You know I've always thought I was kind of weird, but I think if the White Album had been a single album, instead of a double, it would be remembered far, far better than it is. There is some really good stuff on that album. And yes, "Abbey Road" is greatness. But I've thought that their best album was "Rubber Soul". They were still on the way up, they were charged about their music, the bickering hadn't really started and the music was expanding.
I like "Abbey Road", I really do, but there's a goodbye-feeling that kind of brings it down for me. Harrison really steps forward though on that album. Big time.
1. There is indeed 'throwaway' material on the White Album - if judged by Beatles standards.
2. Rubber Soul is a great album, and was just prior to Revolver. So, to get really specific, you can take some tracks from Rubber Soul and some tracks from Revolver and serve up the best representation of their creative genius. That's how I would put it.
3. Indeed. Abbey Road is bittersweet. From the standpoint of technical and musical ability, they had reached the level of mastery. So, as I listen to Abbey Road, I cannot help but think, "If only....." This album was a glimpse into the great music the world might have heard, had they not split up and had John not been murdered. It's a Swan Song for sure, and I'm certain they even viewed it as such, when recording it. The divide growing between them, financially, emotionally, musically, was only getting larger and insurmountable. If you've seen Imagine, the film about Lennon, you've seen the heartbreaking footage of reporter asking him if the Beatles will ever get back together. He says, essentially, "Yes, one day." Argh. That cut me to the heart when I saw it the first time.
4. Never forget the 5th Beatle, George Martin. It cannot be denied that his role was significant.