The Beatles
The Beatles or “The White album” as it became better known was released on 22nd November, 1968 on the fifth anniversary of their second album, With The Beatles. A total of 34 new tracks were released in 1968 and 30 were contained on this one double-LP.
Following the recording of their single “Lady Madonna” in February, the Beatles flew to Rishikesh, India for several weeks of meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi during which they enjoyed a prolific period of song writing. Recording began at Abbey Road on 30th May and studio work occupied most of their time until the final session in mid October.
The colourful artwork that had adorned Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour albums was absent here. The double wallet merely had words The BEATLES embossed on the front cover. Early copies also had a individual number stamped on the front. Inside the package along with the two discs wrapped in black inner sleeves were four individual photographs of the guys and a folded poster containing a photo-collage with the lyrics to the songs on the reverse.
The Beatles was the group’s first album to appear on the Apple label. The change from Parlophone to Apple had first taken place with the release of the “Hey Jude” single in August, 1968.
Despite the fact that it was a double album it entered the UK chart at no. 1 and occupied that position for eight of the 22 weeks it spent in the chart. The US situation was even more impressive with a nine week stay in the top spot during an initial chart run of 65 weeks.
Facts
- Producer
- George Martin
- Recorded at
- Abbey Road
- Length
- 93 minutes, 35 seconds
- Orchestrations
- George Martin
- Principal Engineers
- Ken Scott & Geoff Emerick
Wikipedia
- Name
- The Beatles
- Type
- studio
- Artist
- The Beatles
- Border
- yes
- Released
- 22 November 1968
- Recorded
- 30 May – 14 October 1968, Abbey Road Studios and Trident Studios, London, England
- Genre
- Rock
- Length
- 93:35
- Language
- English
- Label
- Apple, Parlophone, EMI
- Producer
- George Martin
- Reviews
- Allmusic Rated 5/5 link BBC Rated 5/5 link Blender Rated 5/5 link NME Rated 10/10 link PopMatters Rated 9/10 link Rolling Stone Rated 5/5 Hoard, Christian (2004), p. 51. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2008-12-31. Slant Magazine Rated 4.5/5 link Stylus Rated 5/5 link Yahoo! Music Rated 5/5 link
Recording sessions
Abbey Road Studios in 2006.The Beatles was recorded between 30 May 1968 and 14 October 1968, largely at Abbey Road Studios, with some sessions at Trident Studios. Although productive, the sessions were reportedly undisciplined and sometimes fractious, and they took place at a time when tensions were growing within the group. Concurrent with the recording of this album, The Beatles were launching their new multimedia business corporation Apple Corps, an enterprise that proved to be a source of significant stress for the band. The sessions for The Beatles marked the first appearance in the studio of Lennon's new girlfriend and artistic partner, Yoko Ono, who would thereafter be a more or less constant presence at all Beatles sessions.Harry (2000) pp108-9 Prior to Ono's appearance on the scene, the individual Beatles had been very insular during recording sessions, with influence from outsiders strictly limited. McCartney's girlfriend at the time, Francie Schwartz, was also present at some of the recording sessions.Harry (2002) pp777-78 Author Mark Lewisohn reports that The Beatles held their first and only 24-hour recording/producing session near the end of the creation of The Beatles, during which occurred the final mixing and sequencing for the album. The session was attended by Lennon, McCartney, and producer George Martin.Lewisohn (1988)
Tracks
Comments
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juanbi1997 on 11th Mar 10:
“You can be 12 years old, but i´m thirteen and I´m also an expert, and I also have heard every song, but one mora thing. I´m Spanish.”
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iamthebunny on 10th Mar 10:
“Best album ever”
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Sgt. Ringo on 10th Mar 10:
“Hey Bungalow Bill, What did you Kill?”
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peluzito on 9th Mar 10:
“Dear Prudence is my favorite song”
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FJRBeatles on 6th Mar 10:
“Yamaowoamaon and I have bought some claret for you, George but I forgot. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me ? Yes”
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sam miller on 2nd Mar 10:
“REVOLUTION 9 IS BRILLIANT. MY FAVORITE THING BY THE BEATLES AND I'M 12 YEARS OLD. I HAVE HEARD EVERY SONG I HAVE EVERY ALBUM (SOME ON VINYL) AND AM A EXPERT.”
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mees on 27th Feb 10:
“the cover is ssso beautiful!”
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plasticsoulman on 23rd Feb 10:
“Blackbird, simply perfect”
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BEATLES_FREAK579 on 21st Feb 10:
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the best album next to magival mystery tour, sgt.pepper, and RUbber Soul!”
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LucyHelterSkelter on 21st Feb 10:
“My favorite :D”
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Related Images
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John & Yoko at a recording session for the album "The Beatles" (White Album) -
Paul with George Martin at the piano, during recording sessions for the album "The Beatles" (White Album) -
George & Ringo take a break in a control room, during recording sessions for the album "The Beatles" (White Album) -
Ringo singing during a recording session for the album "The Beatles" (White Album) -
Paul photographs Ringo at a recording session for the album "The Beatles" (White Album)
