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Beatles forums => Songs => Topic started by: Casbah on March 01, 2011, 11:46:46 PM

Title: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: Casbah on March 01, 2011, 11:46:46 PM
I used to skip over this song and dismiss it as a throw-away, but after a long listen on the headphones one evening, I was convinced it's one of the better songs they ever RECORDED.
 
One thing I did note was the abundance of George Harrison fills and licks, something that Paul McCartney and to a lesser extent, George Martin would frown upon duing their whole career.  From reading all the material about the Beatles history, it's no secret that George, a guitarist first,  felt more stifled not being able to play parts the way he heard them on Beatles recordings. On OG, it's clear he does what he wants and I believe he turned in one of his finest performances on a Beatles record.
The lead part especially is a happy, bouncy, well thought out and executed solo and the interplay in between and during the lyrics is perfectly woven through with little overplay.  John's "Donovan" finger picking is a perfect compliment to the song, but what else would you expect from the worlds greatest rhythm player?

Paul does his part on bass and the added background vocals from Paul and George sound youthful and slightly majestic at the same time.

Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: nyfan(41) on March 02, 2011, 12:17:27 AM
nice viewpoint, casbah - as i read what you wrote and think of the song - you're right on target !
-
george's friendship with ringo comes through the speakers loud and clear
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: Jazz_Singing_Apple on March 02, 2011, 07:01:01 AM
It's a shame that Ringo and George never wrote more songs together.

This with 'Photograph' show how capable they were as a writing team.
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: nimrod on March 03, 2011, 09:31:08 AM
I used to skip over this song and dismiss it as a throw-away, but after a long listen on the headphones one evening, I was convinced it's one of the better songs they ever RECORDED.
 
One thing I did note was the abundance of George Harrison fills and licks, something that Paul McCartney and to a lesser extent, George Martin would frown upon duing their whole career.  From reading all the material about the Beatles history, it's no secret that George, a guitarist first,  felt more stifled not being able to play parts the way he heard them on Beatles recordings. On OG, it's clear he does what he wants and I believe he turned in one of his finest performances on a Beatles record.
The lead part especially is a happy, bouncy, well thought out and executed solo and the interplay in between and during the lyrics is perfectly woven through with little overplay.  John's "Donovan" finger picking is a perfect compliment to the song, but what else would you expect from the worlds greatest rhythm player?

Paul does his part on bass and the added background vocals from Paul and George sound youthful and slightly majestic at the same time.



good post, I agree casbah
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: real01 on March 04, 2011, 07:00:04 PM
"Love" version of Octopus's Garden is also fantastic.
It starts with string arrangement (taken from song Good Night)
and you expect that the whole song will be like that (easy and
soft)... Then, string arrangement ends, drums appear suddenly,
and in the background there are numerous effects which fill the song...

(Strings end and drums start when Ringo's voice is double tracked:
I'd like to friends to come and see...) - just a reminder how
well Sir George Martin knows their songs... and how magnificently
he remixes them...
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: 7 of 13 on March 04, 2011, 09:22:21 PM
i always liked this song alot, i love that country western guitar and sublimated lyrics in it.
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: tkitna on March 05, 2011, 01:49:05 AM
I'll never feel that it was one of their better songs, but its decent. Its a happy song that I put up with more than I should only because Ringo sings it.
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: glass onion on March 05, 2011, 02:12:57 PM
i've always had a very large soft spot for this song.although nothing out of the ordinary,i love ringos' feel in this tune,also the amazing drum sound that is all the way through the album.the best bit?ringos' fill after the second 'in an octopus's garden,with you' coda at the end of the tune.genius. ;)
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: nimrod on March 18, 2011, 11:41:55 PM
Quote
One thing I did note was the abundance of George Harrison fills and licks, something that Paul McCartney and to a lesser extent, George Martin would frown upon duing their whole career. 

your probably right there, ie i did notice that paul removed some of georges licks on let it be, naked, if you compare Ive Gat A Feeling' with the original version a few of them are missing , or mixed down lower volumewise.
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: 7 of 13 on March 18, 2011, 11:45:44 PM
your probably right there, ie i did notice that paul removed some of georges licks on let it be, naked, if you compare Ive Gat A Feeling' with the original version a few of them are missing , or mixed down lower volumewise.
hmmmm... didn't know that. thanks nimrod.  ;D
Title: Re: Octopus('s) Garden re-examined.
Post by: nimrod on March 18, 2011, 11:58:00 PM
hmmmm... didn't know that. thanks nimrod.  ;D

my pleasure 7 of 13  ;)