Old Brown Shoe - Great song?

[alexis]

I have always been attracted to this song, it is so original in style/chords, etc.

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

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

Thanks for your opinions  

[Bobber]

I happened to listen to Old Brown Shoe the other day and my evil mind thought that John and Paul approved of releasing the song because Paul plays an excellent bass on the song!

[Geoff]

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

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

Thanks for your opinions  

Have a listen to the demo version on Anthology 3: the dour and sardonic George of "Don't Bother Me" meets Bob Dylan.

[fendertele]

Bass is fantastic but song is pretty poor.

[Mairi]

Pretty boring song in my opinion. It just drags on. It gets a skip most times.

[DoBotherMe]

Of course, I love the song. According to Lewisohn's notes George did the arrangement for the recorded version on his birthday. And according to George:http://www.creemmagazine.com/_site/BeatGoesOn/GeorgeHarrison/Interview001.html

You also told me you played bass on "Old Brown Shoe."
It

[alexis]

Of course, I love the song. According to Lewisohn's notes George did the arrangement for the recorded version on his birthday. And according to George:http://www.creemmagazine.com/_site/BeatGoesOn/GeorgeHarrison/Interview001.html


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

Great article, thanks! And who would have known that George played bass on that track!

[Bobber]

That's interesting. Didn't know that! I always thought that Paul did an amazing job on bass.

[Geoff]

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

I didn't know it either. I'd always assumed it was Paul.  

[The Swine]

and every source i have checked tells me it is indeed paul

[Geoff]

and every source i have checked tells me it is indeed paul

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

[An Apple Beatle]

I do like this song...Didn't when I first got into The Beatles but since come to admire it's greatness more over time. It is a busy mix...I wonder if they were compensating at the time to what they considered may have been a weaker tune? I love the sound of the piano, the organ seems busy but I love it on the outro.

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

Oh and the drums....lol

I also got a hunch that George put the vocals down relatively quick and simply but they spent more time on accompaniment.

[sewi]

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

What I have:

Chronicle (1992)

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

Proper, group recordings of `Old Brown Shoe' and
'Something', both taped in demo form by composer George
on 25 February. Actually, George recorded a second demo of
'Old Brown Shoe' during this afternoon, 2.30

[Bobber]

A new mystery is born!

WHO PLAYS THE BASS ON OLD BROWN SHOE?  

[An Apple Beatle]

^Heheh I got hold of the multi-tracks for A Day In The Life and I REALLY do know the answer to that one.