Nearest Faraway Place by Timothy White query

[Mooger Fooger]

Could someone who has the book tell me how many pages are devoted to pictures? Is it packed with them? Also how much is devoted to smile and are there any pictures of note from the era?

[I. Spaceman]

There is just the standard amount of pictures one would find an a hardback book focusing on text. There is a fine section on Smile, nothing remarkable. The only reason to read that book, in my opinion, is the information on the Wilson family tree.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

The only reason to read that book, in my opinion, is the information on the Wilson family tree.

I agree. Some fans groaned about all the pages dedicated to the pre-Beach Boys genealogy stuff but for me that was the part I found most interesting.

[rab2591]

There is just the standard amount of pictures one would find an a hardback book focusing on text. There is a fine section on Smile, nothing remarkable. The only reason to read that book, in my opinion, is the information on the Wilson family tree.

This, plus: It also gives a GREAT history lesson of California. It also talks a lot about the music scene in the world/LA during the 60s - for people not knowledgable in it, it's a great read.

[guitarfool2002]

I'd highly recommend the book. It's definitely not about the pictures, although there are some interesting ones but nothing earth-shattering, and only one B&W shot of the Smile cover, ironically on the same page as a promo copy of Murry's album stamped "FREE" on the front.

We can find faults with it or any BB's book, such as using information straight from various bootlegs we've all heard and whatnot, but the book works fantastically as an overall contextual history of many elements of the BB's saga. White not only tells the story, but he'll go into details about the story behind the story behind *that* story. And it really puts a lot into perspective about how all these things in history had to happen for the Beach Boys to have developed as they did.

One very small example is getting into the California hot rod culture, how it started, some key names not known outside of the car world, and some tidbits of info behind how Chevy came to develop their 409 engine, and how Gary Usher who had a 348 would talk of wanting a 409, and that's a wish that many people his age and Brian's age shared.

So it can give a very detailed history of what led to a rock song like 409, with background details, where other tales might just say "The 409 was an engine developed by Chevrolet for certain model cars in the early 60's". Too narrow, right? White goes into some great detail.

It's definitely worth seeking out and adding to your bookshelf, anyone who doesn't own a copy. And yes, the family tree history of the Wilson clan is essential, and this book has it.

[I. Spaceman]

Yeah, I forgot about all the contextual stuff dealing with California culture, that is very nice as well. He seems to have been mostly interested in the band's early career. Doesn't he hate Let The Wind Blow? I remember being bothered by some of his critical comments about that era.

[guitarfool2002]

He called it the "low point" of the WH album! I definitely disagree with his reviews like that. One thing I did notice was how the book kind of sputters out after 1967, and where the early years and background history is compelling and so well-done as a reference, the 1970's and 1980's and beyond are kind of brushed over a bit too much, and it feels like more of that research came from published magazine articles and interview anecdotes rather than the real meat-and-potato historical research which made up the first 3/4 of the entire book - and that first 3/4 when the history is done right can be pretty amazing. Perhaps White felt that the defining moments which shaped this band into what was the present time when he wrote it happened prior to 1967, and therefore the 3/4 of the book focused on events pre-1967 deserved that much more attention to detail?

I'm really being picky there, but I really would give the book a very high recommendation, and the historical background White provides is essential to learning more about this band.

Oh, and the Smile section - nothing to speak of beyond facts most people who would buy the book would already know in 2012.

[I. Spaceman]

Yep, that sums it up exactly.

[Autotune]

It also reproduces first-hand accounts, most of which appeared as TW's articles at different times. Such is the case of the 15 Big Ones sessions, a day during the second Landy era, and Brian's wedding. Maybe something else I'm forgetting. It is a great read; a good book beyond its subject.

[Andrew G. Doe]

One needs to be aware that some of the latter sections of the book consist of White's 1970s Crawdaddy articles somewhat rewritten. What's omitted is as pertinent as what's retained. 

[Mooger Fooger]

Thanks for the info, guys. I will keep an eye out on ebay and grab it when one comes along.

[Kirk]

I also love the surf culture White gets into. I think his treatment of Dennis's attraction to the beach scene is really good. I also think Nearest Faraway is probably the best intro to appreciating how the BBs tapped into early 60s fads---though for an illustrated history, though, I prefer Dom and Brian's Pop Surf Culture: Music, Design, Film, and Fashion from the Bohemian Surf Boom, which, of course, isn't a BBs history, but expands upon Nearest Faraway. White's use of both his 76 Crawdaddy essay and his 85 Musician profile of Brian, however, bothered me. As Andrew notes, he cut portions, but he didn't add or rewrite, so there's a weird shift in style for me in those sections. Those were personality profiles instead of narrative histories, and they seem to zoom in. By the end of the book you can feel him running just to keep up with the rush of chronology. Plus, White could sometimes get a little grandiose with his language. But overall, it's a valuable book---it's also one of the rare ones that tries to understand Murry's personality rather than just condemn him as an ogre.

[Jason Penick]

I'd rate in in the top 5 books ever written about The Beach Boys, along with the Gaines, Carlin and two Stebbins bios.

Read those five and you'll know pretty much everything you'd ever need to about The Beach Boys and their history.

[I. Spaceman]

I'd rate in in the top 5 books ever written about The Beach Boys, along with the Gaines, Carlin and two Stebbins bios.

Read those five and you'll know pretty much everything you'd ever need to about The Beach Boys and their history.

I'd take The Beach Boys Reader as my #1.

[Ian]

Just to correct-that comment that reading those books will tell you all you'll ever to need to know-I hope you will all await my book (which, yes, has a publisher) before you say that-plenty of unknown info, revelations and obsessive facts!! When that comes out you'll know all you need to know 

[halblaineisgood]

White talks about Murry seeking solace in music room/garage ( ya think Murry had air conditioning out there? ) where he would pluck out tunes in a rudimentary fashion, because he couldn't play an instrument. Is that accurate? What about in Endless Harmony, where Brian is at the piano playing those pretty jazz changes, and says that Murry used to play like that or taught him to play like that, something to that effect? What am I missing? I guess maybe that's where Audree the accompanist comes in, huh?  I'd like to edit this ...finish what I've started, dig up the quote. But, to be honest, I hope my laziness will go unpunished, somebody will remember what I'm talking about and the discussion will commence

[Andrew G. Doe]

Just to correct-that comment that reading those books will tell you all you'll ever to need to know-I hope you will all await my book (which, yes, has a publisher) before you say that-plenty of unknown info, revelations and obsessive facts!! When that comes out you'll know all you need to know 

**KOFF**