Trident Studios, St Anne’s Court, London
Producer: Glyn Johns
Engineer: Barry Sheffield
Although The Beatles had performed many of the Abbey Road songs during the Let It Be sessions in January 1969, recording didn’t begin properly until 22 February 1969.
The break was caused in part by the unavailability of Glyn Johns and Billy Preston, who were separately in America in early February. Furthermore, George Harrison was in hospital from 7-15 February to have his tonsils removed.
Returning to Trident Studios in London’s Soho on this day, The Beatles recorded 35 takes of ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy)’, which at this stage had the working title ‘I Want You’.
Glyn Johns was the producer, and Billy Preston played an organ on the recordings. John Lennon sang live vocals on each of the takes; it was later reported that Paul McCartney sang on one version, but this was actually from 31 January.
The best takes of the day were nine, 20 and 32, and an edit of the three was made on the following day. Work would continue on ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy)’ until 11 August 1969.
I’ve seen a few photographs from this session, but can’t seem to find them anywhere now! Anybody know where they are?
If you’re referring to the so-called “mystery session”, that was actually at 3 Savile Row. They were obviously just rehearsing there, with the borrowed tape machine and mixing desk being returned to EMI, and in these photos that were taken either by Ethan Russell or Linda, George had grown his hair longer, Paul had recently shaved off his beard (I personally think he looked better that way), John was in the early stages of growing a beard and Ringo still only had a moustache (no beard yet).
George Martin was also present at the session, because his voice is heard on the session outtakes as heard on the “Abbey Road” SDE box set.
There’s a page on the mystery session here. The date is a best guess because nobody seems to know precisely when it happened. If evidence comes to light I’ll amend it.
They were likely recording at this mystery Savile Row session, as there are studio microphones set up every which way.
These shots appeared in the Get Back photo book and are credited to Ethan Russell.
The Abbey Road SDE box includes a performance from Trident Studios on 22 Feb. This Savile Row session probably predates that one.
Which raises many questions.
What did they record?
Why was it not documented?
What happened to the tapes?
Who’s in the control room? Certainly not Glyn.
Peter Jackson has recently produced photos if this session with Glynn Johns present.