Recording "Charity Bubbles", "Goose"

The Scaffold were a comedy, poetry and music trio comprising Mike McGear (Paul McCartney’s brother), Roger McGough and John Gorman. To promote the release of their album “L the P,” they issued the track “Stop Blowing Those Charity Bubbles” as a single.

The single version differs from the one found on the album. It was re-recorded, retitled “Charity Bubbles,” and features Paul McCartney on lead guitar.

According to John C. Winn in his book “That Magic Feeling: The Beatles’ Recorded Legacy, Volume Two, 1966–1970,” the B-side, “Goose,” — which does not appear on the album — also features Paul McCartney on lead guitar, with Nicky Hopkins contributing on piano.

Both songs were written by the team of Mike McGear and Roger McGough, and neither was particularly memorable, falling halfway between outdated psychedelia and pastiche. Paul’s playing is full of bends and pulls, reminiscent of his lead guitar work on “Watching Rainbows” at the Twickenham sessions (see the January 14 entry), as well as his fills on “Another Girl.”

From “That Magic Feeling: The Beatles’ Recorded Legacy, Volume Two, 1966–1970,” by John C. Winn, 2009

“Lily The Pink” went on to be a gigantic hit. It was Number One for a month over Christmas and the New Year, selling a million and giving the NP Organisation a terrific credibility boost. Unfortunately, as a novelty record, albeit a brilliant one, it did not herald a string of Scaffold best-sellers. I was promoted to co-producer with Norrie for the follow-up, “Stop Blowing Those Charity Bubbles”, but it failed even to creep into the Top Fifty. I was absolutely certain that anything following a massive Number One had to totter at least into the bottom of the charts, but despite Paul McCartney’s guitar solo, “Charity Bubbles” sunk. I was still hitless, in chart terms, in any capacity.

Tim Rice – Co-producer – From “Oh, What A Circus” by Tim Rice, 2012

Session activities

1. Charity Bubbles

   Written by Mike McCartney / McGear, Roger McGough

   Recording

   AlbumOfficially released on Charity Bubbles / Goose

2. Goose

   Written by Mike McCartney / McGear, Roger McGough

   Recording

   AlbumOfficially released on Charity Bubbles / Goose

Staff

Musicians on "Charity Bubbles"

Musicians on "Goose"

Production staff