The Beatles seem to be everywhere lately. First, in September, we had the Beatle Remasters, followed by the Rock Band video game. Now, Peter Ames Carlin has written a very insightful new book on the man who, perhaps more than anyone was responsible for the worldwide success of the Beatles.

Paul McCartney - A Life traces Paul's meteoric rise from a devastated teenage boy who lost his Mom, to international fame and fortune. Ames spent years on research for this book. He was able to interview former bandmates, friends, and collaborators.

Maybe the biggest myth of Beatle history is that John Lennon was the avant-garde genius and that Paul was the villain who broke up the Beatle. Ames presents fresh evidence that this needs to be re-evaluated. First, Paul was the true musical genius of the band. In the early days he even taught John how to play guitar chords and how to tune his instrument. The majority of the Beatles musical experiments were created by Paul. From the trippy tape loops of 'Revolver' to the conception of 'Sgt Pepper', McCartney was the driving force behind these ideas.

When Paul released his first solo recording, he was quoted out of context by one journalist. The global headlines that resulted stated that 'Paul is quitting the Beatles'. Too late, the damage was done, and the other three Beatles were none too happy. Now 'the dream is over,' as John Lennon stated.

In the spring of 1974, during Johns 'lost weekend', McCartney and Lennon jammed in a Los Angeles recording studio. John suggested a fall concert to singer songwriter Harry Nilsson. But the plan fell thru in November, when Paul was responsible for getting John and Yoko back together, and Lennon returned to New York City.

Paul's post Beatle years are also explored in these pages. From the formation of Wings to his many solo recordings, Paul's love of music is always front and center. Ames shows that Paul is not always the easiest guy to work with. His ego is massive, but behind it all, is a very warm and loving human being. It must not be easy for someone like Paul McCartney to not compare his post Beatle work with the masterpieces he wrote and recorded with his buddy John Lennon. Paul McCartney's latest CD 'Good Evening New York City' proves that he is still a master showman and musician. A strong argument can be made that Paul is the greatest bass player in all of pop music.

"As he did with his superb biography of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Peter Carlin has done it again. His biography of Paul McCartney has the same keen insights, the same flowing prose, and the same crisp narrative. What emerges is a full-blown portrait of one of our greatest icons and enigmas. If there is anyone who writes about modern musicians better than Carlin does, I don't know who it possibly could be."
    - Buzz Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights

Paul McCartney - A Life
By Peter Ames Carlin
Touchstone/ Simon and Schuster

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Paul McCartney: A Life

Review by Scott Acton:
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