This is the third (and final) entry for the "B" artists. So far, I have listed 35 albums from artists in four posts.
Please Please Me: The Beatles (1963)
On February 11, 1963, the Beatles recorded their live shows on vinyl in about 10 hours. The album is a time capsule capturing the Beatles of the Cavern Club Era. Producer George Martin considered actually recording them at the club, but time constraints dissuaded the effort. The album represented a dramatic change in the sound of pop music and led to Beatlemania and the British Invasion the following year. For one brief moment, rock n roll was the culture's dominate music form.
Key Tracks:
I Saw Her Standing There
Please Please Me
Love Me Do
Twist and Shout
A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles (1964)
The Beatles’ third studio album was also a soundtrack to a film of the same name. The album demonstrated a marked improvement in songwriting. In particular, “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a monster hit that remains amazingly popular nearly 50 years later. The title came from a malapropism. Ringo inadvertently mentioned his hard day’s night and a title was born.
Key Tracks:
A Hard Day’s Night
Can’t Buy Me Love
Things We Said Today
If I Fell
Help!: The Beatles (1965)
Help! is another soundtrack album. The original release included instrumentals to accompany new studio tracks. The album continues to demonstrate the band’s progression. Among the new songs, “Ticket To Ride” and “Yesterday” enjoyed the most success. “Yesterday” is the most covered song in history.
Key Tracks:
Help!
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
Ticket To Ride
Yesterday
Rubber Soul: The Beatles (1965)
Many consider Rubber Soul the greatest album ever recorded. The album expanded the Beatles sound and incorporated a variety of influences. The Beatles branched out like no act had ever done before. George incorporated world music into American pop music with the sitar on “Norwegian Wood.” This kicked off a sitar craze in rock. The album also featured studio innovations and more introspective songs. “In My Life” represents both these changes. The song was very personal and the piano solo sounds like a harpsichord thanks to producer George Martin.
Key Tracks:
Drive My Car
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
In My Life
Nowhere Man
Revolver: The Beatles (1966)
George Harrison considered Revolver and Rubber Soul as basically the same album. Although it was more electric than its predecessor, Revolver was just as groundbreaking. The album experimented with musical diversity in new and exciting ways. Often when bands attempt this, the albums are unequal at best. However, the Beatles managed to pull it off with song topics ranging from loneliness to tax protests. Additionally, the work introduces psychedelic music to the masses with "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "She Said She Said."
Key Tracks:
Eleanor Rigby
Got To Get You Into My Life
Tomorrow Never Knows
She Said She Said
Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band: The Beatles (1967)
For years, many considered Sgt. Peppers the greatest album ever recorded. In recent years, Revolver has surpassed it in the eyes of many. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band furthered the Beatles’ musical expansion and exploration. By this point, the band abandoned touring to concentrate on recording and writing. It allowed the Beatles to incorporate multiple musical styles into the album. It included rock, jazz, Indian, classical, psychedelic and old style music hall.
Key Tracks:
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band/With A Little Help From My Friends
She’s Leaving Home
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Magical Mystery Tour: The Beatles (1967)
The Beatles decided to film a television special. The show bombed mostly because most people did not see it in color. However, the album was a success and included many classics. The album included previously released material such as “Penny Lane,” but also showed the Beatles cutting sense of humor. John Lennon wrote “I Am The Walrus” after reading teachers were analyzing Beatles songs in class. He decided to write a song about nothing. “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” slammed their former manager. The album concludes with “All You Need Is Love” which was originally performed live in the first global satellite broadcast. The album is not as even as their previous albums because it is a collection of new and old, but it still was nominated for a Grammy.
Key Tracks:
Hello, Goodbye
Strawberry Fields
Penny Lane
All You Need Is Love
The White Album: The Beatles (1968)
The Beatles released their unnamed double album in 1968. The unofficial title, The White Album, derives from its blank white sleeve. It was their first album after their manager Brian Epstein’s death and ninth overall. The Beatles drew from every potential source including avant-garde, traditional, rock, blues, country, etc. The Beatles provide a complete history of popular music up until 1968 on this record.
Key Tracks:
Back in the U.S.S.R.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Blackbird
Julia
Yer Blues
Helter Skelter
Revolution 1
Abbey Road: The Beatles (1969)
By February 1969, The Beatles were imploding. Amazingly, they managed to record a masterpiece. The album includes George Harrison’s best known works in “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Additionally, the record is split in two. The first portion contains stand alone singles. The second part contains a number of short tunes that transition into each other culminating in the “Golden Slumbers Medley.” Although technically the band released Let It Be in 1970, Abbey Road is the last album the Fab Four recorded making “Golden Slumbers” the Beatles farewell.
Key Tracks:
Come Together
Something
Here Comes the Sun
Golden Slumbers Medley
Let It Be: The Beatles (1970)
The Beatles released Let It Be following their breakup. The band recorded the album before Abbey Road, but did not like the outcome. They brought Phil Spector in to rework the album and decided to film the sessions which became notorious. The film documented the band’s dysfunction as opposed to their genius. It’s hard for a band with three front men to succeed and cameras recorded the end for posterity.
Key Tracks:
The One After 909
Get Back
Let It Be
The Long and Winding Road
Two of Us
Please Please Me: The Beatles (1963)
On February 11, 1963, the Beatles recorded their live shows on vinyl in about 10 hours. The album is a time capsule capturing the Beatles of the Cavern Club Era. Producer George Martin considered actually recording them at the club, but time constraints dissuaded the effort. The album represented a dramatic change in the sound of pop music and led to Beatlemania and the British Invasion the following year. For one brief moment, rock n roll was the culture's dominate music form.
Key Tracks:
I Saw Her Standing There
Please Please Me
Love Me Do
Twist and Shout
A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles (1964)
The Beatles’ third studio album was also a soundtrack to a film of the same name. The album demonstrated a marked improvement in songwriting. In particular, “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a monster hit that remains amazingly popular nearly 50 years later. The title came from a malapropism. Ringo inadvertently mentioned his hard day’s night and a title was born.
Key Tracks:
A Hard Day’s Night
Can’t Buy Me Love
Things We Said Today
If I Fell
Help!: The Beatles (1965)
Help! is another soundtrack album. The original release included instrumentals to accompany new studio tracks. The album continues to demonstrate the band’s progression. Among the new songs, “Ticket To Ride” and “Yesterday” enjoyed the most success. “Yesterday” is the most covered song in history.
Key Tracks:
Help!
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
Ticket To Ride
Yesterday
Rubber Soul: The Beatles (1965)
Many consider Rubber Soul the greatest album ever recorded. The album expanded the Beatles sound and incorporated a variety of influences. The Beatles branched out like no act had ever done before. George incorporated world music into American pop music with the sitar on “Norwegian Wood.” This kicked off a sitar craze in rock. The album also featured studio innovations and more introspective songs. “In My Life” represents both these changes. The song was very personal and the piano solo sounds like a harpsichord thanks to producer George Martin.
Key Tracks:
Drive My Car
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
In My Life
Nowhere Man
Revolver: The Beatles (1966)
George Harrison considered Revolver and Rubber Soul as basically the same album. Although it was more electric than its predecessor, Revolver was just as groundbreaking. The album experimented with musical diversity in new and exciting ways. Often when bands attempt this, the albums are unequal at best. However, the Beatles managed to pull it off with song topics ranging from loneliness to tax protests. Additionally, the work introduces psychedelic music to the masses with "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "She Said She Said."
Key Tracks:
Eleanor Rigby
Got To Get You Into My Life
Tomorrow Never Knows
She Said She Said
Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band: The Beatles (1967)
For years, many considered Sgt. Peppers the greatest album ever recorded. In recent years, Revolver has surpassed it in the eyes of many. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band furthered the Beatles’ musical expansion and exploration. By this point, the band abandoned touring to concentrate on recording and writing. It allowed the Beatles to incorporate multiple musical styles into the album. It included rock, jazz, Indian, classical, psychedelic and old style music hall.
Key Tracks:
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band/With A Little Help From My Friends
She’s Leaving Home
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Magical Mystery Tour: The Beatles (1967)
The Beatles decided to film a television special. The show bombed mostly because most people did not see it in color. However, the album was a success and included many classics. The album included previously released material such as “Penny Lane,” but also showed the Beatles cutting sense of humor. John Lennon wrote “I Am The Walrus” after reading teachers were analyzing Beatles songs in class. He decided to write a song about nothing. “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” slammed their former manager. The album concludes with “All You Need Is Love” which was originally performed live in the first global satellite broadcast. The album is not as even as their previous albums because it is a collection of new and old, but it still was nominated for a Grammy.
Key Tracks:
Hello, Goodbye
Strawberry Fields
Penny Lane
All You Need Is Love
The White Album: The Beatles (1968)
The Beatles released their unnamed double album in 1968. The unofficial title, The White Album, derives from its blank white sleeve. It was their first album after their manager Brian Epstein’s death and ninth overall. The Beatles drew from every potential source including avant-garde, traditional, rock, blues, country, etc. The Beatles provide a complete history of popular music up until 1968 on this record.
Key Tracks:
Back in the U.S.S.R.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Blackbird
Julia
Yer Blues
Helter Skelter
Revolution 1
Abbey Road: The Beatles (1969)
By February 1969, The Beatles were imploding. Amazingly, they managed to record a masterpiece. The album includes George Harrison’s best known works in “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Additionally, the record is split in two. The first portion contains stand alone singles. The second part contains a number of short tunes that transition into each other culminating in the “Golden Slumbers Medley.” Although technically the band released Let It Be in 1970, Abbey Road is the last album the Fab Four recorded making “Golden Slumbers” the Beatles farewell.
Key Tracks:
Come Together
Something
Here Comes the Sun
Golden Slumbers Medley
Let It Be: The Beatles (1970)
The Beatles released Let It Be following their breakup. The band recorded the album before Abbey Road, but did not like the outcome. They brought Phil Spector in to rework the album and decided to film the sessions which became notorious. The film documented the band’s dysfunction as opposed to their genius. It’s hard for a band with three front men to succeed and cameras recorded the end for posterity.
Key Tracks:
The One After 909
Get Back
Let It Be
The Long and Winding Road
Two of Us
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