The Beatle Books
The
books selected have been carefully chosen by a Beatlemaniac of 35 years.
It is with regret that most of the books I read and own are now sadly
out of print.
But these are just as good.
Please visit the Music accompanying these books in The BEATLE SPIN
For the John and Yoko Music page please visit The One and Only
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The
Beatles : Illustrated Lyrics / by Alan Aldridge (Editor), Beatles
From Amazon.com:First
published in 1969, this reissued collection of illustrated lyrics for
200 Beatles songs will be a treasure for any fan of the Fab Four. Editor
and Beatle-buddy Alan Aldridge states in his introduction to the original
edition: "What I have tried to do is present a book [that] is as entertaining
to the eye and the imagination as a Beatles album is to the ear." Indeed,
he more than succeeds, creating a lavish pageant of art and music that
embraces not only the Beatles but also the psychedelic spirit of the entire
era. In 320 photos and illustrations, renowned artists offer their interpretations
of various songs. "Help" is visualized by Ronald Searle; "Fixing a Hole,"
by Tomi Ungerer; "Glass Onion," by Peter Max; "I'm So Tired," by David
Hockney; and "Oh, Darling," by Ralph Steadman. Aldridge also contributes
his own trippy illustrations, which reflect the bold, bulbous, cartoons-on-acid
style of 1960s poster art. This rich compilation also has brief quotes
from the Beatles explaining the origins of the themes and lyrics of certain
songs. For example, despite the buzz that "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
is about LSD, according to Paul, "What happened was that John's son Julian
did a drawing at school and brought it home, and he has a schoolmate named
Lucy, and John said, 'What's that?' and he said 'Lucy in the sky with
diamonds.'" Band members also share their thoughts on superstardom, including
this now weighty comment from John: "I don't intend to be a performing
flea anymore. I was the dreamweaver, but although I'll be around I don't
intend to be running at 20,000 miles an hour trying to prove myself. I
don't want to die at 40." It can't bring them back, but The Beatles Illustrated
Lyrics can take you on a long and winding road of nostalgia. --Brangien
Davis
The
Beatles' Story on Capitol Records, Part One : Beatlemania & The Singles
/ by Bruce Spizer
This highly anticipated
follow-up to Bruce Spizer's critically acclaimed "The Beatles Records
on Vee-Jay" contains detailed information on the group's Capitol singles
from "I Want To Hold Your Hand" through "Lady Madonna", as well as chapters
on Beatlemania in America, how Capitol marketed the Beatles, Capitol's
Beatles related singles, the history of Capitol Records, the Capitol Record
Club and other fascinating stories. Hard cover with over 500 color photos
throughout, including all picture sleeves, label variations, trade advertisements
and press kits. Essential and entertaining for both casual fans and serious
collectors.
Reviewer: A reader from Colorado: "Fantastic collection,
meticulously transcribed.This is an amazingly complete and accurate collection...
musicians attempting to learn and to replicate the Beatles sound will
not be disappointed. Included are all instrument parts, all vocal parts,
and chord names above the staff, with tablature for the bass and guitar
parts. What a bargain! At times, the authors were able to capture some
subtlties in the music which had gone unnoticed by me... but a careful
re-listening to the song revealed the score to be surprisingly correct.
Regarding some of the complaints in other Amazon reviews, which made me
a bit hesitant to buy: 1) Size of the print: it really is not that small,
and it is quite legible. 2) Supposed inaccuracy of chord names: it appears
that there is a general chord name above the staff, but more detailed
guitar-part scoring in the staff... they were not trying to name the exact
chord every time... in some cases not every string is being played. 3)
Complaints about the inclusion of 'tab' for 'musical illiterates': tab
actually includes, concisely, information which standard notation cannot
show easily... like exactly which string/fret to use, out of several options
on the guitar. And, by the way, Paul McCartney STILL does not read or
write standard notation himself. NOTE: I also compared this book to Hal
Leonard's "The Beatles" (21 songs, in their "Transcribed Scores" series),
and was amazed how much better The Beatles Complete Scores is.
Days
in the Life : The Lost Beatles Archives / by Richard Buskin, R. E.
Robinson (Editor)
Reviewer: A reader
from England: A beaut! The cover and paper qualities set the tone
of the content. The candid humorous posed and unposed photos are an absolute
delight. I love the edge to edge photos which are complementedby the definite
lack of color throughout the book, enhancing it's stylish feel. A wonderful
book for anybody to enjoy the most exciting musical group we have ever
known. It's a must!!
In
His Own Write / by John Lennon
Irreverent . . . and
hilarious" (New York Times) this book will appeal to Lennon's thousands
of fans and create instant sales on its publication on his 47th birthday.
30 two-color line drawings. SELECTOR'S NOTE: If you fancy yourself as
a true Beatlemaniac then you won't mind the wait for this work by John.
Once again, John shows that he is a Renaissance man.
Lennon
: The Definitive Biography / by Ray Coleman
A revised and updated
edition of the best and most complete biography about the influential
Beatle, with new revelations and photographs. A bestseller, Lennon won
Goldmine magazine's 1985 Best Book of the Year Award. Ray Coleman also
wrote The Man Who Made the Beatles and coauthored Clapton! with Eric Clapton
and Stone Alone with Bill Wyman.
Real
Love : The Drawings for Sean / by John Lennon, Al Naclerio, Yoko Ono
(Introduction)
From Amazon.com:
John Lennon had two opportunities to be a father. His first son, Julian,
was born in 1963 at the dawning of Beatlemania. The impact of the Beatles'
success on John and Julian's relationship? Suffice tosay Paul McCartney
wrote "Hey Jude" as a gesture of sympathy to a forlorn young Julian. Fatherhood
fit John Lennon far better the next time around when the indulgent daddy,
then in his late 30s, put his musical career on hold to indulge his second
son, Sean. Evidence of Lennon the doting dad can be found in this 48-page
collection of sun-drenched illustrations sketched out to entertain a toddling
offspring. The once-caustic ex-Beatle betrays not a hint of his scathing
side in these vivid drawings. Rather, the witty punster who was dubbed
the "smart Beatle" after he published the prose collection In His Own
Write in 1964 is in full flower here. An illustration christened "Collieflower"
shows a budding plant with the face of a canine; "A Frog Pondering" displays
a reflective amphibian overlooking a puddle. Real Love is the kind of
book that will capture the attention of Beatles collectors, but it should
also spark the imaginations of its intended audience--little Lennonists
in the making. --Steven Stolder
The
Beatles Anthology / by The Beatles
List Price:
$60.00
Our Price: $42.00
You Save: $18.00 (30%)
This extraordinary project has been made possible because Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr have agreed to tell their combined story especially for this book. Together with Yoko Ono Lennon, they have also made available the full transcripts (including all the outtakes) of the television and video series The Beatles Anthology. Through painstaking compilation of sources worldwide, John Lennon's words are equally represented in this remarkable volume. Furthermore, The Beatles have opened their personal and management archives specifically for this project, allowing the unprecedented release of photographs which they took along their ride to fame, as well as fascinating documents and memorabilia from their homes and offices. What a book The Beatles Anthology is! Each page is brimming with personal stories and rare vintage images. Snapshots from their family collections take us back to the days when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Richard Starkey were just boys growing up in Liverpool. They talk in turn about those early years and how they came to join the band that would make them known around the world as John, Paul, George and Ringo. Then, weaving back and forth, they tell the astonishing story of life as The Beatles: the first rough gigs, the phenomenon of their rise to fame, the musical and social change of their heyday, all the way through to their breakup. From the time Ringo tried to take this drum kit home on the bus to their much anticipated audience with Elvis, from the making of the Sgt. Pepper album to their last photo session together at John's house, The Beatles Anthology is a once-in-a-lifetime collection of The Beatles' own memories. Interwoven with these are the recollections of such associates as road manager Neil Aspinall, producer George Martin and spokesman Derek Taylor. And included in the vast array of photographs are materials from both Apple and EMI, who also opened their archives for this project. This, indeed, is the inside story, providing a wealth of previously unpublished material in both word and image. Created with their full cooperation, The Beatles Anthology is, in effect, The Beatles' autobiography. Like their music has been a part of so many of our lives, it's warm, frank, funny, poignant and bold. At last, here is The Beatles' own story. 340,000 words and over 1300 images including unseen photographs and personal memorabilia.
Other Related websites:
John and Yoko Lennon: The one and only
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