Photojournalist Gracen is a McCartney maven by avocation. In this neat rock bio, her photos take center stage, and the text describes the vicissitudes of various McCartney and Wings tours. The occasional rock road show revelation is definitely included. For instance, Gracen recounts the 12-minute film used to open concerts on the 1993 world tour. "This film showcased a musical history of the rock star with some never-before-seen footage of the Beatles, . . . home movies of the McCartney family, and some graphic scenes of vivisection, animal mutilation and torture." The latter were parts of "McCartney's ongoing campaign against animal cruelty." Yow! All that and silly love songs, too. Does the mop-top knight know how to put on a show, or what? Politics and gory visuals at rock concerts--shades of Marilyn Manson!--aside, this is a feel-good book for boomers. Uncritical and packed with pix and exasperatingly upbeat anecdotes, it is a must-have item for Beatlemaniacs.
Mike TribbyCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"These are among the best concert photographs ever ***take of McCartney, and it's a treat to have them assembled in a single volume.... Both unique and revealing, this ***book is a must for McCartney fans."