When Brian Wilsom decided to actually make a definitive (attempt at) Smile, he took away one of my favourite toys. The reshuffling of great tracks to make different coloured masterpieces.
Then there’s the ever-popular idea that the Beatles White Album would be better as a double.
So I decided to have a little fun.
THE SINGLE WHITE ALBUM
Side 1 – 24 minutes – the eclectic vibe on one side.
The first side of the White album always seemed to be the eclectic one.
Lennon gets 3. The masterpiece that is Happiness, Glass Onion his most playful, Prudence that beautiful druggy sadness. Left off the more pedestrian ballads (in my opinion of course)
Macca gets 3. It was hard to loose Rocky Racoon, but Ob La Di is so crazy and so Mac. Blackbird is just goregous as is I Will. Much needed well formed classic little songs on this side. Good counter point to Lennon (he always was).
George gets 1 – While My Guitar Gently Weeps, naturally.
Ringo gets his 1, Don’t Pass Me By.
This plays a little like side 2 of Abbey Road. Just each of their personalities mashed together.
Glass Onion
Dear Prudence
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
Blackbird
Don’t Pass Me By
I Will
Side 2 – 24 minutes – the heavy/rock side
The heart of the second LP of the White Album were the rockers. In your face and showing how much energy they could muster when called upon. It’s been a long time since they rocked so hard and they pretty much never did it again.
Harrison, 1.
Lennon 3
Macca 4
Back In the U.S.S.R.
Yer Blues
Piggies
Birthday
Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey
Why Don’t We Do It In the Road?
Helter Skelter
Revolution 1
I am, yes, a little bored