White Album, when's your last listen?


Okay, I have a vinyl copy purchased in 68 or 69 which of course was worn out long ago. Now I'm on my second cd copy after one of my daughters "borrowed" my first copy, and my grandson is listening to it now.
Well the other night I popped in the first cd and sat down to listen. When it finished I hit play again. The music truly is timeless. The next night I did the same with cd #2.
Absolutely wonderful stuff. The biggest surprise was on the song "I Will." My "BeatleSong" book says this was recorded by Paul and Ringo with Ringo on drums and backing vocal and Paul playing the rest. While listening I noticed Paul mimicking the bass line with "doo doo doo" in the right speaker. Impossible to guess how many times I've listened to this through speakers or headphones but never noticed this before, wow.
Think I'll try Sgt. Pepper next.
timrhu
All Beatles albums are timeless because of lyrical perfection BUT their albums after Revolver shine as musical paintings beside. I'm not a big Beatles fan but I'd never say these are "just" records. To say that is to be deaf.
I bought the album on release around Thanksgiving 1968 and played it quite a bit. Over the years it was not one of my favorites and did not get as much play as Sgt. Pepper, Revolver, and Abbey Road.

About 5 years ago I started playing the album more frequently and I probably listen to one of the four sides at least once each week. Some of it is absolutely brilliant. It's a great study of the individuals as opposed to the group.

I still play Abbey road more which has been my favorite since its' release in October 1969.
It is my understand that the Beatles were not very interested in the stereo mixes of their material, leaving most of the engineering to Sir George Martin. His "typical" vocals on one channel and instruments on the other is pretty much his signature. It does not make for a great soundstage. I would not call the mixes outstanding.

But as it appears to be widely agreed, the music itself is timeless. I sometimes wonder what we'd be listening to had the Beatles never existed.

On a slightly different topic, I have the "Love" recording from the Cirque Du Soleil performance in 5.1 DVD-A and it is quite interesting to listen to. I like some of the different segues, the loops and effects panning.

There never was and probably never will be another band that had as much influence not only in music but society and culture as the Fab Four.

Jan
So much music, so little time. "The White Album" rewards repeated listenings and foreshadows most of pop/rock of the last number of years. Timeless, indeed - what pop/rock/hip-hop is out today that we'll be discussing in 40 years?? (Nobody even listens to 3 year old Kanye West albums.)