Fire and Rain:
The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Lost Story of 1970
by David Browne
Published - May 31, 2011
Publisher - Da Capo Press
Genres: Non-fiction - Music, History, Biography
Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
The book is a mix in which most of it is fact-based, told in narrative style.
What is the subject of the book?
The book examines the lives and careers of some of the most legendary singers of 1970, intertwining some social and political events that highlighted the year such as the shootings at Kent State and the Apollo 13 crisis.
What type of book is it?
It is a historical, biographical non-fiction book based on some of the most popular musicians of the era.
Articulate Appeal
What is the pacing of the book?
The pace is moderately paced although set in a time of turmoil for the artists.
Describe the characters of the book.
The characters of the book are the artists: The Beatles (Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr); James Taylor; Simon and Garfunkel (Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel), and CSNY (David Crosby, Steven Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young). Although they were all extremely talented and wrote some of the most influential music of their time, the friction that developed within the musical groups led to their demise. James Taylor and David Crosby also dealt with drug addiction although drugs were abused by several of the artists.
How does the story feel?
The reader feels the discord and animosity between members of the musical groups. The book also has a compelling feel.
What is the focus of the story?
The story focuses four relevant albums of 1970 (Let It Be by the Beatles, Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel, Sweet Baby James by James Taylor, and Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young) and the personal and professional lives of the artists who made them.
Does the language matter?
The book deals with factual turmoil among musical group members so the language needed to be bold and descriptive.
Is the setting important and well descibed?
The setting is very important to the book. Amid the stories of the musicians are descriptions of some of the most important events of 1970, a year full of political and social strife:
Are there details and if so, what?
There are many factual details of the lives of the artists, the music business, and events that took place in 1970.
Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials?
There are some photos of the artists included in the book.
Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
The reader will learn about the Apollo 13 crisis, Kent State shootings, radical group bombings, and the fading of the anti-war movement. The author also discusses the change from political-themed music to personal songs by singer-songwriters.
Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. A descriptive, inside look into the music industry.
2. Personal lives and careers of some of rock's greatest artists.
3. Historical elements - music history, political and social history of 1970.
Would this book be appropriate for a fourteen year old? My niece Lily has developed an interest in the late 60s - early 70s. When she asked her teacher for some reading suggestions about that period, her teacher told her she could find information online. I think Lily might enjoy this book.
ReplyDeleteEven though I listen to these artists I was more intrigued with the book's historical background given in your matrix. I like books about classic rock so this sounds like an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteThere are references made to drug use and affairs that the musicians had but it's nothing worse than what 14 year-olds are exposed to on MTV or other channels or movies. As for language, it's been while since I read the book so I can't remember details but I don't think the language was very intense. Another book that I really liked that in which much of it took place in the same period is Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon - - And the Journey of a Generation. I wrote about it earlier this year on this blog for class. It really took me back to that period. I was in high school during those years.
ReplyDeleteYour account is educational & interesting - good that people would know that our country had some issues in this time period & that politics were prevailing in the foreground.
ReplyDelete