Grousing The Aisles: Revolution Take 20

The Beatles – Revolution (Take 20): MP3, FLAC

Recently, a magnificent studio outtake from The Beatles’ White Album sessions has surfaced of Revolution. There are three well-known variations of the song already including the laid back #1 which is featured on the album, the heavier single known as Revolution #2 and the rambling sound collage called Revolution #9. The track that has recently surfaced seems like the missing link between #1 and #9. As amazing as this track sounds, I’m more interested in how this “holy grail” of a track came out of the woodwork.

The Beatles’ PR people have yet to confirm if the track that surfaced is the genuine artifact that the quartet recorded recorded on May 30 and 31, and June 4, 1968, but if this is a fake the person that put it together should be commended. More likely, this track likely leaked from an employee at EMI, who have for years been rumored to be putting out The Beatles’ catalog on iTunes. Perhaps this was a bonus track they have ready for when The White Album hits the download portal. Or maybe it comes from Yoko Ono’s closet.

The tempo of Take 20 of Revolution is more laid-back than #1 and contains the “shoo-be-doo-wop” backing vocals found in #1. At about the five minute mark the song veers off into #9 territory with plenty of tape loops, siren-sounding guitar overdubs and spoken word from what sounds like Yoko Ono. Personally, I love this version until about the eight minute mark. Download it for yourself and let us know what you think.