The first proper album in the sequence and it's such a famous album I can't imagine anything I could say about it that hasn't already been written.
Abbey Road was one of the few vinyl albums I remember my Dad owning. That iconic cover photograph looked so cool and inviting to a young lad, even before I had a clue who The Beatles were. I think it also had a gatefold sleeve with a large pic of all The Beatles faces inside, or am I imagining that?
I didn't own it myself until a few years ago - I think most blokes reach an age where they realise they don't own any Beatles albums and think they really should go out and get at least a few.
Since buying it I've listened to it a lot - the 2nd side (I still think of it in those vinyl terms) run of songs without breaks is still one of the most exhilarating and exciting musical experiences, especially on headphones or up really loud. Side 1 is more of a mixed bag and to be honest making my way through "Something", "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and "Octopus's Garden" feels like a bit of a chore, the journey that has to be completed before arriving at the party.
I do love the little hidden track at the end about the Queen. Paul was always my favourite Beatle - I found Lennon too pompous, too caught up in this persona of himself as some sort of revolutionary. He was also responsible for the worst post-Beatle solo records (and yes, I include the Frog Chorus in that comparison).
It seems I did imagine the gatefold sleeve, the back cover does stick in my mind though. Apparently it is full of "Paul Is Dead" type hidden messages ... if you're the sort of paranoiac who can find them.
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