Better known as “The White
Album”. This is undoubtedly “The Beatles”
most mature and diverse album. Clocking
in at ninety minutes (considered to be
monumentally long upon release in 1968)
every track is a gem.
But how “The Beatles” were holding it
all together at this time remains a complete
mystery. With all this talent and the
massive egos they had developed, it’s
a wonder that any songs were recorded
by the whole band at all; to come out
with an album of such brilliance is nothing
short of miraculous.
Each song spotlights one member of the
band with obviously Lennon and McCartney
supplying the bulk of the material. although
by now it was quite clear that they were
writing separately. Listen to the diversity
on this album. From the cynism of Lennon,
“Yer Blues”; McCartney’s natural sense
of pop on “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”; Ringo’s
whimsical take on country rock in “Don’t
Pass Me By”; to George Harrison’s sublime
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (with a
young Eric Clapton questing on lead guitar,
and simply lighting up the song with his
sublime soloing). With four such different
characters in a band how on earth could
anything be boring? Let me assure you,
it doesn’t get that way.
“The Beatles” really rocked as well with
such classics as “Birthday”, “Back In
The U.S.S.R” (since when this has become
the perfunctionary encore for any rock
band playing in the Soviet Union), and
“Helter Skelter”. “Helter Skelter” became
a live staple for many major rock bands
including Aerosmith, Motley Crue, and
Ian Gillan, but none of them could match
the amazing performance by Paul McCartney.
His vocals on this track leave you wondering
how he ever uttered another syllable.
Mind you, the same could be said of his
hilarious “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road”.
Of course you then had the other end of
the scale with some powerful ballads like
Lennon’s tribute to his mother in “Julia”,
probably the most moving track amongst
this collection; or McCartney’s acoustic
“Blackbird”, then taking it into another
realm. Lennon’s very Avant-garde “Revolution
9” is not really a song, more a collection
of sound bites, but not only a forerunner
of things to come, but it’s amazing how
well this fits in with the other songs
here.
George Harrison really came of age during
the recording of this album, not only
for his guitar playing, but also his song
writing abilities. His searching “Long
Long Long” is possibly the most underrated
and memorable track here. His contribution
was all the more remarkable considering
he left “The Beatles” during the recording
sessions. Of course, he came back again,
leaving it up to Paul McCartney to do
the dirty deed to the Fab Four two years
later.
Sadly, as “The Beatles” no longer did
live concerts, none of the songs were
ever played live by the band themselves.
Giving them a live concert outlet might
of kept them together for a while longer.
And who knows where that might of led.
After they broke up, although some of
their solo work was nothing short of brilliant
(Lennon’s “Imagine”; McCartney’s “Band
On The Run”; and Harrison’s “All Thing
Must Past”; sorry Ringo, no mention for
“Thomas The Tank Engine”) they were never
destined to reach these dizzying heights
again.
From Beach Boy knock offs to reggae and
the unknown – this album has it all. If
you’re only allowed one album on your
desert island make sure this is it. Some
records have legend written all over them,
this is one.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail:
review@mott-the-dog.com
