Sunday, December 5, 2010

You And I Have Memories


The first track on the Apple LP/CD "Let It Be" is an original Lennon/McCartney composition written mainly by Paul entitled "Two Of Us". This song was inspired by his association with Linda Eastman as well as a reflection of his partnership with John Lennon. The original title for the song was "On Our Way Home".

An early version of the song can be seen in the "Let It Be" movie where John and Paul are sharing a microphone and the tune has a quicker tempo. This fragment was filmed during the rehearsal for the "Get Back" project on January 09 1969 at Twickenham Studios in London.

The first proper recording for the song happened on January 24 1969 at Apple Studios in the basement of 3 Savile Row, London. The first take from this session can be heard on the Apple 3-LP/2-CD "Anthology 3" complete with feedback. Another take from this session (take unknown) was used for the Glyn Jones produced early unreleased "Get Back" LP for consideration.

On January 31 1969, The Beatles performed various songs acoustically that could not be reproduced from the rooftop concert/performance which had taken place the previous day. Three takes of "Two Of Us" were performed live at Apple Studios on this day and various books credit either take 11 or take 12 as the version heard on the Apple LP/CD "Let It Be". The performance from the film is an edit of two takes and once again it is either 11 and 12 or 12 and 11. Take 10 was a false start.

On March 10 and March 11 1969 at Olympic Sound Studios in London, stereo mixing for the "Get Back" LP ensued. There are unknown stereo mix numbers, but it is known that the "Get Back" version of "Two Of Us" was mixed for stereo on these two days by Glyn Johns.

On Friday April 25 1969, a rough mono mix of the January 31 1969 performance of "Two Of Us" was made in order to cut an acetate of the song. This acetate was given to Paul McCartney who presented it to a New York trio with the name "Mortimer" destined to release the song on an Apple Records single. This single never materialized. The mix took place in Room 4 of EMI studios.

On Wednesday March 25 1970, "Two of Us" received two stereo mix attempts with the second attempt being used for release. This stereo mix was completed by Phil Spector for the "Let It Be" Apple LP/CD. The opening phrase by John Lennon "I Dig A Pygmy by Charles Hawtrey and the Deaf Aids ! Phase one in which Doris gets her oats !" was edited in by Phil Spector from a recording session at Apple Studios on January 21 1969. This phrase is also seen in the movie "Let It Be".

"Two Of Us" is available on the Apple LP/CD "Let It Be" as well as a cleaned-up remix for the Apple/EMI LP/CD "Let It Be....Naked".

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