Still the Greatest

November 1, 2012

Analysis, commentary, and biography on the Beatles abound, but relatively little has been written about John, Paul, George, and Ringo's post-Beatles recordings. Freelance music writer Jackson's first book spotlights what he considers the best of the ex-Beatles' oft-underrated post-1970 recordings as solo artists, and as members of Wings and the Plastic Ono Band. Jackson, an obvious Beatles fanatic, compiles his chosen cuts into 12 fictitious albums spread across the past 40 years. Jackson critiques and analyzes each song and puts it into biographical context, adding detailed studio session information, recording credits, and sales-chart peaks. The analyses are insightful and informed, with the author relying heavily on previous scholarship and interviews with the ex-Beatles and associates, and adding his own strong opinions. Jackson admirably digs beneath the obvious hits to uncover and discuss deep album tracks, commercial flops, and rare b-sides. Ringo fans will be delighted by Jackson's insistence on finding room on each "album" for at least one of the funny Beatle's tracks, while John fans will likely be irked by the author's anti-Lennon, pro-McCartney bias. VERDICT This creative, enlightening, and informative work by a welcomed entrant to Beatles scholarship is highly recommended to anyone interested in learning more about the Fab Four's sporadically great post-breakup recordings.--Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2012
In this creative history of the solo careers of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, Jackson reimagines the artists' individual output into fantasy albums that could have been put out had the Fab Four remained an intact group The Beatles Albums That Should Have Been (which would have made a fine subtitle). Nearly 200 songs have been cherry-picked, with extensive information offered, such as musicians, chart history, story behind the creation of the song, and the meaning of the lyrics. The chummy tone and the sheer subjectiveness make this unsuitable as a reference work but loads of fun for Beatles fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)