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TheCellarTapes · 02-13-2010, 03:26 PM

The Beatles - Abbey Road
(1969)

Tracks

1 Come Together 4:19
2 Something 3:02
3 Maxwell's Silver Hammer 3:27
4 Oh! Darling 3:27
5 Octopus's Garden 2:50
6 I Want You (She's So Heavy) 7:47
7 Here Comes the Sun 3:05
8 Because 2:45
9 You Never Give Me Your Money 4:02
10 Sun King 2:26
11 Mean Mr. Mustard 1:06
12 Polythene Pam 1:12
13 She Came in Throught the Bathroom Window 1:58
14 Golden Slumbers 1:31
15 Carry That Weight 1:36
16 The End 2:21
17 Her Majesty :27

After an almost era closing recording session in front of the camera’s in Twickenham in early 1969, The Beatles were on their last legs. The brief of these infamous Let It Be recordings was simple, almost too simple in fact. Lennon had already agreed to the presence of George Martin at the sessions, on the proviso that there would be none of his production methods going anywhere near the music. After a few weeks of this back to basics method and several bloody noses, The Beatles threw in the towel.

Aside from the feeling that the band had well and truly ran out of steam; money, poor business decisions, internal rivalry, women and artistic differences had all conspired together to ensure that no matter how special they may have been once upon a time, this band were now going the way of all bands, to a break-up of some kind.

But could the band end on Let It Be? It wasn’t that bad an album was it? Well, no it was not, but The Fab Four went back into the studio for one last hurrah anyway. George Martin after witnessing the sorry state of the Twickenham episode laid down the law from outset, there would be no backseat for Martin in these new sessions. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in the Spring of 1969, the results of the last ever Beatles recording session was the release of their 11th studio album, entitled Abbey Road.

Call it a complete and utter rebound on the back to basics approach from Let It Be, but this album was criticised back on its original release for the general over production feel of it all. You can certainly hear the effort that has gone into producing such an album and considering this was the follow up to the formidable White Album, you can understand the criticism to some extent. But you do have to remember that everyone pretty much knew this was the last time they were ever going to work together and that includes George Martin, who certainly rose to the occasion.

Also knowing deep down that this was the last goodbye was of course the band. Everywhere you look on this album there is a memorable flash from at least one of the four. Be it George Harrison pulling out Something and Here Comes The Sun from the bag, Lennon’s iconic performance of Come Together, Ringo’s drum solo or McCartney’s twist and shout moment on Oh! Darling, The Beatles were certainly in their own special place recording this LP.

The now celebrated part of this album was very much a team effort though. The sixteen minute medley from track nine onwards must surely rank up there with one of the most momentous creations in musical history. The idea of merging two half finished songs had already been done on A Day in The Life on Pepper in 67, but on Abbey Road, The Beatles take it to new heights. For me personally though, there is no better song on this album than track number 6; I Want You (She’s So Heavy), is just an unbelievable and staggering song.

Now heralded as one of the greatest albums ever recorded, it is easy to forget what an endeavour this album actually was. Five men, who had become tired of each other musically and personally, put their issues to one side and for a couple of weeks anyway, regressed back in time to create an album which some call their finest work ever. It is sad to think that this was actually the last time these men were ever together in a studio, but thankfully, someone brought a couple of mikes and pressed record.

02-13-2010, 03:26 PM	#157 (permalink)
TheCellarTapes Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 490	The Beatles - Abbey Road *(1969)* Tracks 1 Come Together 4:19 2 Something 3:02 3 Maxwell's Silver Hammer 3:27 4 Oh! Darling 3:27 5 Octopus's Garden 2:50 6 I Want You (She's So Heavy) 7:47 7 Here Comes the Sun 3:05 8 Because 2:45 9 You Never Give Me Your Money 4:02 10 Sun King 2:26 11 Mean Mr. Mustard 1:06 12 Polythene Pam 1:12 13 She Came in Throught the Bathroom Window 1:58 14 Golden Slumbers 1:31 15 Carry That Weight 1:36 16 The End 2:21 17 Her Majesty :27 After an almost era closing recording session in front of the camera’s in Twickenham in early 1969, The Beatles were on their last legs. The brief of these infamous Let It Be recordings was simple, almost too simple in fact. Lennon had already agreed to the presence of George Martin at the sessions, on the proviso that there would be none of his production methods going anywhere near the music. After a few weeks of this back to basics method and several bloody noses, The Beatles threw in the towel. Aside from the feeling that the band had well and truly ran out of steam; money, poor business decisions, internal rivalry, women and artistic differences had all conspired together to ensure that no matter how special they may have been once upon a time, this band were now going the way of all bands, to a break-up of some kind. But could the band end on Let It Be? It wasn’t that bad an album was it? Well, no it was not, but The Fab Four went back into the studio for one last hurrah anyway. George Martin after witnessing the sorry state of the Twickenham episode laid down the law from outset, there would be no backseat for Martin in these new sessions. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in the Spring of 1969, the results of the last ever Beatles recording session was the release of their 11th studio album, entitled Abbey Road. Call it a complete and utter rebound on the back to basics approach from Let It Be, but this album was criticised back on its original release for the general over production feel of it all. You can certainly hear the effort that has gone into producing such an album and considering this was the follow up to the formidable White Album, you can understand the criticism to some extent. But you do have to remember that everyone pretty much knew this was the last time they were ever going to work together and that includes George Martin, who certainly rose to the occasion. Also knowing deep down that this was the last goodbye was of course the band. Everywhere you look on this album there is a memorable flash from at least one of the four. Be it George Harrison pulling out Something and Here Comes The Sun from the bag, Lennon’s iconic performance of Come Together, Ringo’s drum solo or McCartney’s twist and shout moment on Oh! Darling, The Beatles were certainly in their own special place recording this LP. The now celebrated part of this album was very much a team effort though. The sixteen minute medley from track nine onwards must surely rank up there with one of the most momentous creations in musical history. The idea of merging two half finished songs had already been done on A Day in The Life on Pepper in 67, but on Abbey Road, The Beatles take it to new heights. For me personally though, there is no better song on this album than track number 6; I Want You (She’s So Heavy), is just an unbelievable and staggering song. Now heralded as one of the greatest albums ever recorded, it is easy to forget what an endeavour this album actually was. Five men, who had become tired of each other musically and personally, put their issues to one side and for a couple of weeks anyway, regressed back in time to create an album which some call their finest work ever. It is sad to think that this was actually the last time these men were ever together in a studio, but thankfully, someone brought a couple of mikes and pressed record.