The Beatles - The White Album

The Beatles - The White Album

The Beatles, more widely known as The White Album, is the band's official ninth UK album released in November 1968. (Magical Mystery Tour is listed as a movie soundtrack.) This was the band's first album released on their then newly formed Apple label.

This double album has no graphics or text other than the band's name on its plain white cover.

The album was written and recorded during a period of turmoil for the group. Most of the 31 songs here were written during the Beatles' visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India in early 1968. The studio recordings were done from May to October.

The gap between John and Paul began to show on this album. Although 26 songs were credited to Lennon-McCartney, the only song they did co-write is Birthday. From this album onwards, all Lennon-McCartney credited songs can be more clearly defined as being written by the lead vocalist on the individual tracks. George had four new songs on this album while Ringo had one.

At the time of recording this album, the Beatles were beginning to be disillusioned with the group; John wanted to leave and Ringo did leave for two weeks. Creative differences, together with the death of their manager Brian Epstein in 1967 and, most famously, the presence of Yoko Ono, all contributed to the beginning of the end of the Beatles.

But amid band squabbling, this Beatles-produced album still received positive reviews and topped the charts of both UK and USA. It is reported that the album sold more than 2 millions copies during its first week in USA alone. This epic album is regarded as one of the greatest albums in rock history.

All tracks credited to Lennon-McCartney, except where noted.

CD1:

1. Back In The USSR: The album starts with a roar and a screech of airplane tyres, as the Beatles emulate the Beach Boys style on this great rock 'n' roll song. Paul is on lead vocals and join John and George in the backing vocals . Paul plays the lead guitar and a 'rocking' piano. George, for the first time on a Beatles record, plays the bass! John is on a six-string bass, too. The band also add in the handclappings to the backing, which the boys have not done for quite some time. The track ends with the sound of an aircraft, which then fades into..

2. Dear Prudence: This acoustic-driven ballad has John on multi-tracked lead vocals and a three part backing vocal from John, Paul and George. George's persisent acoustic guitar phrasings are heard throughout the track. John doubles on lead guitar and tambourine, with Paul on bass, piano and flugelhorn. Roadie Mal Evans helps out on tambourine, too. The song is written by John for Prudence Farrow (sister of Mia Farrow) while the Beatles were in India.

3. Glass Onions: John, on acoustic guitar, is on solo vocal. Paul handles bass, piano and adds in a brief flute lines. George is back to playing lead guitar while Ringo doubles on drums and tambourine. Some session musicians provide the orchestration to this track. John's nonsensical lyrics include references to Strawberry Fields Forever, A Fool On The Hill, I Am The Walrus, Fixing A Hole, etc.

4. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da: On this reggae-like track, Paul is on lead vocal and piano, with John and George joining in for the chorus. George plays acoustic guitar while John handles only the maraccas. Session musicians provide some Jamaican style brass.

5. Wild Honey Pie: This filler is written and performed solely by Paul. In addition to providing all voices singing the line "honey pie" throughout this short track, Paul plays drums, lead guitar, bass and acoustic guitars.

6. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill: Strangely, the track opens with a Spanish style acoustic guitar solo which then leads straight to the chorus. The song is written by John who also sings lead vocal and plays the acoustic guitar and organ. Ringo, Paul and John provide the backing vocals. And for the first and only time on a Beatles' record, Yoko Ono sings on the third verse and also on chorus (where she's joined by Ringo's wife Maureen). Chris Thomas plays the mellotron near the end.

7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Harrison): This first of four tracks written by George is easily the best song of the album! George enlists the help of his friend Eric Clapton to play the lead guitar on this song. The double-tracked lead vocals is by George, with John and Paul join in on the chorus. John is on acoustic guitar and organ while Paul doubles on bass and piano. George is on both acoustic and lead guitars. Ringo plays drums, castanets and tambourine.

8. Happiness Is A Warm Gun: This surreal track, written by John, is a mini song suite in itself. Consisting of three separate songs, the track begins as a gentle ballad with solo vocal from John. The song slowly changes into a semi-rock song with the repetitive 'Mother Superior jumped the gun'. The third and final section has John shouting out the lyrics with a 'bang bang, shoot, shoot' backing vocals dubbed in by Paul, George and John. John also plays the lead guitar and tambourine.

9. Martha My Dear: This 30s-influenced song is written by Paul about his old sheep dog. Paul is on solo vocal and plays the piano. John takes over the bass playing. Session musicians provide an orchestral/danceband backing.

10. I'm So Sad: This song features a lead vocal from John who also plays acoustic guitar and organ. Paul harmonises in places. George plays both the lead and rhythm guitars.

11. Blackbird: This simple and pleasant song is solely a Paul showcase. He sings solo vocal and backs himself on acoustic guitar and taps on bongos.

12. Piggies (Harrison): Just like his Taxman in the Revolver album, Geroge takes another sarcastic swipe at the greedy, the 'piggies', who always out to make money from them. George, who plays acoustic guitar, is on solo vocal. Ringo is on tambourine only. Chris Thomas plays the harpsichord while some strings are added by session musicians. The sound of grunting and snorting pigs is added for effect.

13. Rocky Racoon: This country-folk flavoured song, written by Paul, has him in lead vocal. The backing vocals are a three-part harmony from John, Paul and George. John plays the harmonium and harmonica, which he has not used for a long time. George is on bass while a honk-tonk style piano is added by George Martin.

14. Don't Pass Me By (Starkey): Ringo finally sings solo on a self-penned song and proves that he, too, can be a good composer. John is on acoustic guitar and tambourine. Ringo also doubles on piano. Sessionist Jack Fallon plays a nice blue glass fiddle in this tune.

15. Why Don't We do It In The Road? : Another multi-tracked solo vocal from Paul who also plays every instrument on this rather short track. He is on piano, drums, lead and bass guitars.

16. I Will: Another short track from Paul who sings solo vocal and back himself sparingly on acoustic guitar and bass. Ringo is the only other Beatles present to supply bongos, together with drums and maraccas.

17. Julia: This beautiful song is written by John is mainly about his love for his mother. John sings solo vocal and back himself with two acoustic guitars. A reference to Yoko (小野洋子) is also inlcuded with the words "ocean child"

CD2

1. Birthday: This is the only track to have been co-written by John and Paul. This moderate fast track with a heavy drum beat from Ringo, features the backing vocals and the lead vocal, predominantly Paul but joins on occasions by John. John plays the lead guitar with Paul on a jangling piano. George plays the bass and tambourine. Session visitors Yoko Ono and Patti (wife of George) helps out in the chorus.

2. Yer Blue: John is on solo vocal on this electric blues track. Both John and George play the lead guitars.

3. Mother Nature's Son: This pleasant simple track is another solo effort from Paul. He sings solo vocal and backs himself on acoustic guitars, bongos. Some horns are added by session musicians.

4. Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey: This rock 'n' roll track, written by John, features him on lead vocal. The backing vocals are from John and Paul. It also features a lead guitar from John, who also plays the maraccas. George is on rhythm guitar and plays the predominant firebell.

5. Sexy Sadie: The track features a lead vocal from John, who joins Paul and George for the backing vocals. John plays acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar and organ while Paul doubles on bass and piano. George is on lead guitar with Ringo on drums and tambourine.

6. Helter Skelter: The screaming lead vocal is from Paul on this heavy and the noisiest song from The Beatles. The backing vocals are from Paul, John and George. John is on lead guitar, bass and saxophone. Paul is also on lead and bass guitars. George plays the rhythm guitar while roadie Mal Evans adds in the trumpet. The song ends with Ringo shouting out his famous statement "I've got blisters on my fingers". This is the song that the Charles Manson murder reportedly inspired, in part, by.

7. Long, Long, Long (Harrison): George's third offering on the album has him on double-tracked solo vocals. Both John and George play the acoustic guitars. John and Paul also dub in the piano and hammond organ.

8. Revolution 1: This recording is a slower, almost acoustic version of the song issued as the B-side of the Hey Jude single. The double-tracked lead vocal is by John. The track has a false start. The do-wop backing vocals are from John, Paul and George. John plays lead and acoustic guitars. Paul is on piano, acoustic guitar and bass. George handles only the rhythm guitar. The brass are performed by session musicians.

9. Honey Pie: The 20s-influenced track features Paul on solo vocal, who also plays the piano. John is on lead guitar while George takes over the bass playing. 15 session musicians add the danceband-type backing.

10. Savoy Truffle (Harrison): This is George's final contribution to the album. George, on lead guitar and organ, sings solo vocal. John also plays some lead guitar. Ringo doubles on drums and tambourine. The recording has a solid brass backing.

11. Cry Baby Cry: John is on solo vocal and plays multi instrument (acoustic guitar, piano and organ) on this track. Ringo in on drums and tambourine while George Martin adds in the harmonium.

12. Can You Take Me Back: This short (27-sec) track links the above song with Revolution 9. The solo vocal is from Paul with backing provided by an acoustic guitar, drums and maraccas.

13. Revolution 9: This is one of John's experimental avant-garde recording. It was created by John and Yoko; it was initially rejected by the other Beatles, but eventully included in the album. To me, it is definitely not music to my ears but just a recording of mixed and edited voices and noises!

14. Good Night: This was written by John especially for Ringo. The 30s style backing is supplied by George Martin and his orchestra with a female choir. Ringo is on solo vocal and no other Beatles are present.