Revolution: The Making of the Beatles' White Album

by David Quantick

Most books about the Beatles reveal the big picture first and ask questions afterward. This book reverses that approach. Revolution takes a fresh and often funny look at the magnificent and sometimes idiotic career path of the Beatles through the prism of one vital album-a record considered by many (including John Lennon) to be the one on which they reached their peak as songwriters. It focuses not just on the intimate recording details and creative process, but on the politics, music, and culture of the era, as well as the band's individual development amid increasing dissolution. In crisp and witty prose, the inside stories behind the making and release of the album are how the White Album got its look and name; why it included the most experimental track the Beatles ever recorded; how it inspired the bloody massacres of Charles Manson and his "family"; why Ringo Starr walked out on the sessions and who replaced him; the actual identities of "Dear Prudence," "Sexy Sadie," "Martha My Dear," "Julia," and "Bungalow Bill"; on which song Yoko sang lead; which song is about Eric Clapton's teeth; what songs were left off the album; and much more.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book says absolutely nothing which isn't said more intelligently and concisely in "Revolution in the Head" by the late Ian Macdonald (and that book covers ALL the Beatles' records). The blurb on the back of this book says that it's from a series called "The Vinyl Frontier" dedicated to examining the making of truly extraordinary albums. Too bad they chose the White Album. The Beatles' records have been examined and re-examined until even the dedicated fan (like me) groans at the idea of a new book about them (yeah, you guessed, I got this one for Christmas!), which is why I love Ian Macdonald's book so much - he sums up everything already written so brilliantly you really don't need anything further - well, not for a couple of decades. David Quantick might point out that he tries pretty well to put the White Album into the context of the year it was made - its cultural style, politics and music. But so does Macdonald, and he does it better. (And if you just need facts & info without opinion - of course Mark Lewisohn's your man.) So here's what you do to check if I'm right or wrong - go to any bookshop which sells these books. Read a piece by Quantick about any White Album song. Then find Macdonald's piece on the same song. Ain't no contest. (That was the broadside - now some nitpicking. On page 172 he describes "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" as "more bogus ethnicity as uber-folk rockers The Byrds turn themselves into a country band with the aid of country rocker Gram Parsons". Oops, I think he means "Sweetheart of the Rodeo". But anyway, what was bogus about that album? Elsewhere he gets the name of the Band's first album wrong. But now I'm just being tetchy for the sake of it!)

[Perry Whitford · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Beatles' sprawling self-titled album, commonly called the 'White Album' due to its sleeve, is considered their magnum opus in the US, but the critical opinion in Britain tends to mark it behind the likes of 'Rubber Soul', 'Revolver' and 'Sgt. Pepper'.

For me, as for the writer of this slap-dash appreciation of the people and circumstances surrounding the recording, the Americans have got it right. For my part I play the album more than any of the others, which is the best measure.

With regards the people who influenced the recording, Quantick curiously devotes about a page to each of the Beatles themselves and then about ten to Yoko Ono, then dedicates a chapter to the man notoriously influenced by the album, Charles Manson.

Quantick, though a long-time music journalist, is primarily a comic writer of the glibly clever variety. I didn't decide to buy this book in the expectation of any weighty words of wisdom on the historical context the album was recorded in, nor did he disappoint me, e.g.

'History, in fact, came to see Nixon as a kind of anti-Kennedy, corrupt and sweaty and weird, where Kennedy was seen as sexy and innocent.'

As a music journalist, he did disappoint me when writing about the music, which he describes with no more depth than anyone with a pair of ears and a girl could conjure up. Again, he is best when being glibly amusing, as with this take on the clatter and seemingly interminable length of the song Helter Skelter, which he suggests'feels like the whole of Wagner's Ring Cycle compressed into a trilby hat.'

Kudos though for highlighting Harrison's sumptuous 'Long, Long, Long' as 'arguably the least feted of all the Beatles' great songs'.

This sloppily written book, clearly published while the editor was on holiday, even repeats certain facts multiple times, e.g. Jackie Lomax recorded a demo version of a Harrison song for an album called 'Sour Mill Blues'; the allegation of rape against the Maharishi was probably an invention by Apple's con-man inventor Alex Mardas, etc.

Quantick never got to speak to anyone involved in the sessions, nor does he say too much about the actual music, despite writing about each and every song in turn. So what you are left with is a series of widely known anecdotes collected together alongside some rather sour jokes about Charles Manson and flimsy ones about Ringo, which he also repeats.

The publishers may have been better off hiring Bungalow Bill for the job.

[Carrie Waibel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this while listening to the White Album all the way through. It was the first cassette tape in my car at 16, so I have a lot of memories of driving around with the windows down, singing "Dear Prudence" with my little sister. This book gave some great insight to the making of this album, and is surprisingly funny to boot.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author does a good job of briefly describing political & social events around the period of recording the album as well as what John, Paul ,George and Ringo were up to pre recording. The author sets a sharp, conversational tone throughout the book and is funny and not too reverential about the music and it's impact on wider society.
The section on the songs is especially entertaining and although I didn't always agree with his thoughts on particular songs I could appreciate where he was coming from and made me look again at the album from a fresh perspective.

[Ian Greensmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as acts other than the Fab Four have produced five star albums, so it is not only Mark Lewishon who can write five star Beatle books.
One isn't always going to agree with DQ but the reader should realise he owns one of Britain's funniest minds (see also Craig Brown) and his magical tour through 'The Beatles' 1968 masterpiece (it wasn't their only one to warrant this tag) proves well worth the coach fare.

[Newfad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about one LP is always going to be a hard one - Quantick does his best to make light fun of the subject but barely succeeds - theres just not that much for him to go at really!

[Michael Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny how David says this is the best album ever but then goes on to criticise so many of the songs on it. But you can't fail to be swept up by his enthusiasm and marvel at the detail he provides.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty poor, unnecessarily opinionated, summary of a classic work.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the most scholarly book ever, but in my opinion it is potato chip reading at its finest. The author gives what information he's found on each song's origin and recording process (sometimes a lot, sometimes very little) and throws in his own humorous comments and criticisms along the way. While I often disagreed with the author's views, I found him charismatic, which is required to enjoy the book. There is also a section about the Manson/White Album connection that is masterfully written.

I disagree with what others' comments that this book is unnecessary given the existence of Ian MacDonald's Revolution in the Head. While otherwise an excellent book, MacDonald's bias against post-Sgt. Pepper Beatles gets in the way, reducing White Album inspirations (as well as references to Manson) into footnotes rather than full paragraphs.

[^ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this (secondhand) yesterday; completed reading it today. Not a demanding read, but it is both an interesting and enjoyable read; and a useful reminder of the sheer breadth of subject and quality of the Beatles work.

Having said all of that, because this book reads fairly full of personal opinion and analysis, much of which seemed familiar, I should very much like to have seen the author support his arguments with full references of sources consulted. An opportunity missed.

I DID value the chapter on the other "Significant albums an singles released in 1968". Useful context.

I'll probably end up giving my copy of this book to my 12 yr old second cousin. He's a great Beatles fan.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other reviews are quick to point out that there's much more comprehensive coverage of this monolithic album to be found by other authors. However, I feel it's a case of whatever book you read first. Of course this is going to seem thin on the ground if you get to this second in the pile. As it happens, this book was the first I found and almost completely by accident. I found the author honest, critiquing tracks he wasn't fond of and doesn't heap praise on The Beatles to the point it's uncomfortable. There's no pedestal. I found it to be an easy read, with a track by track breakdown for each chapter that allows for listening along and further dissection. I wish there were more books that broke albums down in such a fashion.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read - I blew through this thing in the space of one lazy Sunday - but a rich source of information about a fascinating album. Hardcore Beatle fans probably know all the dirt in this book, but music geeks and casual fans alike will find a ton of trivia about The Beatles circa 1968. My only problem with the book was that I didn't need as much critical analysis as the author was happy to offer, though taking his cheers and jeers with a grain of salt helped me to enjoy the good stuff in this book all the more.

[Peter Peerdeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the white album and I love it even more now. The author gives a very comprehensive overview of everything that has to do with the album, including events that happened in the beatles lives, political events and other albums that came out in 1968. The subjective view makes for a more interesting read but it sometimes gets a little bit in the way of forming your own opinion about the subject.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great writer on music and not very imaginatively structured - but I'm a sucker for books about great music recordings

[2nd reading: Nov 2018] Quantick's opinionated judgments are refreshing - it's not that common to read clear & informed views which go out on a limb of revered icons like The Beatles

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. Well written with the perfect blend of interesting stuff and decent sized dollops of fun. Pretty essential for any Beatles fan, but it would entertain all lovers of music making generally. You'll want the record to hand while you read...

[Carla Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

My obsession with The Beatles continues to grow... It was so interesting to get some context for these songs, both in what was happening in the band at the time and events in the world.

[Lee Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.1 - Repetitious in places and sprinkled with errors this is a frustrating book Even so, it’s always good to read opinions on The Beatles from someone who clearly loves their music.