1967-1970 (The Blue Album)
Even as the Beatles began heading toward an inevitable breakup, their prolific ways continued; this two-disc look back only skims the surface of their later achievements. Excerpts fromSgt. Pepper,Magical Mystery Tour, the white album,Abbey Road, andLet It Becompete for space with classic singles that do as much or more to prove their eclecticism: the epic ballad "Hey Jude," the plaintive "Strawberry Fields Forever," straight rock & roll of all stripes from the plainspoken "Revolution" and "Get Back" to the surreal "Come Together." Decades after the split, this (and itscompanion setof 1962-1966 cuts) remains a favored introduction for young listeners and a key sampler for veteran fans.--Rickey Wright