On This Day in Beatles History: John Lennon Records Imagine Sessions at Record Plant, New York β 4 July 1971
On 4 July 1971, the tenth recording session for John Lennon's second solo album Imagine took place at the Record Plant in New York City. The session was devoted primarily to string overdubs, with members of the New York Philharmonic β dubbed The Flux Fiddlers by Lennon β adding orchestral parts to five songs. Klaus Voormann also overdubbed an additional bass guitar part onto 'Gimme Some Truth', and the session concluded with mixes of three tracks.
What Happened on 4 July 1971?
The session ran at the Record Plant in New York City, produced by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Phil Spector, and engineered by Roy Cicala, Shelly Yakus, and Jack Douglas. The string arrangement and conducting was by Torrie Zito. Strings were added to five songs: 'How Do You Sleep?', 'Imagine', 'How?', 'Jealous Guy', and 'It's So Hard'. Klaus Voormann overdubbed an additional bass guitar part onto 'Gimme Some Truth'. The session ended with mixes of 'Gimme Some Truth', 'How Do You Sleep?', and 'Imagine'.
The Flux Fiddlers: New York Philharmonic Musicians
The string players were members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, whom Lennon affectionately nicknamed The Flux Fiddlers β a nod to Fluxus, the avant-garde art movement with which Yoko Ono had been associated since the early 1960s.
The Songs
'How Do You Sleep?' was Lennon's most direct and caustic attack on Paul McCartney, written in the aftermath of the acrimonious split of The Beatles. George Harrison played slide guitar on the track.
'Imagine', the album's title track and Lennon's most enduring solo composition, received its string overdubs on this day. The song's gentle, hymn-like quality was enhanced by Torrie Zito's restrained arrangement.
'Jealous Guy' had its origins in a song Lennon had written during The Beatles' visit to Rishikesh, India, in 1968, originally titled 'Child of Nature'. The melody and much of the lyrical structure were retained, but the words were rewritten to produce a song of unusual emotional candour.
Klaus Voormann and Gimme Some Truth
Klaus Voormann had met the group in Hamburg in 1960 and had become one of their closest friends. He designed the cover artwork for Revolver in 1966, for which he won a Grammy Award, and had played bass on numerous solo recordings by all four former Beatles.
On This Day in Beatles History
- Date: 4 July 1971
- Event: 10th recording session for John Lennon's Imagine album at Record Plant, New York City
- Producers: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector
- Strings added to: 'How Do You Sleep?', 'Imagine', 'How?', 'Jealous Guy', 'It's So Hard'
- Also: Klaus Voormann overdubbed bass on 'Gimme Some Truth'; mixes made of three tracks
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Imagine album recorded?
The bulk of Imagine was recorded in May 1971 at Ascot Sound Studios at Tittenhurst Park in Berkshire. Final overdubs and mixing took place at the Record Plant in New York City on 4 and 5 July 1971.
Who are the Flux Fiddlers?
The Flux Fiddlers was John Lennon's name for the New York Philharmonic musicians who recorded string overdubs for the Imagine album, referencing the Fluxus art movement associated with Yoko Ono.
What is the origin of Jealous Guy?
'Jealous Guy' originated as 'Child of Nature', written during The Beatles' visit to Rishikesh in 1968. The melody was retained but the lyrics were rewritten for the Imagine album.
What is How Do You Sleep? about?
John Lennon's direct attack on Paul McCartney, written after The Beatles' split. George Harrison played slide guitar on the track.
Who was Klaus Voormann?
A German musician and artist who met The Beatles in Hamburg in 1960. He designed the Revolver cover artwork, winning a Grammy, and played bass on numerous solo Beatles recordings.
β John Lennon | Paul McCartney | George Harrison | Ringo Starr
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