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Post by mrmustard on Feb 9, 2017 13:08:37 GMT
I got the Merseybeat book a couple of years ago. Very good.
Brewmaster - what year did Merseybeat finish?
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Post by brewmaster on Feb 9, 2017 18:13:11 GMT
The last issue in the book was 1964, and I believe that that was, in fact, when the Merseybeat ended.
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Post by mrmustard on Apr 14, 2017 19:07:34 GMT
Been reading The Beatles '66; The Revolutionary Year by Steve Turner. I really can't rate this highly enough. The research that's gone into this is incredible and the photos are so obscure. Obviously it makes it easier to research if it's just one year but you get a complete sense of that whole period, the cultural influences on each individual Beatle, how they where changing as individuals, how all songs where conceived, written and recorded during that year and why that year was so pivotal. You get a complete sense of exactly why they had to quit touring. Highly recommended.
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Post by lovelyrita1 on Apr 15, 2017 12:18:41 GMT
Been reading The Beatles '66; The Revolutionary Year by Steve Turner. I really can't rate this highly enough. The research that's gone into this is incredible and the photos are so obscure. Obviously it makes it easier to research if it's just one year but you get a complete sense of that whole period, the cultural influences on each individual Beatle, how they where changing as individuals, how all songs where conceived, written and recorded during that year and why that year was so pivotal. You get a complete sense of exactly why they had to quit touring. Highly recommended. yes this got great reviews when it came out, i'm particularly fascinated by the period 66 as this seemed to be the turning point for amazing changes to this greatest of all decades. Unfortunately i'm "Mr Slow " when it comes to reading, i only read a few pages in bed before i go to sleep each night, so i'm only just started the chapter on 1960 in Mark Lewisohn's epic book Tune In . Some freak on here read the same huge book in 2 weeks ha ha . (One excuse for my slow reading is having Capital Gold on in the background, 2 nights in a row i had to stop reading as they Played Strawberry Fields Forever one night, then the next it was Lucy in the sky with diamonds, they are such masterpieces , they have to be savoured.
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Post by brewmaster on Apr 26, 2017 9:47:46 GMT
Spencer Leigh is the most comprehensive chronicler of Merseybeat, and he has produced another masterpiece with Love me do, Love me don't, a detailed review of all of the Beatles' recorded work. The format of the book consists of a long introductory chapter, which gives an overview of the music scene in Liverpool from the late 1950s on, then every year from 1962 onwards is covered, with a brief sketch of the current events in headline form, then every single, EP, album and Christmas flexi-disk release by the Beatles is discussed. Spencer, in his job as a radio presenter, has interviewed countless celebrities from the broad entertainment industry. He extracts comments from them about the various records, and how they influenced their life and work. These prominent interviewees include Jerry Wexler, Ken Dodd, Marty Wilde, Barney Kessel, Peter Asher, Alan Sytner, Eric Burdon, Sonny Curtis, Pete Best, and many, many more. I found their views enjoyable to read, and was struck by just how influential the Beatles were for such a diverse group of people. I thought that the book would end with the break up of the Beatles, but Spencer continues with all their subsequent recording work, then covers their movies too. He then goes on to discuss the prominent cover versions of Beatles songs, both good and bad, before detailing documentaries and musicals about their work. All in all, a comprehensive, absorbing and entertaining book, which will delight all Beatles fans.
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Post by mrmustard on Apr 27, 2017 18:10:21 GMT
Thanks Brewmaster. I didn't know about this release. Going to have to get it now!
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Post by brewmaster on Aug 17, 2017 18:12:48 GMT
While in Waterstones I glanced at Standing in the Wings: The Beatles, Brian Epstein and Me Not having much time, I can't comment too much on the book, but with delve depper tomorrow. I know that Joe Flannery is noted for being flexible with the truth, regarding Merseybeat history. For example, he claims that the famous Beatles haircuts were modelled on his mother! Until I can dip into the book more deeply, checkout these reviews
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Post by ROCKY on Aug 17, 2017 23:36:48 GMT
How about this one? Now this edition titled 'Ultimate' came out in 2015. And I didn't buy it because it was $60 USD and I already have the Revised Edition from 2002. But now I've read the Ultimate has 512 pages, twice as many as the Revised edition at 256. So I went on eBay and found one for $40 USD. I may have to break down and get it for my collection as you people know I love reading about guitars.
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Post by brewmaster on Aug 20, 2017 10:34:56 GMT
Managed to read most of the relevant parts of the Joe Flannery book, and was not impressed. Among other doubtful areas he still claims that the NEMS Raymond Jones episode was a myth made up by Brian..... despite both Spencer Leigh and Mark Lewisohn confirming that Raymond did actually order "My Bonnie" To quote Spencer Leigh regarding the book overall: I'm surprised that Brocken, a respected academic, had anything to do with this load of Flannery flannel. More from Spencer on dubious Beatles histories here
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Post by mrmustard on Aug 20, 2017 13:29:42 GMT
Managed to read most of the relevant parts of the Joe Flannery book, and was not impressed. Among other doubtful areas he still claims that the NEMS Raymond Jones episode was a myth made up by Brian..... despite both Spencer Leigh and Mark Lewisohn confirming that Raymond did actually order "My Bonnie" In 2011 I emailed Spencer on the book he talks about Raymond Jones. He interviewed him for his BBC Radio Merseyside show I seem to remember. He replied to me and allowed me to post his response on this forum. Here is the reply again.... Spencer Leigh - All the quotes are from my interviews, not from anywhere else, and I have them all on tape, and that is the end of that matter. Raymond Jones had a printing company in Burscough, now run by his children, and he retired to Spain. I am certain he exists. At diffferent times, Alistair Taylor and Sam Leach claimed to be "Raymond Jones" and as Bob Wooler said to me, "This is getting like I am Spartacus." Yes, Brian probably knew the name but when a good looking boy in a black leather jacket came into NEMS asking for the single, I am sure that prompted his interest! Thanks for listening and reading! Spencer
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Post by ROCKY on Aug 20, 2017 17:41:41 GMT
Ever see this letter before? Evidently Mr. Epstein finally got in touch with Raymond again. That's if you want to believe Mrs. Quinn that Ray was her neighbor.
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Post by brewmaster on Aug 21, 2017 11:50:25 GMT
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Post by ROCKY on Aug 27, 2017 13:35:22 GMT
How about this one? View AttachmentNow this edition titled 'Ultimate' came out in 2015. And I didn't buy it because it was $60 USD and I already have the Revised Edition from 2002. But now I've read the Ultimate has 512 pages, twice as many as the Revised edition at 256. So I went on eBay and found one for $40 USD. I may have to break down and get it for my collection as you people know I love reading about guitars. UPDATE: Finally got my Ultimate Edition of 'Beatles Gear' book yesterday. Fantastic! Just started to read it and there's an update on John's first guitar, The Gallotone Champion. That the one that was sold at auction may not be the original guitar John owned! And then there's a story, John may have had a Egmond before that one, like George's! The book is worth every penny I paid!!
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Post by lovelyrita1 on Aug 28, 2017 11:37:39 GMT
Recently finished the 50th anniversary book that came with the deluxe package(excellent) and back reading The Hunter Davies Beatles book i took on holiday, it's a very good read, i'm going through a chapter a night before bed.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 8, 2018 10:46:59 GMT
In Waterstones yesterday I saw a copy of Astrid Kirchherr with The Beatles. Unfortunately it was sealed in plastic, so I couldn't browse through it. I am tempted to buy it anyway.
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Post by lovelyrita1 on Jan 8, 2018 11:45:29 GMT
In Waterstones yesterday I saw a copy of Astrid Kirchherr with The Beatles. Unfortunately it was sealed in plastic, so I couldn't browse through it. I am tempted to buy it anyway. i love those iconic photographs she took of the band, was it pricey?
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 8, 2018 16:45:55 GMT
It was about £22. It;s cheaper on Amazon.
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Post by lovelyrita1 on Jan 9, 2018 10:34:05 GMT
It was about £22. It;s cheaper on Amazon. thanks , another book to add to my collection . Have to wait until i finish the Anthology book.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 10, 2018 12:21:59 GMT
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Post by brewmaster on Feb 5, 2018 17:53:45 GMT
I;ve been browsing 1001 Guitars to Dream of Playing Before You Die and found it fascinating. Fantastic variety of guitars and basses. I have noted a couple of errors in the text, but in a book this size [it's massive] probably can be forgiven.
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