Tape of Beatles recording to be auctioned

A reel-to-reel tape of a Beatles recording, during which group members crack jokes and break into giggles, is going under the hammer this month.

The half-hour tape, believed to have been recorded in 1964, contains John Lennon and Paul McCartney-composed songs as well as versions of other artists’ compositions, Berkshire-based auction house Cameo said.

The tape, to be auctioned in a music and entertainment sale on Tuesday August 5, is expected to raise between £8,000 (€10,200) and £12,000 (€15,000).

A track which starts on the first side of the tape and goes into the second called 'I’ll Follow The Sun' is broken by false starts, conversation and banter.

Lennon and McCartney are clearly audible on a number of occasions during their attempt to record this track, the auction house said.

It said Lennon can be heard saying: “I’m not looking at you,” and McCartney says: “You were”.

Lennon says: “It’s just going to get funnier and funnier as the evening goes on,” and “It’s 11 o’clock you know.”

McCartney says: “Let’s just try this once more and if it’s the last one that’s hard lines.”

They then start the track again before more laughter and chat, continuing along the same unsuccessful lines for further attempts.

Happily, the band managed to record the track without interruption later on the second side of the tape.

The item was unearthed in the attic of a man who had worked in the music industry when his son was clearing it out.

The auction house said the son wished to remain anonymous and therefore would only say that the tape was found in the north of England.

A spokesman for Cameo said the tape had been hidden away for around 40 years.

Here is the tape’s track listing:

Side One

1. Don’t Put Me Down Like This

2. I Feel Fine

3. She’s A Woman

4. Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby

5. Honey Don’t

6. I’ll Follow The Sun

Side Two

1. I’ll Follow The Sun

2. I’m A Loser

3. I’ll Follow The Sun

4. Too Much Monkey Business

5. Nitty Gritty

6. Something’s Gotta Hold Of Me

7. I Shall Not Be Moved