Since today marks the 45th birthday of the Beatles classic Eleanor Rigby, I thought it a nice fit for this week’s video. It was April 29, 1966 when Paul recorded his lead vocal for the song. Producer/arranger George Martin conducted a doubled string quartet for the backing track the previous day. It consisted of four violins, two violas and two cellos. Paul only came up with the first few lines of the song and the melody, and although it isn’t credited as such, he enlisted help from other bandmates and friends (such as an old mate from the Quarry Men days, Pete Shotten) to complete the rest of the lyrics. Who contributed what is now in dispute, but who can deny it is an ingenious track for it’s time. After Paul recorded his lead vocal, George and John added harmony vocals for the choruses. The final bit of genius came on June 6, 1966 from George Martin, when he got the idea to add an overdub at the final vocal refrain of Paul singing the chorus in counterpart (ahhh…look at all the lonely people…). The song ended up as a double A-sided single with Yellow Submarine as well as a key track on the Revolver album, later in the year.

The version of the song I’ve chosen here is from a much more recent performance. A record 350,000 braved a very inclement storm to see Paul at this June 14, 2008 show. The charity concert, in the former Soviet republic’s Independence Square, was the Ukraine’s biggest ever. The gig was simultaneously broadcast on giant screens in six other Ukrainian cities and on television, with an estimated 10 million people watching. The charity event raised money for equipment to help children with cancer. Paul’s band included Rusty Anderson, Brian Ray, Wix Wickens and Abe Laboriel Jr. Paul also treats us to a little of his Ukranian before beginning the performance.

Click the image above to play the video.

Here are a some links from Amazon to read about or purchase releases related to this post

1) Revolver (Remastered) – 2009 remastered stereo edition of Revolver, containing the original Beatles version of Eleanor Rigby

2) 1962-1966 (The Red Album) – 2010 remastered Beatles hits compilation featuring original stereo version of Eleanor Rigby

3) Good Evening New York City [2 CD + 1 DVD Combo] – Coverage of Paul McCartney’s historic opening concert at New York City’s Citi Field on 2 CDs and 1 DVD. See Paul McCartney with his current touring band do a July 2009 performance of Eleanor Rigby and many, many other McCartney solo, Wings and Beatles classics

4) More links for your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

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