The Beatles “Peace Of Mind (The Candle Burns)” [TMQR-001]
Circles / Hey Jude (1st Studio Take) / Goodbye / Peace of Mind (Mono Version) / Peace Of Mind (Full Stereo Version) / I’ve Got A Feeling (Best Take) / Across The Universe / You Never Give Me Your Money / I Me Mine / The Inner Light / Hold Me Tight / That Means A Lot / That means A Lot (Piano Mixed Version) / Run For Your Life / Don’t Bother Me (48:02)
Way back in 1973 as bootlegs were taking their full flush of steps in to the world came an interesting release from the Contaband label. Named after a track that was sprung from the bins behind the Apple offices in Saville Row, London the cassette that contained the singular track “Peace Of Mind” was taken as being another lost song from the Beatles back catalogue.
The truth is that still no-one has managed to uncover the definitive story of exactly who the track belongs to despite it’s standing within Beatles folklore. We can obviously guarantee that it exists as it’s here ( It’s no “Pink Litmus Paper Shirt” after all) but other than theorising that it’s a lost (White) Trash track it’s genesis remains a mystery.
The rest of the tracks included on the LP though are some of the better recordings that were circulating at the time or if not ‘better’, at least newer to the world of Beatlegs.
Circles – An off cut from the Beatles Kinfauns set of demos recording songs that were written and rehearsed during the Fabs stay in India earlier that year. Rather honestly, a dreary organ fed plod through the same themes that drove George through his spirituality after he had ‘found’ transcendental meditation through his teachings on the indian faith. It was finally recorded for 1982’s “Gone Troppo”, this time, with a full band.
Hey Jude (1st Studio Take) – Not actually the first studio take but according to John C. Winn, the final take. This also appeared on Midnight Beat’s “Gone Tomorrow, Here Today” from tape. A excellent version.
Goodbye – The Paul McCartney studio / demo acetate version of the track that he gave to Mary Hopkins. Ever so slightly echoey but without the existent crackle so often notable from these things.
Peace of Mind (Mono Version) / Peace Of Mind (Full Stereo Version) – Now the much muted mystery track. Despite protestations to the regards that this isn’t actually the Beatles then it has to be taken as it is. Very Beatley sounding chords with weird time changes. The sound is very good but it SOUNDS too modern to these ears to have really been recorded at the time. Other suggestion that the track was written by Syd Barrett I’ve have to dismiss.
I’ve Got A Feeling (Best Take) – Noted at the ‘best take’ by the bootlegger, it’s again subjective to whichever version you prefer. I’d maybe suggest that the best version was take one from the rooftop concert but the version here was used within the film. A distinct version that even sounds like the Beatles were having fun that day. Taken from one of the earlier sources of the Get Back bootlegs, the film reel, it sounds just a touch too fast, but then the excitement really shines through.
Across The Universe – Another “Get Back” rehearsal, another plenty woozy performance. Notable for John cursing at on of the early chorus’ – the take is not a great leap of effort for the band but would still have been quite the revelation when it was first released.
You Never Give Me Your Money – Most famously within Beatles circles one of the very few ‘Abbey Road’ outtakes that we have. Missing the familiar counting chant this version also features different vocals within the first quarter, is missing backing vocals within the second half and best of all features a hay making jam for the final minute or so where the band let their hairdos down a little more and turn things in to a plodding instrumental as they’re lead on by John until it’s George’s turn to take over and turn out a boogie woogie mess around
I Me Mine – Back to the January 1969 rehearsals and this little offshoot that would appear on the “Let It Be” album. Another ‘enjoyable’ session, meaning the band are having fun recording this version. It was also used in the cinelog from “Let It Be”.
The Inner Light – A funny little turn from this track, as no outtakes exist from this session it’s inclusion is a mystery as it appears to have no difference from the CV at all.
Hold Me Tight – A gloriously spirited track from “With The Beatles”, a chugging dancer that fairly whollops along. One of the various full takes from the session for the track though obviously not the best take as the vocals are still a little rough in form.
That Means A Lot / That Means A Lot (Piano Mixed Version) – Take 23 / 24 of this slapdash singalong. Most Beatles fans I know seem to regard this as a dash through one of Macca’s most risible attempts at a space filler but, for what it’s worth, it’s simply a fascinating view in to something that we just can’t get enough of – a early recording day with the fabs with more than just a couple of takes. The Beatles were obviously unconvinced by the songs power by this stage especially McCartney who simply stops taking it seriously at all towards the second part of the song and just ad-libs a dizzy spell before the track fades out.
The second take of this on the CD is, quite simply, an outfake with the piano increased or extra piano dubbed on.
Run For Your Life – Beginning with a little chatter from John with regards to the backing track, the take here is take 5. No different to the released take again.
Don’t Bother Me – The first Harrisong to appear on any Beatles album, partly composed while George was holed up in a hotel room in Bournemouth with a sore throat. This bad tempered little song was recorded firstly on the 11th of September 1963, dismissed the next day and re-recorded starting at take 10 the day after. Take 10 is included in it’s entirety here but it is, alas, an instrumental while the band work out it’s new configuration. Not a bad way to lead off though. The only thing I noticed about this take were little clips missing within the track as if the vinyl skips.
A nice little compilation to a time we remember well. Before the advent of CDR burning and the desk top bootlegger took this hobby seriously, when bootleggers were forced to put their hands on anything that they saw fit and throw it out for the masses.
This CD comes in a mini LP sleeve, all colorised, all glossy – certainly better than the xeroxed covers of old. The picture CD features on of William Stout’s pigs-with-cigars – a fact that the cover will have us know, it’s a recent drawing. it’s a shame he couldn’t be persuaded to draw the CD it’s own little cover. The packages does however come with a glossy, photocopied – style booklet inside from the old “Peace Of Mind” contraband release including the ‘lyrics’ to and a potted history of the mysterious track that gave the boot it’s name. While it remains unessential to hardcore Beatles enthusiasts, it is another quirky little release for the baby boomers who bought under the counter the first time around.
