John, Paul, & George's solo albums are too often overlooked by people who have bought into the idea that they never really did anything worth listening to after leaving The Beatles. This is unfortunate because they really did record a number of great albums on their own (or with new bands like Wings.)
In this article I highlight five such albums that I recommend you give an honest listen to. Are any of these albums a match for Revolver, The White Album, or Abbey Road? No, not in my opinion. But not many albums are in that league! While these albums may not be true classics, they are (in some cases) very close to that status.
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 - Walls & Bridges (1974) - This is a really underrated album. I really enjoy listening to it all the way through. My favorite track on the album is #11, "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out.)" It's a true classic in my opinion.
George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970) - After years of being relegated to a third wheel (behind Lennon & McCartney) Harrison was finally able to really let his songwriting skills shine with this brilliant album.
Paul McCartney & Wings - Band on the Run (1973) - This was Paul doing his "perfect album" thing (in the Sgt. Pepper / Abbey Road vein) and he does it very well. Of course it's not as good as those legendary Beatles albums, but it's still really really good. The title song is brilliant. But there's a lot of other really good stuff on the album too including "Let Me Roll It" which is a real classic.
The Fireman - Rushes (1998) - This is Paul working with Youth under the name "The Fireman." It's an experimental electronic ambient album that you are either going to think is really interesting (like I do) or a complete snooze fest (this sort of cerebral music is definitely not for everyone.) But what it does show beyond a shadow of a doubt is that Paul McCartney is not the simple pop balladeer that so many uninformed people try to make him out to be.
These are just five post Beatles albums that I chose out of the many that I appreciate, please do not think that this list is any way a "complete" list of all of the best post Beatles albums. It is definitely not!
In this article I highlight five such albums that I recommend you give an honest listen to. Are any of these albums a match for Revolver, The White Album, or Abbey Road? No, not in my opinion. But not many albums are in that league! While these albums may not be true classics, they are (in some cases) very close to that status.
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 - Walls & Bridges (1974) - This is a really underrated album. I really enjoy listening to it all the way through. My favorite track on the album is #11, "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out.)" It's a true classic in my opinion.
George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970) - After years of being relegated to a third wheel (behind Lennon & McCartney) Harrison was finally able to really let his songwriting skills shine with this brilliant album.
Paul McCartney & Wings - Band on the Run (1973) - This was Paul doing his "perfect album" thing (in the Sgt. Pepper / Abbey Road vein) and he does it very well. Of course it's not as good as those legendary Beatles albums, but it's still really really good. The title song is brilliant. But there's a lot of other really good stuff on the album too including "Let Me Roll It" which is a real classic.
The Fireman - Rushes (1998) - This is Paul working with Youth under the name "The Fireman." It's an experimental electronic ambient album that you are either going to think is really interesting (like I do) or a complete snooze fest (this sort of cerebral music is definitely not for everyone.) But what it does show beyond a shadow of a doubt is that Paul McCartney is not the simple pop balladeer that so many uninformed people try to make him out to be.
These are just five post Beatles albums that I chose out of the many that I appreciate, please do not think that this list is any way a "complete" list of all of the best post Beatles albums. It is definitely not!
About the Author:
John Lennon and Paul McCartney are both often featured on the Music By Day Music Blog.
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