BDJ's Cellar of Remixes

Many Beatles Songs can be performed in different styles, the Beatles themsleves tried out their tracks in vatious formats on occasion. In this way Strawberry Fields started as a mellow singalong, ending up as the galaxy-busting supernova of sound that we have come to know.

Here, we go the other way with Hey Bulldog: from the rough and let's-do-it-now version that was released, to a more introvert interpretation, as suggested by Beatlegrass.

The Beatles visit funky town in this free-flowing re-mix with the Average White Band. Miraculously, the songs fit quite well together, and Hey Bulldog settles nicely to the groove.

One of Lennon's shortest poems, "Good Dog Nigel", paired with the only logical backing.

Kept the mix short this time. This poem clearly shows what Lennon's poems are about: looks like "A Laugh-a-minute with Lennon" at first sight, but one level down, the story is pretty sad.

This is the longest poem Lennon wrote (I think). Here, just the first minute or so is set to music, before it all turns too sad......

One needs to know a bit of British political history to fully appreciate the poem "The General Erection", which Lennon wrote while Wilson was in office as prime minister (and awarded him an MBE...).

Even so, the poem sits nicely with 'Revolution', written when Lennon had already returned his MBE.......

Here's a teaser for Lennon's second book (Spaniard in the Works) set to Music. What is more beautiful, Lennon's music or Lennon's Poetry ? We don't know, but the combination of music and poetry should surpass all.

Judge for yourself, in this charming little episode, from John in a rare contemplative mood.

The project to set Lennon's poetry to music is progressing well. Here is 'I sat belonely', one of the best known poems from Lennon's first book.

Lennon took his poetry as seriously as his music. History may judge differently (perhaps), and what it will say about these music/poems, only time will tell.......

And you, just leave a Comment.

Is it possible, John Lennon (rythm guitar, vocals), Eric Clapton (lead guitar) and Keith Richard (bass) in a single mix ?

Yes it is ! and it sort of happened in december 1968. Never released tracks of these superstars performing live took a little doctoring, and the result is stunning. Rock & roll, baby !

Wild Honey Pie is a strong contender for the worst song that the Fab Four ever released. Why was this episode of non-music included on the White Album ? McCartney - who was always very keen to release only qualiity Beatles tracks - explained that Pattie Boyd said she liked the recording, so he decided to keep it on the album. What clouded Macca's judgement, was is it Something in the way she moved ?
One would expect any re-mix to outshine the original WHP, but there are exceptions......

Here's a classic rocker that never was. It's a Hey Bulldog type throw-away, that turned out better than anyone expected (at least better than I hoped for.....)..
Pity that George had left in anger, before his solo had been recorded.....

Circumstance or inspiration ? Some songs just belong together, but are they stronger when combined ? Find out here......

A rare Live recording of John Lennon & Talking Heads. Gives a new perspective on the Anthem of the Sixties.

Is this the way Love (is all you need) was meant to be ?

A true Remix of this classic. Tried to make it crisper and cleaner, but couldn't help adding a little something at the beginning and the end. Everything is from the All You Need sessions though.

Queen and the Beatles may appear like very distant cousins, but they actually share quite a bit of background. Both groups played the Cavern (how | wish i was there....), and Queen took their logo from a statue just acroos the street from the cavern. Freddy m went to the same school as John L, but a few years later......

Good enough reasons to try a collaborartion of the two Liverpool supergroups ?

A Courtney Audain/MCartney collaboration, resulting in a catchy groove and great lryics.

Doing this re-mix, found out (the hard way) that the Fab Four speed up quite a bit during WeCan Work It Out........Adds to the excitement.

This is a McCartney vs McCartney vs McCartney.... mash-up. The ''ímprovisation' performed during the Chaos BBC sessions at Abbey road studios appears to have been not as improvised as it seemed....

Another track from the Lost Stones-Beatles Sessions ? Just like Paint It Pepper, this track shows how close the musical formats of the Stones and the Beatles actually were. A few glitches in the vocals perhaps, so probaly an early take...............

Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas recorded Bad to Me, while the Beatles themselves never released it.

So, supported the Lenon-McCartney by a period backing tack: No, NOT Billy J !

With a little help from airbag, I added some Metal and Fuzz to this strange song. Is it serious, or is John pulling all our legs ? We'll never know.

A simple re-mix of Because.

Why ? I've heard so many re-mixes of the vocals, I wanted to give the backingtracks a go.

Much more mysterious this way........

A one-time only appearance of BDJ at the Cavern, but greatly appreciated (by BDJ).

It is Lucy in the Sky month. Therefore, a re-mix that captures the ambiguity in the song: is it really just about a children's drawing, or does it include some kind of trip ?

Judge for yourself, with advice form the grodfather of LSD himself......

Memphis Tenenessee , great Chuck Berry song, but only so-so versions by the Beatles survive. The Beatles recorded the song on various occasions (Decca audition, BBC sesions), all mono recordings. They never released it on an album.

What would it have sounded like (in Stereo) if they had put more effort into it for an album ? Perhaps like this,

A stereo version compiled from various contemporary sources. Cheated just a little, not 100% Beatle stuff......

Does this not beat any known version !?

Remember Stars On 45, the Mother of All Mash-ups ?

It reached the number one spot in both the Netherlands and the United States. In the U.K. number two was the highest position.

Since the copyrights of The Beatles songs made it a tricky affair, the producer ( Jaap Eggermont) decided to have the songs re-recorded by Okkie Huysdens (as Paul McCartney), Bas Muys (John Lennon) and Sandy Coast's Hans Vermeulen (George Harrison).

Here, I have re-remixed Stars on 45, now with the orginal versions; experience the 80's as they should have sounded !

Did the Beatles and the Stones ever record together ? Rumour has it that early session tapes exist, somewhere......

This copuld be an early take, around '63. It is evident that this recording inspred the Stones and Beatles, resulting in hit records for both later on.

What if the Beatles hadn't died or split up (in any order), and had kept on going, like a Rolling Stone ?

They could have issued this hit single a few years ago, based on a song they composed 40 years earlier......

I don't really like this kind of re-mix, but I couldn't get it out of my head.....

Take 2 (and presumably Take 1) were recorded in triple time. Unfortuantely, these takes broke down, because it was 'too hard to sing'. Here's an attempt to paste a complete version together, basis the incomplete Take 2.

Nice combination of Mimi (no relation) and Paul's retelling of a traumatic experience. His underwear was stolen !
Those were the days, imagine now being able to just jump over the fence and climb into any rockstar's house........

Another good song that could have been done better - in my most humble view...-.

Here's an attempt at a decent production, without sounds of birds and trees........

Freddy and the Dreamer never recorded this song. Should they have recorded together ? The unlikely product may have sounded like this.

One night in Kingston... Gondwana play their south-american reggae set. Then, the fab four get up and join in......

A Reggae version, driven by the famous Planta & Raiz.. McCartney holidays frequently on Jamaica, so why why not record some tracks there with the band ?

The plan to give Something to Sinatra did not go ahead, but this is what it might have sounded like. Old blue eyes does a wonderful job, making this song his very own, while Eric Clapton provides lovely counter melodies. What have we missed......

A long time favourite of the boys, dating back to the Hamburg days (vocals), this song was revived during the Get Back era (instruments). Why ? Perhaps as the B-side to 'Something'', that was offered to Frank Sinatra ? if so, it might have sounded like this........

Best of two takes, combining chorus and solos.

We've all heard the a capella version, what about adding some rhythm?

This is what a live performance wpu;d have sounded like, if only....

Great tune, but the guitar backing track is rather monotonous.... Ask the Chiffons to lend a hand and up the tempo a bit !

Who needs a reprise ? Let's re-mix !

George sings a tune he obviously liked. Is this his revenge for not being allowed to play his way on Let IIt Be ?

Help, stripped down to the essentials, with a snippet from later days, if JL could only have remembered the cords.....

This day needed a bit beefing up for it to shine. Also watch out for the new middle eight!

Acoustic, more dramatic, rendering of this famous "I'm so sorry for myself" song by JL.

Harrison sings, now with a more suitable backing group......