Where The Ashes Been', a compilation of Beatles studio tracks from 1968, The
White Album Sessions. These have been chronologically pieced together to offer
these sessions as they were recorded from all available sources, and categorise
them into their original EMI tape reels as logged by John Barrett.
The CD starts off with the Infamous take 20 of ‘Revolution’, recorded at EMI on
May 30, 1968. The mono remix presented here was made on the fourth of June
mixing down the original take 18 marked as best with additional overdubs.
The first versions of ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’ were recorded onto four-track tape on
3-4 July in seven takes, take 4 marked as best, presented here is a short intro
from the Anthology Video and take 5 from an alternate John Barret cassette
source.
The familiar single version of ‘Revolution’, logged as a remake in the Barrett
notes, were recorded on July 10, 1968. Take 10 presented here with pre-song
breakdown and studio chatter.
The ‘Helter Skelter’ studio sessions began from July 18 through to Sept 9,
presented here is the first incarnation of the track from takes 1-3 in the initial
sessions, proceeding to the final evolved master capturing takes 18, 19 & 21.
George Harrison had the initial idea of his song 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'
as a simple and slow ballad, as captured on home recordings in May 1968 at
Kinfauns, Esher. The first ever studio sessions for this song were recorded at
EMI on July 25, this was marked as take 1, a demo recorded solely by George
with his guitar, this was later overdubbed with an organ accompaniment, both
versions captured here on tracks 11 & 12.
The 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' session continued as a complete band
effort on Aug 16, 1968 in 14 takes, fragments of EMI reel E69811 is presented
here of partial takes 1 & 2. The master evolved from the September 5 sessions,
take 25 being marked as best.
'Dear Prudence' was recorded at Trident studios over three days between August
28 to the 30th. Only one take is noted due to fact that each recording wiped the
previous. Presented here are two different mixes of the master and some pre-song
chatter.
The September 16 sessions for 'I Will' captured an assortment of ad-libs and
short improvisations recorded over 65 takes, the first EMI reel here was copied
from this session and compiled on reel E70549 from September 9, this is an
alternate John Barrett source and Included the 'Jam Segment' thought to be
from the 'Yer Blues' sessions from August 13, 1968. 'Can You Take Me Back' has
been edited together from the best sources to re-create the longest track
available. 'I Will' takes 1, pre-song announcement and take 65 follow from reel
E70374/6 recorded that day.
Finally, this compilation closes with the September 18 sessions for 'Birthday'
completed in 21 takes, presented here is the final master with pre-song
rehearsals and chatter.
Unicorn Records January 2013 |
