Within You Without You: Listening to George Harrison

by Seth Rogovoy

How did the most reluctant member of the Fab Four put his mark on all of their music? This book helps listeners hear how George Harrison shaped the sound of The Beatles and how he carried that sound forward into his solo career

Within You Without You is a highly personal exploration of George Harrison's essential contributions to the Beatles and his solo work, as well as his significant role as a Western proponent of Indian music and beliefs. Through close examination of his guitar playing in the Fab Four and his songwriting both in and out of the Beatles, author Seth Rogovoy demystifies the enigma of this most reluctant of rock stars.

Drawing upon the insights of the author-a rock critic and historian of over forty years standing-as well as those of expert observers, including Beatles filmmaker Michael Lindsay-Hogg and English rock singer-songwriters Robyn Hitchcock and John Wesley Harding, among others, this book extensively examines George Harrison's contributions to the musical world. Within You Without You will forever change the way listeners hear the music of the Beatles and view Harrison's role in the group, as well as enhancing appreciation of Harrison as a cultural figure above and beyond his work as a musician.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, History

Audible Audio

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

SETH ROGOVOY is a writer, award-winning critic, book author, lecturer, teacher, and radio commentator.

He is the author of BOB DYLAN: Prophet, Mystic, Poet (Scribner, November 2009), a full-length analysis of Bob Dylan’s life and work, and THE ESSENTIAL KLEZMER: A Music Lover’s Guide to Jewish Roots and Soul Music (Algonquin Books, 2000), the all-time bestselling guide to klezmer music.

Termed “American Jewry’s greatest Dylan scholar” by Religion News Service, for over a quarter century, Seth’s work has appeared in the English-language national Jewish newsweekly, the Forward, to which Seth is a contributing editor.

Seth is editor and publisher of The Rogovoy Report – an online magazine of cultural and critical news and observations — and BerkshireDaily — a five-day a week e-newsletter aggregating news, features, and commentary from around the corner and around the globe.

Seth also does cultural, editorial and marketing consulting. He is the programming consultant for the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Mass., where he curates the center’s the annual YIDSTOCK: Festival of New Yiddish Music, which debuted in summer 2012, and which continues under his artistic direction.

Seth lives in Hudson, N.Y., and New York City.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not enough about Sides 5 and 6 of All Things Must Pass. Just joking. Thoughtful book for Beatles fans who want a different angle.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lost interest in George Harrison's music about the same time he lost interest in it in the late-70s. Having said that, I've been a fan since 1964 ("Don't Bother Me" is on my phone playlist) and I regard "All Things Must Pass" as possibly the best post-Beatles solo work, including those by Lennon and McCartney. This book, though, seems off the mark in some ways. The author overstates his case of the importance of Harrison a few too many times, and in a few cases repeats information he had provided in an earlier chapter. There's a case to be made that Harrison's best work was indeed excellent, but his output, as enjoyable as it could be, was largely spotty. On the other hand, this book contains some interesting anecdotes and I would recommend it to anyone who cared about Harrison and his music.

[Annie Carrott Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in depth analysis of George’s music from the early Beatle days to the very end with his posthumous album release. This book took a long time to read mainly because I wanted to listen to some of the songs as I read about them. In the later years there were many I was unfamiliar with and had to educate myself. Also - this book looks skinny but each page is tightly typeset and full of details and information about who played on what song as well as what was happening in his life and the world. I appreciated the author’s overview of George’s life through his music!

[Nathan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the ‘Quiet Beatle’, Harrison’s work is often overlooked. His music, particularly toward the end of the Beatles run and his first few solo records, certainly stack up with Lennon/McCartney. Rogovoy brilliantly highlights the quality and importance of Harrison on the band, music in general, and the Zeitgeist of the 60s and 70s. Great read.

[Jon Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

My sweet Lord, where was the editor? I’m a sucker for anything George Harrison, so I slogged through this mess. No discernible order, no structure, and most annoyingly many of the stories are repeated - as many as 3 or 4 times.
All things must pass, very much including this.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting biography!

[Keith Raffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! Seth Rogovoy's book is a treasure map to the musical riches Harrison left us.

[Madam Ypsilon · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful potrait of George that brings him and his music more to our attention. INdeed when yo ustart listening for real you'll notice you've actually found some wonderful treasures.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very different look at George's life and work and time with the Beatles.