Revolver How the Beatles Reimagined Rock'n'Roll [Paperback]

Robert Rodriguez (Author), The Beatles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2012

(Book). Acquired wisdom has always put Sgt. Pepper at the head of the class, but it was Revolver that truly signaled The Beatles' sea change from a functional band to a studio-based ensemble. These changes began before Rubber Soul but came to fruition on Revolver , which took an astonishing 300 hours to produce, far more than any rock record before it. The making of Revolver hunkered down in Abbey Road with George Martin is in itself a great Beatles story, but would be nothing if the results weren't so impactful. More than even Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds , Revolver fed directly into the rock 'n' roll zeitgeist, and its influence could be heard everywhere: from the psychedelic San Francisco sound (Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead); to the first wave of post-blues hard rock (Sabbath, Zeppelin); through movie soundtracks and pretty much everything that followed it including every generation of guitar-based pop music and even heavy metal. More than any record before or after, Revolver was the game-changer, and this is, finally, the detailed telling of its storied recording and enormous impact.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pop culture historian Robert Rodriguez is an acknowledged expert on all things Beatle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; Original edition (April 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1617130095
• ISBN-13: 978-1617130090
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Pop Culture > Beatles

More About the Author

Pop culture historian Robert Rodriguez has written or contributed to nine books. His newest is Revolver: How The Beatles Re-Imagined Rock 'N' Roll. This book discusses the creation of (and reception accorded) the group's seventh album, and how IT and not Sgt. Pepper represents their true artistic high-water mark.

Be sure to check out the website www.revolverbook.com.

Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years 1970-1980, was published in 2010. Like its predecessor, Fab Four FAQ, it too has received critical and fan acclaim.

Visit facebook.com/fabfourfaq2

This was followed by The Beatles - Fifty Fabulous Years, a deluxe gift book in full color, featuring a DVD documentary. (Now available as an app and as an e-book)

Look for Solo In The 70s: Just the FAQs on John, Paul, George and Ringo 1970-1980 (coming in late summer 2012).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Revolver June 10, 2012

By S Riaz TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Without doubt "Revolver" is my favourite Beatles album, so I was intrigued to read this book looking at the making of an album the author puts above "Sgt Pepper" - usually cited as the bands high point. Rodriguez asserts that although Pepper is usually considered the apex of the Beatles creativity, it is actually "Revolver" that is the artistic high water mark - a true group collaboration which pushed the studio's technological limits as far as they could go.

1966 saw the band coming to the end of their touring life (it would later end with the "bigger than Jesus" comment and the chaos that was the Phillipines). However, what allowed the band to actually settle into the studio and create music without pressing time commitments was the lack of agreement of a third feature film, for which Brian Epstein had blocked out three whole months for shooting. Finding themselves without a script, they were left with the space they needed to create a masterpiece. John and Paul were at the exact mid-point states the author, before dominance in the group shifted from John to Paul. Also, this was a time when the members of the band happily experimented (Paul playing lead guitar on "Taxman" for example) without treading on each others toes.

This excellent book begins with what the Beatles were up to in early 1966 and what music their peers were creating, before looking at how the songs were written and then recorded. There is lots of the detail Beatle fans thrive on and examination of the revolutionary innovations used, such as Automatic Double Tracking and use of reversed tape. The Beatles were no longer looking to produce records they could even hope to replicate on stage with their current set up - they used far more session musicians than ever before, including horn players on "Got to get you into my life", strings on "Eleanor Rigby" and a French Horn on "For No One". At this point the four were pulling together, giving their all to make great music, which is shown on the attention and care given to every track, including "Rain", which was destined to be a B-side. Their professionalism, song writing ability and musicianship show them all to be at the peak of their abilities. Ringo's drumming, especially on "Rain" is his own personal favourite performance.

The book continues to discuss how the album was named and the artwork picked (Brian Epstein cried when Klaus Voormann first unveiled the album cover artwork) and then goes on to look at how it was received. Sharing a room on tour, John told Paul that, "I think your songs are better than mine," which is praise indeed, as John was not short of believing in his own talent! "Revolver" was generally received well, although some fans were slightly mystified by the more "far out" tracks. However, Melody Maker stated, "their new LP will change the direction of pop music". Lastly, the book looks at what was to come - Pepper. On hearing "Strawberry Field Forever", the single preceding the album, Brian Wilson pulled his car to the side of the road and apparently sobbed. The Beatles were a band at the height of their powers. Whatever album you feel shows the band at their best is obviously a matter of personal opinion. However, this is an extremely interesting read and the author manages a convincing argument for "Revolver" being the top of a very high standard.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic dissected May 13, 2012

By William B. Bowman

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Robert Rodriguez's Revolver: How the Beatles Reimagined Rock `N' Roll casts a wide net over a singular moment in the history of the Beatles and he does it well. Much as Mark Kurlansky did in 1968 Mr. Rodriguez weaves social, cultural and musical context in a wonderful tapestry that enlightens beyond the surface of the ostensible event.

The book is basically divided into three parts: Pre-Revolver, the making of Revolver and post-Revolver. In the pre-Revolver chapters Mr. Rodriguez gives a clear picture of the musical, cultural, and social landscape of the day and he does this without patronizing a less than avid fan nor dumbing it down for the crazed fan (such as myself). He takes pains to establish the relationships the Beatles had with their peers, the public and their team behind the scenes (George Martin, Geoff Emerick, et al). In the making of Revolver section he gives us a careful analysis of each song both in the creation of the individual songs (whether writing and/or social context) and the recording of said songs. He does this with a sublime touch that's sure to keep all readers interested in the entire process. In the final section Mr. Rodriguez discusses the impact that the album had on the record buying public, the attempts made by peers to emulate the success of Revolver and the Beatles' attempt to top the remarkable effort (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band).

All in all this is an excellent book and a nice, post-contemporaneous, time capsule about the Beatles' remarkable album. It's well sourced and an enjoyable read. Robert Rodriguez easily and adroitly straddles the lines between fan, journalist and historian.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A SUPER READ AGAIN May 17, 2012

By NIEMSONG

Format:Paperback

Robert Rodriguez has hit another home run here with his book REVOLVER! I have always been amazed at the talent of THE BEATLES but I am also amazed how in depth of a read all of Robert's books are pertaining to them and their music. He takes you right back to that precious time when 4 young musicians had more insight and ability than any band had a right to have and focuses on the magic of their music and their thought process. No kidding, when you read REVOLVER you are right there with THE BEATLES in the studio for the music ride of your life and it is their peak time for them indeed with REVOLVER! One master piece written after another was their per usual output! One can never get enough BEATLE MUSIC and this book adds to the experience greatly! Thanks Robert!