Well this one wasn't easy!
This is easily one of the most technically challenging and intricate tracks ever released by the Beatles. It features a lead guitar in an open tuning (thanks Ryan and Sam for the tip!), Ringo's insane kitchen-sink drumming, one of Paul's greatest basslines, a slowed-down backing track, backwards vocals. The boys put almost everything they could into this track. Hard to believe it was only a B-side!
I put more effort into studying this than any other track. Ringo's drumming, Paul's bassline AND the lead guitar are recreated note-for-note. Studying this was made much easier thanks to the Revolver remix, which included a remarkably clear backing track (and led to several incredibly clear isolated tracks widely available on RU-vid).
As with most Beatles tunes, this is an incredible, incredible performance. No two verses are alike on ANY instrument (except maybe the rhythm guitar). Paul and Ringo are geniuses.
Also, even the little quirks are great! Paul kinda flubs the introductory bassline, the entire band plays a weird extra half-measure or so in the second verse, the entine tune slows down...it's just madness everywhere. And it works!
I'll add more here soon! Probably releasing more isolated tracks, too. Let me know what you think!
Trivia:
- Recorded Thursday, April 14, 1966 and Saturday, April 16, 1966. From "The Beatles Recording Sessions" - "'One of the things we discovered when playing around with loops on 'Tomorrow Never Knows' was that the texture and depth of certain instruments sounded really good when slowed down,' recalls Geoff Emerick. 'With 'Rain' the Beatles played the rhythm track really fast so that when the tape was played back at normal speed everything would be so much slower, changing the texture."
- I recreated this by recording the drums and guitars about 6% faster and tuned close to Ab. The video of the drums and guitar are of me recording this original performance - the video here is actually slowed down to match! I speculate that Paul overdubbed the bass to the slowed down track, which is in G (the "Recording Sessions" book supports that the bass was overdubbed the next day after the backing track was recorded).
- Incredible thanks to Ryan (ManWithNoExpression) and Sam Popkin for telling me the open tuning on the lead guitar! I NEVER would've figured it out on my own. I wonder if George's sitar playing inspired the experimentation? Sounds very Indian to me.
Instruments:
- 2010 Epiphone Casino, "Inspired by John Lennon" model (roundwound strings)
- 2017 Gretsch Country Gentleman (people think John used his orange Gretsch)
- 2018 Rickenbacker 4003 (flatwound strings)
- 60's Ludwig No. 980 Super Classic Outfit 9x13 / 16x16 / 14x22 kit (Black Oyster Pearl)
- Tambourine
Recording Equipment & Miscellaneous:
- Beatles Drop-T #4 drumhead courtesy of Russ Lease (beatlesuits.com)
- Vox Valvetronix VT100X Guitar Combo Amp
- PreSonus Studio 1824C Interface (6 microphones used)
- Cad Audio Stage7 7-Piece Drum Microphones (toms, snare & bass drum)
- MXL V250 Condenser Mic: drum overhead mic & acoustic guitar
- Drums recorded and mixed with PreSonus Studio One
- Shure SM57 (under hi-hat, bass)
Video Equipment:
- Camera: Canon M50
- Edited with Adobe Premiere Pro on HP Envy 32'' All in One
Feel free to leave comments, I'll respond to as many as I can.
26 авг 2024
