Everybody has a favorite Beatles album, and mine is Abbey Road. Like a lavish banquet, there is a little bit of everything in Abbey Road, in my view, much more so than in every other Beatles album. Sadly, it is also the last one. (I know, Let i Be came ou later, but Abbey Road was the last one recorded).

I believe that Lennon-McCartney were at their best in this album, and perhaps, the mounting tension is partly the reason. George Harrison also contributed two beautiful songs, and even Ringo Starr had a contribution, the silly, but nice, country infused Octopus Garden.

There isn’t as much experimentation as in Sgt Peppers (my other favorite), which makes the album less weird. The medley on side B has some excellent material, including “She came in through the bathroom window”. But I suppose my favorite song is “Golden Slumbers”, followed by “Carrying that Weight”.

“Come Together” has some nice electric piano and bass work, “Something” is a true classic. The album even has what John would call one of “Paul’s silly grandmother songs”, “Maxwell Silver Hammer”, notable for the Moog synthesizer use. Not Keith Emerson stuff, but it is nice to hear the Beatles using it. Funny that it is not Paul playing the bass on this song, but George Harrison. According to George, Paul got a little obsessed with the song, there were a number of takes, which frustrated other band members.

Musically, the playing and singing are good, except, of course, for Ringo Starr. His drumming was never all that good to start. When the songs go complicated sometimes you would feel Ringo would just stop playing. His singing, ditto. It does fit the silliness of “Octopus Garden”, though.

“I want you (she’s so heavy)” at times feels a bit too long, especially compared to the rest of the album, but there is some great instrumental moments.

In short, this was a great going away present by the Beatles.