Favorite version of "While my guitar gently weeps" (and why ?)

[ABCKO]

Which of these do you prefer... and why ?

[ABCKO]

I went for the "Love" vesion...

1. I could never stand Clapton's "Hey, look at me" guitar work... plus he was NOT a "Beatle" (sort of see him as an ''intruder" of sorts)

2. Loved the simpled, softer spound of the demo + the extra verse...

3. ... and loved it even more with George Martin's superb arrangement, and as such, it may constitute the Beatles "swan song" *

* Last "new" song to be released by "The Beatles" (as much as an already released song + new arrangement = a "new" song, that is). But it's George Marttin doing it, and it's not like he fooled arround with the original version but rather the demo, and it's not just a diffrent edit or remix ect... *

[FPSHOT]

I went for the Love version too... since it's a polished up version of the Anthology one approved by Olivia and polished up by the Martins and just sounds so amazingly beautiful.

But... maybe tomorrow I will like Anthology more.

As for the White Album one... well for a very long time that was the only one we knew... and loved... and especially since we know the acoustic demo from bootlegs long before Anthology the preferences of many turned to that one because it is so beautiful and so George.

So in light of what we have now I sometimes see it as a different "song" in whole... but still it sounds good to me but like many songs from 40-ish years ago which have been played differently later.. the original feeling may weaken down? I still adore "She Loves You" since it's a one time made song probably, that is what I mean.

But as for the "electric" version of this song here, I would really prefer the Bangla Desh performance over the White Album one so thanks for not adding that one...it would have made the choise even more difficult because I know when I would play the White Album one and hear the piano start and the song as it became history and the basis for doing it in Love and in the Anthology...and was played by George Live so many times...yeah then I can dig that one again over the others.

[Legs]

Either George's original demo or the White album version.
George's demo is just beautiful it didn't need anything else, that said however the version on the white album which indeed became a whole different song, is classic Beatles to me, and it's the one most grew up with.

George wanted a diferent aproach and Eric there to play the solo. And when I hear the piano intro and Paul's vocals in the background it's another shivers down the spine song. So with that I decided to vote for the White album version.

[FPSHOT]

George wanted a diferent aproach and Eric there to play the solo. And when I hear the piano intro and Paul's vocals in the background it's another shivers down the spine song. So with that I decided to vote for the White album version.

Agreed... having Clapper there was also a sort of historic thing for Beatles albums apart from the other studio musicians and yeah the piano, then the guitar, George's voice and Ringo's percussion and at the end the fade out which I find also just fabulous as simple as it may be... the fade out is like imagine you are at a beach or park and will hear the song being placed on a beach on someone's casette tape player (oh 2007 iPod probably) and then to see the person walk away and you wanna shout "hey you...stay here".. that's a bit the fade away sound to me...yeah yeah

[BadLittleKid]

Love version is the best for me. That's the way it should have been and it's not even a mashup but a quality arrangement by George Martin.

[beatlebangs1964]

Love them all, but I like the acoustic version best of all. It's as gentle as its lyrics/title and is my favorite arrangement.

[zonymous007]

I love them all, but it's the LOVE arrangement that I prefer. The demo is fantastic, and George Martin's beautiful string arrangement just adds to it. The White Album version is brilliant though, a lot of it due to Clapton's guitar work, though I think that a lot of the point of the song is lost in that version.

[kmac]

When forced to choose, I must go with the Love version.

Few songs have ever touched me as much as the acoustic demo. Upon adding a beautiful Martin arrangement and a little modern polish, the Love version provides a splendid deeply emotional journey.

No disrespect to Clapper of course. :cool1:

[pattiboyd's slave]

The Beatles (aka White Album) is a Beatles album with the original version of "While My Guitar Gentle Weeps" the way George and The Beatles intended. Who can question George's choice of EC on psycho-guitar? Not I.

[Hari's Chick]

George's demo. :)

[mari]

George wanted a diferent aproach and Eric there to play the solo. And when I hear the piano intro and Paul's vocals in the background it's another shivers down the spine song. So with that I decided to vote for the White album version.

True true. I'm amazed every time I hear this song. One of my favourites. The piano intro is classic, the bass is groovy, Eric&George = awesome, George's vocal performance is rock ballad perfect, Paul's backing vocals are great as always, the "wordless line" in the last verse has me giddy with excitement every time...the moaning at the end? Essential. Definitely a shivers-down-the-spine song.


Seeing as George is a great songwriter, and most of his songs can really "stand on their own", the demo version is beautiful as well of course... and much respect to Sir George for the gorgeous string arrangement on LOVE.. I'm sticking with the original, though.



Just out of curiosity, those of you who are "uncomfortable" with Eric on this, how do you feel about Billy on Let It Be?

[george_on_cloud9]

White Album version, because I like this version...

And the photo of the album... *Just DIVINE!*

[lennonluvr9]

I like the original version best too. It those guitar solos that do it for me.

[sourmilkpinky]

Oh wow...I just broke a three way tie....I voted the White Album version. I like Clapton's guitar.

[CWW]

Live in Japan?

[62hofner]

I chose the "White Album" version.

Like Legs, I love the intimate feeling that the "Anthology" demo posesses. It's a great Beatle out-take.

But the fully-instrumentalized official version is just so damn good. I had to go with that one.

[62hofner]

1. I could never stand Clapton's "Hey, look at me" guitar work... plus he was NOT a "Beatle" (sort of see him as an ''intruder" of sorts)


Eric was anything but an intruder on that track. George wanted him on it. I think his solo is not too "look-at-me" flashy. Eric knew not to overwhelm George's song with a "Cream"-esque powerhouse solo. I always thought it was a perfectly executed solo for that track.

[kmac]

I second the appropriateness of Clapper's guitar work on WMGGW. Tasteful, memorable, emotive.

[ABCKO]

As for the White Album one... well for a very long time that was the only one we knew... and loved... and especially since we know the acoustic demo from bootlegs long before Anthology the preferences of many turned to that one because it is so beautiful and so George.

But as for the "electric" version of this song here, I would really prefer the Bangla Desh performance over the White Album one so thanks for not adding that one...it would have made the choise even more difficult.

... even back when it was the only game in town (the only version out there) I'd always had a bit of a ''problem'' with the White Album version... though to this day, two things I DO like about that version are Paul's piano intro and his harmony vocal ''... and I see it needs sweeping'' and then there's Ringo's nice cymbal work... come to think of it just ''De-Clapton-ise'' it and I'd like it much more !

... nor did I include the Prince's Royal Trust, nor the 1991 Japan tour versions as, in most cases live versions of a given song are not radically different from the studio versions...

Then, while we're at it, you'd have to consider the versions by Jeff Healey (on which George plays), the Concert for George, the Paul and Clapton take (2002 Jubilee gig)...

By the way I still say that it's a shame that neither the Anthology or the Love versions do NOT include Paul's psychadelic keyboard bit at the end, like in the Anthology series...

[Loony_leo]

Haha in reading this I realized "Gee I haven't played the love album in a while" and I opened up Itunes and right as I type this I'm playing the love album version of the song, and yes it IS gorgeous. The strings just make it so haunting, added with the clarity of George's voice, it makes it seem like he is right in the room with you, I've got chills.

However I do also like the original. Even if Eric Clapton's guitar solo is a little overblown, its beautiful, and so depressing/ haunting and its fun to blast really loud lol! When my dad first told me it was Clapton playing and not George or any of the other Beatles I couldn't believe him lol!

I'm one of those indecisive people though. When I hear new versions of songs I love I can never decide which one I like better, especially when it comes to the beatles. So my Ipod will have like 3 different versions of the same song in some cases lol!

And completely off topic... its so hard to believe the Love album came out a year ago!! It still feels like yesterday that my parents drove me to the mall immediately after school so I could buy the album. And how my dad gave me some more money so I could buy the two cd version just because he wanted to hear it in DTS sound :laugh5:

[Legs]

Even had the live versions of the tracks been included on the poll I wouldn't have voted for them. Not that they are not great, but indeed most of the times they sound like the studio version without ever really re-creating the magic of the original imo. I can see someone voting for a live version because of an extra great guitar solo by Eric tho.

For me it will always be a dificult choise between the original demo with just George and the Beatles version. No disrespect to George Martin, I am sure he has worked on Love with love and respect, and it's also a beautiful verson but I hardly listen to the "Love" cd anymore, and I don't see it as part of the original Beatles legacy. In the end we are lucky I guess that we can choose between three great versions of this special song.

[Siobhan]

That was tough. From the first time I heard the demo version from the Anthology I immediately preferred it to the white album version. The white album one is fantastic, and was always one of my favourite Beatles songs, but the Anthology demo is simply beautiful and sends shivers down my spine. Then came the Love album with the re-workd demo which is beautiful too, and is what made this hard for me. In the end I chose the Anthology version as it is pure and simple, and yet absolutely stunning.

[Georgie Girl]

I first heard the Anthology version while watching the end
of one of the videos, and the credits were rolling with this
beautiful song playing. It just knocked me out. And I love
the White Album version, too, for me the highlight of the first cd.
It was very hard to decide.

So I voted twice. :devious:

[62hofner]

I can't believe so many people dislike Eric Clapton's solo on the official version. It's just so perfectly "weepy" - not over-blown in any way shape or form.

George was a smart bloke for asking Clapton to do the solo.

[darkhorse]

I think Clapton's solo is one of the most brilliant moment in the history of popular music. I see it as perfectly adjusted to the tone of the song, he makes the guitar weep, and gently. For that solo only, the studio version wins... and it is one of my favorite recordings ever, by anyone.

The demo version is haunting as well... and the Love version was beautiful but I agree with Legs... I hardly listen to the Love CD anymore.

[62hofner]

I think Clapton's solo is one of the most brilliant moment in the history of popular music. I see it as perfectly adjusted to the tone of the song, he makes the guitar weep, and gently. For that solo only, the studio version wins... and it is one of my favorite recordings ever, by anyone.



Amen!

[FPSHOT]

I think Clapton's solo is one of the most brilliant moment in the history of popular music. I see it as perfectly adjusted to the tone of the song, he makes the guitar weep, and gently. For that solo only, the studio version wins... and it is one of my favorite recordings ever, by anyone.

The demo version is haunting as well... and the Love version was beautiful but I agree with Legs... I hardly listen to the Love CD anymore.

I think the LOVE one will be just a 'moment in paradise' and will fade away.

As for Clapper's contribution, yes I agree. Now we all have those other versions so we can compare but when the White Album was released it was THE moment of the album.

Name one more song of the White Album which lasts with so much attention after all these years. And yes Clapton made it wheep because George was too shy then but got his friend in.

Some here say Clapton came too much in front well I very much disagree. I think in all the time he did the song with George also on stage he was always just like George was on other's records...in the background...Eric never tried to steal the show and always - to me - was very much a friend to George and knew why George wanted him there and for what.

[jesgear]

LOVE

... although, I don't mind Clapton's performance on the White Album version at all.

[Roxy Starkey]

I like them all... but my favorite is the anthology one... it's just so... simple...
Just George and his guitar, plus he sings it beautifully