Beatles Question? (Where to start?)

[briarrose]

I've always liked some of the Beatles music, but I don't own any of it. I just looked at some of their albums on Amazon and was overwhelmed at how many there are. So, I was wondering, which album should I buy first? Are the Anthologies any good?

 

[UberBeaver]

I would start with Rubber Soul and Revolver. I'm not really big on anything before that, though Help is ok. From there, they just get better and better. Sgt Peppers, White Album and Abey Road being unreal. The anthologies are good, but more rough cut then the studio albums. If you like the actual albums, it's worth going to the anthologies for a new look.

 

[vox1661]

start with the white album...

 

[LMP]

I'd start with The Beatles 1

and if you like their later stuff, go for: Sgt. Pepper's
Abbey Road
The White Album
Magical Mystery Tour
Let it Be

or if you prefer their earlier stuff, go for:
Rubber Soul
Help!
Revolver

 

[typhoon]

The Anthologies are basically official bootlegs. Demos, outtakes, live tracks, and such. Get them last, if ever.

The main albums are:

• Please Please Me (1963)
• With the Beatles (1963)
• A Hard Day's Night (1964)
• Beatles For Sale (1964)
• Help! (1965)
• Rubber Soul (1965)
• Revolver (1966)
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
• Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
• The White Album (1968)
• Abbey Road (1969)
• Let It Be (1970)

Everything from Rubber Soul to Abbey Road is legendary, so grab anything from in there. Let It Be is also really good, although very rough around the edges, so opinions of it are generally mixed.

If you dig on the earlier stuff, the two soundtracks, A Hard Day's Night and Help!, are probably the best out of them. I recommend getting the later, more essential stuff and working your way back, though.

There's also Yellow Submarine (1969), although it isn't considered a hugely important release because it only has four new songs (and half of them suck). It comes in two editions--the original soundtrack (half of which is George Martin's instrumental score) and the re-released "songbook" (entirely Beatles songs from the film, remastered and sounding pretty good)--and I think the songbook is the more listenable of the pair. Plus, you now get your choice between the regular Let It Be and the revised Let It Be Nekkid (2003) (get the original first).

The two Past Masters compilations contain a bunch of non-album singles and B-sides. Basically, if you have all the albums, they complete your collection by giving you everything else they released while together. But they contain some of their most well known songs, so they're worth looking into even for casual fans.

The 1 compilation also has a lot of these non-album singles, so if you start there and then get the albums later, you won't have as much overlap as you think. The double Red and Blue Albums are meatier, if you're into compilations.

 

[Lila64]

well, if you want best of releases, there 1962-66, and then 1967-70. I had those as a kid... Both are double albums, and have tons of material to get you started

 

[briarrose]

Thanks so much for your replies! They are VERY helpful!!!!

 

[U2girl]

Which songs have you heard so far and what are your favourites?

 

[briarrose]

Just the mainstream stuff. I've heard most of the One album. I really like Come Together and Let it Be.

 

[U2girl]

Maybe start with Let it be and Abbey road, then.

 

[lazarus]

You know, I really think Past Masters vol. 2 is a great choice to start with. Because it covers the band's peak years, it gives a nice overview of their progress through that time period. It has some of their classic tracks, a couple novelties, and an equal balance of Paul & John (I think #1s is a little too Paul-heavy). Here's some of what's on there:

Day Tripper
We Can Work it Out
Paperback Writer
Rain
Lady Madonna
Hey Jude
Revolution
Across the Universe
Let It Be
Get Back
Don't Let Me Down
Ballad of John and Yoko.

Arguably the best line-up of any Beatles release.

For comparison's sake, The White Album is a great representation of their abilities as musicians and songwriters, but it's a bit much to slog through for a first-timer. Sgt. Pepper isn't strong enough in the song department, and is more impressive if listened to in context of their whole discography (after hearing its predecessors) Abbey Road is a bit of "advanced" Beatles listening. Rubber Soul isn't innovative enough.

Revolver is the only other album I would think is a good entry point. This is the order I'd suggest:

Past Masters Vol 2.
Revolver
Rubber Soul
Sgt. Peppers
The White Album
Abbey Road
Magical Mystery Tour
Beatles Anthology 2
Beatles Anthology 3
Let It Be
Help
Beatles for Sale

After Revolver, you go back one to hear the best of "old Beatles". Then you hear Sgt. Peppers and see the huge leap they made. The White Album shows the stripped-down, post-psychedelic ease back on the pedal. Abbey Road gives you the blend of the two approaches. After that you fill in the minor missing piece of Magical Mystery Tour, and by this point you're a big enough fan to want to hear all he curios on the Anthologies. Let it Be is a bit of disappointment so it's something best checked out late in the game. The other earlier albums are really well-done ear candy that may be better appreciated at the end of the "study session".

good luck!

 

[Lila64]

even though I own many Beatles releases, I may pick up the Past Masters Vol.2 release It's got Rain, and I don't have that! Thanks for the information Lazarus (and what part of L.A. are you in )

 

[00Kevin]

I started with their red and blue greatest hits albums, which i thought started well, because it was more than just the number 1 hits, and spanned their entire career.

 

[VertigoGal]

If you want to start with an album rather than a best of, I would definitely say start with Rubber Soul. Then Revolver, then Abbey Road. That's the best way to go in my opinion.

 

[briarrose]

Wow! You all know a lot! I appreciate all the input. I'm not exactly sure where I'll start yet, but this definitely helps.

 

[WinnieThePoo]

i'm so happy for you
great thing to discover

 

[wizard2c]

reply

Try "Meet The Beatles! The First Album by England's Phenomenal Pop Combo" Capitol Records HiFidelity.

Side one
I Want To Hold Your Hand
I Saw Her Standing There
This Boy
It Won't Be Long
All I've Got To Do
All My Loving

Side two
Don't Bother Me
Little Child
Till There Was You
Hold Me Tight
I Wanna Be Your Man
Not A Second Time

followed by:

the Album "Magical Mystery Tour"....

 

[dudeman]

Re: reply

Try "Meet The Beatles! The First Album by England's Phenomenal Pop Combo" Capitol Records HiFidelity.

Side one
I Want To Hold Your Hand
I Saw Her Standing There
This Boy
It Won't Be Long
All I've Got To Do
All My Loving

Side two
Don't Bother Me
Little Child
Till There Was You
Hold Me Tight
I Wanna Be Your Man
Not A Second Time

followed by:

the Album "Magical Mystery Tour"....

agreed! everyone here seems to minimize those early beatles albums - like nothing mattered until they became 'arty' and rebelled against themselves. they perfected the pop song structure, and explored more chord progressions and musical arrangements in those first few albums then anyone before. and don't forget how good the songs were - 'hard day's night', 'please please me', 'i'm only sleeping', 'loser', '8 days a week', 'all my loving'. don't get me wrong, i absolutely love the late beatles and all that jazz, but it's funny to see so many completely forget about the formitive years. kinda like saying forget all the u2 before the movie (r&h) - they were just becoming cartoon characters of themselves. only check out the albums they made after they became sick of who they were - that's the only shit worth hearing. u2's career is defined as much by sunday bloody sunday, bad, and i will follow as the beatles career and legacy was defined by any of the songs listed above.

 

[Canadiens1131]

Wow! You all know a lot! I appreciate all the input. I'm not exactly sure where I'll start yet, but this definitely helps.

Much like U2, there are several paths your journey of enlightenment may take you down.

Here is what I suggest. See if you can borrow or sample (listening in-store) to one of these Beatles albums that I like to think of as starting points. The Beatles have a very diverse catalogue, and if you try to take the entire thing in at once you might me daunted.

I whipped up this charming flow chart to assist you in discovering the most amazing thing to happen to the 20th century.

I kind of envoy the point that you're at, as there is so much to discover and fall in love with.

 

[tiny dancer]

I started with their red and blue greatest hits albums, which i thought started well, because it was more than just the number 1 hits, and spanned their entire career.

Good choice.

 

[dudeman]

I whipped up this charming flow chart to assist you in discovering the most amazing thing to happen to the 20th century.

I kind of envoy the point that you're at, as there is so much to discover and fall in love with.

[/B][/QUOTE]

well said! and that chart is sweet!!!

 

[briarrose]

Much like U2, there are several paths your journey of enlightenment may take you down.

Here is what I suggest. See if you can borrow or sample (listening in-store) to one of these Beatles albums that I like to think of as starting points. The Beatles have a very diverse catalogue, and if you try to take the entire thing in at once you might me daunted.

I whipped up this charming flow chart to assist you in discovering the most amazing thing to happen to the 20th century.

I kind of envoy the point that you're at, as there is so much to discover and fall in love with.

Very, very nice flow chart! I think I'll start with Abbey Road. You've all been so helpful!

 

[pattip2000]

Love it! I'm looking to make my first Beatles album purchase and your chart helps immensely. (sorry for such an old bump)

 

[u2valleygirl]

Nice flow chart!

Dibble and dabble in everything. You can't go wrong!

 

[Lila64]

when I was a kid (way back when), I think I started with the Red Collection 1962-66 and the Blue 1967-70. But that was the 70s

 

[Reggie Thee Dog]

when I was a kid (way back when), I think I started with the Red Collection 1962-66 and the Blue 1967-70. But that was the 70s

I like it when Lila repeats herself in a thread...we know, we know you like the Red and Blue albums...gotcha

I had the Red album, actually cassette...and some Mofo stole it at a party. Will you burn me a copy?

 

[Lila64]

I didn't read thru the whole thing - just noted it was resurrected from last year & posted. Please forgive me Reggie