“I love that record”: Ann Wilson’s favourite album by The Beatles
Like many musicians, the Wilson sisters have never felt the need to justify their appreciation for The Beatles. In fact, Nancy Wilson once explained their love for the Fab Four as merely an obvious pattern because “obviously”. For Ann Wilson, they had the power to shine both as a groundbreaking collective and an exceptional group made up of exceptional individuals.
For Wilson, an industry-defining act is also one that can be culturally defying, the kind that shuns restraints while utilising nostalgic techniques. This might have been what caused her to fall in love with Led Zeppelin and The Cure, but it also allowed her to consume The Beatles’ material differently. Instead of listening out for the obvious, like catchy and infectious melodies, she peeled back each layer and pinpointed what made each musician excel.
For instance, their extensive discography beckons studious experiences for both music fans and musicians, with each component offering something truly inspiring and enlightening. Whether the skilled wordplay of Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s writing partnership, Ringo Starr’s unique and stylistic drum parts, or George Harrison’s sparkling notes, The Beatles provide an endless lesson in the parameters of contemporary musical excellence.
Perhaps this is why, when revealing her favourite records, Wilson chose The White Album, one of the band’s most technical and sophistical records due to its stylistic diversity, lyrical complexity, and innovative recording techniques. “It’s so diverse, and it shows each one of them just really stretching out,” Wilson told Goldmine. “I love that record. Yeah, I’d take it to a desert island, if I had to go.”
Many of the approaches the band took when creating The White Album resulted in it becoming the quintessential Beatles record, not just because of Lennon’s categorical “less of your philosorock” venture but because of the ways they balanced their bigger, typically rock ‘n’ roll compositions with the deeper, more unconventional cuts. Melding the basics of rock, folk, country, and blues also meant that their individual contributions had more space to shine than any of their other albums.
Interestingly, Nancy Wilson once picked Revolver as one of her favourite Beatles records for similar reasons. In her view, Revolver achieved excellence beyond just altering the cultural landscape, it showcased the different members of the band in varying ways. As she put it: “The sound of this record was smashed into the grooves so deep it felt physically mind-altering. You could feel the air move. You could feel their collective consciousness, leaning toward new heights of greatness.”
However, while each album could be viewed as an exemplar of The Beatles’ craftsmanship, The White Album remains untouchable due to its overt eclecticism. For instance, songs like ‘Back in the U.S.S.R.’ and ‘Helter Skelter’ showcase the band’s unrivalled rock ‘n’ roll energy, while ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Julia’ showcase more delicate acoustic-driven arrangements with more densely considered lyrics.
