Originally released in 1988 as a double album and 2 single albums, the remastered version is now a double disc and as such I will refer to it as a single work. It is, after all, to serve a single simple purpose; to fill in the singles only songs into the album catalog of the Beatles. Personally I feel this technique should be used in the Beatles solo works (Shaved Fish by John Lennon is a less formal less strict form of this but not inclusive enough). "Give Peace A Chance", "Instant Karma", "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" etc are not on any official John Lennon or Lennon/Ono albums and are sometimes just added on as a bonus track to an album it doesn't fit on (ie "Power To The People" closing Plastic Ono Band wtf). Also what about Paul's "Live And Let Die" "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" George's "Shanghai Surprise" "Bangla Desh" or Ringo's "It Don't Come Easy" "Back Off Boogaloo." But enough digression, my point is although technically labeled a compilation album it is rightfully considered part of the studio album canon. After all no proper British studio album has "She Loves You" "From Me To You" "I Want To Hold Your Hand" "We Can Work It Out" "Paperback Writer" "Hey Jude" "Lady Madonna" etc. Past Masters is possibly the best single place to start on Beatles album as it is the most diverse album aside from The White Album and it has more universally beloved hits as well as some glorious underdogs like "I Call Your Name" and "The Inner Light." In short this may be the desert island pick album of the Beatles or any collection.
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