The BEATLES "Paperback Writer" ... In mono!

The only definite fact is that the basic line-up consisted of two guitars, drums and tambourine (heard on Take 1). There doesn't appear to be any added guitar overdubs.

 

Ringo's drums seem very loud in PW as well. Louder than most of the other songs.

 

What do your instincts tell you, with regard to the lead guitar?

 

I always thought the stereo version of "Rain" sounded awful - even on the 2009 remasters. John is too far left and sounds like he's singing in another room. The mono version is fantastic.
"Baby You're A Rich Man" is another song that sounds much better in mono. You can hardly hear the clavioline (or whatever they call it) in the stereo mix.

 

Lead guitar: Paul
Rhythm guitar: George
Drums: Ringo
Tambourine: John (percussion seems to be a regular choice for John on the basic tracks around this time )

 

Thanks.

The odds of Paul playing the lead guitar just went up.

 

Slow Down
Lady Madonna

Two more singles that sound extraordinary in mono, and weak in mono. I really dislike the staccato piano coming out of one speaker on the stereo "Slow Down."

 

The panning via the original stereo sometimes produces a gaping hole...a noticeable void... in one of the channels.

Similar to All You Need Is Love...at the beginning.

Their voices sound great in stereo.

 

This is why where the original mixes are concerned, Rain is better in mono. But the remixed stereo versions on "1" and Anthology are superb.

 

I like "And Your Bird Can Sing" as well as "Got To Get You Into My Life" better via Anthology.

Rain is very good via the original stereo. This was a great period for the Beatles.

 

I'll see you for the 1 Stereo and raise you for the 1+ Surround for both PW and Rain. Makes mono versions sound like antiques.

Most people on this forum felt disappointed by 1+, but for me, most of it is incredibly powerful. Sonically it leaves mono in the dust.

With that said, I do understand how the monos kick harder than the stereo mixes of the time. Sorry to have gone slightly OT.

 

I agree, especially the Blu-ray. "Rain" sounds glorious, too.

 

I am almost certain John played the rhythm guitar part (typical Lennon strumming locked in with Ringos snare) and that George and Paul played some unison lead guitar.

 

I was a mono Paperback Writer fan until the 1+ mixes came out. This is one Giles got 100% correct - a bold steteo mix that keeps the riff loud like it is in the mono. By far my favorite version.

 

This must be the version I grew up on, which would have been the Hey Jude album and 1962-1966 album...I had never heard that echo/delay on the vocals before

 

I was wrong. Confused the lineup for Day Tripper

 

Here you go...Paul himself tells you

 

I think this touches on the heart of the matter -- it's all about the mix, not whether stereo or mono in and of themselves are "good", necessitating the other one be "bad".

 

This is why I prefer the studio version to any live versions - I want Paul playing bass on this, but I suppose it's not easy to play that bass lick and sing at the same time.

 

Though he did pretty well with it on tour in 66

 

It's paul - see the video I posted down the page

 

On the released version (Take 2), there is a guitar fill overdub on the bass/vocals track. Played by George, twice in the song right before the vocals only section. The part is just half of the main riff. But not distorted like Paul's lead, it's rather clean sounding.

Ondra

 

It was on Unsurpassed Masters vol. 3 CD I purchased in 1996. Cost me a fortune.
IIRC, the ending bit is not Mellotron but the Abbey Road jangle box piano sent through a leslie speaker.

Ondra