All You Need Is HELP

There’s nothing diehard fans of the Beatles like more than new information, so legions of them will love poring over this book. In a deviation from the standard Beatles bio or musical analysis, award-winning music producer/DJ/filmmaker Hoy (The Story of Big Beat) lists the collaborations between the Beatles and other artists, whether by producing, performing, or composing. The book addresses myths around a few misattributed recordings, confirming or debunking industry stories, rumors, and gossip. Periodically, there are minor errors. For example, George was “L’Angelo Misterioso,” not “Badge Misterioso,” on a collaboration with the band Cream. Linda McCartney is indeed listed as a background singer on a couple of James Taylor recordings, and although he played bass on the recording, Paul was not the composer of the song “Live Long Rock and Roll.” There is also a fair amount of repetition, opinion, and personal history from the author. But it’s difficult to imagine Beatles fans who won’t find something new and delightful here.