This past year took numerous twists and turns, many of which delayed expected projects such as a box set, documentary, and book celebrating 50th anniversary of Let It Be. While fans can look forward to that as well as box sets commemorating the Plastic Ono Band album and All Things Must Pass in 2021, 2020 still saw notable books, DVDs, albums, and collectibles that are sure to satisfy all the Beatles fans on your gift list (and maybe an item or two for yourself).
All products are available through Amazon unless otherwise indicated. Prices may vary depending on day, so check frequently.
BOOKS
John Lennon 1980: Days in the Life by Ken Womack ($16.93): In marking what would have been John Lennon’s 40th birthday, noted Beatles expert Womack released his look at the last years of Lennon’s life. 1980: Days in the Life focuses on Lennon’s creative rebirth, tracing his road from everyday life with Yoko and Sean in the Dakota to life-changing Bermuda sailing trip to recording his comeback Double Fantasy. Rather than focusing on his death, Womack instead portrays a man experiencing a creative and personal renaissance.
John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band ($34.95): This lush book celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Plastic Ono Band album with stories about the recording sessions and rare photographs. However, it also traces the roots of the Plastic Ono Band concept. Featuring background concerning John and Yoko’s projects such as their Bed-In for Peace, their experience with primal scream therapy, and beautiful sketches from bassist and longtime friend Klaus Voormann, this tome provides a well-rounded picture of Lennon’s first studio solo album.
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 5: ‘Let It Be’ through ‘Abbey Road’ (1969-1970) by Jerry Hammack and Gillian G. Gaar ($35): The final entry in Hammack’s series examining Beatles recordings, ‘Let It Be’ through ‘Abbey Road’ takes readers through sessions of their last albums. Being a recording engineer, Hammack lends special insight into the recording of each track from first take to final version. Those wanting to know the instrumentation, equipment used, and other details surrounding albums and singles will find Hammack’s work invaluable. Not technically inclined? Diagrams and a glossary make the information easy to follow.
The Beatles Finally Let It Be by Bruce Spizer (Digital $20; Hardcover $30; available at Bruce Spizer’s site): Spizer’s latest Album Series volume should help tide fans over until the delayed 50th anniversary Let It Be celebrations in 2021. The Beatles Finally Let It Be features chapters by Beatlefan Editor-in-Chief Bill King, Beatlefan Executive Editor Al Sussman, authors Frank Daniels and Piers Hemmingsen, and Spizer. Fans also contribute their memories of the album, and coverage of the Get Back bootlegs, Let It Be … Naked, and related Anthology tracks are all included.
George Harrison: Be Here Now by Barry Feinstein and Chris Murray ($45): Harrison fans will appreciate this lavish coffee table book filled with photographs — many never before seen — taken between 1970-1973. Photographer Feinstein shares pictures taken during the Concert for Bangladesh, during the All Things Must Pass cover shoot, and candid shots during the Living in the Material World period. The book also features handwritten letters by Harrison detailing album and cover art ideas, and a foreword written by Donovan.
And In the End: The Last Days of The Beatles by Ken McNab ($24.92): Available for the first time in the U.S., McNab’s acclaimed book chronicles the Beatles’ final year. He considers each Beatle’s perspective and role, and their complex business entanglements are explored. No one person broke up the Beatles, but rather a perfect storm of business, personal and creative factors, and McNab describes them in depth in this fascinating book.
The Country of Liverpool: Nashville of the North by David Bedford ($39.99): The Beatles drew from a vast array of musical influences, one of which was country. Most can cite their cover of Buck Owen’s “Act Naturally,” but their debt to the genre extends farther than that. Beatles expert Bedford researches Liverpool’s deep connections to country music, illustrating how Liverpudlians related to the genre and formed their own bands. Interviews with many Liverpool country figures and packed with ephemera, The Country of Liverpool is sure to fascinate fans wishing to dig even deeper into the roots of the Beatles.
George Harrison on George Harrison: Interviews and Encounters by Ashley Kahn ($30): This invaluable resource compiles George Harrison interviews from 1962-2001, chronologically arranged and ranging from television to magazine to press conferences to speeches. Reading about Harrison’s interests, passions, and music in his own words reveals new insights into the notoriously private musician, and having the interviews in one place is incredibly convenient.
Run-Out Groove: Inside Capitol’s 1980s Hits & Stiffs by Dave Morrell ($12.99): The fourth entry in the Morrell Archives series, Run-Out Groove continues Morrell’s adventures in record promotion, this time during the high-flying 1980s. Read his tales of promoting Paul McCartney’s 1986 album Press to Play, then meeting him a few years later during McCartney’s 1989-1990 World Tour. Fans will relate to Morrell’s starstruck reaction to encountering George Harrison at the 1988 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, but will also enjoy his touching and often hilarious stories of working with some of the most popular stars of the decade.
John Lennon: 1980 Playlist by Tim English ($18.99): Any student of John Lennon knows that his musical tastes drew from a variety of sources such as blues, soul and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll. By 1980, however, his interests had grown even more diverse. The intriguing John Lennon: 1980 Playlist explores this unique aspect of his life, demonstrating how he became fully immersed in the era’s music scene: Disco, reggae, pop, and new wave were among many genres that inspired him to record Double Fantasy. Learn how he was listening to artists ranging from Bing Crosby to Morris Albert, the Doobie Brothers to the B-52’s, and Christopher Cross to Jermaine Jackson.
Honorable Mentions
Paul McCartney After the Beatles: A Musical Appreciation Volume Two, by Adrian Allan ($42.57)
Jennifer Juniper: A Journey Beyond the Muse, by Jenny Boyd ($21.95)
Right Place, Right Time: The Life of a Rock & Roll Photographer, by Bob Gruen ($21.47)
The Complete John Lennon Songs: All the Songs. All the Stories. All the Lyrics, 1970-80, by Paul Du Noyer ($26.60)
Dream Lovers: John and Yoko in NYC: The Photographs of Brian Hamill, by Brian Hamill ($35)
150 Glimpses of the Beatles, by Craig Brown ($14.99)
CDs, BOX SETS
McCartney III (LP, $26.49; CD, $13.95): While the world was under COVID-19 lockdown (or, as Paul McCartney terms it, “rockdown”), the musician quarantined with his daughter Mary and her children. Finding unexpected time on his hands, McCartney began jamming in his home studio for fun; these sessions produced enough content for an entire album. The result, McCartney III, is a sequel of sorts to his first two eponymous albums; the third represents a cross between the two, sounding homemade yet experimental. True to form, the album comes in a variety of vinyl colors, CD packages, and even a cassette version. To see all versions, visit Paul McCartney’s official store.
Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon (2CD, 1 Blu-Ray box set, $66.74; 2 CD, $22.45; 4 LP, 86.99; 2 LP, $49.82): A greatest-hits set, Gimme Some Truth features remixes from the original masters, executive produced by Sean Lennon. These mixes breathe new life into such classics as “Instant Karma!” and “Whatever Gets You through the Night” while drawing welcome attention to deeper tracks such as “Angela” and “Out the Blue.” The box set also comes with a 124-page book and a Blu-ray audio disc containing the mixes in 24 bit/96 kHz HD Stereo, immersive 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos.
Flaming Pie by Paul McCartney (5CD/2DVD Deluxe Edition Box Set $176.99; 2 CD, $16.79; 3 LP, $48.70): The latest addition to the McCartney Archives series, Flaming Pie saw the deluxe treatment in 2020. Featuring the original album remastered, 32 bonus tracks including demos and home recordings, rough mixes, B-sides, and selections from McCartney’s Oobu Joobu radio series. DVDs contain the In the World Tonight documentary previously aired on VH1 and original music videos for such tracks as “Little Willow,” “In the World Tonight,” and “Beautiful Night.” The Deluxe box set also includes a 128-page book, a reproduction of the 1997 Flaming Pie edition of Club Sandwich (the fan club or “Fun Club” publication), an envelope containing reproductions of McCartney’s handwritten lyrics, and much more.
JEM Records Celebrates John Lennon ($13.59, CD; vinyl $14.39): Saluting Lennon on what would have been his 40th birthday, seven artists from the JEM label cover well-known tracks in creative ways. Highlights include the Midnight Callers’ “Child of Nature” which cleverly segues into what the song eventually became: “Jealous Guy,” the Imagine track. The Beatle-esque Grip Weeds turn in two stellar performances: a faithful rendition of “You Can’t Do That” and an impressive version of “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Another standout includes the popular New Jersey band the Weeklings, who add a Bo Diddley-like shuffle beat to the Rubber Soul track “The Word” (along with tight harmonies).
From Chicago’s Rosemont Theatre August 2001 by Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band (CD, $18.98): Recorded during the 2001 editions of the All-Starr tour, this recording features a lineup including Greg Lake, Howard Jones, Roger Hodgson, Mark Rivera, Ian Hunter, and Sheila E. In addition to hearing hits from the aforementioned artists, you’ll hear classic Beatles tracks as well as solo Starr tracks such as “the No-No Song,” “Back Off Boogaloo,” and “Don’t Go Where the Road Don’t Go.”
The Fab 4th by Laurence Juber (CD, $15.35): One can never go wrong with Juber, a supremely gifted guitarist and onetime member of Wings. This year Juber released his fourth collection of acoustic Beatles covers, and his selection ranges from 1964 through 1970. His skilled renderings of “A Day in the Life” and “You Never Give Me Your Money” will thrill any Beatles fan.
DVDs, BLU-RAYs
The Point (Blu-ray, $12.99): The charming 1971 TV special featuring music written by Harry Nilsson (and narrated by Ringo Starr) has finally arrived on Blu-Ray. Extras include an interview with Mike Lookinland, who voiced the lead character Oblio; a four-part featurette on the making of the animated film; a collectible mini-poster, and the incredible documentary Who Is Harry Nilsson? This Blu-ray makes a thoughtful gift for fans of all ages.
That’ll Be the Day (DVD, $18; Blu-ray, $12.45): Featuring one of Ringo Starr’s finest acting performances, this movie is finally available on home video. Set to American 50s rock hits, the film tells the story of British working-class youth during the same time period. David Essex (“Rock On”) costars trying to find his way in society, and Billy Fury and Keith Moon appear in cameos.
An Accidental Studio (DVD, $11.23; Blu-ray, $14.25): In addition to music, George Harrison also maintained a passion for film. An Accidental Studio traces the history of his company HandMade Films, looking back at its critical successes with such movies as Mona Lisa and Withnail and I. Archival interviews with Harrison as well as new ones with Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Richard E. Grant, Neil Jordan, and Ray Cooper make for compelling viewing.
VINYL
Vinyl continues to enthrall collectors, and 2020 brought more limited-edition releases. In addition to the vinyl mentioned above, the following list includes a few more relevant items:
Time Takes Time, by Ringo Starr (limited 180-Gram, yellow & green marble colored vinyl, $33.98)
Ringo the 4th, by Ringo Starr (180 gram translucent gold audiophile vinyl/limited anniversary edition/gatefold cover $25.49)
“We All Stand Together,” by Paul McCartney (picture disc, $26.75)
COLLECTIBLES
LEGO Art: The Beatles Collectible Building Kit ($119.95): Enjoy putting together the Yellow Submarine-themed set four years ago? LEGO has released another Beatles-related building kit to challenge fans. This time, the goal is to replicate the White Album portraits; to clarify, you can build only one portrait at a time. If you wish to build four separately, you would have to purchase four sets. Roll up those sleeves, gather together the 2,933 pieces, and rise to the challenge!
Beatles-Themed Christopher Radko Ornaments ($60-$90): Have a Beatles fan and an ornament collector on your list? Noted designer Christopher Radio started a line of Beatles-themed pieces four years ago, and his newest collection features adorable ornaments such as a yellow submarine (natch), an Abbey Road-themed cab, and a Sgt. Pepper-adorned tree. For these and many other offerings, visit the Fest for Beatles Fans site.
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