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.