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Beatles Session Musicians Who?

A dozen or so of us were hashing over old Beatle’s songs last week and it was amazing how many folks had heard that so-and-so played on this song and so-and-so on another. Outside of the obvious and well-documented contributions of an Eric Clapton or Billy Preston, there seemed to be little proof to the pudding regarding others. All this leads me to this question:

Does anyone know of an authoritative source which lists “who played what” on individual songs? I realize that the list may not be complete and “London Symphony” may have to suffice for some background stuff – but you get the picture. I do not want to believe, for example, that George did not appear at all on Blue Jay Way and I’d like to have some proof! ;(
4yanx
jsd52756
420 posts
 
There was an interview with John Lennon in Playboy back in the 80's before he was murdered. They asked John about each and every Beatle song and what its meaning was. He went through the whole list describing who wrote what & what it was about. I am still kicking myself in the keester for not keeping that copy. It is an awesome story.
-John
4yanx OP
1,576 posts
 
I recall that article, too, JSD. I'm sure a little digging for the date and an E-Bay search would turn up a copy. As I also recall, John was very obtuse about "meanings" and did not seem to like very many of the songs, at all.
akoutback
6 posts
 
Bernard Purdie claims that he was on a few Beatle Recordings. None of it verified though. He also claims to be the worlds' most recorded drummer. That is not verifable too, although I know he has recorded a ton.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,287 posts
 
I recommend "The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions" (The Official Story of the Abbey Road years 1962-1970) by Mark Lewisohn. Originally published in Great Britain by Hamlyn in 1988; now copyrighted by EMI. The book is based in some considerable part on work by John Barrett (an Abbey Road engineer) who "listened through every Beatles tape and logged all relevant details...." In addition to much recording session minutiae, many wonderful photos. This book will give you a real appreciation for what George Martin contributed (to me, the true 5th Beatle).
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