The first question has to be: how is it possible to lose a year? The second: how on earth can there be anything more to say about The Beatles, James Taylor or the individual components that formed CSNY? The answer to that second one is – quite a lot, as it happens.
At least, quite a lot in David Browne’s skilful hands. Browne has approached this well-worn theme from a new angle – interpolating Simon & Garfunkel, generally held to be terminally uncool, into the standard data set of hipsterosity. Or, more accurately, interpolating Paul Simon in his new role as comptroller general of middle-class, globally-aware angst, since by 1970 Garfunkel is pretty much off hobnobbing with his new movie star friends such as Jack Nicholson.
The general outline of events is familiar enough, but Browne fills in a few more details, with fresh interviews from many of the main actors and a scholarly trawl through the archives. His take is different too – 1970 is not just the death of the 60s but the beginning of something new; less overtly political, more introspective, more painfully personal, selfobsessed even.
Browne is an excellent writer and tells this tale very well, making it even more of a pity that the 22 mono pictures in the centre of the book haven’t been better reproduced.
