The Beatles Love Album (2006): Introduction
The Beatles’ 2006 album, “Love,” is George Martin’s last record production before his death in 2016. Together with his son, Giles, they created another masterpiece for the Fab Four. Imagine the idea of a Beatles mashup mix. Well, that’s what this “Love” compilation album is all about.
Indeed, the Martins created a whole new dimension to the Fab Four’s original works. Furthermore, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr blessed the new production. So did John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono Lennon and George Harrison’s widow, Olivia Harrison.
Obviously, we all love The Beatles’ original artistic work. But now we have a combination of two or more Beatles songs as one track. Of course, as ever, you can hear clips of all the tracks on the “Love” album by clicking the play button below. Then, let us know your opinions below.
In Detail
- Release Date: November 20, 2006
- Recorded: 1963-1969
- Studio: EMI, Trident, Olympic and Apple studios, London, EMI Studios, Bombay, and Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles; mixed 2004–2006 at Abbey Road Studios
- Album Duration: 78:38 (CD), 80:28 (DVD-Audio), 86:41 (iTunes)
- Genre: Rock
- Record Label: Apple/Capitol/Parlophone
- Producer: George Martin, Giles Martin
- Compiler: George Martin
Performers
The Beatles’ Love Album Tracks
01) Because
02) Get Back
03) Glass Onion
04) Eleanor Rigby with Julia transition
05) I Am the Walrus
06) I Want to Hold Your Hand
07) Drive My Car/The Word/What You’re Doing
08) Gnik Nus
09) Something with Blue Jay Way transition
10) Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite!/I Want You (She’s So Heavy)/Helter Skelter
11) Help!
12) Blackbird/Yesterday
13) Strawberry Fields Forever
14) Within You Without You/Tomorrow Never Knows
15) Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
16) Octopus’s Garden
17) Lady Madonna
18) Here Comes the Sun with The Inner Light Transition
19) Come Together/Dear Prudence with Cry Baby Cry transition
20) Revolution
21) Back in the U.S.S.R.
22) While My Guitar Gently Weeps
23) A Day in the Life
24) Hey Jude
25) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
26) All You Need Is Love
Digital bonus tracks (iTunes)
27) The Fool on the Hill
28) Girl
Album Cover
This is obviously not a traditional Beatles album cover. In fact, this is one of only a few Beatles albums that really needs the name of the band on the front to identify it as a Fab Four album. The other exception would be the “White Album,“ of course.
Since this remix album is a creation specifically for a Cirque du Soleil theatrical production at The Mirage, Las Vegas, it’s their image shown. That show also has the name “Love.” It’s a successful circus-type artistic and athletic stage performance. It portrays the Fab Four from their humble beginnings to their break up.
The album cover is basically a representation of the show that has run successfully since June 2006.
Recording
George Harrison came up with the idea to use The Beatles’ music in a Cirque du Soleil musical show. Indeed, Harrison’s friendship with Guy Laliberté, the company’s founder, led to discussions in 2000 about the possibility of production. However, Harrison died in November 2001. So, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and widows Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono Lennon, the Beatles’ holding company Apple Corps Ltd., and MGM Mirage come to a suitable arrangement.
The “Love Show” covers the story of The Beatles. Each song is indeed the name of a show scene. The scenery has fictional characters from The Beatles’ lyrics, with the central figure being Sgt Pepper. Then, on his travels, he meets “Lucy in the Sky,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Lady Madonna,” and many others.
With this in mind, George Martin and his son, Giles, began their quest to create something special for the show. So, out come the data and mixers again. As a result, we get the “Love” album. However, the Cirque du Soleil musical show is not the only one to benefit. Indeed, we can all experience the mashup mixes now with this release.
Love Album: The Sound
Firstly, imagine “Strawberry Fields Forever” mixed with the cello and harpsichord from “Piggies” and the brass sound from “Penny Lane”. Then imagine the orchestral section from “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” creeping in, as well as “Hello Goodbye” and “I’m Only Sleeping”. This happens in the Beatles’ “Love” album with dramatic effect.
Secondly, imagine the “Get Back” song starting with the opening guitar chord from “A Hard Days Night.” Your dreams have just come true with this album!
While you listen to a song from the album, expect the odd drum roll to pop up from another Beatles song. Likewise, the same applies to an odd guitar piece turning up where you don’t expect it to.
George and Giles Martin didn’t just use the original tracks for this mashup album. They also used various pieces from rehearsals, etc. Therefore, this album is for Beatlemaniacs and new fans alike. However, if you only like original Beatles music, this album may not be for you. But what it does do is take you on a trip you certainly wouldn’t expect!
It may be worthwhile to point out that in 1967, Harry Nilsson created what is widely accepted as the first mashup. Not only that, but it contains over twenty Beatles songs, with the primary track being “You Can’t Do That.” So, check that song mix out here if mashups are your thing.
Chart Success
To all intents and purposes, these remix and mashup tracks are a bit like having new Beatles material. With this in mind, people are buying the album in large numbers. In fact, when they released the album, it got high up in the top 10 charts. But as you would expect, in Canada, home of Cirque du Soleil, it went to number one.
Take A Listen
Click on the play button to listen to the songs, and then give us your opinions below.
