Free as a Bird (2023 Remix) Ft. Cleaned John Lennon Vocals

I attempted to create a Remix of Free As A Bird, in the process cleaning John's vocals to what I would consider 1000% better than the '94 Mix.
FAIR USE DISCLAIMER:
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All Credit goes to John Lennon. Paul McCartney, George Harrison, & Ringo Starr

[@jackfitzpatrick7948]

I wanted to stop by and thank everyone for checking out the remix I made and posted a couple of months ago. I wanted to answer a couple of questions about what software I use, what I used to clean Lennon’s vocal, and some other questions about the mix. To start, I am in no way a professional producer of any kind…not yet at least. I’m currently in enrolled in college studying Commercial Music with the hopes of one day being able to run my own studio. I am well aware of the numerous things people have pointed out, mainly the vocal level being too low in the mix which I can totally see but I am happy with the way it sounds. This was made out of strictly the love and appreciation I have for this song and nothing more than that! First thing I wanted to touch on was what demo I used for this considering some people thinking this is not even John singing. I used Take 1 which was ripped from a bootleg release I own called "The Evolution of Free as a Bird & Real Love, which features all of the available demos of these Lennon anthology tracks. I then uploaded that into a website called MVSEP.com which allowed me to separate John's vocal along with his piano. After that was complete I was able to then work some magic with different EQ settings along with Adobe Audition which really boosted the final result. The backing mix used is a mix of the 5.1 Remix's from the 2003 Anthology DVD release and 2015's Remix done by Giles Martin which I chose due to it being slightly less Jeff Lynne heavy (mainly in the drums as we all know very well!) After a tedious process of aligning John's vocal with the mix, here is the finished project. Another comment I saw was mentioning the pitch of this version which is raised 30 cents. This is due to copyright and if anybody knows how I can upload these tracks without getting them immediately blocked by UMG, please let me know, it would be greatly appreciated. Finally, I am currently in the works of a 'Real Love' remix which is taking me a lot longer than anticipated, but it will be worth it in the end. I am also planning on releasing a Now and Then 1995 unofficial mix featuring all the elements we know about from the 1995 mix. From what we know, Ringo technically didn't record a live drum track, instead recording samples of each of his drums and then having Jeff Lynne sync that with a LinnDrum Machine. Some other elements that were uncovered was that Paul played his Wal 5-String bass which was originally on FAAB, along with a Synth pad that Engineer Marc Mann described as a Fender Rhodes mixed with strings. The only snippet we have of the 95 mix appears in the short film released the day before Now And Then's release which pops up at 3:54, where we can hear the ending with what seems to be a pretty heavy precense of Paul's Baldwin Electric Harpsichord (used on Because, and Real Love) along with Georges Hamburguitar Strat style with what looks to be a hollowbody. I am hoping to get both these projects done within the coming months thanks to my summer vacation approaching so stay tuned! Thanks again to all who have left wonderful comments , and for those who are not fond of it, produce your own version...jk

[@RafaelBVS]

U should do a real love and Grow old with me mix ! Or other Beatles songs , I’ll be awesome, ps: I love ur mixes, is so good !

[@Karenramirez-zj2bi]

REAL LOVE PLISS

[@bleeb2024]

95’ now and then would be awesome

[@crispbisc9350]

ringo taking off his glasses to reveal more glasses is so real

[@gabrielfanin1412]

Haha so funny😂

[@owenbryant2313]

Best comment of 2024! Loved it.

[@pjoker1000]

Agree!!!​@@owenbryant2313

[@Alazoom76]

This pic just sends chills down my spine.

[@kentduryea7109]

Absolutely. Lennon always looked older than his age anyway. At 28 he looked 68 in many pictures. So this shot of him (pardon the pun) fits in perfectly with the younger looking others.

[@salvadorpatlanrodriguez3398]

Buenos o malos?

[@travis07ful]

Beautiful

[@concordiaciviummurusurbium9527]

And a lump in the throat

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

@@kentduryea710968? seriously?

[@QuiltyExperience]

Hey! I made the original version of this cover artwork and put it on Reddit ages ago! Glad someone else liked it enough to use it. This remix is fantastic!

[@jackfitzpatrick7948]

Great photoshop, I’m happy to add credit to the description if wanted!

[@QuiltyExperience]

@@jackfitzpatrick7948 not at all necessary! it was a pleasant surprise seeing it on my KZbin homepage today, and attached to a great remix too!

[@coolbeans1998]

Amazing job dude!!

[@mastrei4388]

puedes pasar el link de la version original? porfavor

[@marlonennes1206]

It made me imagine a reality where the 4 Beatles actually got together in 1994 and released this album with this cover. and it makes me wonder what other songs the album could contain. It would have been incredible.

[@punishedvenomsnake7307]

If John hadn't died this song would be released as a solo song of his ,probably, it would have become a bit different. They would have definitely got together at some point tho,and would probably release brand new songs

[@alexjohnstonjohnston5374]

If John had lived, there would have been a reunion in the mid-80’s and 94 would have seen the release of their 5th post-reunion album, full of new material. But instead a moron thought that his desire for infamy was more important than the rest of us having John Lennon in our lives.

[@doodledangernoodle2517]

@@punishedvenomsnake7307I could see them maybe doing an album with a mix both of original songs as well as songs they gave away like A World Without Love and Bad To Me

[@Gamemaster365-6]

It would definitely would have had grow old with me

[@Gamemaster365-6]

​@@alexjohnstonjohnston5374right

[@marinakranichsilva5192]

This art cover is better than the art cover from "Now and Then"

[@pikemeredith5604]

I agree. The song & video are great but cover very plain.

[@HalfEatenMedia]

Almost anything would be better than what they chose. The image of the clock should’ve been the main cover.

[@johnmc3862]

Anything is better than the ‘Now & Then’ artwork.

[@lloydcarlinsky2836]

And the butcher shot YESTERDAY & TODAY cover art was more NIRVANA than the 1994 BEATLES ART! It also happens to be my opinion that the BEATLES weren't really that bad in the 60's, but maybe that's just because Kurt played AND I LOVE HER?

[@enricomenconi7015]

Everything is better than that shitty art cover

[@Candywarhol]

It no longer sounds like Jeff Lynne backed by a Beatles tribute band. Excellent!

[@martinreynolds1]

A massive improvement. Though i would have double tracked Lennon's voice.

[@normananddrake]

Exactly what I was thinking lol

[@Dave123unplugged]

Me too needs his vocal to be 2:36 louder.

[@knucklechuckle2079]

I've always liked Johns raw vocals more than the double tracked ones. Just feels more like he's there with you singing. However, in this context, with The Beatles having their double tracked harmony, it would make sense.

[@joespinach]

Lennon's voice does sound "cleaner" than the earlier mix. But yes, by whatever technical means, I think it should stand out more.

[@gordonmorris6359]

​@@joespinachI agree, I like it, but it seems buried, his voice should be more up front in the mix.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Midtempo is a killer Beatley sound...John still buried in Cranberry sauce vocally! All 3 taking a vocal line. They were a mighty beast...those lads started it all...

[@catinjar9460]

now we need a 4K rendition of the music video. can’t stress you enough that the video containing hundreds of Beatle references is a masterpiece!

[@OHakkinen_]

I'd like to imagine a reality where this is in an actual reunion album by The Beatles

[@guaxinim5168]

bro that vack vocals 02:55 just seems like heaven, perfectly the beatles sound in its pure definiton, you did a good job bro

[@punishedvenomsnake7307]

Its exactly why i love this remix,it makes that part louder and so much more beautiful.

[@osvaldoconcepcion5188]

Perfect, now the harmonies can be heard more natural.

[@gregfutrell7704]

My favorite of the resurrected Lennon songs

[@leftygeezer]

Pretty great remix. I think people are missing the Paul ghost vocal under John. These harmonies are more articulate than the official version. I also like the details added back on the guitars. Nice work indeed.

[@jackfitzpatrick7948]

Glad you pointed that out, I was able to almost extract most of the parts where Paul ghosts John’s vocals from the 2015 remix. It’s not present at all in the ‘94 mix.

[@Logan_Irrelevant]

This is incredible. Pretty much considering listening to this whenever I want to hear the song rather than the actual release. Can’t wait to hear your cleaned up Real Love if you get to it!

[@bluntguy9532]

Real Love had much clearer vocals from John.

[@user-wm5pz9gn9p]

@@bluntguy9532 But still not great quality than this or now and then.

[@markpr73]

@@user-wm5pz9gn9p In YOUR opinion. And you’re wrong.

[@Ccarlson77]

This is kinda one of my fav songs. You did an amazing job with John’s vocals. It sounds great, thank you so much!!

[@bayuzaelani5700]

Free as a bird It's the next best thing to be Free as a bird Home, home and dry Like a homing bird I'll fly As a bird on wings Whatever happened to The life that we once knew? Can we really live without each other? Where did we lose the touch That seemed to mean so much? It always made me feel so Free as a bird Like the next best thing to be Free as a bird Home, (home) home and dry Like a homing bird I'll fly As a bird on wings Whatever happened to The life that we once knew? Always made me feel so free Free as a bird Is the next best thing to be Free as a bird Free as a bird Free as a bird Oo-oo-oo - Made for John Lennon -

[@kensuke0]

2:53 oh that hits so well

[@ivangencheff]

Beautiful. John s voice sounds great. Very natural.

[@RaysTrack]

Great job! I reckon it could go even further by doubling both lead vocals and adding a little delay/echo to lift them slightly above the backing; which kinda overwhelms them a bit.

[@eko9554]

I remember listening to free as a bird during the last days of quarantine in 2021 when I started my Beatles phase. It was also when I graduated junior high. It feels like an ending to learning and listening to most of their songs about the Fab Four.

[@johnskelley6710]

Very cool! I was 9 years old when they came on Ed Sullivan in 64 it's always Magic with their song writing

[@eko9554]

@@johnskelley6710 Lucky!

[@TheHmm43]

2:42 This section always gives me chills because it sounds like Paul intentionally sings it how John would have (differently than the first time around) .. When it first came out I thought it WAS John

[@punishedvenomsnake7307]

That part is George singing tho

[@TheHmm43]

​@@punishedvenomsnake7307OHHHH... That makes sense.

[@jeffreyroedel9804]

Would love for someone to remix Free as a Bird, Real Love and Now and Then all so they sound more cohesive as an EP :) Maybe at least throw in a demix/remix version of Grow Old With Me (with George Martin strings) too, so all four songs that were on the demo tape are represented!

[@BrooklynAvenue]

You can finally hear him.

[@george8734]

ВЕЛИКОЛЕПНО....БЛАГОДАРЮ ЗА НАСЛАЖДЕНИЕ......ПОКЛОН

[@PedroVonWorzelburger]

George was so excited about this track that a few weeks later after the song was finished he was here in Adelaide for the F1 grand prix. George decided to play it here at Heaven Nightclub to a crowd of 500 people. So I guess the world premier of this song was in Adelaide on the 12th of November, 1995 . The BBC played it on the 20th of November and it was released on 7" in early December.

[@jackfitzpatrick7948]

Incredible story!

[@OHakkinen_]

Aint that the same Adelaide GP where Mika Hakkinen almost died?

[@PedroVonWorzelburger]

@@OHakkinen_ Yes I do believe it was in 1995 and it also the last F1 in Adelaide. I think it still has the record highest crowd attendance in F1 of 520,000.

[@simongendron1991]

1000% better than the '94 Mix👍

[@BalefulBunyip]

Love George's slide on this track, the Beatles harmonies, the final ukelele solo. Just a wonderful track. Shame about the plodding piano.

[@bryandavidson9682]

Never understand why this was not on the new Red or Blue Album. Nice clean up

[@patuberTV]

I like this ... I'd like the Fabs to remix this using Jackson's tech.

[@juanlazaro9537]

El solo de George espectacular

[@user-jp9sg8oo4b]

Excellent job Jack. John Lennon's vocal are so much clearer. ( David Fitzpatrick )

[@lyndasumner5457]

Brilliant, should be released again. Love it.

[@clark82]

Rumors the anthology albums are next for the remaster treatment with Free as a Bird and Real Love to be remastered

[@sunglassesnadvil]

wow this sounds a million times better than the official recording

[@kensuke0]

Well, yeah. Technology is advanced enough to clean up those crappy quality tapes than back in the mid-90s.

[@gabrielfanin1412]

This version sounds amazing.Clear vocals so cool

[@user-ux2hs4gn5x]

Eu sempre amarei Beatles ❤❤❤❤

[@Ajs69420]

This is awesome, felt really natural and sounds GREAT!

[@tmorris504]

We just can't let go of these guys! It's like we would just cease to exist!

[@eaaivazian]

This sounds really great. Nice work, buddy!

[@user-mb9kh3wo5z]

One of the beast as real love 94 reunion 😢

[@TiberiousKirk]

Thank you Sir for doing this, means so much to me and many others. I think this is the best Beatles track ever ever Pure Beatles X Thanks Jackfitzpatrick. Dave Aged 60

[@paulshotter2094]

Free as a bird by the Beatles see they have come to the end of the road but still a good song from them and great video to this song

[@adamquinn3235]

His vocals sound much better. Well done!

[@Pharoset]

Exceeds outstanding! If this had been the last Beatles release, it would have received public acclaim.

[@blademasterislit]

yeah, this could’ve definitely been on abbey road, maybe let it be aswell!.

[@Crunkboy415]

Pretty good, I would have thickened John's voice though it sounds a little thin. Maybe slight reverb on George's solo.

[@dizzypilots2639]

There’s just something dominating about John.🤩

[@Bellmore1395]

This is actually amazing. Amazing cover art too

[@ademirbarrinha9799]

Remédio para meu ouvido

[@user-xx8zp3tc6n]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💖💖💖💖BRAVOOO, THE BEATLES, BRAVOOO, BRAVOOO!!! THE BEATLES ONLY THE BEATLES FOREVER IN MY HEART!!!✌️✌️✌️✌️

[@bellabell6045]

It's amazing how John still looks the oldest in this picture even though the other 3 have aged 14 years since he died.

[@JordanOrlando]

Cigarettes and heroin.

[@pinkmark4047]

He definitely doesn’t look older than Ringo here. I could argue George looks the oldest.

[@joe6096]

Paul and Ringo both quit smoking cigarettes in the late 70s, and Paul went vegan around ‘81. George continued to smoke cigs heavily until his unfortunate but not surprising throat cancer diagnosis. He was diagnosed in ‘98, which means it’s entirely possible it was already developing here during these ‘94 recording sessions and he just didn’t know it.

[@ArtFlunky]

Ringo looks younger today than he did in the 90’s

[@michaelharrington75]

​​@@ArtFlunky No, he doesn't. Wearing clothes teens wear doesn't make anyone look younger. Ringo looks good for his age, but doesn't look younger than he looked in the 90's. In fact, he doesn't look younger than he did 5 years ago.

[@user-er3jd9rk1y]

OMG Jack FANTASTIC< I was hoping someone would, WOW how much better it sounds too!!!! Has to e one of my fave ever Beatles tracks. Well Done Sir!!

[@bluntguy9532]

It's so telling of how hard John lived that in this picture they had an image of him in his late 30s and yet doesn't look at all out of place with the rest of the Beatles in their mid 50s.

[@Borna909]

Finally. They should have put out this one and a cleaned Version of Real Love instead of Now and Then.

[@toddmayer6859]

I applaud the effort Jack. Without the "studio magic" as others referred to (doubling John's vocal, etc), it comes across sterile like a demo, not a finished production. People can hate on Jeff .... but working with what he had, he pulled off more than studio magic. One of the things about "fixing it in the mix" is that a great engineer can rub some funk on this and that, and make parts sound stellar that sounded more like cellar. Listen to Eric Clapton's guitar isolated on While My Guitar Gently Weeps as an example. I was always fascinated by his guitar part in that recording .... but listen to it isolated and see what you think. How could an engineer turn that into something epic? [ PS: Sorry Eric .... ]

[@CongaLineMonkey]

This is best I have ever heard John's vocals on FAAB. I think it really honors his original recording as well as what the remaining Beatles produced thirty years ago.

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

the picture is tear jerking in this video. he is here listening to this and tapping his foot along with it

[@richjohns8283]

Weird how at their youngest the other three were at least 50 but Lennon fits right in, he had a rough start to 40.

[@brentdey2244]

They should have made this clean version of "Free as a Bird" and a cleaned up "Real Love" as the B-Side to "Now and Then."

[@kentaappel]

I like the official version of Real Love but on Free As a Bird John's vocal wasn't loud enough

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

So, Free as a Bird has always been my least favourite of the three post-Beatles Beatles songs, but this video has given me a newfound appreciate for it. It's not going to overtake Real Love or Now and Then anytime soon, but it's definitely risen up the ranks!

[@ToddLorencUkuleleMusic]

This is 100% better than the original version thank you

[@golden-freeza]

いいね👍宅録してたこの頃のジョンの声はガナらず透き通ってて良き

[@liaghetta]

The art cover for Now and then is totally insignificant.

[@Historybuff699]

This sounds great John's voice sends chills down my spine RIP John

[@user-oe6ix4oo6v]

Ringo says we cannot play without john

[@cassiepittman1489]

I Love the Beatles!:)✌️💖🤩

[@jasonmardoniomeza1711]

Sounds great! Almost has a Here There and Everywhere vibe in the middle.....

[@giovannyguerrero]

John's powerful voice. George's solo is much better than the one tributed on "Now and Then" without reverb

[@Allen2saint]

McCartney played that. He vetoed what George played.

[@ivangencheff]

George played only Rythm guitar on Now &Then &some backing vocals Paul played the lead slide guitar trying sound like George. I think

[@dekugh64]

as a tribute @@ivangencheff

[@farrellmcnulty909]

@@dekugh64 Yeah..."tribute" - why didn't he just keep the original slide solo in (if there was one).

[@DDELFIERRO]

@@farrellmcnulty909Maybe George didn’t do a slide solo or perhaps it just wasn’t very good (George’s comment on Now & Then at the time is that it was “garbage”, after all)

[@kingaflamez6941]

Wish there was a clean mix available on spotify

[@unfazedreview3000]

Good work! Looking forward to hearing more and alternate versions !

[@user-rq2sf4xl8p]

ジョンがすぐ前で歌っている！クリアになっている！これもＡＩなのかしら。

[@user-no6ol4sf5l]

About 1.25x speed sounds natural

[@MNCLIQUEMOM]

I love this. Have they remixed it? I bet they would love this.

[@jackfitzpatrick7948]

They were rumored to have both 90s singles remixed with Now And Then…Never happened. Thinking a 30th anniversary complete Anthology re-release is more imminent within a few years.

[@andersonteodoro4253]

Pura emoção..... Toca no fundo da alma ❤❤

[@gabrielfanin1412]

This version sounds awesome like a masterpiece

[@abraxasrasaxe7747]

I really like what you did here. Recognizable voices.

[@Asmenedas]

The Beatles have that British spark that keeps you excited, you always discover something new about them. They will live forever.❤❤❤❤

[@fitzpatrickgf]

Good Job Jack! Sounds Awesome!👍

[@marcelo_giangrande]

Just beautiful

[@Roku177]

not bad!! just for flair I'd add some echo and double track Johns voice to hopefully add strength to his voice otherwise this is Solid!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@Moo-Mee-Boo]

NO ECHO, PLEASE! NATURAL REAL VOICE!

[@Roku177]

@Moo-Mee-Boo it wouldn't be a hard Echo that I would apply, it's just a very John Lennon move, as he echoed his voice quite a bit in his solo songs by double tracking it and other methods I'm sure.

[@Moo-Mee-Boo]

@@Roku177 Yes, John hated his voice as I and other singers hate their voices. I loved his voice, but even Sean manipulated John’s voice - video below. And, he did say his Dad would definitely make use of today’s technology - the Beatles did in their day. I guess I’m just a purest of sorts. I’d love to hear what you create should you do it. Best to you, 💜☮️🙏🏽Namaste… Sean autotuning “Hold On.” kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6vHkKeGYp1nhMUsi=jL-LasC9sPI8Pb15

[@seanwade8188]

It doesn’t sit perfectly. Sounds like he’s not part of the same track. I would add small reverb and EQ out some of the low end

[@johnmc3862]

Maith an fear Jack!

[@azloii9781]

John looks genuinely happy for the first time in his life in this photo

[@kenabelson4554]

He looks sick and emaciated. Look at them together. They look the same age. Now understand that John is actually 14-15 years younger than them here.

[@seanwade8188]

@@kenabelson4554I heard a theory that he was sick near the end of his life. It’s probably bollocks but some people believe it

[@Webcastering]

Why the pitch is so high??

[@bhacosta1]

WONDERFUL MUSICAL MOMENT 🎼🎵🎶 😉😏🥺🙂 YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH ! 🔍yes

[@gdg1963]

In 1996, the three sported hair styles like what they had on the Abbey Road cover in 1969.

[@jimwest4744]

This sounds heaps better than the 1994 original, sounds more like John than before. Now and then.

[@andyhowells2657]

John's vocals are really "there" here - i do love free as a bird and thought they did an amazing job with it at the time but I'm suspecting the new technology used on now and then could create a better mix and lift john's vocals more into the recording

[@The610wise]

My man you did a great job

[@user-uy1kz6ge6x]

Love. It. Very. Much. Wish. I had. A. Copy. Of. The. Album.

[@Lilah_vrgt]

Free. Free as a bird🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉

[@ADRIANAGARCIAable]

Our John❤ RIP 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@clauvs3965]

This is awesome! Thank you

[@gabrielfanin1412]

I like their poses Faces/expressions

[@sland8886]

Love it. You just need to double track Lennon like George Martin used to do. Build up that amazing voice. 🙂

[@markuslindmark9667]

Sounds like The Beatles!

[@P-I-UK]

This is how it should have been released

[@annapancini3822]

Bellissima...capolavoro assoluto di Lennon❤

[@clay_freespirit]

needed this!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@sexysadie1]

Great job! The pic is also amazing!

[@Joe-ey7cu]

If they were able to keep it together like the Rolling Stones, what a rich musical library we could've had for another 10 years.

[@maritimponi]

Do the Stones get along, or is the lore that they hate each other guts true? Honest question.

[@Joe-ey7cu]

@@maritimponi do couples stay together when they despise one another? Of course not. I'm sure The Stones are like brothers or they would have folded years ago.