Each One Believing: On Stage, Off Stage, and Backstage: On the Road, Off the Road and Backstage [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

I wanted to jot down a few words on this handsome book that makes me a gruntled reader and picture viewer. (Paul McCartney decided part way through the tour that he was "gruntled" about it--I think he meant plugged in, having a great time musically on stage, and humanly off stage, and feeling that everything was groovy.) Anyhow, I'm a fan of the musician and of this tour, which I sampled 7 times--and had a ball every single time. So I don't want you to think that I am a totally disinterested critic, but it is true that the singer's voice was in great shape, the band was hot, and the screen shows were so spectacular that they actually distracted you from checking out the people on the stage. All of these points were made not just by the audiences but by all the critics who saw the show too. That is, someone may have found a dissenting critic, but the vast majority seem to have had their cynicism stripped from them early on, after which they gave up and started singing along in the middle of the first song. I'm happy for them, because we have kind of lost that aspect of "criticism" that says you *can* admire a thing if it is done well enough. This show was done that well.

And I think this book explains something about the vibe of those shows. One of the editorial reviews above says that the book gives you a look behind the scenes of a rock tour. True, but I suspect this was not a typical tour. Surely there is always tension and stress and probably tempers flaring behind the scenes of a moveable feast this large and complex. But the entire cast and support crew seem to have been working together so well that ... they may have been enjoying it as much as the musicians and audiences. And that's one of the things the book tells you: that the show does not go on smoothly without these people, and it makes a difference how they are getting their jobs done, and Paul McCartney really appreciates being backed up superbly.

And contrary to what other reviewers here have said, I found no adulation of Paul MCartney in the book. I found a lot of people who commented on how much they wanted to do a good job for him and the band, and all the musicians spoke of their feelings on being asked to tour with him. (YES, please, sir, YES!) Being guys, they expressed themselves more circumspectly, but they managed to convey their enthusiasm.

Bill Bernstein is a very good photographer, and so has managed to say something new about one of the most photographed human beings on the planet. What the Bernstein photos in the book show you is a middle aged man singing as hard and well as he can on stage, and relaxing as much as possible off stage--being goofy, being curious, being affectionate with the lovely blond woman he persuaded to tour with him. The photos show him pouring himself into performance, and accepting the applause gracefully. They are a fine collection of shots of a hard working, dedicated, professional musician who thinks music makes a difference, although he isn't exactly sure how it works.

It's a beautiful book to look at, and it's funny and moving to read, and as an antidote to the dreadful news that surrounds us, it gives a welcome glimpse of what can be accomplished by people working together rather than against each other.

This book is a cornucopia of photographs and text. Paul McCartney, a veteran in the entertainment business and a class act to boot is clearly happy with himself and quite comfortable on stage, doing his job. No doubt fans as well as those with a more "moderate" interest in Paul McCartney as well as the Beatles will be delighted with this book. I love it!

Paul McCartney is not only an extraordinary showman, but serious and dedicated to his musical Muse. He is a musical purist in the truest sense of the term in that he respects the art of being able to create and perform musically. He paints musical murals with his words; he has a full range ability in performing many different musical styles which makes him musically versatile.

I like the feeling of cooperation that appears to underscore the people directly involved with this show...it sounds like the entire crew had a wonderful time and enjoyed the fruits of their success in technically enabling Paul McCartney to do a spectacular show! Paul McCartney acknowledges this which speaks highly of him. He also accepts the outpouring of love from his audience with grace and aplomb, never losing his humorous approach.

To this book's credit, Paul is not put up on a staged pedastal and fawned and spoonfed obsequious flattery. The people who were directly involved in the production and execution of the concert were serious about doing their jobs well and that was reflected in the actual performance. They were doing their jobs and not currying favor from anybody. It is only natural to be enthusiastic at such a performance and no doubt making any contribution toward the show could only prompt enthusiastic delight.

The photographs are delightful - readers see Paul having fun on and off stage; his lovely wife Heather and the crew who made it all possible. The book speaks to professionalism on the part of the crew; the performers and those photographing and writing about the concert.

This book is truly beautiful and there are many funny, touching, endearing and serious parts. It is Gestaltism - the whole IS greater than the sum of its parts because it is the whole, that is the performer, the crew, loved ones, audience and all who had a part in the production who made the whole show/experience/book as wonderful as they are. It is a glimpse behind the performer's curtain.

Each One Believing: Paul McCartney; On Stage, Off Stage, and Backstage by Caroline Grimshaw and photography by Bill Bernstein is an excellent visual collection and recollection of Paul McCartney and his band, and the people that were involved with his 2002-2003 World Tour. The book has a great layout and captures McCartney and company in candid moments that go with documentary photography. The chapters in the book are particularly named from lines of songs included in the tour, and at the back of the book, is a quirky section, the Tourasaurus, that McCartney shares with his readers that gives a run down of terms that were used during the tour.

Besides the tremendous photographs in the book, there are radio interviews embedded in the contents of the book that reveal McCartney as one unstoppable rockin' machine, or not to be cliched, a fine wine that keeps "gettin' better" as time goes by. Indeed, he is an icon in rock and roll history and in history in general. There is a line in the book where he speaks about singing and writing "Yesterday," which reveals how far this man has come: "I was writing with wisdom of an old man, but I was quite a young man. So now, once you have actually lost friends and lovers, then it really is kind of ... it means more" (27).

Overall, this a nice addition to anyone's coffetable book collection as well for anyone interested in photography. In addition, this is a wonderful accompaniment to McCartney' Back In the USA DVD, and for those fortunate to be a part of this rock and roll spectacular, this is a book that relives the moments of the tour. McCartney sums up the excitement: "And it's electrifying. It's like a warm blanket, a big wave of heat coming over you, and you just get the intensity, and you see these faces and you think, "Wow! They've come to party" (128).