Vinyl lovers, rejoice: 2019 was your year. Reissues and limited edition releases for both Beatles and solo projects kept collectors very busy these past 12 months. The year also marked the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road, which Apple duly celebrated with a lavish box set. This summer fans enjoyed the film Yesterday, which presented an alternate universe where only one person remembers the Beatles’ existence. Books continue to permeate the market, uncovering little-known stories about the group or providing general guides.
The following list features highlights from 2019, and includes selections that every Beatles fan on your gift list will love. You might want to purchase an item or two for yourself! All prices listed (unless otherwise indicated) are from Amazon; be sure to shop around for the best deals.
BOOKS
Solid State: The Story of ‘Abbey Road’ and the End of the Beatles by Kenneth Womack ($26.95): The acclaimed Beatles scholar explores the creation of the band’s masterpiece, taking readers through the recording process and describing how the album still influences music. In addition, Womack delves into recording technology, demonstrating how eight-track recording, the moog, and much more impacted Abbey Road’s sound. Assistant engineer Alan Parsons writes an insightful introduction, recalling his experience working on the album as an 18-year-old. Solid State is a must-add for any fan’s library.
The Beatles Get Back to ‘Abbey Road’ by Bruce Spizer ($30 via Beatle.net): Noted expert Spizer salutes Abbey Road in the latest entry in his album series, with numerous photographs of 1969 Beatles ephemera. Packed with essays from writers such as Piers Hemmingsen, Jude Southerland Kessler, Al Sussman, Frank Daniels and Beatlefan editor Bill King, the tome explores not only the album itself but 1969 events, even the “Paul is dead” conspiracy theory. Fans also contribute their recollections on when they first heard Abbey Road.
Another Day in the Life by Ringo Starr ($28.49): Continuing his passion for photography, Starr published his latest collection of pictures taken on the road, in the recording studio, and on vacations. His third book following Postcards from the Boys and Photograph takes readers behind the scenes of Starr’s acceptance of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and his return to the Plaza Hotel 50 years after the Beatles first visited New York. Photographer Henry Diltz and director David Lynch wrote forewords.
The Beatles from A to Zed: An Alphabetical Mystery Tour by Peter Asher ($23.99): Asher possesses more than enough credentials to write a Beatles book: In addition to being one half of the duo Peter and Gordon, whose first hit was penned by Paul McCartney, Asher went on to become the first head of A&R for Apple Records. Today, he hosts the popular program “From Me to You” for Sirius XM’s Beatles Channel, and that show inspired his latest book. Organizing items by the alphabet, Asher shares insights on songs, themes in Beatles music, artists who influenced their work, and much more. Casual and longtime fans alike will appreciate this fun read.
Hey Grandude! by Paul McCartney ($11.59): Have young fans on your gift list? Give them this charming children’s book written by Paul McCartney. Cute illustrations by Kathryn Durst help guide young readers through Grandude’s adventures with his four grandchildren.
Linda McCartney: The Polaroid Diaries by Linda McCartney ($40): Before meeting her husband, Linda McCartney was an in-demand photographer. This collection reveals more personal portraits of the McCartney family, with the kids clowning around and their parents pulling silly faces. Pictures of their Scotland and Arizona homes, and famous friends who visited the family also populate the pages, giving readers rare access into McCartneys’ private lives.
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual Volume 4: ‘The Beatles’ through ‘Yellow Submarine,’ 1968-Early 1969 by Jerry Hammack ($35): Engineer Hammack released the latest in his Beatles Recording Reference Manual series, this time focusing on the making of the White Album and the Yellow Submarine soundtrack. Be a virtual fly on the wall in the recording studio as Hammack takes readers step-by-step into the recording of each album track. Written from an insider’s perspective, the book will appeal to fans and musicians alike.
Paul McCartney After the Beatles: A Musical Appreciation by Adrian Allan ($27.52): The book analyzes McCartney’s solo career, emphasizing the technical aspects of his songwriting style. Intended for fans and academics, each essay deconstructs 80 songs in terms of songwriting, recording, and music theory. A helpful glossary is included as well as a general guide to music theory, in order to fully appreciate the in-depth analyses.
What Goes On: The Beatles, Their Music, and Their Time by Walter Everett and Tim Riley ($24.47): The respected music scholars and Beatles experts collaborate on a complete guide to the band’s artistic development, blending elements of historical narrative, musicology, and music analysis. Everett and Riley take a largely academic approach to telling the Beatles’ story, and scholars as well as music enthusiasts will find this a valuable volume.
Honorable Mentions
And in the End: The Last Days of the Beatles by Ken McNab ($9.62)
NEMS and the Business of Selling Beatles Merchandise 1964-1966 by Terry Crain ($33.99)
Belmo’s Beatleg News: The Complete Anthology by Scott “Belmo” Belmer (Vol. 1 $42.50, Vol. 2 $45)
1973: Rock at the Crossroads by Andrew Grant Jackson ($21.07)
Textbook Beatles Vol. 2: Beatlemania 1963-1964 by Gregory Alexander (Professor Moptop) ($44)
CDs/BLU-RAY/DVD/BOX SETS
Yesterday ($17.99 DVD, $9.96 Blu-ray): This summer’s surprise hit film posed an interesting question: What would life be like if the Beatles never existed? Due to a freak power outage, the world’s memories of the Beatles instantly vanish. Because he was hit by a bus at the very moment the event occurred, a struggling musician appears unaffected and still remembers the group. Should he perform the Beatles’ songs and pass them off as his own? A moving twist toward the end of the movie will bring fans to tears.
Deconstructing the Beatles: Abbey Road Side 1 & Side 2 (2 DVD set, $29.95 via Culture Sonar): Scott Freiman’s presentations exploring the creation of each Beatles album have received great acclaim for their multimedia approach and his expertise. Freiman’s lectures have been filmed and released on home video and in limited theater runs. The latest in his series explores Abbey Road, taking the audience through every track by explaining the songs’ origins and recording processes.
Above Us Only Sky ($11.99 DVD, $17.49 Blu-ray): Think you’ve read and seen everything pertaining to John Lennon’s landmark Imagine album? The new documentary Above Us Only Sky reveals even more stories, featuring more interviews with Yoko Ono, Julian Lennon, Alan White, Jim Keltner, Klaus Voorman, and many more. Using previously unseen footage, the film demonstrates how the album became a labor of love for both Lennon and Ono. An extended version of Lennon’s famous conversation with a troubled Vietnam veteran also appears here. Overall, the film provides an in-depth examination of the creation of a masterpiece, and reveals rarely seen sides of the music legend.
Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (DVD $13.99, Blu-ray $16.98, CD $12.74): The notoriously troubled special, filmed for the BBC in 1968, never aired. Unhappy with the Rolling Stones’ performance, Mick Jagger nixed the project. After years of bootlegs and lesser-quality editions, the film has finally been fully restored and released for home video. Featuring performances by Jethro Tull, the Who, Taj Mahal, and Marianne Faithfull, the special may be best remembered for the “Dirty Mac” supergroup including Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell. Their blistering version of “Yer Blues” is worth the price of admission alone.
What’s My Name? by Ringo Starr ($11.95): The drummer’s 20th studio album, with 10 tracks exuding optimism, received positive reviews from critics and fans. Guests and co-writers such as Colin Hay, Joe Walsh, and Steve Lukather assist Starr on catchy tunes such as the title track and the bouncy “Magic.” The album also attracted attention for Starr’s cover of the unfinished Lennon track “Grow Old With Me,” featuring McCartney on bass.
Abbey Road 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe box set ($86.98): Number one on most Beatles’ fans wish list is this lavish tribute to their last recording. Giles Martin remixed the original album, rendering it even clearer than previous versions. Two full discs of outtakes, instrumentals, and bonuses such as McCartney’s demo for Badfinger’s “Come and Get It” allow listeners to experience the creation of Abbey Road, while a Blu-ray disc presents the album in Dolby surround sound. A 100-page hardcover book completes the set, with Beatles author Kevin Howlett thoroughly examining the events surrounding the album, as well as the recording of each track. Rare photos and images of handwritten lyrics accompany the text. All Beatles fans will find this set a must-add to their collections.
The Beatles: The Singles Collection ($202.22): This limited edition set contains 23 180-gram vinyl singles, faithfully reproduced picture sleeves from the international releases, and a 40-page book describing the original 22 singles the Beatles issued. For completeness, the set also includes a double-sided “Free as a Bird/Real Love” single, both songs originating from the Anthology era.
‘Egypt Station’ Explorer’s Edition by Paul McCartney ($21.59): The new edition of McCartney’s 2018 album features the entire disc, bonus tracks (such as “Nothing for Free” and Frank Sinatra’s Party”), and live performances at Abbey Road Studios, the Cavern Club, LIPA, and Grand Central Terminal. The set is also available on vinyl ($33.66).
McGear by Mike McGear (McCartney) ($23.82): 2019 saw the reissue of Paul McCartney’s brother’s second and last solo album. An eccentric classic, the three-disc set features the remastered original album, outtakes, interviews with Mike McCartney, and the original promotional film for the single “Leave It.”
VINYL
Vinyl collectors had much to celebrate this year, as numerous reissues and even new material saw limited edition releases on high-quality LPs and singles. The following list includes a sampling of notable vinyl releases that will appeal to any collector:
Choba B CCCP (Russian album) by Paul McCartney ($25)
Paul Is Live by Paul McCartney (two LP, $38)
Amoeba Gig by Paul McCartney ($38)
What’s My Name by Ringo Starr ($20)
McGear by Mike McGear (180 Gram) ($31)
‘Abbey Road’ 50th Anniversary Edition by the Beatles (one LP) ($22.50) https://youtu.be/GQCfZ4uAAuE
Abbey Road by the Beatles Picture Disc LP ($35)
Ringo’s Rotogravure by Ringo Starr Limited Edition (180-gram translucent red vinyl)($33.99, check for availability)
“Home Again/In a Hurry” by Paul McCartney ($17.98)
Imagine: The Ultimate Mixes Deluxe by John Lennon (clear disc) ($39.98)
Wide Prairie by Linda McCartney ($15.19)
Wedding Album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono ($34.87)
FUN STUFF
Beatles Fisher Price Yellow Submarine Little People ($19.99): Feel like a big kid? This special edition of Fisher Price’s Little People will transport you back to your childhood. The set comes with four Yellow Submarine-era figurines contained in a colorful box, perfect for the young and young at heart.
Beatles Hot Wheels ‘With the Beatles,’ ‘Help!,’ ‘Revolver,’ ‘Yellow Submarine,’ and ‘Abbey Road’ editions ($14): The popular Hot Wheels Beatles editions continue with five new album-themed themed model vehicles. For example, the Help! edition features the album cover painted over a custom GMC Panel Van, while the Abbey Road entry boasts a Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus. Be sure to shop around, as these special editions tend to fly off the shelves quickly.
The Beatles Abbey Road Ugly Christmas Sweater ($54.99): Show off your fandom with pride in this not-so-ugly Christmas sweater. Featuring silhouettes of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road with “The Beatles” emblazoned in big letters across the front, this cheerful attire is sure to be a hit at any holiday party.
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