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Summary: one of the best Beatles books
Review: Painstakingly researched, beautifully written, and containing many good photographs, this is surely one of the best books on the Beatles ever written. The creation of the Beatles' enduring body of work is lovingly described. A must for all recording buffs or Beatles fans - a great reference tome, fun for browsing, and best when read cover-to-cover with obsessive delight. The facts herein speak for themselves.
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Summary: PLEASE REPRINT!!!
Review: Please, PLEASE, PLEASE get this book back in print! I can't find it anywhere! This book is used as a key reference in countless books on the Beatles. Mark Lewinsohn is the definitive expert on Beatles recordings, my collection is not complete without this!!
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Summary: A quick read.
Review: Since editions and publishers change, I am certain if I am reviewing the exact book. This book will be interesting mainly to those who were teenagers during the 1960s. These persons will recall the first time they heard each of the Beatles' albums, or they will recall the event of buying these albums. For example, I first heard Sgt. Pepper at the Fillmore Auditoreum in San Francisco. The album was played before the performers went on stage -- that was Cream on their first American tour, along with Gary Burton Quartet and the Flaming Groovies. Anyway, the book takes the form of a diary detailing when and under what circumstances many of the songs were composed, recorded, and performed. The book contains 360 pages of small print, and almost every page has a ? sized photograph, though some are 1/8 sized or ? sized. The latter part of the book contains color photos. The reproductions of the photos are better than one might expect -- nice contrast and sharp focus. We learn that the original name of the Beatles was the Quarry Men, where this name came from Quarry Bank High School for Boys (page 12). We learn that the Quarry Men (John, Paul, George, and John Lowe (drums)) made their first recording in 1958 (page 13). We learn that Ringo was the drummer for a band called "Al Caldwell's Texans" even before he (Ringo) jointed "Rory Storm and the Hurricanes." (page 16) We learn that the first appearance of the lineup of John, Paul, George, and Ringo took place on August 18, 1962, and this was at Hulme Hall, where the occasion was the Horticultural Society's annual dance (page 75). We learn that the Beatles' first U.S. performances were in February 1964. An interesting fact is that Charles Finley, then owner of the Kansas City Athletics baseball team, paid $150,000 out of his own pocket to persuade the Beatles to play in Kansas City, and that the manager of the hotel in Kansas City cut up the Beatles' bed linen into 3-inch squares, and sold them for $10 each (page 139). We learn that the trumpet players on Strawberry Fields Forever were Tony Fisher, Greg Bowen, Derek Watkins, and Stanley Roderick (page 234) and that Dave Mason played the B-flat piccolo trumpet on Penny Lane (page 240). We learn that Maxwell's Silver Hammer took 27 takes, that She Came In Through the Bathroom Window took 39 takes, and that Here Comes the Sun had 13 takes (pages 324-327). Again, the reading is fairly dry and fun facts are encountered only on occasion. There is essentially no information on the Beatles' social lives. But for those who were teenagers during the 60s, the book is likely to be a page turner.
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Summary: Invaluable and Insightful-Here, There, and Everywhere
Review: This book has been a constant source for Beatles trivia- not to mention a roaring good read! I read through it 3 or 4 times a year. As a musician myself, I find its insights into the Beatles "what the hell- let's try it!" mentality refreshing (in a time where the music business has become stiflingly boring and so much music is trite and disposable). Unfortunately, my cat had a great love for the book as well-especially page 91 and 92, so now I'm screwed!! Please reprint this book!!!
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Summary: AMAZING!
Review: This book is a must for any Beatle-fan, or anyone working in a studio who knows the Beatles' music. The book is a cornucopia of information on how the Beatles' music was created in the studio. Get it!
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Summary: Need a copy?
Review: This is probably the most important of all Beatles reference books, and is an invaluable source for all studio-related knowledge ... but it's out of print?This travesty aside, I have a source of this book (hardcover). I'm not sure how many I could find, but if anyone wants one, email me at dondello@hotmail.com and I'll see what I can do. This is not to make money or anything seedy like that. :) I just bought the book the other day brand new, and there was at least five more on the shelf and probably tons in the backroom. If I get enough emails, I'll run down to the store and see if there's any more, and if you want, I'll ship them out. G'day!
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Summary: Behind the Creative Genius of a Groundbreaking Band
Review: This is the real thing. Instead of concentrating on third-hand gossip and rumors or the trivialities of a group that was much more humble than its devotees, Mark Lewisohn delves into the actual music of the Beatles. I loved the accounts of the Fab Four recording "A Day in the Life," "Strawberry Fields Forever," and "Tomorrow Never Knows." This amazingly rich book gives detailed accounts of how the Beatles, AS A GROUP, came up with the sounds that broke down the barriers of pop music. As a musician, I found Mark Lewisohn's portrayal of the Beatles genius (especially that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney) to be completely thorough and accurate, as well as insightful. If you are to buy any one Beatles book, buy this one!
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