… that when it rains and shines, it’s just a state of mind…”
“Rain” by the Fabs has always been one of my favorites. It was one of those songs that I’d never really listened to or heard much growing up. I really discovered it much later in college, when I was playing guitar more and more. And, it’s rather extraordinary for a number of reasons, not all of which are commonly known.
The most obvious- the use of backward vocal tracking- is mentined in the clip bolow. (Taken from Anthology)
The overall guitar work by Harrison and Lennon is just amazing. Harrison was exploring his new Gibson SG and Lennon his hollow body Epi Casino. (Which was a standard sunburst body, which he later had stripped to it’s bare wood to broaden the tone for that rawness you hear on the White Album.) The melodic interplay of these two guitarists is amazing. It always was, and it shines on this song. Then toss in McCartney’s amazing bass runs and Starr’s drumming… just stellar. And, this aspect of the song – for me – is what sets it apart. The bass and drums just make it fly.
In The Big Beat, Ringo Starr is asked what he feels is his best drumming, and he says: “Rain. I know my drumming. And then there is “Rain”.” And, he is right. It’s just some of the most sychopated and perfect drumming ever. And, McCartney plays just the most amazing doubling of Starr’s drumming. Just listen to how they duplicate the same lines, and at other times the interplay is downright melodic. Brilliant.
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