Beatles

“I’ll play, you know, whatever you want me to play, or I won’t play at all if you don’t want to me to play. Whatever it is that will please you, I’ll do it.” That’s the way George Harrison sarcastically responded to Paul McCartney’s request that he alter his style of playing on “Two of Us,” a song recorded during the tension-filled sessions that would eventually spawn The Beatles’ “Let it Be” album and documentary film. By the time the band entered their late ’60s period, relationships among all four members had become downright hostile. The situation had become so tense that even the usually unflappable Ringo walked out in frustration during the recording of the “White Album” in 1968, planning not to return. Eleven months later, in the midst of what Paul referred to as the “Get Back” sessions, the situation had deteriorated. Following arguments with Paul, and heated exchanges with John that nearly resulted in fisticuffs, it was George’s turn to break free of the band. He left the studio one day and returned with an old friend whose phenomenal playing and gregarious nature brought about some much needed harmony. No one would dare bicker while Billy Preston was on the scene.

If you could whittle down The Beatles’ double “White Album” to a single-disc LP, which songs would you include (or toss)? Today, this album is considered iconic among fans and critics. Yet, upon its release, many critics considered the songs somewhat mediocre and purposeless. I played this album till it was nearly grooveless, but when it comes to critical analysis, I believe its content could have used “a damn good whacking,” to borrow a line from George Harrison’s song “Piggies” (a tune I’d cut, by the way).