The Beatles' solo albums reviewed - archive, 1970

George, John, Paul, Ringo: they’ve all made solo albums, now. Listening to them all, all through, it’s difficult to believe that they were made by four men who once formed a band together. I hear no important points of connection.

I guess this is partly because each bottled up his personal ideas during the Beatles’ latter, bad days; and now the cork is out. I think there’s another reason, too. A couple of years back, reviewing the white album, I suggested that the magnetism of the Beatles could be seen in terms of the temperament of each man corresponding with the four elements (Harrison, fire; Starr, earth; Lennon, water; McCartney, air), and also the four humours. So that, working together, they could work for any listener, whatever his nature and mood. It would follow that, separate, their temperament would clearly be very different each from the others.

This notion works, for their solo albums. Take Ringo: he’s not bothered with a need to express any views of his own. Sentimental Journey (Apple PCS 7101), produced by George Martin, was a bread gig; quickie standards arranged by faces like Les Reed, Quincy Jones, John Dankworth, and Maurice Gibb. Beaucoups of Blues (Apple PAS 10002) sees Ringo in the hands of the best craftsman musicians in the business: the Nashville men, some of whom formed Area Code 615, and who have backed Dylan. The result is superb. Not because Ringo is a good singer, but because, this time, he’s let himself be used well. People who work with men like Pete Drake and Charlie McCoy don’t go wrong. At moments Ringo sounds like Elvis: same line of country, similar handling. Maybe all Ringo lacks now is Colonel Parker.

By: Geoffrey Cannon

Source: The Guardian

Read More >>