Dec 21 2008
The Beatles/White Album/It was forty years ago.
It was forty years ago, but not today. It was just a few weeks ago though, that marked the fortieth aniversary of the release of the Beatles’ album The Beatles. That is the actual name of this double album, but it quickly became known as the White Album, for its white monchrome cover. It was released on November 22, 1968, just in time for Christmas gift giving.
Over the years, the record has usually produced two opposing critical reactions. The negative is that, though there are some good songs on the record, there is too much filler and the album has too much variety to hang together well. The positive reaction is that the wide variety of styles of songs on the record, and its mass of songs is what makes this a special Beatles’ record, unlike any other. I go with the latter view. The vast variety of songs and styles overwhelms any complaint about the lack of cohension of the record. All criticisms shrink under the sheer mass of great material.
It was not only some critics who fault the album for having just too many songs (30). The album’s producer, George Martin, also though there was too much filler in the record, and wanted it to be a single disc of the best material. He lost that argument to the Beatles, who wanted it to be a double-album. But nobody, except for John Lennon, wanted the avant-garde collage Revolution 9 to appear on the record. He eventually won that battle and the 8 minute plus song was put on the record.
The variety of material on the album is truly stunning. There are upbeat rockers like Back in the U.S.S.R and Helter Skelter, ballads like Julia and I Will, good pop songs like Sexy Sadie and Birthday, a country feel like Ringo’s turn Don’t pass me by and Rocky Raccoon. And for good measure all things in between, like I’m so tired, Blackbird, and Long, Long, Long and many more.
Whether this is one of one’s favorite Beatles’s albums is a matter of taste, and as is well known, there is really no disputing taste. But, IMHO, after forty years, The Beatles is one of the best records the Beatles or anyone else has ever put out.
