Customer Reviews

The 910's Guide to the Beatles Outtakes

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A year and a half after I wrote my original review, I am amazed at the controversy that still rages over this book. Believe it or not, it is *not* titled "A Non-Hardcore Fan's Discography To The Stuff They Did Release." It is called the "Guide to Outtakes." That means stuff that *didn't* come out. It is *not* for the average fan, nor does it claim to be. Any "general" fan stupid enough to shell out $30 for a book on "outtakes" when they really wanted a discography deserves to lose their money! For the hardcore collector, it *is* a five-star book. Some have claimed that people like Allen J. Weiner's books are actually better; I'd love to see those fans try and identify a version of "Don't Let Me Down" with just Weiner's help. While you're struggling to do that, I'll be organizing a complete and non-superfluous collection with the help of Doug Sulpy's *third* edition, to be published soon. The reviews on this page have separated the collector wheat from the chaff; I hope all the one-star readers are getting thrills from fluff like "Every Little Thing"; I'm too busy listening to the Beatles to waste my time with anything but the best!

I am sorry for those not-so-bright who bought a book which has "guide to the Beatles outtakes" on the TITLE and complain about the fact that it's an outtake guide. This is a superb guide, this guy had the pacience and skill to compare various sources for Beatles outtakes and tell us which one sounds better. Not to mention that it tells us collectors what *exists* and what is unavailable so we can guide ourselves among so many bootleg CDs. There is even space beside each outtake that mark whatever I already have.

A real gem of a book. Its too bad that a few ringers ( obviously record execs or their hack lawyers) had to denigrate the book. It is an exceptional reference if you enjoy listening to the first rehearsals of Help! and scores of other Beatle hits. A great insight into how these recordings made the light of day, much to the delight of hardcore Beatle fans!!! I strongly suggest securing a copy and enjoy.

Reading Betty Mitchell's petty and vindictive review of one of the more important Beatles tomes in recent years has prompted me to respond with a diametrically opposed viewpoint. Far from adding "little or nothing" to Beatles scholarship, this book has quickly become an indispensible reference guide to all the available underground releases, presented in a format that will allow a collector to acquire this material in as efficient a manner as possible. Sulpy cuts through the mis-information and duplication so endemic to bootlegs, and gets to the point: "This is what you need." Quite *who* the "far more knowledgeable authorities" and "far better volumes" that Ms. Mitchell describes is unknown: she does not provide any names or details. I defy her to provide a book (*any* book) that provides more information and detail on the availability of unreleased Beatles tapes than this one. I'm waiting, Ms. Mitchell. Another (quite legitimate) gripe that Ms. Mitchell has with this book is that it presents information that "hardly...anyone needs" and that "few...care a fig about this material." Granted, not every Beatles fan in the world wants to sit through hours and hours of unreleased material. But then *why* is Ms. Mitchell reading a book called "A Guide to Beatles Outtakes" if she doesn't care? This book is exactly what it says it is: a reference tool for the serious Beatles collector. If that's not your bag, fine...but don't condemn the best and most scholarly example of literature on this subject simply because you don't like it. And by the way, Betty, the official "Anthology" albums *are* included in this book. Sort of makes me think you didn't even read it...did you?? If you are a Beatles collector, and found that "Anthology" only whetted your appetite for more, please do *not* hesitate to pick up this amazing volume (and the companion volume on the solo years). For the serious bootleg fan, it is an indispensible guide, hardly the "shoddy," "sloppy" and "shabby" tome that Ms. Mitchell would have you believe it is. Methinks her review has more to do with a vindictive attitude towards the author or towards bootlegs than with the merits (negative or otherwise) of a fine book.

This is the best, and in fact, only, resource for collecting Beatles' recordings, official and unofficial. Sulpy painstakingly organizes authorized releases, alternate takes, different mixes and live recordings of Beatles's performances. The book serves as a comprehensive and annotated checklist for the serious collector. The only reason that I did not rate it with 5 stars is that it is already a bit out of date! A new edition is necessary given recent authorized releases specifically mixed with CDs in mind, newly discovered Get Back session recordings and mixes, upgraded White Album demos, etc. Improvements suggested for the next edition include: (1) supply recommended second best sources for entries; (2) re-instate pre-break-up home recordings that were relegated to a Beatles solo recording guide; and (3) direct readers to CD sources, not just original vinyl sources, for alternate mixes. None of this should detract from the tremendous accomplishment that this book represents even in its present form!

This is to amplify the criticism directed at Betty Mitchell. Betty, you clearly don't know what you're talking about. If there are indeed better reference volumes on The Beatles' commercially unreleased works (and better-priced, no less) you owe it to the fans to let us know what they are. This volume is simply indispensable for anyone who cares enough about The Beatles' music to want MORE than what the band itself released. I know some hardcore collectors, and they all rely on this book (and the companion volume for solo outtakes). If only the authors would share some of the music they cite in the book as appearing not on commercial relase, not on bootleg, even, but only on "private collectors' reels..."

This is the definitive, authoritative, consise guide to Beatles outakes. Sulpy's research is broad and exhaustive. His knowledge of the material is intimate. This book will help you sort out what is really worth finding, and what material to avoid. Not a book for the average fan, but if collecting Beatles "outtakes" is of interest to you, I can recomend no better book. My own copy is already well thumbed and dogeared. One of the definative discographys for any Beatle fan.

First, what is this book NOT? It is not a history of the Beatles (buy Norman's "Shout!" instead). It is not a discography (try Weiner's "The Beatles - The Ultimate Recording Guide"). It is not a critical review of the released versions of their songs (that's Everett's "The Beatles as Musicians", but make sure you're well-versed in music theory).

So, what is it? It is the first (well, only!), comprehensive, exhaustively researched guide to the Beatles' unreleased recordings for serious collectors. It tells you exactly how many versions of each song exist, what albums (released or bootleg) have them in the best quality, and often how to tell the versions apart. Doug Sulpy has listened to every one of the 2700 or so versions and writes in a clear and witty style.

This is not to say that this book is perfect. There are a number of typos (which really hurts in a book full of reference numbers and cross-indices). A list of "next-best" sources would be appreciated, since bootlegs can be hard to find. There are several references to non-existent footnotes. The information for outtakes of the Get Back sessions are minimalist, although the author's "Get Back - The Unauthorized Chronicle of the Beatles' Let It Be Disaster" covers that period in excruciating detail.

Despite these quibbles, I still give this book five stars because there is no other book even close to it. I would let go of any or all of my other two dozen Beatles books before I would let this one go. But then, I guess I'm a "serious collector".

Doug Sulpy's contributions to knowledge about the Beatles' creative process are simply indispensable. In this book, as well as in his painstakingly detailed account of the Get Back Sessions, and his longtime editorship of The 910 journal, he helps the Beatles fan who wants to go beyond the official "canon" of EMI/Capitol recordings find their way through the increasingly crowded ranks of easily available, but unofficial, outtake recordings.

The Beatles were the first group in the history of popular music whose every outtake was preserved in the studio vaults. They were not preserved so that we could listen to their false starts and mistakes, but rather so that we could follow the creative give and take between these brilliant musicians and their producer George Martin as every song took shape in studio rehearsals and recording sessions. Mark Lewisohn's Guide to the Beatles Recording Sessions chronicles the sessions themselves, but Sulpy's book helps the fan find the best recordings of the sessions, as well as to identify "mystery" recordings.

Highly recommended if you want a reliable guide to the underwater part of the iceberg!

I am about to order the long anticipated 3rd Edition. Doug Sulpy doesn't deserve an ounce of criticism from people who were stupid enough to order a $30 book and not know it's contents.

The *title* alone gives it away! I am a serious collector, and Doug Sulpy's books are the *only* source for hardcore collectors of The Beatles' unreleased material.

If someone wants to pay $30.00 expecting a Beatles discography, they need their head examined. You can get that for free on the web.