on the blue album but it didn't get the listens that the other songs did.

I like it, I like the piano sound, never knew the origin of it though, thanks.

[nimrod]

This is one that passed me by when I was younger but I like it more as time passes. A bit of light hearted fun. Some nice instrumental moments; the bass runs, piano and guitar all sound good. I prefer it now to the A side which was a bit self indulgent.

Isn’t there some question on who played bass? I thought it was suggested George played it as Paul was on piano.

I prefer it too but John's was very commercial, sing-along type, a hit....
Apparently John played a rhythm guitar track but George wiped it for organ.

[Moogmodule]

I prefer it too but John's was very commercial, sing-along type, a hit....
Apparently John played a rhythm guitar track but George wiped it for organ.

that’s right. Half the time John didn’t bother playing on George tracks and when he did George wiped it 

[nimrod]

that’s right. Half the time John didn’t bother playing on George tracks and when he did George wiped it 

[tkitna]

I like the song.  Nothing great but decent tune.  Bass is cool no matter who played it.  I always thought it was George. 

[Moogmodule]

I prefer it too but John's was very commercial, sing-along type, a hit....

Yep OBS is definitely a B side.

Gary Brookers version at concert for George is really enjoyable too.