Expert: Matt Gregersen - 12/6/2004

Question
Hello !! Matt,
Could you Please offer some insight into the Beatles famous classic White Album.
Thanks !! For answering. It is Appreciated !!
Ron

Answer
Hi, Ron. Thanks for your question.

The White Album happens to be my favorite album of all time, and if permitted I could probably write an entire book on how much I love it, but I'll offer what I think about it in a more brief form.

The White Album was made at a very particular time in the Beatles' career. It was 1968, they had already been together for 6 years, and tensions were starting to show themselves. In short, I believe it was during the White Album sessions that the group began to break up. It shows on the album too. There aren't very many songs on it that seem to me were a whole band effort. It was mostly John and Paul just singing their songs and using the band as a backing group. Also, it's clear that each member's musical stylings were heading different directions. John was starting to write his raw, self-centered yet dearingly beautiful numbers ("Julia," "Dear Prudence," "Happiness is a Warm Gun"), Paul began writing his melodious and often non-sensical pop tunes that would later almost completely dominate his solo career ("Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da," "Honey Pie,"). It's hard to say where George was headed, though. His songs, from "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" to "Piggies," are varied, but they do show his spirituality and sense of humor. Ringo only had "Don't Pass Me By," but it's an obvious incline towards his country-western tendencies that he would later pursue further into his career.

This was basically the reason why the White Album had to be a double album. Everyone wanted to do their songs, and there was so many that there wasn't really much of a choice. But I wouldn't change a thing about it. I once read somewhere that the White Album was "as epic as a symphony and at the same time as comforting as a folk tune," and I think that sentence alone defines the White Album.

Well, I hope I answered your question. Again, thank you, and long live the Beatles.

Matt