The Beatles - The Beatles (The White Album) (CD 1998)

Opinions regarding the follow up to Sgt. Pepper have always been split.. With even George Martin (the Beatles producer) having said that it should have been issued as a single album... Now that would have been a bad move.. As it would surely have robbed us of some of the most varied songs the Beatles ever commited to tape... As such there's no real filler material here, just a mad eclectic barage of ideas... From the sublime 'Helter Skelter', 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', Revolution 1, 'Back In The USSR'. To the not quite the ridiculous - 'Bungalow Bill', 'Revolution 9', 'Rocky Racoon'....
There is however a strange gel that holds all four sideas together perfectly... If I had to pick one Beatles album - this would probably be the one... There's lots going on, which definately requires repeated playing... Though the sound is stripped down, certainly in comparison to the overly elaborate studio meanderings that became 'Sgt Pepper'..

This was also the first Beatles album to feature outside muscians, with Eric Clapton guesting on the sublime, George Harrison track 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'.. This album was also concieved whilst John Lennon was embarking upon the first throws of his relationship with Yoko Ono.. It shows in some respects, as his imput is slightly detatched.. A lot of the material on here came into being whilst the band spent several weeks in India doing meditation with the Maharishni - and even features the infamous Lennon put down song 'Sexy Sadie'... Venemously directed at the little guru....

The version I purchased was the 30th anniversary reissue on Apple... It contains the four original colour prints and fold out poster, all scaled down to fit the mini album style sleeve design.. It even has an individual number stamped on to the white sleeve... However, it doesn't really work as the photos are now so small that they loose the special quality, that made them special in the first place.. Same goes for the poster which is so reduced size wise that the lyrics become almost unreadable.. I've seen copies of this version selling for over £50 on e.bay, I certainly think I'd have my reservations about paying that price for it, though as a collectable item it is certainly a worthwhile addition to any collection.. A must have for any Beatles fan.....

What can you say about this album. Every track is a gem. You can tell that the band were coming to the end, because if you listen to the tracks you can hear that one is written by Paul, and another by John, and so on.This is because they didn't collaborate any more.George also had more songs on this album than any other,mind you that might be because it's a double album.
I decided to buy this album because i didn't have it in cd format.

I had this on cassette and have been looking out for it on CD for years periodicly, now i finally own it i am not disapionted. A excelent album, a must for all Beatles fans.

The Beatles are perhaps the greatest popular musicians of all time, and when you listen to this album you will understand why. Not their best album, but still plenty of incredible songs on here - that will never go out of date. Incredible Stuff. Guaranteed something for everyone.
Everything from the Sleeve to the music is Legendary - Plus in HMV/Virgin these beatles albums are always around 12-15 so grab yourself a bargain.

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