Today, we begin what is (in)arguably The Beatles' greatest album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It's been voted the number one album of all time on multiple occasions, including Rolling Stone Magazine's list that I've cited so often here. Critics and audiences alike adored it, and it was praised for its innovative and progressive style.
Recording the album took around 129 days. Each band member took some individual time to relax and rest from the pressures and stress of near-constant touring:
They took a two-month break, and individually got involved in their own interests. George Harrison travelled to India to continue developing his sitar playing at the invitation of Ravi Shankar, returning with enhanced Indian cultural and musical influences. McCartney, along with Martin, wrote the music for the film The Family Way, getting an Ivor Novello award the following year for best film song for the track "Love in the Open Air". John Lennon acted in How I Won the War, and attended art galleries, where he met his future wife Yoko Ono. Ringo Starr spent more time with his wife and children.
Finally, during a flight back from a vacation in Kenya with Jane Asher, Paul got the idea for a concept album. Although Sgt. Pepper isn't really a concept album, it was begun with that intent, and it's considered a pretty good early attempt by many music critics.
So, today we start the album with the titular song, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". Here, we can see the beginnings of the concept; instead of The Beatles themselves touring, they wanted to create an album that could, in essence, tour for them. They thought up a fake band with fake names (Ringo was to be "Billy Shears"). "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" ends by introducing Billy Shears and then segues into "A Little Help from My Friends", which "Billy", i.e. Ringo, sings. "Sgt. Pepper" also pops up later in the album, as a "Reprise".
For me, "Sgt. Pepper" is a great introduction for the album. Just how great, I'll have to wait and see until the end of the album, when I can see the big picture. ;) As it stands, however, I'm very fond of the song itself and its purpose, which is to present the pretend band that "you've known for all these years". :)
That's all for today... Excited to continue the album tomorrow! See you then. :)
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Heard It Tally: 22
Songs Completed: 115
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