As far as I know, there aren't any home demos of A Day In The Life in circulation. Possibly the closest thing that exists can be found on the slightly naughty Japanese "misterclaudel" label. The Lost Home Tapes 1965-1969 gathers various examples of John's Kenwood recordings, some familiar, some less so, in generally superior audio quality; which is all well and good. (Though naughty.)
Perhaps the most intriguing track is "Hold On I'm Coming"; not the (possibly naughty) Sam and Dave tune, but an original Lennon demo, recorded up in the attic. Sam and Dave's Hold On was released in March 1966, and doubtless played non-stop in clubs such as the Ad-Lib; John probably borrowed the title in order to kick start a new tune. The demo was recorded on a Kenwood work tape, also featuring early versions of She Said, She Said, and almost certainly dating circa spring/summer 1966.
Upon first listen it sounds nothing like A Day In The Life. But then the vocals drop out near the end, and you suddenly hear a snatch of those familiar chords, and that distinctive mechanical back and forth guitar rhythm that John employed on the song. Listen again, and imagine "I read the news today..." floating over the top. You might even try singing it yourself, provided you are sufficiently pished.
For my somewhat meagre money, and assuming that this demo was actually taped in 1966, there's a fair chance that John discarded Hold On I'm Coming, only to re-work the chords and turn them into a masterpiece.
See what you think:
woha!!!!Just behind john lies a Rickenbacker 370 (/12?)in fireglo!! I hadn't even heard of that guitar...Neither Beatles Gear (Andy Babiuk) nor The Canteen mention anything about it...
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that this comment has nothing to do with the post, but if anyone has any info...
There was a discussion about this guitar the last time that pic appeared here, the upshot being:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thecanteen.com/lennon6.html
ahh too bad...I thought it was not the Rose Morris model...I don't know why, but I kind of ''hate'' this guitar...It seems like a fake ric with that f-hole. Anyway, thanks and sorry for once more:)
ReplyDeleteNo worries!
ReplyDeleteSounds like the Day in the Life chords to me! Mind you i'm pished...;-)
ReplyDeleteHa! It certainly helps.
ReplyDeleteYup, it's uncanny.. G Bm Em Em7 ..add D on B string....
ReplyDeleteYes, they are in exactly the same key, same strumming pattern...someone should do what I believe is referred to as a "mash-up".
ReplyDeleteThat's A Day In the life!
ReplyDeleteWell, a nice pre-demo, hmm
See ya.
Wow.....he must have had the window open because you can hear the birds in that big tree outside facing the attic on that side of the house. Amazing stuff Sean!!
ReplyDeleteI think Ringo has that guitar now. One again great detective work.
ReplyDeleteYoko/Sean still had this red Farfisa organ in NY, but something fell off the wall and smashed the top of it long ago, so I'm told. A hard thing to repair/replace...
ReplyDelete