Post by theman on Jun 14, 2014 22:27:41 GMT -5
Actually, the full subtitle of this book is "The Essential Songs of the Beatles Solo Careers", written by Andrew Grant Jackson. I discovered it a few weeks ago at Barnes and Noble and I'm really glad I picked it up. The book was originally released about two years ago, and I was surprised that I have not seen any mention of it here. Anyway, it's just been re-released in a paperback edition.
The book takes a serious look at the Beatles solo catalog…from "Early 1970" to "New". The book's structure is based on the premise that if the Beatles didn't break up, what solo songs would have made their way onto new albums released in the '70s, '80s, '90s, up to today. It takes some liberties in the songs that are grouped together, but it does a nice job of providing in-depth critical reviews on songs as well known as "Instant Karma", "Band on the Run", My Sweet Lord" and "Photograph" to more obscure gems such as "What You Got", "Back on my Feet", "Cheer Down" and "The Other Side of Liverpool".
What I like about the book is at the start of each chapter, i.e., "album", the author provides an interesting accounting about what was going on with the Fabs during that specific timeframe during their solo careers. Although the nature of the book is to provide reviews, insights, etc. on the "best songs" from the solo era, the author does editorialize a bit on the ups and downs during those years and does not "whitewash" the times when John, Paul, George and Ringo's output fell short from a critical standpoint.
There is an addendum in this paperback version where the author has Beatles experts/scholars providing insight into songs not mentioned in the first edition, including AbbeyRd's own Steve Marinucci (Steve's provides his take on "Ballroom Dancing" as an overlooked gem.)
Anyway, I really think this book does justice for those of us who believe that John, Paul, George and Ringo's solo careers are worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as The Beatles!
The book takes a serious look at the Beatles solo catalog…from "Early 1970" to "New". The book's structure is based on the premise that if the Beatles didn't break up, what solo songs would have made their way onto new albums released in the '70s, '80s, '90s, up to today. It takes some liberties in the songs that are grouped together, but it does a nice job of providing in-depth critical reviews on songs as well known as "Instant Karma", "Band on the Run", My Sweet Lord" and "Photograph" to more obscure gems such as "What You Got", "Back on my Feet", "Cheer Down" and "The Other Side of Liverpool".
What I like about the book is at the start of each chapter, i.e., "album", the author provides an interesting accounting about what was going on with the Fabs during that specific timeframe during their solo careers. Although the nature of the book is to provide reviews, insights, etc. on the "best songs" from the solo era, the author does editorialize a bit on the ups and downs during those years and does not "whitewash" the times when John, Paul, George and Ringo's output fell short from a critical standpoint.
There is an addendum in this paperback version where the author has Beatles experts/scholars providing insight into songs not mentioned in the first edition, including AbbeyRd's own Steve Marinucci (Steve's provides his take on "Ballroom Dancing" as an overlooked gem.)
Anyway, I really think this book does justice for those of us who believe that John, Paul, George and Ringo's solo careers are worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as The Beatles!