Rabid fans never quite quench their thirst for more Beatles. Everyone wants to intimately connect with the musicians, and the only channel for us mere mortals would be via audio.
A new drug hit the streets last November, and it is called the Esher Demos.
This brilliantly raw acoustic compilation, (remember MTV's "Unplugged"?) is your channel to The Beatles. Finely-tuned ears will recognize the impromptu hand-claps, the banter, the intimate chatter, the guitar-picking, alternate lyrics and so much more. The brilliance of the disc will give you goosebumps and, sadly, leave you wanting more.
Included with last November's release of the remastered album "The Beatles," aka "The White Album," the Esher Demos is a bonus disc. This separate disc contains 27 tracks that were recorded informally at the end of May, 1968, at George Harrison's bungalow, which was named Kinfauns, in Esher, England. The band decided to play their individual songs for each other, in a private environment, prior to heading to EMI Studios to record. The venue chosen for this event was George's home, simply because he owned a professional-grade four-track tape recorder that they would use to capture their work.
A little backstory: In early 1968, The Beatles had been studying transcendental meditation with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in Rishikesh, India, at the suggestion of George. The Beatles were pretty stressed at this moment with the unwavering madness of Beatlemania, marriages, impending divorce, babies, drugs, affairs, and the loss of their beloved manager, Brian Epstein. The band was in the process of starting Apple Corps Ltd and, oh yeah, they had to keep producing music for the record company. So in an effort to "find the answer" and have a reprieve, the four packed their wives/girlfriends and went to Rishikesh. In some stolen (and not stolen) moments at Rishikesh, John and Paul wrote a number of songs. It's been reported that George frowned upon this, as he felt that focus should be upon spiritual awareness. Regardless, the three songwriters returned with a thick file of songs.
What will you hear? As usual, Paul McCartney, the always prepared student, came to class ready to crank out pop-ish contributions, such as "Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da," "Back in the U.S.S.R.," "Blackbird," etc. The songs were very organized and succinctly performed. Finely tweaked, light, airy and sunny, Paul sets his sugary-sweet candy-bar pretty high. But my favorite tune from the session was a song which did not make it onto the White: "Junk." And it is hardly "junk;" though the lyrics are not complete, the melody is a beautiful product which Paul eventually releases on a solo album years later.
Conversely, the main course, the meat if you will, is provided by John Lennon and George Harrison. Meaningful, substantive work by the two Beatles who were using their music as the conduit for a wide range of emotions.
One of The Beatles' finest recordings, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," begins in infancy at Esher. Sans the driving urgency of Eric Clapton's lead guitar, fans can detect a few altered lyrics, but mostly felt in this track is George Harrison's heartache and grief...you can almost taste the salt of George's tears. Stripped of the wall of sound, George's words are passionate and moving. Additionally, George unveiled three songs at Esher which were not chosen for the White. "Circles," "Sour Milk Sea," and "Not Guilty" are dripping with George's venom and admonition. At this moment in the world of Beatle, George was increasingly frustrated. He was the little brother who was pooh-poohed and not taken seriously. But George had real advice for his brothers:
"Get out of Sour Milk Sea - You don't belong there,"
and: "I'm really sorry that you've been misled, but like you heard me said - I'm Not Guilty."
Knowing the chaos that John was experiencing, it's no surprise that John's songs were the most direct and expressive. John's songs on the Esher tapes were well thought out, but not as tightly bound as Paul's songs. And does that matter? Of course not. John's raw lyrics and performance exposes a wide range of emotions: confusion, depression, anticipation and desire in a new love, grief and loss of his marriage and relationship with his son, and the lingering loss of his mother. John transfers his multiple sentiments into each song.
The song I find the most intriguing on the demo is a track that once again did not make it onto "The White Album." Paul and John penned similar songs while they were in India, resulting from a lecture by the Maharishi about man's relationship with nature. "Mother Nature's Son" was written by Paul; "Child of Nature" was written by John. As John Lennon expert, Jude Southerland Kessler points out: "John was no child of nature and his performance of this song indicates his lack of seriousness on the topic." Interestingly, (and thankfully) John later transforms this song into a completely different message, a topic that Kessler adds, "John had more experience with" - "Jealous Guy." Listening to "Child of Nature," you will be mesmerized by the "Jealous Guy" melody which lies beneath John's playful words about a concept to which he was not particularly drawn.
I've read a lot of opinions which point "The White Album" as an "individual" project. Even though each member brought his own work to Esher, the demo is proof that they were still a family working together to create another masterpiece. Almost like, I must say, a band of brothers.
There is so much more about this disc that I'd love to uncover for you, but only so much time. I have been giving presentations on the topic - if you would like to schedule a presentation, send an email to my publicist: Nicole@910pr.com
You can purchase the remastered White Album which includes the Esher Demos, here:
Enjoy my tribute pages to George Harrison found in my cookbook, "Recipe Records-A Culinary Tribute to The Beatles."
Get your copy here:
Jude Southerland Kessler and I have a new radio show format at podbean.com. Check out our interview with Beatle fan and rock star, Elliot Easton. Elliot was the lead guitarist for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, The Cars.
GREAT NEW BOOK:
Author Terry Crain has published a spectacular book about the merchandise that was manufactured by NEMS Enterprises in the U.S. during 1964-66. I had the pleasure of editing this wonderful book and I highly recommend this beauty on your coffee table! Get it here:
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Peace & Love!
Lanea Stagg
staggrecipes@gmail.com
www.laneastagg.com
