Recording and mixing: "Piggies", "Glass Onion", "Why Don't We Do It In The Road?", "Rocky Raccoon", "Long, Long, Long"

This was another long day, from 7 pm to 7:15 am, spent at Abbey Road. Overdubs were added to “Piggies“, “Glass Onion” and “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road“. Time was also spent mixing “Glass Onion“, “Rocky Raccoon” and “Long, Long, Long“.

The Beatles worked on “Piggies” on September 19 and 20, and on “Glass Onion” on September 11, 12, 13, 16, and 26. George Martin was on holiday for most of September, with Chris Thomas producing in his absence. Upon his return, Martin listened to what had been recorded during his absence and suggested adding string arrangements to both songs.

Consequently, on this day, eight musicians with violins, violas, and cellos gathered in the studio to record these arrangements. They were incorporated into “Piggies” take 12 and “Glass Onion” take 33.

Following this, “Glass Onion” was mixed in both stereo and mono. Remix Mono 11 and Remix Stereo 2 were included on the White Album.

The mixes for “Piggies” were done the next day, on October 11.

[The] mono mix of Glass Onion, made on 26 September 1968, encompasses sound effects compiled by John Lennon for his song: a telephone, an organ note, the smashing of glass and the then BBC-tv soccer commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme acclaiming “It’s a goal!” over the sound of a roaring crowd. George Martin, on holiday at the time, heard the mix on his return and suggested a different approach: he scored the song for a string arrangement, recorded on 10 October, that rendered this mix and the FX ideas redundant and the tape to the vault shelf labelled “do not use”.

From “Anthology 3” liner notes

“Rocky Raccoon” had been recorded and mixed in mono on August 15, 1968. On this day, Remix Stereo 1 was created from Take 10, and was released on the White Album.

“Long, Long, Long” was recorded from October 7 to October 9; and on this day, Remix Stereo 1 to 4 were created from Take 67. RS4 was included on the White Album.

Four attempts at this stereo mix was done, undoubtedly the fourth try being the one used on the finished album. George’s acoustic guitar on the rhythm track was mixed quite low and the harmony on his lead vocals begins the first time he sings the word “long.” Much oscillator waggling was done on Paul’s organ part during this mix, which presumably was done manually by Chris Thomas as he had done for previous “White Album” mixes.

From beatlesebooks.com

The mono mix was created on October 14, following an initial attempt on October 12.

Paul McCartney was not involved in the overdubs and mixing activities. Instead, he was in Studio Three with engineer Ken Townsend, finalizing the recording of “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” which had begun the previous day.

By the previous day’s end, Take 5 featured Paul on acoustic guitar and vocals, with a piano overdub also recorded. On this day, Paul added his bass part, while Ringo Starr joined to contribute drums.

Paul re-recorded his lead vocals, removing the original acoustic guitar part but retaining the percussion slaps. Ultimately, little of the original Take 5 remained.

Subsequently, handclaps and a second vocal part were added. This led to a reduction mix, labeled Take 6, after which Paul added electric slide guitar overdubs.

The mono and stereo mixes of “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” were made on October 16.

Session activities

1. Piggies

   Written by George Harrison

   Recording • SI onto take 12

2. Glass Onion

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • SI onto take 33

3. Glass Onion

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 1 from take 33

4. Glass Onion

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 2 from take 33

   AlbumOfficially released on The Beatles (Stereo)

5. Rocky Raccoon

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 1 from take 10

   AlbumOfficially released on The Beatles (Stereo)

6. Long, Long, Long

   Written by George Harrison

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 1 from take 67

7. Long, Long, Long

   Written by George Harrison

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 2 from take 67

8. Long, Long, Long

   Written by George Harrison

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 3 from take 67

9. Long, Long, Long

   Written by George Harrison

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 4 from take 67

   AlbumOfficially released on The Beatles (Stereo)

10. Glass Onion

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    Mixing • Mono mixing - Remix 10 from take 33

11. Glass Onion

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    Mixing • Mono mixing - Remix 11 from take 33

    AlbumOfficially released on The Beatles (Mono)

12. Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    Recording • SI onto take 5

13. Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    Tape copying • Tape reduction take 5 into take 6

14. Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    Recording • SI onto take 6

Staff

Musicians on "Glass Onion"

Musicians on "Piggies"

Musicians on "Why Don't We Do It In The Road?"

Production staff

Visitors

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