Visualizing the Beatles by John Pring and Rob Thomas

Title: Visualizing the Beatles

Author: John Pring and Rob Thomas

Publisher: Dey Street 2018

Genre: Nonfiction - Music

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love

Filled with stunning full-color infographics, a unique, album-by-album visual history of the evolution of the Beatles that examines how their style, their sound, their instruments, their songs, their tours, and the world they inhabited transformed over the course of a decade.

Combining data, colorful artwork, interactive charts, graphs, and timelines, Visualizing the Beatlesis a fresh and imaginative look at the world’s most popular band. Meticulously examining the songs on every Beatles’ album from Please Please Me to Let It Be, UK-based graphic artists John Pring and Rob Thomas deconstruct:

• lyrical content

• songwriting credits

• inspiration for the songs

• instruments used

• cover designs

• chart position

• and more . . . .

Random library shelf pick. I couldn’t resist the fun images and bright colors. I spent an afternoon flipping through and reading about various facts about The Beatles. I especially loved the graphics dealing with fashion and songwriting. A few of the spreads were a bit too text heavy, but overall, I really enjoyed this.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday -- Favorite Covers VII

While sifting through all our music, I came across a ton of songs (over 1000) that I wanted to add to my 101 Favorite Songs list.  I had to narrow it down.  As part of my narrowing, I decide to delete all covers from the list.  But those are some great songs, ones I really love.  So, I decided to give them their own series on Music Monday.  If you like covers, stay tuned for some good ones. Part I,Part II,Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI.

Sarah Brightman "Dust in the Wind"

Original -- Kansas

Adele "Make You Feel My Love"

Original -- Bob Dylan

Mumford and Sons "The Boxer" (the live version is pretty amazing if you ignore the random yelling and talking)

Original -- Simon and Garfunkel

Regina Spektor "Real Love"

Original -- The Beatles

Reel Big Fish "Take on Me"

Original -- A-Ha

Music Monday -- "Across the Universe"

Something a bit different for Music Monday today.  Instead of a single song or a group of songs for 101 Faves, I decide to feature the music of Across the Universe.  If you've never seen it, Across the Universe is a movie musical based on the music of The Beatles.  I love these covers so much.  In fact, I think the cover of "I've Just Seen a Face" is better than the original.  Here are some of my favorites from the movie.

I've Just Seen a Face:

With a Little Help from My Friends:

Hey Jude:

Happiness is a Warm Gun:

Revolution:

Blackbird:

Across the Universe:

The Movie Trailer for you viewing pleasure:

Music Monday - The Beatles

In honor of Down the Line 5 last Saturday, this week's Music Monday is going to feature The Beatles.  Down the Line is a local annual concert featuring local bands doing covers of classic bands.  My mother and I have attended all five years.  Great concert.  Great local bands.  This year featured music from The Cure, John Mellancamp, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and The Beatles.  Not my favorite Down the Line, but a good show anyway. Back to the music...  I love The Beatles.  I've always loved The Beatles.  I grew up listening to The Beatles.  My dad loved The Beatles.  I could sing their songs at a very early age.  And through the years, my favorite album has changed.  I went from a Hard Day's Night person to a Sgt. Pepper person and back again.  Now, I'm not sure what my favorite album is.  I like it all.  And with the release of the movie Across the Universe, I really can't pick.  I love all the music they used in the movie and the music spanned a lot of albums and eras.  Instead of picking one, I'll highlight a few of my favorite songs...

1. "Hey Jude" -- (1970). I love the story behind this song. McCartney wrote this to Lennon's son Julian during his parents divorce. So beautiful. Down the Line ended with a Embassy (the theater) sing-a-long. And it definitely sounds better than the original "Hey Jules."

2. "Blackbird" -- (1968). Supposedly McCartney wrote this in response to racial tensions in the United States. Whatever the reason, it's a beautiful song.

3. "When I'm Sixty-Four" -- from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). One of my favorites from childhood. I love the lyrics. I want someone to sing this to me. So cute!

4. "I've Just Seen a Face" -- from Help! (1965). I love this song! So cute! and watching them perform the song is like heaven. Although I must say that I think I like the Across the Universe version better. The staged scene in the bowling alley is just too fun!

5. "A Day in the Life" -- from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). Such a great story. So sad, but great. I also absolutely adore the transition in the middle. Very nice!

So I guess I've grown to prefer the 1967-1968 songs. Don't mistake me, I love all their songs. Just some of them are special favorites. I hope you enjoy!