Recording: Whispering Grass, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You by Ringo Starr

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin

Ringo Starr worked on two songs for his debut solo album Sentimental Journey during this 2.30-7pm session.

In the first half hour he recorded a mono demo of ‘Whispering Grass’, a 1940 hit for The Ink Spots. Several takes were recorded, and an edit of takes three and five was taken away by George Martin and given to arranger Ron Goodwin.

The song was recorded properly at Morgan Studios in London on 5 March 1970.

Between 3pm and 6pm Starr added lead vocals to Elmer Bernstein’s new arrangement of the 1945 song ‘Have I Told You Lately That I Love You’. The backing tracks had been recorded at Hollywood’s A&M Studios on 3 February, and featured electric guitar, piano, organ, brass, violin, bass, drums and bird whistle.

Starr’s vocals were added simultaneously with a tape reduction mix; it took 18 attempts before everyone was happy with the results. Between 6pm and 7pm the completed recording was mixed into stereo.