Volume Two
Nearly every song on this album is superb. Many of them are from the best and most productive time of the Beatles, Rubber Soul through Sgt. Pepper. The album opens with "Day Tripper" and it is a song written mainly by John and it is about an acid taker. Acid was becoming a major influence around this time in all rock n all and it was very prevalent in the Beatles work. The songs best feature is the guitar riff that runs through the song. The other side of this double A sided single is "We Can Work It Out". This song is the better of the two, and it is a collaboration much like that on "A Day In The Life". Paul provides the verses, and he is very optimistic, although a little pushy, and the verses set the story. John provides the chorus and it is a very good complement to the verses. The chorus is in minor to offset, Paul dominating major verses, and John is not so optimistitc about the arguement that is occurring. He does provide very meaningful lyrics as he says "Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend." This statement foreshadows the peace movement that was about to occur, but the truth in that statement is very easily taken. The next single featured is another great one, and it is surprisingly not about love. "Paperback Writer" is a great one written by Paul, and it has a great beat. The song has references to things the american public is not aware of, but it is humorous and good to listen to. "Rain" the B-side is John's contribution. This song features exceptional drumming by Ringo. It also has distorted guitars and John's voice is muffled a bit, it is not surprising this came around the Revolver time period. The song also has one tricky part, and that is that it is played backwards at the end. This is the first time this was ever done, and the story behind it varies from the teller.
"Lady Madonna/ The Inner Light" is the next single, and there isn't too much to note about this except that the latter is a Harrison song, and the first one is a bluesy one by Paul that has varied interpretations. The next single is a very important one for many reasons, which I discussed in the White Album page. This one was the longest single ever (Hey Jude plays over 7 minutes) and "Revolution" did not go on without it's controversy. "Hey Jude" many believe is the better songs, and it is fantastic, and it was written for Julian, after John divorced Cynthia for Yoko. It has always been important to Julian, and to many listeners.
The next two songs ar from the "Let It Be" album, and they also feature Billy Preston on keyboards. "Get Back/ Don't Let Me Down" are two fantastic songs, and "Get Back" was discussed in a previous page. "Don't Let Me Down" is a fine one from John, whose muse is obviously Yoko, this song is pleading and he performed it well on the rooftop, although he forgot some of the words.
"The Ballad of John and Yoko" is a key song for a number of reasons. First is that it told the story of John and Yoko's wedding, which is an interesting one at that. It is also full of good lines and it has a very captivating beat. The song was recorded during the time of a very strained relationship between John an Paul. It is therefore very surprising that it was only them two who recorded it. Paul provides many instruments, and most notably it features his drumming. "Old Brown Shoe" is the B-side, and it is a good Harrison song, it is catchy but it is lacking. A version of "Across the Universe" that was given to the World Wild Life Fund is heard here. This version has birds chirping, is a different tempo, and has some terrible background vocals. The vocals are provided, at Paul's request, by two fans outside. It is for that reason taht John beleived Paul was trying to sabotage his work. "Let it Be" is also on here, although it is hardly different, just he solo is a tad shorter. The last song on here is the most amusing, if not annoying. "You Know My Name Look Up the Number" is a silly song, and it sounds as though most of it was ad libbed as a gag.
The songs on here are essential to have. They are the best by the Beatles. Some songs are not that great but still are a pleasure to listen to. This album,along with volume one are great to accompany the albums, and are worthwhile to listen to
2. We Can Work It Out
3. Paperback Writer
4. Rain
5. Lady Madonna
6. The Inner Light [Harrison]
7. Hey Jude
8. Revolution
9. Get Back (with Billy Preston)
10. Don't Let Me Down (with Billy Preston)
11. The Ballad Of John and Yoko
12. Old Brown Shoe [Harrison]
13. Across The Universe
14. Let It Be
15. You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
