Leave My Kitten Alone

karl_pando · Post by **karl_pando** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 1:33 am

It's a great sleeper track on Anthology 1. I was reading one of Lewishons books the other day, and he went into elaborate detail how the Beatles stayed back late to record 5 takes and overdub the song, only to leave it off the subsequent LP and never return to it.

He made the statement that (at the time) this outtake is perhaps the most anticipated and talked about unreleased Beatle track... does any one know why this was or can provide the back story?

ealdrett · Post by **ealdrett** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:15 am

The track was meant to be a single in 1985 for the forthcoming album Sessions, which was subsequently abandon by the record company and the remaining Beatles.
Sleeves were printed up but no vinyls were ever pressed up. Artwork was made for the album but never released commercially.
The reason for Leave My Kitten Alone being much anticipated, I assume that it was a rocker track and one of Lennon's favorite tracks. Also, it didn't fit the flow the album so was nix'ed by Martin.
My band covered this song ala Jesus And Mary Chain style. We did it live and never recorded it. Wish we did.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 3:19 pm

yup!!!! maybe the best unreleased Beatle song ever. Love it.

paulv63 · Post by **paulv63** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 4:52 pm

I would vote for "One After 909" as the best unreleased song and "How Do You Do It" second.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:23 pm

yea.. 909 circa 1961-2 was far better than the later one.

"How Do You Do It" wasn't a Beatle original, and the lads tried to get out of covering it, but did so on orders from George Martin.

geschwader · Post by **geschwader** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:10 am

"Not Guilty" deserves a place on this list — it was considered a finished track, but got bumped off the White Album by J & P.

ealdrett · Post by **ealdrett** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:40 am

From Mark Lewinsohn "Recording Sessions" book:
Friday 14, August 1964:
The next track was never returned to, or even remixed, once it was agreed that none of the five takes had captured the song as the Beatles intended. The song was "Leave My Kitten Alone" and, at the time of writing, it remains unreleased and unheard by the public at large. John took the lead vocal on this R&B track first recorded by Little Willie John in 1959 and covered by Johnny Preston in 1961. Take one was a complete recording, with a subdued Lennon vocal. Take two broke down because, as John said at the end, "I wish I could do it without playing". Take three featured a searing Lennon vocal and was complete. Take four was a false start and take five, the "BEST" version which would have been issued had the Beatles wanted it on the LP, featured a different Lennon vocal again, double tracked, with George on the lead guitar, Ringo overdubbing tambourine and Paul the piano. Had it reached remix stage the song would have been given a faded ending, so the original tape cuts if off in what seems a rather abrupt-but deliberate-fashion.

Sir Paul:
That was a Johnny Preston song that we'd rehearsed in Liverpool along with all our Cavern stuff and it was just in our repertoire. It wasn't a big one that we used to do, we'd pull it out of the hat occasionally, and we also recorded it.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:49 am

IMHO think they made a wise decision to bump off "Not Guilty". If it had been released I would be talking about it over in the "Worst" thread.

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:32 am

I like Not Guilty, but it definitely got away from them in the studio. It's overelaborate, the arrangement doesn't have focus, it's plodding... but I think it's a better song than Savoy Truffle, and maybe even Piggies. It's surprising to me that neither Paul nor George Martin seem to have applied much effort in its behalf, since it's rhythm and beat are similar to some of McCartney's then-recent songs. Could have been a good one.

I'd also like to know the story behind Sour Milk Sea, and why they let that one get away. I think Sour Milk Sea is one of George's best Beatles era songs and would have made an excellent addition to the white album!

Oops this thread was supposed to be about Leave Me Kitten Alone, wasn't it? Sorry!

britye · Post by **britye** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:21 pm

I have a copy of the Decca/ Cavern rehearsal with a very early rendition of I Saw Her Standing There & 3 takes of One after 909. fun listening to them

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 7:31 pm

Hmm. I kind of liked "Not Guilty". George's own version for his album "George Harrison was nicer, but I enjoyed The Beatles version. Hard to believe with all the songs on The White Album that it was actually left off. What's one or two more songs?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:38 am

I had heard that LMKA was to be included on Beatles For Sale (or Beatles '65 over here), but the powers that be thought the lyrics about bashing the other guy and he "wishing he were dead" were not gelling with the moptop's image of the moment.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:14 pm

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:15 pm

I just love Lennon's soaring vocal on LMKA.

glass_onion · Post by **glass_onion** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:17 pm

Has that early version of i saw her standing there in the cavern got john playing harmonica on it?