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Post by dave910 on Nov 26, 2008 1:23:12 GMT -5
Since no one has discussed this, I figured I'd bring it to the table. Forty years ago this week, the Beatles released their only double album in their time as a group. The Beatles (later to be known as the White Album) was the bands most ambitious project to date.  Recently, I was viewing the Beatles Anthology on DVD. Each surviving member had a different take on the music on the White Album. George and Ringo have felt that it was too much music for the listener to consume. John viewed it as "definitely rocking." Paul summed it up this way: "It was a nice record. It was the bloody Beatles. It sold. Shut up!"  Mojo Magazine dedicated two issues to discussing the making of the White Album. There was an interview with Paul and his thoughts on the album 40 years later. Included were two cd's of contemporary U.K. bands and their take on the music. Some of the versions are good, while others have much to be desired. Celebrities such as Carlos Santana and Angus Young of AC/DC have given the White Album their kudos.  So what are your feelings about the White Album. Do you feel it's the Beatle's best or too excessive? I am not going to use this space to review the album. That has been done too many a time. But I wanted to get how fans of the Beatles felt about this album. Even if you are not an avid Beatle fan, I still want your feedback. Here are some of my personal favorites:  Back in the U.S.S.R. Dear Prudence While My Guitar Gently Weeps Happiness is a Warm Gun Blackbird I Will Julia Birthday Yer Blues Mother Nature's Son Helter Skelter Good Night |
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Post by H2IZCOOL on Nov 26, 2008 9:29:34 GMT -5
Since no one has discussed this, I figured I'd bring it to the table. Forty years ago this week, the Beatles released their only double album in their time as a group. The Beatles (later to be known as the White Album) was the bands most ambitious project to date. Recently, I was viewing the Beatles Anthology on DVD. Each surviving member had a different take on the music on the White Album. George and Ringo have felt that it was too much music for the listener to consume. John viewed it as "definitely rocking." Paul summed it up this way: "It was a nice record. It was the bloody Beatles. It sold. Shut up!" Mojo Magazine dedicated two issues to discussing the making of the White Album. There was an interview with Paul and his thoughts on the album 40 years later. Included were two cd's of contemporary U.K. bands and their take on the music. Some of the versions are good, while others have much to be desired. Celebrities such as Carlos Santana and Angus Young of AC/DC have given the White Album their kudos. So what are your feelings about the White Album. Do you feel it's the Beatle's best or too excessive? I am not going to use this space to review the album. That has been done too many a time. But I wanted to get how fans of the Beatles felt about this album. Even if you are not an avid Beatle fan, I still want your feedback. Here are some of my personal favorites: Back in the U.S.S.R. Dear Prudence While My Guitar Gently Weeps Happiness is a Warm Gun Blackbird I Will Julia Birthday Yer Blues Mother Nature's Son Helter Skelter Good Night Good topic, Dave! I can see where a lot of people may not like the album that much. If you play the two discs, with all the songs in order, you're kinda left with a bad taste in your mouth due to "Revolution #9" being so close to the end, and then "Good Night" sort of loses it's effectiveness. IMO, it would have been a good throwaway ending if the previous track had been good. But after "Numba Nine" it just adds to the downward trend. On the other hand, every other song is quite good. My favorite is "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" The melody is so liltingly beautiful, it just carries you away. Although, admiittedly, it seems that George must have consulted a rhyming dictionary as his only resource when writing the lyrics. "I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping" ?? What was he thinking?  Other favorites include Julia, Rocky Racoon, Bungalow Bill, Savoy Truffle, Happiness Is A Warm Gun and Glass Onion. |
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Post by Ken on Nov 26, 2008 21:00:53 GMT -5
Hey Dave I have both of those issues of MOJO [a great read!) I've mentioned here before that the White Album was one of the very first Beatle albums I heard around the house. Being around two or three years of age at the time, I remember that I found Revolution 9 both very creepy and disturbing (that feeling lasted for a few years).I remember saving my allowance and buying a "white vinyl" copy of the LP back in 1978. Faves from the album include: Birthday Glass Onion Savoy Truffle Cry, Cry, Cry While My Guitar Gently Weeps Dear Prudence Helter Skelter Julia I Will Yer Blues Back in The U.S.S.R. |
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Post by 55dodger on Nov 30, 2008 4:53:15 GMT -5
It was 40 years ago today. Oops!! Sorry that was a different Beatles album.
Love "The Beatles" album. I really hate it when I hear people call it the White Album. It's "The Beatles". Even my 23 year son lets this get under his skin. They even got it wrong in the movie "Men in Black." Quoting Kay "This is gonna replace CD's soon; guess I'll have to buy the White Album again"
Have to agree with Ed about the end. Just a really bad segue from Revolution #9 to Good Night. Just really didn't work, although both are good songs. But there are loads of great songs on the album. My favorite would have to be "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" if for nothing else, then Eric Clapton's guitar.
Other favorites after guitar gently weeping would be in no particular order
Back in the USSR
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
Why Don't We do it in the Road
I Will
Julia
Blackbird
Rocky Raccoon
Birthday
Mother Nature's Son
Helter Skelter
Revolution #9
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Post by Dawn on Dec 3, 2008 13:46:24 GMT -5
Count me in as another fan of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Lyrically it is a bit weak in places, but the musical aspects of the song more than make up for that. George had really come into his own as a songwriter by this time.
Other favorites: Dear Prudence, Julia, Cry Baby Cry, Blackbird, Martha My Dear, Savoy Truffle, Glass Onion.
I was not fond of Revolution 9 at all initially, but it grew on me over time. Mark always says it reminded him of scanning through the AM radio dial late at night, and when I listened to it in that context, it appealed more.
The slower Revolution 1 is ok, but it lacks the punch of the single version that backed Hey Jude.
About the only songs I'm not crazy about are both Honey Pies (especially the Wild one), and to a lesser extent, Yer Blues.
I do think that Not Guilty should have been included on the album, as it's a superb song in both its versions (the original and George's 1979 re-recording). Also they should have kept Sour Milk Sea for themselves instead of having Jackie Lomax record it.
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