![‘The White Album,’ track by track]( "‘The White Album,’ track by track")
‘The White Album,’ track by track
BY ED TURNER
AUGUSTA, GA - This weekend on Friday and Saturday night at the Imperial Theatre, Number 9 will re-create the epic Beatles masterpiece “The White Album.” The two-disc set was written primarily while the Fab Four were in Rishikesh, India, studying transcendental meditation with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Here’s a brief song-by-song synopsis, in order, of the songs that will be performed in sets two and three at the Imperial. Tickets may still be available at the Imperial Box Office or at imperialtheatre.com. Hope to see everyone at the Imperial and the proceeds benefit Child Abuse Prevention in the CSRA. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
“Back in the USSR”: Chuck Berry meets the Beach Boys. A take-off of Berry’s “Back in the USA,” complete with high harmonies.
“Dear Prudence”: Prudence was Mia Farrow’s younger sister who meditated in her hut in India rather than join the rest of the Beatles and students. She now teaches meditation in Florida.
“Glass Onion”: One of the original proposed names of the Apple band Badfinger. Lennon’s message in the song was to admonish fans who try to read too much in the Beatles lyrics.
“Ob-la-di Ob-la-da”: A quote from their Nigerian friend Jimmy Scott, and a reggae number before any of us in the States knew what reggae was!
“Wild Honey Pie”: Utter nonsense, but delicious when in “season.”
“The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill”: American hunter Richard Cooke, the inspiration, enjoyed safaris and actually killed a tiger while in India near the Beatles’ camp. Lennon couldn’t stand the guy.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps”: The first of four George Harrison songs. Based on the Chinese book of changes, “I Ching.” Eric Clapton guested on the original version, albeit uncredited.
“Happiness is a Warm Gun”: A combination of three Lennon songs stitched together, the title came from a gun magazine.
“Martha My Dear”: a piano exercise by Paul, who had an English sheepdog of the same name.
“I’m So Tired”: Lennon’s homesick and missing his ciggies and drink, which he gave up briefly in India.
“Blackbird”: Bach’s “Bouree in E Minor” with a hint of lime. McCartney’s inspiration was MLK’s assassination earlier that year.
“Piggies”: Harrison’s Orwellian commentary was later horrifically misinterpreted by murderer Charles Manson. The line “What they need’s a damn good whacking” came from George’s mom!
“Rocky Raccoon”: A nod and a wink from McCartney to “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” by poet Robert Service.
“Don’t Pass Me By”: Ringo had been writing this song since the early days of Beatlemania. One of his two lead vocals on the “White Album.”
“Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?”: Paul emulating John’s style. Maybe that’s why the chicken crossed the road in the first place.
“I Will”: McCartney at his sentimental best. An early song about Linda.
“Julia”: John wrote this about his mom, as well as Yoko. Inspired by Gibran’s “Sand and Foam.”
“Birthday”: Written right after the Beatles watched “The Girl Can’t Help It,” starring Eddie Cochran, Little Richard and Fats Domino.
“Yer Blues”: Straight rock ‘n’ roll. The Dylan reference is from Bobby Z’s magnificent “Ballad of a Thin Man.”
“Mother Nature’s Son”: Another fine McCartney ballad. Paul would move to the country two years later.
“Monkey”: “Everybody’s got something to hide except me and my monkey” is a Lennon tune about Yoko and their openness with the world, as well as themselves.
“Sexy Sadie”: John Lennon,writing about the Maharishi, whom the Beatles had trusted until unfounded rumors began in India that he had made advances towards one of the women in the camp.
“Helter Skelter”: Charles Manson was wrong about the song; it’s just McCartney out-rocking almost everyone. Hale Street Gate craziness at its best.
“Long Long Long”: A hidden Harrison gem, not about a woman but rather about his maker.
“Revolution 1”: The slow version of the tune. Lennon waffles on whether he wants to be “in or out” when it comes to his political views. The single version of the song was the flip of “Hey Jude.”
“Honey Pie”: McCartney’s “When I’m 64” and “Your Mother Should Know” of the “White Album.” Inspired by Paul’s dad, a fine musician in his own right.
“Savoy Truffle”: George wrote this about Eric Clapton’s fondness of candy. In America, we call such candy assortments “Whitman Samplers,” while across the ocean they are referred to as “Good News.”
“Cry Baby Cry”: Lennon at his best in this nursery rhyme with a twist, but not a shout. Probably inspired by a TV advertisement, just as Sgt. Pepper’s “Good Morning.”
“Revolution Number 9”: John, Yoko and George gettin’ crazy with tapes, loops and samples. Fragments of Sibelius and Bach abound.
“Good Night”: Written by Lennon for his son Julian. Cole Porter would have loved it. John gave the song to Ringo, who took the lead vocal on the recording.
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