The Gift of Gabe

Whenever your "translate" rock 'n roll lyrics, you run the chance of being labeled a "kook". Whether it be Charles Manson with his impending Helter Skelter race war predictions or Michael Fairchild's bizarre telling of Jimi Hendrix's "predictions" of a forthcoming asteroid collision with earth (from his fact-bending ROCK PROPHECY book) - there are plenty of "way out there" interpretations of rock lyrics. So when I started reading THE GIFT OF GABE, I was thoroughly prepared for this "kook" factor. But guess what? I was not only relieved that this fictional book was not another in the series of dire apocalyptic predictions, but was completely taken by surprise. Brian Joseph manages to put a unique and totally entertaining spin on two of my favorite topics: rock 'n roll and spirituality. And being a total Beatles freak since 1975, I was also fascinated by the interpretations of Beatles lyrics in the book. Especially after having read about every book imaginable on Beatles song analysis. The lyrical analysis is not in the guise of dire predictions, but rather an eye-opening look at life...or at least another way of looking at life.

The story itself involves a chance meeting between the author and Gabe that develops into a friendship/learning experience. At first Gabe appears to be just an eccentric farmer, but the author soon finds him to be a very educated man with a keen sense of philosophical awareness. Gabe opens the mind of the author with songs by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and a few others. He ties his interpretations of these lyrics to philosophical and spiritual books. This is a novel approach - since the books are mentioned by name and author, you get a built-in checklist for further study on any of the topics that interest you. At several points in the book, Gabe gives historically correct quotes from the Beatles, and one such quote, by Lennon, was especially relevant to the book: "Lennon said that a lot of his music came to him and that he was a channel who transcribed like a medium"...and "that he wrote lyrics that he didn't understand the meaning of until later."

Beatles fans especially (but not exclusively) will enjoy THE GIFT OF GABE as it opens a new door into the perception of "What Is". And like any good book, you discover new meanings upon each re-read.

By Brian Joseph

Back to the top

Web www.beatlesireland.info

© 2006 Beatles Ireland. All rights reserved. No part of these publications may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without express written permission of Beatles Ireland.
Beatles Ireland is a non-profit site.