Stand Out Albums has been a showcase for my favorite albums across the vast performers that I love. Covering a little bit of everything from classic rock to country hits, much like Key Movies of My Life, it has been the albums that shaped me. This year, I am going to take a slightly different approach by discussing the discographies of my favorite musicians, album by album, in release order.
Today we discuss an interesting release from the Beatles that doubles as both an album and a soundtrack while not only featuring the work of The Beatles. The album is their 11th release entitled Yellow Submarine.
Why This Album?
The version of this album I am discussing today is not the American release that had an albums worth of Beatles songs but the original 1969 British release that had only a handful of tracks couples with a tremendous score by none other than long time producer George Martin.
You see, Yellow Submarine was more like an ‘obligatory album release’ that the Beatles were contractually obligated to make, even though they really didn’t have any interest in doing it. As the story goes, The Beatles were to make one more movie as per contract and the film would end up being an animation based on one of their more comical songs. While this animation would not feature the Beatles themselves in voice (only cartoon likeness) they still had to provide music for it (while also filming a short intro themselves for the movie). The result was a mixed bag of b-sides and rehashes of old songs coupled with the score released to the public.
While it may not have been beloved when it first released, I have always had a fondness for this particular album. The interesting thing is that it is not entirely because it is a Beatles Album, in fact the reason I love it is the flip side featuring George Martin’s work. If you know The Beatles, then you probably know George Martin. This guy had been working with the fab four for all of their career acting as the practical fifth Beatle by ensuring every song and every album was the best possible release. Martin, however was not only a tremendous producer but an accomplished musician himself. Writing and arranging the sound track for this film, the seven tracks provided on this album are some of the most underappreciated works in the Beatles library.
Favorite Tracks
As mentioned above, I love the Beatles tracks on this but my favorite track has to be George Martin’s Pepperland. It’s such a tremendous and beautiful classic piece that just makes you feel good. I can’t explain it in any other way so just listen.
Sure, there are other tracks on this album, but this one. This one has always been the one that defines it for me.
Ok, Where do I get it?
As usual, grab it here from Amoeba. Just be careful not to get the new version that leaves out Martin’s incredible work. Or, just listen to it via Spotify.
Late to the Game 3/16/2021
Thanks for reading, If you would like to read more reviews I have a weekly series called Key Movies Of My Life that comes out every Thursday and also check out some retro tv goodness with the ongoing series Retro TV Reviews here. You can also find a few of my other Music Reviews Here.
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