Never Say Never
Secret Reunion Sessions 1973 - 1974 - 3BR Records - 3BR 130

Track List:

1. I'm the Greatest - false start
2. I'm the Greatest - false start
3. I'm the Greatest - false start
4. I'm the Greatest - complete take #1
5. I'm the Greatest - false start
6. I'm the Greatest - false start
7. I'm the Greatest - complete take #2
8. I'm the Greatest - false start
9. I'm the Greatest - complete take #3
10. I'm the Greatest - complete take #4
11. A Toot and a Snore
12. Little Bitty Pretty One
13. Studio Talk
14. Lucille
15. Sleepwalk / Nightmares
16. Stand By Me
17. Stand By Me
18. Stand By Me
19. Cupid / Chain Gang / Take This Hammer

Comments: 3BR presents a collection of very important sessions in the history of the Beatles. During 1973 and 1974, John Lennon found himself reunited, at various times, with his three former bandmates, kindling rumours of a possible Beatles reunion. While the reunion never really happened, these sessions remain, showing the camaraderie had never really left the Fab Four.

From the Liner Notes:

In the wake of the breakup of the Beatles, John Lennon was vociferous in his desire to cast aside his place in history as a member of "the greatest show on earth." Although he used Ringo Starr (for the 1970 "Plastic Ono Band" album) and George Harrison (for 1971's "Imagine") as sidemen, he distanced himself from the Beatles phenomenon. But beginning in 1973, he began to sound wistful of the old days, hinting at a possibility of someday working with his old bandmates - and in fact, on two occasions, he did.

1973
March 27
John Lennon: Piano/Vocal
George Harrison: Guitar
Ringo Starr: Drums
Klaus Voorman: Bass

After two odd and marginally successful solo albums, Ringo Starr teamed with producer Richard Perry to record a pop album aimed at the hit record market. Whether as a marketing tool or an effort to get the best material and players for this project, among the stellar contributors sought by Starr and Perry were the three ex-Beatles, all of whom contributed a song and performances to the album. But the big coup in this was the involvement of John Lennon. He contributed the autobiographical "I'm The Greatest", and for the session, he, George Harrison and Ringo Starr performed together for the first time since 1969. This tape is the basic session for the song, with Lennon himself taking the lead vocal.

1974
March 28
John Lennon: Guitar/Vocal
Paul McCartney: Drums/Vocals
Jesse Ed Davis: Guitar
Harry Nilsson: Vocals
Stevie Wonder: Electric Piano
Bobby Keys: Sax

March of 1974 found Lennon in the middle of his "lost weekend" estrangement sojourn to Los Angeles. In between the parties and the craziness, he decided to produce an album for his friend Harry Nilsson ("Pussy Cats"). These sessions were as raucous as his current lifestyle, freewheeling and adventurous. Weaving in and out of the sessions were various luminaries including Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. During these sessions, Paul and Linda McCartney paid a visit to Lennon at his new LA home. Amidst dining, drinking and lounging by Lennon's pool, McCartney even stopped by the studio to view the proceedings for Harry's album. With the drum chair unoccupied for the moment, and Paul being a frustrated drummer, the ex-Beatle joined in on the sessions, as well as contributing vocals. As can be heard, nothing really got accomplished, with songs improvised on the spot or created out of old ones. Nonetheless, this marked the very last time John Lennon and Paul McCartney would ever record together.