‘Oh! Darling’ (Beatles cover) by The Empty Pockets
Exclusive premiere of The Beatles’ ‘Oh! Darling’ by The Empty Pockets.
For their latest release, The Empty Pockets pay tribute to the transatlantic musical exchange with a passionate rendition of The Beatles’ ‘Oh! Darling,’ recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studio 3. This studio is renowned for legendary recordings like Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ and The Beatles’ ‘Ticket to Ride.’
Josh Solomon, a band member, expresses their fascination with The Beatles, highlighting their extensive performances across Chicago’s classic blues venues. He believes both The Beatles and the blues have a universal appeal, with songs that resonate globally.
“It was a perfect day on a 70’s rock cruise when Alan Parsons turned to chat with me. Blue skies, sun overhead and nothing but ocean on both sides… here I am just talking shop on deck 12 with one of the best producers that ever touched a sound board. Surreal. Half drunk from the situation and the other half from a margarita, I jokingly/boldly suggest we record together at Abbey Road Studios, Alan’s old stomping grounds. “Yes, that’s a good idea,” is his immediate response and then gives me his email address.
Alan’s endorsement as the studio manager for over a decade, allows us to book Studio 3 in the proverbial temple of The Beatles, where ‘Ticket To Ride’ and Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ were created. And though Alan isn’t able to make it, we give ourselves over to the magic of those walls and the young engineers with big dreams like us, and press record. The days of phenomenal and wildly productive London recording sessions that followed became the backbone of our 2023 album, ‘Gotta Find the Moon,’ which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart in 2023. The band debated whether or not to record a Beatles song at Abbey Road. Overdone? Cheesy? Or crazy NOT to? We chose ‘Oh! Darling.’
1 – Erika sings the shit out it
2 – it’s not a cover you hear all the time
3 – the song is an awesome twist on the blues (which we dig as a Chicago blues band)
When the engineers brought out a 1958 Telefunken microphone stamped with a faded “EMI Studios” to record the vocal, and casually mentioned this was the same microphone Paul McCartney used to record his vocals for this same song, we pretty much lost our minds. ‘Oh! Darling’ captures the band’s energy, the analog warmth of Studio 3, the inspired performances… it all centers around a deep reverence for The Beatles and this magical place, the best recording facility in the world; Abbey Road Studios.” – Josh Solomon
Formed in 2006, The Empty Pockets consist of Josh Solomon (guitar/vocals), Erika Brett (keyboards/vocals), Nate Bellon (bass/vocals), and Adam Balasco (drums). Known for their organic recording style and rigorous touring schedule, the band often performs over 100 shows a year, including gigs as Al Stewart’s backing and opening band.
Headline photo: Sarah Larson
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Nice!