The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles

From Please Please Me to Abbey Road – the fascinating story of the Fab Four's creation, works, and enduring musical legacy.

Kenneth Womack (Edited by)

9780521689762, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 November 2009

334 pages, 13 music examples
24.6 x 17.3 x 1.8 cm, 0.68 kg

'Before delving into this companion, one should have one's LPs, CDs, or iPod handy, because the music should be playing as one reads the book. Womack … and his fellow contributors explain the social phenomenon of the Beatles (individually and collectively) and their music from the four musicians' pre-Beatles world, through the heyday of Beatlemania, to the decisions to quit touring and ultimately break up the band, to the individual careers of the four musicians and the tragedy that ended all hope for the longed-for reunion. The essays offer explanations of the Beatles' 'transformative impact on world culture' and their continuing success four decades after they last recorded together. Whether readers were there at the beginning or are newcomers to the magical mystery world of Beatlemania, this in-depth compendium is a must read … 'toppermost of the poppermost' … Highly recommended.' T. Emery, Choice

From Please Please Me to Abbey Road, this collection of essays tells the fascinating story of the Beatles – the creation of the band, their musical influences, and their cultural significance, with emphasis on their genesis and practices as musicians, songwriters, and recording artists. Through detailed biographical and album analyses, the book uncovers the background of each band member and provides expansive readings of the band's music. • Traces the group's creative output from their earliest recordings through their career • Pays particular attention to the social and historical factors which contributed to the creation of the band • Investigates the Beatles' unique enduring musical legacy and cultural power • Clearly organized into three sections, covering Background, Works, and History and Influence, the Companion is ideal for course usage, and is also a must-read for all Beatles fans

Foreword Anthony DeCurtis
Chronology of the Beatles' lives and works
Introducing the Beatles Kenneth Womack
Part I. Background: 1. Six boys, six Beatles: the formative years, 1950–1962 Dave Laing
Appendix: the repertoire, 1957–1962
2. The Beatles as recording artists Jerry Zolten
Part II. Works: 3. Rock and roll music Howard Kramer
4. 'Try thinking more': Rubber Soul and the Beatles' transformation of pop James M. Decker
5. Magical mystery tours, and other trips: yellow submarines, newspaper taxis, and the Beatles' psychedelic years Russell Reising and Jim LeBlanc
6. Revolution Ian Inglis
7. On their way home: the Beatles in 1969 and 1970 Steve Hamelman
8. Apple records Bruce Spizer
9. The solo years Michael Frontani
10. Any time at all: the Beatles' free phrase rhythms Walter Everett
Appendix: the Beatles' canon on compact disc
Part III. History and Influence: 11. The Beatles as zeitgeist Sheila Whiteley
12. Beatles news: product line extensions and the rock canon Gary Burns
13. 'An abstraction, like Christmas': the Beatles for sale and for keeps John Kimsey
General discography.

Subject Areas: Music: general interest [Children's / Teenage YNC], Techniques of music / music tutorials [AVS], Rock & Pop music [AVGP], 20th century & contemporary classical music [AVGC6], Music [AV]