12-Bar Original

From Wikipedia:

“12-Bar Original” is an instrumental 12-bar blues by the Beatles. It was recorded in 1965, but was not commercially available until 1996 when an edited version of take 2 of the song was included on the Anthology 2 album. Prior to editing, the length of take 2 was 6:36.

It is one of the few songs credited to Lennon/​McCartney/​Harrison/​Starkey and published by Lenono Music, Inc., MPL Communications Ltd, Harrisongs Ltd., and Startling Music Ltd. Other songs credited to all four Beatles include “Flying” from Magical Mystery Tour, “Dig It” from Let It Be, “Christmas Time (Is Here Again)“, the B-side to the 1995 single “Free as a Bird” and Now and Then.

Of the Beatles, only John Lennon and Ringo Starr ever commented on the song. During some US radio interviews, Lennon was asked if there were any unissued Beatles recordings. He replied that all he could recall was “some lousy 12 bar”. Starr told journalist Peter Palmiere: “We all wrote the track and I have an acetate of one of the versions“. The quote was later used by Palmiere in a Ringo Starr cover interview/story in DISCoveries magazine in 1993 and by Jim Berkenstadt and Belmo in their book Black Market Beatles.

“12-Bar Original” was the Beatles’ first instrumental after signing for EMI, and was produced by George Martin at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios, London. Four other instrumentals by the group are the aforementioned “Flying“, an outtake version of that song called “Aerial Tour Instrumental“, “Cayenne” and “Cry for a Shadow“.

Composition and recording

“12-Bar Original” was recorded on 4 November 1965, the same day as “What Goes On“. Beginning with a count-in by McCartney, the track consists of 17 twelve-bar choruses in the key of E major, recorded without overdubs, with drums, bass, guitar and harmonium, clocking in at 6:42. For the track’s release on Anthology 2, Martin edited together certain choruses: #1–2 (0:00–0:46), #9–10 (3:04–3:50),#14 (4:59–5:22) and #16–17 (5:46–6:38). The track was the first instrumental the group recorded since “Cry for a Shadow”. […]

An instrumental recording by The Beatles, their first since signing with EMI in 1962, featuring drums, bass, two electric guitars (with George Harrison adding tone-pedal effects) and a harmonium (played by George Martin). Two takes were attempted, the first breaking down, the second complete at a lengthy 6.36 and from which this 2.54 Anthology edit has been produced. It is not clear if 12-Bar Original was intended for Rubber Soul but, certainly, the song was not mixed until the album was being pressed so it was never a serious contender. Indeed, the recording has remained unissued until now.

From Anthology 2 liner notes

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

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