My 11th nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 11th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is John Lennon's Walls and Bridges album. It was released during a tumultuous period in his life and career, which he referred to as his Lost Weekend. He and Yoko Ono separated in 1973, and he stopped doing political material after releasing the panned Some Time in New York City album. The songs on Walls and Bridges explore his depression and gradual acceptance of the single life. The album's biggest hit was "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" (performed with Elton John). The lyrics came to John while watching late-night sermons on TV made by prosperity preacher Reverend Ike. "Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out" was described by John as his Lost Weekend anthem. John's personal favourite, however, according to friends, was "#9 Dream." It is based on a dream he had that put him in a peaceful state. In regards to the album's title, John said, "Walls keep you in either protectively or otherwise, and bridges get you somewhere else." The cover art is a collage of drawings John made as a child. Shortly after the album reached #1 in 1974, John and Yoko reconciled.

Trivia: Julian Lennon, John's son from his first marriage, is the drummer on "Ya Ya." John would record a more polished cover of the Lee Dorsey song on the follow-up album, Rock 'n' Roll, in 1975.

Kevin's Isolators

Last night I appeared on the final episode of Kevin's Isolators, a nightly web series hosted by Kevin Frankish. This is the same Kevin Frankish who used to host the Toronto edition of Breakfast Television (BT) on CityTV. Isolators ran for 100 episodes, and I hope it will return in some form because it was a great comfort for those of us experiencing depression and/or anxiety during this pandemic.

My segment appears around the 38:12 mark. Here is the link to this episode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tlTPwp_bUc

I actually met Kevin a couple of times back when he co-hosted the Easter Seals Ontario Telethon. I believe he is the real deal. Other episodes of his Isolators series are available to watch on his YouTube channel.

My Beatles Solo Project - Week 5

Week 5 of my Beatles Solo Project has begun! Another four albums on the listening schedule this week. John Lennon begins the week with Rock 'n' Roll, his 'covers' album from 1975. It is the last album he would release until 1980. Wings' two #1 albums from 1975 and 1976 will be examined. George Harrison's final album for Apple Records, Extra Texture, will also be played.

My 10th nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 10th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is Band on the Run, Paul McCartney’s third album with Wings. Released at the end of 1973, it became the group’s most successful album and Paul’s biggest post-Beatles work. The title track and “Jet” are from this album. Paul and wife Linda, and Denny Laine comprised the group after two of its founding members left (i.e. drummer Denny Seiwell and guitarist Henry McCullough). The trio had written and recorded many of the songs while in Lagos, Nigeria. Just as they were wrapping up, Paul and Linda were robbed at knife-point. Having lost their demos, they quickly re-recorded songs for the album. Putting that extra time may have contributed to the album’s enduring quality. I like all the songs, apart from one weak track (“Picasso’s Last Words”). It is interesting to note that Paul wrote the “Band on the Run” song about his early years in The Beatles, and not about Wings. (It was George Harrison who inspired the lyric, “if we ever get out of here” said during a business meeting.) For years I was confused as to what “Jet” is about. Apparently, Paul wrote it about his dog! Thankfully, the album is no dog. It is the best album Wings ever made.

Trivia: a few notable celebrities appear on the album cover with Wings, including Muhammad Ali!

The realities of being black in Canada in 2020

My Beatles Solo Project - Week 4

Week 4 of my Beatles Solo Project has begun! I'm only (re)listening to four albums this week - one by each Beatle! Paul McCartney's best-known album with Wings, Band on the Run, kicks off the week, followed by John Lennon's Walls and Bridges. Both of these albums were #1 on Billboard in 1974. Then, it's Ringo Goodnight Vienna, and George's Dark Horse. Interestingly, Dark Horse would later be the name of George's record label after he left Apple in late 1975.

My 9th nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 9th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is Paul's debut solo album, McCartney. He released it in April 1970, a month before The Beatles' final album, Let it Be. People didn't know what to make of his first album initially because most of it sounds radically different from his Beatles work. It was likely intended to be that way. Paul's mix of conventional pop songs and avant garde instrumentals have a homegrown feel, despite its lack of polish. "Maybe I'm Amazed" is still one of his best solo songs 50 years later. "Junk" and "Teddy Boy" were composed while he was still a Beatle. "Every Night" is another highlight. The best instrumental, "Kreen-Akrore," is adapted from music he heard while watching a documentary about indigenous people in a Brazilian rain-forest. Though Paul would go on to make better albums, this one topped the charts in 1970.

My 8th nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 8th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is George's Living in the Material World album from 1973. The album found him continuing to articulate and meditate on his Hindu faith journey, and his ongoing quest for inner peace (and peace on earth). The opening track "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" was a #1 hit. During this time he struggled to shake off his Beatles identity and knew he was competing with his past. "Sue Me, Sue You Blues" showed his fatigue, while the title track criticized John and Paul "in the material world." The most peaceful songs are the contemplative numbers, and its messages aren't confined to just one religion or faith (e.g. "The Light That Has Lighted the World" and "Be Here Now"). Living in the Material World was the first album George released after headlining his Concert for Bangladesh in 1971. Interestingly, and thankfully, his studio version of "Bangladesh" is included as a bonus track on the 2014 reissue of Living in the Material World.

My 7th nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 7th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is Red Rose Speedway, Paul's second album with Wings. A #1 album when first released in 1973, it also has a reputation of being both panned and misunderstood. 

I didn't think much of it when I first heard it on cassette back in the early '90s. "My Love" was the album's only major hit, but that wasn't enough to convince me of how underrated it is. The version of RRS I actually recommend is the original double-album that Macca and his band-mates proposed, but rejected by their label, EMI. 

It has a stronger song selection and it shows that this was intended to be an ensemble band effort. On their first album, Wild Life, they were hungry but not ready. RRS changed that. The reconstructed original (the cover with the white background) is available on vinyl, or can be downloaded on iTunes. If you can't afford buying the single CD version on the RRS box set, downloading it is just as good. You can read more about the original RRS at https://www.paulmccartney.com/news-blogs/news/red-rose-speedway-the-double-album.

My 6th nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 6th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is Ringo's third solo album, simply titled Ringo. Released near the end of 1973, this album marks a recurring format that allows for many guest stars and celebrity friends. This album is also notable for having all four Beatles on it after their breakup! Relations with John, Paul and George were healthy enough by then that they could work together again without reforming as a group. John wrote and sang backing vocals on "I'm the Greatest," George sang with Ringo and co-wrote "Photograph" (plus wrote 2 other songs) and Paul contributes to "Six O'Clock" and to the cover of Johnny Burnette's "You're Sixteen." Canadians will note that four of the five members of The Band also performed on the album (e.g. Robbie Robertson). "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen" were both #1 hits on Billboard. The album flows so well it is like listening to a Ringo solo concert, with good vibes all around.

A note about the Beatles' solo albums that reached number one between 1968 and 1980

Beatles Solo Project update: all the solo albums that charted at the #1 spot between 1968 and 1980 are nominees for my top 10 list.

How we Battled Racism | BodyBreak Hal Johnson

I remember watching the Body Break TV segments from Participaction growing up. The fact that they were hosted by an interracial couple never bothered me. It looked natural to me. Hal and Joanne made learning about health and fitness fun instead of making the subject sound dry and dull. Hal's story shows how he was able to turn a bad situation into a good one. (BTW he and Joanne are still together today via marriage.)

My Beatles Solo Project - Week 3

Week 3 of my Beatles Solo Project has begun! This week I'm listening to two John solo albums, including the most politically-charged album he ever made (Some Time in New York City) with Yoko Ono. Two of the albums I'm playing this week reached #1 on the Billboard Album Chart in 1973: Paul & Wings' Red Rose Speedway and George's Living in the Material World. Ringo's self-titled album reached #1 in Canada! My nominees for the solo album top 10 will be revealed at the end of the week.

My 5th nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 5th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is, no surprise, John Lennon's Imagine from 1971. The album contains his most famous song, which is of course the title track. Unlike its predecessor (John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band), the Imagine album has a balanced mix of protest songs and romantic balladry. Lennon expressed every good and bad emotion throughout this album. ("Gimme Some Truth" is actually my favourite track.) As good as it is, the album does however contain his unfortunate attack on ex-bandmate Paul (*How Do You Sleep?"), partly in response to Paul's song "Too Many People." The title track has never dated since it is still regarded as an anthem for world peace, despite some of its polarizing content.

My 4th nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 4th nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is Ram (or RAM), by Paul & Linda McCartney. I enjoy most of this album, which was initially panned by many critics, including his former Beatle bandmates in 1971. Ram is a major improvement over his first solo effort (McCartney, 1970). Paul allows other musicians to play on the songs, instead of playing all the instruments himself. He also allows the production to sound more professional than on his solo debut. The songs by Macca sound more fully-formed and less fragmented. Most tracks show off a quirky vibe, like "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" (his first #1 solo hit in North America) and the tripped-out "Monkberry Moon Delight." The 'dark' moments are when he takes jibes at John and Yoko ("Too Many People") and at Linda's first husband ("Dear Boy"), though they don't sound that way because of their bouncy melodies. Ram demonstrates McCartney's growth as a solo artist, though by the end of 1971 he would be leading a new group, Wings.

My 3rd nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 3rd nominee in the Beatles Solo Project is the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album from 1970. Part rock album and part therapy session, this is a Beatle solo album like no other. It was Lennon's first collection of songs as a solo artist, aside from a trio of experimental albums with wife Yoko Ono, and a live album (recorded in Toronto). Lennon was the first to leave The Beatles, yet his departure was fraught with tension and unresolved personal issues. This includes the psychological pain he suffered over the death of his mom years earlier ("Mother"). He also declared that the only people he believed in were himself and Yoko ("God"). Biting political commentary is included (e.g. "Working Class Hero"), demonstrating his growing interest in political activism. This album is not easy listening, but it is essential listening.

My 2nd nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My 2nd nominee in the Beatles Solo Project (1968-1980) is George Harrison's All Things Must Pass. This double-album is captivating from start to finish. It shows how Harrison, the so-called quiet one, could hold his own as a singer and songwriter in the shadows of Lennon and McCartney. He emerged from their shadows with well-crafted songs related to peace, love and spiritual values. "My Sweet Lord" is the big hit from this album. My favourite tracks are "What is Life," "Apple Scruffs" (an ode to Beatle fans), "Beware of Darkness," "Let it Down" and the title track. All the songs are memorable. If it does lose steam towards the end with those instrumental jams, then this is forgivable since the rest of the album is robust. Fellow Beatle Ringo, along with Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Gary Wright, Peter Frampton, Ginger Baker and Phil Collins make musical cameos.

My Beatles Solo Project - Week 2

Week 2 of my Beatles Solo Project has begun! This week I'm listening to George Harrison's All Things Must Pass. I've heard it before and I sense it will be placed high on the final list. I'll also re-listen to two of John Lennon's most famous solo albums, and Paul McCartney's shared album with Linda, his first wife. The first Wings album will also be played this week.

My 1st nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album/1968-1980

My first nominee for Best Beatle Solo Album (between 1968-1980) is Ringo Starr's Beaucoups of Blues. It is his second solo album from 1970, the year The Beatles officially disbanded. It is a country album recorded in Nashville with some of the industry's best musicians. Ringo adapts well to the Nashville sound it's strange he hasn't recorded more country songs and albums. I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. Guests on the album include The Jordanaires, Charlie Daniels, Jerry Reed, D.J. Fontana and Charlie McCoy. Jeannie Kendall duets with Ringo on one track ("I Wouldn't Have it Any Other Way").

My Beatles Solo Albums Countdown launches

This week I initiated a fun project where I listen to every solo album made by the Beatles in the studio between 1968 and 1980. I'm sure there are Beatlemaniacs who agree that those first 12 years of their solo careers were their most important. as those years revealed who they were/are as individual artists.

I made a collage of the albums I listened to during this first week. George Harrison was the first Beatle to release an official solo album. Wonderwall Music is mostly an instrumental album which served as the soundtrack to a movie called Wonderwall.

Ringo Starr released 2 solo albums in 1970, while Paul McCartney released one. John Lennon released his first solo album at the end of 1970, and I'll listen to it in Week 2.

At the end of each week I will review which one(s) I like the best. Once the seven weeks have ended I will list my 10 favourites out of the 32 studio albums released between 1968 and 1980.