The post Beatles solo work of Lennon, McCartney, & Harrison is often dismissed out of hand. The "conventional wisdom" that all of their post Beatles albums were garbage is often taken as truth by people who really haven't even given their solo work a proper listen. The truth is that they did record a number of excellent albums during their solo careers.
Five of the best solo albums of John, Paul, & George's solo careers are included in this article. I should be clear that I don't think any of these albums are as good as The Beatles best albums but I do think they are still worth a close listen. They shouldn't be dismissed without actually being heard first!
John Lennon - Imagine (1971) - This is Lennon's most well known solo album as it includes his most well known solo song (the title track, of course.) But it includes quite a few other great songs as well and it's definitely the most "Beatles-esque" post Beatles album by Lennon which makes it a great introduction to Lennon's solo career for Beatles fans. That being said, I think Plastic Ono Band is his best solo album.
John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band (1970) - John, Paul, & George all started off really strongly with their debut solo albums in my opinion. But it was probably this album by John that has had the most lasting impact. it's really revelatory in it's stripped down stark style. It's a very influential album.
George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970) - This one was a huge revelation as showed what a prolific songwriter George was He had a lot of songs built up from his time with The Beatles that he wasn't able to get onto Beatles albums thus this triple album came into being (the 3rd LP being instrumental jams.) Unfortunately he never came close to matching this album the rest of his career, in my opinion.
Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full (2007) - A lot of people were disappointed by this one in comparison with Chaos & Creation... and I can understand that, but it's really a completely different side of Paul. Chaos... was the disciplined Paul. This is the "do anything he damn well pleases" Paul. I find both Paul's charming and I think this is a pretty great album.
John Lennon/Yoko Ono - Double Fantasy (1980) - The quality of Lennon's songs on his final album before his untimely death shows that Lennon still had some great music left in him. Sure these were probably Lennon's most purely "pop" songs he had recorded during his solo career but they weren't fluffy pop. These were (and are) great songs.
Please note that these are just five of the best solo albums by John, Paul, & George. I am not saying that these are the best five, just five of the best. There are a lot of other solo albums by the former Fab Four that you should also check out.
Five of the best solo albums of John, Paul, & George's solo careers are included in this article. I should be clear that I don't think any of these albums are as good as The Beatles best albums but I do think they are still worth a close listen. They shouldn't be dismissed without actually being heard first!
John Lennon - Imagine (1971) - This is Lennon's most well known solo album as it includes his most well known solo song (the title track, of course.) But it includes quite a few other great songs as well and it's definitely the most "Beatles-esque" post Beatles album by Lennon which makes it a great introduction to Lennon's solo career for Beatles fans. That being said, I think Plastic Ono Band is his best solo album.
John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band (1970) - John, Paul, & George all started off really strongly with their debut solo albums in my opinion. But it was probably this album by John that has had the most lasting impact. it's really revelatory in it's stripped down stark style. It's a very influential album.
George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970) - This one was a huge revelation as showed what a prolific songwriter George was He had a lot of songs built up from his time with The Beatles that he wasn't able to get onto Beatles albums thus this triple album came into being (the 3rd LP being instrumental jams.) Unfortunately he never came close to matching this album the rest of his career, in my opinion.
Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full (2007) - A lot of people were disappointed by this one in comparison with Chaos & Creation... and I can understand that, but it's really a completely different side of Paul. Chaos... was the disciplined Paul. This is the "do anything he damn well pleases" Paul. I find both Paul's charming and I think this is a pretty great album.
John Lennon/Yoko Ono - Double Fantasy (1980) - The quality of Lennon's songs on his final album before his untimely death shows that Lennon still had some great music left in him. Sure these were probably Lennon's most purely "pop" songs he had recorded during his solo career but they weren't fluffy pop. These were (and are) great songs.
Please note that these are just five of the best solo albums by John, Paul, & George. I am not saying that these are the best five, just five of the best. There are a lot of other solo albums by the former Fab Four that you should also check out.
About the Author:
It's because of the greatness of The Beatles music (heard in The Beatles in Stereo & The Beatles in Mono box sets) that the solo work of John, Paul, & George is so often overlooked.
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