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Beatles forums => Albums => Microscopes => Topic started by: tkitna on May 13, 2011, 05:29:35 PM

Title: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on May 13, 2011, 05:29:35 PM
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

The concept album that wasn’t. I have a soft spot in my heart for this record. Maybe it’s the fact that my buddy and I listened to it (on 8-track) everyday after school at his house while we shot pool and lifted weights. Maybe it’s because it’s the second album I stole from my sisters collection when I was young. Maybe its just because it’s a damn good record.


Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band -  I love the opening with the orchestra tuning up. The guitar tone is nice and just raunchy enough. The muddy sounding drums fit nicely with Pauls distant sounding voice.  0:47 I love the crowd laughing like the lads just did something comical. 0:55 the harmonies with the guitar being played behind them are great. All in all, I don’t have much more to add other than I think it’s a great opener.

With A Little Help From My Friends - This is the defining moment for Ringo in the Beatles, or at least, this is what I always associate with him. The guys finally said enough with the bullsh*t and wrote him a good one. Whats nice about the song is that it trys to stay in character with Ringo. He immediately apologizes to the audience about his lackluster voice. This eases the mood and deems the song acceptable. If that wasn’t enough, the entire song is about the assistance he receives from his friends. Brilliant. Pauls bass sounds amazing. Ringos drums are crisp and clear. Piano sounds good. The cowbell during the chorus is neat and something I never picked up on before. 0:25 love the tambourine. Backgrounds are great. Guitar tone is nice. 1:30 I like Ringos ride taking up space. Ending is very nice with Ringo actually showing a little range in his voice. Not one of my favorite songs, but it’s a super good tune for Ringo.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds -  And the concept is gone already. Doesn’t matter though because the rest of the album has some cool stuff with this song being one of them. The electric harpsichord beginning is cool (or whatever the instrument is). Bass sounds great. Johns voice is awesome sounding on this one. 0:25 is Johns voice double tracked here or is it Paul or George joining in? Either way, its not as tight as it could have been.  0:32 love John singing with the guitar playing along. 0:50 like how Pauls voice sticks out here. 1:00 love the higher voice here too. Is it Paul? I enjoy the constant sitar sounding feedback throughout the song. 1:32 John sings another little ’High’ like he ran out of breath or something. Neat. I think Pauls bass carries the song in the ending. Listen to it at the 3:16 mark. Awesome. Good song.

Getting Better - Paul sings Its getting better all the time while John sings it cant get much worse. Pretty self explanatory of how they really were in my opinion. It seems that a lot of people don’t like this song, but I do. Moving on. I really like the guitar tone. I don’t know if it’s the crash or a hi hat splash, but I like how Ringo takes up space on this one. First instance is at the 0:10 mark if anybody wants to take a crack. I use the hats here personally, but it could be either. Love the background vocals. 0:44 the piano and guitar come in together and sounds great. Pauls voice is awesome too. Bass sounds great (reoccurring theme on this album). 1:35 is that the sitar again? Congos are a nice addition at this time too. What is the instrument at the end that reminds me of a police siren in how it repeats itself? I like it. Nice song, but not great.

Fixing A Hole - One of my favorites on the album. Ringos hat work here is fantastic. Love the bass and Pauls voice. 0:34 Johns voice cracks when he comes in with the falsetto. It cracks doing the same thing later in the song too. Guitar tone is great and along with the strong solo is one of my favorite instances of the electric guitar with the Beatles. 1:32 the background ‘Ooooo’s’ are stellar. 2:06 love how Pauls singing as if he’s almost pleading his case. Like theres a bit of urgency to get his point across. Great song in my opinion.

She’s Leaving Home - Another song I like a lot, but I’m not really sure it fits well within the context of the album. It never bothered me before, but it was something I thought about today. The harp in the beginning is nice. Pauls voice is pleasant enough. Strings are wonderful (thanks Mike Leander). 0:50 What a falsetto only to be matched at the 1:01 mark. This is why I think Paul had more range than John. 3:02 the violin plays a few drawn out notes here. Fantastic and a highlight for me. Johns ‘Bye Bye’s’ throughout are awesome. Another great song with a nice story to go along with it. Well, a pretty depressing story actually, but you get my drift.

Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite - I always had fun singing along to this song. Ringos hi hat splashes are great. Bass is very cool. Johns storytelling voice is nice and sounds good. 0:29 echo effect on the backgrounds comes in and is super cool. 1:00 dig the organ and carnival sounds. Wonder what other bands were thinking when they first listened to this? 1:16 the guitar solo or note picking here is awesome. The ending of the song is sweet to with the abrupt ending. Good song.

Within You Without You - Ok, as everyone knows, I’m not the fondest of Georges Indian music. This song fits on this album though. It has the psychedelic sound and emotion that makes it ok to be here. 0:18 the harp strum is cool. Georges eerie voice works very well. Like the constant beat throughout. 1:11 strings come in and sound nice. 2:42 Love the high notes being plucked here by the strings. 3:04 three sharp sitar notes being played is the highlight of the song for me. I always listen to that part. 3:43 you can hear George or somebody counting in. Cool. Like I said, the song works for this album, but I’m still not a fan.

When I’m 64 - And here it is, the thorn of the album. I love Pauls music, I really do, but this shouldn’t be here. Its like a wart on a supermodel. It doesn’t belong. The sad thing is I like the song well enough, but not here. Regardless, the bass does sound good. 0:39 like the backgrounds coming in with the ‘Ooooo’s’. How cant you like Mal Evans on the bell? Ringo plays very well here. Stop and give him a close listen. Very nice. Piano sounds good. 1:55 sounds like a kids flute being played. Never noticed it before. 2:10 a guitar comes in. I never noticed that before either. I have to ask, what is the instrument being played that sounds like an instrument from the 20’s? Take the first 10 seconds of the song and its being played there plain as day. Oboe maybe? I never really wondered before today. Don’t know how to judge this song. Its done well and may have scored better if it wasn’t on this record.

Lovely Rita - My favorite song on the record and a top 10 of mine from their entire catalog. Love the guitar in the opening. Does John do the opening ‘Ahhh’s’ here? Sounds like him to me. Bass is awesome. 0:21 short ‘Ah’ in the background (John I think) and then at 0:24 theres a short ‘Oh’ (which sounds like George). Cool. Pauls voice sounds fantastic. 0:27 kazoo buildup? That’s what it sounds like to me. 0:31 theres a noise like a zipper being zipped really fast. That’s the only way I can explain it. Never heard it before. Mal on the bell again. 0:41 dig the background chugging. 0:55 John and George singing lovely Rita in the background is great. Piano solo is top notch. 1:38 love the part where Paul sings ‘Sitting on a sofa with a sister or two’ and the backgrounds sing ‘Ohhhhh’ as if to express the frustration. Awesome. 1:55 Pauls goes and sings different things all over the place. Neat. The ending is too much. Its as if Pauls going to explode. Is it frustration or relief? I’m sure you all understand. Awesome song in my opinion.

Good Morning Good Morning - I guess they say that John got this idea by reading the back of a cereal box? Makes sense. I like the frantic pace the song takes on. Johns voice is outstanding. Really dig Ringo ending the bars with the tom and crash at the same time. 0:42 speaking of Ringo, his double time on the hi hats here is nothing short of genius.  Changes the entire song at that point. 0:44 is this the first instance of rapping in popular music? Love, love the guitar solo. Sounds like McCartney though. Did Paul do this one? 1:34 three lead guitar notes is my favorite part of the song. Ringo does some sweet fills during the ending along with the animal noises. Decent song. I like it.

Sgt. Pepper Reprise - Going back to the concept idea that’s already been lost. Whatever, it’s a decent rocker anyways. The lead guitar coming off the rooster crow is awesome. Pauls count in is cool. 0:03 John says either bye or five. Neat. Guitar tone is good. Love the backgrounds but I hear Johns voice more than the others. Ringo does great. Nice fills. Bass drives the song. Nice short little rocker.

A Day In The Life - Many consider this to be the Beatles magnum opus. Who am I to disagree? The acoustic in the beginning is nice. Piano and bass sound great. Ringos drumming is top notch and this is easily one of his greatest drumming songs ever. Johns voice may never have sounded better. 1:44 the huge build up with the Mal Evans count in is cool. 2:18 Paul counts in with a quick 1, 2, 3, 4. Bongos in the middle section are nice and something I never really noticed before. Speaking of the middle section, its not my favorite. Its ok and changes the pace of the song, but maybe its because its not as good as Johns part. I don’t know. 2:49 Johns ’Ahhhh’s’ always got to me. Powerful. Bobber can post the link to Al’s Ahhh thread because I’m not getting into that argument. I always thought it was John and I’m sticking to it. 5:10 I like the tape loop even if it did scare the sh*t out of me when I was younger and stoned listening to this. Great song. Masterpiece? I don’t know. You be the judge.


Well, in closing, I love Sgt. Peppers. I think the Beatles went nuts and pushed the studio to the edge with some of the things they were trying. It worked. If Revolver blew the minds of other bands, Sgt. Pepper probably caused a good many of them to give up. Was it music or was it art? A little of both I would imagine. I’ve always said, if they would have chucked ‘Within You Without You’ and ‘When I’m 64’ and added ‘Strawberry Fields’ and ‘Penny Lane’, this is easily the greatest album ever in popular music. In closing you can see even more growth from Revolver to here and I don’t think they ever topped this creative pinnacle again.

One other thing I noticed. Although this is a heavily weighed Paul album, it seems that Johns efforts stick out more. LSD is a legendary Beatle track, ADITL is considered their masterpiece, while BFTBOMK is the strangest thing they did to date. I don’t know, it just seems that Pauls tunes don’t hold up as well although he had more to say.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 13, 2011, 11:33:52 PM
You all have to remember that I was just 17 years old when I heard the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album on its release.  So I was a little young and susceptible at the time.  Psychedelia frightened me and I gravitated towards Paul's songs. 

Fixing A Hole - I liked this song the most and it remains my favorite song on this album.  I liked Sir George Martin's harpsichord intro and its use as the primary rhythm instrument for this song.  Paul's bass is highlighted and rightfully so.  It's Paul playing bass at his very best.  George's lead guitar was strong and enjoyable because of its double-tracking.  And I like the "ooooh oooohs" harmony too.  The lyrics were just a bit psychedelic yet very tame.  And I really enjoyed Paul's double meaning of "If I'm wrong I'm right where I belong."  We would see Paul use trick lyrics like these a few more times in the future.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: stevie on May 14, 2011, 08:00:19 AM
ADITL and LR are my 2 faves off Pepper.

I think the zipping sound in LR is the boys playing a comb and paper!!! They created these fab sound effects out of nothing a fair bit.

Its funny, and I think most fans will agree, but even though this album is the most influential in musical history, its fair to say it wouldn't be the most played on a regular basis by fans.  Does that make sense?
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on May 14, 2011, 08:19:22 AM
Its funny, and I think most fans will agree, but even though this album is the most influential in musical history, its fair to say it wouldn't be the most played on a regular basis by fans.  Does that make sense?

Sure it makes sense. I probably play Abbey Road more than any other Beatle album, but its not as inventive or creative as Pepper. Revolver is my favorite album by them and I rarely ever play that one either. Always seems to be AR, White album, and Rubber Soul for some reason.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on May 14, 2011, 03:41:49 PM
Sure it makes sense. I probably play Abbey Road more than any other Beatle album, but its not as inventive or creative as Pepper. Revolver is my favorite album by them and I rarely ever play that one either. Always seems to be AR, White album, and Rubber Soul for some reason.

tkitna in denial about which is his favourite  ha2ha
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: KelMar on May 14, 2011, 05:53:52 PM
ADITL and LR are my 2 faves off Pepper.

I think the zipping sound in LR is the boys playing a comb and paper!!! They created these fab sound effects out of nothing a fair bit.

Its funny, and I think most fans will agree, but even though this album is the most influential in musical history, its fair to say it wouldn't be the most played on a regular basis by fans.  Does that make sense?

You should read Geoff Emerick's book "Here, There and Everywhere" if you haven't. He talks about how the sound effects were created for many of the songs on the albums he worked on and they were very inventive. What they went through for the underwater singing effect in Yellow Submarine is a hilarious story.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: glass onion on May 15, 2011, 11:59:10 AM
sgt. pepper.....a really great album.i remember the first time i heard the title track and it blew my 13 year old ears away.probably the first album by any band to offer 'goodies', and a great album cover,and lyrics printed on the sleeve.if nothing else,it is the soundtrack to psychedelia,is it not?the title track is brilliant,'a little help from my friends' is good but i have never enjoyed it as much as other people seem to.'lucy in the sky with diamonds' is good but again,everyone says how amazing the track is,it seems to knock some of the gloss off it for me.'getting better' and 'fixing a hole' are two of my personal faves from the paul cannon,'she's leaving home' is the black sheep on the album.not beatley at all,but a lovely song nevertheless.'being for the benefit' is john's usual freak out,'within you without you' is fine-georges' usual indian freakout,'when i'm 64' is lovely rooty-tooty music with lovely light and shade,very interesting.'lovely rita' is awesome with some sounds in there that are outstanding.'good morning good morning' is my fave john track on the album,the different time signitures really make the tune stand out for me.'sgt pepper reprise' fits lovely going into 'a day in the life', and what can you say about that song?sgt.pepper isn't my favourite album,but you cannot deny it at all.when you stand back and view it, it is an outstanding collection of songs,and it really does offer something new and 'keeps giving'.mind you,i never liked the taches.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on May 16, 2011, 12:30:00 AM
tkitna in denial about which is his favourite  ha2ha


(http://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/lol8.gif) You might be right.

Nah, the fact is that I dont listen to Beatle albums very often anymore and when I do, its usually because i'm pointing something out to someone.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: KelMar on May 16, 2011, 01:05:27 AM
The first time I listened to this album as an adult I was struck by the thought that so many of the songs just lend themselves well to a little soft-shoe routine.  ;) They make me happy when I listen to them but then there is also the stuff that balances out the lightness. That's what makes this a great album, IMHO.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on May 16, 2011, 06:49:16 AM
([url]http://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/lol8.gif[/url]) You might be right.

Nah, the fact is that I dont listen to Beatle albums very often anymore and when I do, its usually because i'm pointing something out to someone.


 ha2ha

great review of Pepper mate, I enjoyed reading that..
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Bobber on May 16, 2011, 09:18:32 AM


She’s Leaving Home - Strings are wonderful (thanks again George Martin).

Actually the strings were arranged by Mike Leander.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Bobber on May 16, 2011, 09:29:18 AM

When I'm 64 - I have to ask, what is the instrument being played that sounds like an instrument from the 20’s? Take the first 10 seconds of the song and its being played there plain as day. Oboe maybe?

Two clarinets and one bass clarinet were used. Agree wholeheartedly with you about this song. I believe it would have worked better as a b-side to Penny Lane. Strawberry Fields Forever could have been put on the album then.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Bobber on May 16, 2011, 09:42:28 AM
Good Morning Good Morning -  Love, love the guitar solo. Sounds like McCartney though. Did Paul do this one?

Correct.

Quote

A Day In The Life -  2:49 Johns ’Ahhhh’s’ always got to me. Powerful. Bobber can post the link to Al’s Ahhh thread because I’m not getting into that argument. I always thought it was John and I’m sticking to it.



My pleasure: http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/index.php?topic=2065.0 (http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/index.php?topic=2065.0)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on May 16, 2011, 10:03:29 AM
Actually the strings were arranged by Mike Leander.

See, you learn something new everyday. Thanks Cor.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 16, 2011, 06:17:19 PM
When I'm Sixty-Four - Here's another song on the album that I really like.  And it didn't frighten me either the first time I heard it.  ;)  Paul's voice did sound a bit sped up to me and I always wondered why.  Years ago, I purchased the complete set of "The Alternate Beatles" CD albums on the Pear label.  The Alternate Yellow Submarine album included the alternate stereo mix of When I'm Sixty-Four running at its correct speed.

(http://freemusic07.ucoz.com/StoreB/The_Beatles-1969-The_Alternate_Yellow_Submarine.jpg)

This is from Wikipedia:

The song is in the key of D-flat major. The Beatles recorded the song in C major but the master take was sped up in order to raise the key by one semitone at the insistence of McCartney. Martin remembers that McCartney suggested this change in order to make his voice sound younger. McCartney says, "I wanted to appear younger, but that was just to make it more rooty-tooty; just lift the key because it was starting to sound turgid."


And here's When I'm Sixty-Four recorded at its original speed in C major...

When I'm Sixty Four original (In the key of C major) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDt26gJYVB4#ws)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Bobber on May 16, 2011, 08:23:23 PM
When I'm Sixty-Four - Paul's voice did sound a bit sped up to me and I always wondered why. 

I always thought it was because we didn't have to listen to it for a longer time.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 16, 2011, 11:30:36 PM
I always thought it was because we didn't have to listen to it for a longer time.

 ;D

But I still like it a lot, even in C major.  I guess I'm old fashioned.

Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 16, 2011, 11:50:33 PM
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - As tkitna said, it's a great opener.  Close your eyes and listen to this song to see the setting and who and what you're about to hear.  I always wondered what the audience was laughing about.  I guess I was too engrossed in the experience and missed something.

I've always felt this album sounds best in mono.  I bought the mono Capitol version when it was released and so that's what I grew up with.  It was appropriate that Parlophone released their Beatles CD catalog starting with Sgt. Pepper's on the twentieth anniversary of the LP realease..."it was twenty years ago today..."

When I bought the CD, it was in stereo and I was disappointed with the sound.  It took another 22 years until Apple released the mono set.  Now I can finally give my turntable a rest!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 17, 2011, 12:38:43 AM
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) - The Reprise sounds a bit different in mono with more audience sounds at the lead-in, and again that burst of laughter.  Paul is heard shouting in the background during the closing bars.  Just what is he shouting about anyway?  One can barely hear it in the stereo version.

I like the faster tempo and its march cadence.  I can't imagine a better transition to what follows.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on May 17, 2011, 01:24:27 AM
This album really changed everything. It wasn't a true concept album, but it changed the concept of what an album was. Although I prefer Rubber Soul and Revolver, I think that here there're not fillers as in those albums, or maybe it's just an illusion that gives the way each song was carefully produced. But as I don't find any weak song in Sgt. Pepper's, I neither find as many truly great songs as in Rubber Soul and Revolver. And that was the change produced by this record, everybody started to think about albums as a whole and not about songs individually. And actually, as much as I enjoy Sgt. Pepper's, I think that this change was not for good, because I enjoy more the individuality of a great song than an album as if it was one long song. Before Sgt. Pepper's the albums usually had fillers because all the forces were mainly put in those great songs, but after it the albums replaced the singles. I guess it's no coincidence that all my favourite bands appeared on the scene before Sgt. Pepper's was released; but I don't blame the Beatles, someone had to do that soon or later.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 17, 2011, 11:39:04 PM
I always thought it was because we didn't have to listen to it for a longer time.


OK, OK...

The Beatles - When I'm Sixty-Four (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBCcGZWwios#)


 ;D
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 18, 2011, 12:54:24 AM
She’s Leaving Home - When I first listened to the stereo CD in 1987, this song sounded a bit different to me so I pulled out my mono LP and gave it a listen.  The mono version was sped up a semitone higher in pitch.  I prefer the stereo mix; Paul's voice and accent sounds so sad.  It is a sad song after all.  The harp and orchestra add to the morose atmosphere of this song.  John's background vocals and "bye-byes" intensify the gloom.  Regardless, I like this song.  It always stirs up a lot of emotion each time I hear it.

 
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on May 18, 2011, 02:20:54 AM
I guess it's no coincidence that all my favourite bands appeared on the scene before Sgt. Pepper's was released; but I don't blame the Beatles, someone had to do that soon or later.

With me its the opposite hombre, Im a huge fan of prog/art/symphonic whateveryouwanttocallit rock, all of which appeared AFTER Pepper.
Pepper for me is a defining moment in rock/pop music, its when pop became serious art and bands saw each album as a statement, some bands took the concept album concept to heart and made lots of them, others didnt, but the biggest difference for me was that bands started using the studio as an instrument and taking much longer to craft an album, and utilyzing a huge range of instrumentation and even full orchestra's, like Caravan..

Caravan - For Richard {Part 1 of 2} (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g1ynroqXhM#)

After all my studies of the progressive rock era (and I know Im a Beatle fan) I have to cite Pepper as the catalyst for changing everything, someone said (I think it was Bill Brufford) 'after pepper you could do anything, make a song 20 minutes long in 6/8 etc' and that was very very true, popular music did become a serious artform after this album, the possibilities were endless, the Moody Blues did their neo classical Days of Future Past, Pink Floyd did their phsyc classic Piper At The Gates Of Dawn and King Crimson did possibly the first full blown prog album In The Court Of The Crimson King...

It wasnt just the music though, album covers became a piece of art in themselves, Pepper was the first to have lyrics printed on it, and the first to have a gatefold sleeve, and the first to have 'gifts', really it was the first to have something highly creative and not just a photo of the group (although the same could be said of Revolver).......from a black and white world we were transformed into a wonderful world of colour, highly brightly coloured, it seemed to usher in a brave new world where all things were possible and there were new freedoms to enjoy, not just the physical freedoms, but the ones in your head.

Musically the album was a classic.....a masterpiece, from the opening lines of the opener "it was 20 years ago today" sung by Paul with such a masterfull rock voice (was there any better?) Ive seen tribute bands do this, even very good tribute bands, and nobody gets that vibe that Paul got, a subtle level of distortion and clarity.......SURELY, its one of the best sung lines in the history of Rock music.
Absolutely NO fillers for me on here, just pure class and enlightenment, right through to the Lennon masterpiece A Day In The Life, John with this awesome track struck the chord for the times, his creepy distant echoridden deep and meaningfull (slightly mocking) voice with the surreal lyrics (although put to an 'accessible for all' melody) annointed himself emporer of music and popular culture throughout the world.


To truly understand the influence of Sgt. Pepper's one might have needed to have been alive in the 60's. (Im dont know really, I was alive though) we all wanted to buy into this titanic shift in culture of self expression, love and peace......While musically, the album was ambitious and varied, it was the massive cultural effect that makes this one of the all-time great albums in rock history- if not the greatest.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 20, 2011, 12:50:03 AM
Lovely Rita - Does John do the opening ‘Ahhh’s’ here? Sounds like him to me.

It was Paul.

Hey!  Another Ahhh thread would be fun.   ;D
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: glass onion on May 20, 2011, 05:28:14 PM
It was Paul.

Hey!  Another Ahhh thread would be fun.   ;D
for what it's worth,i think it's paul 'aaahhh' ing at the start of lovely rita and i am also convinced that they are pauls' 'aaahhh's on a day in the life also.the register is pretty high,i would put money on that it's paul in both cases.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 20, 2011, 05:32:12 PM
...and i am also convinced that they are pauls' 'aaahhh's on a day in the life also.

I agree.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on May 20, 2011, 11:39:11 PM
It was Paul.

Hey!  Another Ahhh thread would be fun.   ;D

Its amazing, I always though it was Johns Ahh's on Rita (at the beginning) but since I git the high qaulity headphones its obviously Paul.  :o

John does some greats Ahh's just before the piano solo in the middle though.

I agree with tkitna btw, this is a fantastic song I have always loved it.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 21, 2011, 12:10:19 AM
Its amazing, I always though it was Johns Ahh's on Rita (at the beginning) but since I git the high qaulity headphones its obviously Paul.  :o

Now listen to A Day In The Life, Kevin.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on May 21, 2011, 02:21:21 PM
With me its the opposite hombre, Im a huge fan of prog/art/symphonic whateveryouwanttocallit rock, all of which appeared AFTER Pepper.
Pepper for me is a defining moment in rock/pop music, its when pop became serious art and bands saw each album as a statement, some bands took the concept album concept to heart and made lots of them, others didnt, but the biggest difference for me was that bands started using the studio as an instrument and taking much longer to craft an album, and utilyzing a huge range of instrumentation and even full orchestra's, like Caravan..

Sgt. Pepper's is one of my favourite albums, I just don't like its influence on new bands. My very favourite period in rock music is 1965-1967, more simple times and still very inventive. Rock music didn't need to be serius art to be innovative and enjoyable. I miss those times that I didn't live.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on May 21, 2011, 09:52:00 PM
Now listen to A Day In The Life, Kevin.


Hmmm...this is different, my head can make it sound like Paul, or John, Im just not sure  ???
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on May 21, 2011, 09:55:08 PM
Sgt. Pepper's is one of my favourite albums, I just don't like its influence on new bands. My very favourite period in rock music is 1965-1967, more simple times and still very inventive. Rock music didn't need to be serius art to be innovative and enjoyable. I miss those times that I didn't live.
of course it didnt, I love that period too, I suppose I was a lot more impressionable in the late 60's early 70's and thats when I started to go to lots of concerts
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on May 21, 2011, 10:45:06 PM

Hmmm...this is different, my head can make it sound like Paul, or John, Im just not sure  ???

 :)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on May 21, 2011, 10:50:43 PM
:)


(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/big/big-smiley-006.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/free-big-smiley.php)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on May 23, 2011, 12:25:43 PM
Magical Mystery Tour coming soon.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on May 24, 2011, 01:29:38 AM
Magical Mystery Tour coming soon.

Roll up, roll up... ;)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Brynjar on June 10, 2011, 12:33:52 PM
for what it's worth,i think it's paul 'aaahhh' ing at the start of lovely rita and i am also convinced that they are pauls' 'aaahhh's on a day in the life also.the register is pretty high,i would put money on that it's paul in both cases.

Definitely Paul on Lovely Rita. A Day in the Life however....  roll:)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Mr Mustard on June 22, 2011, 12:08:20 AM
Paul doing "Aaahhh" on "Lovely Rita" I reckon.

But I'll never hear anyone but John when I listen to the "Aaahhh" on "A Day In The Life"  ;)

The best closure of a Beatles album since the barnstorming Twist And Shout, A Day In The Life must rank as their most truly awesome (in the real sense of the word) track. Within You Without You is more profound, but is lumbered with George's saturnine vocal and a ponderous vibe whereas ADITL simply soars.

A Little Help From My Friends was easily Ringo's finest moment to date, and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds is the definitive Pepper track for me - absolute genius with its hallucinatory merry-go-round melody. I love Getting Better and Fixing A Hole equally - they both have the bright and shiny rainbow coloured stamp of the album about them and I always think of them as sister tracks somehow - two sides of the same coin. Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite! nails the Victorian carnival fairground atmosphere perfectly (largely thanks to George Martin of course - and not for the first time).

The only tracks I don't much care for on side one are the opening theme (but then again it's only really a warm up/scene setter - I prefer the reprise on side two which is much snappier and rockier) and She's Leaving Home which never fits with the rest of the album for me I'm afraid. Too slushy and old fashioned in a way, and at the same time puncturing the dreaminess of the Pepper bubble with its flat, forlorn, humdrum message. That harp promised so much before we were jolted awake into that bleak workaday morning. You can almost hear the milk float and the drizzle above dad's snoring. Too dreary, I want to fall back into the dreams please! Never much cared for it myself though I know it's a highlight for many fans. By comparison When I'm Sixty Four at least has a jaunty mischievous feel to it which I personally find hard to dislike. And who couldn't love Lovely Rita with that spangly guitaaahhh aaahhhhr intro and the cheeky comb and paper? Good Morning Good Morning is another one of the album's few weak spots for me; I can take it or leave it to be honest - perhaps the nearest thing to a filler on this wonderful recording.

How about that LP cover then? Talk about a visual and aural collage....here they went again, blazing trails and setting trends. Fantastic album all round of course...but a sort of psychedelic vaudevillian time capsule which perfectly preserved the zeitgeist of the summer of love in amber- and has consequently dated much more obviously than Revolver, which refuses to be pinned down or categorised.

You've got to hand it to Paul, he had the chutzpah to remould the Beatles as an alter ego travelling sideshow band and the result was an unassailable triumph with John, Ringo, and a strangely subdued George on board.

Paul was the only one who didn't suit a moustache though.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on June 22, 2011, 12:40:17 AM
Seriously Mr. M, you are the one who should be doing these reviews. You write on a level than I can only dream of scratching. Well done.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Mr Mustard on June 22, 2011, 12:56:31 AM
That's very kind of you tkitna but as usual you're being too hard on yourself. Much as I enjoy chipping in with my opinions these great threads are your baby and I always really look forward to your reviews above all else (no disrespect to others whose contributions always add so much; I love to read everyone's different takes on these wonderful albums).
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: yerblues1234 on June 29, 2011, 08:07:32 AM
that was great!!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: glass onion on June 29, 2011, 11:26:17 AM
i thought paul looked good with the 'tache.never liked george with the facial hair,his tache and beard were always pretty weedy when compared to paul and johns' real 'mesters' beards.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on June 30, 2011, 12:46:56 AM
George should have used the moustache cut out from the album.  ha2ha
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on June 30, 2011, 11:50:00 PM
George should have used the moustache cut out from the album.  ha2ha

I thought he did..
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Brynjar on July 26, 2011, 08:20:31 AM
I´ve been listening to Sgt Peppers in mono on YouTube. Have to say, I think it´s absolutely stunning.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: KelMar on July 26, 2011, 04:30:26 PM
I´ve been listening to Sgt Peppers in mono on YouTube. Have to say, I think it´s absolutely stunning.

I did that a while back and I agree with you.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 04, 2011, 08:03:46 AM
Paul conceived the idea of Pepper but I think Johns tracks stand out more ie A Day In Th Life and LSD

Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on August 04, 2011, 12:02:47 PM
Paul conceived the idea of Pepper but I think Johns tracks stand out more ie A Day In Th Life and LSD

Yeah, I agree. He had the biggies, but I still think Ritas my favorite on the album.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 04, 2011, 12:19:00 PM
Yeah, I agree. He had the biggies, but I still think Ritas my favorite on the album.

Its funny but I too have always really loved Rita, but its no masterpiece

I always think of the albums in terms of who dominated, like Paul dominated Let It Be and Abbey Rd, John dominated Hard Days Night, Rubber Soul, Paul dominated Revolver etc etc
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on August 05, 2011, 04:34:30 PM
Even on those albums dominated by Paul, my favourite song was usually written by John. John was less productive than Paul in the late-60's, but he was more opened to new ideas. After all, John is my favourite Beatle.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 05, 2011, 11:07:02 PM
Even on those albums dominated by Paul, my favourite song was usually written by John. John was less productive than Paul in the late-60's, but he was more opened to new ideas. After all, John is my favourite Beatle.

John was always my favourite too, I was always in awe of the guy.......sometimes though, on an album there would be a Paul song that I would prefer to Johns, with Revolver I absolutely love Here There & Everywhere and For No One, Paul was really on form for Revolver...

But  then again I absolutely love She said She said and Im Only Sleeping  ;D the above Paul songs were sublime though.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Mr Mustard on August 05, 2011, 11:08:56 PM
Paul conceived the idea of Pepper but I think Johns tracks stand out more ie A Day In Th Life and LSD


Pepper was sort of Paul's album but I agree John's "Lucy" and his segments of "Day In The Life" stand out.... in a similar way you could argue that A Hard Day's Night was very much John's album, yet Paul's "Can't Buy Me Love"  "And I Love Her" and "Things We Said Today" more than hold their own.



I always think of the albums in terms of who dominated, like Paul dominated Let It Be and Abbey Rd, John dominated Hard Days Night, Rubber Soul, Paul dominated Revolver etc etc

I think The White Album, Let It Be and to a large extent Abbey Road are essentially "Paul-centric" but I'd have to disagree with you about Revolver nimrod. That was firmly John's & George's for me, those jangly spangly guitars on things like She Said She Said, I'm Only Sleeping and Taxman are the hallmark sound of Revolver... Paul is kind of hanging behind and out of step from the others - some of his tracks here are brilliant but somehow more old fashioned, less cool / cutting edge and - dare I say it -  somehow less "Revolver-ish" (if that makes sense!) than the more exploratory Lennon/Harrison stuff which seems to share a more mutually "with it" LSD/psychedelic vibe at this point.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 05, 2011, 11:49:39 PM
yes I can see what you mean and I feel a bit the same, John was very cutting edge on that album but in terms of real songwriting craft I think Paul wins out
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on August 06, 2011, 12:56:23 AM
I think The White Album, Let It Be and to a large extent Abbey Road are essentially "Paul-centric" but I'd have to disagree with you about Revolver nimrod. That was firmly John's & George's for me, those jangly spangly guitars on things like She Said She Said, I'm Only Sleeping and Taxman are the hallmark sound of Revolver... Paul is kind of hanging behind and out of step from the others - some of his tracks here are brilliant but somehow more old fashioned, less cool / cutting edge and - dare I say it -  somehow less "Revolver-ish" (if that makes sense!) than the more exploratory Lennon/Harrison stuff which seems to share a more mutually "with it" LSD/psychedelic vibe at this point.

Paul had a couple tunes that werent very 'Revolverish' in the album (For No One and HT&E in my opinion), but I still he had the masterpiece of the record with 'Eleanor Rigby' too. I probably would choose 'Got To Get You Into My Life' as the 2nd best song on the album too. I'm not too sure he was lagging behind now that I think about it.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on August 06, 2011, 04:54:49 AM
John was always my favourite too, I was always in awe of the guy.......sometimes though, on an album there would be a Paul song that I would prefer to Johns, with Revolver I absolutely love Here There & Everywhere and For No One, Paul was really on form for Revolver...

But  then again I absolutely love She said She said and Im Only Sleeping  ;D the above Paul songs were sublime though.

I think Revolver is the only Beatles album where John and Paul are virtually tied. First, each one was the main author of 5 songs (though I'm not counting "Yellow Submarine"). I agree with you that Paul wrote the best songs there in terms of songwriting, but John's ones were much more innovative in terms of sound, they sounded like nothing made before, though it seems that most fans don't like "Tomorrow Never Knows" as much as I do.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: KelMar on August 06, 2011, 05:24:15 AM
Quote from:  Hombre_de_ningun_lugar
though it seems that most fans don't like "Tomorrow Never Knows" as much as I do.

I actually like this song quite a bit. It's interesting to listen to, almost hypnotic, and it certainly makes the statement that The Beatles were headed in a whole new direction!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on August 06, 2011, 05:34:03 AM
I actually like this song quite a bit. It's interesting to listen to, almost hypnotic, and it certainly makes the statement that The Beatles were headed in a whole new direction!

Right, it's probably the most revolutionary song ever, the greatest jump in my opinion. And all the weirdness is not its only merit, it also has one of best lyrics ever. I remember that it took me quite a lot time to dig it, but it finally became my very favourite song (by anyboby!). Anything was possible at studio after "Tomorrow Never Knows".
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 06, 2011, 07:50:24 AM
Quote
I think Revolver is the only Beatles album where John and Paul are virtually tied.

maybe Help also ?
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: blmeanie on August 06, 2011, 01:23:18 PM
Paul conceived the idea of Pepper but I think Johns tracks stand out more ie A Day In Th Life and LSD


One of the aspects of A Day in the Life that makes is approach masterpiece level for me is the insertion of the middle section.   I don't think the middle section is anything great by itself but by significantly changing tempo and/or voice mid song and then back again really resonates with me.  I'm trying to think of another example where this approach was done but coming up blank this morning.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on August 06, 2011, 02:08:54 PM
maybe Help also ?

I don't know, I think that "Yesterday" is the only really outstanding Paul's song there, while John wrote "Help!", "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" and "Ticket To Ride". I really like Paul's "The Night Before", "Another Girl" and "I've Just Seen A Face", but I don't think they're among the best Beatles songs in their catalog.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Mr Mustard on August 06, 2011, 09:24:03 PM
Paul had a couple tunes that werent very 'Revolverish' in the album (For No One and HT&E in my opinion), but I still he had the masterpiece of the record with 'Eleanor Rigby' too. I probably would choose 'Got To Get You Into My Life' as the 2nd best song on the album too. I'm not too sure he was lagging behind now that I think about it.

Perhaps I worded things rather clumsily... by "lagging behind" I meant, for example, that "Here There And Everywhere" has a Rubber Soul feel to it, and "For No One" and "Good Day Sunshine" (not very "Revolver-ish") are, to my mind, quite conventional, straight laced and old fashioned. I agree that "Eleanor Rigby" and "Got To Get You Into My Life" are two of the very best cuts on the album.... then again, "Good Day Sunshine" and "Yellow Submarine" - also McCartney songs - are the weakest. Paul seems to be going in one direction whereas John, George and even Ringo are heading in the other. Significantly "She Said She Said" - which just might be my very favourite on this album - apparently doesn't feature Paul at all.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Mr Mustard on August 06, 2011, 09:28:29 PM

One of the aspects of A Day in the Life that makes is approach masterpiece level for me is the insertion of the middle section.   I don't think the middle section is anything great by itself but by significantly changing tempo and/or voice mid song and then back again really resonates with me.  I'm trying to think of another example where this approach was done but coming up blank this morning.

I agree with that... I personally prefer the Lennon bits of "A Day In The Life" but it is enhanced immeasurably by the inclusion of McCartney's middle section and the change in tempo. Not unlike Paul's "We Can Work It Out" which benefits so greatly from John's "Life Is Very Short" interlude.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on August 06, 2011, 11:42:53 PM
Perhaps I worded things rather clumsily... by "lagging behind" I meant, for example, that "Here There And Everywhere" has a Rubber Soul feel to it, and "For No One" and "Good Day Sunshine" (not very "Revolver-ish") are, to my mind, quite conventional, straight laced and old fashioned.

Yes, I can see that also. The way I look at it is that John and George were moving to be more experimental where Paul was falling into his own groove and improving upon familiar areas where he felt comfortable. Without taking too much away from 'Here There & Everywhere' and 'For No One', I feel that Paul could write songs like these all day long. They are nice enough songs and well done, but nothing that causes the casual listener or even Beatle fan to sit up and take notice. I think we're on the same page for the most part Mr.M.

Quote
I agree that "Eleanor Rigby" and "Got To Get You Into My Life" are two of the very best cuts on the album.... then again, "Good Day Sunshine" and "Yellow Submarine" - also McCartney songs - are the weakest.

Its pretty clear that I have more tolerance for 'Good Day Sunshine' and 'Yellow Subamarine' than you do and thats perfectly ok. 'GDS' makes me feel happy when I hear it. It has an up tempo and I cant beat it up for what it is, which is a fairly simple pop tune. Maybe its not a great fit on Revolver, but its never bothered me being there either. I think it brings the album up some. 'YS',,,we'll just skip over this song for now. It is what it is.

Quote
Paul seems to be going in one direction whereas John, George and even Ringo are heading in the other. Significantly "She Said She Said" - which just might be my very favourite on this album - apparently doesn't feature Paul at all.

Agreed and he still didnt stray very far on Peppers with songs like 'She's Leaving Home' and 'When I'm 64'. John (and even George) were definatly the psychedelic song writers where Paul liked to stay closer to pop and ballads. I have a hard time thinking of any Paul songs being actual pysch ones to be honest. Thats alright though.



Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 07, 2011, 12:22:59 AM
Quote
'Here There & Everywhere' and 'For No One', I feel that Paul could write songs like these all day long. They are nice enough songs and well done, but nothing that causes the casual listener or even Beatle fan to sit up and take notice.

I wouldnt call HT&E a nice enough song, Id call it a classic, It was ranked the 4th greatest song of all time by Mojo in 2000.

McCartney said the song is one of his favourites. Beatles' producer George Martin has also mentioned it as one of his favourite McCartney songs. John Lennon reportedly told McCartney it was "The best tune on the album" and said in his 1980 Playboy interview it was "one of my favourite songs of the Beatles."

I also thought Eleanor Rigby was a very innovative song for the mid sixties and is also important in The Beatles' evolution from a pop, live-performance band to a more experimental, studio-oriented band.
In a 1967 interview Pete Townshend commented "I think 'Eleanor Rigby' was a very important musical move forward. It certainly inspired me to write and listen to things in that vein."
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on August 07, 2011, 01:11:46 AM
I wouldnt call HT&E a nice enough song, Id call it a classic, It was ranked the 4th greatest song of all time by Mojo in 2000.

McCartney said the song is one of his favourites. Beatles' producer George Martin has also mentioned it as one of his favourite McCartney songs. John Lennon reportedly told McCartney it was "The best tune on the album" and said in his 1980 Playboy interview it was "one of my favourite songs of the Beatles."

It must be me, because I have never felt that this song was all that much. For the life of me, i'll never figure out why its so highly touted. I think a song like 'And I Love Her' is far superior and even a song like 'Michelle' would rank right there beside it. I guess i'll never get it.

Quote
I also thought Eleanor Rigby was a very innovative song for the mid sixties and is also important in The Beatles' evolution from a pop, live-performance band to a more experimental, studio-oriented band.
In a 1967 interview Pete Townshend commented "I think 'Eleanor Rigby' was a very important musical move forward. It certainly inspired me to write and listen to things in that vein."

I've often talked about 'Eleanor Rigby' and thrown the word masterpiece around when doing so. No argument here.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 07, 2011, 02:49:47 AM
It must be me, because I have never felt that this song was all that much. For the life of me, i'll never figure out why its so highly touted. I think a song like 'And I Love Her' is far superior and even a song like 'Michelle' would rank right there beside it. I guess i'll never get it.



I think its the melody Todd, HT&E has an exquisitely beautiful melody, all Pauls love songs do but this one is just so achingly gorgeous, a bit like God Only Knows has.....I always the beach boys did it too fast, neil diamond did a slower more dramatic version of GOK and for me it brought out the sheer beauty of it.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Brynjar on October 18, 2011, 04:04:09 PM
No doubt Sgt. Peppers would be hard to beat with Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane on it. Never understood this policy with leaving the singles out of the albums.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on October 18, 2011, 10:45:57 PM
No doubt Sgt. Peppers would be hard to beat with Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane on it. Never understood this policy with leaving the singles out of the albums.

For me, if those 2 songs had made the album it would have been THE greatest album ever made Brynjar
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on October 18, 2011, 10:58:55 PM
For me, if those 2 songs had made the album it would have been THE greatest album ever made Brynjar

You're probably right, since it would be the greatest single ever included on one of the greatest albums ever. Which songs would you have replaced? For me it's hard to tell. I think A-side is great the way it is; probably I would have quit "Lovely Rita" and "Good Morning Good Morning", but I still like them both.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on October 19, 2011, 04:34:54 AM
You're probably right, since it would be the greatest single ever included on one of the greatest albums ever. Which songs would you have replaced? For me it's hard to tell. I think A-side is great the way it is; probably I would have quit "Lovely Rita"

Todd just choked on his Wheaties  ha2ha

I would take away Fixing A Hole and She's Leaving Home
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Brynjar on October 19, 2011, 06:48:19 AM
Todd just choked on his Wheaties  ha2ha

I would take away Fixing A Hole and She's Leaving Home


NO GOD! PLEASE NO!!! NOOOOOOOOOO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc#)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Ovi on October 19, 2011, 11:49:29 AM
Todd just choked on his Wheaties  ha2ha

I would take away Fixing A Hole and She's Leaving Home

I love both songs, especially the latter, which I think is one of the most beautfiul pieces of music in The Beatles catalogue.I would've replaced "When I'm Sixty Four" with "Strawberry Fields" because I think it would fit good after "Within You Without You" and "Good Morning" with "Penny Lane" just to keep the kind of happy mood along with "Lovely Rita" and the "Reprise".
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Toejam on October 19, 2011, 01:45:24 PM
Paul doing "Aaahhh" on "Lovely Rita" I reckon.

But I'll never hear anyone but John when I listen to the "Aaahhh" on "A Day In The Life"  ;)



It's just come on as I was reading that. I think it's  Paul. John might be in there but I'm convinced it's predominantly Paul.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Toejam on October 19, 2011, 01:56:51 PM
And who couldn't love Lovely Rita with that spangly guitaaahhh aaahhhhr intro

Good to see LR gettting some love on this thread. I've always loved it. Pure melodic macca magic. I like yer discription of the intro guitar work as spangly.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Toejam on October 19, 2011, 02:21:20 PM
I think Revolver is the only Beatles album where John and Paul are virtually tied. First, each one was the main author of 5 songs (though I'm not counting "Yellow Submarine"). I agree with you that Paul wrote the best songs there in terms of songwriting, but John's ones were much more innovative in terms of sound, they sounded like nothing made before, though it seems that most fans don't like "Tomorrow Never Knows" as much as I do.
Thing is with that is that it was Paul who brought in the tape loops that made TNK so innovative and George played the backward guitar solo and if I remember rightly I've read somewhere that he did the guitar while no one else was there or maybe that was the guitar solo in I'm only sleeping.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Toejam on October 19, 2011, 02:37:20 PM
P Significantly "She Said She Said" - which just might be my very favourite on this album - apparently doesn't feature Paul at all.

No. He left the stuido after an argument. I wonder what happend that day. Very s trange.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Toejam on October 19, 2011, 02:39:32 PM
YWithout taking too much away from 'Here There & Everywhere' and 'For No One', I feel that Paul could write songs like these all day long. They are nice enough songs and well done, but nothing that causes the casual listener or even Beatle fan to sit up and take notice.
What a strange thing to say! Most Beatles fans seem  to consider them sublime masterpieces of the very highest order!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Toejam on October 19, 2011, 02:42:26 PM


I've often talked about 'Eleanor Rigby' and thrown the word masterpiece around when doing so. No argument here.
Not from me either. I think it's the Beatles greatest song which it is a bit of sorry thing to say considering it's only got Paul on it...or has it? ;D
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: KelMar on October 20, 2011, 03:28:02 AM
I love both songs, especially the latter

I'm glad I'm not the only one who really likes "She's Leaving Home." I thought it was just because I'm sentimental and have looked at it as both a daughter and a mother. Although my daughter has come back and sometimes it's more like a country song here..."How Can I Miss You When You Won't Leave" or whatever it's called. I know she feels the same at times too!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: BeatlesForever on October 20, 2011, 03:56:44 AM
I love every single song on the Sgt. Pepper's album! In my opinion, you have to listen to the Sgt. Pepper's album in its entirety, every song contributes as an important element.     
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on October 20, 2011, 05:31:09 AM
probably I would have quit "Lovely Rita"

What in Gods name are you thinking man.  ha2ha
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on October 20, 2011, 05:33:13 AM
What a strange thing to say! Most Beatles fans seem  to consider them sublime masterpieces of the very highest order!

Really? I've never really heard a bunch of Beatle fans ever associate these songs with the masterpiece tag. Some,,,sure. The majority,,,,,hardly.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on October 20, 2011, 02:01:16 PM
What in Gods name are you thinking man.  ha2ha

Haha, don't know, I actually enjoy that song a lot. I think every song on Sgt. Pepper's is very good or excellent, though only a few are truly masterpieces in my opinion.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on October 20, 2011, 06:21:41 PM
I would take away Fixing A Hole and She's Leaving Home

Fixing A Hole is my favorite song on this album.

 ;D 
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on October 20, 2011, 10:16:42 PM
Fixing A Hole is my favorite song on this album.

 ;D

 ha2ha
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: BeatlesForever on October 21, 2011, 12:08:50 AM
I remember reading that the original track line up of the Sgt. Pepper's album (Prior to being released) was different and was truly intended to be heard in the exact numerical order as follows:   

(1.) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
(2.) With A Little Help From My Friends
(3.) Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
(4.) Fixing A Hole
(5.) Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
(6.) Getting Better
(7.) She's Leaving Home
(8.) Within You Without You
(9.) When I'm Sixty-Four
(10.) Lovely Rita
(11.) Good Morning Good Morning
(12.) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
(13.) A Day In The Life 

I programed all of the tracks this way and I LOVE IT!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on June 14, 2012, 03:22:38 AM
She’s Leaving Home - When I first listened to the stereo CD in 1987, this song sounded a bit different to me so I pulled out my mono LP and gave it a listen.  The mono version was sped up a semitone higher in pitch.  I prefer the stereo mix; Paul's voice and accent sounds so sad.  It is a sad song after all.  The harp and orchestra add to the morose atmosphere of this song.  John's background vocals and "bye-byes" intensify the gloom.  Regardless, I like this song.  It always stirs up a lot of emotion each time I hear it.
I always thought fun was the one thing money could buy! : )
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Klang on June 14, 2012, 10:07:55 AM
I remember reading that the original track line up of the Sgt. Pepper's album (Prior to being released) was different and was truly intended to be heard in the exact numerical order as follows:   

(1.) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
(2.) With A Little Help From My Friends
(3.) Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
(4.) Fixing A Hole
(5.) Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
(6.) Getting Better
(7.) She's Leaving Home
(8.) Within You Without You
(9.) When I'm Sixty-Four
(10.) Lovely Rita
(11.) Good Morning Good Morning
(12.) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
(13.) A Day In The Life 

I programed all of the tracks this way and I LOVE IT!

Seems like a good order to me. I'll try that.

 :)

Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on June 15, 2012, 02:28:32 AM
Thing is with that is that it was Paul who brought in the tape loops that made TNK so innovative and George played the backward guitar solo and if I remember rightly I've read somewhere that he did the guitar while no one else was there or maybe that was the guitar solo in I'm only sleeping.

That's true, but curiously they always were more experimental with John's songs. I guess he was more open minded toward new things and let the others "play" with his tunes, beyond the fact that all the screwing around could work or not.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Toejam on June 25, 2012, 08:45:55 PM
That's true, but curiously they always were more experimental with John's songs. I guess he was more open minded toward new things and let the others "play" with his tunes, beyond the fact that all the screwing around could work or not.
In one of his last interviews John actually made that point with a bit of bitterness and seemingly critical of Paul for not being willing to take risks with his own songs.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on August 13, 2012, 04:12:07 PM
In one of his last interviews John actually made that point with a bit of bitterness and seemingly critical of Paul for not being willing to take risks with his own songs.

I guess you're talking about this John's quote in his Playboy interview from 1980:

"The Beatles didn't make a good record of 'Across the Universe.' I think subconsciously we... I thought Paul subconsciously tried to destroy my great songs. We would play experimental games with my great pieces, like 'Strawberry Fields,' which I always felt was badly recorded. It worked, but it wasn't what it could have been. I allowed it, though. We would spend hours doing little, detailed cleaning up on Paul's songs, but when it came to mine... especially a great song like 'Strawberry Fields' or 'Across the Universe' ...somehow an atmosphere of looseness and experimentation would come up."
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on August 14, 2012, 11:48:30 PM
Paul has also said in interviews that John would come up with a good song but didn't have the patience to follow through to finish them. I think Paul was ambitious enough to want to add to some of Johns great songs but also trying to be a good Beatle as well. John might sound like a Jealous Guy at times.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on August 16, 2012, 12:08:59 AM
Paul has also said in interviews that John would come up with a good song but didn't have the patience to follow through to finish them. I think Paul was ambitious enough to want to add to some of Johns great songs but also trying to be a good Beatle as well. John might sound like a Jealous Guy at times.

I always wondered about that. There's always two sides to every story. Not jumping on the Paul bandwagon here either, as we all know how big that ego can be.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 16, 2012, 12:59:47 AM
I always wondered about that. There's always two sides to every story. Not jumping on the Paul bandwagon here either, as we all know how big that ego can be.

It seems in the studio Paul always had loads of patience to perfect things, John didnt, Ive read things from musicians he used post Beatles , apparently he liked things done quickly, he hated people messing about, Im sure it wouldve been like that with the Beatles, Paul would spend days on the smallest detail, think it drove John mad :)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Snoopy66 on August 16, 2012, 06:31:45 AM
It seems in the studio Paul always had loads of patience to perfect things, John didnt, Ive read things from musicians he used post Beatles , apparently he liked things done quickly, he hated people messing about, Im sure it wouldve been like that with the Beatles, Paul would spend days on the smallest detail, think it drove John mad :)
Yes, I've read that too. John just didn't have the patience to work out every detail during the recording-sessions, whereas Paul has always been the perfectionist. I guess it's also due to their very different personalities.

Though I read that John could be very perfectionist too with his solo-work, for instance during the recording of "Double Fantasy", according to some musicians.

Snoopy
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on August 16, 2012, 10:59:14 PM
No. He left the stuido after an argument. I wonder what happend that day. Very s trange.
Who played bass on She said, She said!? The bass playing reminds me of Revolution(fast version)a lot.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on August 16, 2012, 11:01:25 PM
Fixing A Hole is my favorite song on this album.

 ;D
One of mine too. Almost psychadelic in a dreamy sort of way and great lead guitar!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on August 16, 2012, 11:05:49 PM
Wher would you put "Only a Northern Song" if you were going to include it on the album!?  B side?
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on August 16, 2012, 11:44:27 PM
I'd replace 'When I'm 64' with it although that would be two George tunes in a row.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on August 16, 2012, 11:50:00 PM
I'd replace 'When I'm 64' with it although that would be two George tunes in a row.

For me its not good enough, sorry folks, it just drones on, I like When Im 64, great song (a classic), didnt like Honey Pie though, he went too far with that one :)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on August 17, 2012, 01:49:52 AM
For me its not good enough, sorry folks, it just drones on, I like When Im 64, great song (a classic), didnt like Honey Pie though, he went too far with that one :)

Talk about a song that drones on and on, 'Within You Without You' does that for me. I almost went with WYWY as the song to replace, but at least it has the right atmosphere for Peppers. While I like 'When I'm 64' and its a good song, its just so out of place on the record that it sticks out like a sore thumb.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: stevie on August 17, 2012, 02:37:13 AM
Who played bass on She said, She said!? The bass playing reminds me of Revolution(fast version)a lot.

George. But I'm sure Paul played bass on Revolution
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on August 17, 2012, 10:23:31 AM
George. But I'm sure Paul played bass on Revolution
I see. I wonder what happened back then as well.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on August 19, 2012, 12:03:55 AM
I always wondered about that. There's always two sides to every story. Not jumping on the Paul bandwagon here either, as we all know how big that ego can be.
I think the dynamic bettween them is what made it so good! It's kept my interest for almost 50 years!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Old Brown Shoe on September 01, 2012, 02:52:05 AM
first post, pardon any unintended tomfoolery:
One of the aspects of A Day in the Life that makes is approach masterpiece level for me is the insertion of the middle section.   I don't think the middle section is anything great by itself but by significantly changing tempo and/or voice mid song and then back again really resonates with me.  I'm trying to think of another example where this approach was done but coming up blank this morning.
 I would suggest Walrus, : "sitting in an English garden....."
I know there were quite a few times the lads screwed up my timing with these subtle tricks! Started innocently enough, but did end up tripping through....
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on September 01, 2012, 04:00:59 AM
Hi welcome old brown shoe

at first I thought my eyes were going funny with that green type (is that the tomfoolery ?) :)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on September 01, 2012, 04:24:35 PM
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

The concept album that wasn’t. I have a soft spot in my heart for this record. Maybe it’s the fact that my buddy and I listened to it (on 8-track) everyday after school at his house while we shot pool and lifted weights. Maybe it’s because it’s the second album I stole from my sisters collection when I was young. Maybe its just because it’s a damn good record.


Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band -  I love the opening with the orchestra tuning up. The guitar tone is nice and just raunchy enough. The muddy sounding drums fit nicely with Pauls distant sounding voice.  0:47 I love the crowd laughing like the lads just did something comical. 0:55 the harmonies with the guitar being played behind them are great. All in all, I don’t have much more to add other than I think it’s a great opener.

With A Little Help From My Friends - This is the defining moment for Ringo in the Beatles, or at least, this is what I always associate with him. The guys finally said enough with the bullsh*t and wrote him a good one. Whats nice about the song is that it trys to stay in character with Ringo. He immediately apologizes to the audience about his lackluster voice. This eases the mood and deems the song acceptable. If that wasn’t enough, the entire song is about the assistance he receives from his friends. Brilliant. Pauls bass sounds amazing. Ringos drums are crisp and clear. Piano sounds good. The cowbell during the chorus is neat and something I never picked up on before. 0:25 love the tambourine. Backgrounds are great. Guitar tone is nice. 1:30 I like Ringos ride taking up space. Ending is very nice with Ringo actually showing a little range in his voice. Not one of my favorite songs, but it’s a super good tune for Ringo.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds -  And the concept is gone already. Doesn’t matter though because the rest of the album has some cool stuff with this song being one of them. The electric harpsichord beginning is cool (or whatever the instrument is). Bass sounds great. Johns voice is awesome sounding on this one. 0:25 is Johns voice double tracked here or is it Paul or George joining in? Either way, its not as tight as it could have been.  0:32 love John singing with the guitar playing along. 0:50 like how Pauls voice sticks out here. 1:00 love the higher voice here too. Is it Paul? I enjoy the constant sitar sounding feedback throughout the song. 1:32 John sings another little ’High’ like he ran out of breath or something. Neat. I think Pauls bass carries the song in the ending. Listen to it at the 3:16 mark. Awesome. Good song.

Getting Better - Paul sings Its getting better all the time while John sings it cant get much worse. Pretty self explanatory of how they really were in my opinion. It seems that a lot of people don’t like this song, but I do. Moving on. I really like the guitar tone. I don’t know if it’s the crash or a hi hat splash, but I like how Ringo takes up space on this one. First instance is at the 0:10 mark if anybody wants to take a crack. I use the hats here personally, but it could be either. Love the background vocals. 0:44 the piano and guitar come in together and sounds great. Pauls voice is awesome too. Bass sounds great (reoccurring theme on this album). 1:35 is that the sitar again? Congos are a nice addition at this time too. What is the instrument at the end that reminds me of a police siren in how it repeats itself? I like it. Nice song, but not great.

Fixing A Hole - One of my favorites on the album. Ringos hat work here is fantastic. Love the bass and Pauls voice. 0:34 Johns voice cracks when he comes in with the falsetto. It cracks doing the same thing later in the song too. Guitar tone is great and along with the strong solo is one of my favorite instances of the electric guitar with the Beatles. 1:32 the background ‘Ooooo’s’ are stellar. 2:06 love how Pauls singing as if he’s almost pleading his case. Like theres a bit of urgency to get his point across. Great song in my opinion.

She’s Leaving Home - Another song I like a lot, but I’m not really sure it fits well within the context of the album. It never bothered me before, but it was something I thought about today. The harp in the beginning is nice. Pauls voice is pleasant enough. Strings are wonderful (thanks again George Martin). 0:50 What a falsetto only to be matched at the 1:01 mark. This is why I think Paul had more range than John. 3:02 the violin plays a few drawn out notes here. Fantastic and a highlight for me. Johns ‘Bye Bye’s’ throughout are awesome. Another great song with a nice story to go along with it. Well, a pretty depressing story actually, but you get my drift.

Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite - I always had fun singing along to this song. Ringos hi hat splashes are great. Bass is very cool. Johns storytelling voice is nice and sounds good. 0:29 echo effect on the backgrounds comes in and is super cool. 1:00 dig the organ and carnival sounds. Wonder what other bands were thinking when they first listened to this? 1:16 the guitar solo or note picking here is awesome. The ending of the song is sweet to with the abrupt ending. Good song.

Within You Without You - Ok, as everyone knows, I’m not the fondest of Georges Indian music. This song fits on this album though. It has the psychedelic sound and emotion that makes it ok to be here. 0:18 the harp strum is cool. Georges eerie voice works very well. Like the constant beat throughout. 1:11 strings come in and sound nice. 2:42 Love the high notes being plucked here by the strings. 3:04 three sharp sitar notes being played is the highlight of the song for me. I always listen to that part. 3:43 you can hear George or somebody counting in. Cool. Like I said, the song works for this album, but I’m still not a fan.

When I’m 64 - And here it is, the thorn of the album. I love Pauls music, I really do, but this shouldn’t be here. Its like a wart on a supermodel. It doesn’t belong. The sad thing is I like the song well enough, but not here. Regardless, the bass does sound good. 0:39 like the backgrounds coming in with the ‘Ooooo’s’. How cant you like Mal Evans on the bell? Ringo plays very well here. Stop and give him a close listen. Very nice. Piano sounds good. 1:55 sounds like a kids flute being played. Never noticed it before. 2:10 a guitar comes in. I never noticed that before either. I have to ask, what is the instrument being played that sounds like an instrument from the 20’s? Take the first 10 seconds of the song and its being played there plain as day. Oboe maybe? I never really wondered before today. Don’t know how to judge this song. Its done well and may have scored better if it wasn’t on this record.

Lovely Rita - My favorite song on the record and a top 10 of mine from their entire catalog. Love the guitar in the opening. Does John do the opening ‘Ahhh’s’ here? Sounds like him to me. Bass is awesome. 0:21 short ‘Ah’ in the background (John I think) and then at 0:24 theres a short ‘Oh’ (which sounds like George). Cool. Pauls voice sounds fantastic. 0:27 kazoo buildup? That’s what it sounds like to me. 0:31 theres a noise like a zipper being zipped really fast. That’s the only way I can explain it. Never heard it before. Mal on the bell again. 0:41 dig the background chugging. 0:55 John and George singing lovely Rita in the background is great. Piano solo is top notch. 1:38 love the part where Paul sings ‘Sitting on a sofa with a sister or two’ and the backgrounds sing ‘Ohhhhh’ as if to express the frustration. Awesome. 1:55 Pauls goes and sings different things all over the place. Neat. The ending is too much. Its as if Pauls going to explode. Is it frustration or relief? I’m sure you all understand. Awesome song in my opinion.

Good Morning Good Morning - I guess they say that John got this idea by reading the back of a cereal box? Makes sense. I like the frantic pace the song takes on. Johns voice is outstanding. Really dig Ringo ending the bars with the tom and crash at the same time. 0:42 speaking of Ringo, his double time on the hi hats here is nothing short of genius.  Changes the entire song at that point. 0:44 is this the first instance of rapping in popular music? Love, love the guitar solo. Sounds like McCartney though. Did Paul do this one? 1:34 three lead guitar notes is my favorite part of the song. Ringo does some sweet fills during the ending along with the animal noises. Decent song. I like it.

Sgt. Pepper Reprise - Going back to the concept idea that’s already been lost. Whatever, it’s a decent rocker anyways. The lead guitar coming off the rooster crow is awesome. Pauls count in is cool. 0:03 John says either bye or five. Neat. Guitar tone is good. Love the backgrounds but I hear Johns voice more than the others. Ringo does great. Nice fills. Bass drives the song. Nice short little rocker.

A Day In The Life - Many consider this to be the Beatles magnum opus. Who am I to disagree? The acoustic in the beginning is nice. Piano and bass sound great. Ringos drumming is top notch and this is easily one of his greatest drumming songs ever. Johns voice may never have sounded better. 1:44 the huge build up with the Mal Evans count in is cool. 2:18 Paul counts in with a quick 1, 2, 3, 4. Bongos in the middle section are nice and something I never really noticed before. Speaking of the middle section, its not my favorite. Its ok and changes the pace of the song, but maybe its because its not as good as Johns part. I don’t know. 2:49 Johns ’Ahhhh’s’ always got to me. Powerful. Bobber can post the link to Al’s Ahhh thread because I’m not getting into that argument. I always thought it was John and I’m sticking to it. 5:10 I like the tape loop even if it did scare the sh*t out of me when I was younger and stoned listening to this. Great song. Masterpiece? I don’t know. You be the judge.


Well, in closing, I love Sgt. Peppers. I think the Beatles went nuts and pushed the studio to the edge with some of the things they were trying. It worked. If Revolver blew the minds of other bands, Sgt. Pepper probably caused a good many of them to give up. Was it music or was it art? A little of both I would imagine. I’ve always said, if they would have chucked ‘Within You Without You’ and ‘When I’m 64’ and added ‘Strawberry Fields’ and ‘Penny Lane’, this is easily the greatest album ever in popular music. In closing you can see even more growth from Revolver to here and I don’t think they ever topped this creative pinnacle again.

One other thing I noticed. Although this is a heavily weighed Paul album, it seems that Johns efforts stick out more. LSD is a legendary Beatle track, ADITL is considered their masterpiece, while BFTBOMK is the strangest thing they did to date. I don’t know, it just seems that Pauls tunes don’t hold up as well although he had more to say.


I have a rather worn out copy of The Beatles-Recording Sessions and just for some points of interest On SPLHCB the audience and cheering were taken from a variety of places. The audience and warm up was taken from the orchestra warming up before recording their parts for A day In The Life. The audience murmuring in the begining are from EMI achive Volumne 28 "Audience Applause and Aptmosphere", Royal Albert Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall. The applause and laughter were from Volumne 6 from a 1961 performance of Beyond the Fringe at Londons Ford Theater. The last part before IGBWALHFMF is from the as then unrelesed Beatles Live at the Hollywood Bowl! My next step is to play the Hollywood Bowl and see if I can find it!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on September 01, 2012, 04:26:20 PM
Darn! I didn't get the quote seperation again. It's up at the top of the previous post under Sgt. P title!







note;

I think I changed it to the way you intended it dcazz ;) let me know if its not
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on September 03, 2012, 01:08:05 AM
Darn! I didn't get the quote seperation again. It's up at the top of the previous post under Sgt. P title!




note;

I think I changed it to the way you intended it dcazz ;) let me know if its not

Thanks Nimrod! You got it.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: tkitna on September 04, 2012, 12:15:14 AM
Interesting stuff. Thanks Dcazz
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Toejam on September 07, 2012, 01:01:03 PM

 IGBWALHFMF
Why didn't you just put WALHFMF? That's what it's actually called! It took me ages to figure out what you meant!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on September 07, 2012, 07:01:10 PM
Why didn't you just put WALHFMF? That's what it's actually called! It took me ages to figure out what you meant!
TTKYOYT
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Brynjar on June 15, 2013, 09:21:08 AM
The last verse in She´s Leaving Home goes as:

--
She (What did we do that was wrong?)
is having (We didn't know it was wrong.)
fun (Fun is the one thing that money can't buy.)
Something inside that was always denied (Byebye.)for so many years.
She's leaving home. (Byebye.)
--

I saw on another Beatles-forum that this particular verse irritates a certain man. He feels Paul goes off track here and should have written love instead of fun:

"She's beeing loved. Love is the one thing money can't buy."
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Klang on June 15, 2013, 09:34:12 AM

Well. Maybe the parents gave plenty of love, in their own way. Fun is what she was lacking. Just saying.

 :)

Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Dcazz on June 15, 2013, 10:53:55 AM
The last verse in She´s Leaving Home goes as:

--
She (What did we do that was wrong?)
is having (We didn't know it was wrong.)
fun (Fun is the one thing that money can't buy.)
Something inside that was always denied (Byebye.)for so many years.
She's leaving home. (Byebye.)
--

I saw on another Beatles-forum that this particular verse irritates a certain man. He feels Paul goes off track here and should have written love instead of fun:

"She's beeing loved. Love is the one thing money can't buy."
I think that was me, however... It doesn't irritate me. I actually think it's kind of funny! It makes me think these Beatles were little more than kids themselves and if you asked Paul about it today he might look at it and say Something like "Yeah, we were trying"! It's fine.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Brynjar on June 16, 2013, 09:16:33 AM
Must be a reason for it though.. it´s not like they were not familiar with the word ´love´ in 1967 and that late into their Beatles-career. 
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Brynjar on June 16, 2013, 09:27:57 AM
Quote
I think this song is about a daughter who has come from a family who has worked their way up to being middle class. They are a family who can afford to '[give] her everything money could buy', a private education perhaps. In this family, the parents having come from hardship and value money, and to them that is the most significant thing in their lives, it is the thing which matters most and therefore clouds their judgement.

The girl is said to have felt 'alone'. This could be because of the pressure her parents have put on her to perform in school, succeed in life which has left her isolated from her parents and friends. Her parents may not have approved of her friends or activities she wanted to do, 'fun', which is expressed in the song as something 'money can't buy'. Because of all of this she could be frustrated and emotionally alone and is pushed to run away to experience freedom, passion, emotion, 'fun'. She runs away with a 'man from the motor trade', a low-earning profession which her parents would certainly have dissaproved of, but he may have been the first person to make her feel free...make her feel the something that she was missing in her life, that her parents couldn't give to her.

However, she is aware that her parents are good people, knowing they want the best for her, hence the first verse where she leaves a note which she 'hopes will say more', in way of explaining how she feels to them, a desperate last plea to have them understand.

To me, the crux of the poem is the parents - who are probably good people, albeit maybe driven by money given possible hardships in the past - want the best for their daughter, but they cannot understand at all that what is best for them (money) is not best for her. Because of this, she is emotionally isolated...trapped, and runs away with a man to experience the freedom that she was 'denied for so many years', and her parents are left confused and hurt as they thought they were doing their best.


http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/942/ (http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/942/)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Brynjar on March 25, 2014, 02:10:08 PM
Read it´s Paul with a ton of echo on his voice, and that people mistakenly think it's John:

A Day In The Life - Vocal Isolated (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUk1iFRCgK0#ws)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 25, 2014, 09:19:22 PM
It was Paul
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on June 19, 2017, 11:31:18 PM
Twas great to see it at no 1 in the UK again

 cheer1 cheer1 cheer1
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hello Goodbye on June 20, 2017, 12:04:43 AM
Twas great to see it at no 1 in the UK again

 cheer1 cheer1 cheer1


It's like going back to 1967   :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cp4VTztoao# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cp4VTztoao#)



 icon_good


Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: blmeanie on June 20, 2017, 11:42:53 PM
thanks folks for the resurrection.  These are so fun to read, even again.  Thanks Todd for doing these over the years.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on June 21, 2017, 12:40:53 AM
thanks folks for the resurrection.  These are so fun to read, even again.  Thanks Todd for doing these over the years.

Yes
I enjoyed reading about Barry's alternative recordings again
Very bizarro
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on June 02, 2018, 12:08:01 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oLOiwq5I3Q# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oLOiwq5I3Q#)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: stevie on March 10, 2023, 01:12:36 AM
Sorry to dredge up an oldish thread but just wanted to say how much more appreciative I am now of ‘She’s Leaving Home.’  For decades I prolly dismissed it as Macca sap stuff but recently it gets played quite often on Beatles Radio. I suddenly realised just how damn good it is!!  Just beautifully put together. The highlight for me is John’s response vocals - simply superb. I was doing my workout this morn and it came on Beatles Radio and I found myself singing along lol.

While I’m here, I’ve started writing a Beatles fan fic screenplay that has been in my head since 2010!  It’s called Benedict Canyon and is a dreamy look at that week the boys stayed there in 1965. It’s written as found footage with some invented backstory. You have to write these type of scripts in a different way and I’m enjoying not stressing over plot points and such as in my normal scripts.

Did I mention  it will have songs in it? Lol yep you will have a playlist of 6 songs set to play at certain intervals in the script as you read it. I may even be able to imbed the music into the finished pdf.  Anyway I’ll keep you posted on the progress. It will only be like 40 pages or so depending on how carried away I get lol.  Later my Beatle mates
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: blmeanie on March 10, 2023, 01:39:13 AM
i love good fan fiction, share when you are ready please
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: In My Life on March 10, 2023, 06:21:05 AM
Your screenplay sounds great, Stevie!

I completely agree with your assessment of She’s Leaving Home. I think for many it’s a song that may require a certain depth of life experience before it resonates. I heard it just tonight and thought how insightful these lyrics are, especially considering that the writer was only 24 years old!

The story of Paul’s inspiration for the song is pretty well known but this additional insight from Paul in 2021 was new to me:

“ In addition to the newspaper report, I’m pretty sure another influence was The Wednesday Play. It was a weekly television play that often addressed ‘big’ social issues. It’s the kind of thing people would be discussing at the bus stop on Thursday morning. It was a very important part of the week. One of the most famous of these plays was Cathy Come Home, directed by Ken Loach. It’s a play about homelessness that a quarter of the UK population watched the night it was broadcast in November 1966.

When we recorded ‘She’s Leaving Home’ it was almost like a shooting script for The Wednesday Play. ‘Clutching her handkerchief/Quietly turning the backdoor key’. On oner hand we have the narrator who’s describing the action (‘She’s leaving home’), and then there are a couple of people in the spotlight, a mini Greek chorus, who fade in and out (‘We gave her most of our lives’). There was a line in that style – ‘Is this all the thanks that we get?’ – which somehow didn’t make the final cut.” Paul McCartney, The Lyrics: 1956 To The Present

https://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/shes-leaving-home/ (https://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/shes-leaving-home/)

I’m kind of bummed that newspapers.com does not have The Daily Mail in its archives because I wanted to see the article in context, like Paul saw it, but I did find this:

(https://i.postimg.cc/rwNZP3Dr/2-B68-BFA9-78-A6-4075-9-DB3-AD1-FA5-A626-AA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZdRG6Hy)

https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/shes-leaving-home/ (https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/shes-leaving-home/)

That photo caption is interesting. Did she really just happen to get that photo taken the same day that she she took off?  ;D
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: zipp on March 10, 2023, 10:09:23 AM
I think for many it’s a song that may require a certain depth of life experience before it resonates.


I was 15 when I first heard it and it certainly resonated with me.

How could you leave home and have fun without upsetting your parents and suffering their reproaches?

A true dilemma for many.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGL4b25AJpM# (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGL4b25AJpM#)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: stevie on March 10, 2023, 12:22:33 PM
Just to add a couple of things to my new found love of SLH lol:

There is a kind of contradiction in the lyrics - the parents say they gave their daughter everything money could buy - which indicates to me they were well off. But later they say they struggled all their lives to get by. I dunno, it might be me over analysing but it seems odd lol

And we’ve all heard the myth or legend the ‘man from the motor trade’ is a doctor doing an abortion for the girl leaving home. I was kind of hoping it was true simply because it adds a surreal even very dark element to the song, as it would be controversial back then. It’s a bit like the claims that at the end of Norwegian Wood the guy burns down the apartment - it’s dark and nasty but we Beatle fans think it’s sort of cool lol
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Normandie on March 10, 2023, 01:36:47 PM
There is a kind of contradiction in the lyrics - the parents say they gave their daughter everything money could buy - which indicates to me they were well off. But later they say they struggled all their lives to get by. I dunno, it might be me over analysing but it seems odd lol

I've noted that as well and wonder whether the parents were referring to their own childhoods. Perhaps their families struggled financially and wanted to give their child a better life than they had growing up. I've also thought that the parents come across rather selfish (perhaps self-involved is a better word). They seem to focus only on themselves and their self-perceived "victimhood" and not, perhaps, on what they may have done to cause their daughter to just take off like that.

OK, I am definitely overanalyzing. 

I truly love this song. When I was younger I tended to sort of dismiss it as Paul pap, but I've grown to genuinely appreciate its ethereal beauty. The harps are just  . . .  exquisite.

The highlight for me is John’s response vocals - simply superb.

I agree. And I've always perceived that part as a Greek chorus, as Kelley noted that Paul said.

Please do share your fanfiction when it's ready, stevie. 


Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: stevie on March 10, 2023, 09:45:16 PM
It may not be till after Easter as I’m a slow writer lol   I write by hand first then copy to the script software on my laptop. But I’ll try and pull my finger out as I’m truly immersed in it now.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Moogmodule on March 10, 2023, 10:22:36 PM
I've noted that as well and wonder whether the parents were referring to their own childhoods. Perhaps their families struggled financially and wanted to give their child a better life than they had growing up.
OK, I am definitely overanalyzing. 


That’s how I interpreted it too. Very common at that time as many parents had depression era childhoods.
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: nimrod on March 10, 2023, 11:11:35 PM
Just to add a couple of things to my new found love of SLH lol:

There is a kind of contradiction in the lyrics - the parents say they gave their daughter everything money could buy - which indicates to me they were well off. But later they say they struggled all their lives to get by. I dunno, it might be me over analysing but it seems odd lol

And we’ve all heard the myth or legend the ‘man from the motor trade’ is a doctor doing an abortion for the girl leaving home. I was kind of hoping it was true simply because it adds a surreal even very dark element to the song, as it would be controversial back then. It’s a bit like the claims that at the end of Norwegian Wood the guy burns down the apartment - it’s dark and nasty but we Beatle fans think it’s sort of cool lol

You have to remember that Paul had passed by this time and fake Paul wasn't a songwriter. John wrote the whole thing.
He had many regrets after Pauls demise and wrote a "leaving" song. (John's analogy of someone dying). The song is like an epitaph for Paul but in typical John style it's true meaning is hidden down a rabbit hole.

"We never thought of ourselves, never a thought for ourselves" (allowing Paul to be a solo star doing Yesterday alone on stage)

"We struggled hard all our lives to get by" (all those hundreds of hours of graft in Germany)

"Fun is the one thing that money can't buy"  (Paul was finally rich but wasn't happy).

"She's leaving home" (She is a He, home is The Beatles).



 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: Moogmodule on March 11, 2023, 12:00:02 AM
You’ve convinced me.  :)
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: stevie on March 11, 2023, 07:37:49 AM
Lol Kev!!
Title: Re: Beatles under a microscope - Sgt. Peppers
Post by: stevie on August 03, 2023, 03:22:21 AM
Hi guys   Sorry to bump this but didn’t want to start a new thread.

I have finished my fan fiction script called Benedict Canyon.  Just need to tweak it a little tonight. It has a playlist of 8 songs - at a certain point a few pages in, the reader starts the playlist and just has going while they continue the read (which will be 50 odd pages). Making the list on Spotify would be the best option then just have it playing on a speaker while you read.

It has some emotional stuff in it, especially the final scene. A lot of the dialogue obviously is created but I’ve tried to write the fiction in a way our lads would speak lol. It has some really funny lines too.

I’ll post it by the end of the week!  Should I create a new thread in say, the film section?  Or just in Different Conversations?   I have written some cool scripts recently, about killed sharks, zombies and the like. But this is certainly my ambitious script and one that is close to my heart. I cannot wait to share it with you wonderful folk from around the world