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The Big Guy
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« on: September 15, 2007, 03:47:03 PM » |
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Released September 26, 1969.
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mervap
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« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2007, 09:01:52 AM » |
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Sadly, "Abbey Road" was the last album the Beatles would ever make...but if you're going out, this is a blueprint for how it's done.
The Lads dropped or submerged all the rancor that had crippled the "Get Back" project and got down to the business of making a 'studio' album again, something at which they had no peer. The result is a snapshot not just of its time, but of just how far the Boys had come musically in just the 6 or so years since "Please Please Me". Playing those two albums back to back is just astonishing. The musicianship and songwriting have gone lightyears ahead, as has the studiocraft.
What about the tunes? "Abbey Road" finally puts a spotlight on the emerging songwriting talents of George Harrison, who contributes two of his finest songs ever, "Something" and"Here Comes the Sun". Frank Sinatra called "Something", "the greatest love song of the 20th century"...and he also said that it was his favorite 'Lennon & McCartney' song. Duh!
Lenonn ponies up with "Come Together" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy) on side one, and the lovely "Because" on side two...and a couple of character shots during the medley. "Because" features, in my opinion, the finest harmonies on any Beatles record.
Macca has a typically wide variety of tunes here, including the song "Maxwell's Silver Hammer"...most Beatles fans are split on this song...I think it's a fun throwaway, not that that's a bad thing...the real 'meat & taters' for Paul on this album is the side two medley, or as he & George Martin called it, 'the Big One". Starting with "You Never Give Me Your Money", and with the exception of "Sun King", Polythene Pam" and "Mean Mr. Mustard", all of the rest of the medley is Macca's...is it pompous to say that this medley is the finest piece of recorded rock-n-roll music ever? Maybe, but it's certainly not a stretch either. It's as close to a rock-n-roll symphony as you could find anywhere, and that's a good thing.
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"If Love is blind, how will it ever find a way?"
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2 of 3
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« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2007, 05:53:07 PM » |
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is it pompous to say that this medley is the finest piece of recorded rock-n-roll music ever? No it's not, though others have done a nice job too...if you count albums where an entire side is one song. Crazy good this album....but, I can't help thinking how much better it would be with Maybe I'm Amazed, and It Don't Come Easy instead of Max and Octopus. Then again, it would probably change the dynamic of the album. Still, one can dream. :) |
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It's Better to have No Taste, than Bad Taste.
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chris
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« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2007, 07:17:46 PM » |
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nice review mervap, sir. this album is as close as one can come to being a perfect album. there are a few speedbumps along the way in garden and maxwell (nicely pointed out oh, deuce daddy)
side two is my favorite collection of songs anywhere. this is the formula on how to do a proper medley. it has rock music's only truly listenable drum solo. and i find it ironic that the overall guitar sound of the 70's sounded more like the alternating guitar battle that ends this album than anything by hendrix or clapton did in the 60's.
and...this was the last of the great beatle album covers. the cover alone is (almost) enough to send this album to the hall of fame.
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sometimes i'd rather run and hide...than stay to face the fear inside...
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Kylenz
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« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2007, 06:07:10 AM » |
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Even though this is one of, if not, the best of the Beatles albums, I must say there are a couple of songs I usually skip. Octopus's Garden (sorry Ringo!) and sometimes Maxwell's Silver Hammer - though I'm not a hater of that song at all. The rest of it is, simply awesome. I love jamming along on my guitar to Come Together, Something, I Want You. The medley on side 2 cannot be topped in the history of popular music. People have tried but never come close to eclipsing the energy and vitality and creativity and sheer class on Abbey Road.
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EddieV
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« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2007, 07:15:24 AM » |
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I agree with you Kyle. Octopuss Garden and Maxwell Silver Hammer are not so great. If you look at this record it is so well produced. Paul and George Martin did a really fine job!!! I Want You (She´s so Heavy) is very much like what John would play with Plastic Ono Band or am I not correct? I always gets a lot of association when hearing it!! As for side 2, well this is so great. I don´t think you can make music better than this!! Oh I forgot Something, brilliant song from George. It was Frank Sinatras favourite Lennon/McCartney number  Paul makes it so great with his best bass playing!! |
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And that is why...
I need to try
To hold on
I´ve got to hold on
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Kylenz
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« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2008, 01:29:46 AM » |
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Oh yeah, I feel the Plastic Ono connection with I Want You (She's So Heavy) too. Even though this is pre-Janov, you can hear the primal scream coming out big time. I love the guitar playing on that track, especially when the jazzy solo section kicks in and they lock into that groove, shows The Beatles really were a good jamming band. Imagine if they made a prog album or something like King Crimson's In The Court of the Crimson King or a Yes album!? I think they definitely had it in them to do it!
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Paperback Writer
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« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2008, 12:41:41 AM » |
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Right, Kyle!
The White Album allowed for more 'looseness-jamming' and they cooked!
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PaulieBear
The Quarrymen
Posts: 25
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« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2008, 09:50:18 PM » |
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THE GREATEST ALBUM!!!!
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beatlemaniac
The Quarrymen
Posts: 11
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« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2008, 10:56:42 AM » |
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I was just talking about this album with my fiance last night because he decided his favorite is the White Album, and didn't understand why I liked Abbey Road so much. The White Album is an amazingly good album, but it's like three separate bands got together and put out an album in which they take turns playing songs, On Abbey Road they came back together in this cohesive union and created amazing music because they generated it TOGETHER. You can hear the difference...it was a great way to go out, because even though we know that not all old wounds were healed, at least it SOUNDS like they were. :)
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Roger SB
The Silver Beatles
Posts: 139
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« Reply #10 on: December 28, 2008, 09:17:28 PM » |
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Not a single stinker on it. i even like the two "duds" folks keep mentioning.  |
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Paperback Writer
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« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2009, 02:25:17 AM » |
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........and to think......they all each had songs "in the bag" - that eventually turned up on their solo albums!
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Lennon
The Quarrymen
Posts: 25
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« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2009, 12:20:29 PM » |
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A bit over-rated if you ask me. "Maxwell" and "Garden" grind the album to a halt and "Oh Darling" isn't that great, either. After you get over that dry patch, it's really good but those three songs aren't very good.
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Kylenz
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« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2009, 05:37:07 PM » |
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I would have to say that Oh Darling is one of the best songs on the album, and it should've been a single! Fits right in with the Joe Cocker 'woodstock' vibe of the time.. very cool track, and unvbelievable vocals!
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Greg
Guest
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« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2009, 11:43:17 PM » |
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If it came out today everyone would be in shock at how good an album this is.
I always had little patience for I Want You. I guess it's too bluesy or something. I don't know how long it is, but I always can't wait for it to end.
btw How cool is this board/forum that people can totally criticize The Beatles AND respectfully disagree with each other on what they are critical of?
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