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.

Peggy Lee at 100

Today would have been the 100th birthday of Miss Peggy Lee. I was nine years old when I met her at the Royal York Hotel (Toronto). She came to perform at the Ontario Variety Club Telethon. I remember her being a sweet and classy lady. Years later I became more acquainted with her music, and she has become one of my favourite singers. After her death in 2002, I was able to locate her daughter's email address on the Peggy Lee website she used to manage. Nicki wrote a nice reply back. I believe they are both together again making the heavens shine.

Everything is Gonna' Work Out Fine

Eleana, my forever love

Eleana was my close friend who later became my girlfriend. I feel blessed that I got to know her in both capacities. We met in 2006 before we decided to establish a more serious relationship in 2014. Eleana will always be remembered as kind, merciful, compassionate, and tenacious. I loved her smile, her curiosity, her laughter, her perseverance, and her unwavering love towards her family and friends.

Eleana's mission, I believe, was to bring peace and create lasting memories. We had an abundance of both during the years we knew each other.

This is not goodbye, just farewell for now. D loves E forever.