Ahead of the 50th anniversary expansive deluxe reissue of The Beatles’ iconic White Album, a stripped-back rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” has been unearthed. Originally recorded on July 25th, 1968, the version features just George Harrison on guitar and Paul McCartney on harmonium. The Beatles didn’t go back to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” until three weeks after this original version. the song wasn’t finished until September, when a special guest was brought in on lead guitar, best friend Eric Clapton.
The rendition is part of a lineup of previously unreleased material, including 27 early acoustic demos and 50 session takes.
The deluxe edition of the reissue also includes new mixes of the album’s 30 original tracks. It will be available as a super seven-disc box set; three-CD deluxe set; a four-LP deluxe vinyl set; a two-LP standard vinyl set; or digitally. Pre-ordering is available here.
Listen to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” below.