THE BEATLES [AKA: THE WHITE ALBUM]

I often tell people unfamiliar with The Beatles' later music to listen to this one. It's one of the most creative, experimental albums ever made and way ahead of it's time (as many have said before).

Most of the songs were conceived during a visit to India in Spring 1968. Meditating there apparently put them into songwriting mode. Some of their best ever songs were put onto this album and there's such a wide variety of ideas and styles here.

One of Lennon's best "Julia" is a personal acoustic ballad. Other soft ballads include McCartney's stunning "Mother Natures Son" and "Blackbird". Aside from the softer songs, one of the most striking for it's time was "Helter Skelter" which is proto heavy metal. There's blues rock with"Yer Blues",and again hard rock with "Everybody's Got Something to Hide..." The Beach Boys styled "Back In The USSR" is a highlight as is "Happiness Is A Warm Gun", but actuallyveverything on here is fabulous.

Harrison's contributions are as great as ever, including "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and the soft "Long Long Long", even Ringo's country styled "Don't Pass Me By" is very good. There is too much to mention. I even love the orchestral, soothing "Goodnight". The only track I'm not overly keen on is the weird, experimental "Revolution 9". Despite my feelings for that one track, I have to say that this is an essential album for a progressive rock collection because there is so much amazing songwriting and music here. You won't find anything quite like it elsewhere.