Abbey Road - Beatles (The) (CD 1987)

"Abbey Road offers something for everybody, a 90 year old senior citizen could enjoy this album just as easy as a five year old girl or boy. The sounds and tastes of this record are all over the map. For instance, whereas "Come Together" is a serious rock anthem with a heavy message, songs like "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" (Lennon-McCartney) and "Octopus's Garden" (Ringo Starr) are pure silly pop. The Beatles also tend to get very romantically inclined on "Abbey Road," as on the excellent "Something" (check out the wonderful string section), and on "Oh! Darling," where Paul McCartney belts out the lyrics in his most heartfelt tone. Overall, there's a boyish, innocent quality to these songs, especially lyrically, yet a sophistication in the sound and musical development. In short, The Beatles and their producer, George Martin, had the resources and talent to shine years ahead of their time.

Though The Beatles were on their way out with "Abbey Road," the 7 minute plus song "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" is reminiscent of another British band on their way IN in 1969, none other than Led Zeppelin. The song features severely wanting lyrics and an ingraining guitar riff that stays in your head light years after you hear it, definitely Jimmy Page style, before Page became a household name. On the flip side, songs like "Because" and "Sun King" are positively airy and lightweight, yet no less spectacular. The Beatles thrived on hazy and dreamy songs that featured their sky-high choruses and melting melodies. Mere mortals simply can't write music like this, yet The Beatles made it seem as easy as playing hop-scotch on a bright sunny day.

Starting at "You Never Give Me Your Money," the album transforms into a hot-potato medley of one inherently melodic song after another, as if the guys went composition-crazy and miraculously melded some of their best songs into one boiling pot and spewed everything out in one shockingly creative assembly line of tracks that just blend together magically. It's like a movie score with words or a spur-of-the moment "best of" mixture. Undoubtedly, Paul McCartney and John Lennon deserve the lion's share of credit for creating some of the best songs in the history of rock and roll in a span of twenty minutes on the second side of one album. The guys sound excited, joyful, happy to be alive, inspiring, crazy, and willing to experiment.


As the music on "Abbey Road" mutates from one moment to the next, sometimes in the space of just one song, the lustrous sounds and sky-high choruses mix perfectly with the weightless lyrics, which sometimes refer to strange events or people, or just as easily, sound hazy and dreamy, in their own spacey world. Nonetheless, it's worth mentioning The Beatles blatant attempt at spreading their famous "love is all you need" message throughout the album, especially the back-half of the album. As the album winds down, and we here such greats as "Mr. Mustard" and the punkish "Polythene Pam" (both ahead of their time), it's the understatement of the century to say that it ends dramatically. The Beatles go out with a positive and touching message on one of the last lines of the record, and it's not a reach to say that this is one of the most well thought out albums ever made, a concept album with no real concept. I'm now beginning to understand why many have said over the years it is The Beatles and then everyone else.........

What's not to like about abbey road or the Beatles extremely Classic stuff I love the mystery surrounding this album a lot of stuff going on musically it's pure genious. Paul,John,George,Ringo Ab-Fab I had to have it period!

I just like the beatles. Cd got the 2 song I like from the
beatles. Hoping to cross the abbey road someday...

this is a quality item. it was sold perfectly, i will get years of enjoyment from it. i bought it because i wanted it and got more than i bargained for. ebay is fun to shop but make sure you know what you want because you will get it.bilke567

Fast shipping!!!!!!!!!!! discripiton didn't match condition of the acctual cd case, but the cd was intact.

Wanted some good music to load into my equiptment. The Beatles were the cutting
edge song writters. The music on this cd is second only to Sgt. Peppers cd. Truly a must have for anyone.

I have always been a fan of The Beatles. After-all, where would rock n' roll be without this group? I guess we owe a lot to The Beatles, Elvis and all the early musicians who helped bring great music into our lives. It even goes back to the classics such as Chopin, Beethovan, etc. You know, all those are on CDs now too!
Look at all that has aspired because of music. There was the old victrola with the big old 78 records, the newer small record players that would play 78s, 45s and 33 albums. Look at how much space it use to take to house the 45 & album collections we use to have!
Then, came along the hi-fi system that made music sound even better! Outside speakers were the best! For our personal pleasure, there were the transister radios. Modern technology then brought us the stereo system, followed by taped versions (cassettes) of our favorite music, which sure made take-along music much simpler. Then, we evolved into the CDs. Now, there are stereo systems with surround sound, and even newer: MP3 players, so that we can program our music the way we like it. The list goes on and on...and today we have the greatest music available since the day it all started.
Modern technology would not have been worth anything without the musicial talents that brought us tunes to dance, relax, clean house, work on cars, or cruise to. And, none of these inventions would have been worth anything, had it not been for the great musical artists who helped bring us into the era of modern music.
Thanks to The Beatles, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, Mamas & Papas, Eagles, Janis Joplin, The Who, ELO, etc...the list is endless. Guess the list depends on your preference...but whatever you like, it all dates back to those who went to work to create the sounds.

One of the BEST Beatles albums ever. Took me back to the 60's, probably one of the best times of my life. Grew up with the Beatles, saw them twice in concert and could kick myself for getting rid of all my vinyl. Gave in and bought the CD and now I can rock with them again, and even my best friend (a guy about 26) AND my 18 yo daughter think they're the greatest! E-bay has never let me down with their auctions. They are easy to navigate, the prices are terrific and the chance to "hunt down" something you really want and then "get the kill" is a thrill like no other (I do have a life, really!). I tell all my friends that this is the ONLY way to go to get some awesome things!

My experience with this CD, and all the LP's and CD's that I purchased thru e-bay have been outstanding. They have all been as advertised, and most have shipped timely. This shipped immediately. In the past couple of months I've purchased about 8 to 10 LP's and CD's. I'm a collector of older music that my wife and I love, and I make compilation CD's of them. For those that are out of issue, and therefore I can't download, I had been rummaging thru old record stores to find them, until I discovered e-bay. Now I sit home and do my shopping on line. It's great!

I like the Beatles music. Because I wanted to have an Abbey Road CD. I liked the idea I didn't have to pay very much for a brand new CD.

This CD holds up to the test of time. Its just a good today as it was when I first heard it. In my opinion Abby Roas is a CD that you need in you collection of Beatles tunes.

I was really impressed with the condition of this CD considering the price that I paid for it.It appeared to be pretty scuffed up,but I was glad that it played fine on my stereo.The retail price is pretty high on this CD and I didn't feel like getting ripped off so that's why I bought it used.I'm sure that everyone reading this review is already familiar with this album,but if not,here's my review-This technically was the last Beatles album.It was released in 1969 and even though Let It Be came out afterwards that album consisted of recordings that were made mostly prior to the recording of Abbey Road and that were "cleaned up" by Phil Spector.If you're unfamiliar with The Beatles' music(and there are some people who are,including my 30-year-old female manager)this might be a good place to start.The group really did end their career nicely with this one and,technically,the last words on the album were "the love you take is equal to the love you make" even though the initially uncredited "Her Majesty" by Paul McCartney comes shortly afterward.I'll never forget telling my manager that I was going to see Paul McCartney and she asked me who that was.Turns out that she never even heard of John Lennon either.Most people that I tell this story to are really surprised.Oh well.She's a country music nut so I guess that partially explains it.Abbey Road may not necessarily be the album to introduce her to The Beatles.I've owned this album in three formats-first,on vinyl(where you can clearly see the "Paul is Dead" clues;more on that,later),secondly,on cassette(with the running order of the album's tracks changed)and,lastly,on CD(it's really nice to hear this album all the way through without having to flip it over to the other side,although some vinyl junkies have their favorite sides of albums).Okay,beginning with the cover of the album-there was a mystery going around at the time,perpetrated by radio stations,that Paul McCartney was dead and that he was replaced in The Beatles by a double.This,of course,proved to be untrue,but starting with this album,people began to see clues regarding this mystery and found other clues on some of The Beatles' preceding albums going back to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.The clues on the Abbey Road album for those of you that don't know are as follows:A Volkswagen "Beetle"(get it?)parked on the left side of the road sports a license plate that reads "28 IF" which,supposedly,would have been Paul's age if he had lived(Paul McCartney was born in 1942 and this album was released in 1969 so he actually was 27 at the time).The Beatles themselves are all dressed,supposedly,in ceremonial garb.George Harrison,who is the most casually dressed,is supposed to be the grave digger.Both Ringo Starr and John Lennon were supposedly dressed as pallbearers and Paul himself is dressed for burial.He is barefoot, which is a custom in some religions to bury the dead without shoes.He is also walking out of step with the others and carrying a cigarette in his right hand(Paul is left-handed).All of these clues and others on preceding albums led people to believe that Paul McCartney had been replaced by an impostor.Like my father said many years ago,it was probably just a ploy to sell albums.The Beatles needn't have worried about inserting superficial clues on their album covers to make them sell.The music itself was what made these albums so great and timeless.

Many of the "deep" songs on this album drive me crazy. I have never liked Come Together or Oh! Darling or even I Want You. I like the Beatles for their quirky weirdness. Of course, I do respect Lennon and his political views but I never thought they translated into music very well. Some of the real Gems that I truely love are Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Octopus's garden, Here Comes The Sun and Sun King.

great shape and cost. was delivered to my home in a timely fashion.was looking all over town for this cd could not find someone suggested ebay and there is was. seller did not communicate much but no reason for him to.

Several years ago I lost my large record collection in a flood. Recently I learned that I can replace them on ebay for a fraction of what it costs to buy them at a store. It feels like I am putting my life back together, finally, by replacing the music that was lost to me.

My wife really enjoys listening to their music. I enjoy the way i can purchase it online . much easier.This album is very well written for music. I think it was the last album before they brokeup. I will continue to listen to their music.This product does not compare to other's. we will continue to listen to it in the car and at home .

As the year 1969 drew to a close it marked end of the decade of the 1960's. A musical trend such as the world had never seen also closed shop! The Beatles whose musical influence set the trend for future generations to come made the last studio album of an incredible 8 year career.
Abbey Road when released in October 1969, reigned at the top of the Billboard Hot 200 albums for 12 weeks.
And what was called back then a two sided hit single with tracks COME TOGETHER and SOMETHING that were popular radio request songs: were also for the black vinal 45 singles that topped the Bill Board TOP 40 as a two sided hit, on the charts for 3 weeks at No. 1 in late 1969.
This album considered the very finest by the Beatles influenced such artist as the Eagles, REO Speedwagon, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Bee Gees, set a standard that will never or most likely be matched by any other musical band such as the Beatles were.
Abbey Road is an album that will stand the tests of time and for future generations to judge, and whether Abbey Road was the Beatles at their very musical finest, this album marked the end of the road of one of the greatest bands of all time.
TRACK LISTINGS:
1. Come Together
2. Something
3. Maxwell's Silver Hammer
4. Oh! Darling
5. Octopus's Garden
6. I Want You (She's So Heavy)
7. Here Comes the Sun
8. Because
9. You Never Give Me Your Money
10.Sun King
11.Mean Mister Mustard
12.Polythene Pam
13.She Came in the Bathroom Window
14.Golden Slumbers
15.Carry that Weight
16.The End
17.Her Majesty

In my opinion, the best produced Beatles album, and one of my favourite overall. There's the rock 'n roll side (A-side) and the musical side (B side). B Side has songs that are somewhat 'linked' together so they sound seamless when one track goes on to the next, which is something pretty new during those days. Recommended tracks include Something, Come Together, The End, You never give me your money and Golden Slumbers (my personal favourite). Something is probably George's most popular tune, Come Together is John's more popular track in this album, The End has George John and Paul playing solos together (which had never happened before in previous beatles songs) and You Never Give me your money is paul's best track in this album. And not to forget, the classic album cover makes this album a 5/5.

I've listened to the Beatles all my life and never bought any of their music. I wanted to experience that on my own stereo and was quit amazed at what I'd missed out on all these years.

Track listing
1. Come Together
2. Something
3. Maxwell's Silver Hammer
4. Oh! Darling
5. Octopus's Garden
6. I Want You (She's So Heavy)
7. Here Comes The Sun
8. Because
9. You Never Give Me Your Money
10. Sun King
11. Mean Mr. Mustard
12. Polythene Pam
13. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
14. Golden Slumbers
15. Carry That Weight
16. End, The
17. Her Majesty


Details
Playing time: 47 min.
Producer: George Martin
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution
Recording type: Studio
Recording mode: Stereo
SPAR Code: AAD


Album notes
ABBEY ROAD, recorded in the summer of 1969, was the last album recorded by the Beatles (LET IT BE was released in 1970, but recorded in early '69).
The Beatles: Paul McCartney (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass); John Lennon (vocals, guitar, keyboards); George Harrison (vocals, guitar, synthesizer); Ringo Starr (vocals, drums, percussion).
After the laborious disorganization and infighting that characterized early 1969's LET IT BE sessions (as famously captured on film), the fractious four were willing to let George Martin take the reins and to work with him as a cohesive unit for the much more succinct production of their (and the decade's) swan song, ABBEY ROAD. The superb performances make the album an artistic high point for all members of the group. Paul McCartney inspired the suite of songs that begins with "You Never Give Me Your Money." Often thought of as two long medleys, the songs that fill most of the second half of ABBEY ROAD segue seamlessly into one another, but are programmed as separate CD tracks. George Harrison had his first A-side on a Beatles' single ("Something"); John Lennon contributed a pair of heavy rockers ("Come Together" and "I Want You"); and Ringo Starr's "Octopus's Garden" was a favorite with children.

The seller sold me a GREAT CD!! It has some of their BEST songs on it!! I wish it had "when i'm 64" on it but the best of the songs make up for that!! I give it a 5-- the BEST rating posible!! And the seller a 5, also!!!
Thank you very much.
miss_slygirl
a.k.a. sherry young

I grew up with the Beatles. Indisputeably, the best band ever.

Now, one of my sons has developed an interest in their music. I purchased this product for him. He's thrilled.

Music that bridges the generations...

It's one of their (or anybody elses) best albums, a must have for any collection. I owned it for years on cassette and recently decided to upgrade to cd. What took so long? I don't know.
Abbey Road is the last album they recorded and I think they wanted to go out in style, boy did they ever. Their is only one song that I don't much care for (Octopus's Garden), it's not a bad song, just not as good as the rest and the rest are excellent.
Oh, did I mention some great cover art?

This is one of the Beatles best albums. Every song is excelent. My children listen to it. You can hear the styles come out of each one of the Fab Four.