::Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

[jules]

Too true!

[Paperback Writer]

(see several previous threads above)

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????

Granted, Paul was the dominant, driving force behind this brilliant piece of art. He was a master, an inspiring musical titan on this wonderful album. His live performances of Pepper songs on tour show they were band songs, not songs simply born and bred in the studio with elaborate gadgets.

But the assertion that he "played 99% of the lead guitar on the album" is entirely absurd!!!!! In fact, his best guitar solo, his dueling on Good Morning, Good Morning, you fail to mention.

What? George went out to get coffee? John swept the floor?

[jules]

Sorry, Paperback. It's not an assertion. George and Paul and George Martin ( not to mention Mark Lewishon et al) all state quite clearly that PM plays the solos on Pepper: fact. Which songs did you think GH plays solos on? None.

[jules]

Good Morning was Paul's solo.

[Paperback Writer]

Thanks Jules for your reply. Interesting discussion.

My source is a book called Beatlesongs, which claims to attribute their statements to dozen's of references, including all you mention, including Geoff Emerick ( but excepting Paul and I couldn't find Paul saying this in his autobiography).

It's just the first time I've read this statement about Paul playing 99% of the lead guitar and even if I read that, myself, I'd have a hard time swallowing that! If it says he WROTE the lead guitar parts, I can believe that.

So, according to this book, here's the lead guitar credits:

Sgt. Pepper: Lennon/Harrison

...Help with My Friends: None

Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds: Lennon

It's Getting Better All the Time: Lennon/Harrison

Fixing a Hole: McCartney/Harrison

She's leaving Home: None

Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite: McCartney

Within You, Without You: None

When I'm 64; Lennon

Lovely Rita: Lennon/Harrison

Good Morning, Good Morning: McCartney/Harrison

Sgt. Pepper (reprise) Lennon/Harrison

A Day In the Life: Lennon


All comments, suggestions, information welcome.

[jules]

The Beatles didn't ever "write" guitar parts in the trad sense of the word; they played them. You can tell Macca's style anywhere. This is all backed up in well-respected and official books. (eg: Lewishon, McDonald)
McCartney solos:
Title track and reprise: DEFINITELY McCartney. You can tell the style easily. Famously, Harrison recorded his parts painstakingly, then Macca came along and quickly rerecorded them. He didn't really write them; he came in and played on the tracks.
Getting Better/Fixing A Hole: McCartney definitely.
Rita: Good Morning
Good Morning: McCartney

When I'm 64: no solo!
Rita: no solo!
Day In The Life: no solo!
Buy Anthology, Lewishon's Complete Recording Sessions, McDonald's Revolution In The Head, Beatles In Their Own Words, etc, etc.

[2 of 3]

Harrison recorded his parts painstakingly, then Macca came along and quickly rerecorded them.

Yikes! No wonder things were a little tense between them. Now that I think of it, the drums all sound like Macca too.

[jules]

The fact is that's the truth; don't you read books or listen to what The Beatles said about their own songs? Phew!

[2 of 3]

don't you read books or listen to what The Beatles said about their own songs? Phew

No, and Robin Hood isn't real either.



Relax, I'm joking.

[Paperback Writer]

Thanks, but I am more confused than ever, I will check said book, but I've seen more books referencing it and they say what the other book says, not the "99%" Macca lead guitar notations.

Judging by the sound, I hear lead guitar, though not blaring, on the songs you say have none. I hear George's style more. I hear the Lennon slashing leads. Macca's there, but not here, there and everywhere. Of course, if I read what you've read, I might feel exactly like you do, I will continue research. Emerick has a book coming out this March - more fuel for the fire?

Others, please help!