Surely, your first thought is something by John Lennon or Paul McCartney. And they put out some fine albums. Paul put out 'McCartney' in 1970, a fine little album featuring the ... well, amazing ... "Maybe I'm Amazed." But that version of the song isn't the version played on the radio - that would be a live cut - even if the album version is arguably the best cut. The rest of the album is very pleasant filler, almost all of the songs clocking in at under 3 minutes and totaling 34 minutes. A fine first go Paul, but surely not the best solo album by a Beatle, no?
A better argument can be made for Paul's sophomore effort (I'm ignoring "The Family Way," a 1967 soundtrack by Paul), 'Ram.' In some ways this album is very similar to 'McCartney' - pleasant but seemingly throwaway songs and melodies. The best track off 'McCartney' is "Maybe I'm Amazed," and the best track off 'Ram' is "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey." "Albert" never received the radio play of an "Amazed" but is nonetheless every bit as brilliant a song. The rest of the album is consistently more interesting than 'McCartney.' It's louder, although it can be tender at times, and it features more elaborate arrangements, although some are just as simplistic as on his debut. 'Ram' has a better set of songs, and clocks in at a respectable 43 minutes.
Switching to the other side of the coin, let's look at John's post-Beatles output. Again, I see 2 real contenders: 1970's 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band' and 1971's 'Imagine.' 'Plastic Ono Band' is a good contender for best album in this discussion, not featuring any major hits, but providing a handful of great songs: "Mother," "Working Class Hero," and "God." I'll stack "Mother" and "God" up against John's greatest songs, including his time in the Beatles. "Love" is a pretty little tune as well. There isn't any fluff within the 10 major tracks on the album. But it's a tough listen. Between literally screaming ("Mother"), swearing ("Working Class Hero"), and just generally putting out harsh, acerbic tracks ("I Found Out," "Isolation," "Well Well Well"), John has created a fine work, but not one you can listen unless you are in a certain mood, and indeed not one you will find yourself sharing with others unless they are John fanatics.
'Imagine' of course features the standout lead off title track, and another beautiful introspective tune in "Jealous Guy." The rest of the album is more of a mixed bag, between the catchy pseudo-country "Crippled Inside," the droning 6-minute "I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier," and the biting shot at Paul, "How Do You Sleep?" Overall a fine but uneven collection of songs.
By now, if not from the title, you know my pick for best post-Beatle album is George Harrison's 'All Things Must Pass.' It has a bona fide classic ("My Sweet Lord"), another big hit ("What Is Life"), and countless other brilliant songs. In fact, nearly every song (aside from the instrumental jams at the end of the 2nd disc) is an amazing piece of craftsmanship that rewards multiple listens. Some of my personal favorites are "Isn't It A Pity," "Behind That Locked Door," "Beware of Darkness," "Apple Scruffs," and "Awaiting On You All." This album proved that George was not just "the guitarist from the Beatles," but in fact a great songwriter in his own right who had built up a catalog of great songs that John and Paul presumably didn't want to put on Beatles albums. That, and he had an immensely creative period in 1970 when writing and recording the album. The album is spiritual, poignant, and reflective, but also can rock the house and contains some of George's classic guitar solos. The album was reissued in the early 2000s to contain additional alternative takes, all of which are worthwhile to listen to. I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you are a fan of the Beatles, go find a copy of 'All Things Must Pass' pronto.
Any other contenders?
A few might contend that Paul McCartney's (& Wings) 'Band On The Run' is the best post-Beatles release. 'Band' album has the brilliant title track followed by a heap of filler. It's not a bad album at all, but I feel like I've heard the rest of the album a thousand times, and none of those tracks really impress me. Moving forward in time, Paul's 1997 'Flaming Pie' is a very good album that doesn't approach 'All Things Must Pass' in terms of scope and meaning. Still, it might be my favorite McCartney album and I highly recommend it. 'Driving Rain' (2001) is good but not great, and I have not yet heard 'New' (2013). I don't think any other Lennon albums can make a claim to the mantle, much less anything by Ringo. George's own 'Cloud Nine' (1987) is an excellent album that to me is quite clearly his 2nd best. Its production is much more pop than his other work but the songwriting is excellent.
Steven Sroczynski is an attorney and writer. He can be reached at Steve.Sroczynski@gmail.com
Copyright 2015 by Steven Sroczynski. This blog post, and any part of it, may not be reprinted or copied without the express written permission of Steven Sroczynski.
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