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| | Paul McCartney: A Life | | | Music Style : | | Rock | | Record Label : | | Touchstone | | Store Price : | | $26.00 | | Artistopia's Price: $17.16 | | Usually ships in 24 hours | | |
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Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
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 The soul of wit
Submitted on: 2009-11-21 |
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| This little masterwork is a great introduction to and portrait of "the cute Beatle". In the book, the image of McCartney veers between hardworking genius driven by a desire for fame and fortune and slacking bon vivant given to superficial efforts and some fairly predictable human weaknesses. The ample notes section at the back reveals that Carlin has done his homework. As someone who has read a fair share of Beatles' history, I found the book tells old tales well, mines some new territory (particularly in the area of Paul's business sense), and does real justice to the Paul vs. John debate. While clearly somewhat enamored of his subject, Carlin isn't afraid to call McCartney for slip ups on or off the stage. Best of all, Carlin has built off his previous success with the Brian Wilson biography by writing with great style about music. The specific chords, lyrics and riffs you've heard your whole life are put instantly into context under Carlin's hand. The descriptions of various concerts and studio sessions give you a real sense of being there. |
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 warmed over history
Submitted on: 2009-11-15 |
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This book does have a good propulsive energy. However, it is the view from 20,000 feet. Most of the book (4/5ths)is about the Beatles. 99% of that is from somebody else. There are a couple of new, very minor, nuggets in this, but on the whole it is just a retread of what every Beatles fan already knows. There are no interviews with any major or even minor players; the whole thing looks like it was done entirely in Oregon, where the author apparently lives, without the expense and tedium of real research. I have read, I think, all of the important books on the Beatles and the text of this one simply does not measure up, It has nothing in particular to do with Paul. It is just the angle to take on a retread of a book about the Beatles. For a true Beatles fan, this one is just a waste of money.
That being said, it is nice to see a book actually acknowledge Paul's contribution to the Beatles. The recent histories have been far too Lennon Centric for my taste. Ironically, this book gave me a better sense of Lennon than of Paul. |
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Something Was Missing
Submitted on: 2009-11-11 |
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| I checked this book out from a local public library (take THAT, recession!) and read it in about two evenings. I am a solid Beatles fan. I don't have a favorite. I've read quite a few Beatles biographies. This one was so-so. Maybe it's because I've read so many of the others that much of the early material wasn't fresh, and the latter material (1st solo album, RAM, The Wings material, etc, Linda, Heather, "Give My Regards To Broad Street" stuff seemed like a gloss. Maybe I'm being too tough on it, but my first reaction was, "reads like a puff piece." Not that he should have dug up skeletons or some such, but I expected more than a hagiography. That's my story. Your mileage may vary. |
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 HOW MCCARTNEY'S LIFE INFLUENCED HIS MUSIC
Submitted on: 2009-11-02 |
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Hardcover,340 pages of text,not including title page,contents,notes,etc. The paper stock and type face make this an easy to read book. There are eight pages of black and white photographs,which include THE BEATLES in Germany and elsewhere,WINGS,and even a shot of McCartney and Heather Mills showing their mutual affection for each other.
Yes,this is yet another biography of Paul McCartney. However,this book,thanks to author Peter Ames Carlin,takes the reader in a slightly different direction. This author was able to weave and juxtapose McCartney's life,with his human foibles,into his music making to a degree that hasn't been done previously. The author interviewed a number of McCartney's friends,associates,and bandmates,throughout McCartney's (now) long life,and has collected his findings into a crisp,clean,well written book.
Starting with McCartney's early life,which has been written about extensively (yet somewhat academically),we begin to catch a glimmer of how McCartney,the person,came to view both work and music (which eventually became one and the same),and life (especially with his late wife Linda),giving room especially to his later years when he was a "solo" (sans BEATLES) artist. This approach is both very refreshing and makes for rewarding reading. The writing style is crisp and on target. Along the way there are insights into the human side of McCartney and his view of the world,business and music-making. The author's writing style is fresh and invigorating-this isn't just another dull rehash of facts we've all read before. This book gives insight into why McCartney still matters to many listeners today. While there are no real startling observations,the reader will come away with a newer,perhaps better understanding of Paul McCartney the man,and the musician-and how the man and the music are inseparable. |
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![Good Evening New York City [2 CD + 1 DVD Combo] by Paul McCartney](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mP1fe9A8L._SL160_.jpg)
