Author:Philip Norman
Soufflé Speak. I don’t know if Philip Norman himself coined that expression, but it crops up countless times in this biography of Paul McCartney. It’s an unflattering term referring to Macca’s ability to charm his way through any interview situation with seemingly open and friendly answers, while simultaneously remaining diplomatic and giving away very little of value.
Thankfully this book manages to dig much deeper than Paul’s Soufflé Speak to come up with one of the most readable and searching McCartney biographies on the market. Philip Norman has been here before of course, authoring fine books about the Beatles, Stones, Jagger, Lennon, and others. But it was Norman’s 1981 Fabs biography Shout which very nearly scuppered this entire project. It seems McCartney wasn’t happy with the way he saw himself portrayed in the book, which he called “Shite”. It was the familiar picture: John the cynical rocker vs Paul the soppy ballad writer. Some snarky quotes from Yoko didn’t help, either. It took some doing, but Norman eventually won McCartney over and eventually received tacit approval to write this book.
I don’t know about you, but I never get tired of diving into what is, let’s face it, the greatest story ever told. It seems like I’ve read a thousand books about the Beatles, but like the very best addictions, there will always be an excuse for “just one more”. While always interesting, Norman’s biography treads familiar ground until the break-up in 1970, but then it really moves up a gear as we enter the solo years. The post-split legal shenanigans have been comprehensively covered in Peter Doggett’s book You Never Give Me Your Money, but Norman’s lighter touch is far more entertaining and the narrative builds nicely as each new character enters the picture, culminating with Allen Klein as the textbook pantomime villain. Macca was right all along about Klein by the way. He was a crook, even though the other three put Paul through hell about it for years.
We know this story so well, we can predict almost every word of what’s coming next, so it’s good when Norman comes up with some new information, as he does from time to time. Linda is portrayed as a saintly figure throughout and the couple clearly got along well. However, when she is offered a ghost-written book deal Macca nixes it, snapping “There’s only one fucking star in this family.” Likewise the news that Paul’s brother Mike was charged with sexual assault (but found not guilty) is another interesting new detail. Paul’s recent heart scare and subsequent hospital treatment yet another fascinating interlude.
But of course it’s the Heather Mills chapters we’ve all been waiting for and thankfully Norman doesn’t disappoint. “Juicy” doesn’t begin to cover it, as we are given chapter and verse regarding the way the duplicitous Heather somehow managed to steal the heart of the world’s most popular and beloved entertainer and walk (or limp) away with over 20 million quid. Not for the first time the reader asks “what on earth was he thinking”. In a Q magazine interview after the divorce Paul is asked if the marriage was his biggest mistake of his life. Employing typical Soufflé Speak Macca answers “It’d have to be up there”.
At this point it’s worth pointing out that I experienced this biography via the 30 hour audiobook version, narrated by Jonathan Keeble who brings the story to life with a range of well-observed accents, including all four Beatles, Linda, Yoko and even a delightfully cartoon-like Heather Mills, Geordie glottal stop and all, like.
I’m a stickler for mistakes in these biographies, but I’m pleased to say I found only a single factual error during the entire 30 hours. Denny Laine’s post-Moody Blues/pre-Wings outfit the Electric String Band is referred to, unforgivably, as the Incredible String Band. That howler seems to be found on the audiobook only however and not in the physical book, so only one slapped wrist this time.
Length of Read:Long
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
Anything by the Beatles
One thing you’ve learned
Paul no longer owns the famous farm(s) on the Mull of Kintyre. He sold them recently and the two farm managers with 55 years service between them were sacked, with one manager given three months notice to vacated his grace and favour house on the land.
…the movement you need is on your shoulder.
Top review JC.
As you say, there’s always room for one more. Macca’s a complicated man – as you’d expect considering his story – I thought the author captured the complexity really well.
Cheers Gary. What comes across most strongly is how much Macca cares what others think of him.
Also, it occurred to me that while entire chapters of the book are devoted to them, I’ve never knowingly heard a note of his classical albums. Nor his dance albums with Youth.
You need to put that right straight away. The first album with Youth may be dancey but Electric Arguments certainly isn’t. It is a superb bluesy album. I consider it his best post-Beatles album.
YouTube clips are in short supply. Here is a flavour.
Seriously. Dig out a copy and give it a good listen.
Thank you, I will.
Seconded. Good music.
Top notch review of one of the best rock biographies I’ve read. The book got a bit of a lukewarm reception in some parts of the press, suggesting that Norman’s conversion to the McCartney cause was forced. Personally I thought it was a warm and thoroughly involving read, one of the best of the year.
Thanks bunglie.
Yes, it certainly wasn’t a totally sanitised account of events. Paul comes across as a flawed husband and a ruthless boss at times. The only parts which were clearly there to make him look good were the seemingly idyllic marriage to Linda and the Heather Mills stuff which pulled no punches.
Thanks JC. Another great review. Keep ’em coming. I wonder how it compares to Fab, the Howard Sounes biog – which I thought was excellent. That and You Never Gave Me Your Money really ticked my boxes at the time.
I haven’t read it, but I have heard it contains a large no. of inaccuracies. Enjoyed your review but this McCartney fan has no interest in reading tabloidesque stuff about his unfortunate liaison with Ms Mills
The amount of shrift Norman’s book received from some Macca fans was pretty short, but I really enjoyed it. The parts where he writes about the deaths of Linda and George I actually found quite moving. George was in America approaching the end, and was unable to travel, so Macca put him in his house in LA – I can’t remember the exact quote so I’m paraphrasing, but Norman describes it as Macca reaching back to when the two of them were teenage pals back in Liverpool – “Why don’t you come round to my house?”
I also enjoyed the bit where Macca set fire to his arse.
He set fire to George’s arse when he was dying! The cruel, vindictive bas…
“Tell ME to stay on the fucking label, will you?!?!? I’ll wah wah you right where the sun doesn’t shine!”
Sounds worth a read. I grew up at a time when Shout was seen as *the* Fabs book and it has its good points but was always let down for me by its obvious John worship and putting down of Paul. By the sounds of it, this book will confirm what we could have guessed at – that Paul is a flawed individual who is probably too guarded and concerned with what others think of him. Yet given that he has trod a path that only a tiny number of others have – riches yes, adulation yes, critical praise yes, but also a great many darker issues – all things considered he’s turned out ok. I always felt that his Everyman persona was a shield of sorts (and his critical reputation has suffered at times as a result of this perception). But given the craziness he has seen, who could blame him?
That’s a Beautiful Photo of our Paul.