Ex-Beatles: 1979-80

We're coming up on the 40th anniversary of John Lennon's murder. Last week I saw that somebody is auctioning off his last autograph, which he signed for his murderer. Forty years ago last month he released his last album. A joint effort with Yoko, I don't know if it is a great album, but it had three charting singles as well as another track that received significant airplay on classic rock and AOR stations. Not a bad showing for anybody, but after all of these years thats about as far as I've ever been able to get into it.

One story is that John was inspired to go back into the studio after hearing McCartney II earlier in the year.

The year before, 1979, saw George's release of George Harrison. It includes an update of the White Album outtake, "Not Guilty", played in a yacht rock style. Most of the rest of the album is the same. "Soft Hearted Hannah" has some 1969 b-side Beatleyness. The standout track was the single, "Blow Away", which has some of the old magic.

Paul, with a new lineup of Wings, also produced an album in '79, Back to the Egg. Despite that premise that Paul is the lightweight, that album rocked harder than the other two. Egg sports some solid power pop. "Getting Closer" and "So Glad to See You Here" sound like Cheap Trick - members of which backed Lennon on the youtube playlist version of "I'm Losing You".

Compiling its strongest tracks with the Double Fantasy hits, a couple of strong tunes from George and the live version of "Coming Up" yields a mix that is a more engaging listen that any of the solo albums. Compare it with Emotional Rescue (or Tatoo You), Who Are You (or Face Dances), or Low Budget.

The youtube version contains Ringo's "Runnin' Free" from Scouse the Mouse.

Charting singles and popular album cuts from 1970-1980 amount to a double album's worth of music. An album cover bordered in have-a-nice-day yellow to go with the "Red" and "Blue" albums for the casual fan.

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