Recording "Penny Lane" #8

The Beatles had so far spent seven sessions recording Paul McCartney’s “Penny Lane”, on December 29 and December 30, 1966, and on January 4, January 5, January 6, January 9 and January 10, 1967.

On January 9, flutes, trumpets, piccolos and a flugelhorn had been added. On this day, the second set of classical instruments overdubs were recorded, including two other trumpets, two oboes, two cor anglais and a double bass.

In contrast to John, who had only the vaguest of ideas about how he wanted “Strawberry Fields Forever” to be recorded, Paul had very definite thoughts about the instrumentation he wanted on “Penny Lane.” George Martin was tasked with creating an arrangement for flutes, trumpets, piccolo, and fluegelhorn, to which were added oboes, cor anglais (English horn), and bowed double bass. Combined with Paul’s stellar bass playing and superb vocals (with backing from John and George), the track was beginning to sound full, polished, and quite finished to me.

Geoff Emerick – From “Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles“, 2006

The previous day, on January 11, Paul McCartney witnessed David Mason, a trumpet player, perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto N°2 in F Major, on the BBC1 television program “Masterworks”. Impressed by the performance, Paul informed George Martin on this day. George Martin, who was familiar with David Mason, contacted him and scheduled a studio session on January 17, 1967. During the session, David Mason would add his famous piccolo trumpet solo.

Session activities

1. Penny Lane

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • SI onto take 9

2. Penny Lane

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Mono mixing - Remix 7 from take 9

3. Penny Lane

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Mono mixing - Remix 8 from take 9

Staff

Musicians on "Penny Lane"

Production staff

Going further

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