JfDI!
How to sell brilliantly
Unplugged
The 16/17 October 1968 were a very busy 24 hours. Paul and John, plus George Martin sequenced the mass of songs for the new album: The Beatles, soon to be known of course as The White Album. Most agree there is material which is filler or should never have made it to the cut; George Martin in particular wanted a classic one disc album. And commercially that is no doubt correct. But for those of us willing to listen beyond just a popular tune and actually growing up with the songs, the full motley range is invaluable. Disc One/Side 1 of the magnum opus contains 8 songs:
Back in the USSR. A marvellous rocker which is still an essential part of Sir Paul’s current play-lists. Dear Prudence, a message to Mia Farrow’s sister and missing Ringo, Paul doing the necessary drum work; it illustrates the new skill of finger picking which Donovan introduced to the lads while in India. Glass Onion, a song with a whole lot less meaning than we may have been seduced into interpreting; John was messing with all us over-analytical interpretists. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da: Paul doing what he can do so easily and his buddies fed up with him for doing so; the most commercial track which the Beatles didn’t use but a group The Marmalade did, taking them to a number 1 slot. Wild Honey Pie. Bungalow Bill. While my Guitar Gently Weeps. Eric Clapton helps to reduce the heaviness of a lovely track which was to predict much of George's solo style and the end of the 'pop' song. Happiness is a Warm Gun. Dark, multi-layered and with lyrics grabbed from taxi conversations and gun owner magazines. A heck of a track and unusually for this album needed considerable effort from all four Beatles. What’s it really all about? Er, nobody knows. It don't matter. Really. Relax.
Create a White/Disc1/Side1 play-list. Listen to it as it was meant to be heard. You'll love it. Even Wild Honey Pie when in context!
That's another reason we love The Beatles.