Product Description

Most books about the Beatles reveal the big picture first and ask questions afterward. This book reverses that approach. It takes a fresh and often funny look at the magnificent and sometimes idiotic career path of the Beatles through the prism of one vital album -- a record considered by many (including John Lennon) to be the one on which they reached their peak as songwriters. It focuses not just on the intimate recording details and creative process, but on the politics, music, and culture of the era, as well as the band's individual development amid increasing dissolution. In crisp and witty prose, the inside stories behind the making and release of the album are revealed: how the White Album got its look and name; why it included the most experimental track the Beatles ever recorded; how it inspired the bloody massacres of Charles Manson and his 'family'; why Ringo Starr walked out on the sessions and who replaced him; the actual identities of 'Dear Prudence', 'Sexy Sadie', 'Martha My Dear', 'Julia' and 'Bungalow Bill'; on which song Yoko sang lead; which song is about Eric Clapton's teeth; what songs were left off the album; and much more.<

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #562226 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Daytrippin' magazine
"Conveys the true genius and magic behind the Beatles . . . Will encourage readers to listen . . . with new, apprecitive ears."

MWE3
"A fascinating expose . . . will amaze Fab Four devotees"

Customer Reviews

Some people don't get it
The art of criticism has moved on a few steps from the days when Derek Johnson would analyse a record's "shuffle beat" in the NME. But as theorists debate whether postmodernism has had its day, it seems as if, for some people, it never happened. "I don't want to hear Mr Quantick's opinions," gripe the Gradgrindian punters. "I just want the facts."

Well, as Quantick suggests, MacDonald and Lewisohn will give you facts until you're blue (meanie) in the face. What he presents is a personal view, and an analysis of how the album interrelates with other contemporary cultural goings-on. This is clearly rather disturbing for people who know what they like, and whose intellectual curiosity is limited to studio dates and guitar tunings. For those of us who see The Beatles phenomenon as something rather more significant and complex, it's a good read.

Interesting but flawed
Quantick writes a nice tale, weaving the story of the White Album into the wider political and musical scenes of the time. His views are forthright and in many ways refreshing - debunking some of the myths about Lennon and giving McCartney some of the credit he has long deserved. He loves the album and this book sends you right back to the CDs which is the mark of a good read when it comes to music books.

However Quanticks rather flippant style is not backed up by much substance, and he is very slack with the facts, on a first skim through I noticed at least 10 glaring inaccuracies which somewhat detract from the good points he does make. His listing of important albums and singles from other artists of the period is derisory and so poorly written as to be useless (Country fans out there, don't buy the Byrds 'Notorious Byrd Brothers' looking for Gram Parsons and country music!). This is a real shame as Quantick does have something to say, and his perspective is a fresh one. I would just recommend that he does his homework next time! 5/10 - could do better...

Mildly entertaining. A poor substitute for Macdonald
With Ian Macdonald's superb 'Revolution in the head', which covers every Beatles song in magisterial detail, it is difficult to imagine why anyone would want to buy Quantick's guide to the white album. Besides a track-by-track listing, there are chapters on the politics of 1968, a dramatis personae of the leading characters and a rather pointless guide to other significant singles of the time. However none of these do more than scratch the surface and there is a curious lack of judgment: the section on Ono is longer than all of the Beatles put together...

Quantick writes as he sounds on the 'I Love 198x' programmes. He is irreverant, slightly eccentric but entertaining in a sixth-form way. However his strong views (his love of 'Revolution 9' and sympathy for Yoko Ono's art, music and her influence of Lennon) are rarely troubled by any effort to explain of justify his views.

The book is also seemingly written for an American audience with many commonplace British expressions explained.

Overall, the book feels rushed and 'cut and pasted' together. It was clearly a labour of love, but is lightweight and can be read in around two hours.