Deconstructing Across the Universe - The Beatles (Isolated Tracks)

Recorded on February 4th, 1968, Across The Universe is a song as John put it "a lousy track of a great song." The basic track included Ringo hitting a tom-tom and John singing and playing his guitar. Later overdubs included a a tamboura part by George, a piano part by Paul, Ringo on maracas, and John on a Wah-wah guitar. John also re-recorded his vocals and according to Geoff Emerick it was recorded at a slightly slower tape speed. Additional backing vocals by two apple scruffs Lizzie Bravo and Gayleen Pease were recorded along with a vocal harmony by John and Paul. Additionally bird noises were added and so the song was sped up to match the pitch. George complained about the noises stating, "I don't like that flapping. It takes too long before it does it.(until the song starts)” This version is being released on the charity album “World Wildlife Fund”. Although run through during the Get Back sessions the song wasn't ever reattempted. When Phil Spector came along to do his version he based it on the already released charity version. Slowing down the tape speed possibly to John's original speed Richard Hewson composed a new orchestral arrangement with John Boham composing a choir arrangement. The orchestra arrangement includes a string line heard in the second orchestra track above that follows John and Paul's harmony vocals that were cut in the Spector version. These overdubs were carried out on April 1, 1970.

These stems include almost every element of every mix except the bird noises as those were quickly blocked.

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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intro (0:00)
Guitar (0:05)
Vocals (3:37)
Tom-Tom (7:01)
Maracas (10:23)
Tamboura (11:48)
Wah-Wah Guitar/Acoustic Guitar (15:02)
Piano (18:12)
Apple Scruff Harmony Vocals (20:12)
John and Paul Harmony Vocals (21:22)
Choir (22:52)
Orchestra [More Sustaining Notes] (24:50)
Orchestra 2 [More Moving Lines] (27:56)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Lennon - Lead and Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar (1967 Martin D-28), Lead Guitar (1965 Epiphone ES-230TD)
Paul McCartney - Piano (1905 Steinway Vertegrand), Backing Vocals
George Harrison - Tamboura
Ringo Starr - Tom Tom, Maracas
Lizzie Bravo - Backing vocals
Gayleen Pease - Backing vocals
Richard Hewson - String Arranger
John Boham - Choir Arranger
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