One of the nice things about shuffles is you get to hear songs out of their usual context, which can sometimes spark new insights. Such was the case this morning when the Beatles’ “Flying” suddenly floated up from my speakers. I wound up listening to it several times because I just couldn’t get over how incredible the song is. I know it’s usually described as a throw away. But even its simple introduction is completely unforgettable.
Anyway, I soon found myself reading about the Magical Mystery Tour, and I was surprised to see how many songs they recorded during those sessions that I had never associated with that album. For example, I didn’t realize that they began working on Yellow Submarine during the MMT sessions. (“Only a Northern Song” was actually begun during the Sgt Pepper sessions. Listen to that with “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite” and you can hear the similarities.) Nor did I know that other songs like “Lady Madonna” and “Across the Universe” were also recorded then.
So, I created a playlist that encompassed everything the Beatles recorded from April of 1967 through February of 1968—from just after Sgt Pepper to just before the White album. Since they didn’t record a proper album during that time, I was hoping this playlist might resemble a sort of “missing” Beatles album.
Here is the playlist:
· All You Need Is Love
· Hey Bulldog
· Magical Mystery Tour
· Your Mother Should Know
· Only A Northern Song
· Lady Madonna
· Flying
· Hello, Goodbye
· The Inner Light
· The Fool On The Hill
· Across the Universe
· I Am The Walrus
· All Together Now
· Blue Jay Way
· You Know My Name (Look up the Number)
· Baby You’re A Rich Man
· It’s All Too Much
I originally listened to this playlist in shuffle mode but I have since assembled the order you see here. I like the flow. Also, I like the symmetry of starting with “All You Need Is Love” and ending with “It’s All Too Much.” But shuffle mode works, too.
One thing that becomes immediately clear is how well these songs fit together. Hearing them like this brings out the “psychedelic” touches of songs I wouldn’t have said were psychedelic. On “Across the Universe,” for example, the wah-wah and sitars are more prominent. (I recommend using the version from Past Masters, which has the nature sound effects in the beginning.) On “Lady Madonna” the “nose horns” in the bridge take on a whole new feel.
You also start to notice the similarities of these seemingly disparate songs. Note the outros for “All You Need is Love” and “It’s All Too Much” and the intros to “Blue Jay Way” and “Only a Northern Song.” Check out the clavoline in “Baby You’re a Rich Man” and the similar musical flights performed by the Indian instruments in “The Inner Light.” Songs that have previously been relegated to B-sides or compilations (“The Inner Light” and “You Know My Name”) suddenly have a proper context.
Suddenly we have a collection of songs that almost sounds like a real album. Granted, it’s a little long. But it’s a cool listen. Try it and let me know what you think.
Here is a cool promo video of the Beatles recording “Hey Bulldog.” It’s kind of a poignant moment, since this is cited as the last time they really recorded together on friendly terms. Plus, it’s a great song.
Splat Macumba 