Oh Well Parts 1 & 2 question

sharksfan2000 · #1 01-17-2006, 10:56 AM

It occurred to me the other day that - other than live versions - I've always heard "Oh Well" with Parts 1 & 2 combined, yet the original release was on two sides of a single ("Oh Well" was not included on the original UK release of Then Play On). From what I've read, Peter Green had always intended Parts 1 & 2 to be heard together.

When the single originally got radio airplay, were the two parts played back-to-back? Or was Part 1 on its own played more often? Some people here may remember those days.....

wetcamelfood · #2 01-17-2006, 02:21 PM

I remember reading that Peter said "Oh well" was written with being a single in mind, so it was recorded the way it was because it's intention was for it to be released as a single. It was just Reprise that confused the issue by merging them together for the latter day TPO's & various comps. However, I've also read (wherever it was now, can't remember but will look up the source & post it when I can) that Peter felt part 2 was better but he was upset because DJ's were just playing part 1 that not many people got to hear part 2. Hope this helps.

John

sharksfan2000 · #3 01-17-2006, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetcamelfood

I remember reading that Peter said "Oh well" was written with being a single in mind, so it was recorded the way it was because it's intention was for it to be released as a single. It was just Reprise that confused the issue by merging them together for the latter day TPO's & various comps. However, I've also read (wherever it was now, can't remember but will look up the source & post it when I can) that Peter felt part 2 was better but he was upset because DJ's were just playing part 1 that not many people got to hear part 2. Hope this helps.

John

Thanks for the info, John. I was wondering whether the 2-part structure of "Oh Well" might have influenced any other songs - "Layla" for example has a similar intense/driving first part and quieter second part. But then it occurred to me that many people in the UK and Europe may have only heard Part 1 when it was first released (although certainly Eric Clapton, and probably most people in the music business, must have heard both parts).

Did the very first US release of TPO include "Oh Well" with Parts 1 & 2 combined, or was it only added a bit later after the single became a hit in the UK? And did subsequent vinyl releases of TPO in the UK or elsewhere ever add "Oh Well"? Or was the first appearance in the UK of the combined "Oh Well" on the Greatest Hits LP of late '71?

hypnotized · #4 01-17-2006, 11:14 PM

Initial American pressings of TPO did not include Oh Well.

chiliD · #5 01-18-2006, 02:50 AM

Only the initial pressings of both US & UK versions of Then Play On did NOT have "Oh Well"...but subsequent pressings on both sides of "the pond" were revamped TPO to include the 9 minute opus.

wetcamelfood · #6 01-18-2006, 06:13 AM

Yeah, the merged "Oh well" started showing up on TPO pressings (vinyl that is, oddly, the cassette versions of TPO never had OW on them) from 1977 onwards, probably due to it's inclusion in the Mac's set list and those "just discovering" FM at that time due to "Rumours" etc.

John

DavidMn · #7 01-17-2006, 04:55 PM

I love both part 1 and 2.

I've heard that Peter actually prefers Part 2 over 1.?

DavidMn · #8 01-18-2006, 07:04 PM

My favorite version of Part 1 is off the Live at the BBC disc. Great stuff!!

Jyqm · #9 01-18-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

My favorite version of Part 1 is off the Live at the BBC disc. Great stuff!!

Have you heard Live at the Boston Tea Party, Part Two, David? "Oh Well" on that disc is absolutely smoking, as is the epic "Rattlesnake Shake/Underway/Madge" that follows it. "World In Harmony" is pretty great on there, too. And "Teenage Darling." And "Jenny Jenny." And...

DavidMn · #10 01-18-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Have you heard Live at the Boston Tea Party, Part Two, David? "Oh Well" on that disc is absolutely smoking, as is the epic "Rattlesnake Shake/Underway/Madge" that follows it. "World In Harmony" is pretty great on there, too. And "Teenage Darling." And "Jenny Jenny." And...

No, that's one I dont have admittedly. I know I need to get it though.