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The Beatles Remasters, Part 11: The End
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The Beatles last stand
Abbey Road was truly the last statement by the biggest band in the world. With most of what became Let it Be already recorded, the Beatles wanted to record their last effort (all of the band members knew it was the end) in a way that would pay tribute to the way they recorded in the “early days.” It is just as diverse as the White Album, though in a more confined context. History has given the album an atmosphere of finality, but it is not overwhelming because of the quality of the compositions. Each member comes on strong in their own way, yet the album is passable as a whole. Abbey Road has the charm that every other Beatles album contains, with the exception of the White Album. In terms of construction and music, the White Album would have been much more acceptable as a final statement. Despite what has come to light, the band playing the music on Abbey Road sounds completely in tune with one another. This has never been more evident than on the newly remastered stereo mix. Stereo was the only mix for this album, and the new treatment brings out things that have never been heard so clearly before. Breathing is literally evident in the harmonies on “Because,” and Paul’s bassline in “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” is as sharp as a double-edged sword.
The first side begins with John’s “Come Together” and ends with his “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” ending in abrupt silence. In between, Ringo’s “Octopus’s Garden” and Paul’s 1950’s-throwback “Oh Darling” build the aforementioned charm, while George Harrison continues what he began with the White Album: composing songs that truly rival anything that McCartney or Lennon had ever written. His “Something” is one of the most recognizable love songs of the 20th Century, and it has been called one of the greatest songs of all time by several notable musicians such as Elvis and Sinatra. It is clearly in a league of its own, and the standout on the first side of the album, just as his “Here Comes the Sun” is a standout on side two. “Because” contains some of the best harmonies ever put to tape by the band, and the famous medley that closes Abbey Road is the last stand of the McCartney-Lennon songwriting team.
After Abbey Road was recorded, the band tried to resurrect what was left of what became Let it Be, but it was too late; the band had self-destructed. They weren’t really a band anymore, but three completely over-qualified composers and one dynamite drummer. Reasons for their split have been well documented, with blame going from one member to the next. Let it Be was not a true Beatles album, but a mish mash of songs that needed more work. It is great in its own right, but it doesn’t remotely compare to any of their other works. Abbey Road was truly the end.
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