Who Played What??

craig55 · Post by **craig55** » Fri Dec 15, 2000 1:15 pm

Some of the most famous Beatles solos or regular playing might not have been who you think!
I recently heard that Paul played the drum solo on Abbey Road and it was George who did lots of the bass playing on Pauls Jazz bass during this period.
Comments?

Frank_Somma · Post by **Frank_Somma** » Fri Dec 15, 2000 2:07 pm

Paul regularly played guitar, bass, piano and later, drums. As for the drum solo, I don't know.
Personally, I would say "no".
George and John both played bass at times.
For example, it's common knowledge that Paul played the solo on Taxman.

Bob_Brunn · Post by **Bob_Brunn** » Fri Dec 15, 2000 11:03 pm

As I recall from Lewisholns " The Beatles Recording Sessions" Book, the Abby Road solo was Ringo. It was the only time Paul was able to get him to do it. Ringo was not a solo kind of guy. Apparently, Ringo knew it was thier "swan song" and he did it.

You are correct about other's playing various parts.

craig55 · Post by **craig55** » Wed Dec 20, 2000 2:08 pm

A couple of years ago, a buddy who did articles for a guitar mag, his name escapes me, said that Hurricane Smith actually said Paul did lots of his own arrangements and instruments as a guide for the others. He spent lots of time getting them right and the others wanted no part of being studio muses for Paul. If you listen to the drum solo on Abbey Road and compare it to Band on the Run or McCartney, you'll notice some nuances!
Unless you were there, and I was not, who will ever know? It was a reason some of them could not stand Paul at the time!

craig55 · Post by **craig55** » Thu Dec 21, 2000 2:27 pm

As Ringo has stated in the Anthology video and book, there was nothing to signal that the sessions that produced Abbey Rd were to be their "swan song". You need look no further than the "White" album to see the others' disdain for Paul as it related to "how a part be performed".
I still remain convinced that some of the best leads were Paul, bass was John or George, Drums was Paul and....and...."Oh painting...John painted quite frequently as I do now. George was also artistic. And Ringo, he could paint too!
An apartment-2 coats-in one afternoon!
MerryHappy Craig

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Dec 22, 2000 2:27 am

Obviously the original Love Me Doo was Bernard Purdie

craig55 · Post by **craig55** » Fri Dec 22, 2000 10:43 am

I always loved the bass playing on side 2 of Abbey Rd., thinking all the time it was Macca!
But knowing George played lots of the melodic bass lines in "You Never Give Me Your Money" on Pauls reversed set up jazz bass. It is not a bad thing! Just a fan thing!

mike_L. · Post by **mike_L.** » Sat Jan 06, 2001 6:07 pm

Re Love Me Do; I've always read and thought session drummer Andy White played on that 1st version of Love Me Do (Ringo's on tambourine). And then they did a 2nd take with Ringo on drums (no tambourine). One was on the single, one was on the album (both are good). Is this no longer accurate info..............??

anon · Post by **anon** » Sun Jan 07, 2001 8:34 am

Why doesn't someone compile a who played what, on what, and when, to the best of everyone's collective knowledge and post it somewhere?

Me · Post by Me » Sun Jan 07, 2001 9:17 am

Anonymous: Isn't there a book that already does that called "The Complete Recording Sessions Of The Beatles" or something like that? I don't have it, but I remember seeing it once.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Sun Jan 07, 2001 2:45 pm

Mark Lewisohn wrothe a book called "The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions"
It did not contain the actual line-up on who was playing what on every track. Ie: Birthday featured Paul, John and George all playing bass!
Also Paul on drums for "Dear Prudance"
That would have been a nice thing to include when all the anthology stuff came out!

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jan 07, 2001 3:38 pm

The Fab Show offers general information about who played what although it does not present specific information with regard to each song.

Bassman · Post by **Bassman** » Sun Jan 07, 2001 4:50 pm

Ian MacDonald's book "Revolution in the Head" 475 pages goes through each and every song identifying who played what and in many cases which instrument and amps were used.
I do not claim or think this book is gospel, but it is very good and gives the reader a lot of information. It is the best book that i've seen todate on the subject. It's available in paperback or hardcover. The ISBN is 0-7126-6697-4 if anyone's interested.

Arlech · Post by **Arlech** » Sat Jan 13, 2001 7:14 pm

There's a book called "A Day in the Life" about the Beatles music, and it provides a lot of insight into who played or composed what on each of the albums. Mind you, I don't know how accurate it is (there are some bits that are backed up by statements from the Beatles themselves, and other bits that just seem to be author opinion). Supposedly "Back in the USSR" is one of the songs Paul played drums on (during Ringo's White Album walkout). I've read several books that indicate Paul played lead on "Ticket to Ride". Everything I've read seems to agree that Ringo did in fact perform the drum solo on "The End".

Tedster · Post by **Tedster** » Sun Jan 21, 2001 10:15 pm

Okay, here's one that's bugged me for ages...

Who played that speedy flamenco intro to "Bungalow Bill" on the White Album?

Hmmm?