Product ReviewsThe Beatles [White Album] by The Beatles (CD, Aug-1988, 2 Discs, Capitol)

Overall Review of The White Album Is good but uneven.

Some people say that Ths Beatles White album is their best album. I don't agree. Their producer, George Martin, does not agree. I think that probably their best overall album is "Revolver." But having said that are there some great songs on The White Album? Yes, A ton of them. The album overall has about 24 songs on it, it is their only double album. The work is all over the place. The biggest knock on the White Album legitimately is that is has no focus. There is no cohesion here like they had on Sgt.Pepper. You get the feeling from listening to it that all four members of the band were all just working apart from each other making music and then at the end they just threw all their songs together and piled it on to this album. It is long and winding. Out of the 24 songs on it I would say about 16 or 17 of them are good. The highlights for me? Songs like "Dear Prudence", "Glass Onion", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "I'm so tired", "Sexy Sadie." The weaker songs? "Good Night", "Revolution 9", which is very weird, And "Piggies."Read full review...

Is the White Album the Right Album for you?

The year 1968 was one of the most convulsive of the 20th century. The Vietnam war ripped the USA asunder, a crazed southerner murdered Dr. Martin Luther King, the Mexico City Olympics will always be remembered for the Black Power Salute on the medal-presenting podium by US sprinters Tommie Smith (gold) and John Carlos (bronze), and the police riot at the 1968 Democratic convention - ordered by Chicago Mayor Richard Daly - was televised worldwide to a shocked audience. Amidst this grim background stands the enigmatic White Album by the Beatles. Avoiding the theatricality of Sgt.Pepper and the psychedelic launchpad of Revolver, fans of the Four Lads were left scratching their heads. For the most part, it seemed that each of them went to the studio alone with their musical ideas and just a few songs were performed together, not the least of which is the hard rockin'opener and parody of the Beach Boys, "Back in the USSR." What stands out are the emerging individual personalities of the group. "While my guitar gently weeps" could be considered one of George's masterpieces and it is one of the best songs, if not the best, on the album. "Yer blues" and a few others show they could rock out as well as anyone. Another is "Helter Skelter" which the Manson murderers wrote on the walls in blood during their LA killing spree; it was also the title of the book written by prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi who put them in jail for life.

On a personal note, shortly after the album's release, I met Sam Melville and a woman who was an old friend of the person who invited me over for the evening; they had recently blown up a town house on Washington Square in New York and were briefly on the lam - Melville was one of the leaders of the 1971 riot at Attica prison and was killed when Gov. Nelson Rockefeller ordered the police to open fire; Melville's son was subsequently awarded $25,000 by a Federal judge in August of 2000, part of the $8 million settlement won by survivors of the Attica bloodbath. The 1972 solo album "Some Time in New York City" shows more of John's political side. "Attica State" speaks for itself as does "Angela" (Davis), now teaching at UC Santa Cruz, and "John Sinclair," imprisoned for giving a narc two joints but later freed after a rally with John, Allen Ginsberg, Abbie Hoffman, Dave Dellinger, Black Panther Bobby Seale and Stevie Wonder, among others.

This era of violence no doubt had John thinking of what his stature has added
to his appeal to the political Left. With the laid-back "Revolution 1" on the second CD, he throws us a curve: "But when you talk about destruction, don't you know that you can count me out...." whew, what a relief! But a split-second later he changes the "out" to "in!" We wonder what he meant by that? The answer lies in the two LP set, "The Beatles/1967-1970" where there is no such double entendre. Not only does the tune start out with screaming guitars and an unambiguous appeal: "But if you talk about destruction, don't you that you can count me out?" and that's it. Maybe it was Attica that erased all doubts for John.

But the music stands on its own and the White Album displays a range of the Beatles' collective and individual genius. But let us not forget "Abbey Road," their last album in a long line of masterpieces, as well as 45 rpm singles of "Strawberry Fields and "Penny Lane," both included in the 1967-1970 anthology. But by all means, this is a must-own. Enjoy!Read full review...

Found it / Finally

I've been looking for the "White" album for years. Brings back many memories listening to it again. Love it! This was an affordable GREAT DEAL that arrived really fast. Thanks

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Beatles White Album CD - my review

Well if you have Sgt Peppers you really should get this one. It is another of the all time rock music classics. Possibly one of the best albums every made actually. This is a powerful work of music. If you are not ready to hear it, you probably will not like it. If you are somewhat experienced with music you may be ready to listen to this. If you are ready, make proper preparations; 1) clear the room of distractions/people/etc, 2) have the speakers set up properly or the sound to the (closed) headphones equalized appropriately. 3) get a comfortable seat, have the album there to examine the lyrics if you so desire. 4) Give yourself some room to jump up and dance if needed and water to drink. This will be one of those experiences, kind of like the first time you heard Miles Davis Kind of Blue Album. its just one of those things that makes music (or life) magical.Read full review...

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Beatles: White Album - The best album by the iconic group.

I was a teenager when the Beatles became known in America. I really didn't like their early music. It seemed adolescent, and they looked ridiculous. As they grew more mature, and apparently discovered drugs, their songs became better. I only liked a few of their later albums. The White Album is one of their best in my opinion. Read full review...

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The White Album - A Classic for all Ages

The White Album is the best-selling of all Beatle albums, and is one of the major accomplishments in popular music. The music is fresh, unique, and incredibly diverse, showcasing the varied talents of the four band members (even Ringo was allowed a song he composed himself, "Don't Pass Me By".), which would be highlighted in later years in their solo careers. The popularity of the songs is sometimes attributed to the fact that they are personal and self-referencing. Many songs were conceived during the group's visit to India in 1968. The songs on the album run the range of genres, from rock (Helter Skelter, While My Guitar Gently Weeps), ska (Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da), blues (Yer Blues), pop (Birthday, Back in the USSR), and acoustic ballads (Blackbird, Julia). The songs were also arranged with symmetry on the album, grouping together like songs and/or distributing them evenly throughout the album.
This is a must have for any popular music buff. The White Album is considered by many fans and musicians to be the pinnacle of the Beatles musical career, catering to a wide range of musical tastes. This is the first original double album issued by the Beatles and each song is a separate and distinct masterpiece. The recording was originally available in both stereo and mono, with subtle differences in the mono versions making it a rare find for avid collectors.

Pros - Unique, diverse musical menu; classic collectible packaging; long term enjoyment.

Cons - For those accustomed to Beatles previous material, a huge change.Read full review...

One of the best from the best.

Arguably the White Album could have been made into a one LP release and would have probably become The Beatles' strongest album ever. Producer George Martin is of this opinion, but I can't agree. Because unfinished songs like "Golden Slumbers", "Cry Baby Cry" or "Why Don't We Do It in The Road?" would probably have been left out, and that would have been of great loss to the world. What I always did on my LP version and kept doing in CD version is skip Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da on the first disc and "Revolution 9" on the second. The rest is just joy to my ears.Read full review...

CD was in great shape!

I bought this for my dad for his birthday since one of his cds were missing. The cd played great although the jewel case was slightly damaged and was coming apart. It’s no big deal really since it is a 34 year old cd and jewel case. Thanks for the quick shipment. Read full review...

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Excellent sound!

I use to have this very same beatles white cd and loved it. It then grew legs and walked away. I then bought the new 2009 version but it just didn't have that same sound, which was more like the original lp. This cd sounds great and is worth buying if you like that more lp like sound. Thank you!Read full review...

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Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

Talk about a collection of songs that are all over the map. The White Album doesn't know what it wants to be. But, there is no point in me explaining what this album is. People much more musically educated than me have turned picking it apart and explaining what the pieces mean into a science. I'll just tell you why I like it.

The Brilliant Tracks: The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Marth My Dear, Blackbird, Piggies, Julia, Long, Long, Long, Sexy Sadie

The Really Bad Song: Why Don't We Do It In The Road (at least it makes me laugh).

The good songs: Pretty much everything else.

4 StarsRead full review...