Book Description

Music historian Neil Slaven has brilliantly chronicled the complex strands of Zappa's life and work in a book that will please not just Zappa fans but anyone interested in the history of rock music. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Thought Provoking Bio - The Best So Far
Those familiar with the life and music of Frank Zappa might conclude that Neil Slaven has explained Conceptual Continuity better than Frank ever did. Slaven has written a masterpiece biography of one of the most difficult personalities to ever stir the stew of artful politicosociology. Other Zappa biographies, even that written by Frank himself, come across as dry and disorganized in comparison to Electric Don Quixote. Slaven's analysis seems even-handed to me and is far from being the drippings of a starry-eyed Zappa fan. Punches are not pulled, but then again, praise is dealt out when deserved.

Compared to other sources of all things Zappa, Electric Don Quixote is like a spotlight that illuminates not only the facts and chronology, but also the mood and mentality surrounding Frank and the key individuals in his immediate circle. I'm reminded of how much a step forward the new Jimi Hendrix biography (Musician, by Keith Shadwick) is in comparison to the competition. Musician takes the reader into the musical mind of Hendrix and Electric Don Quixote does the same for Zappa, except that Frank's years in the industry were longer, his story more complex, his art less popularly appreciated and his psyche far more difficult to analyze. But Slaven was up to the challenge and we are all the richer for his ability and dedication.

As good as Electric Don Quixote is, I do not consider it adequate to stand completely on its own. It stands on the shoulders of past Zappa bios and without reading at least one or two of them, the reader might lose the sublety Slaven has incorporated. I'd recommend "No Commercial Potential" and "The Real Frank Zappa Book" as possible starting places. These other books provide factual detail, such as info about Frank's settlement with Warner Brothers that could and probably should have been discussed more clearly in Electric Don Quixote.

I'll also warn that the reader is in for a long ride because, as the years pass, this hardcore fan has witnessed the evolution of Zappa's impact. The body of work is so immense and so dense, that it must be digested sequentially, with periodic rest breaks, then the process restarted anew. Zappa's art is like a perrineal flower that slowly mutates over time, reemerging the next spring, or even in winter with newly discovered clues and perspectives. Thanks to Neil Slaven for shining the spotlight in a way that illuminates previously darkened corridors.

Best Zappa Title
Since the 1960's I have enjoyed listening to the work of Frank Zappa. In my more recent years, I have enjoyed reading about his work and life. The books I have read include:

THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK by Frank Zappa and Peter Occhioigrosso

ELECTRIC DON QUIXOTE: THE DEFINITIVE STORY OF FRANK ZAPPA by Neil Slaven

NECESSITY IS... THE EARLY YEARS OF FRANK ZAPPA AND THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION by Billy James

COSMIK DEBRIS: THE COLLECTIVE HISTORY AND IMPROVISATIONS OF FRANK ZAPPA by Greg Russo

NO COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: THE SAGA OF FRANK ZAPPA by David Walley THEM OR US by Frank Zappa

UNDER THE SAME MOON by Suzannah Thana Harris

BEING FRANK: MY TIME WITH FRANK ZAPPA by Nigery Lennon

With no doubt in my mind, ELECTRIC DON QUIXOTE is most creative title among the Zappa biographies. Clearly this title accurately reduces Zappa's musical contribution to the fewest read possible words. Thus, the title is a masterpiece of composition and creativity.

In many ways, the book's content is similar to THE REAL FRANK ZAPPA BOOK. However, Slaven doesn't offer that whimsical and playful flavor that is found in Zappa's and Occhioigrosso's words. Slaven lays out the facts in a well-written and humanistic manner. Of books in my Zappa library, Slaven offers the most even-handed approach. I didn't find this even-handed approach in any of the other Zappa books I have read. However, being even-handed can lead to some dry reading, but nonetheless still worthy for those interested in Zappa's life.

One significant reaction emerges in my head. I hope young musicians read ELECTRIC DON QUIXOTE. Zappa made some critical errors of judgement early in his career that effected his entire life. The evil characters - in this and other Zappa biographies - are record company executives. In his naiveté, Zappa was too trusting or too hungry to make rational decisions prior to signing a record deal. If young musicians carefully read ELECTRIC DON QUIXOTE (and COSMIK DEBRIS by Greg Russo), they can avoid making the mistakes that plagued Zappa and the Turtles.

The ELECTRIC DON QUIXOTE will be enjoyed by all Zappa fans. In addition, I think it should be required reading for all musicians who intend to record.

Cited in "The Negative Dialectics of Poodle Play"
... I decided to track this one down in the the public library to no avail. So buy it I must. additional note: "The Negative Dialectics of Poodle Play" is a definitive critical and interpretive discourse covering the entire length of Zappa's career and even has a closing section in which Zappa participates in a reading and critique of the manuscript before its actual publishing. Written by Ben(Out To Lunch)Watson, it is objectively projected to an apostrophic nth degree.

well researched biog,more impartial than e.g.michael gray's
I found this book provided more detail on zappa's early years,and also gave a truer account of what contemporaries thought of zappa (i.e a bit of an intellectual).Neal Slaven has taken full advantage of being able to examine the whole of zappa's life and work;unlike previous biographies which had to make assessments with new works still appearing. In summing up more critical than some previous books yet still appreciative. ... Read more

Book Description

Biography of Bobby Darin that focuses on his entire life, which ended prematurely at . Covers his career as a singer, actor, pop idol in the s and s, strange family life, and marriage to Sandra Dee. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Anyone who ever attended a Grateful Dead show knows all too well how many "fans" virtually ignored the music in their pursuit of fun. What's worse, scores of closed-minded music critics dismissed the music out of hand simply because of the antics of these so-called fans. Author Blair Jackson sets out on a commendable mission to bring Jerry Garcia the musician into clear focus. Tapping his experience as both a devout Deadhead and a veteran journalist, Jackson's mission is a roaring success. He painstakingly details every musical turn that the Dead took and discusses every side project Garcia embarked on--from the endless stream of bluegrass, old-time, and jug bands of the early 1960s through collaborations both famous and obscure. (Even dedicated fans may not know of Garcia's futile attempt at joining Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys.) Garcia emerges as a talented, versatile, and obsessive musician with a voracious appetite for all forms of music--as long as it came from the heart.

In the process of documenting his musical career, Jackson also presents a picture of Garcia's fascinating offstage life, including the events and inspiration that translated into songs and solos. The author conducted scores of interviews with Garcia himself and with anyone else who could provide insight into Garcia's personality. While never glossing over the unseemly aspects of Garcia's life, Jackson doesn't dwell on them either. In fact, he openly offers connections between Garcia's drug use and his music when they prove appropriate. Neophytes may be turned off by the constant detailed references to specific songs and shows--even particular sound effects--but for the avid follower, Jackson's comprehensive book is a wonderful celebration of an underrated and misunderstood musician. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (23)

The Garcia bio against which all others will be judged.
Long-time Dead observer Blair Jackson has fashioned the most comprehensive biography yet written. Well researched, it sheds new and interesting light on Garcia's youth, and his pre-Dead folk and bluegrass periods. Perhaps the best aspect of the book (aside from Jackson's conversational style of writing) is the empahsis on the MUSIC Garcia and mates played. Many of the previous books about Garcia and the Dead have ignored the most obvious draw of the Dead over the years in favor of lurid personal details or accounts of the colorful (and often erroneoulsy stereotyped) Deadheads. While investigating and exploring all of Garcia's life, Jackson manages to balance the story and show the very creative side of his musical legacy. A must for every Deadhead's shelf, and of interest of any lover of music. The standard against which all future accounts of the "long, strange trip" will be judged.

Waiting for magic to happen
Blair Jackson had the opportunity to write the definitive biography of Jerry Garcia but faltered when Garcia's history (and his bandmates)became difficult.Jackson aims for the old Garcia as Buddha schtick without ever coming to grips with the contradictions and complexities of this mans life.
How is it that Jackson can provide us with intimate details of Garcias childhood but then skims over the years from 1974 to 1976 a period of intense creativity for Garcia. It is at this point in the book that Jackson changes direction and his book becomes an "authourised biography" and Garcia deserves better than that.

Rock Scully in his book "Living with the Dead" captures the mood of the Grateful Dead and indeed the spirit of the Grateful Dead with clarity and ease, Jackson could have learned a thing or two from that book .Instead he takes Scully to task as to the accuracy of his book( although he fails to mention why he never cleared those issues up on the two occasions he interviewed Scully for this book).

The second half of this book tells us more in its ommissions than its content,and again Scully and other writers were not afraid to suffer the wrath of the various personalities involved.I was not expecting an extended gossip column but I actually expected Jackson to clarify issues not ignore them.

Garcia was of course a complex individual and my main complaint with this book is its one dimensional portrayal of the man,his music ( often discussed here in terms of record sales and concert attendances) and his life.

In all a good book but it should have been a great one.

If my words could glow.....
It turns out that writing books about The Grateful Dead is a lot like writing books about the Beatles; highly speculative, frequently pointless and ultimately frustrating, unless you're somebody like Ken Kesey or Ed McClanahan, writers who were there with the Dead from the start and speak the language. That said, Blair Jackson gets as close as anyone totally caught in the Dead's warp can to writing a definitive book on Garcia. Jackson's Deadhead banter sometimes gets in the way of, you know, communicating about why the rest of us should consider Jerry Garcia one of the greats. Mind you, I think he is, but the proof is ultimately in listening to one of the Dead's many live albums (and some of the studio ones as well) or Garcia's other records and HEARING why, not reading much of what's here. What IS worth the time is the extensive discography Jackson has at the end, which is a reliable signpost for what a non-Deadhead fan or a Dead newbie might find worth the time and money.

In sum, a good book for Deadheads or Dead admirers, not so great if you don't know what the fuss is/was about...but want to.

An above average biography
Recycled from when I was just a"reader":
For anyone who has been to a Grateful Dead show, the phrase, "there's nothing quite like a Dead concert" was as much a truism as "chances are pretty good that the sun will in fact rise tomorrow." Jackson's biography of the band leader (as this book makes clear, Jerry Garcia was the leader of the Group, as he was the leader of all of his side projects) explains clearly and insightfully the tremendous amount of energy that was put into their shows to ensure the uniqueness of each concert. Jackson also describes (but can't really explain) the almost bipolar nature of Jerry Garcia's personal life that led him to a life of drug abuse and heartless infidelity while at the same time being very lucid about his ideals. He was always clear about what he saw the band doing but was unable to envision a happy life for himself. The historical references are often interesting but there is an exhaustive discussion of his funeral at the end of the book and there's a lot of gossip that perhaps could have been deleted. I suppose there are people that like that kind of stuff.

Truly An American Life
Blair Jackson's biography of Jerry Garcia is fascinating. "An American Life" is a particularly appropriate title because of the breadth of Jerry's musical influences. The chapters dealing with Jerry's early days as a bluegrass banjoist were especially interesting. Jerry clearly embraced the entire gamut of American music, including mountain music, folk, jazz, blues and gospel. Mix all of these ingredients with a healthy batch of rock and roll and you have the Grateful Dead.

Jackson writes rhapsodically of the Dead's role in the psychedelic period of the 60's, and brilliantly brings that era back to life. The exploits of Neal Cassady, Ken Kesey, and the Merry Pranksters and their relationship with Jerry is a highlight of the book. The tales of Jerry's drug use are harrowing. His life took a downward spiral when cocaine and heroin replaced marijuana and LSD as his drugs of choice. Nevertheless, his passion for music and performing was undiminished. Jerry's all encompassing heart, soul, and spirit animated his music and transcended his physical being.

The book also includes a very informative "complete" discography along with the author's rating of each recording and very brief analyses of the music. The discography includes the Dead, JGB, solo projects, and highlights from Jerry's guest appearances on albums released by other artists.

Blair Jackson's writing style is highly readable and fully capable of projecting the reader into each scene from Jerry's life that he so vividly describes.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves Jerry Garcia and his music. ... Read more

Book Description

The Casbah Coffee Club, which opened in Liverpool on August 29, 1959, was the brainchild of Mona Best, the mother of Pete Best. It is well known that Pete Best was the drummer for The Beatles in their early days in Liverpool and Hamburg. But less well known is that The Beatles’ origins were in fact at Pete’s mother’s club-it was at the Casbah and with Mona Best’s blessing that the greatest popular music phenomenon of the twentieth century began.

And now, the basement club where The Quarrymen, The Silver Beatles, and finally The Beatles played over 90 times before they hit the Cavern has been reopened and revealed by this remarkable new book. The Casbah’s significance cannot be overestimated-it brought together some of the greatest names in rock music and became the catalyst for the Mersey Beat phenomenon that swept Liverpool in the early 1960s.

Seen here for the first time in forty years is the basement’s interior as it was at the very beginning, juxtaposed with the rooms as they are today, where the ceilings painted by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best still rest. A wealth of rare material from the club and the Bests’ own archives, together with newly-commissioned images by renowned photographer Sandro Sodano, documents the club’s and The Beatles’ intertwined stories.

The Beatles: The True Beginnings also features accounts from early fans hearing the Beatles for the first time. Stunning new color photography of the rooms and memorabilia of the Casbah Coffee Club. Gritty, never-before seen photos of the young Beatles playing for hundreds of of their very first fans. And comments from the Beatles and their closest friends from the period.

Accompanied by a fascinating personal memoir of this extraordinary time, written by Roag Best with his brothers Pete and Rory, this is both a moving family tribute and a unique insight into a remarkable period of Beatles history. The glory of the Casbah has hidden for almost half a century in the Best family’s basement rooms. This account of their earliest days promises to blow back its roof, and that of the Beatles’ unbelievable history, forever.
... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Dream Book
I love this book! Makes me want to fly to Liverpool now and visit. Pete Best, who was drummer for the Beatles before they kicked him out with no explanation, gives us a fabulous treat. His mother ran the Casbah Club in Liverpool in the family home's basement. After Pete was booted out, the club sort of died down and was closed. It remained sealed up for many, many years, until it was opened. Original murals done by the Beatles still on the walls, microphones, and other items were found, and the club reopened to people who wish to come and see the only remaining original club, with even the original walls! Let the Cavern try to claim that! Color photos, inside stories, more make this a sensational book. Beatle fans, Merseybeat fans, music historians, Scousers, etc...BUY IT!

Neil Aspinall's son with Mona Best
The story behind this book is one of the secrets in the Beatles tale. Neil Aspinall, who still works for the Beatles as director of Apple Corps, looking after their legacy and business interests, classmate of Paul McCartney's at the Liverpool Institute, was Pete Best's good friend. When the band needed someone to help them move their equipment from gig to gig, Neil was hired because he had a car. Throughout the band's story, Neil was the road manager.

Neil lived with Pete's family for a while in the early years. He had an affair with Pete and brother Rory's hip, relatively young, Indian mother, Mona. They had a child together, Roag.

When Pete was tossed out of the Beatles, he told Neil to choose between the job with the band and his living with the Best family. Neil chose the Beatles. He was not allowed to see his son grow up.

This is that son's book.

An Unfocused Book with Two Slender Ideas
Will any true Beatles fan ever admit that there is no need for any further information regarding the Fab Four? Absolutely not --- the strong popularity of THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY is evidence enough that a voracious audience still exists for Beatles lore in all shapes and sizes.

THE BEATLES: THE TRUE BEGINNINGS really encompasses two book ideas: the Merseybeat music scene in Liverpool from which the Beatles developed, and Pete Best's experiences as an early Beatle. Either of these ideas, developed fully, would make interesting reading. As they are, however, two slender ideas are crammed into one unfocused book with big pictures and sparse text. Even so, I get the impression that this book was a stretch --- does any fan, no matter how obsessive, really require a picture of the case in which Pete Best carried his drums? How about a shot of the spare guitar strings he found inside?

A prominent outpost of the Merseybeat scene was Mrs. Best's Casbah Coffee Club, owned and operated by Pete Best's mother, Mona Best. This book is in large part a tribute to the remarkable Mona Best from her sons --- Roag, Pete, and Rory. Mrs. Best pawned her jewelry, placed a bet on a horse, and won the money to buy Number Eight Haymans Green, a giant house whose cellars were transformed into the Casbah when the Best boys discovered rock-and-roll and needed a place to perform and listen to music. The Beatles first performed at the Casbah as the Quarrymen. They played to a crowd of 1,500 and received three pounds as payment.

You probably know how the story goes. The Beatles were a huge success and got a gig playing in Hamburg, Germany where they endured a horrible, grueling performance schedule and living conditions like something from a Dickens novel (assuming Dickens might ever have written about a German red-light district). In short, the Hamburg experience was destined to make or break the Beatles. It made the Beatles, but Pete Best was not invited to continue their success.

Is the Best family bitter? Maybe a little; it is their theory that Pete Best was simply so much better looking that he was a liability to the other band members. Also, the title THE TRUE BEGINNINGS seems to imply that they are setting the record straight, but there isn't very much new information here and it's unlikely to change anyone's mind about the Beatles as individuals or as a cultural phenomenon.

--- Reviewed by Colleen Quinn

Great book but...
This is an outstanding book. Until recently I was like many others educated on the Beatles "Post Ed Sullivan". It wasn't until recently that I began surfing Amazon.com for another book besides Anthology to learn something new about the FAB FOUR. I purchased two books: The Beatles True Beginnings and more recently THE BIRTH OF THE BEATLES, by Sam Leach. This book is well written and provides an insight into the group that few authors have. I have only given this book four stars because THE BIRTH OF THE BEATLES, by Sam Leach is so much better. Not only was Sam Leach the Beatles first major Promoter (before losing them to Brian Epstein) but he is much more objective in his observations and his book places you into the "Beat scene" of 1960-1962 Liverpool with such force that after reading a chapter it leaves you exhasuted and wanting more!

Great combo of art and history
The Beatles: True Beginnings is the latest installment in the ever-growing genre of Beatles histories and essential collectibles for diehard fans. Where some of these, though, seem like quick cash grabs, this book is truly an incedible document of the Beatles early years at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool.

Filled with hundreds of beautiful archival photos of the lads and brand new, full-colour arts shots of memorabilia and the club's interior, The Beatles: True Beginnings is the authoritative work on the club that launched the Mersey Beat.

For the first time in forty years, Beatles fans can finally get an inside look at the club where the Beatles became the world's greatest rock band. Originally started in 1959 by Mona Best (mother of former Beatles drummer Pete Best), the Casbah Coffee Club was an underground rock club in the heart of Liverpool where everyone who was anyone went to see the city's greatest bands.

Written by the Best family, this new book is both the story of a remarkable woman and a celebration of forty years of Beatles history, from their earliest days as The Quarrymen up to their crowning as the kings of rock. Alternating between illustrated narrative and beautifully shot, full-colour art photographs, The Beatles: True Beginnings is an essential part of any Beatles fan's library. ... Read more

Book Description

With flowerpots on their heads, distinctive post-Kraftwerk imagery, and staggeringly catchy electro-pop riffs, Devo carved an '80s niche setting them apart from the mish-mash of punk, new wave and rock surrounding them. Dellinger interviewed band members and asso-ciates, ransacked their archives to provide illustrations, memorabilia and rare photographs documenting Devo's entire career, and re-evaluated their complete works to provide the most -exhaustive survey of the Devo phenomenon.

Reviews (19)

overdue spudmania!
The genesis of the De-evolution band remains one of the most enigmatic and peculiar in the history of popular music, and this book tells it brilliantly. It's a fascinating account which starts with the artistic and intellectual melée around Akron and Kent State university and plots Devo's singular rise to unlikely stardom in all its exciting detail - the first gigs outside Ohio, the meetings with Bowie, Iggy Pop, Eno and, astoundingly, John Lennon, the attempt by Virgin Records' boss Richard Branson to get have Devo accept Johnny Rotten join the band (a meeting held in Jamaica ina could of marijuana smoke) - it's all jaw-dropping stuff and quite unlike any other band bio you'll have read.

Some might not be too keen on peeking behind the curtain of the Devo myth, but for any real spud, this book is a revelation of fascinating stories which explains so much - particularly to us UK fans who got so little information at the time and not much more since. For the more casual reader, it's a slice of social/music history which looks at the 1970s from a fresh perspective, a refreshing change from the punk myth that's been told and re-told so often now. The book accelerates through the band's latter years, which is perhaps a little disappointing for the hardcore fan, but given that that Devo devolved and decayed pretty rapidly as the 1980s wore on, it feels appropriate. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Fascinating!
It took a while to get the book, but it was truly worth the wait. First of all, the book is mainly concerned with the early days of DEVO starting in the late Sixties, and the events leading up to their first record. Yes, the book is a bit unbalanced. The 1979-Present day part of their career seems rushed and is summed up in about 30 pages. It's a bit disappointing, but the wealth of information more than makes up for this. It gives the reader a new insight to a band most people still misunderstand. They were so much more than the "Whip It" band. You'll learn all about the forgotten Bob (Lewis) and the birth of Booji Boy, and how De-Evolution truly came about, and also the origin of the "energy domes" (the red hats they wore in the "Whip It" video). There's also a lot of funny little stories, as well as some sad ones. So, in short, buy this book. It'll give you a new outlook on the band called DEVO.

Too Much Still Unwritten
I was pretty disappointed in this book. I used to just love these guys back in high school, but this book doesn't go far enough. It was 3/4 of the wat finished before it gets to the days when they made it. Too much on Jerry's early days, a lot of Jerry everywhere! As usual, the Bobs, especially Bob 2, and Alan are in the back somewhere, and you wonder what's up with them. Nothing revealing, other than Bob 2 apparently left his wife when they began to hit it big, Bob 1 was a drinker, and Jerry is an even bigger creep than I imagined. Some good details into the first "video" and who some of the people in them were, but nothing on the videotapes with Rod and Donut. No mention of Laraine Newman, their fascination with donuts and pirates, how their politics always seemed so leftist yet they just wanted to make big bucks and now run Big Entertainment companies, etc etc. Nothing about the concept of the power domes, who the fat kid on the exercise machine was, Bob 1's daughter being on the Shout LP cover, so much is left out. Some good pics, but I'm sure more could have been dug up. Sounds like the authors did most research via telephone interviews. They talked to General Boy, but I did that back in the 80s, when a friend and I rang him up on the phone! We lived in Ohio then and both Robert and his wife would chat with us like we were old friends! I'm mixed. There are some great old insights and pieces of trivia, but it really could have been longer and told more about the 80s and on. Devotees should get it because nothing else is there, but be prepared to feel like you've had a delicious appetizer without dinner.
Later thoughts: The book that Devo was so fascinated with, has anyone read it? I found a copy and it's wretched. The author uses photos to compare blacks with various apes! Why were they so interested in this book?! And I forgot about Jerry's "I was standing there was my friend was killed" story. According to the book he stretches the truth quite often. So was he there or is he making this up too? I agree with another reviewer that said he would be basically pushing up daisies before listening to the last couple of albums! The first two were great, the rest, a few good songs, but popish. Musik for Insomniaks bored me silly, I can see where it got the title. This book may be out of print after this run, so pass it around like a Casale galpal!

FINALLY, IT CAN BE TOLD
Finally, a book about my favorite spuds from Akron. For years, the band seemed to be wrapped in the same shroud of mystery that envelops Kraftwerk (with similar Bowie/Eno connections) but now it can be told. This is an excellent history of the band's evolution (and eventual de-evolution) from anonymous Akronites to visionary pioneers (who might have been scalped) that have sadly gone their separate ways. I must agree that the later years have been grossly glossed over and reported incorrectly at that (on page 202 it states that "Mark released a solo album in Japan called Music For Insomniacs" while he really recorded 2 solo CDs in L.A. for release in Japan in '88 and is titled Muzik For Insomniaks - Vol. 1 & 2). I am a little disappointed that there is no Discography/Videography at the end of the book. All errors, omissions, etc. aside, this is a must have for all Devo fans and will have to do until one (or more) of boys step up to tell their own tale. Long over due but welcome none the less. Must I repeat? O.K., let's go.

Nothing new here for true DEVOtees
If you have the Search and Destroy interviews, along with all of the albums, then this book is definitely not for you. Walk away. You know all of this already. This was definitely not a book for the fans. The Enigma Years are glossed over along with the soundtrack appearances DEVO made in the 1990s. That said, it is a nice primer for new spuds who only know of the group through Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh's soundtrack work or Bob and Jerry Casale's work in audio and visual production or at the very least "those guys with the flowerpot hats who did 'Whip It.'" ... Read more

Book Description

For more than three decades, Bruce Springsteen’s ability to express in words and music the deepest hopes, fears, loves, and sorrows of average Americans has made him a hero to his millions of devoted fans. Racing in the Street is the first comprehensive collection of writings about Springsteen, featuring the most insightful, revealing, famous, and infamous articles, interviews, reviews, and other writings. This nostalgic journey through the career of a rock-’n’-roll legend chronicles every album and each stage of Springsteen’s career. It’s all here—Dave Marsh’s Rolling Stone review of Springsteen’s ten sold-out Bottom Line shows in 1975 in New York City, Jay Cocks’s and Maureen Orth’s dueling Time and Newsweek cover stories, George Will’s gross misinterpretation of Springsteen’s message on his Born in the USA tour, and Will Percy’s 1999 interview for Double Take, plus much, much more. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good, Diverse Collection
How many people do you know who like Bruce Springsteen? If you're like me, probably not very many. Most people cite their dislike of his voice, or find him to be too intense, or don't find his melodies to be that memorable. That's fine- that's their loss after all- but it's not necessarily congruent with the critical praise steeped upon Springsteen. I've always known that Bruce has been a longtime critical darling for Rolling Stone- he doesn't get as much coverage nowdays (he doesn't do that much nowdays to warrant coverage), but back in the 70s and 80s, Bruce could absolutely do no wrong, and was voted "artist of the year" an unprecedented number of times in the mid 80s. Those writings are collected in the Rolling Stone Files anthology, to which this book is an essential companion. If anything, this book has more substance than the RS book, since many of its selections place Bruce's music in its social context. While I know that Bruce is a wonderful guy, I'm not terribly interested in reading about endless fawning over him or how great he is in concert- I know that or else I wouldn't be seeking out written material about him. There's certainly some element to that in this book, but many of the articles are well-written reflections on the meaning of his music and on the social and political influences that inspire and shape it. My favorite is the Lester Bangs review of early Bruce- the music seems to have knocked this rather pretentious (but wonderful) critic down a few notches closer to earth. I also enjoy some of the ficiton writings that contain prominent mentions of Springsteen's music. So for some well-written but well-grounded commentary and reflections on Springsteen's music and the society that inspired him, "Racing in the Street" is an excellent, highly readable anthology that doesn't numb you with syrupy praise but also doesn't burn you out with cynicism and lofty music criticism.

Fabulous collection for Springsteen fans
This is a wonderful collection of articles, interviews, and reviews on Bruce that span the years from many different perspectives-fans, historians of music, culture, etc. The wide variety of authors shows how Bruce's music touches so many different people. Even if you have other Springsteen-themed books you should not be without this one. Since the editors of Rolling Stone have already compiled their Bruce material in "Bruce Springsteen: The Rolling Stone Files" you won't find any of it here. In addition to the excellent articles there is also a bibliography of most, if not all, of the articles ever written on Springsteen including those which weren't included in this volume. Probably the only negative about the book, and it is not the author's fault, was his inability to get permission to include John Landau's famous Real Paper column regarding "rock and roll future..."

No brainer must-have
For any Springsteen fan who loves every ounce of lyric he's performed from the beginning of time...here's a wonderful collection of articles describing his career written by rock journalists and enthusiasts. Great touch: the map of the Boss's "turf" in New Jersey! ... Read more

Book Description

Originally published in 1980 and cherished by fans and collectors, I, Me, Mine is the closest we will come to George Harrison’s autobiography. It is "a sly paradox of a title," to quote Derek Taylor, The Beatles’ spokesperson, "chosen by a man concerned for many years and for many reasons to send his ego packing...a book which tells a story of growing up, not necessarily the hard way, but certainly not the easy way." Featuring George Harrison in conversation with Taylor, it touches on everything from early Beatlemania to India and Ravi Shankar to his love of gardening. The lyrics to over 80 of his songs, many in his own hand, are accompanied by his uniquely intimate and humorous commentary. As well, 50 archival photographs of George with the Beatles and solo capture a journey of creative and spiritual transformation. Brimming with the wit, warmth, and grace that characterized his lyrics and his life, I, Me, Mine is a treasured portrait of George Harrison and his music. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

A Must Read for any George Fan
It was refreshing to read an autobiography which was not ghost written by a professional writer. George's personality, wit, and humor shine through on the page and amplify his songs. The all too brief section of the book which was composed of his memoirs alternates sections written by George with passages by Derek Taylor, a long time confidante of George and the Beatles. Derek's passages provide a narrative structure that George's more free form achronological writing hangs onto.

As a life-long Beatle fan, I found the book fascinating. This isn't the first book that you want to read about the Beatles or George, but it is one which indispensable for any serious fan. I particularly liked the back half of the book where he has the lyrics of many of his Beatles songs and solo career songs, brief comments on the songs, and reproductions of the original notes for the songs. This back half is more of resource, something to flip through while listening to one of George's albums. It probably isn't something you would want to read straight through.

I remember when the book was first published in as a limited run leather bound book. It was prohibitively expensive and I was happy when a friend lent me his copy. It only took me 20 years to get one of my own - even if it isn't leather bound.

Personal insights from " the quiet and spriritual Beatle "
Being a Beatle fanatic and even more a George Harrison fan, this work pleases the soul. With the introduction and notes from George's close friend, writer Derek Taylor, the book gives the reader a glimpse in to life of a very humble man who gained an inordinate amount of wealth and fame.

An overall look at his life before, with and beyond the Beatles, it doesn't offer many new insights or points of gossip. The Beatles and his relationships with the other three are given the proverbial nod.
What is brought to the surface is of the essence of the man himself, his loves, his loses and what is more important in HIS life. His family, his friends, his music, interests and spirituality are given more attention.

The gold mine that is here for the reader and fan is the summary and background given each, if not all, of Harrison's songs. How and why they were written, and what the inspiration was behind them. The lyrics of each song are supplemented along with reproductions of the original handwritten lyric sheets collected by George over the years. Along with photos documenting the stages of Harrison's life the reader is brought closer to a man whose life and work has affected us all for the better, I believe!

Beautiful But Ultimately Frustrating.
I was lucky to find an old copy of this in the library about five years ago. With respect to a few changes, this new edition is the same book, though. The different cover is a great improvement, and Olivia Harrison's introduction is fabulous. I Me Mine is long on class & presentation. Unfortunately, it's also a little short on autobiography.

George's wit and surreal humor shines through (such as the sitar being called a cheese sandwich in the picture captions), but I felt frustrated that I didn't know much more about the man and his motivations than I did before.

It's no secret that George was obsessed with Krishna. Being an agnostic, I would like to know as to how & why his belief became so strong. In interviews, George had intimated that with chanting the Krishna mantra a person could "see God, play with Him...." I think George was a great songwriter and an interesting guy and I mean no disrespect, but couldn't it have just been the drugs? It would have definitely been interesting to read George's descriptions of events like this.

Another regret is that George doesn't describe his relationships with the other Beatles more. I've read that he was frequently irritated by Paul and apparently had a complex friendship with John. Maybe there was a concern that such an approach would be gossipy, but I would like to know why Lennon/McCartney balked at such great songs as All Things Must Pass, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Not Guilty, etc., etc. George's perspective on this would have been most welcome.

Along with these quibbles, there is much more to admire. George's dry wit is manifest on every page, and the handwritten lyrics are a great bonus. Derek Taylor's comments are also very witty and insightful. This is a definite must-have for admirers of the Dark Horse. I hope Olivia Harrison eventually writes an autobiography; it would be the perfect companion to I Me Mine.

How a songwriter's autobiography should be.
This book doesn't spend too much time on trivial gossip, or that other Beatle junk with the obsession on Jelly Babies and cutsie matching suits. This is real. George only goes into his life in 60 pages, which tells of his growth as a spiritual human being. His feelings on the whole Beatlemania stuff, and what is really important. The emphasis are on his songs that he wrote from "Don't Bother Me" up until 1980, when this book came out. I remember being a teenager going to the library and reading this book several times over. I am always facinated with what inspires a person with a particular song, and with many of these songs, it can be as simple as waiting for a friend to show up to your home, or warning another friend about his ruining his teeth with candy, or it can be something greater than our selves and be about a relationship with God. One thing I remember (and I might be wrong) is that the layout of the original book is different from this one. I seem to remember there being pictures throughout the book, and this new edition, they are all at the front, with the captions at the back. I like the addition of the new preface by his widow.

George at a Glance
With George's passing in 2001, I was under the impression that his memoirs would be revamped. Unfortunately this is not the case. I Me Mine is still the standard bearing book about the "Quiet Beatle". Although the "Quiet Beatle" remains quiet even in his memoirs.

The introduction written by his wife Oliva is a nice touch to this book. George's last touch to this book was made while John Lennon was still alive. In the book, George gives us a glance into his upper-middle class childhood as well as his early days as a musician. The reader also sees a very concise version of the development of the Beatles. Then, the book seems to leap into the break up of the band. George does spend a significant portion of his memoirs of his life with the Beatles discussing his religious development. The 77 pages of memoirs are concluded with George discussing his hobbies such as gardening and racing.

The remainder of the book is photographs and explanations the songs he wrote for the Beatles and his solo work pre-1980's. The song explanations are interesting for people who are true George Harrison fans. In regard to the photographs, some of the captions are a reflection of George's great sense of humor.

While I think this is a beautiful book with great artwork that gives a great deal of insight into who George Harrison was, I can only hope a quality, thorough biography of George Harrison will be written. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

"Thirty Three and a Third" is a new series of short books about critically acclaimed and much-loved albums of the last 40 years. The authors provide fresh, original perspectives – often through their access to and relationships with the key figures involved in the recording of these albums. By turns obsessive, passionate, creative, and informed, the books in this series demonstrate many different ways of writing about music. What binds the series together, and what brings it to life, is that all of the authors – musicians, broadcasters, scholars, and writers – are huge fans of the album they have chosen.

Electric Ladyland is one of the greatest guitar albums ever made. During the recording process, Jimi Hendrix at last had time and creative freedom to pursue the sounds he was looking for. In this remarkable and entertaining book, John Perry gets to the heart of Hendrix's unique talent - guiding the reader through each song on the album, writing vividly about Hendrix's live performances, and talking to several of Hendrix's peers and contemporaries. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Recommended ONLY for the neophyte
If you've read anything about Hendrix beyond the liner notes you will find little new here beyond the author's personal memories of seeing Jimi in concert. The actual analysis of the album is spotty at best, shedding very little light (or anything of real interest for that matter) on this masterpeice of rock music.
Considering the cost of this tiny book, there is very little bang for your buck.

Examines Hendrix's unique talent using the album
Jimi Hendrix's rock pinnacle Electric Ladyland was one of the best guitar albums ever made for the genre, affording Hendrix the creative expression and freedom he needed for the first time. John Perry examines Hendrix's unique talent using the album as a foundation for his analysis. Electric Ladyland's short stature may make it a difficult library loan, but any fan of the Hendrix sound will consider it an essential guide.

An opinion on Hendrix - far from anything new
If your into Hendrix enough to want to find out more about Electric Ladyland, your probably already going to know everything in this book. If you've read such great Hendrix books such as 'Electric Gypsy' then you won't get much from this book other than information obtained that you've read before from 'Electric Gypsy' coloured in this authors opinion on Jimi's music.
The author lays down his opinion that reads like someone either not overly impressed by Jimi Hendrix, or someone that has trouble laying praise where it's due. The author makes big calls in this book which fall flat, for example expressing his view on how Jimi could of edited and recorded certain songs better in his opinion (not unlike like Alan Douglas made true) or ego trips like footnotes after mentioning 'Like A Rolling Stone' at Monterey can only be outdone by the rare hard to find Flamingo Club version in 1968 - where does he get that from? The Flamingo club version is near inaudiable for most of the recording with its vocals and the guitar very distorted at the very least and is no way a superior rendition than Monterey but the book has many little comments by the author like that which only makes you think, is this guy trying to brag about his Hendrix collection? Or does he just have to have a different opinion on everything to try and make his book, which really has nothing new, stand out from the pack? His opinions would be valid if he didn't try to go against the grain to just go against the grain! If you've ever heard or seen Jimi at Monterey you don't need to be told how so many people thought he played crap that night - the evidence that this is one of his greatest performances is right there on CD or on the screen as you watch it which just makes bringing up that negative side without balancing it with the many rave reviews he also got seem targeted. Why point out the bad things and not mention the good?

If you want to learn the technical side of the recording or the technical side of Hendrix, you won't learn it from this book. You'll get the classic Hendrix bio for most of it with this Authors strange comments, some bad reviews for Electric Ladyland to show Hendrix was human after all i guess and an author bringing up all his 'friends' and 'visits' to people that are well documented in knowing Jimi.

All in all, if you have no opinion on Hendrix and read this you probably won't think he's that great and get a distorted opinion on him, if you love Hendrix and read this you'll wonder why this Author bothered to write a book about Jimi in the first place other than to let us know he has so many friends that knew Jimi, was lucky enough to see him play a few times and the funniest of all, could of done some things better in his opinion.

Two stars because there's many books out there with much more information about Electric Ladyland, let alone Hendrix, that aren't trying to re-write Jimi's history from one person's perspective and critique thou it's cheap and quite funny if you have a big Hendrix library anyway.

A guitar fan's wet dream
Jimi Hendrix after 30 years from his death is still revered as a guitar hero and innovator in the way the instrument was played and recorded,and Electric Ladyland was a major benchmark in his too short studio recording career in letting him stretch out and play compared with his prior 2 LPs and hit singles.

That this book is written by a guitar afficionado should thus come as no surprise, and the author was clearly influenced by Hendrix at an early age having seen him live in the UK and in his own subsequent career as a guitarist. The content (especially on the individual tracks and their recording) is very guitar playing orientated, explaining a lot of chords, tuning and playing techiques that made Hendrix sound so different and while a fascinating insight into exactly how unique Hendix was in his playing, I suspect it will potentially grate with many non-musicians (of which I am one) though as a long time Hendrix afficionado I must admit I found it all fascinating.

The book also picks up on many side issues that help one understand Hendrix and his times better esp. his position as a black American who in the heated anti Vietnam war and US domestic race riots happening at that time remained politically indifferent and his treatment at the outset and afterwards by white rock critics.

A captivating book especially for Hendrix fans and in the end piece that speculates that Hendrix at the time of his death shortly afterwards had already potentially delivered his best recorded work.

Nicely Done But Not Definitive
I like the idea of books devoted to an individual classic album.This is the second such book to tackle the Jimi Hendrix Experience catalog, following an equally enjoyable book about the first Experience LP.As much as I do like this book, I feel that the author could have improved it by going into greater depth and detail.Don't get me wrong - the focus of a small book such as this is an asset but to be successful, the focus must be deadly accurate and also must have carefully seasoned perspective.I find too much of this book to contrast with historical facts found in Hendrix bios such as Electric Gypsy and Musician.

As an example, Perry states that Jimi's first manager Chas Chandler "failed to appreciate the depth and ingrained nature of American racism" in regards to searching out all of Jimi's previously existing recording contracts.I'd like to see the supporting proof for that allegation, since comments by numerous people that were on the scene at the time don't seem to support it.Chas was a fairly well-traveled and savvy guy.Aside from Chas's appreciation (or lack of appreciation) of American racism, the reason he didn't learn about the Chalpin contract is because Jimi didn't tell him about it when asked.

Realize that the above is picking nits.Perry does bring out much excellent perspective in this book, for example when he compares Eric Clapton's playing style to Jimi's.But I do feel that the details and the "apparent writing pace" are what sets the great books apart from the good.Another aspect of this book is that it's very personal.Perry saw Jimi live numerous times and takes the reader into his memories.After a first read, I can't say that he does so successfully, but I'll have to let the book sit a bit and give it a re-read to be fair.For now, his depiction of these influential shows seems a bit too rushed, lacking in texture and substance.Again, picking nits to justify not giving this book five stars.

If you haven't read Shadwick's Musician and want a book focused just on Electric Ladyland, then I suspect you'll enjoy this very much.All of the key issues are discussed with sufficient detail.But I'd certainly recommend Musician over this book because Electric Ladyland is covered extremely well in Musician, as are all aspects of Jimi's life.It's the standard I compare every Jimi book to. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Phenomenal Subversive Welshman
Perhaps you had to be there, but in a certain state of mind it becomes easy to track the underneath parts of this Sorcerer Kink's little ditty, and it's not so much about what it appears to be about, me thinks.

What, is it a Welsh thing? Davies nearly outdoes Geoffrey of Monmouth, and who knows, maybe he's talking about the same thing.

I read Davies' book on a trip to Mexico, accidentally, starting right after I spent a few minutes staring at the night ocean wondering how much effort it would take to conjure a red dragon.

The day I arrived home, I serendipitously saw Davies was in town for a concert that night, got a ticket, arrived late and as the theater attendant with a flashlight was seating me, Ray looked up from the stage and waved. Yikes.

Read this one with your senses open, your antennae up and a fresh drink nearby... the ice will definitely melt.

Ray is the one to read!
Best Autobiography I ever read! Way more fun to read than a typical, "I was born to a poor immigrant couple back in..." bio. I read "Kink" and as much of a Kinks fan as I am, I couldn't wait for it to end. It was funny and interesting at times but I got sick of Dave Davies preachin' and ended up throwing the book across the room. I reluctantly read "X-Ray" while babysitting my little cousins. I was afraid it was going to be like his brother's and was quickly shocked and pleased by what I read. I thank the insane Kinks fan at Borders who wouldn't let me leave until I ordered it.

It'd've been a better book had he not been on the cover
The Kinks are one of the cornerstones of my life, with the paintings of Klee & Kandinsky and Damon Knight's Orbit anthologies. So.

I've nothing to add to the previous reviews, pro and con, beyond the title of my review. Given the structure chosen, he should not have been on the book's cover in any edition.

The rare case where the packaging truly affects a book's content.

Incredible!
It took only five days to get to Spain and it's like new. Fine.

good songs, bad book
I have been a Kinks fan for decades. Ray Davies is a wonderful songwriter -- God bless him. This is also one of the WORST books I have ever read. Self-pitying, self-indulgent ... awful. A monstrous ego must be necessary for success in the vicious world of pop music, but it shouldn't be shown in public. Buy a few Kinks CD's and enjoy yourself, or buy this book and suffer. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The photo on the back
I enjoyed reading Kim Dyson's review of my book and I appreciate the attention to detail in mentioning the photo on the rear cover. There's one point I'd like to clarify: it wasn't taken with a similar sort of lense to the cover of "Piper", it was taken with the exact same lense by Vic Singh, who shot the original Pink Floyd sleeve image. Thought you might like to know!
I tried to submit this without filling in the star rating box and the form would not go through, so inevitably I had to give it five!!

Sensible about Syd
Nearly everything that gets written about early Floyd these days focuses on Syd too much. Sure, he was the driving force behind the band in many ways, but there's only so much you can say about drugs and insanity before it just becomes pure speculation and it gets boring. Thankfully John Cavanagh has avoided all of that in this new book about "The Piper at the gates of Dawn." What Cavanagh has done is to interview a lot of the people who surrounded Floyd in their earliest days. Friends of the band, studio engineers, managemenet, etc. Cavanagh has managed to get some very interesting material and comments from most of these people, and what I liked most about this book is the obvious affection that everyone still has for the band and for this album. That comes through strongly here. Cavanagh brings it all together with a good strong narrative and takes you through the album on pretty much a track by track basis. There was a good amount of new information and insight in this book. Cavanagh even tracks down the photographer who took the photograph on the album sleeve, and amusingly there is a photo of the author on the back of this book, using the same type of lens. I know that not all Floyd fans are fans of this album, but it's a good introduction to how the band came into being, and why this album is still so specia. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive illustrated documentary of the most exciting and respected "Second British Invasion" blues-rock group to come out of the late 1960's. The rise of ALVIN LEE, LEO LYONS, CHICK CHURCHILL & RIC LEE from a hard working English midlands blues band to "underground radio" favorites, who reached superstar status following their captivating performances at the massive 1969 WOODSTOCK and 1970 ISLE OF WIGHT music festivals.

Provides a detailed chronology of Ten Years After concert dates and key events starting with their 1967 residency at London's famous Marquee Club, the historic first American shows in 1968 at San Francisco's Fillmore West & New York's Fillmore East, all the major rock festivals in 1969 & 1970 and the countless club, auditorium and stadium appearances that followed. Includes 400 rare photos, a discography and a list of television, film and video appearances. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A brilliant book
There are fans, and there are FANS. And after paying several thousand dollars at a London auction house, a couple of years back, for the Gibson 345 guitar used by Alvin Lee at the 1970 Isle of Wight festival, Massachusetts-based long-time Ten Years After fan, Herb Staehr, has most definitely earned his place in that latter category. But he didn't stop there. For during the last few years Staehr has been meticulously marshalling his extensive collection of TYA and Alvin Lee memorabilia into the production of this mightily impressive book - to the best of my knowledge, the first one ever written about either this seminal British band or its brilliant guitarist frontman. It is - as its title implies - primarily a photographic history of the development of TYA, from its early sixties roots as a three-piece teenage band known as The Jaybirds, to its evolution into the four-piece stadium supergroup of thirty years ago. And what astonishing photographs there are. Staehr has not only unearthed literally scores of rare and previously unseen photos of the band in its glory years, but also fascinating images of the aforementioned pre-TYA Jaybirds. Following the break-up of the band in the mid-seventies, he has produced here a comprehensive catalogue of pictures detailing the development of Alvin Lee's solo career right up to the present day. Photos of the various TYA comebacks and reformations are also included, as well as images relating to the solo careers of other band members. So, if its photos you want, there will never be a better place to come, or a better book to buy. They include not only the examples listed above, but concert posters, album sleeves, ticket stubs, magazine covers - you name it, it's here. But Staehr has also provided a wealth of literary information too. There is a band biography, an impressively researched and massively detailed "concert chronology", album and gig reviews, extracts from interviews with band members and associates, all concluding with a comprehensive discography, a listing of T.V., film and video appearances, and finally an extensive biography. It goes without saying that this superb book is a "must buy" for all fans of Ten Years After and Alvin Lee. Yet its appeal should go wider than that. Anyone who was a fan of late sixties and early seventies blues-rock, or who counts themselves a member of the "Woodstock generation", or who just likes a darn good rock and roll read, will find themselves glad they purchased this book. No band rocked the blues like Ten Years After. No-one has recorded and written about that fact as well as Herb Staehr has done here. ... Read more

Book Description

Ian Anderson, founder and singer of the band, not only introduced the flute to rock music, he is also a very versatile songwriter.In his lyrics he uses motifs from Celtic mythology, creates grotesque collages, expresses a simple earthbound view of life and voices criticism on modern-day society.Anderson's rock poetry is a blend of present and past, it is both sensitive and blunt, metaphorical and direct. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Whee! I just got this yesterday
This is a nice resource for Tull fans -- most of whom probably already have it, but mine just arrived yesterday.

Anyway, for anyone who doesn't already know it, this volume collects all of the lyrics from Tull's and Ian Anderson's official releases from _This Was_ in 1968 to _Roots to Branches_ in 1995.

The first twenty or thirty pages consist of Ian Anderson himself providing a retrospective/commentary on the various releases, and on the stages of Tull's long and varied career. These are culled from a couple of talks with Anderson and they're clearly transcriptions of oral interviews, with all the limitations thereby implied. (For example, the word "tempo" is consistently transcribed as "temper".) They're pretty informative, though, and at any rate I like the transcriptions since I enjoy listening to Anderson talk.

The lyrics themselves will be most useful for those albums/CDs with which the words aren't already included in the liner notes, but there are also a handful of helpful footnotes scattered throughout. (Nothing interpretive; just stuff like the actual name of the "Winged Isle" and the significance of "Beltane," items probably already familiar to longtime Tull fans but perhaps not to the band's newer audience.)

There are also a dozen-odd pages of photos, some of which had never been published before this. (There's a list at the back of the book telling who's in them and when they were taken. Incidentally, one allegedly from "1974" -- Anderson on a motorcycle -- appears to be misdated; it looks to be from a decade later. I assume "1974" is a typo for "1984".)

Some customers may also want to know that Anderson donates all his royalties from the sales of this book to a fund for the preservation of wild cats. I'm delighted to have contributed to such a cause and I'd have bought the book sooner if I'd known.

Il mondo "testuale" dei Jethro Tull
Chiunque avesse intenzione di scoprire qualcosa di veramente entusiasmante dovrebbe acquistare questo libro in cui sono raccolte tutte le emozioni e le sensazioni scritte da chi mi fa emozionare ogni volta che ascolto le sue parole. Ian Anderson, geniale nei suoi testi come nella sua musica, vi porta in un mondo fantastico con argomentazioni varie e mai noiosamente ripetitive. La musica dei Jethro Tull deve essere ascoltata ma anche...letta!E vi assicuro che per chi come me riesce anche a suonarlal'emozione più bella è quella di addentrarsi in ogni sua sfaccettatura. Vi consiglio di acquistare questo libro che è cultura...non solo musicale. Io devo ancora acquistarlo perchè in Italia non si trova!!!Ma non mancherò di accaparrarmene una copia quanto prima,a costo di farla arrivare dall'America. Per i Jethro Tull...questo ed altro! W la musica (quella buona) e W chi ti infonde lo spirito per volerla suonare, fino in fondo.

Helpful for non-English mothertongue Tull fans
For anybody bothering around with the lyrics one does not understand or possibly even misunderstand, this book is essential. Now I have wider access to the meaning of the texts sung by Tull.

So that's what that Scot was saying.
Quality hardbound book essential for any Tull fan.Lyrics for the audibly challenged to help us understand what that leapin' lemur of a musician was singing and snarling all these years.If you were a fan, this book canresurrect your latent Tull spirit. Book even covers his "wartyrejects".Get a fill-up of Tull fuel and drive Baker Streetenlightened.

A must have for Tull fans
This is a must have book for any Tull fan.It covers the lyrics to every album from This Was through Roots to Branches (hopefully a new edition will be forthcoming to cover J-Tull.Com and Ian Anderson's Secret Language of Birds)There is also commentary on each album by Ian Anderson for furtherinsight.

To have one book with all of Tull's lyrics in one place is wellworth the price.If you're a Tull fan, get it. ... Read more

Book Description

Over the past three decades, Tom Waits has achieved the kind of top-shelf cult status most artists only dream about. In his varied career, he has acted alongside Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, and Lily Tomlin; his songs have been covered by artists as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Sarah McLachlan, the Eagles, and the Ramones; he’s won two Grammys, a Golden Globe, and been nominated for an Oscar; he’s coined unforgettable phrases like "better a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy" and "champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends"; and he’s made anyone who’s ever listened to his music just that much cooler.

Here is Tom Waits in all his mischievous splendor. From a New Yorker "Talk of the Town" in 1976 to an interview by Terry Gilliam in 1999; from album reviews by Luc Sante and David Fricke to conversations with Elvis Costello and Roberto Benigni; from a recent profile in GQ to "20 Questions" in Playboy and reviews of Waits’s acclaimed new album, Real Gone, this is the must-have book for every fan of the artist Beck has described as a "luminary," and for music fans everywhere. ... Read more

Book Description

6.75 x 9.75 inches ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Step into the Light Dave Matthews Band
Are you a music fan l