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Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:49 am
by randyz
Yep, it was Ringo. People think it's tough singing while drumming, but try playing lead on a 3/4-scale Rick at the same time. Ringo is amazing!

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:53 am
by tennis_nick
randyz wrote:It's been a long time since I've seen 'Let It Be', but I think the incident we're discussing was between Paul and George. George plays the descending lead over and over, trying to follow Paul's direction, but gets frustrated and says something like, "I'll play whatever you want me to play, or I won't play if you don't want me to play. I want to please you." I believe that was when George got up and walked out of the sessions.
I saw it not long ago, It was John.

George says that line after Paul tries to show him something for Two Of Us if I recall. I'll check it, but I clearly recall John holding his Casino really emphasizing the bend with his entire body as he descends it

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:57 am
by tennis_nick
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gv00r-BXRgY

I guess I got it half right and all wrong!

While Paul is explaining it, John and George are both playing along to Pauls instruction, but in the end, he is talking for George's sake.

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:57 am
by randyz
Nick: You might be right on that. My memory does reality very few favors!

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:56 pm
by shamustwin
Back to Paul.
On Fixing A Hole, it is typically Paul, there's something about the timing of his picking the strings that's a dead give away to me.

BTW, he got the title of that song while watching Lennon prepare to shoot up.
Fixing a-hole, get it? :roll:

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:21 pm
by randyz
Jerry: Although I used to enjoy John's rough-and-ready solos the best, I'm definitely starting to favor Paul's lead style (that I mistook for George for many years). Finding out that Paul played the lead on 'Taxman' was a real revelation for me. I listened to 'McCartney' several times last weekend, and there's some good guitar on that album. Unfortunately, the drums on most of the tracks sound pretty weak. Paul can't outplay Ringo.

And I hope you were just kidding about Paul's inspiration for 'Fixing A Hole'. I've read elsewhere the same supposed reference to intravenous drug use, but that doesn't make sense to me. While it most certainly was a drug-inspired song, I would think psychedelics not opiates. Besides, John didn't get into heroin until after he hooked up with Yoko in 1968, and I think he stayed away from needles.

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:32 pm
by Scastles
shamustwin wrote:Back to Paul.
On Fixing A Hole, it is typically Paul, there's something about the timing of his picking the strings that's a dead give away to me.

I've thought the same thing. There's a certain style to his lead work or timing as you said.

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:58 pm
by wj350
sloop_john_b wrote: Credit where credit's due: George Martin produced the session and conducted the orchestra for "She's Leaving Home". The "outsider" was Mike Leander, who did the arrangement.

John, my bad, you're absolutely correct, Martin wasn't available for the arrangement when Paul wanted it done--I think it still goes to the impatience thing though.

Bill

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:30 pm
by shamustwin
randyz wrote:And I hope you were just kidding about Paul's inspiration for 'Fixing A Hole'. I've read elsewhere the same supposed reference to intravenous drug use, but that doesn't make sense to me. While it most certainly was a drug-inspired song, I would think psychedelics not opiates. Besides, John didn't get into heroin until after he hooked up with Yoko in 1968, and I think he stayed away from needles.
Yes, it was a lame attempt at a joke, John being considered an a-hole by some who'd crossed his path.

I've heard the FAH - drug references since the album came out, but back then people were looking for any kind of code or counter culture reference. I believe Paul wrote about roof repairs as a metaphor for his attitude toward life and nothing more. He just used the druggy slang of the day. YMMV

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:57 pm
by bee_atles
buzfluhart wrote:
shamustwin wrote:Back to Paul.
On Fixing A Hole, it is typically Paul, there's something about the timing of his picking the strings that's a dead give away to me.

I've thought the same thing. There's a certain style to his lead work or timing as you said.
I have always thought that as well.

I think I read somewhere that John plays bass on that song. The bass sound certainly is different on that track, doesn't really sound like the Ric to me.

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:32 pm
by deaconblues
Yes, one of their technicians recalled John using a Fender Precision...the tone is noticeably worse, IMO.

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:34 pm
by sloop_john_b
dpowell wrote:Yes, one of their technicians recalled John using a Fender Precision...the tone is noticeably worse, IMO.
Do you remember where you read this? I've never heard of a Precision at a Beatles session.

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:53 pm
by Scastles
I've never heard the mention of a Precision either.

While most of us, including myself, give Paul credit for the lead on FAH. Mark Lewisohn, unmistakably, says George played it. It was double tracked, with heavy use of a flanger.

(Palms up inthe air, shoulders shrugged.) Who knows?

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:15 pm
by deaconblues
Yeah, I'm sorry I but I can't remember where I heard about John on the Precision...however, I know it was a direct quote by Geoff Emerick or someone like that. I'll do some searchin'.

Re: Lead guitarist on "Fixing a Hole"

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:25 pm
by deaconblues
Can somebody check the Beatles Gear book?