Beatles '71

So just for fun, my best friend and I have challenged each other to come up with the album The Beatles would have put out at the end of 1971 if they had stayed together, using solo tracks. Here are the rules:

We can only use solo material released between Abbey Road and the end of 1971
There can be no more than 14 songs or approx. 45 minutes running time (a single LP), though feel free to put together a double if you're so inclined
There must be at least one Ringo and two Harrison songs
There has to be a relatively even number of Lennon and McCartney tracks

Obviously this is a huge "what if,' so it's meant to be in the spirit of a fun exercise and not to be taken too literally. The assumption is that the songs that show up here were held back by the 4 guys and not released as solo records.

I'd be really interested to see what people come up with. Personally, I'm not necessarily thinking of a collection of the biggest solo hits of that era but what would make the best album.

Do I have any takers?

 

What is Life
Another Day
Imagine
It Don't Come Easy
Uncle Albert
Love

Maybe I'm Amazed
Mother
Teddy Boy
It's So Hard
Lovely Linda
Oh Yoko
My Sweet Lord


It's almost conceptual.

 

RAM, sorted.

 

I'm missing the concept here, Keith. Please explain.

 

I like that as an album title, Beatles '71. I never liked the concept though as the songs would have been different if they worked together, helping each other with lyrics, middle 8, etc.

 

Instead of releasing solo albums, they decided to make a concept album about breaking up:

Well, I Thought You Was My Friend

1--Wah Wah
2--Instant Karma
3--Too Many People
4--Run of the Mill
5--Gimme Some Truth
6--The Light that Has Lighted the World
7--God
8--Early 1970
9--Dear Boy
10--Sue Me Sue You Blues
11--Three Legs
12--How do You Sleep?
13--Dear Friend
14--Who Can See It?

 

Nicely done.

 

For sure they would have come out different from the solo tracks, although they did play on each other's solo stuff.

 

They would have picked up where they left off:

1. 10538 Overture
2. Look at Me Now
3. Nellie Takes Her Bow
4. The Battle of Marston Moor (July 2nd 1644)

5. First Movement (Jumping Biz)
6. Mr. Radio
7. Manhattan Rumble (49th Street Massacre)
8. Queen of the Hours
9. Whisper in the Night

 

So Geoff Lynne joins the band in '71?

 

I've done this before. First of all I make the assumption that Paul puts out MCCARTNEY, John releases PLASTIC ONO BAND, George releases a single disc solo album of his more religious songs, and Ringo puts out SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY. Then the Beatles decide to get back together to release a new album:

BEATLES 71
SIDE 1:
1. Instant Karma
2. Another Day
3. What Is Life
4. It Don't Come Easy
5. Oh My Love
6. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
7. Run Of The Mill
SIDE 2:
1. Gimme Some Truth
2. Dear Boy
3. Beware Of Darkness
4. Early 1970
5. Imagine
6. Back Seat Of My Car
7. All Things Must Pass

 

I can buy that. Still a great album.

 

After the success of George's songs on Abbey Road, he gets 4 songs on Beatles '71:

Isn't it a Pity?
Another Day
Imagine
It Don't Come Easy
All Things Must Pass
Love

Maybe I'm Amazed
Not Guilty
Teddy Boy
Jealous Guy
Man We Was Lonely
Oh Yoko
My Sweet Lord

 

I would have no problem with that. His songs on ATMP were at least the equal of Lennon and McCartney's solo output to that point.

 

Ok I'll play ...
IMO Oh My Love , Uncle Albert and The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp are definite inclusions.

 

Thanks for being a good sport, AFOS. I respect that.

 

The Beatles have really mellowed in their late career.

 

ringo is rockingest? who knew the beatles would've invented soft rock

 

Agree with all of your assumptions! Especially in George and John's cases. They both had very personal songs they needed to get out on their own first.

My tracklist would be a bit paired down from yours though to better fit on a single LP, and it shakes out to be two distinct sides.

Side A is very Wall of Sound/Spector-inspired. Side B is more laid back and countryfied.

THE BEATLES - INSTANT KARMA - March 1971 - 44 min

Side A:
What is Life
Instant Karma!
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
Gimme Some Truth
It Don't Come Easy
Wah-Wah

Side B:
Ram On
Behind that Locked Door
Beaucoups of Blues
3 Legs
Crippled Inside
If Not For You

 

Sour Milk Sea?

 

Is 1973 okay?

The Beatles re-unite after Paul unexpectedly drops in during the "I'm the Greatest" session. As part of an agreement, each Beatle gets 3 songs, with the exception of Ringo who insists on having 2 songs so the others can have more room.

George Martin is brought in to produce.

Side One:
"Mind Games"
"Band On The Run"
"Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)"
"Photograph"
"Jet"
"Out the Blue"

Side Two:
"I'm The Greatest"
"Be Here Now"
"Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)"
"No Words"
"That Is All"

 

I broke the 45 minute thing since it's 58 minutes but it's less then 14 tracks.
I think I'll call the album Beatles in Exile.


Side A

1. Mother John Lennon
2. Junk Paul McCartney
3. Coochy Coochy Ringo
4. Nashville Jam Ringo
5. Ram On Paul McCartney
6. Let it down George Harrison Original Guitar and Vocals version
7. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey Paul McCartney

Side B

1. Imagine John Lennon
2. Maybe I’m Amazed Paul McCartney
3. My Sweet Lord George Harrison
4. That would be something Paul McCartney
5. Crippled Inside John Lennon
6. Every Night Paul McCartney
7. All things Must Pass George Harrison

 

First of all. I forgot Instant Karma. That should go somewhere on side 1....or replace It's So Hard.
Side 2 has a loose concept. Teddy Boy and Mother are both songs about childhood. The last three songs are love songs to Linda, Yoko, and God.