There are many Beatle-related books that may have escaped our attention over the years for one reason or another. Normally I don’t like “speculative books” that deal with events that might have been. In this case, I will make an exception. Released in 2020, it is the author’s speculation as to what “may have been” credible Beatle LP’s culled from their solo output. If specific solo tracks were placed in specific running order by George Martin, could they have passed the test of being considered as being the quality and high standards of being “new Beatles albums” in the 10 to twelve year period following their breakup?
Books like this this can either enrage fans or engage them as how often when you may have heard a certain solo track over the years, you may have mentioned to yourself- “that would have made a great Beatles track” or I wish “Paul was singing harmony on that track” as it would have made a world of difference.”
Some of the author’s analysis I can fully agree with and understand, but some tracks I could never see as being done on a distinct new group LP. However, I did find the analysis and speculation to be both entertaining and gripping at times.
Some see any type of historical speculation as fruitless as “things” did not simply happen that way. However when we watch a fictional movie with a good story, can we not be both pleased and entertained?
The author should be given credit for making the attempt as most hardcore Beatles fans would could reject this concept out of hand!
The facet of this book that I most enjoyed was the analysis of why certain solo tracks would have mixed well with other solo attempts to make a cogent and acceptable Beatles LP. For people well-schooled in production values, specifically, that would have been a big hurdle in putting these imaginary Beatles albums together based on their solo track output!
Author Rick Prescott’s book was a much larger book than I anticipated as it is more than 500 pages of his analysis. The odd thing is we all would probably find “different” reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with the author’s choices throughout the book. That is the most compelling reason for me to find this book a welcome enterprise and exercise!
Save the Beatles!: The Rescued Albums: 1970-1982 Paperback – April 10, 2020
by Rick Prescott (Author)
- Publisher : Lowell Prescott (April 10, 2020)
AMAZON US link:
Save the Beatles!: The Rescued Albums: 1970-1982: Prescott, Rick: 9780578680286: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK link:
Save the Beatles!: The Rescued Albums: 1970-1982 : Prescott, Rick: Amazon.co.uk: Books
The Back Cover:
What do you think? Would it have been possible to make several beautiful Beatles albums with the output they produced in their early solo years nearly a decade after their split? If so, would love to hear some of your suggestions of the collection of tracks that would have made true quality albums of Beatles stature!!! Take some time with this, as I would love to read your comments!
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
