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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
With the recent release of the Stripped Down version of Double Fantasy still fresh in our minds this book is the perfect companion. Unlike others in the same ilk, this book postively smacks of authenticity. Why? Because it features the detailed recollections of the band and producer that John and Yoko worked with on that timeless album which had just three short weeks to breathe before the unthinkable happened on Decemeber 8 1980. I also like the fact that the mindless killer is hardly mentioned, which is of course right as he apparently killed Lennon to obtain an identity. Well, sorry, he is and will remain a complete nobody. "The jerk of all jerks" as McCartney thought at the time.
The only thing that matters is the music here and it is compulsive reading to read the recollections of Earl Slick (guitar), Hugh McCracken(guitar), George Small (keyboards), Tony Levin (bass), Jack Douglas (co-producer), Andy Newmark (drums) et al. They were there after all, unlike everyone else. By all accounts, this was a fantastic record to make, and that is evident on both the original album, and perhaps even more so on the Stripped Down version. Even the somewhat controversial Cheap Trick sessions (versions of 'I'm Losing You' and 'I'm Moving On' were recorded but never made the final cut)are treated with grace, and warmth in the simple recollection of a great session. For the record, I love the Cheap Trick version of 'Losing You' (plus the great video made in 1998) but it didn't really fit in with the rest of the record, in my humble opinion. But herein lies the rub. Had Lennon lived, he surely would have made space for more experimental recordings such as this. Indeed, the last song recorded, Yoko's 'Walking On Thin Ice' and with Lennon's spacey guitar overdubs recorded just hours before his murder is virtual proof of this. This was not poor old Lennon 'stuck in the '50s with 'Starting Over' etc in 1980. It was a man at the top of his game who literally couldn't wait to explore all avenues in the months ahead. Alas it was not to be. But this book captures the magic of the Lennon return at the time. Afer five years of nothing this was big news indeed for any Beatles fan at the time. I was 16 at the time. And then John died at the hands of a 'fan'?? To paraphrase the final Beatles B side from 1970...'We don't know your name...and we will never look up your number'.
Thank you Ken Sharp, you have done us proud with this magnificent book.
The only thing that matters is the music here and it is compulsive reading to read the recollections of Earl Slick (guitar), Hugh McCracken(guitar), George Small (keyboards), Tony Levin (bass), Jack Douglas (co-producer), Andy Newmark (drums) et al. They were there after all, unlike everyone else. By all accounts, this was a fantastic record to make, and that is evident on both the original album, and perhaps even more so on the Stripped Down version. Even the somewhat controversial Cheap Trick sessions (versions of 'I'm Losing You' and 'I'm Moving On' were recorded but never made the final cut)are treated with grace, and warmth in the simple recollection of a great session. For the record, I love the Cheap Trick version of 'Losing You' (plus the great video made in 1998) but it didn't really fit in with the rest of the record, in my humble opinion. But herein lies the rub. Had Lennon lived, he surely would have made space for more experimental recordings such as this. Indeed, the last song recorded, Yoko's 'Walking On Thin Ice' and with Lennon's spacey guitar overdubs recorded just hours before his murder is virtual proof of this. This was not poor old Lennon 'stuck in the '50s with 'Starting Over' etc in 1980. It was a man at the top of his game who literally couldn't wait to explore all avenues in the months ahead. Alas it was not to be. But this book captures the magic of the Lennon return at the time. Afer five years of nothing this was big news indeed for any Beatles fan at the time. I was 16 at the time. And then John died at the hands of a 'fan'?? To paraphrase the final Beatles B side from 1970...'We don't know your name...and we will never look up your number'.
Thank you Ken Sharp, you have done us proud with this magnificent book.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I really enjoyed this book. The only criticism is that it isn't longer!
Very informative with some great photos. I would recommend this to any fan of John Lennon.
Very informative with some great photos. I would recommend this to any fan of John Lennon.
1 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was hugely disappointed by this book. The basic premise seems to be a load of sycophants wondering why the main subject(John Lennon)couldnt walk on water.Did nobody have a bad word to say about the man or have any criticism about the making of "Double Fantasy"? I cannot believe that so many people can look back 30 years and have such detailed memories about the daily minutia of the various recording sessions. One of the main contributors,Andy Newmark,rattles on for pages about what went on then tells us his memory is not what it was - really? There are contradictions on almost every page and several glaring errors ( ie: "Walking On Thin Ice" appears on Double Fantasy) A good attempt but it falls short.Also,if you actually read between the lines,Yoko doesnt come up smelling of roses either. As this book came out around the same time as the celebrations for Lennons 70th birthday, the phrase cash-in springs to mind.
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