D_dup3 Posted January 29, 2003 Posted January 29, 2003 The accepted story is that during the recording of this tune in 1968 the band adjourned to McCartney's house to watch the 1950s movie "The Girl Can't Help It" on TV. For those who don't know, this film features riotous performances by Little Richard, Eddie Cochran & other early rockers. It also has an interesting plot which follows the attempts of an established pop music figure to make his girlfriend into a recording star...unfortunately she's got a screeching, untamable voice that shatters glass, etc. Finally they hit it big with a novelty song wherein the girl's voice is used to imitate a police siren. I'm not trying to start a round of Yoko Ono bashing but considering the attitude of the other Beatles to Lennon's girlfriend I will forever wonder about what looks & comments were exchanged that evening...
Tedster Posted January 29, 2003 Posted January 29, 2003 HAHAHAHA!!! Never heard that one. That's good. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
fantasticsound Posted January 29, 2003 Posted January 29, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by d: [b]The accepted story is ...[/b][/quote]According to Chris Thomas, interviewed for the book, The Beatles Recording Sessions, he had told Paul about the broadcast and they planned the session around it. This was the first airing of The Girl Can't Help It on British television. The Beatles could scarcely miss such an event involving some of their musical heroes! (Can any of us, even those of us who lived before the 1980's, imagine a world without Blockbuster video, cable and satellite broadcast systems with upwards of 100 channels, etc.?) Paul shows up around 5pm. He starts playing the Birthday riff. The others arrive and join in and they record the backing track by 8:30pm. They head to Paul's for the 9:05pm-10:40pm showing of TGCHI, then return and finish the song. Between 4:30 and 5:00am the completed song was remixed for mono. Stereo to be mixed a month later. If you like the Beatles and/or the recording process (hmmm... nobody like that [i]here[/i]! ;) ) you [i]must[/i] buy this book. It's amazing. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd
Philip OKeefe Posted January 29, 2003 Posted January 29, 2003 I assume you mean "The Beatles Recording Sessions". Yes, that's a great book, although I would still love to read a version with more track sheets, mic and gear descriptions per track, etc. etc. And yes, I also have a copy of Beratles Gear - but that doesn't break it down studio wise either - at least not to the degree I'd like to see.But then again, the only people interested in whether it was a Altec or Fairchild on Paul's vocal on "Birthday" (or whatever) is geek engineers like me. ;)
Salyphus Posted January 29, 2003 Posted January 29, 2003 The Beatles Recording Sessions is one of my favorite books ever! Is it still in print? I managed to score a pristine hardcover copy at a used bookstore for cheap a few years ago, after having borrowed a library copy various times over the years. That reminds me that I should read it again now that I have access to listen to a lot of the alternate takes, etc.
D_dup3 Posted January 29, 2003 Author Posted January 29, 2003 As entertaining (& informative) a book as that is, I still think the point here is the [i]subject of the film[/i]. :D
fantasticsound Posted January 29, 2003 Posted January 29, 2003 Even more ironic, d, as Patty Harrison & Yoko were on hand and contributed background..er..sounds :D to the tracks. And this ain't ironic, but there's a Power Puff Girls episode you can rent called Meet the Beat-alls. It's riddled with pun after pun based on Beatles song titles and lyrics. Mojo Jojo, one of the 4 arch-villians in the Beat-alls ends up with a girlfriend named for Yoko. She also screeches at the top of her lungs. It's hilarious. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd
jeffbayson Posted January 30, 2003 Posted January 30, 2003 This is a bit off the subject, and perhaps gratuitously negative, but I met George Martin's son a couple nights ago. He wants to promote a band I'm in. He was a douchebag. He actually said, "You got talent, I got connections. Stick with me, kid. I know all the right people. I get into all the right parties." Then he hit on my gilfriend, 20 years his junior. I am so not exaggerating. Blech. Still love George, though.
D_dup3 Posted January 30, 2003 Author Posted January 30, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by fantasticsound: [b]Even more ironic, d, as Patty Harrison & Yoko were on hand and contributed background..er..sounds :D to the tracks. [/b][/quote]On "Bungalow Bill", too. But I still can't shake the mental image of Paul M. doing a spit take as Jayne Mansfield (the girlfriend in "...Can't Help It") does one of those siren wails & then trying to look intently at the ceiling rather than meet Lennon's eyes. :D
I I mjrn Posted January 31, 2003 Posted January 31, 2003 [quote:...Patty Harrison & Yoko Ono contributed ...um, [i]sounds[/i]] Combined vocal talents of Yoko & "Layla"? That's nothing [i]to sneeze at[/i]! ;)
D. Gauss Posted February 1, 2003 Posted February 1, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by d: [b][QUOTE]Originally posted by fantasticsound: But I still can't shake the mental image of Paul M. doing a spit take as Jayne Mansfield (the girlfriend in "...Can't Help It") [/b][/quote]i can't shake the mental image for the billboard to advertise the LP by early 80's new wave band "the Motors." It pictured Jayne Mansfield driving in a convertible with the caption: "I lost my head over the Motors!" (Jayne died of decapitation in a car wreck) -d. gauss
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