Notes

---

Chapter One CO 25151/2

As an overall package, not a bad effort. The C.D. has been made to look like a black version of the "white album" ie. black with white writing. (Although this idea had already been done, for more successfully in the late 1970's with "The Black Album".)

The C.D. comes with it's own fold out poster, in the same vein as that given away with the white album.

Basically at least 95% of the tracks have been sourced from vinyl records rather than the original tapes. I personally prefer the Yellow Dog "Unsurpassed Demos", although some have commented (as with the bootleg "1968 Demos") that the sourcing of the tracks from vinyl has increased the level of the treble (high frequencies) and this sounds better. I am not convinced. The crackles and hiss which are eveident through out the 2 discs piss me off no end. If you want to "improve" the sound quality of the demo recordings, then get a hold of the master tapes and do what George Martin has done with the BBC tapes. (_But what ever you do, dont source them from L.P.'s)

Besides the collectability factor (and the nice poster) it is only the Rock & Roll Circus tracks which were of any interest. That is assuming that you already have, say, Yellow Dogs "Unsurpassed Demos" or equivalent


1. Yer Blues (Lennon/McCartney)
Rock 'n' Roll Circus
Dec 1968
Rock & Roll Circus Version. Sourced from (bootleg) L.P. Includes extended jam at end. Jet engine noise (ala white album) has been edited onto front of track Sound rating. 8.5/10, with occational crackle

2. Spiritual Regeneration (McCartney)
India
14 Mar 1968
Recorded on Mike Love birthday in India.
As found on a lot of other circa 1968 bootlegs. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard. Sound Rating 6.5/10

3. Happy Rishikesh Song (Lennon)
Demo
Lennon Demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Sound Rating 7/10

4. Child Of Nature (Lennon)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

5. Sexy Sadie (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

6. Julia (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

7. Cry Baby Cry (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

8. Dear Prudence (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

9. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Harrison)
Take 1
25 Jul 1968
SS.WHI.07.01
Unedited take 1.

Sounds like the "Sessions" L.P. version. Hiss, crackles are evident and is obviously taken from an L.P. This is not the same version which is on the Yellow Dog Unsurpassed Masters Vol 7 or on the Artifacts Box set. This version fades out with GH continiously playing an arpegio on his acoustic guitar, but never plays that final chord evident on the other versions. Given that the version on the Yellow Dog release is "Studio take 1" then this must be alternate version or studio demo. Definately not May 1968 demo version. Sound Rating 8/10

10. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

11. I'm So Tired (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Track fades early. Source taken from a "clean" (Bootleg) L.P. Sound Rating 8/10

12. Everyone Had A Hard Year (Lennon)
Demo
Lennon demo late 1968 Crackles & pops can be heard. Sourced from an L.P. Sound Rating 8/10

13. Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

14. What's The New Mary Jane (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

15. Yer Blues (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7.5/10

16. Yer Blues (Reprise) (Lennon/McCartney)
Rock 'n' Roll Circus
Dec 1968
Rock & Roll Circus rehearsal. Sourced from L.P., with crackles.Mainly instrumental with the occational Lennon guide vocals being able to be heard. Unfortuneately the track fades out after about 1'25" Sound Rating 8/10


1. Back In The USSR (Lennon/McCartney)
Esher Demo
May 1968
HR117
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 8/10

2. Don't Let Me Down (Lennon/McCartney)
Lennon demo late 1968 Crackles & pops can be haerd. Sourced from an L.P. 8/10

3. Piggies (Harrison)
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 8/10

4. Heather (McCartney)
Postcard Sessions
Nov 1968
Hoh Hum, boring Macca track played to Donovan Source taken from a bootleg) L.P. (Most likely side B of "Abbey Road No.3") Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 7/10

5. Revolution (Lennon/McCartney)
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 8/10

6. A Case Of The Blues (Lennon)
Acoustic Demo
Dec 1968
Lennon demo late 1968 Crackles & pops can be haerd. Sourced from an L.P. 8/10

7. Mother Nature's Son (Lennon/McCartney)
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 8/10

8. Look At Me (Lennon)
Lennon demo late 1968 Crackles & pops can be haerd. Sourced from an L.P. 8/10

9. The Maharishi Song (Lennon/McCartney)
Home Recording
1968
Lennon singing t Yoko about the India trip. Slightly amusing. Sourced from L.P. Some crackles & pops. Sound rating 7.5/10

10. Not Guilty (Harrison)
White Album demo. Source taken from a (Bootleg) L.P. Crackles, hiss & pops can be heard Sound Rating 8/10
(The track fades far to early)

11. Not Guilty (Harrison)
One of the final mixed versions available on bootlegs. Same as version on Unsuppassed Masters Volume 6, except this has been sourced from a scratchy L.P. Sound Rating 8/10

12. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Reggae Version from June - August recording session at Abbey Road Studios. Slight crackle can be heard. Sourced from L.P. Sound Rating 8/10

13. What's The New Mary Jane
Full version including Lennon's amusing comment at the end (ie about being taken away). Sourced from L.P. with some crackle evident. Sound Rating 9/10.

14. (Medley)

St. Louis Blues (Handy)

Outtake
30 Jul 1968
Same as version on Unsurpassed Masters Volume 4 except this (yet again) has been sourced from an L.P. Hiss is quite apparant. Sound Rating 9/10

Hey Jude (Lennon/McCartney)

Take 7
30 Jul 1968
Same as version on Unsurpassed Masters Volume 4 except this (yet again) has been sourced from an L.P. Hiss is quite apparant. Sound Rating 9/10

15. Brian Epstein Blues (Lennon)
Outtake
19 Jul 1968
Recorded between two takes.