What if the Beatles decided to edit their 1968 White Album down to 15 tracks? Their producer George Martin always favored such a course and maybe he was right (don't get me wrong the original LP is still a masterpiece). It's a cool thought experiment. Here's my edit:
Side One
1) Back in the U.S.S.R.
2) Dear Prudence
3) While My Guitar Gently Weeps
4) Not Guilty
5) Yer Blues
6) Piggies
7) Mother Nature's Son
2) Dear Prudence
3) While My Guitar Gently Weeps
4) Not Guilty
5) Yer Blues
6) Piggies
7) Mother Nature's Son
Side 2
1) Cry Baby Cry
2) Julia
3) Helter Skelter
4) Why Don't We Do It In the Road?
5) Happiness is a Warm Gun
6) Long, Long, Long
7) Blackbird
8) Revolution 1
2) Julia
3) Helter Skelter
4) Why Don't We Do It In the Road?
5) Happiness is a Warm Gun
6) Long, Long, Long
7) Blackbird
8) Revolution 1
The "single record" approach makes for a more intense and aggressive album that contrasts with the madcap pace of the original. It's also more democratic. I put George's material on nearly equal par with Lennon/McCartney, including his sardonic outtake "Not Guilty." Ending the album with "Revolution 1" felt like the perfect closer, although Ringo's "Goodnight" is the appropriate ending to the double LP.
John: Six Tracks
Paul: Five Tracks
George: Four Tracks
Paul: Five Tracks
George: Four Tracks
Interesting take. Would have all the Harrison songs on my version as well. You have a few I'd change, but we all have our favorites.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I can't see any single any single LP reduction of the White Album that doesn't include "I Will", but otherwise a stellar job of an unnecessary project. It's the "bloody Beatles' White Album as Sir Paul once said. I think George is the star of the album-100% Quality plus some great songs that didn't make the cut. It's not bloated-it's a cornucopia of aural delights. Of course, this is from someone who has listened to "Revolution 9" as many times as all but a handful of human beings. Turn me on dead man!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ice X, there's nothing quite like the White Album.
DeleteYou'd need to delete a Lennon and give Ringo his spot before this could be credible. Otherwise, pretty good except "Piggies" should be swapped out for a better Harrison track.
ReplyDeleteAny chance you can re-upload this? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDelete