Westerly Wood
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Beatles concert, 4/11/65
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HeyMikey
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I’ve seen that one before. What an amazing recording and piece of history. In their prime, sounding great, and having fun.
I’m not seeing stage monitors. If that’s true it’s even more impressive.
I’m not seeing stage monitors. If that’s true it’s even more impressive.
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Westerly Wood
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When I think of the Beatles, I think of White Album, Abbey Road, their later stuff that was way more sophisticated. However, it's like the band had two eras. This older stuff is rockin! amazing all of this was done in like 8 years. 1962-1970...or thereabouts. It's a lifetime of music. And nearly a song for anyone.
Love John and Ringo chewing gum during the performance!
No stage monitors, no guitar techs, no nothing but them and two roadies for all of their tours...
Here they are in Washington, DC on their first tour, moving the "circular" stage around in between songs. They have a little help but moving the mic stands, etc. Good view at 26:40.
I'm not sure vocal monitors were even invented until the early 70's.
[edit: close - 1969 https://www.prosoundweb.com/hear-at-last-a-history-of-stage-monitoring/]
Album-wise, it's 3/63 (Please Please Me) to 9/69. 6 1/2 years. Let It Be was released in'70, but recorded before Abbey Road.
Only four years between the "Please Please Me" single (1/63) and "Strawberry Field Forever" single (2/67). There's two eras right there, and maybe a third with the White Album and Abbey Road.
There is no other band who "evolved" as much as The Beatles in such a short time. A cultural evolution as much as a musical evolution, they were greatly influenced by the times they were living in (the famous "Sixties"). And, of course, they themselves had an influence on society and they certainly influenced other bands.
rich johnson
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they never had them..hell I never used them either till 20 years go or so
Nuuska
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In "Them Olden Days" the so-called pa-system - aka vocal speakers - were placed back - not in front like today - also stage volume was VERY conservative compared to most of today's bands.
rich johnson
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Beatles were known for being very loud in rehearsal and in concert. Each generation of Vox amp was louder than the previuos one. They played amps full volume in concert
Nuuska
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I meant the general situation of 60:s - The Beatles were playing full blast as can be seen in that Washington DC concert - surely they heard their voices over house system.
But w any lower-volume band vocals could easily be "monitored" by setting the vocal speakers back.
But w any lower-volume band vocals could easily be "monitored" by setting the vocal speakers back.
Westerly Wood
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Wow, I can't believe I get to cite the same Spinal Tap reference 2 days in a row, that almost never happens...
Westerly Wood
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Wow, check this out!
Great recording too and the crowd is not as crazy loud you can actually hear the instruments.
Paul's bass playing in 1964 was astoundingly good. All that while singing and leading songs. And Lennon's voice is so good!
Great recording too and the crowd is not as crazy loud you can actually hear the instruments.
Paul's bass playing in 1964 was astoundingly good. All that while singing and leading songs. And Lennon's voice is so good!
i.e., monitors - remember the screaming going on - they said many times in interviews they could hardly hear themselves. Ringo said he used to watch the other three's backsides to have an idea of the rhythm speed.
https://www.newsweek.com/louder-beatles-fab-four-made-more-noise-jumbo-jet-data-reveals-498285
https://www.newsweek.com/louder-beatles-fab-four-made-more-noise-jumbo-jet-data-reveals-498285
I think the instruments were prerecorded on this show? At 4:15 or so you can hear an extra few notes coming out of the harmonica!
But I agree the lack of noise makes this a great clip!
Here's my favorite "live" show - again, a quiet crowd and they are clearly playing their instruments. You can really hear the Epiphone Casinos!
At 10:00 - the acapella intro to "Nowhere Man" - wow!
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The DC gig was notable for Ringo going full-bore and later he said it was a great show that had a dynamic that was unreal. They also loved the Hollywood Bowl show for similar reasons. There is also the show from Sweden where they are right with the audience. Although the mics were unbalanced. But it was one of the rare times they could actually be that close (other than the Cavern) and also be heard:
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HeyMikey
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It’s just amazing how relaxed and loose Paul is when playing and singing. His head must be on a spring.
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Paul was a natural who could pick up most any instrument and own it. His bass playing introduced techniques that still resonate. And he's up there with the greats.
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Since he started on guitar and switched to bass, I think that informs his playing. The story goes he realized Harrison was the better guitarist and when Sutcliffe left the band, McCartney picked up the bass rather than having Harrison do it.
Another example of this is Jimi Hendrix playing bass with Stephen Stills on organ and Buddy Miles on drums for this version of Joni Mitchell's Woodstock. Some amazing bass lines: