New George book

[SingingOm]

A new George book, called 'Give me love' by Simon Leng will be released in a month or so. 'A track-by-track assessment of all of Harrison's work as a Beatle and a solo artist. Includes a complete Harrison discography.'

I've also found a book by the same author at amazon.com entitled 'While my guitar gently weeps', which may be the same book.

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"Y'know I'm really ready with John Lennon and Bob Dylan and Lord Buckley and Lenny Bruce and Lord Krishna and Jesus Christ, and lets get us all together into a band. I tell you, even in The Beatles I rated Dylan much better than John and Paul and I still do." ~ George 1974

[IAN TATERSHALL]

Not another book! If this book is what it says it is, one might as well buy Revolution In The Head or wait for the I Me Mine reissue.

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[FPSHOT]

Well, depends on how the 'assesment' is done, whereas e.g. I Me Mine only refers to the origin of songs, mainly as regards lyrics.

I am interested in these kind of books, but never heard of the author.

Keep us informed.

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""Some of the happiest days of my life were spent in the studio with George."
Jeff Lynne

[ABCKO]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Arial, Sans-Serif">Quote:</font><HR>Originally Posted By FPSHOT:
Well, depends on how the 'assesment' is done, whereas e.g. I Me Mine only refers to the origin of songs, mainly as regards lyrics.

I am interested in these kind of books, but never heard of the author.

Keep us informed.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Same here...



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"You... are number six !"

"I am not a number, I am a free man !"

[Hari's Chick]

Thanks, SingingOm!! I'll check this out! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif

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"George was the kind of guy who wasn't going to leave until he hugged you for five minutes and told you how much he loved you." ~ Tom Petty

[SingingOm]

Just bringing this back to the top because after months of delays, it's due out Feb/March. It looks very promising.

[ Jan 26, 2003, 03:41 AM: Message Edited By: SingingOm ]

[SingingOm]

Here's the cover:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0946719500.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Hari's Chick]

That's a beautiful picture! Thanks!

[Legs]

The picture might be great but what about what's inside. Don't you think that after George's dead all of a sudden everyone is writing a book about him or releasing stuff with George's name on it?

[Siobhan]

I know what you mean Legs. I struggled to find any books about him when he was alive, and now they seem to be everywhere. I am glad he is getting some recognition, but it would have been nice if had gotten a bit more while he was still alive. It does seem as though people are cashing in on his death.

[SingingOm]

With the exception of Harrison, the Rolling Stone book, and of course the re-release of I Me Mine, I don’t agree with any of the biographies released since (or before for that matter) George’s death. However, this book is not a biography, it sounds like an informative analysis of each of George’s songs, which I’m hoping will be in the same vein as Revolution in the Head. Its about time George’s solo career was highlighted. Even the Rolling Stone ‘Harrison’ book managed to overlook George’s solo recordings in its ‘Stories behind the songs’ section. I’m not saying this book will be great, we’ll have to wait and see, but it has the potential to finally give George’s solo recordings the attention they deserve.

[ Jan 26, 2003, 06:02 AM: Message Edited By: SingingOm ]

[Hari's Chick]

Originally Posted By Legs:
The picture might be great but what about what's inside. Don't you think that after George's dead all of a sudden everyone is writing a book about him or releasing stuff with George's name on it?<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I agree with SingingOm that I don't care for any bios of George...and only bought one (aside from RS & I Me Mine), which even that I have trouble reading at points. Most lack understanding of George on important levels and as far as I am concerned, any criticism is unwarranted. images/icons/smile.gif

But yeah, this one seems different.

Are people cashing in? Well, most, yeah, maybe...and shame on them. But my cynicism expects that. Others, though, may be taking the opportunity to offer up love & a tribute to their hero. I hope that is what this one is!

[Savoy Truffle]

I agree with everything that's been said so far. I too have been very disappointed by the numerous biographies on his life. I doubt if there ever will be a good biography on him. And some of the authors try to hard to psychoanalyse him, something of which they know not.

But still, it WOULD be nice to have a decent book
with a good assessment of his solo work especially without all the judgements. We'll see.

And as for cashing in on his death, well yes, but better late than never especially if it finally does George justice!

[ Jan 26, 2003, 10:46 AM: Message Edited By: Savoy Truffle ]

[SingingOm]

Read the full synopsis for the book here; and notice the new cover art, specially commisioned for the book by Klaus Voorman:

http://www.safpublishing.com/store/system/store.htm

[Legs]

It looks promising, but I wait till I have at least read some fan reviews.

[Savoy Truffle]

Wow!!! Sounds like it should be very good! Thanks for that, SingingOm! images/icons/smile.gif * I'll be looking for it.

[SingingOm]

The book is now in the shops (UK), and every track is included, starting with Badge, and finishing with Horse To The Water. Obviously I’ve not had a chance to read it yet, but each song has the full band line up credits, duration, and a good deal of information. As well as the album tracks, Any Road (97 version), I Live For You, Mo, Ride Rajbun, Sat Singing, Heading For The Light, I don’t want to do it, Shanghai Surprise, and many more are included, as well as George’s guest appearances. Brainwashed hasn’t been included nor have unreleased tracks like Gopala Krishna and Everybody Nobody, although they do get mentioned. This is my new George Bible.

[friar-park]

Originally Posted By FPSHOT:
Well, depends on how the 'assesment' is done, whereas e.g. I Me Mine only refers to the origin of songs, mainly as regards lyrics.

I am interested in these kind of books, but never heard of the author.

Keep us informed.

<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">The author did a book on Santana, here's a link to a short review of that book:
http://www.themusicindex.com/rockahead/reviews/santana.htm

[Hari's Chick]

That is a very nice review. And we know we can trust the good judgements of SingingOm & Klaus Voormann~ Klaus would only endorse quality stuff by doing the cover artwork!

Have to oder a copy! graemlins/thumbsup2.gif

[SingingOm]

Originally Posted By Hari's Chick:
we know we can trust the good judgements of SingingOm & Klaus Voormann

<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Thanks Hari’s Chick. graemlins/blush1.gif I must admit at first I found some of his criticisms a bit harsh, (see ‘Bye Bye Love’) but the author more than makes up for this with his beautiful descriptions of tracks and albums other critics have slated or ignored. In my opinion it’s a great book with some nice observations. He also has a good knowledge of Indian music, and the book is well researched; he actually contacted George’s session musicians rather than Henley taxi drivers!!

I’d like to hear what others think of it, and as Legs said, it’s best to read a few reviews before buying.

Thanks to Friar-Park for the link! graemlins/thumbsup1.gif

[IAN TATERSHALL]

I think this book actually sounds good and I look forward very much to reading it. I wish people would stop bad-mouthing new George books. I don't quite know what people are afraid of, other than jealousy. I would rather celebrate and encourage writers who are trying to preserve and promote George's legacy, than listen to the Trekkies whingeing on about some deluded sense of exploitation.

[FPSHOT]

Well Ian, you said it yourself in your 1st reaction 'not another book'.

Same for myself, but in fact most books have something new. Most of us know the life-story of George but I am more interested in reading about the songs itself, so what e.g. SingingOm wrote got me back to interest and I ordered the book.

So thanks for the additional info.

Here is some more background info on the research.

http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/1002whilemyguitar.html

[Siobhan]

Thanks FPSHOT. That is a great picture by Klaus.

In response to Ian's comments, I personally think that a good book on George is great, it is just that there have been a couple of biographies released since he died that have contained nothing different from what has been written before. These to me seem to be cashing in on George's death. There have been some good ones though, such as the Rolling Stones book, and of course the re-issue of I Me Mine. This new one looks quite interesting too, as it is actually about his music. I'm certainly not against anyone publishing a new book on George, as long as it is good! graemlins/wink1.gif

[IAN TATERSHALL]

Well said Siobhan and FPSHOT. My comments were a bit strong, I admit. It's just I'm of the view that "The more George, the better."