Marc Shapiro: "All Things Must Pass - The Life of George Harrison"

All Things Must Pass is a brand new biography of George Harrison, a man who with his fellow Beatles could fairly claim to have changed the world, but who, in his lifelong modesty and quiet cynicism, would have been about the last to make any sort of claim other than for the quality of one of his characteristic guitar melodies. And now he is gone. And not old either. Based on new interviews, Marc Shapiro gives a compelling account of the man whose smooth, elegant guitar technique became the centrepiece of classic Beatles’ albums and whose compositions, whether for the group like ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, ‘Something’ and ‘Here Comes The Sun’ or as part of his own successful solo career like ‘My Sweet Lord’ or‘ Got My Mind Set On You’ became classics in their own right. Moreover All Things Must Pass goes behind the music and tries to understand the quiet and gentle, almost mystical, man at its heart. The youngest Beatle, who was always aware of being in the shadow of his more successful bandmates, Lennon and McCartney, George was also a man of great determination and conviction so much so that at one time his solo career actually eclipsed those of his two illustrious peers, at least in terms of record sales and chart success. For every happiness in his life there seemed to be a corresponding sadness. A lengthy exclusive interview with Delaney Bramlett of Delaney and Bonnie adds real insight to George’s saddest days, when he lost the love of his wife, Patti, to his best friend, Eric Clapton. Sympathetically capturing George’s courage in the face of the savage cancers of his last year as well as his calmness in the face of death, Shapiro portrays a life and career which will amaze and excite all rock fans as well as the millions of Beatle devotees. A fitting tribute to a great artist and a generous human being.

About the Author

MARC SHAPIRO has written more than a dozen nonfiction books including the New York Times bestseller, "K.Rowling: The Wizard Behind Harry Potter" and "Carlos Santana: Back On Top". He lives in Pasadena, California

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1852279532/abbeyrdsbeatle07/202-4155843-4978243

Comments:

Hi, Just thought I'd offer a few humble opinions on Marc Shapiro's new book, "All Things Must Pass - The Life of George Harrison". I haven't read it cover to cover yet, but have dipped in and out and whilst it is a very accessible book, and not in any way written with an agenda in mind (in the way Giuliano's book is), it does appear a bit rushed and sloppy in places.
For example, on P.87, describing the start of the "Get Back" sessions in January 1969, the book states that Billy Preston joined the band on 2nd January to assist with the recording. In reality, Billy joined in the latter half of the sessions when the band gave up at Twickenham Film Studios and reconvened at Apple in Saville Row on 22nd January 1969.

Later on (note the inaccurate sequencing) the book describes how on 10th January George had his infamous argument with Paul ('I'll play whatever you want me to play...') and George stormed out of the studio, "screaming that he would never come back". I'm not sure if this event has been related so strongly before.

Another point, right at the end on P.196/197, the book describes how, following George's death, Olivia and Dhani travelled to India and scattered his ashes in the Ganges. I know this was excitedly touted by the media, but I thought there was no confirmation of this taking place, or when. The book doesn't say when, either. It may be that Shapiro has access to information we don't, but it just feels like he's taken the reported rumours and bundled them in to make a neat ending. I also suspect that with deadlines for proofing, printing, etc, Shapiro was under pressure to finish the book and get it out to capitalise on interest in George.

Overall, the book is very readable and does contain some titbits that I haven't seen before, but it's not the detailed, considered and meticulously researched biography that George deserves. There are some sloppy mistakes, but it's generally a balanced and interesting book, if a little lightweight and I'd recommend it to tide Harrison fans over until the real thing comes along.

http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/225newgeobook.html

Kstati on prav - telo Georga ni v kakuyu Indiu ne uvozilos' i prax ego ni v kakoj Gang ne raspylyalsya, - vse eto ne bol'she chem gazetnaya utka.
Po proverennym istochnikam George pohoronen v USA gde to v Californii (?)

Эх, мне не дождаться дня рождения... Хочу книжку...

Хотя честно говоря отзывы тех, кто уже её успел прочитать и разглядеть -- не самые доброжелательные. И всё же, при имеющейся альтернативе...
Кстати, видел кто-н e-book про Джорджа под названием Behind That Locked Door?