"Beatles for Sale" Session #2

About

From Anthology 1 liner notes:

In keeping with the frantic pace of events in 1964, sessions for Beatles For Sale, the group’s second album of the year and their fourth so far, had to be woven between US and British tour commitments.

A Hard Day’s Night had featured 13 new songs from John and Paul but Beatles For Sale ran only to eight – the six remaining numbers were cover versions, refugees from an earlier era, when the Beatles’ nightly performances in Liverpool and Hamburg required a repertoire of no little length and breadth. So, after completing Baby’s In Black and I’m A Loser, two new Lennon-McCartney songs that were ready to be recorded, the Beatles turned back the calendar to mine a couple of their old R&B favourites. Both featured searing John Lennon lead vocals.

First issued in 1962 by Dr. Feelgood and the Interns, Mr. Moonlight was the first. The version on Beatles For Sale was a remake, taped at EMI on 18 October, but four unreleased takes were recorded on 14 August, and a combination of One and Four is presented here. The first broke down after John’s laudable attempt at the shouted introduction. “Nearly!” commented Paul, a wry smile in his voice, as he encouraged his band mate to have another crack at it. Take 4, only the second complete run-through, lacked the organ track that distinguished the October remake, but George’s guitar solo in the bridge proves that experimentation with new and different sounds was now a definite quest.

It was at ten o’clock, when Abbey Road regulations stated that sessions were supposed to end, that the Beatles began Leave My Kitten Alone. This had been a 1959 R&B hit for Little Willie John, covered in 1960 by Johnny Preston, both versions entering the Billboard US Hot 100 in January 1961. The Beatles taped five takes of Leave My Kitten Alone before deciding that the last was the best and so adding overdubs … but that’s where they left it. The recording was never mixed down for release on Beatles For Sale and was destined to remain unissued for more than 30 years – until now.

Last updated on July 9, 2017

Songs recorded

Staff

Musicians

Paul McCartney:

Piano, Vocals, Bass guitar

Ringo Starr:

Tambourine, Drums

John Lennon:

Vocals, Rhythm guitar

George Harrison:

Lead guitar

Production staff

George Martin:

Producer

Norman Smith:

Engineer

Ron Pender:

Second engineer