This clip shows Paul McCartney playing along on guitar as world renown American poet Allen Ginsberg recites his poem Ballad Of The Skeletons. This was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 16, 1995, just a couple of years before Ginsberg’s death. Allen Ginsberg had an incredibly interesting life and through his work vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression. One of his poem’s Howl was made into a movie, where he was portrayed by actor James Franco, in this story about the obscenity of censorship. More information about Allen Ginsberg is on his website at www.allenginsberg.org.

In May of 1996, Paul McCartney came into the studio with Allen and actually made a proper recording of this poem with the back up of his full band. A CD single was released the following October, but is now very much out of print. Used copies are still relatively easy to find and I’ve provided a link below to find some used ones through Amazon third-party merchants, if you are interested.

Click the image above to play the video.

Music makes fab Christmas gifts.

1) The Ballad Of The Skeletons [CD-Single] – this CD is out of print but you may be able to find a used copy at this link.

2) Here’s Amazon links for any of your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

Related posts:

1. Beatles Rarity Of The Week – Happy Birthday BROW! This week’s Beatles Rarity Of The Week is special because...

This week’s Beatles Rarity Of The Week is special because this is the week that BROW is one year old. The Beatles were always big on birthday celebrations as can be felt through this medley of happy and rare birthday recordings that I have assembled for this week. The medley includes:

1) Whit Monday – from the BBC program From Us To You. It was recorded on May 1, 1964 and aired on May 18, 1964 (just a few days after my first birthday).

2) Birthday – The Beatles’ classic performed by Paul McCartney in Stockholm, Sweden on May 5, 2003.

3) Happy Birthday Michael Love – Recorded with Michael Love (of the Beach Boys) while The Beatles were in India during March 1968.

4) Happy Birthday – This recording comes from October 1971 at John’s 31st birthday party in a Syracuse NY hotel room. Eric Clapton, Ringo & Maureen Starkey, Klaus Voormann, Allen Ginsberg, Jim Keltner, Mal Evans and Neil Aspinal were all present and “o-blue-terated” (to borrow a word used by the Blue Meanies in the Yellow Submarine film).

5) Happy Birthday Saturday Club – The Beatles performed this one on the BBC program Saturday Club in honor of it’s 5th birthday. The recording was made on September 7th, 1963 and aired on October 5th, 1963.

6) Happy Birthday John – From John’s 30th birthday celebration on October 9, 1970. Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Stephen Stills and Klaus Voorman were all present (and once again: O-blue-terated).

The Beatles cutting the cake, late 1964

It’s been “fab” bringing you rare Beatles-related recordings over the past year and a sincere thank you goes out to all the “gear” people out there who have taken an interest.

Want to make a suggestion for a future Beatles Rarity of the Week? Then let me hear from you. Read about more Beatles rarities and suggest one for me to post. You can begin by searching for different versions of specific tracks right here.

Visit www.thebeatlesrarity.com for a new Beatles rarity each week, plus lots more!

Related posts:

1. Ringo Starr’s Birthday Cake Presentation July 7, 2010 An addendum to last week’s post Paul Gives Birthday Surprise...
2. Happy Birthday Paul! Yes….Happy Birthday Paul who was born on this date in...
3. Paul Gives Birthday Surprise to Ringo Ringo and his All Starr Band played at Radio City...