YELLOW SUBMARINE

I can't really be very enthusiastic about it. Two well known tracks of which "Yellow Submarine" has never been a fave of mine and of course the excellent "All You Need Is Love" already featured in their very good US compilation album "Magical Mistery Tour" sit here.

The rest is a collection of left overs, orchestral numbers (more than half of them) and some unreleased material of which the most interesting is the George one "Only A Northern Song". Its sound is rather bizarre mixing lots of different instruments : percussion, trumpet, mellotron.

It has often been seen as a criticism from George who was often less considered as a songwriter by John and Paul. The lyrics are VERY convincing. I quote :

"If you're listening to this song, You may think the chords are going wrong. But they're not; I just wrote them like that.

When you're listening late at night, You may think the words are not quite right. But they are, I just wrote them myself.

And it doesn't really matter what chords I play, What words I say or time of day it is As it's only a Northern song.

It doesn't really matter what clothes I wear, Or how I fare or if my hair is brown When it's only a Northern song.

If you think the harmony is a little off and out of key Then you're right, 'cause I sing it myself".

You couldn't be clearer as that, I guess. You just need to know that "Northern Song" was the Lennon / McCartney's publishing company.

"Hey Bulldog" is also a good song. Written by John, it features strong piano riff and some nice sound effects.

"It's All Too Much" is the second George's song. It does have a deep psychedelic influence. It's one of the few songs recorded outside the Abbey Road studios. It was almost featured on the "Magical Mystery Tour" album.

The last track from side one ("All Together One") is almost unbearable. Lots of rare instruments are used, which is fine but the vocals are so weak!!!

The second side is pure orchestration. It has never been a fave of mine. I only can stand "Yellow Submarine in Pepperland", the closing number.

One star as this is not really a Fab Four album, per se.

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