Add this movie to your freebie list, as I don’t feel that it would be worth the money to rent or buy it unless you’re one of those fans that has to own everything. And for that reason….
I rate this movie 2 out of 4 Beetles!
Category Archives: George Harrison
Movie Review: “George Harrison: The Quiet One”
Filed under Documentary, George Harrison
Book Review: “Wonderful Tonight” by Pattie Boyd
Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me
At the tender age of 20, Pattie Boyd married George Harrison at the height of Beatlemania. But after several years, as her marriage started to crumble, Eric Clapton took a fancy to her and from what appears to be a case of jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire, Pattie left George and ended up married to Eric.
Throughout this book, Pattie questions just about every romantic decision she’s ever made…even as they were happening to her. She brings us through her two well publicized divorces; her striving to be on her own; George’s death and the tragic death of Eric’s son from an affair he had while married to her, only coming out of the haze in her early 40s realizing she doesn’t know who Pattie Boyd is aside from the ex-Mrs. Harrison and ex-Mrs. Clapton.
Pattie does a great job telling her life story and letting you in on the private lives of both her ex-husbands. There are a few stories along the way that contradict other people’s versions of the same tales, but she tells you in the beginning of the book that this books tells the stories the way she remembers them.
Oh…and in case you’re wondering (since we are talking about George again!), there is plenty of pot smoking and acid dropping in this book too!
You can buy copies of Wonderful Tonight on Amazon or Half.com for $0.01 or more.
I rate this book: 4 out of 4 Beetles!
Filed under Beatles books, George Harrison
Book Review: “I, Me, Mine” by George Harrison
Call me a glutton for punishment. After reading Derek Taylor’s book about his non-stop LSD trips and then seeing Derek’s widow talk about their non-stop LSD trips in “Living in a Material World“, I decide to read George Harrison’s autobiography that he wrote in 1980 with the assistance of …Derek Taylor! Oh goodie…more acid trips!
Several years ago, I asked a world renowned Beatles expert and radio show host what book he thought was the best book ever written about the Beatles. His answer was I, Me, Mine by George Harrison, so in realty, this book has been on my list for years.
This book is three separate parts. Part one is a conversation between Harrison and Taylor about George’s thoughts on everything and nothing at all. For the Beatles fans that are looking for secrets into George’s past, you won’t find them here. What you will find is his thoughts on Beatlemania and his religious beliefs. And of course, you’re going to get the bonus of a lot of mumbo jumbo from Derek in between!
The second part of the book is page upon page of pictures of George throughout his life. From childhood, adolescence, Beatlemania, Monty Python and beyond, including snapshots from the family album. I can’t say there was anything that wow’d me.
Part three of the book is meant for the diehard Beatles and George Harrison fans. Each of the songs that George wrote are presented in their raw handwritten form, typed form and another page with George’s explanation behind what inspired the song.
This book left me a little disappointed. I guess I was looking for more about George from George instead of Derek’s edited version. The book almost seems like it was published as a way to placate the ever hungry fans for more information.
Copies run on Amazon and Half.com from $0.75 up to $200. I borrowed mine from the local library!
I rate this book: 3 out of 4 Beetles!
Filed under Beatles books, George Harrison
Movie Review: “George Harrison: Living In A Material World”
The movie actually starts out quite poorly. Several times during a scene, the music just drops off and the scene goes to an interview. There’s no fade out. I kept thinking, “Is this going to happen through the entire film? Is this really a Martin Scorsese film? I guess I should be happy he didn’t cast Leonardo as George!” Then I started thinking, “Thank god it’s not a Tim Burton film with Johnny Depp as George!” But I digress…
For some unknown reason, the music stops dropping off and begins fading out between scenes, but still the first half off this film felt more like a Beatles documentary than a movie about George. I paused it and got up several times to get a drink, let the dog out, etc. I almost dreaded having to sit through Part Two after the intermission, but that’s actually where the movie picks up and becomes George’s story. (Except the part where Derek Taylor’s wife shows up and, just like Derek, only wants to talk about doing LSD with the Beatles. Do these people talk about anything else?!)
Part Two of this movie is a delight and kept me in my chair until the end as George’s friends, colleagues, wife and son telling us about the real George. If you can make it through the Blah-Blah of the first 1.5 hours, you’ll love the rest. Though I wouldn’t call this Scorsese’s best cinematic production, the scenes with George and Friar Park are beautiful.
It was not available on my Fios OnDemand, but you can rent from Amazon.com, iTunes or Netflix.
Buy at Amazon.com or any major retailer where movies are sold.
I rate this movie: 3 out of 4 Beetles!
Filed under George Harrison, Movie Reviews
Book Review: My Kid Brother’s Band (aka The Beatles) by Louise Harrison
Did I enjoy the book? YES! Louise let’s you into her life to tell you HER story. Along the way, it obviously criss crosses and runs parallel to her brother George Harrison’s life as they grew up together and later when he became a member of the greatest band the world has ever known. The part that most people will not like about this book is that one of Louise’s strongest personality quirks is that her mouth (and fingertips) have no filter on them.
Let me take a moment here and provide my readers with a little background information on the making of this book. A couple years ago, I was introduced to Louise via phone and email (I still have not had the good fortune to meet her face to face, yet). She told me she was writing a book, but that it was more her memoirs than it was a tell all about George. As the year went by, I found out that she had changed her mind and had decided to not publish her memoirs, but to instead, just print a couple copies for her children and grandchildren. I could respect that. Another year passed, and lo and behold, I read that she had decided to publish after all. I immediately pre-ordered my copy.
Since this is Louise’s book, she uses this opportunity it to give many of her personal opinions on politics, religion and her philosophical beliefs. She does include a heads-up that not everyone is going to agree with what she has said, so read it at your own risk of being offended. Was I offended? No. It would seem I have a lot more in common with Louise than I ever thought.
Some of her stories are repeated several times over the course of the book and the readers will become aware that she probably could have used a good editor, but her story is well written and easy to read (if you’re not slamming the book down after reading her opinion of Obama, abortion or the environment!).
The book is probably not the story most Beatles fans want to read since she makes it clear that she will respect George’s privacy even in death and not tell all. I still feel this book is worth picking up and reading for the tidbits about John, Paul, George and Ringo, that Louise Harrison does provide along with her perspective of accompanying the Beatles to many of their shows during their 1964-65 tours of America.
You can order your copy of My Kid Brother’s Band (aka The Beatles) at Amazon.com.
I rate this book: 3 out of 4 Beetles!
Filed under Beatles books, Beatles-freak, George Harrison
Book Review: The Beatles and Me on Tour by Ivor Davis
I met Ivor Davis for the first time at the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans in August. The word most commonly used to describe Ivor was ‘charming’. And that he was! He won everyone over who had the privilege to meet him and take home a copy of his book. I’ve finally gotten around to reading this book and here’s my honest review.
What an absolute delight this books is! Refreshing and so well written, anyone can just breeze through it’s pages. The only downside…it ends. Ivor has spent his life as a reporter and it shows in his writing style…very easy and smooth, it’s an absolute joy to follow him along on his journey with the Beatles during their 1964 tour of America. Ivor doesn’t bore you with HIS story…he tells the story of what was going on behind the scenes. Readers get the inside story of the Beatles backstage, in the air, holed up in their hotel rooms like caged animals and the secret meetings and parties that went on with other stars of the time.
Without a doubt, this book is a must read and must have for any true Beatles fan. And if you’d like to know more about Ivor and his book, you can go to his website at: www.IvorDavisBeatles.com. There are also links to let you know where you can purchase your own copy.
And if you’re in the L.A. area, don’t miss the opportunity to meet Ivor Davis at the Fest for Beatles Fans in L.A. on October 10-12, 2014.
I rate this book: 4 out of 4 Beetles!
Filed under Beatles books, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, reviews, Ringo Starr
Book Review: ‘Confessions of a Beatlemaniac’ by Dee Elias
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‘Confessions of a Beatlemaniac’ by Dee Elias
- ‘Confessions of a Beatlemaniac’ by Dee Elias
I had the pleasure of meeting Dee Elias at the Fest for Beatles Fans in Chicago and finding out about her book ‘Confessions of a Beatlemaniac: A true story of a fan who broke all the rules to meet the Beatles!‘ Without even reading a word, I got the impression that Dee’s story is going to become huge among other Beatles fans.
Though this book is currently listed on Amazon.com as being for ages 10 – 18, it’s definitely a multi-generational read. Taken from the pages of Dee’s diary when she was 14-16 years old, this book tells of the extent to which Dee, her friends and many other Beatlemaniacs would go to just to get close to the Beatles. This is the story of how she honed her technique by managing to meet other stars like Sonny & Cher and Simon & Garfunkel.
Why did she wait so long to tell her story? When I spoke with her at the fest, she said not only did she think no one would be interested, she also was still keeping her antics a secret from her parents 50 years later!
If you’re looking for a fun book directly from the heart of a true Beatle fan who was THERE, you’ll enjoy this quick (168 page) read. (And you absolutely won’t want to miss the story of Dee’s encounter with Billy J. Kramer!)
This book is available for Kindle at Amazon.com. Paperbacks are available exclusively through Dee’s website: www.ConfessionsOfABeatleManiac.com.
You can follow Dee on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Confessionsofabeatlemaniac
I rate this book: 4 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Beatles books, Beatles-freak, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, reviews, Ringo Starr
Johnny come lately, the new kid in town…
“Everybody’s talking
There’s a new kid in town
People started walking
There’s a new kid in town” – Eagles
With the approach of the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles coming to the United States, it seems that new events, festivals and conferences are popping up everywhere to celebrate the occasion. And though the Fest for Beatles Fans is the biggest fest around, some of the others aren’t to shabby!
One of the biggest events will be at Penn State University in Altoona, PA on the weekend of February 7-9, 2014 and is called ‘It was 50 Years Ago Today: An International Beatles Celebration.’ This three day event isn’t a festival. It’s a conference. According to their website, “In addition to panels and presentations, the conference will include film screenings, musical performances, art and photography exhibits, and keynote addresses by leading Beatles critics and musicologists.”
The director of this event is Dr. Kenneth Womack, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at PSU Altoona, and the author of: Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles, The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles, Reading the Beatles: Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism, And the Fab Four and the soon to be released The Beatles Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: Everything Fab Four.
A few of the respected 50+ experts set to appear at this conference are:
Mark Lewisohn – regarded as one of the world’s leading Beatles authorities, Mark is the author of the NY Times bestseller Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years, Volume 1.
Andy Babiuk – the foremost authority on the equipment used to create the Beatles’ music and the author of Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four’s Instruments from Stage to Studio. Andy is also a staff consultant to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH.
Walter Everett – the author of the Beatles As Musicians book series, Mr. Everett is also a member of the School of Music faculty at the University of Michigan and the author of The Foundations of Rock.
Jude Southerland Kessler – a Beatles expert, author and host of her own radio show, Ms. Kessler is the author of the John Lennon Series. She has spent nearly 30 years researching John Lennon and the Beatles for her 9 book series., making her a leading expert on the topic of the Fab Four.
Dr. Kit O’Toole – For over 19 years, Dr. O’Toole has written music, concert, and book reviews, interviews, popular culture essays, and technology “how to” articles. Her work has appeared at: Blogcritics.org, Something Else Reviews, Blinded by Sound, Cinema Sentries, Seattle PI and Beatlefan magazine.
This is definitely set to be one of the most intellectual of all the Beatles events to be held in 2014! And what’s cool about their registration is that you not only can you sign up for which days you would like to attend, you can add your meals and accommodations to your package as you like!
For more information on this conference, along with a schedule of events & presenters, and registration, check out their website: http://www.altoona.psu.edu/beatles.
New festival for Fab Four fans: Beatles At The Ridge
It’s been way too long since I’ve posted a review or opinion on this blog, but when I heard about Beatles At The Ridge, I knew I just had to spread the good word!
Beatles At The Ridge is a two day festival in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas created by Charles Snapp in 2011. It is now in its third year running. Last year, the crowd size was estimated at over 10,000, but I have a feeling that this fest is going to put the best of all Beatles festivals on guard! This fest has the potential to become a new mecca for the most diehard fans.
So what connection does Walnut Ridge have to the Beatles? I’m glad you asked…because Walnut Ridge can boast about their Beatles encounter. From their website: “A quiet night in 1964 was interrupted by the unusual sound of an airliner approaching Walnut Ridge Airport. Its arrival sparked enough interest that three local teens went to investigate, only to discover John, Paul, Ringo, and George walking from the plane. The Beatles, the biggest rock band in the world, had arrived at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.” You can read the rest of the story and see pictures here.
This year’s fest will have over 100 vendors (the number is still growing as word gets out about BATR). Admission is free, parking is free and all entertainment is free. I don’t think I’ve heard of another Beatles festival that can say that (but I could be wrong).
The entertainment for this two day, three stage event is also growing by the day. Scheduled to appear this year are: Stan Perkins (son of Carl Perkins), Beatles tribute band – BritBeat, Ringo Starr tribute artist – Ringer Star, Beatles expert & author – Jude Southerland Kessler, Danny Donuts Yellow Submarine Parade and many more! There will also be a Beatles costume contest with prizes! A full list of events can be found here.
In 2012, Beatles at the Ridge won the “Top new Festival” award from the Arkansas Festival and Events Association.
Beatles At The Ridge will run from Friday, September 20th thru Saturday, September 21st. For more information, go to: www.BeatlesAtTheRidge.com.
I have a feeling this party is truly going to rock and it’s going to put a scare into the owner of many a Beatles fest. If you go, please check in here and let us know your opinion!
Filed under Beatles-freak, festival, George Harrison, John Lennon, music, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Show
CD Review: Beatlesque Four by Alan Bernhoft
Looks like Alan Bernhoft has done it again with his latest release, Beatlesque Four!
My last review of Beatleseque Three, Alan had begun to recover from a what I thought was a very disappointing Beatlesque Too album. I think I can safely say, this album is the best of the bunch.
The CD starts out with a catchy, little head-bobbing, Lennon-esque title track, Love Everyone. This is one of those songs you can imagine every mom wanting to play for their young children.
Another memorable tune is track 9 – My Rolls Royce…a song you can imagine Ringo singing. Everything from the limited vocal range to the silly lyrics just screams Ringo!
Track 11, I Fly is an amazing tune that really and truly highlights the talents of Alan Bernhoft. It’s just beautiful with it’s whisp of Beatles influence but not overdone.
Included in this album are three spoken word tracks from the writings of T.S. Dorglesnout. They’re amusing little ditties fit perfectly in amongst the songs. Who’s T.S. Dorglesnout? When you find out, please let me know too! 🙂
This album ends with the song, Captain Anaujiram. Though me and the good Captain would never share company, they song is amusing!
I don’t want to leave out that Mr. Bernhoft has included a holiday tune on this album called Imagine Christmas. I must say I’m a fan of it already since I’ve personally had enough of the same-old, same-old holiday tunes every year. I’d love to see the song distributed to radio stations across the country and be the next big holiday song!
I’m very impressed with this album and enjoyed getting an early copy of it. The official release date is Saturday, June 23, 2012. You can sample and buy a digital copy on Amazon.
I rate this CD: 4 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Beatles influence, George Harrison, John Lennon, music, Paul McCartney, reviews, Ringo Starr
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