Hmmmmm…it appears that the internet police have been at it again. Both versions of Revolution take 20 have been were mysteriously deleted from my file sharing account. If you’ve visited specifically for them, read on…
It’s amazing to think that, 41 years after initially being recorded, a new mix of The Beatles ‘Revolution‘ has made it’s way out of the box marked ‘Masters’ and onto the internet. Not just any old new mix, oh no! The mix getting every Beatles bore’s knickers in a twist is the fabled Revolution Take 20, all uninterrupted 10min 46 seconds of it. Shooby-doo-wop, ah-wow!
The history books point to this take being recorded on the 4th June 1968 and apparently had John Lennon singing the whole of the backing vocals whilst lying on his back. The Master Tape box was labelled ‘Revolution – Mama Papa’. Sadly (for me) it doesn’t feature Michelle Phillips on guest vocals, or even Papa John banging away on a tambourine somewhere in the background. The ‘Mama Papa’ refers to the backing vocals Lennon sings in the second half of the song (starting around the 5min 40s mark). Listen out, too, for the amusing studio chatter at the start and a wee bit of Yoko Ono at the end.
Lennon recording his vocals. Taken from the excellent Mark Lewisohn Beatles Sessions trainspotters delight book.
Sonically, Take 20 lies somewhere between the laid-back Beach Boys-y acoustic version of Revolution 1 on side 3 of the White Album and Revolution 9’s looped tapes and weird noises. There’s some harmonica buried deep in the mix, some nonsensical Lennon mumbles, what sounds like George Harrison’s guitar doing an impression of an air raid siren and all manner of weird things going on. It goes without saying, of course, but any discerning fan of The Beatles needs this take. I’m certain it’s spreading across the interent like a happy virus even as I type, but you can get it here (high quality mp3 file) or here (higher quality flac file). Whatchawaitin’ for?
Bonus Track! At the start of September ’68, Paul McCartney got pissed off with Pete Townshend for suggesting that The Who were the only band still capable of rocking out any more. By the 13th of September The Beatles had recorded this, the 21st take of Helter Skelter. Blisters on their fingers indeed!
Plain Or Pan 
Excellent version, can’t believe it’s taken this long to leak! Love the descending guitar/bass run and the reverberating feedback sound. Cheers Phil!
That’s gorgeous – gonna have to try and work that into a mellow mix
My initial reaction is that this “leaked” version of Revolution 1, Take 20, is a mash-up.
If authentic, I think it’s massively cool
want a revolution?
try the Rev take 20 on dropvids.com
This is the take that appears on ‘The Beatles,’ without the additional overdubs of backing vocals, George’s lead guitar, etc. The additional length of the track was the original backing track for ‘Revolution 9,’ thus the talking and sound effects that are still audible in the released version. This take is well documented, although only now appearing for the world to hear.
Well, it certainly matches the Mark Lewisohn’s description of that particular take.
The links for both Helter Skelter files seem to be broken.
An alternative mix of Revolution 9 has also appeared. We’re being spoilt! Anyone know if this is from the same source as Revolution 1 Take 20?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDRdMSTAnAg
Oh, that Anonymous, he’s got saying power, he has.
Bravo, that man.