New biography on George Harrison.
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Based on his excellent biography on Kate Bush, I had high expectations for Graeme Thomson'd biography on George Harrison, entitled 'Behind The Locked Door' (Omnibus Press). I had no reason to worry as its a superb book on George and is quite possibly the best biography that I've read on a former Beatle. Including 'notes and sources' and the index the book is 447 pages long with roughly the first 200 pages devoted to George's childhood and his Beatles years with the remaining pages devoted to George's life and career since. Where Graeme scores above other authors is in his research and interviewing new associates of his subject who have never been interviewed in any depth before. Subsequently 'Behind The Lock Door' turns up much new info behind the making of George's solo albums or the filming of his 1974 American tour for example. The 'Beatles story' has been told a thousand times of course but here (quite naturally enough) its told from George's perspective. So don't expect too many mentions of J,P & R, unless its relevant to something that George is experiencing. There are 55 nicely reproduced b/w photos which span George's life, a few of which I don't recall seeing before. The book overall is very well balanced and is fair to George. Graeme doesn't make George out to be a saint but at the same time he doesn't have an axe to grind against him either, which is more than can be said regarding some authors. If you are a George Harrison fan then 'Behind The Locked Door' is a 'must have'.
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Thanks, I'll check it out.
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Thanks for the tip - fancied this myself ...
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I guess its tempting to wait for it to become available as a cheaper paperback but I would be very surprised if any George fan would be disappointed with the more expensive hardback. Its a great read.
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Funny you post this, I just started this book last night as it's the next one on my "to-read-and-review" pile
. I've been looking forward to it for a while now, can't wait to delve in! -
DrBeatle:
Funny you post this, I just started this book last night as it's the next one on my "to-read-and-review" pile
. I've been looking forward to it for a while now, can't wait to delve in!Now that is my kind of job--read books and review them!
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Nancy R:
DrBeatle:
Funny you post this, I just started this book last night as it's the next one on my "to-read-and-review" pile
. I've been looking forward to it for a while now, can't wait to delve in!Now that is my kind of job--read books and review them!
It's a great gig! Now if I could only get paid for it
(I'm a freelancer, I do it on the side...my day job pays the bills!) -
DrBeatle:
Nancy R:
DrBeatle:
Funny you post this, I just started this book last night as it's the next one on my "to-read-and-review" pile
. I've been looking forward to it for a while now, can't wait to delve in!Now that is my kind of job--read books and review them!
It's a great gig! Now if I could only get paid for it
(I'm a freelancer, I do it on the side...my day job pays the bills!)How well I know
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Fan4-45years:
DrBeatle:
Nancy R:
DrBeatle:
Funny you post this, I just started this book last night as it's the next one on my "to-read-and-review" pile
. I've been looking forward to it for a while now, can't wait to delve in!Now that is my kind of job--read books and review them!
It's a great gig! Now if I could only get paid for it
(I'm a freelancer, I do it on the side...my day job pays the bills!)How well I know
well at least you both have jobs.
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I'm 1/4 through this book and really enjoying it so far. While there haven't been a ton of new revelations (some small ones, but not a lot), it's doing a great job pulling all of the disparate bits of George's life and personality and painting a more comprehensive picture of the man.
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My review of this book is now up at my website: http://rnrchemist.blogspot.com/2013/11/book-review-george-harrison-behind.html
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Excellent review DrBeatle.
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Thank you!
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I saw a new book about George on amazon.com. It's called George Harrison:From Behind That Locked Door by Graeme Tompson. I want to read it.
Has anyone seen this book yet or read it? -
Release date Jan. 2, 2015 (in the U.S.). Already out in the U.K. http://www.amazon.com/George-Harrison-Behind-Locked-Door/dp/1468310658/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405822721&sr=1-7&keywords=george+harrison I'd definitely like to read this!
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DrBeatle:
My review of this book is now up at my website: http://rnrchemist.blogspot.com/2013/11/book-review-george-harrison-behind.html
Hi there, I have a couple of questions: 1) You talk about his musical decline after the early seventies, but does the book say that "Thirty-Three and 1/3" and "George Harrison" are bad albums? I think they're both great, with concise, melodic songs for the most part. (Same with "Cloud Nine.") 2) Why isn't the book called "Behind THAT Locked Door"?
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favoritething:
DrBeatle:
My review of this book is now up at my website: http://rnrchemist.blogspot.com/2013/11/book-review-george-harrison-behind.html
Hi there, I have a couple of questions: 1) You talk about his musical decline after the early seventies, but does the book say that "Thirty-Three and 1/3" and "George Harrison" are bad albums? I think they're both great, with concise, melodic songs for the most part. (Same with "Cloud Nine.") 2) Why isn't the book called "Behind THAT Locked Door"?
To your question two, I have two theories about it. One: I think it has more to do with how George lived than anything. He was a pretty private person, though he had many friends. So he lived behind a locked door, not an open one. Two: I don't know if the book is an authorized biography or Olivia OK'd it, so maybe the author could not get the rights to use the actual song title as the book title.
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I heard about this, I am so happy that Ron Howard is going to do this project. If anyone should do this project, it should be Ron Howard. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
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jl4761:
I heard about this, I am so happy that Ron Howard is going to do this project. If anyone should do this project, it should be Ron Howard. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
I think you posted this in the wrong thread.
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This book is exciting! Like your review DrBeatle! I'm so glad that the book was able to capture perhaps the true essence of George. Very few books do that, or are unnecessarily critical of him. It's good that George is well respected in this book. R.I.P George Harrison 1943- 2001 forevermore xx
