I started this obsession with creating fan albums (fantasy albums, fan made albums, alternate reality albums) about two and a half years ago. I was listening to the podcast Nothing Is Real and I heard the term “fantasy album.” Intrigued, I did the only thing any of us would do. I googled the term.
The world of “if The Beatles never broke up” albums opened up. I also learned about the Ethan Hawke “Black Album.” I read the books “The Death and Life Of Mal Evans” and “The Lost Album of The Beatles” (aka, “Like Some Forgotten Dream”) which highlighted these types of alternate albums.
At first, I just made playlists of these albums. I quickly moved to creating my own albums instead. I liked the 4/4/4/2 idea that John suggested for a follow up to Abbey Road. And I wanted to keep the albums to 14 tracks like the old Beatles UK albums. I wanted to avoid lengthy playlists (although I have plenty) and 14 seemed like the perfect number.
At the time I was into The Beatles psychedelic phase (we all do this.. we get into a certain “era” every once in a while). I thought of making an album of my favorite psychedelic songs. I had fun challenging myself to only 14 tracks. Then I read about George Martin’s idea of starting every album with what he called “potboilers,” and that inspired another album. I was off to the races.
I now have over 100 Beatles and solo Beatles fan albums. And I’m sharing my project with you, hoping you’ll have some fun too.
I am putting together a YouTube channel for this admittedly small niche. Just for fun as well.
Feel free to steal my albums and swap out songs you prefer. Maybe you’ll be inspired to create your own. Either way, I hope I’ve suggested an interesting, creative and different way to listen to hundreds of these great songs.
As a drummer from Liverpool once said…
Peace and love ✌️❤️