The only other quibble about the package is the sequencing. The tracks are not presented chronologically, which is a logical way to present music on a compilation. It's not the only way to present the material, but is often an effective one. If there is a logic to the way these tracks are sequenced, it isn't obvious. That doesn't detract from the quality of the music and listeners can easily create their own playlist to "correct" that, but it would have made more sense to hear the album play sequentially.
With Let it Roll, all four Beatles now have definitive looks at their solo career. Paul McCartney's Wingspan gives an excellent overview of his work with Wings as well as his post-Wings work, although with strong records like Chaos And Creation and Memory Almost Full, he may soon need to update. Ringo Starr's Photograph (a song co-written with George Harrison) reminds us Starr is a unique talent and more musically gifted than he is often credited for being. John Lennon has both Legend and Working Class Hero that ably summarize his career. About fucking time.
Article comments
1 - Joe Tiernan
First sentence is wrong. Paul McCartmey was the first Beatle to have a solo album.
Stopped reading the review the first time you used the F-word. So there may be other mistakes.
2 - Josh Hathaway
I believe George Harrison's Wonderwall Music was the first Beatles solo album. I stand by the assertion, and the F-word.
3 - Joe Tiernan
Harrison produced the Wonderwall album. Didn't perform on it.
But I take your point. F-words in print debase the culture.
4 - zingzing
well, then joe, there's also george's "electronic sound," john's (w/ yoko) "unfinished music 1," "unfinished music 2," "wedding album." "live peace toronto 1969," various plastic ono band singles, all released before mccartney's solo album. although i'm not quite sure who this "mccartmey" person you speak of is, so maybe you know something we don't.
and fuck the culture.
5 - Josh Hathaway
I guess this may not be as cut-and-dried to some people as it is to others. I've read more than one publication referring to Wonderwall Music as the first Beatle solo album, although you are correct about Harrison's role. I feel justified in the assertion but even if it's a debateable point, I don't think it detracts from the rest of the review.
I feel the same way about the F-bomb. I'm not shy about using them, but my use of it here was more a reference to the Stella t-shirt and the idea that some things were overdue. I'd submit f-bombs are a symptom of a debased culture rather than a cause of it, but don't really give a fuck either way. My aim isn't to offend and I am sorry if anyone is, but it's how I speak and I'm comfortable with it.
6 - Joe Tiernan
okay, i'll read the rest of your review, Josh.
And zingzing is sorta correct. yoko and john's naked music experiments came before McCartney's solo masterpiece.
i'm listening to the "let it be" album right now and i can't stay mad at you guys.
7 - rebelwithoutaclue
i guess you can make the claim that mccartneys solo album was the firsat mainstream non experimental solo outing for a beatle. you can also say that all things must pass was the first solo post beatles solo album
8 - zingzing
the beatles were a band only on paper for months before let it be came out. so, mccartney's solo album, which included a printed self-interview where he declared that he was leaving the beatles (much to john's egoistic displeasure), is, by some sort of definition, the first post-beatles solo album. i think mccartney planned the release date of his album in order to fuck up let it be's release in some way, but i don't recall how. either way, the mccartney album is considered the first solo album.
and either way, it all pales in comparison to plastic ono band. (either one.)