W is for The White Album

W is for The White Album, or more formally, The Beatles. Released in November 1968 after a contentious year for the Beatles, and the world, in many ways the double album defies description. Personally, I love it, warts and all. With the help of modern technology I can selectively skip a few of the subpar songs. That said there are so many hidden gems on the album even fans tend to forget some of their favorites.

On a personal note, I’ll always associate The White Album with the semester I spent in Spain January to May 2002. Despite being a huge Beatles fan and hearing about The White Album for years, I never really listened to the entire thing until that point in my life. My schedule included class Monday through Thursday, leaving three-day weekends to explore Spain. I’ll leave it at this: The White Album accompanied me, along with books and a journal, through several hundred miles of Spanish countryside, whether by train or bus. It will always put a huge smile on my face.

Unfortunately, as a Beatles fan, it is easy to tell it’s the beginning of the end for the band. It is very possible to indentify “Paul songs” and “John songs” on the album. The Beatles were growing a part and the fissures in their relationships are apparent on the album. The album is a mess and all over the place. That is part of what makes it so much fun. Enjoy!