Isn't it A Pity

[Magill]

From ATMP, Version one or version two. As I mentioned, I finally purchased this and was pleasantly pleased to see two versions of this great song. Personally, I like version two. It's slower and a bit more bluesier.

[FPSHOT]

When the album came out, or maybe already with the single, I loved version one, being so long and so 'big'.

The constant play of the bass chord on the piano is just fab in combination with the violins and the slide guitars.

Especially the part where the rest of the musicians come in - as like on My Sweet Lord - always gets to me. Such a simple thing as the tambourin, adds so much to the song.

The long slide solo at the end is just amazing.

As big as it is, it yes does the moving up towards the end, like to a finale, with much more backing vocals, in different forms, and slowly fades away.

Then, for a very long time I preferred version two, because it is simple and clear. George said about it that he was not yet happy with One yet and when at one session someone just played the basis, they ended up with version two.

However after Live In Japan, I got back to version one where I am still as for preference.

[Magill]

It's such a great song, Rob. It really is hard to choose graemlins/thinker.gif . You do get more George on #1 because there's no background singers, just him doubletracked. Plus, at the end, if you're listening on earphones, on the fade out he seems to whisper in your ear, "..and cause each other pain.." *sigh* Just so cool! images/icons/smile.gif

[FPSHOT]

Multitracked I'd say and it is a great sound.

Mmm must get a headphone on and see if I locate that.

[Savoy Truffle]

Originally Posted By Magill:
It really is hard to choose graemlins/thinker.gif . You do get more George on #1 because there's no background singers, just him doubletracked. Plus, at the end, if you're listening on earphones, on the fade out he seems to whisper in your ear, "..and cause each other pain.." *sigh* Just so cool! images/icons/smile.gif <font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I hear that bit too and I love it.

Version #1 is a lot grander than Version #2 for sure. I love the sound on it and it's just so passionate. But Version#2 is more personal sounding and you get the pure beauty of the song a bit better. So really I like them both for different reasons. But I ended up going with Version#1. As Homer Simpson would say, "It's all good"! images/icons/smile.gif

[darkhorse]

Version 2 sounds like the All Things Must Pass demos, or the versions that we can hear on bootlegs. Version 1 sounds like All Things Must Pass, the album, when produced by George with Phil Spector.

I sincerely prefer Version 1, although a great song remains a great song in any version. images/icons/smile.gif

[old_moon_shining]

This is a very taxing question Magill - not only for me, I observe.

I went with No.1 but really I think that whichever one I am listening to at the time is my favourite. I have considered this question recently, and felt very confused.