1967-1970

The "Red album" and the "Blue album" are historical compilations (1973) that have had the function of introducing the group of Liverpool to many listeners of the most recent eras to that of the Sixties. And in fact they were among the first records I've ever listened to, and they left a mark on the Beatles' music on me.

The Red album goes from 1962 to 1966, that is up to "Revolver"; the Blue album goes from 1967 to 1970. As a collection includes the various singles of the Fab4 plus some songs that have become classics even though they have never come out as 45 laps. It is known that at that time the 45 rpm usually came out before the 33 rpm which did not contain them: in this way the groups of the Sixties showed a great respect towards the listener, because they did not want to make him listen to a song twice , first on 45 laps then on 33 laps. That's why many famous Beatles songs are not included in their albums since they only came out as 45 laps. The difficulty in making a compilation of the Beatles lies in finding the right balance between the famous songs, the hits at 45 laps that have reached the top spot in the sales charts, and the most refined, experimental songs present only in 33 laps. The Blue album tries to find this right balance. Do these two discs find it?

I guess the Blue album is close to perfection. It starts from "Strawberry Fields Forever"/"Penny Lane" (both present: excellent choice!), it continues with Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, White Album, Abbey Road and it ends with Let it Be, plus 45 giri. The songs taken from Pepper are the best. I miss "Mr. Kite", but there is no space, unless "Revolution" is removed. Form Magical Mystery Tour there are both "The Fool on the Hill" and "I am the Walrus": two masterpieces. The songs from White Album are the best. Excellent choice to include "Old Brown Shoe" by Harrison, side B of the 45 laps "The Ballad of John and Yoko". The only problem is the choice of Macca's "Long and Winding Road", which I would have excluded to make room for a fourth song from the White Album, for example Lennon's "Happiness is a Warm Gun". The Abbey Road long medley is missing (the best piece is the final passage, which starts from "Golden Slumbers") but in compilation like this it is difficult to insert a medley, unless you want to remove the 45 laps of success like "Hello Goodbye".... hmm... Yes, if it were up to me I would remove "Hello Goodbye" and put it as the last piece of the second disc "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End". I would also insert the 33 laps version of "Let it Be", not the 45 laps version (which is much less beautiful).

Overall, the compilation, except for those questionable choices, find the right balance between songs number 1 on the charts and quality songs. The compilation is able to make a careful and weighted selection of the Beatles discography.

Vote: 9+. Rating: Five stars.