Best Ever Albums

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Tue, 4 Aug 2026 06:49:46 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/04/2026 10:49

Just had our 60's listening group and i was quite surprised at the response.

I thought that I would be a lone voice in feeling that, although a great album, not a classic but about 1/2 of the group agreed.

Some great / outstanding track bit overall, not an album that gels with everyone.

The next album that we are listening to is

The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) by The Velvet Underground & Nico

That should be an interesting discission. I'll set up a new topic for that one

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:05:18 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/31/2026 08:05

And so, we could to the final overall write up. Unlike Pet Sounds for example, I don’t think that I’ve come away from this album with any greater understanding or appreciation of the album than I had before undertaking this exercise.

I already had this album in my top 500 and that hasn’t changed. I already though that it was a great album and, I have to admit, listening to and commenting on each track has not enhanced my feelings about the album.

I still don’t get some of the quirkier tracks, Being For The Benefit….. and When I’m Sixt Four for example but there are some absolute classics here, A Day In The Life and Within You Without You are obvious examples.

A great album but not a top notch one.

My Listening group is on Tuesday, and I’ll feedback their thoughts after that. Any more thoughts before then, please do post

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 02:15:27 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/31/2026 06:15

roberto71 wrote:

After Abbey Road this is my second favorite Beatles album, although sometimes I prefer Magical Mystery Tour over this one. I don't think anything on it is particularly bad but when I listen to it now there's some tracks I skip over. I'm not sure why really, maybe I just got tired of them or something. As of now, these would be my favorite tracks. Although it has changed over the years. But last time I listened to it I think these were my favorites.

1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
2. Good Morning Good Morning
3. A Day in the Life
4. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
5. Getting Better
6. With a Little Help from My Friends
7. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
8. Lovely Rita
9. When I'm 64
10. Within You Without You
11. She's Leaving Home
12. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

That's an interesting list Roberto. Maybe I'll start doing that at the end of each album thread. Nice addition to the discussion.

It I were ranking Beatles albums, I'd have

Revolver (1966) by The Beatles

As my no. 1.

Thanks for taking the time to post. Appreciate it

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

roberto71 — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:03:11 GMT

Author: roberto71

Posted: 07/30/2026 15:03

After Abbey Road this is my second favorite Beatles album, although sometimes I prefer Magical Mystery Tour over this one. I don't think anything on it is particularly bad but when I listen to it now there's some tracks I skip over. I'm not sure why really, maybe I just got tired of them or something. As of now, these would be my favorite tracks. Although it has changed over the years. But last time I listened to it I think these were my favorites.

1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
2. Good Morning Good Morning
3. A Day in the Life
4. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
5. Getting Better
6. With a Little Help from My Friends
7. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
8. Lovely Rita
9. When I'm 64
10. Within You Without You
11. She's Leaving Home
12. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:05:18 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/30/2026 10:05

A Day in the Life

And so, we come to the closing track on the album and for many people, The Beatles finest moment, ever!

I don’t think that it’s that good, but it is an outstanding track and a very clever way to close the album, applause, crowd noise etc.

The musicianship throughout is top draw and I especially love the orchestration.

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:48:10 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/29/2026 11:48

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)

The better of the two versions of this track on the album. A much rockier track than the opening track and all the better for that.

No brass this time and far more upbeat and great guitar

My only criticism of the track is that it's far too short

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 05:34:39 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/28/2026 09:34

Good Morning Good Morning

I’ve never been too sure what to make of this track. On the face of it, I should love this track, it’s shouty and a little chaotic! In reality, I do like it, but it jars for some reasons and I’m not sure why.

Decent enough though and fits the album well and better than I remembered so it was nice to revisit this track

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:16:41 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/27/2026 10:16

Lovely Rita

A pretty decent track with mild psychedelic undertones.

It’s quite catchy without being one of my favourite tracks on the album. It very decent but not outstanding

I'm really not a big fan of the "quirky" Beatles tracks and this, for me, falls into that category

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 05:27:04 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/26/2026 09:27

When I'm Sixty-Four

I find it a bit of a jolt going for the sublime Within You Without You to Sixty-Four.

I’ve never warmed to this track. I mean, there’s not a bad track on Sgt. Peppers but this track jars with me.

I sort of appreciate the lyrics (although being north of 64 myself, I don't agree with them, 64 was "old" in 1967 I guess), but I find it twee and rather corny. I’m not a fan of the music hall approach. I’m probably missing something deeper here but I don’t get it.

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 02:36:37 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/25/2026 06:36

Within You Without You

One of, if not, my favourite track on the album. I generally preferred Harison to Lennon or McCartney and this is a great track. This might possibly be the most quintessentially Harrison track whilst he was with the Beatles

Obviously, a departure from the staple Beatles sound and, for me, all the better for that. "The most timeless piece of dronal psychedelia ever recorded” as one critic stated.
It’s such a beautiful track and very calming

This is one of the highlights of the album

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:45:13 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/23/2026 17:45

Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!

From the wonderful “She’s Leaving Home” to “For The Benefit”! I’ve always felt that this was a bit jarring for me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a decent track but for some reason it just doesn’t work that well for me.

Nice enough but I think that if it were written by anyone else but Lennon, it might not get the same plaudits as it does

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:07:05 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/22/2026 08:07

She's Leaving Home

A rather poignant track and I love the lyrics to this. The orchestration here is so beautiful and adds to the song immensely. The harmonies are fabulous. This is a quintessentially Sgt. Peppers track.

I adore this track

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:13:25 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/20/2026 08:13

Fixing a Hole

I’ve never really warmed to this track. Very good lyrics but I find the melody a little annoying and I’m not sure why.

Overall, an OK track but nothing to get excited about for me.

On a positive note, George Harrisons guitar on the track is rather good

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 03:27:07 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/18/2026 07:27

Getting Better

Very engaging track with a nice up-tempo delivery and it feels like it fits into the album really well.

Like every track on the album I think that overfamiliarity can breed a certain dismissiveness (not quite the right word but hopefully you get the general point) of some of the songs, that’s certainly the case with me but this is a very well written and performed track

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:48:24 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/14/2026 08:48

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

One of my personal favourite tracks, along with A Day In The Life and Within You Without You (more on those later) on the album and one of the most recognisable tracks as well. I particularly love the druggy feel to the track although I appreciate that the thought that this is about LSD are erroneous.

Really very well executed and performed and very trippy psychedelic / psych rock, dreamlike track.

It really is quite an incredible track when you consider when it was recorded although Lennon stated that he was unhappy with the recording. Imagine what it might have sounded like had he got the recording how he wanted it to sound

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 06:28:32 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/12/2026 10:28

With a Little Help from My Friends

The title track segues into this track.

A track which has become rather synonymous with Joe Cocker. Joe did a great job with this track. Much rockier that the Beatles version and I really like both versions but prefer Joe’s cover.

As for the original, being quite a short track, I think that it could have benefited from being longer but that wouldn’t have really fitted into the concept of the album. It’s also a lot “gentler” and I think that this track benefits from being rocked up but again, that wouldn’t have fitted SPLHCB.

In terms of the album, I really like it.

Link

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 04:40:38 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/09/2026 08:40

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

The opening track of the album appropriately starts with the title track.

I like the start with the orchestra warming up as it set the scene for a performance or people waiting for a concert. Very clever. Also, interesting as it hints at a live experience but I’m pretty sure that the Beatles never performed this live preferring to concentrate on studio work.

It’s a very clever song with the French horns and brass and a great guitar intro. It’s a very good start to the album

I also recognise that taking individual tracks and analysing them on an album like this is not the best way to talk about this album but it’s the format that I’ve used so far and sticking to it. Hopefully, the final entry about the album as a whole will encapsulate everything good and bad about the album

NB - I'm looking for a post able YouTube video

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 14:42:54 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/07/2026 18:42

albummaster wrote:

Probably very much in your corner here, there's no doubt it has some amazing songs on it (A Day in the Life obviously), but never really jelled with me personally. Maybe I needed to be born a decade or two earlier to really appreciate how ground-breaking it must have been at the time. That said, curious to hear what the latest takes are.

It’s been overanalysed to death IMO but I don’t choose the album.

Having said that, I hope that there is a lot of traction here as I love the discussions that people get into and I don’t want BEAers to feel they can’t comment due to overfamiliarity with the album

Looking forward to some interesting discussion and I have some strong views on this album so…………

Re: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

albummaster — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 12:45:19 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/07/2026 16:45

Probably very much in your corner here, there's no doubt it has some amazing songs on it (A Day in the Life obviously), but never really jelled with me personally. Maybe I needed to be born a decade or two earlier to really appreciate how ground-breaking it must have been at the time. That said, curious to hear what the latest takes are.

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Johnnyo — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 10:42:43 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/07/2026 14:42

The album that we will be listening to in my 60's listening group in July is

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) by The Beatles

If you have any thoughts on the album please let me know. I'll be posting my own thoughts over the next month

Previous albums discussed are

Electric Music For The Mind And Body by Country Joe And The Fish (August)
Sounds Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel (September)
Revolver by The Beatles (October)
In The Court Of The Crimson King by King Crimson (November)
Buffalo Springfield Again by Buffalo Springfield (December)
Disraeli Gears by Cream (February)
in Search Of The Lost Chord by The Moody Blues (April)
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly (May)
Blues Breakers by John Mayall & Eric Clapton (June)
Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys (July)