Beatles "Old Brown Shoe" RARE early version George Harrison teaches song LYRICS ARE HERE

Mid-April 1969?

Or late January with Billy Preston? We hear two pianos.

George Harrison guides others through chord changes. Ringo joins near the end? If Ringo was filming The Magic Christian, is Paul on drums?

George on keyboard!

Paul McCartney provides bass?

I prefer this to the issued record since here George's vocal is up front. In the later released version, George's voice is buried and distant, which is a shame.

On the later session that produced the released version, there are two bass tracks--one by McCartney on a Fender Jazz and one by Harrison on a Fender Telecaster bass.

George is distinctive on bass. In 1987 during an interview for Creem magazine, George recalled playing bass on this the way he plays guitar.

The song has unusual chord changes since George composed this at a piano, not his usual manner of composing.

Lennon's guitar can be heard here. On the issued take Lennon's contribution was removed and replaced by Hammond organ played by Harrison.

In the late 1960s, Lennon rarely participated when Harrison songs were recorded whereas Paul worked hard when George's songs were recorded, taking pride in each Beatles product.

You hear evidence on the records themselves of Paul giving his best when George's songs were recorded--Paul on keyboards, Paul giving vocal harmony, Paul on bass (but, as I said, George himself also plays bass on the issued version of "Old Brown Shoe").

John was often indifferent or absent whereas Paul worked hard when George's songs were recorded. Nonetheless, George turned against Paul in the early 1970s and sided with John.

Quarrels can start for any number of reasons, but it's a shame that George turned against Paul after Paul worked hard on George songs.

To be fair, John was absent during SOME George sessions at Abbey Road in the spring of 1969 due to a car accident.

But John had been absent or indifferent in earlier years when George's songs were covered, and John often expressed indifference in January 1969. That's disconcerting.

On the White Album, John contributes nothing crucial on Harrison songs. John provides only a bass voice at the end of "Piggies." Is John on "Long, Long, Long" or "Savoy Truffles"?

I can't hear John on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (John on rhythm guitar?). Eric Clapton was invited to a session because George earlier sensed apathy from band members.

Is John heard on "Within You, Without Out," "Blue Jay Way," "The Inner Light," or "Here Comes The Sun"? Maybe a vocal harmony.

Paul's bass on "Here Come The Sun" is crucial.

John plays slide guitar on "For You Blue," but is John on "I Me Mine"?

By 1969, Yoko had more influence on John in the studio than George.

Too much is made of Paul and George bickering for 15 seconds in the film Let It Be. I give Paul credit for ALLOWING bickering to STAY in the film, not editing it out. Paul viewed this exchange as no big deal--the normal irritation one expects when musical giants work together. At least Paul communicated in 1969 whereas John retreated into silence.

George quit the Beatles for a weekend in January due to George's frustration with John, who pushed George over the edge.

Lyrics here are different in four places from the released take. George is still working on the song as he teaches it.

George sings this in this early version:

I'd like a love that's right but right is only half of what's wrong.
I want a short haired girl who sometimes wears it twice as long.
Now I'm stepping out of this old brown shoe--baby, I'm in love with you.
But I'm so glad you came here. It won't be the same now, I'm telling you.

You know you hold me up from where some try to drag me down, and when I
see your smile replacing every thoughtless frown, you got me escaping
from this zoo--baby, I'm in love with you.

I'm so glad you came here. It won't be the same now, I'm telling you.

If I grow up, I'll be a singer, wearing rings on every finger,
not worrying what they or you say. I'll live and love, and maybe
someday--who knows, baby?--you'll still comfort me.

LYRICS IN RELEASED VERSION:

I want a love that's right but right is only half of what's wrong
I want a short haired girl who sometimes wears it twice as long
Now I'm stepping out this old brown shoe, baby, I'm in love with you
I'm so glad you came here, it won't be the same now, I'm telling you

You know you pick me up from where some try to drag me down
And when I see your smile replace every thoughtless frown
Got me escaping from this zoo, baby, I'm in love with you
I'm so glad you came here, it won't be the same now when I'm with you

If I grow up I'll be a singer wearing rings on every finger
Not worrying what they or you say I'll live and love and maybe someday
Who knows, baby, you may comfort me

I may appear to be imperfect--my love is something you can't reject.
I'm changing faster than the weather if you and me should get together.

I want that love of yours--to miss that love is something I'd hate.