The Beatles - Composing The Beatles Songbook: Lennon & 1966-1970

From Revolver to Revolution

The power structure that deemed George and Ringo “the other two” in The Beatles was founded on the Lennon and McCartney’s songwriting partnership. As the previous instalment of these captivating documentaries spells out (covering 1957-65), this partnership was formidable long before the group impinged upon the national consciousness. The gift of one of their compositions was like receiving a licence to print money.

If freighted with archive footage, Composing The Beatles Songbook is hinged on informed commentary. Much is drawn from the recollections and anecdotes of Klaus Voorman, Barry Miles and Maureen Cleave, the journalist who, inadvertently, triggered the “holy war” that was a principal reason for The Beatles giving up on touring in 1966. More likely to provoke debate, however, are the often startling insights of pop historians Peter Doggett, Johnny Rogan, Robert Christau and Paul Gambaccini; and especially musicologist Chris Ingham (who also contributes incidental music). Beatle-maniac knuckles might whiten at some of their insistences, including Rogan’s defence of Revolution 9, but at least they won’t be bored.

Pride | PGDVD 111

Reviewed by Alan Clayson
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