Release date : Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Revolver (Stereo - 2009 remaster)
By The Beatles • Official album • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The Original Studio Recordings (2009)”
Release date : Wednesday, September 9, 2009
By The Beatles • Official album • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The Original Studio Recordings (2009)”
Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Help! (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Rubber Soul (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Revolver (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Magical Mystery Tour (Stereo - 2009 remaster)" by The Beatles released globally
This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:
The Beatles’ mono and stereo remasters announced
Apr 07, 2009
Written by George Harrison
2:39 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Lead guitar Ringo Starr : Cowbell, Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Backing vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 21, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Apr 22, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: May 16, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Jun 21, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
2:07 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Vocals John Lennon : Harmony vocals George Harrison : Harmony vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Tony Gilbert : Violin Sidney Sax : Violin John Sharpe : Violin Jürgen Hess : Violin Stephen Shingles : Viola John Underwood : Viola Derek Simpson : Cello Norman Jones : Cello Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 28, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Apr 29, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 06, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
3:00 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 27, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Apr 29, May 5, May 6, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: May 20, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
3:00 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Tamboura Ringo Starr : Tambourine George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Sitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Anil Bhagwat : Tabla Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 11, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Apr 13, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 21, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
2:25 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Finger clicks, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Finger clicks John Lennon : Backing vocals, Finger clicks George Harrison : Backing vocals, Finger clicks, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jun 14, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Jun 16, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 17, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 21, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
2:39 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Drums, Vocals John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Tambourine George Martin : Backing vocals, Producer Geoff Emerick : Backing vocals, Recording engineer, Tape loop (marching band) Mal Evans : Backing vocals, Bass drum Neil Aspinall : Backing vocals Pattie Boyd / Harrison : Backing vocals, Laughter Brian Jones : Backing vocals, Ocarina, Sound effects (clinking glasses) Marianne Faithfull : Backing vocals Alf Bicknell : Backing vocals, Sound effects (rattling chains) Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator Unknown musician(s) : Brass band John Skinner : Sound effects (chains in bathtub) Terry Condon : Sound effects (chains in bathtub)
Session Recording: May 26, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 01, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
2:36 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums, Shaker John Lennon : Backing vocals, Hammond organ, Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitars George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jun 21, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
2:09 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Handclaps, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps John Lennon : Backing vocals, Bass (?), Handclaps George Harrison : Backing vocals, Bass (?), Handclaps George Martin : Piano, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jun 08, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 09, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
2:01 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Handclaps, Lead guitar Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps, Tambourine John Lennon : Handclaps, Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 26, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: May 20, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
2:00 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Clavichord, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Maracas, Tambourine George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Alan Civil : Horn Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: May 09, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: May 16, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: May 19, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 21, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
2:14 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Harmonium, Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Maracas George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 17, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Apr 19, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: May 20, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
2:28 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Handclaps, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps, Maracas John Lennon : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Tambourine George Harrison : Handclaps, Lead guitar, Lead vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jun 02, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 03, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 21, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
2:29 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Electric guitar, Lead vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Organ, Rhythm guitar George Harrison : Electric guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Eddie Thornton : Trumpet Ian Hamer : Trumpet Les Condon : Trumpet Alan Branscombe : Tenor saxophone Peter Coe : Tenor saxophone Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 08, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Apr 11, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: May 18 and Jun 17, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
3:00 • Studio version • C2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Tape loops Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine, Tape loops John Lennon : Organ, Tape loops, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar, Sitar, Tamboura, Tape loops George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Apr 06, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Apr 07, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Apr 22, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1966 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
From the liner notes:
Historical Notes
Released in the UK on 5th August, 1966, Revolver was The Beatles’ seventh album. It arrived in the shops eight months after Rubber Soul, the longest gap between LPs so far. On the day the previous album was released, the group had begun a series of British concerts with two shows on each of the nine dates in December, 1965. After what turned out to be their last tour of the UK, The Beatles took an extended break from performing and recording.
They returned to Abbey Road studios in April, 1966 and recorded continually for three months. ‘Paperback Writer’ and ‘Rain’ were the first songs to be heard from the sessions when their twelfth Parlophone single was issued in June. There had been an unusually long wait of six months for this new record. Furthermore, the sixteen songs completed between April and June would be the only new Beatles tracks in 1966 – compared to 33 released during the preceding year. However, the sessions saw The Beatles reach a peak of creativity on all levels. In addition to the songwriting brilliance displayed by John and Paul, Revolver contained the biggest contribution to date from George with three songs.
The inspired experimentation heard on the disc was mirrored by the album’s sleeve. An art student friend during their pre-fame days in Hamburg, Klaus Voormann intertwined his own line drawings of The Beatles with a collage of photographs. His design marked another startling step forward in the evolution of LP artwork.
The album entered the UK chart at number one and stayed on top for seven of its 34 weeks in the list. Released a few days later in the States, Revolver was number one for six of its 77 weeks in the Top LPs chart. Although the sleeve was identical, the American album contained only eleven songs. The three that were missing – ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’, ‘Doctor Robert’ and ‘I’m Only Sleeping’ – had already been issued in the States in June on the Capitol Records collection “Yesterday” … And Today.
The Beatles had dominated the British Christmas market for the last three years but, in 1966, there was no single or album with new material. The hits compilation A Collection Of Beatles Oldies was released in the UK in December but the expectant wait for a new LP continued until the arrival in June, 1967 of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band …
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RECORDING NOTES
PRODUCED BY GEORGE MARTIN
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER: GEOFF EMERICK
From the album’s very first session, it was clear that revolutionary advances in recording were being made in the studio. In the three years since their first LP, The Beatles and George Martin had progressed from the limitations of recording on twin-track machines to the greater opportunities allowed by four track tape throughout 1964 and 1965. The constant quest for innovation led in 1966 to the unique sounds heard on Revolver.
On 6th April, 1966 The Beatles began recording their new album with ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, which introduced many of the new studio developments that were used throughout Revolver. These included innovative techniques to record the drums, the sound of backwards guitar and a special vocal effect. This vocal treatment was used for the second half of ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ and was achieved by recording John’s voice coming out of a Leslie speaker cabinet. Usually connected to a Hammond or Lowrey keyboard, the revolving speaker created a distinctive vibrato effect. No one had put a voice through it before.
While recording the two previous albums, one song on each had demanded more than four tracks to accommodate the musical arrangement. The solution was to ‘bounce down’ tracks while mixing and copying to another four-track tape. However on Revolver, this process was needed for all but three of the fourteen songs. For example, the double string quartet scored by George Martin for ‘Eleanor Rigby’ was recorded onto all four tracks and then while being copied to another tape, the instruments were mixed to one track. This left three tracks available on the second tape for vocal overdubs. Surprisingly, the intricate sounding ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ was confined to one four-track tape. Drums, bass and guitar were sent to track one; the sounds of tape loops were on two; a double-track vocal, tambourine, organ and backwards guitar were on three; and four had the lead vocal and a sitar. But the evolution of the recording was made more complex by the fact that the loops on track two were being sent from numerous tape machines in various rooms around Abbey Road studios. These were linked to different channels on the mixing desk and faded in and out throughout the song.
Many of the songs on Revolver were treated with another new studio effect Artificial/Automatic Double Tracking. Technical engineer Ken Townsend had invented a way to artificially reproduce the sound of double-tracking. By running an additional tape machine it was possible to duplicate a vocal or instrument from the master tape and, at the same time, delay it by just a fraction of a second from the original. This gave the impression of hearing two voices or instruments from just one recording. ADT saved the Beatles time and meant that it was no longer necessary to use another track on the tape to create the sound of double-tracking.
Revolver was the first Beatles LP recorded by engineer Geoff Emerick.
He was twenty years old at the time and quickly embraced the spirit of experimentation that characterised the sessions. Completed on 22nd June, 1966, the album took an unprecedented 300 hours to record and mix.
This remastered album has been created from the original stereo analogue master tapes.
Remastered by Guy Massey and Steve Rooke
Project Co-ordinator: Allan Rouse
Thanks to Simon Gibson
Historical Notes: Kevin Howlett and Mike Heatley
Recording Notes: Allan Rouse and Kevin Howlett
Project management for EMI Records Ltd: Wendy Day and Guy Hayden
All songs published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Digital Remaster ® 2009 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by EMI Records Ltd. ©2009 EMI Records Ltd. This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.
Artwork © 2009 Apple Corps Ltd.
All photographs © Apple Corps Ltd.
Album Redesign: Drew Lorimer
Photo Retouching: Gavin O’Neill
Photo editing and research: Aaron Bremner and Dorcas Lynn
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