Songs by the Other George – Part Two

Loosely known as the ‘5th Beatle,’ George Martin died a few weeks ago; most critics agree without George we would probably not have the Beatles as we know them, Let’s take look at part two of ‘Songs by the Other George’ to help celebrate his touch..

“Strawberry Fields Forever” introduced studio tricks such as reversed tape loops, reverse-recording over dubbing, and tape stretching to hit a minor cord. All of these tricks were from George Martin. George played cello and arraigned all the trumpets on the song.

Do you remember the movie “That Thing You Do” with Tom Hanks? In the movie, their hit song was originally a ballad, but as a fast song was a hit. “Please Please Me” the John Lennon classic had the same fate. George Martin heard the song and immediately sped it up, making the song the band’s bell weather tune that kick started their careers in 1963.

“Paperback Writer” was the Beatle response to “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys – driven by George Martin. George though the Beach Boys harmonies had ‘one upped’ the Beatles, so he quickly responded with his own arraignment.

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