Apologies to those who might have seen this before . . .

All this talk about the White Album over on the Double Album thread, reminded me of a post I made on another discussion board. As it is I think the White Album is great collection of songs ruined by the inclusion of some of the weakest songs in the Beatles' discography:

quote:

WWGMD (What Would George Martin Do)? So I decided to take it up. GM has been quoted as saying if the Beatles would have pared down this double LP to 14 songs it would have been brilliant. I've often sided with him, but I never actually thought it out. With a little help from iTunes, I decided to make my own, perfect White Album playlist. It wasn't easy. I knocked it down to 20 songs pretty quick, but then . . . things got difficult. I made some cuts which I regret, and I know some of you will ridicule, but it's all in the interest of making a perfect album. Besides (pun intended) just think of the great B-sides that would be available now! Oh, I couldn't get it down to 14, but I did knock it down to 15 songs, 45:15!

Here it is The Beatles: Max Jack Edit:

Side A:

1. "Back in the USSR" (no need to mess with one of the greatest opening tracks of all time)

2. "Revolution" (the superior-- and shorter-- version from Past Masters Vol. 2. The best song on many of my favorite records is in the two-slot, so that's why I bumped it up)

3. "Dear Prudence" (I know, you're not used to the segue, but it works!)

4. "Glass Onion" (no change)

5. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (Here we go, lots to dispose of here. Good-bye, "Ob-La-Di," "Wild Honey Pie" and "Bungalow Bill"-- these were no brainers)

6. "Happiness is a Warm Gun" (no change)

7. "I'm So Tired" (makes for a better Side ending than "Martha My Dear")


Side B:

1. "Matha My Dear" (nice way to start the second side)

2. "I Will" (the next song on my initial cut, was "Blackbird" but it was too similar to "MMD"-- Luckily, this fits nicely)

3. "Blackbird" (by now you've realized that I've skipped "Piggies" [no biggie, terrible song], "Rocky Racoon" [my very last cut, I love it, but it just doesn't fit!] and "Don't Pass Me By" [sorry, Ringo])

4. "Sexy Sadie" (bye, bye "Birthday" [good riddance], "Yer Blues" [When I bought The Beatles in tenth grade, this was my favorite song-- listening to it now, it seems like a parody], "Mother Nature's Son" [Great song, but in the end not as good as some of the other Paul tracks I've left], "Every Body's Got Something to Hide" [another tough choice])

5. "Long, Long, Long" (a song that I think doesn't get talked about enough-- this is the experimental Beatles that I love, I mean, it doesn't sound like anything else they ever did!)

6. "Helter Skelter" ("LLL" into "HS" is my favorite segue on my version of the album)

7. "Cry Baby Cry" (adios, "Honey Pie" [didn't think twice] and "Savoy Truffle" [good song, but in the end "HS" is sooo much better, and they're pretty similar]

8. "Julia" (Scram "Revolution 9" and "Good Night" [too much like a traditional lullaby, "Julia" is a much prettier song to end the album])


Now there's an album that would rival Revolver for supremacy atop the Beatles discography!

Sacrilege? You be the judge.

I agree with some of your cuts -- notably "Revolution 9", "Ob La Di, Ob La Da", and "Good Night" -- but I also can't help but notice you cut some terrific songs there, Jack. "Rocky Raccoon", "Savoy Truffle", and "Don't Pass Me By" will be sorely missed.

I also enjoy a lot of the half-assed tossoffs that you seem to hate. There's a certain charm to stuff like "Wild Honey Pie" and "Why Don't We Do It In The Road".

My quick 2 cents: all the tracks you have jettisoned in parentheses with no.4, side 2 are excellent songs, and I could never remove them.
Equally, removing Ob-La-Di!!....it's an terrific piece of English whimsy, full of great imagery, and joyous chord changes.

Honey Pie - sure. It's not much chop.
Piggies we don't need. But thats it really.
Every other track should stay. Thank god the White Album was released the way it was.
I've loved it for almost 30 years, but I do understand how some people wanna edit it.

Here's the thing though. Let's just say Martin had had his way and something similar to what I posted was released. That would have been the ablum you fell in love with. Now, let's say you didn't hear "Don't Pass Me By" or "Good Night" until 1996 (when the Anthologies came out). My guess is most people wouldn't have given a flip about them.

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
Here's the thing though. Let's just say Martin had had his way and something similar to what I posted was released. That would have been the ablum you fell in love with. Now, let's say you didn't hear "Don't Pass Me By" or "Good Night" until 1996 (when the Anthologies came out). My guess is most people wouldn't have given a flip about them.

Maybe, but I could cut tracks out of just any classic album, and improve it. At least in my own mind. Would you miss "Dear Doctor" if it was missing from Beggars Banquet? Maybe we should start a thread called "My Version Of..."

Now you're talking!

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:
Would you miss "Dear Doctor" if it was missing from Beggars Banquet?

Yes.

What I love about this album is how eclectic it is musically! And I'll even go as far as saying that I think "Honey Pie" is a fantastic song: great vocals, infectious melodic and lyrical hooks, fun rhymes--a deliciously nostalgic confection!


David

quote:

The White Album - To edit or not to edit?

Nah, I wouldn't change a thing.

I could not stand removing "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"; it's one of those songs you crank up in your car when you're out with your friends, and everybody sings along at the top of their lungs while you cruise through town on a Saturday night. Sheer delight!

But if I have to condense the album, I'd end up with seventeen solid tracks. Here's what I'd do:

Remove "Wild Honey Pie," (what the...?) "Bungalow Bill" (too much Yoko Ono screeching), "I'm So Tired" (it ain't no "I'm Only Sleeping"), "Piggies" (satirical, but not as infectious as some of the other songs) "Rocky Raccoon" (too repetitive and coma-inducing/cut the American cowboy crap), "Don't Pass Me By" (sorry, Ringo, but it's a boring melody), "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" (self-indulgent nonsense), "Birthday" (one of the most overrated Beatles songs of all; Paul CAN be annoying from time to time), "Yer Blues"(I can't even remember it), "Long, Long, Long" (dull, dull, dull), "Savoy Truffle" (cute, but not one of George's best) "Cry Baby Cry" (too much repetition of the title), and "Revolution 9" (OK, it's a fun hodgepodge exercise, but it's not a song).

Here's how I'd sequence the album, so that it features a rockin' first set (tracks 1-6), then a mellow but moody John section (tracks 7-9), followed by three buoyant pop songs by Paul (tracks 10-12), finally mellowing out into five smooth tunes (tracks 13-17).

1. Back in the USSR
2. Revolution 1
3. Helter Skelter
4. Glass Onion
5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
6. Everybody's Got Something to Hide...
7. Sexy Sadie
8. Happiness Is a Warm Gun
9. Dear Prudence
10. Martha My Dear
11. Ob-la-Di, Ob-Lad-Da
12. Honey Pie
13. I Will
14. Mother Nature's Son
15. Blackbird
16. Julia
17. Good Night


David

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Prometheus,

quote:

Originally posted by Prometheus:
I could not stand removing "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"; it's one of those songs you crank up in your car when you're out with your friends, and everybody sings along at the top of their lungs while you cruise through town on a Saturday night. Sheer delight!

But if I have to condense the album, I'd end up with seventeen solid tracks. Here's what I'd do:

Remove "Wild Honey Pie," (what the...?) "Bungalow Bill" (too much Yoko Ono screeching), "I'm So Tired" (it ain't no "I'm Only Sleeping"), "Piggies" (satirical, but not as infectious as some of the other songs) "Rocky Raccoon" (too repetitive and coma-inducing/cut the American cowboy crap), "Don't Pass Me By" (sorry, Ringo, but it's a boring melody), "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" (self-indulgent nonsense), "Birthday" (one of the most overrated Beatles songs of all; Paul CAN be annoying from time to time), "Yer Blues"(I can't even remember it), "Long, Long, Long" (dull, dull, dull), "Savoy Truffle" (cute, but not one of George's best) "Cry Baby Cry" (too much repetition of the title), and "Revolution 9" (OK, it's a fun hodgepodge exercise, but it's not a song).

Here's how I'd sequence the album, so that it features a rockin' first set (tracks 1-6), then a mellow but moody John section (tracks 7-9), followed by three buoyant pop songs by Paul (tracks 10-12), finally mellowing out into five smooth tunes (tracks 13-17).

1. Back in the USSR
2. Revolution 1
3. Helter Skelter
4. Glass Onion
5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
6. Everybody's Got Something to Hide...
7. Sexy Sadie
8. Happiness Is a Warm Gun
9. Dear Prudence
10. Martha My Dear
11. Ob-la-Di, Ob-Lad-Da
12. Honey Pie
13. I Will
14. Mother Nature's Son
15. Blackbird
16. Julia
17. Good Night


David

I could live with that version. Nice, although are you sure it would fit on an album? It's definitely longer than mine, I'm over 45 minutes.

You guys are crazy for wanting to change anything off that album. That thing is absolutely perfect as is. Not only is it an album of historical significance but it is one amazing listen. All of the songs from "Ob La Di, Ob La Da" to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" to "Revolution 9" are all meaningful and important pieces of work. It is still my favorite album of all time.

Nope - I wouldn't change it. I thought it might work for a second, but when I saw the song people had to cut---- no way.

There are some songs on The White Album that I think flat out suck.

Despite that, I'm pretty anal about what the artists intended. I may have my qualms about The White Album, but I also wouldn't change it.

I also don't get the hate for "Birthday". I love that song.

i tried to make my own version of the white album last april in the library when i should've been studying for my film final. i have to say, i couldn't bring myself to ditch more than 3 or 4 songs. maybe it's because i've grown attached to them, but every time i tried to remove a track, i immediately regretted it.

quote:

Originally posted by Dork:
I'm pretty anal about what the artists intended.

I hate to burst your bubble but nearly every great album you ever heard isn't just made up of what the artist(s) intended. There is a reason people bring in producers-- an objective outside opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:

quote:

Originally posted by Dork:
I'm pretty anal about what the artists intended.

I hate to burst your bubble but nearly every great album you ever heard isn't just made up of what the artist(s) intended. There is a reason people bring in producers-- an objective outside opinion.

I know that too. But it's not like mixing up an album even more solves this.

A friend of mine said something like this recently:

"For a while The White Album was all [another friend of ours] had in his car, so he'd just listen to that over and over. YOU DON'T LISTEN TO THE WHITE ALBUM ALL THE WAY THROUGH! You rip it to your computer and just keep the good songs, like Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da and The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill"

Ha. Those are fine songs, and I've still yet to hear the thing all the way through ( ) but I too generally dislike going against the artists' intent (and, if they BY CHOICE bring it to an "objective outside opinion" I'd say it's still their intent ) and I imagine I'll like it in its entirety.

alright, im new here, but id first like to say that i am a HUGE fan of the beatles, have studied their works extensively, and thought about this for a bit... i've done variations on this a number of times, but here's my current cut of this album.
I included singles from the 1968 year as they fit in sonically, and i've also play tested it a number of times, and it does indeed flow.

SIDE ONE
1: Back In The USSR- cant imagine the album starting any other way...
2: Dear Prudence- if only for the segue; this song is easily one of the best in the ENTIRE beatles catalog- its a brief summation of everything they could do.
3: Martha My Dear- a bit of a dance-hally, classic good time to calm down from that dramatic one two punch that was the first two tracks before jumping into...
4: While My Guitar Gently Weeps- LOVE version (acoustic) beautiful, acoustic, and flows into
5: Lady Madonna- that superb piano driven piece.
6: Happiness Is A Warm Gun- it flows. the song, and its place in the playlist.
7: I Will- it fits, and it's just one of those Paul songs that you have to love. I considered swapping this out with Blackbird, but then, with my revised Singles, what would be a worthy B-Side? I Will would be one hell of a disappointing B-Side.
8: Julia- seriously a perfect side closer. So beautiful.

SIDE TWO
1: The Inner Light- I know, this is a REALLY odd choice. But look where they were coming from with this (India) and just imagine hearing that. Side twos are supposed to open HOT and catch your interest, and this would definitely do that. And lyrically it would open up your mind. A completely underrated track by George
2: Mother Nature's Son- continues the theme, and flows nicely in the order.
3: Sexy Sadie- It also fits.
4: Helter Skelter- Ok, Side 3 of the original album was just stellar. I couldn't really knock off its core songs...
5: Long, Long, Long- I don't care what any of you say, this song is HEAVY. Listen as those drums come in. Apply the lyrics to a relationship with God/god/whatever, which is what the song refers to. And then that ghostly organ clattering at the end- it's like a presence all in its own. George was on fire.
6: Cry Baby Cry- This also just fits.
7: Hey Jude- LOVE version (I know, not legit, but just hear me out) for its brevity and sonic differences from the single version. It keeps the flow without killing it with 4 minutes of na na na na's, which would be ok if it were the closer. But it cannot be. This album was supposed to be a sonic revolution for the ears, and what better way to end it than with
8: Revolution- imagine leaving this listening experience with a song like this. Mind-blowing.

16 tracks, 50 minutes (I know a bit long).

Make it a playlist, see what you think.

As for singles, the first, pre-LP release would have to be
Hey Jude (7 minute version) b/w Revolution (acoustic, i.e. Revolution 1)
This way we have a rocker WITH an acoustic number, which reflects upon the album's tone and keeps intact the legendary single.

The second would have to be
While My Guitar Gently Weeps b/w Blackbird.
That way we cover the two singles I integrated, and people get their money's worth with the singles; George gets a spotlight; the "best" songs are covered; everyone's happy!

Eh? Eh?!

I'm pleased...

EDIT: I just realized how much more perfectly it fits for the "album" version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps to be the acoustic version... cuz this way, the single version is a whole 'nother release.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tulis,

quote:

Originally posted by tulis:
alright, im new here, but id first like to say that i am a HUGE fan of the beatles, have studied there works extensively, and thought about this for a bit... i've done variations on this a number of times, but here's my current cut of this album.
I included singles from the 1968 year as they fit in sonically, and i've also play tested it a number of times, and it does indeed flow.

SIDE ONE
1: Back In The USSR- cant imagine the album starting any other way...
2: Dear Prudence- if only for the segue; this song is easily one of the best in the ENTIRE beatles catalog- its a brief summation of everything they could do.
3: Martha My Dear- a bit of a dance-hally, classic good time to calm down from that dramatic one two punch that was the first two tracks before jumping into...
4: While My Guitar Gently Weeps- eh, what needs to be said about this song. It flows nicely into
5: Lady Madonna- that superb piano driven piece.
6: Happiness Is A Warm Gun- it flows. the song, and its place in the playlist.
7: I Will- it fits, and it's just one of those Paul songs that you have to love. I considered swapping this out with Blackbird, but then, with my revised Singles, what would be a worthy B-Side? I Will would be one hell of a disappointing B-Side.
8: Julia- seriously a perfect side closer. So beautiful.

SIDE TWO
1: The Inner Light- I know, this is a REALLY odd choice. But look where they were coming from with this (India) and just imagine hearing that. Side twos are supposed to open HOT and catch your interest, and this would definitely do that. And lyrically it would open up your mind. A completely underrated track by George
2: Mother Nature's Son- continues the theme, and flows nicely in the order.
3: Sexy Sadie- It also fits.
4: Helter Skelter- Ok, Side 3 of the original album was just stellar. I couldn't really knock off its core songs...
5: Long, Long, Long- I don't care what any of you say, this song is HEAVY. Listen as those drums come in. Apply the lyrics to a relationship with God/god/whatever, which is what the song refers to. And then that ghostly organ clattering at the end- it's like a presence all in its own. George was on fire.
6: Cry Baby Cry- This also just fits.
7: Hey Jude- LOVE version (I know, not legit, but just hear me out) for its brevity and sonic differences from the single version. It keeps the flow without killing it with 4 minutes of na na na na's, which would be ok if it were the closer. But it cannot be. This album was supposed to be a sonic revolution for the ears, and what better way to end it than with
8: Revolution- imagine leaving this listening experience with a song like this. Mind-blowing.

16 tracks, 50 minutes (I know a bit long).

Make it a playlist, see what you think.

As for singles, the first, pre-LP release would have to be
Hey Jude (7 minute version) b/w Revolution (acoustic, i.e. Revolution 1)
This way we have a rocker WITH an acoustic number, which reflects upon the album's tone and keeps intact the legendary single.

The second would have to be
While My Guitar Gently Weeps b/w Blackbird.
That way we cover the two singles I integrated, and people get their money's worth with the singles; George gets a spotlight; the "best" songs are covered; everyone's happy!

Eh? Eh?!

I'm pleased...

Nice first post! Welcome to Metacritic. I like how you thought it through with the b-sides. Nice touch.