Abbey Road (Remastered)

In September 1969, The Beatles delivered the last album they recorded together. Measured in terms of its enormous popularity and boundless musical ingenuity, 'Abbey Road' challenges the status of 'Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band' as their greatest achievement.

A key element of 'Abbey Road' is the quality of the harmony singing. There are comic backing vocals in the cautionary tale of "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and delicate choral work in "Sun King". The most impressive example is heard on "Because". The vocal blend of John, Paul and George was recorded three times to create a choir of nine voices. However, the album's opener demonstrates how The Beatles' great talent for arranging their songs did not necessarily lead to something elaborate. Adopting the principle of 'less is more', the combination of space with a tight performance creates the funky feel of "Come Together". John's singing provides a rock master class in controlled tension, energy and commitment. He gives another one with "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," which brought the first side of the album to an astounding climax. Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash described it as a "huge influence as far as where I come from as a musician. The guitar melody on that is so perfect." Paul's impressive rock vocal gymnastics are heard in "Oh! Darling".

George's compositions on 'Abbey Road' showed his writing at a creative peak. "Something" became one of the most covered songs in The Beatles' catalogue. His uplifting "Here Comes The Sun" featured the newly invented Moog synthesizer - one of the first times it was heard on a pop LP. Ringo's "Octopus's Garden" was a sparkling surprise amongst the variety of styles on side one. However, the character of Abbey Road is dominated by what was referred to as "The Long One" on side two of the original LP. Starting with "You Never Give Me Your Money," a medley of eight titles flowed together until "The End" - its concluding couplet gained more significance once it was clear that the LP contained The Beatles' last recordings.

Since its release, 'Abbey Road' has continued to grow in stature. The sheen of George Martin's production and the group's immaculate performances make it tempting to think they pulled out all the stops for their last musical statement. But that is just speculation. They might have continued to record, but The Beatles stopped at the end of the decade they had helped to define. However, 'Let It Be', made in January 1969, was still waiting in the wings. — Kevin Howlett