Mixing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", recording "Long Long Long"

Monday, October 7, 1968 • For The Beatles

Part of


"The Beatles" (aka the White Album) sessions

May 30 - Oct 18, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)

Album Songs recorded during this session officially appear on the The Beatles (Mono) LP.
Studio:
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Master release


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About

After a week spent at Trident Studios, The Beatles were back at Abbey Road (minus John Lennon who was still absent). This was a long, long, long session (lasting more than 16 hours, from 2:30 pm to 7 am!), mostly spent on recording the backing track of a new George Harrison song, “Long, Long, Long“.

The day began with copies made of the mono and stereo mixes of “Honey Pie” and “Martha My Dear” which had been created on October 5, 1968 at Trident. Those were made to convert the Trident recording created with the American NAB equalisation to the UK standard CCIR.

Then, some mono and stereo mixes of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” were made, but would remain unused as the final mixes were done on October 14.


Then work started on George Harrison ‘s “Long, Long, Long“. At this stage, the song was known as “It’s Been a Long, Long, Long Time”. It was a relaxed session; the burning of Indian incense helped to create the requisite atmosphere in the studio.

They used to burn several [joss-sticks] at once, sticking them into the slots of the acoustic screens. I’d go home at night my clothes reeking of them! I’ve never smelt joss-sticks of quite the same quality that they used. They had them specially brought in from India

Alan Brown​ – From “The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions” by Mark Lewisohn

The Beatles recorded 67 takes of the rhythm track, with George on vocals and acoustic guitar, Paul McCartney playing Hammond organ, and Ringo Starr on drums. The drum part includes a series of loud fills that serve as a commentary beside the vocal line, in the manner of Starr’s playing on “A Day in the Life” in 1967.

I don’t mind how long it takes at the moment. That intro was great.

Paul McCartney, after take 29 – From “The Beatles” Super Deluxe edition book (2018)

George Harrison: The one before that, I really felt that one was it.

Paul McCartney: Now, now, don’t be defeatist.

From “The Beatles” Super Deluxe edition book (2018)

If we don’t get this one then fuck it. Use the one before.

George Harrison, before take 53 – From “The Beatles” Super Deluxe edition book (2018)

Come on, lads. Any of those will do me. Any of them.

George Harrison, after take 63 – From “The Beatles” Super Deluxe edition book (2018)

At the end of take 65, whenever McCartney played a certain note on the organ, a wine bottle sitting on a Leslie speaker began to vibrate, producing an eerie clattering sound that the Beatles decided to incorporate in their subsequent performances of the track. To compound the effect on the selected take, Starr played a fast snare drum roll and Harrison vocalised a prolonged, high-pitched wail.

There was a bottle of “Blue Nun” wine on top of the Leslie speaker during the recording and when our Paul hit some organ note the Leslie started vibrating and the bottle rattling. You can hear it on the record – at the very end.

George Harrison, from “I Me Mine” book, 1979

There’s a sound near the end of the song which is a bottle of Blue Nun wine rattling away on the top of a Leslie speaker cabinet. It just happened. Paul hit a certain organ note and the bottle started vibrating. We thought it was so good that we set the mikes up and did it again. The Beatles always took advantage of accidents.

Chris Thomas – From “The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions” by Mark Lewisohn

Just before starting take 67, George Harrison declared “Let this be the one!“. Paul McCartney replied “I suppose it’s been a long, long, long time” (quotes from “The Beatles” super deluxe book, 2018). Nine hours after this all-night session, the band returned to the studio to add overdubs to Take 67.

From Facebook – 7 October 1968 – Photo by John Kelly © Apple Corps Ltd.(http://www.thebeatles.com/)
From Facebook – 7 October 1968 – Photo by John Kelly © Apple Corps Ltd.(http://www.thebeatles.com/)
From Facebook – 7 October 1968 – Photo by John Kelly © Apple Corps Ltd.(http://www.thebeatles.com/)
From Facebook – 7 October 1968 – Photo by Linda McCartney / Linda Enterprises Ltd. © Paul McCartney (https://www.lindamccartney.com/)
From Facebook – 7 October 1968 – Photo by John Kelly © Apple Corps Ltd.(http://www.thebeatles.com/)
From Facebook – Photo © Apple Corps Ltd. (http://www.thebeatles.com/)

Last updated on September 30, 2021

Songs recorded


1.

Honey Pie

Written by Lennon - McCartney

Tape copying • Tape copying of remix mono 1 and of remix stereo 1


2.

Martha My Dear

Written by Lennon - McCartney

Tape copying • Tape copying of remix mono 1 and of remix stereo 1


3.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Written by George Harrison

Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 1 from take 25


4.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Written by George Harrison

Mixing • Mono mixing - Remix 1 from take 25


5.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Written by George Harrison

Mixing • Mono mixing - Remix 2 from take 25


6.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 1


7.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 2


8.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 3


9.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 4


10.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 5


11.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 6


12.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 7


13.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 8


14.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 9


15.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 10


16.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 11


17.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 12


18.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 13


19.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 14


20.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 15


21.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 16


22.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 17


23.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 18


24.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 19


25.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 20


26.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 21


27.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 22


28.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 23


29.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 24


30.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 25


31.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 26


32.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 27


33.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 28


34.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 29


35.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 30


36.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 31


37.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 32


38.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 33


39.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 34


40.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 35


41.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 36


42.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 37


43.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 38


44.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 39


45.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 40


46.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 41


47.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 42


48.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 43


49.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 44

Album Officially released on The Beatles (50th anniversary boxset)


50.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 45


51.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 46


52.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 47


53.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 48


54.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 49


55.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 50


56.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 51


57.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 52


58.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 53


59.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 54


60.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 55


61.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 56


62.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 57


63.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 58


64.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 59


65.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 60


66.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 61


67.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 62


68.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 63


69.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 64


70.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 65


71.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 66


72.

Long, Long, Long

Written by George Harrison

Recording • Take 67

Staff

Musicians on "Long, Long, Long"

Paul McCartney:
Hammond organ
Ringo Starr:
Drums
George Harrison:
Vocals, Acoustic guitar

Production staff

Chris Thomas:
Producer
Ken Scott:
Engineer
Mike Sheady:
Second Engineer

Going further


The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions • Mark Lewisohn

The definitive guide for every Beatles recording sessions from 1962 to 1970.

We owe a lot to Mark Lewisohn for the creation of those session pages, but you really have to buy this book to get all the details - the number of takes for each song, who contributed what, a description of the context and how each session went, various photographies... And an introductory interview with Paul McCartney!

Shop on Amazon


The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 4: The Beatles through Yellow Submarine (1968 - early 1969)

The fourth book of this critically acclaimed series, "The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 4: The Beatles through Yellow Submarine (1968 - early 1969)" captures The Beatles as they take the lessons of Sgt. Pepper forward with an ambitious double-album that is equally innovative and progressive. From the first take to the final remix, discover the making of the greatest recordings of all time. Through extensive, fully-documented research, these books fill an important gap left by all other Beatles books published to date and provide a unique view into the recordings of the world's most successful pop music act.

Shop on Amazon


If we like to think, in all modesty, that the Paul McCartney Project is the best online ressource for everything Paul McCartney, The Beatles Bible is for sure the definitive online site focused on the Beatles. There are obviously some overlap in terms of content between the two sites, but also some major differences in terms of approach.

Read more on The Beatles Bible

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