portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Monday, February 12, 2024

Today’s “Beatles Best Guitar Solos” is Paul in “Taxman”. The song was written by George.

This is great anecdote about Paul taking the lead . . . . . . go play Taxman! (still a favourite and still a favourite Beatles album in Revolver!)




Here's how much producer George Martin loved this savage, very Jeff Beck-ish seven-bar solo by Paul: He tacked another snippet of it onto the end of the song.


“Stunning in its ferocity," said engineer Geoff Emerick. 


Paul said that he was discussing his idea for the solo with George and George invited him to play it on the recording. George said he was happy to have the song included on Revolver and was not fussed about who played the guitar solo


Paul nailed the solo in a couple of takes.


The Beatles had hoped to record their Revolver album in a more modern facility than EMI's London studios at Abbey Road and were especially impressed with the sound on records created at Stax Studio in Memphis.


Brian Epstein was unsuccessful in securing Stax, Motown’s Hittsville USA  or Atlantic Studios in New York. 


Paul later said that only "Taxman" and his own soul-inspired "Got to Get You into My Life" might have sounded better recorded in an American studio, but otherwise, the Beatles "found a new British sound almost by accident" on Revolver.


Thanks to Boris for this photo.


 

TAXMAN - Revolver - The Beatles (George Harrison)

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