Post by brewmaster on Sept 12, 2014 10:37:36 GMT
I really like reading, and my Kindle is one of my most used possessions. I don't have a vast collection of Beatles-related books, but I thought I'd mention a few that have brought me enjoyment.
Firstly and obviously Mark Lewisohn's Tune in. This has been discussed extensively in its own thread here so I'll just add what I said in a review elsewhere: "The basic story of the Beatles is very well known, and it is this depth of detail that brings new insights, new revelations; so that the history you thought you knew becomes a whole new story."
Spencer Leigh has written numerous books on the Merseybeat scene, and they are all worth reading. He has interviewed many musicians, managers and fans, so hisworks tend to be "from the horse's mouth"
Listening to Spencer's radio show I heard an interview with author Bob Stanley, so I ordered his book Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. A truly fascinating look at all the various facets of popular music.
For those interested in the Hamburg scene The Star Club book by Ulf Kruger is the equivalent to Spencer Leigh's book on The Cavern. Both books have the subtitle "The most famous club in the world" but I think the Cavern wins that one.
Ulf has done a great job in detailing the nightly bill for the Star Club, plus interviews and lots of photos of groups and memorabilia.
For tourists wishing to visit significant Beatles sites Mark A Schneegurt has written a A Tour Guide To Beatles Sites . The format is a photo, or, two of each site, along with a brief description of the relevance to the Beatles story, directions by public transport and car, and a sketch map. The author emphasises that the sketch map should be used in conjunction with a detailed city map.
A total of 32 sites are included, including such rarities as the shop where the lads bought their leather trousers. However, a couple of notable sites, such as Gretel & Alfons bar and the Mambo-shanke are missing.
In my opinion it would have been more logical to organize the contents as a tour, especially for the sites around St Pauli. Starting at the Reeperbahn subway station there is a progression of sites continuing down the Grosse Freiheit, then on to take in further venues and finishing at the Hotel Pacific. This would have saved repeating the travel directions for every site, many of which are very close together.
I wish this book had been available when I last visited Hamburg. I relied on the excellent "Beatles in Hamburg" by Spencer Leigh, and found most of the places I wanted to see; but this present book, with the sketch maps, would have been a handy pocket reference.
The major figure on the Hamburg scene for many years was, of course, Tony Shidan. His life story, Tony Sheridan- The Teacher tells the story of a truly talented guy, who never really realised his full potential.... due mainly to his own personality. Author Alan Mann knew Tony as a lad, and has told the story, warts and all, mainly through a series of very illuminating interviews with TS.
A German enthusiast has done a great job in amassing material on the hundreds of lesser known Merseybeat groups in Beat Waves cross the Mersey It's a massive work, and will delight every Merseybeat Geek! I'm going to order Manfred Kuhlman's follow up Some Other Guys soon.
For a detailed examination of the work of Paul McCartney The Beatles and their Revolutionary Bass Player is a must. Dennis Alstrand discusses the playing on just about every recorded album during their career. Aimed more for musicians than the general reader, nevertheless it works as a mainstream book. I loaned my copy to a friend who is a pro bass player and he loved it so much that he has ordered his own copy.
Finally, a book to avoid. Alan Clayson has written Hamburg: Cradle of British Rock I found it a revisionist history, written by someone who evidently doesn't like the Beatles, or, Liverpool; and who seeks to diminish their importance in Hamburg. I found this strange from a writer who has specialized in Beatles books.
Firstly and obviously Mark Lewisohn's Tune in. This has been discussed extensively in its own thread here so I'll just add what I said in a review elsewhere: "The basic story of the Beatles is very well known, and it is this depth of detail that brings new insights, new revelations; so that the history you thought you knew becomes a whole new story."
Spencer Leigh has written numerous books on the Merseybeat scene, and they are all worth reading. He has interviewed many musicians, managers and fans, so hisworks tend to be "from the horse's mouth"
Listening to Spencer's radio show I heard an interview with author Bob Stanley, so I ordered his book Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. A truly fascinating look at all the various facets of popular music.
For those interested in the Hamburg scene The Star Club book by Ulf Kruger is the equivalent to Spencer Leigh's book on The Cavern. Both books have the subtitle "The most famous club in the world" but I think the Cavern wins that one.
Ulf has done a great job in detailing the nightly bill for the Star Club, plus interviews and lots of photos of groups and memorabilia.
For tourists wishing to visit significant Beatles sites Mark A Schneegurt has written a A Tour Guide To Beatles Sites . The format is a photo, or, two of each site, along with a brief description of the relevance to the Beatles story, directions by public transport and car, and a sketch map. The author emphasises that the sketch map should be used in conjunction with a detailed city map.
A total of 32 sites are included, including such rarities as the shop where the lads bought their leather trousers. However, a couple of notable sites, such as Gretel & Alfons bar and the Mambo-shanke are missing.
In my opinion it would have been more logical to organize the contents as a tour, especially for the sites around St Pauli. Starting at the Reeperbahn subway station there is a progression of sites continuing down the Grosse Freiheit, then on to take in further venues and finishing at the Hotel Pacific. This would have saved repeating the travel directions for every site, many of which are very close together.
I wish this book had been available when I last visited Hamburg. I relied on the excellent "Beatles in Hamburg" by Spencer Leigh, and found most of the places I wanted to see; but this present book, with the sketch maps, would have been a handy pocket reference.
The major figure on the Hamburg scene for many years was, of course, Tony Shidan. His life story, Tony Sheridan- The Teacher tells the story of a truly talented guy, who never really realised his full potential.... due mainly to his own personality. Author Alan Mann knew Tony as a lad, and has told the story, warts and all, mainly through a series of very illuminating interviews with TS.
A German enthusiast has done a great job in amassing material on the hundreds of lesser known Merseybeat groups in Beat Waves cross the Mersey It's a massive work, and will delight every Merseybeat Geek! I'm going to order Manfred Kuhlman's follow up Some Other Guys soon.
For a detailed examination of the work of Paul McCartney The Beatles and their Revolutionary Bass Player is a must. Dennis Alstrand discusses the playing on just about every recorded album during their career. Aimed more for musicians than the general reader, nevertheless it works as a mainstream book. I loaned my copy to a friend who is a pro bass player and he loved it so much that he has ordered his own copy.
Finally, a book to avoid. Alan Clayson has written Hamburg: Cradle of British Rock I found it a revisionist history, written by someone who evidently doesn't like the Beatles, or, Liverpool; and who seeks to diminish their importance in Hamburg. I found this strange from a writer who has specialized in Beatles books.