The Beatles: Only A Northern Song

With a large number of songs in the can – and still plenty to go – many sessions in August 1968 were used for finishing off tracks which had been left for rumination on how best to complete them. Rising tensions - and even Ringo quitting the band for a time - didn't stop the White Album sessions. Join us again on the floor of Abbey Road Studios to hear The Beatles creating their next album...

The rising tide of the British blues explosion of the late 1960s saw The Beatles get back to their 12-bar roots, as well as experimenting with more avant-garde soundscapes. Join us for another episode of White Album sessions...

In July 1968, The Beatles were pushing the boundaries in many ways, including experimenting with studios other than Abbey Road, recording on 8-track tape, taking a song past 100 takes - and producing a single which would smash the 3-minute limit. Join us for more White Album sessions.

Late July 1968 saw several signature Beatles songs recorded - finishing touches were added to Ringo's Good Night, George captured the exquisite While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and Paul began the longest Beatles single ever with Hey Jude. Join us for more White Album sessions from the studio floor at Abbey Road...

As tensions grew between The Beatles themselves - and with their studio personnel - the band members continued to bring new songs to the sessions which would become The White Album. Join us in Studio 2 as we rewind to July 1969.

In this episode, The Beatles return to the studio to continue recording  the White Album, laying down an eclectic range of tracks in a wide range of genres. Join us as we sit in on sessions which provided some signature songs for the Beatles.  

By 1968, The Beatles were no longer working side by side in the studio for every track. In this episode, we explore three very different songs by three very different Beatles. Join us in Studio 2 for more White Album sessions...  

The first session for the new album commenced with a song which was The Beatles most overtly political to this point – and a precursor to the social commentary which would pervade John’s solo career. Join us for another look into the White Album sessions.

Having embraced Indian spirituality and musicality during 1966 and into 1967, George Harrison soon became known as the enlightened Beatle. He studied Indian philosophy as a way to counter the constant pressures of being a Beatle. George also reached out to his band of brothers, asking them to join him in his spiritual travels. 

The dawning of the new year of 1968 heralded a multitude of changes for The Beatles – it would see a lengthy trip to India, a new double album release, fresh singles, the launch of a brand-new company and record label… and a divorce. During this year, The Beatles would begin to slowly drift apart – each following their own hearts and ideas, both personally and creatively. Join us for Part 1 of The...

The Beatles made Christmas recordings for their fan club every year, as a thank you for their support. Join us for more festive fun as we focus on the years 1966-1969, including some rare outtakes. Merry happy, Beatle People! (Don't forget, you can listen to the first Christmas recordings in Episode 28!)

The Beatles emerged at a time when the ability to record oneself outside of a recording studio was becoming a reality. They would embrace the portable recording phenomenon to capture new compositions as they were written, and find other uses for tape recorders – messing around and experimenting with sounds...

With filming for Magical Mystery Tour complete, The Beatles set about finishing the songs which would feature in its soundtrack. While not receiving the accolades The Beatles were now used to, Magical Mystery Tour preserved a colourful slice of 1960’s psychedelia – and was the culmination of a year like no other for The Beatles. Roll up, roll up as we round out 1967...

It seems that Paul now took the adage of ‘the show must go on’ seriously – quite possibly as a way of dealing with Brian Epstein's death. In hindsight, though, John saw this as Paul wanting to take control of the band for his own purposes… Join us in Abbey Road Studios for more Magical Mystery Tour sessions...  

On the 25 June 1967, The Beatles performed live via satellite to an estimated 400 million people worldwide - sharing a message of universal love which reflected the times in which they lived. Roll up, roll up as we continue our look at the Magical Mystery Tour sessions...

Never ones to rest on their laurels, The Beatles were back to work at Abbey Road Studios in April 1967 - before Sgt. Pepper's was even released - to begin on their next project… Join us as we take a mystery trip...

There can be no doubt that Sgt. Pepper broke new ground in so many ways – from the recording techniques used and the time taken to capture the songs, to the inventive use of conceptualised packaging. The Beatles – and those who worked on its recording – remember it as a remarkable piece, very much of its time. Join us as The Beatles complete their most ambitious project to date...

By mid-March 1967, The Beatles and George Martin could see the new album’s release date of the 1st of June rapidly approaching – and yet there was still considerable work left to do, to ensure that the all-important deadline was met. Only a handful of the songs recorded to date were actually complete, with a few more needing the finishing touches applied to make them worthy of release – but there...

By the middle of the recording sessions for their new LP, Paul had hit upon the idea of using the concept of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band as a kind of conceptual glue which would bind all of the album's songs together – an alternative persona for The Beatles, which allow them some creative freedom to move away from everything they were known for. Join us in Studio 2 for Part 6 of the Sgt....

With no album release since August 1966, chatter began to creep in that The Beatles had finally burnt out and would soon be replaced as the kings of pop. But with the best part of half an album in the can already, new songs kept coming into the studio. The Beatles weren’t particularly worried. Join us for Part 5 of the Sgt. Pepper sessions...

By February 1967, The Beatles were experimenting with music like never before, influenced by a variety of substances. With two tracks – one simple, one monumental – already in the can, The Beatles set about crafting the remainder of the new LP. It was Paul who would provide the inspiration for its title track, and a concept that would attempt to draw all of the songs together…

Although largely credited to John, A Day In The Life was actually a collaboration between John and Paul. The Beatles gathered in Studio 2 on the 19 January 1967 to begin work on the song which would close the new LP, and become arguably its most memorable track. Join us as we delve deep into the making of a masterpiece...  

With the need for an album rapidly approaching, The Beatles had recorded Strawberry Fields Forever – John’s nod to his childhood home in Liverpool. That sense of nostalgia would play an important role in the upcoming album - and now it was Paul's turn to remember...

With the decision made to end touring, The Beatles gave themselves the time and headspace to do what they loved most – creating new music. In this episode, we delve deep into the evolution of Strawberry Fields Forever - from John's first demos to the recording sessions which produced a psychedelic anthem.

Only a month after returning from The Philippines, Revolver was unleashed, and turned the music world on its head. Come August 1966, The Beatles boarded the plane for what would be their last tour of the United States, and their final concert to a paying audience. Join The Beatles on tour, just one more time...