John Lennon would have celebrated his 80th birthday today, 9 October 2020, had he not died 40 years ago.He could never have imagined he’d only live to be 40 years old, because a deranged fan would shoot and kill him outside his home – New York City’s famous Dakota Apartments – on 8 December 1980.That […]
Imagining John Lennon — words and music and stories
To begin with it was difficult making this list- but it was really hard excluding anything from George Harrison’s -All Things Must Pass album. Nearly every song on it I gave consideration to. I’d rank it in my Beatles Solo- Mount Rushmore of albums- and it may indeed be the best Beatles solo album. “Wah-Wah” […]
THE BEATLES TOP 60 SOLO SONGS: #56: “WAH-WAH”- GEORGE HARRISON — slicethelife
November 22, 1963 was a dark day in history with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy- and with the assassination the deaths of C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley received little attention at the time. One great thing did happen on this day though- The Beatles released their second album in the UK- With The […]
SOMETHING GREAT HAPPENED 57 YEARS AGO TODAY- NOVEMBER 22, 1963 — slicethelife
Billboard #1 Hits: #359: “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”- Elton John. January 4, 1974. #1 for 2 weeks in Billboard Hot 100. The first #1 hit of 1975. Single: “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”- Elton John Record Company- MCA Genre: Psychedelic Pop Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney Time: 5:54 B-side” One […]
BILLBOARD #1 HITS: #349: “LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS”- ELTON JOHN – JANUARY 4, 1974 — slicethelife
*Perhaps still heard best on vinyl?
Firstly a proviso: This is my list, so it almost certainly won’t match with anyone else.
Secondly, I’m English so this maybe a bit Anglocentric, so apologies there too. Actually, looking at it again there’s only two British bands in my list, so not guilty!
I’m also no spring chicken, so my picks tend to fall in my formative years during the late 60s and 70s — when the music was better, right?
Coming in at number 5: ‘Dark Side of the Moon‘ Pink Floyd – EMI 1973
This had to make my top 5. Everything from the concept, production, musicianship, lyrics… is top notch.
Coming in at number 4: ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water‘ Simon & Garfunkel – Sony 1969. A wonderful collection of songs that have stood the test of the last 50 years.
Coming in at number 3: ‘Aja‘ Steely Dan – MCA 1977. This is not actually my favourite album by this band now. This maybe partly due to the fact it got ‘played to death’ whilst I was at college. Nevertheless, head ruling heart, I have to acknowledge the sheer painstaking craftsmanship that has gone into this, producing something almost peerless; intellectual yet accessible; sophisticated but easy on the ear.
Coming in at number 2: ‘Blue‘ Joni Mitchell – Reprise 1971. Again, this is probably not my favourite of Joni’s repertoire these days. But the songwriting is just wonderful, heart on sleeve stuff, so painful at times, but always simply beautiful. The best of a singer songwriter at their peak.
And finally, coming in at number 1: ‘Revolver‘ The Beatles – EMI 1966. Ok, I know — what about ‘Sgt. Peppers..’? I just think this is better. So much variety in one album, fantastic songs which are very short and wonderfully produced. The Beatles at their peak in my opinion, at the turning point of their first era of predominantly love songs, looking towards the future of experimentation… and so influential: ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ anyone?
Copyright Francis Barker 2020
Ciscography 