Fire and Rain

The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY and the Lost Story of 1970

By: David Browne

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

January 1970: the Beatles assemble one more time to put the finishing touches on Let It Be; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are wrapping up Déjà Vu; Simon and Garfunkel are unveiling Bridge Over Troubled Water; James Taylor is an upstart singer-songwriter who's just completed Sweet Baby James. Over the course of the next twelve months, their lives---and the world around them---will change irrevocably.

Fire and Rain tells the story of four iconic albums of 1970 and the lives, times, and constantly intertwining personal ties of the remarkable artists who made them. Acclaimed journalist David Browne sets these stories against an increasingly chaotic backdrop of events that sent the world spinning throughout that tumultuous year: Kent State, the Apollo 13 debacle, ongoing bombings by radical left-wing groups, the diffusion of the antiwar movement, and much more. Featuring candid interviews with more than 100 luminaries, including some of the artists themselves, Browne's vivid narrative tells the incredible story of how---over the course of 12 turbulent months---the '60s effectively ended and the '70s began.

©2011 David Browne (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Browne's engrossing account of this fertile but volatile period sets the standard by which comprehensive musical histories should be judged." ( BookPage)

Pleasant Attempt to Be More than it Is

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book is an interesting overview of the paths of several artists in the music field, and how they variously came to crossroads of their careers in the year 1970. The book's thesis is that this was a watershed year for these artists, and how extraordinary was that. But I feel the author stretches awfully hard to make events fit his premise. Still, an interesting collection of the arc of these artists' careers.

Has Fire and Rain turned you off from other books in this genre?

Perhaps only in the sense of being cautious of how much more there is to say about the period.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator reads very well. However he makes a grave error (perhaps the error of the producer) in attempting a range of accents to portray various characters in the book. While it might not bother most people, his attempts at various UK accents - English, Scots - are all, in fact, Irish. Which is only distracting if you know the difference or care. For myself, it's similar to Joey, on the sitcom Friends, thinking his pseudo-Jamaican accent is, in fact, Southern US. It simply pulls you away from the text. But only if you care about such minutiae.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

If it were able to document on film or video some of what it presents as fact, or have the artists in question interviewed and enlarging on those ideas.

A stroll down memory lane

Would you listen to Fire and Rain again? Why?

Probably not--however, I would listen to other books about the same time period.

What other book might you compare Fire and Rain to and why?

Girls Like Us--about Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon. It was fascinating to learn about the artists and how their lives and careers intertwined.

Any additional comments?

I was a junior in high school in 1970, growing up in a small town. I listened to and enjoyed the songs on the radio. But I wasn't really into the music as much as others, so didn't follow the artists at the time and didn't know the extent of their troubled relationships. What I found fascinating in listening to the book were the historical events--Charles Manson, Vietnam, Kent State, etc.--that were included as a backdrop to what was happening with these groups and solo artists.

Worth the monthly credit and time.

The recollections and anecdotes blended together like the harmonies spoke of by the likes of James Taylor, CSNY and Simon & Garfunkel.

These are the stories behind the hits.

Would you consider the audio edition of Fire and Rain to be better than the print version?

At times there were details missed that I wanted to go back to. With a book it would take the turn of a page for that detail to be found and appreciated. In any event, this only makes you want to listen to the audio book once more. Otherwise this audio version of Fire and Rain would equal its printed version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fire and Rain?

There many memorable moments that stood out in Fire and Rain. All the stories revealed the triumphs and pitfalls of each group- Having lived the 70's years as a young boy, I relished the origins of songs like Judy Blue Eyes and Fire and Rain. I understood more the dynamics that led to the break-ups of CSNY, Simon and Garfunkel, and the Beatles;and why certain friendships remain true to this day as in the case of James Taylor and Carole King. Well researched, it filled in whatever facts were hidden from the fans.

What about Sean Runnette’s performance did you like?

Mr. Sean Runnette's reading was appropriate for the book. He was like a friend sharing an anecdote or two about our favorite singing groups. His voice is mature, credible, and appropriate for the age group who would patronize the book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At the end of the last page, the book tied up all the loose ends, but like the lives it mirrored some stories were left unfinished (we all knew what happened next). Some break-ups made me regret because all that was needed was open communication. However, like one attending a school reunion, the book left me satisfied because it made me vicariously revisit the period, the clothes, the places, and the hit makers who shared their music with us.

Young all over again

What made the experience of listening to Fire and Rain the most enjoyable?

Listening to this book was a journey back in time. Much info about the groups discussed and the songs they wrote and sang. When the narrator would read about the songs of the Beatles , CSNY, James Taylor or Simon and Garfunkle, the music would just begin in my head. If you grew up in the 60s and 70s then this is a book for you

very entertaining and interesting

loved this book - The author did a great job of remembering some of the great musical acts of 1970. It was very entertaining. I really learned a lot. If you love 1970s music this is a must read!

loved it

i am a music phob and learned alot of behind the scene history. wasn't crazy about the narrator but the information was so much more than his voice

Interesting info, bit of a negative presentation

While the research that went into this book is impressive, I felt that the overarching message was somewhat of a downer. Everyone who lived through that era and was tuned into the music was aware of the prevalence of drugs and partner-swapping in that culture. That the book focused so heavily on those issues, along with the conflicts between band members, caused the narrative to drag on in places. I found myself anxiously awaiting more positive stories or anecdotes. Sadly, that did not come until near the end. I got the impression that Browne was fairly young in 1970. Perhaps not having experienced that time period as a young adult, he became more intrigued by the flaws in the characters than in the happier aspects of their lives and associations.

The narration could have been much more pleasing if done by a more dynamic reader. I felt that the material deserved a reader who is enthusiastic about rock music. Sean Runnette is a good reader of general history, but, in my opinion, this history needed the reader to be in tune with the genre. And the mispronunciations! I have listened to several books read by him and tolerated many of his mispronunciations of science terminology, but for him to mispronounce names of well-known people is inexcusable for a reader of his scope. Granted, Laura Nyro and Jorma Kaukonen were not "major" stars, but if he did not know for sure how to pronounce their names, he owes it to his listeners to look them up before reading the book.

Lest I have discouraged other listeners, let me say that I did enjoy the book and I am glad I bought it. I will probably listen to it again, in time. After you listen to the book, go listen to the music, and be reminded that a lot of incredible things came out of all that turmoil and conflict.

A walk down memory lane for a baby boomer

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A history of that year and the interaction music had with the social issues at that time was completely intertwined for me as teenager at that time. Remembering all the unrest in the nation and the music seemed to match the feeling of the youth. If you are in your 50's or older you will relate to this book. I think the younger generation will be lost if they listen although it would be good for them to see how music influenced us. If you love rock &roll listen to this book

What other book might you compare Fire and Rain to and why?

Music me and the Mob or the Wrecking crew.

Which character – as performed by Sean Runnette – was your favorite?

JOhn Lennon

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but did not have the time

Any additional comments?

This brought back many memories of my youth. I was 11 years old that year and music was playing a major part of my consciousness. I would read books in the back yard listening to CSN's first album. I loved the song Guinevere and Abby road was my first album I ever owned.
I think the author was right on in the end when he commented that today there are to many things that interfere with music listening like video games and access to instant movies. Music was all we had in those days and three channels of TV so the music shaped a generation.

Not so today! We worshipped these musicians

snore

Would you try another book from David Browne and/or Sean Runnette?

Maybe by David Browne but not read by Sean runnette

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He is very boring to listen to. He ends virtually every sentence in a down note. He is not interested in the material and his execution makes it sounds that way.