R: As I mentioned before the overt purpose of this novel is to create the Beatles' autobiography. I wouldn't argue that the photography is necessary in achieving this purpose but it certainly does aid the achievement. The pictures begin as grainy photographs of the band members in their early adolescence which are paired with their individual histories. The pictures allow us to see intimate moments of their childhood that they chose to share with us not only through the written word but also visually. Once this section ends a full page spread photograph of the four teens playing at a gig takes on a slightly nicer quality and brings the four stories together just as the book shifts from the individual memories to the more conversational style the book adapts to. Slowly the pictures begin to appear more professional and some even evolve to colored film. The photographs not only reflect the growing fame of the Beatles but also reflect the technology of the time. These numerous pictures help us readers along the journey that is the Beatles autobiography by allowing us to see the exact moments that the band members discuss in their recollections. The advancing photographic technology coincides with the Beatles growing fame as they become older and more mature in appearance. By the point in the book that I am currently, album artwork and famous images of the band cover the pages showing a real growth from the grainy photos taken at home that scattered the pages of first few chapters.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Beatles Anthology
P: What passage to you particularly like in the book and explain why.
R: "For our last number I'd like to ask your help. The people in the cheaper seats clap your hands, and the rest of you if you'd just rattle your jewelry. We'd like to sing a song called Twist and Shout." (Lennon p. 105) This quote was placed directly at the top of the page in all capital letters as the band transitioned from touring in the cheap bus to gaining a significant amount of momentum and fame. When I read this quote by John Lennon I have to say, I smiled. It depicts a bit of humor and it really makes you feel excited for him and for the band. By this point you are just really rooting for the four of them. Having been taken on the journey from playing in small night clubs and freezing in small tour vans it just made me really happy to realize they have now reached the point in their fame where they can really rile up a crowd. I chose this passage also to show the variety of the sources where quotes of John Lennon's were being drawn this was taken directly from the Royal Command Performance in '63. Other quotations have been taken directly from interviews or conversations among the band members. Finally, I chose this passage because I really like the song Twist and Shout. Whatever excitement Lennon was hoping to instill in the crowd that day, he certainly managed to instill in me as read the quote.
The Beatles Anthology
P: What has the author done to engage you, the reader, in a relationship with the book's content?
R: After the short sections dedicated to each band member the book goes on to begin what seems like a conversation between the four men. It's absolutely engaging to feel as if you are sitting in on this recollection between these extraordinary men. The crazy thing is, as I mentioned before, John Lennon took no part in the compilation of this anthology but is just as equally represented as the Ringo, George, and Paul. The way in which this book has been compiled just makes you feel like you are really being let in on something special. In one scenario Ringo makes a joke about how in the tour van in the early years three of the band members were stack on top of each other sipping whisky until the one on top got hypothermia and got to move to the bottom of the pile. Paul responds in commenting that the life of stardom is doesn't seem so glamourous when you can laugh about the "Beatles Sandwich". The back and fourth conversational nature of the book allows any reader to feel closer to the content of the book than I ever expected. As I continue to read I get more a more clear perception of each of their personalities with each page. Along with the intimacy of the conversation, the many pictures that aid the text help ever the more to give a feeling of closeness to the band and the members. You are given a visual representation of their journey from teenage years to stardom.
The Beatles Anthology
P:If the author states his or her purposes overtly copy them in your journal and tell how well you think he or she achieves them.
R: "The Beatles Anthology is, in effect, The Beatles' autobiography... At least, Here is the Beatles' own story". This, I would say, is the purpose of the book stated overtly on the inside cover last paragraph. The book begins, as I mentioned before, with short autobiographies of each band member which begin with a recollection of their childhoods up to about right before the band began to come together. Not only this but moments when the band was together that linked back to childhood memories are discussed as well. In Paul McCartney's chapter he talks of how him and George Harrison could listen to songs and find moments in the musicality that reminded them of Paul's dad. The book is written so intimately that you just feel that they really want you to know what they are all about. We learn in just a few paragraphs of Ringo's chapter that he had a hard time moving from place to place a kid " you get used to being where you are" (p. 33). In the first few chapters the overt purpose is easily achieved as it depicts quite literally each Beatles' own story. Along with the information they provide us about their lives we are able to see the personality of each band member reflected in their writing. When told from an outside source could not have gotten to hear say Ringo's humor or understood as fully how John grew from his hardships. So far I believe the book has completely achieved it's purpose.
The Beatles Anthology
P: Why did you choose this particular book? What are your expectations?
R: When researching for my annotated bibliography I came across a website which contained an article covering the anticipation of fans for the release of "The Beatles Anthology". It included an excerpt from the book which contained information pertaining to my topic. After including the article in my annotation I began to wonder, why not use the book itself as a resource? So in reference to my expectation I suppose, for the most part, it should help me further my understanding of my research topic (Eastern Philosophy's influence on Western Culture) as well as provide for an informational and even entertaining read. Besides helping me with my paper the Beatles are a band that I have listened to since my little sister bought The Beatles' "1" CD in kindergarten. Each year I go to New York City with my family and see the Imagine monument in central part for John Lennon. The book serves as more than just a source of information for me and I am sure that I will learn things I never imagined about a this band and It's members.So far the book has certainly fulfilled these particular expectations as it begins with short autobiographies of each band member. John Lennon's was actually not told specifically for this book but was compiled from previous interviews, seeing as when this book was released he had already been murdered. Reading John Lennon's complied "autobiography" in the first few pages I have already learned that Strawberry Field was a place the place that a Salvation Army Orphanage hosted small garden parties. This should be a very interesting read.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)