Magical Mystery Tour (US LP - Mono)

Track list

Side 1

1. Magical Mystery Tour

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   2:50 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Lead vocals, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Percussion (?) John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Percussion (?) George Harrison : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Percussion (?) George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mal Evans : Percussion Neil Aspinall : Percussion David Mason : Trumpets Elgar Howarth : Trumpets Roy Copestake : Trumpets John Wilbraham : Trumpets

   SessionRecording : Apr 25, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Apr 25 & 26 & 27, May 3, Nov 7, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : May 04, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Nov 07, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

2. The Fool On The Hill

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   2:59 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Recorder, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Finger cymbals John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Harmonica, Piano George Harrison : Harmonica, Maracas George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Christopher Taylor : Flutes Richard Taylor : Flutes Jack Ellory : Flutes Ray Thomas : Harmonica (?) Mike Pinder : Harmonica (?)

   SessionRecording : Sep 26, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Sep 27, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Oct 20, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Oct 25, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

3. Flying

   Written by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison

   2:16 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Guitar, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Maracas, Sound effects, Vocals John Lennon : Mellotron, Organ, Sound effects, Vocals George Harrison : Guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

   SessionRecording : Sep 08, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Sep 28, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Sep 28, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

4. Blue Jay Way

   Written by George Harrison

   3:55 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Backing vocals, Organ George Harrison : Hammond organ, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Peter Willison : Cello

   SessionRecording : Sep 06, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Sep 07, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Oct 06, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Nov 07, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

5. Your Mother Should Know

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   2:28 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Tambourine, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Organ George Harrison : Backing vocals, Guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer John Timperley : Recording engineer

   SessionRecording : Aug 22, 1967 • Studio : Chappell Recording Studios, London UK

   SessionOverdubs : Aug 23, 1967 • Studio : Chappell Recording Studios, London UK

   SessionOverdubs : Sep 29, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Oct 02, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

6. I Am The Walrus

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   4:33 • Studio version • A2 • Mono • Mono made from [A1]

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Tambourine Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Electric piano, Mellotron, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Conductor, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Jack Rothstein : Violin Ken Scott : Recording engineer Sidney Sax : Violin Peggie Allen : Backing vocals Wendy Horan : Backing vocals Pat Whitmore : Backing vocals Jill Utting : Backing vocals June Day : Backing vocals Sylvia King : Backing vocals Irene King : Backing vocals G Mallen : Backing vocals Fred Lucas : Backing vocals Mike Redway : Backing vocals John O'Neill : Backing vocals F Dachtler : Backing vocals Allan Grant : Backing vocals D Griffiths : Backing vocals J Smith : Backing vocals J Fraser : Backing vocals Ralph Elman : Violin Andrew McGee : Violin Jack Greene : Violin Louis Stevens : Violin John Jezzard : Violin Jack Richards : Violin Lionel Ross : Cello Eldon Fox : Cello Bram Martin : Cello Terry Weil : Cello Gordon Lewin : Clarinet Neill Sanders : Horn Tony Tunstall : Horn Morris Miller : Horn Ray Thomas : Backing vocals (?) Mike Pinder : Backing vocals (?) The Mike Sammes Singers : Backing vocals

   SessionRecording : Sep 05, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Sep 06, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionOrchestra overdubs : Sep 27, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio One and Two, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Sep 28-29, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Side 2

1. Hello Goodbye

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:27 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Lead vocals, Piano Ringo Starr : Congas, Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Organ George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Tambourine George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Kenneth Essex : Viola Leo Birnbaum : Viola Unknown : Bongos, Maracas

   SessionRecording : Oct 02, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Oct 19, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Oct 20 & 25 & Nov 2, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Nov 02, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

2. Strawberry Fields Forever

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   4:07 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Bongos, Electric guitar, Mellotron, Timpani Ringo Starr : Drums, Percussion John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Bongos, Mellotron, Piano, Vocals George Harrison : Electric guitar, Maracas, Svarmandal, Timpani George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mal Evans : Tambourine Derek Simpson : Cello Norman Jones : Cello Neil Aspinall : Guiro Terry Doran : Maracas Tony Fisher : Trumpet Greg Bowen : Trumpet Derek Watkins : Trumpet Stanley Roderick : Trumpet Joy Hall : Cello

   SessionRecording Take 7 : Nov 29, 1966 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionRecording Take 26 : Dec 08, 1966 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Dec 09, 15 and 21, 1966 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Dec 22, 1966 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

3. Penny Lane

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:00 • Studio version • B • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Bass, Handclaps, Harmonium, Pianos, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine, Tubular bells John Lennon : Backing vocals, Congas, Guitar, Handclaps, Piano George Harrison : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Handclaps George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer David Mason : Piccolo trumpet Ray Swinfield : Flute P Goody : Flute Manny Winters : Flute Dennis Walton : Flute Leon Calvert : Trumpet Freddy Clayton : Trumpet Bert Courtley : Trumpets Duncan Campbell : Trumpets Dick Morgan : Cor anglais, Oboes Mike Winfield : Cor anglais, Oboes Frank Clarke : Double bass Unknown : Flugelhorn, Two piccolos

   SessionRecording : Dec 29, 1966 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Dec 30, 1966 and Jan 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 17, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Jan 25, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

4. Baby You're A Rich Man

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:04 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Piano, Rhythm guitar, Tambourine Ringo Starr : Backing vocals, Drums, Handclaps (?) John Lennon : Clavioline, Handclaps (?), Lead vocals, Piano George Harrison : Backing vocals, Handclaps (?), Lead guitar, Maracas George Martin : Producer Keith Grant : Recording engineer Eddie Kramer : Vibraphone Mick Jagger : Backing vocals (?), Handclaps (?)

   SessionRecording : May 11, 1967 • Studio : Olympic Sound Studios, London

   SessionOverdubs : May 11, 1967 • Studio : Olympic Sound Studios, London

   SessionMixing : May 11, 1967 • Studio : Olympic Sound Studios, London

5. All You Need Is Love

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   4:02 • Studio version • A • Mono

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Double bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Banjo, Harpsichord, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Guitar, Violin George Martin : Piano, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Eric Clapton : Backing vocals, Handclaps Mike McCartney / McGear : Backing vocals, Handclaps Mal Evans : Backing vocals, Handclaps Sidney Sax : Violin Pattie Boyd / Harrison : Backing vocals, Handclaps Marianne Faithfull : Backing vocals, Handclaps David Mason : Trumpet Lionel Ross : Cello Eddie Kramer : Recording engineer Mick Jagger : Backing vocals, Handclaps Patrick Halling : Violin Eric Bowie : Violin John Ronayne : Violin Jack Holmes : Cello Rex Morris : Tenor saxophone Don Honeywill : Tenor saxophone Stanley Woods : Trumpet Evan Watkins : Trombone Harry Spain : Trombone Jack Emblow : Accordion Keith Richards : Backing vocals, Handclaps Jane Asher : Backing vocals, Handclaps Keith Moon : Backing vocals, Handclaps Hunter Davies : Backing vocals, Handclaps Gary Leeds : Backing vocals, Handclaps Mike Vickers : Conductor Rose Nash : Backing vocals, Handclaps

   SessionRecording : Jun 14, 1967 • Studio : Olympic Sound Studios, London

   SessionOverdubs : Jun 19, 23, 24, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs : Jun 25, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Jun 26, 1967 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

“Magical Mystery Tour” is the soundtrack to the Beatles television film of the same name. The film’s music was released on a double EP in the UK, released on December 8, 1967 – in both mono and stereo. In the USA, an eponymous LP, extended by five tracks, was released on November 27, 1967 – in both mono and stereo.

See “Magical Mystery Tour (UK EP – Mono)” for background information and  Magical Mystery Tour (UK EP – Stereo) for related UK press articles.

See Magical Mystery Tour (US LP – Stereo) for related US press articles.

From Wikipedia:

Magical Mystery Tour is a record by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as a double EP in the United Kingdom and an LP in the United States. It includes the soundtrack to the 1967 television film of the same name. The EP was issued in the UK on 8 December 1967 on the Parlophone label, while the Capitol Records LP release in the US and Canada occurred on 27 November and features an additional five songs that were originally released as singles that year. In 1976, Parlophone released the eleven-track LP in the UK. […]

The album topped Billboard‘s Top LPs listings for eight weeks and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1969. With the international standardisation of the Beatles’ catalogue in 1987, Magical Mystery Tour became the only Capitol-generated LP to supersede the band’s intended format and form part of their core catalogue. […]

The Story Behind the Magical Mystery Tour! Or, Meet the Man Who Meets the Beatles!

Voyle Gilmore is a smiling, grayhaired, young-faced executive. He’s very nice, charming, and his eyes twinkle a lot. Still, at first glance (and second glance, for that matter), you’d never suspect that he hobnobs with four young men named John, Paul, George and Ringo.

“Hobnobs” is hardly the word! Last November VG flew to London for a brief business meeting with those same four young men. To London, for a one-hour meeting! With the Beatles! (Do you ever feel how unfair it all is?)

It wasn’t the first time VG has been face to face with the Beatles. He’s the man who has “brought the Beatles to America” — on record, anyway. As executive A&R man for Capitol Records, it’s VG’s job to coordinate record releases and to make sure the Beatles’ songs are set forth before us on those lovely round black discs.

VG’s most recent excursion (the one hour meeting we mentioned earlier) to London was for the purpose of discussing the latest Beatle album — and to arrange a “compromise” between the English version and what VG hoped would be the American version. Seems the Beatles wanted to (and did) release two 45 rpm records (EP’s — more than one song on a side) along with a 7″ book about their Magical Mystery Tour, for which the new songs were written and recorded. (And you read all about that tour in the last TeenSet, remember?) EP’s, however, don’t sell very well in America; they’re not even made anymore. So VG hoped to convince the Beatles to OK an American version of the Magical Mystery Tour, which would be a regular size LP, one side of Magical Mystery Tour tunes, the other side of recent single records like “Penny Lane” and “All You Need Is Love” and so on. The American version would also have a book on the tour, but it would be a twelve-incher to fit the larger LP size. Well, they talked a lot, then they agreed, and VG smiled a lot.

That’s the basic rundown of the new album. Just in case you thought it was all a simple one note process! But VG is more than just a businessman, he’s an admirer and friend of the Beatles, so he gave me a further rundown on the Foursome Themselves. (I managed to restrain myself from babbling on about Paul.)

“We all met about five in the afternoon,” VG recalled, looking at his walnut paneled ceiling, “in Brian Epstein’s old office at Nems. The Beatles were prompt,” he smiled. He added that Paul looks thinner, with hair shorter than ever; George looked great but “shaggier than ever”; John was relatively quiet except for occasional witty asides; and Ringo was just friendly, groovy Ringo, who wouldn’t make a wave if he ran into the ocean. (Which is a strange way of saying he’s peaceful and doesn’t give anyone any trouble, ever.)

“They looked good, really good,” VG said, getting more enthusiastic the more he thought about it. “They’re so intelligent and businesslike, so pleasant to deal with. I’ve always had the greatest respect and admiration for them — not just their music, but them — especially Paul. He could be president of General Motors, he’s so smooth and sharp.” (But the president of General Motors, it should be noted, could not replace Mr. McCartney!)

“All of them have quite a knowledge of the record business, not just their own creative end. And their main thing has always been that they’re concerned about putting out a package that the kids would like to buy and get their money’s worth. That’s why they’ve taken such an interest in the photos, packaging, everything, ever since the Rubber Soul album. That cover design was their idea, with the wide angle photo and the so-called psychedelic typeface. From then on they were involved with the whole thing, not just the music. After the huge success of Sgt. Pepper they wanted to put out something different and still have something that would give everyone good value for money spent. That’s why they wanted the smaller size record and the book included, because it was different.”

It seems that the more the Beatles do, the more involved they become in all areas of a project. Take the Magical Mystery Tour, for instance (and I’d like to!); the Beatles wrote, produced, directed and starred in it, then edited it, wrote and recorded the music… no wonder they had to postpone their visit to India. The hour-long MMT (Magical Mystery Tour, naturally) won’t be shown in the States until February or March, but the lucky English got to see it around Christmas ’67.

Any final words from VG? “Oh yes,” he grinned. “The Beatles just get better all the time. I think their association with the Mahareshi has helped them a great deal, too. They’re more serious now, but it’s a happy serious-, if you know what I mean.”

We do!

From Teenset – February 1968