Release date : Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Beatles (Stereo - 2009 remaster)
By The Beatles • Official album • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The Original Studio Recordings (2009)”
Last updated on May 1, 2021
Release date : Wednesday, September 9, 2009
By The Beatles • Official album • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The Original Studio Recordings (2009)”
Last updated on May 1, 2021
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Album Sep 09, 2009 • "Abbey Road (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
2:44 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Piano, Vocals John Lennon : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion George Harrison : Backing vocals, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Six-string bass guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Aug 22, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 23, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:56 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Flugelhorn, Handclaps, Piano John Lennon : Backing vocals, Guitar, Tambourine, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Mal Evans : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Tambourine Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Jackie Lomax : Backing vocals, Handclaps John McCartney : Backing vocals, Handclaps Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Aug 28, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Aug 29, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Aug 30, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:18 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Recorder Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Producer, Recorder Ken Scott : Recording engineer John Underwood : Viola Eldon Fox : Cello Eric Bowie : Violin Henry Datyner : Violin Reginald Kilbey : Cello Norman Lederman : Violin Ronald Thomas : Violin Keith Cummings : Viola Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 12, 13, 16 - 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session String overdubs: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
3:09 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass part on distorted acoustic guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Vocals Ringo Starr : Conga drum, Drums, Handclaps, Maracas, Percussion John Lennon : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Piano George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Handclaps George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Rex Morris : Saxophone Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator James Gray : Saxophone Cyril Reuben : Saxophone
Session Recording: Jul 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 12, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
0:53 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Drums, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
3:14 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Backing vocals, Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Organ, Vocals George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals George Martin : Producer Yoko Ono : Backing vocals, Vocals Chris Thomas : Mellotron Ken Scott : Recording engineer Maureen Cox / Starkey : Backing vocals Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Oct 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
4:45 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Maracas, Tambourine John Lennon : Bass guitar George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Hammond organ, Vocals George Martin : Producer Eric Clapton : Lead guitar Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 05, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 06, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:45 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Organ, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead electric guitar Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 24, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 25, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:29 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Handclaps, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Electric guitar George Martin : Producer Tony Tunstall : French horn Leo Birnbaum : Viola Leon Calvert : Flugelhorn, Trumpet Reginald Kilbey : Cello Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Bernard Miller : Violin Dennis McConnell : Violin Lou Sofier : Violin Les Maddox : Violin Henry Myerscough : Viola Frederick Alexander : Cello Stanley Reynolds : Trumpet Ronnie Hughes : Trumpet Ted Barker : Trombone Alf Reece : Tuba Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Oct 04, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 05, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Oct 05, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
2:04 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar, Organ, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Oct 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:18 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Foot taps, Lead vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jun 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
2:04 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Harmony vocals Ringo Starr : Kick drum, Tambourine John Lennon : Harmony vocals, Tape loops George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Harpsichord, Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer John Underwood : Viola Eldon Fox : Cello Eric Bowie : Violin Henry Datyner : Violin Reginald Kilbey : Cello Norman Lederman : Violin Ronald Thomas : Violin Keith Cummings : Viola Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 19, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:33 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Accordion, Backing vocals, Harmonica, Six-string bass George Harrison : Backing vocals George Martin : Piano, Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Aug 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Written by Ringo Starr
3:51 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Drums, Piano Ringo Starr : Percussion, Piano, Sleigh bell, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Jack Fallon : Violin Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jun 05, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 06, Jun 12, Jul 22, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Why Don't We Do It In The Road?
1:41 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Handclaps, Lead guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps Ken Townsend : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Oct 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 16-17, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
1:46 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : 'sung bass', Acoustic guitars, Backing vocal, Lead vocal Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Maracas, Skulls Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 16, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 17, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:57 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:43 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass guitar, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps John Lennon : Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar, Tambourine Mal Evans : Handclaps Yoko Ono : Backing vocals Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Pattie Boyd / Harrison : Backing vocals Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 18, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 18, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Sep 18, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
4:01 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Aug 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
2:48 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitars, Bass drum, Percussion, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator Unknown : Two trombones, Two trumpets
Session Recording: Aug 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 12, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
2:25 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hand bell, Maracas Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jun 27, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 01, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 23, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 12, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:15 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Guitar, Hammond organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Tambourine George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Aug 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 21, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
4:30 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Electric guitar, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Piano, Tenor saxophone George Harrison : Backing vocals, Electric guitar Mal Evans : Trumpet Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Sep 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 12, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
3:06 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hammond organ Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Acoustic guitars, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Piano Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Oct 07, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
4:16 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hammond organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Yoko Ono : Backing vocals, Electronic sound effects Derek Watkins : Trumpet Freddy Clayton : Trumpet Rex Morris : Trombone Peter Bown : Recording engineer Francie Schwartz : Backing vocals Don Lang : Trombone J. Power : Trombone Bill Povey : Trombone Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: May 30, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: May 31 & Jun 4, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 21, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 25, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:41 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Dennis Walton : Saxophone Rex Morris : Saxophone Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Ronald Chamberlain : Saxophone Jim Chester : Saxophone Harry Klein : Saxophone Raymond Newman : Clarinet David Smith : Clarinet Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Oct 01, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 02, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 04, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Oct 05, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Written by George Harrison
2:55 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass guitar, Bongos, Harmony vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine George Harrison : Lead guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Electric piano, Organ Ken Scott : Recording engineer Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Harry Klein : Baritone saxophone Art Ellefson : Tenor saxophone Danny Moss : Tenor saxophone Derek Collins : Tenor saxophone Ronnie Ross : Baritone saxophone Bernard George : Baritone saxophone Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Oct 03, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 05, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs & mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Medley
2:44 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Bass, Guitar, Piano, Whistling Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Piano, Vocals, Whistling George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Harmonium, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: Jul 16, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 18, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 17, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:22 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Paul McCartney : Vocals Ringo Starr : Maracas John Lennon : Percussion Giles Martin : Mixing engineer, Producer Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Engineer
Session Recording: Sep 16, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 16-17, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
8:22 • Studio version • A2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
John Lennon : Effects, Producer, Samples, Tape loops, Vocals George Harrison : Samples, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Yoko Ono : Effects, Samples, Vocals Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator
Session Recording: May 30, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 6, 10, 11, 20, 21, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 21, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 25, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:14 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
Ringo Starr : Vocals George Martin : Celesta, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Pat Whitmore : Backing vocals Irene King : Backing vocals Fred Lucas : Backing vocals Mike Redway : Backing vocals Peter Bown : Recording engineer Ingrid Thomas : Backing vocals Val Stockwell : Backing vocals Ross Gilmour : Backing vocals Ken Barrie : Backing vocals Guy Massey : Remastering Steve Rooke : Remastering Allan Rouse : Project co-ordinator Unknown : Clarinet, Double bass, French horn, Harp, Three cellos, Three flutes, Three violas, Twelve violins, Vibraphone The Mike Sammes Singers : Backing vocals
Session Recording: Jul 22, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 22, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
From the liner notes:
HISTORICAL NOTES
The group’s ninth album in the UK was called simply The Beatles but quickly became better known as ‘The White Album’. The double-LP was issued on the fifth anniversary of the release of their second album With The Beatles – 22nd November, 1968.
The Beatles released 34 new tracks in 1968 – returning to the high level of productivity they had maintained from 1963 to 1965. The first music of the year came in March with the arrival of their seventeenth single ‘Lady Madonna’. Soon after it was recorded, the Beatles flew to Rishikesh, India for several weeks of meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and they enjoyed a prolific period of song writing at this remote location. They began recording these new songs at Abbey Road on 30th May and studio work occupied most of their time until the final session on 16 October. Two songs from this period were released as a single on 30th August, 1968 – ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Revolution’. It was the first Beatles record to be pressed with the Apple label and the Parlophone imprint was also replaced for the two LP discs comprising The Beatles.
Any expectations of a cover to rival the vivid artwork of Sgt. Pepper or Magical Mystery Tour were immediately overturned. The outside of the sleeve was completely white with the only lettering consisting of ‘The Beatles’ embossed on the front and also printed on the spine with the catalogue number. Early copies also had an individual number stamped on the front. However, in contrast to this minimalist look, some generous inserts were slipped alongside the records. There were four glossy colour photographs of the individual Beatles and a large fold-out poster displaying a photo collage on one side and lyrics on the other.
Despite being an expensive double album, The Beatles was a huge seller. It entered the UK chart at number one and remained there for a total of eight of the 22 weeks it was listed. In the USA, it topped the chart for nine weeks and stayed in the album chart for an initial run of 65 weeks. As with Sgt. Pepper, no singles were released from ‘The White Album’ in the UK and USA during the sixties.
Amid the sessions for The Beatles, the animated film Yellow Submarine was given its UK premiere on 17th July. The soundtrack LP featured four new Beatles songs and was in the shops eight weeks after the release of The Beatles …
___________________________________________________
RECORDING NOTES
Production by George Martin
Orchestrations by George Martin
Additional production: Chris Thomas
Principal Engineers: Ken Scott & Geoff Emerick
To complete the many songs needed for their double-LP, The Beatles recorded regularly during twenty weeks from 30th May to 16th October, 1968. The final studio date was a 24-hour marathon session to create the running order for the four sides of the album and the edits and cross-fades between the songs. The sessions mark an important turning point in their recording career because it was during this period that The Beatles first recorded on an eight-track tape machine.
Since 1964, the group had used four track for all their albums but by 1966, they found their musical arrangements usually required more tracks than were available. The solution was to create extra ones by copying the first four tracks to a second blank tape and simultaneously mixing some of them together to leave free as many tracks as were needed for additional overdubs. ‘Bouncing down’ was a time consuming process because the tracks that were being mixed together would form part of the final sound balance of the completed song so it was important to be satisfied with the mix before overdubbing commenced. With eight tracks now available, this problem was eliminated – until even more were needed!
Work began on the album using four tracks and, while some songs could be confined to these, most had to be ‘bounced down’ to a second, third or even – as with ‘Revolution l’ and ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’ – a fourth tape. The Beatles’ first experience of using an eight-track machine came at Trident Studios on 31st July, 1968 when they recorded ‘Hey Jude’. The first eight track recording at Abbey Road was during a session on 3rd September for ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. As it had been started on a four-track, the master take was transferred to an eight-track machine to allow further overdubbing.
However, ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ was re-recorded on eight-track from scratch two days later and completed on 6th September with several overdubs – including a guitar solo by Eric Clapton. George’s decision to ask a friend to play on his song was a significant one. Although The Beatles had previously used other musicians on their sessions, they had been from other areas of music such as classical, jazz or Indian music. For the first time, here was a star musician performing on an instrument already featured in the group.
The album’s long sessions would often begin in the afternoon and continue until daybreak the next morning. There were also occasions when two songs were recorded at the same time in separate studios. In July, engineer Geoff Emerick left the sessions and did not work with the group again until nearly a year later for Abbey Road. Ken Scott, who had first sat at the mixing desk for some of the Magical Mystery Tour songs, recorded and mixed two thirds of ‘The White Album’. For one week, George Martin relinquished his seat in the control room so that he could take a holiday and, consequently, his 21-year old production assistant Chris Thomas supervised sessions.
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, except Disc One tracks 7 & 12, Harrisongs Ltd. 14, Universal Music Publishing, MGB Ltd. Disc Two tracks 7 & 10, Harrisongs Ltd.
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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