Showing posts with label biography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biography. Show all posts

Who Were the Beatles? (Who Was...?) Review

Who Were the Beatles [Paperback]
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My 8 year old son picked this book because he loves The Beatles. We both learned a lot about them as he read the book to me. There is information on the childhood of each member, how the band formed, the band's history and each member after the break-up. There was quite a bit in there that I did not know prior to reading the book. A great book for a kid who loves The Beatles and wants to learn more about them. The book also has pictures which makes it fun for the those kids who can read chapters but still enjoy picture books. It was easy for my third-grader to read but he reads at a fifth or sixth grade level. I am sure my son will read this book again and again.

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Almost everyone can sing along with the Beatles, but how many young readers know their whole story?Geoff Edgers, a Boston Globe reporter and hard-core Beatles fan, brings the Fab Four to life in this Who Was...? book.Readers will learn about their Liverpudlian childhoods, their first forays into rock music, what Beatlemania was like, and why they broke up.It's all here in an easy-to-read narrative with plenty of black-and-white illustrations!

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Hal Leonard Steely Dan Complete Piano, Vocal, Guitar Songbook Review

Hal Leonard Steely Dan Complete Piano, Vocal, Guitar Songbook [Sheet music]
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Well, I *am* a piano player and Steely Dan fan who bought this to see what the heck they are doing on some of these songs.If you're an intermediate piano player who is looking for melodies and a reasonably decent sketch of how the song goes, this is the book for you.If you're an advanced player, or a jazz fan, or want to know *exactly* what kind of chord voicings are being used, you might be disappointed on some songs.(Not all songs; some transcriptions are better than others.)The guitar chord listings are the most accurate -- if you follow those rather than the staff, and are familiar with jazz voicings, you can pretty much figure it out.I knew that going in, and I've still found the book worthwhile because figuring out all the A7+(b9) chords by ear gets old quick.

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Product Description:
All the songs from Can't Buy A Thrill, Countdown To Ecstacy, Pretzel Logic Katy, Lied The Royal Scam, Aja, and Gaucho - 62 songs in all! Titles include: Reelin' In The Years * Rikki Don't Lose That Number * Aja * Deacon Blues * Peg * Hey Nineteen.

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Electric Don Quixote: The Definitive Story Of Frank Zappa Review

Electric Don Quixote: The Definitive Story Of Frank Zappa [Paperback]
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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.

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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.

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Testimony: The Memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich (Limelight) Review

Testimony: The Memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich [Paperback]
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Instead of flaming one another on the topic of 'Testimony' based on our political preference, we might do better looking at the quality of the text itself. Because whether it is Dmitri Shostakovich' own story or a first-person novel by Volkov, this is a deeply engrossing, chillingly emotional and intensely tragic tale about the cost of fame in the Stalin years. And whether the precise details of the story are accurate or not, I have little doubt - also based on other 'testimonies' - that in that respect this one hits the nail on the head. The matter of its relation to Shostakovich' music is more problematic. Statements often quite explicitly contradict earlier opinions by Shostakovich, even if there seems no political reason for doing this. See, for instance, his description of the first symphony. I can hardly imagine any conspiracy being at work here - there are far more explicit condemnations of the Soviet Union to be found. As a document of cultural history, this is a very important text, and anyone interested in Shostakovich, his life, and his work, will be forced to form an opinion about 'Testimony'

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Product Description:
This is the powerful memoirs which an ailing Dmitri Shostakovich dictated to a young Russian musicologist, Solomon Volkov. When it was first published in 1979, it became an international bestseller. This 25th anniversary edition includes a new foreword by Vladimir Ashkenazy, as well as black-and-white photos. "Testimony changed the perception of Shostakovich's life and work dramatically, and influenced innumerable performances of his music." - New Grove Dictionary

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It's Only a Movie: Alfred Hitchcock, A Personal Biography (Applause Books) Review

It's Only a Movie: Alfred Hitchcock, A Personal Biography [Paperback]
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IT'S ONLY A MOVIE: Alfred Hitchcock -- A Personal Biography is the latest (and certainly not the greatest) look at the life of the famed suspense director.

Charlotte Chandler, whose other celebrity biographies include NOBODY'S PERFECT: Billy Wilder -- A Personal Biography; I, FELLINI; and HELLO, I MUST BE GOING: Groucho and His Friends, concentrates on Hitchcock primarily as a movie maker. The aspects of his early and later life get relatively short shrift, which many readers will no doubt appreciate, wanting to get to the meat of the matter.

Chandler presents the talented "Hitch" as a visionary, creating cinematic effects and manipulating the emotions of moviegoers for more than fifty years. His classics --- The Man Who Knew Too Much (both versions), Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, Rebecca, Lifeboat, Spellbound, Notorious...the list of work from one person seems ridiculous and unfair --- defined fright films that endure to this day, despite the pyrotechnical toys and other gimmicks modern directors employ to get a rise out of us. Hitchcock knew how to use a patch of light or the absence of sound to set up the audience for the constant rude awakening. He was the master of the "MacGuffin," a plot device that defies conventional explanation, which Chandler describes as "something that motivates characters to take dangerous chances for something they must have.... In The 39 Steps it's a secret airplane engine design. In The Lady Vanishes and in Foreign Correspondent it's a secret diplomatic message...."

Hitchcock was a bit of an overgrown imp, she writes, not a stuffed shirt. Despite his formal bearing, he always enjoyed a good joke, particularly when it came at the good-natured expense of one of his actors. And what actors! Jimmy Stewart, Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, James Mason, Anthony Perkins --- a veritable "who's who" of Hollywood nobility.

Although his art was complex, Hitchcock's directorial style was simple: actors should be able to get by with a minimum of instruction. Those looking for guidance learned that it must come from within. Insecurity was tolerated with great reluctance. Hitchcock had little patience for "method" actors who needed to know their motivation. Basically, he believed their motivation should be to do a good job to earn their paycheck. Chandler employs the filmmaker's catchphrase, "It's only a movie," on several occasions as evidence of Hitchcock's refusal to take anything (or anybody) too seriously.

Chandler breaks down Hitchcock's story movie by movie. Each section deals anecdotally with each film, noting the little triumphs and failures inherent in any project and including the actors' impressions of working for the master of suspense (overwhelmingly positive). Many were in awe of the legend, especially those early in their career. There are many recollections of small kindnesses, such as dinner invitations, that portray Hitchcock in an almost saintly light, despite the evil inclinations of many of his characters.

Because of its style, IT'S ONLY A MOVIE gives short shrift to the fine points that define a thorough biography, despite the title. For example, although Chandler devotes a section of the book to "The Last Years," she does not go into any substantial details about Hitchcock's own physical ailments, only that he had lost the will to live, ostensibly depressed over the illness of Alma, his beloved helpmeet.

Chandler writes in a very gossipy mien, insinuating herself into the narrative, letting the reader know that she was in with the "in crowd." One wonders what she had in mind with the subtitle "A Personal Biography." Which "person" is she talking about? It often seems to be herself. She peppers her remarks with phrases like, "He told me..." or "I said to him...." Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it can be wearing after a while.

IT'S ONLY A MOVIE may not be on a scholarly par with other Hitchcock biographies, such as Patrick McGilligan's ALFRED HITCHCOCK: A Life in Darkness and Light or THE A-Z OF HITCHCOCK: The Ultimate Reference Guide, by Howard Maxford, or the dozens of studies of specific films or groups of films (Murray Pomerance's AN EYE FOR HITCHCOCK or FRAMING HITCHCOCK: Selected Essays from the Hitchcock Annual, edited by Sidney Gottlieb and Christopher Brookhouse). But it is a gentle, entertaining look at a paradoxically gentle and entertaining man.

--- Reviewed by Ron Kaplan

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Dear Boris Softcover Review

Dear Boris Softcover [Paperback]
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William Henry Pratt aka Boris Karloff was perhaps one of the most underated and illused actors in film history. Cynthia Lyndsay's book provides a most personal and loving journey into this gentleman's life. Included too in her portrait is a concise history of acting in the early 20th century as well as a detailed portrait of the actor's craft. Karloff was the consumate professional on stage and screen and off. This book is highly reccomended for any interested in the craft of acting.

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This chatty biography, written with the cooperation of the late actor's family, is crammed with anecdotes, personal opinions, and warm humor, said our reviewer (LJ 2/15/76) of this portrait of the horror star, who played every baddie from Frankenstein's m

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Rock and Roll Doctor-Lowell George: Guitarist, Songwriter, and Founder of Little Feat Review

Rock and Roll Doctor-Lowell George: Guitarist, Songwriter, and Founder of Little Feat [Paperback]
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I was a friend of Lowell's.

I found this book extremely disappointing. It seems as if the author did some online research and talked to a couple of people that knew the band.

The claim of providing insight into the origination of the songs was almost completely bogus.

Even worse was the lack of factual and personal information about Lowell himself. Shoot, if I described the time we spent together and recalled the stories he told me you would have a much better idea as to who he was.

I agree with the person that wrote that it is better than nothing, but not by much. Lowell deserves a documentary on film and it is my intent to make one, if it's the last thing I do

Lastly, I was with Lowell when he wrote "Kokomo". The song happens to be about me. I never had much of a poker face and Lowell would often laugh at my expressions. He also liked my perfume and knew that I was a friend with many other musicians at the time. Regardless, he knew that he was my best friend and that my loyalty was to him and him alone.

He was the best man I've ever known. He had an incredible sense of humor. He was a man of honor and integrity. The wheels were always turning inside his brilliant mind. He read Scientific American Magazine in his spare time and listened to "World Music" before it was even coined as that.

He had an amazing amount of charisma and it was interesting to watch both men and women compete for his attentions. Most anyone that came in contact with him was drawn to him.

He was that kind of guy. He was generous and kind, talented and humble. Exuding an absolutely magnetic and magical energy to those around him.

It's a real shame that no one realized how sick he was before he went on the road in 1979'. When I saw pictures of him taken a month before he died, I cried. Shaking my head in wonder that those close to him could not see in his face that he was not well.It seemed so obvious, especially when I compared those pictures to ones taken of him 6 months earlier.

But sometimes we don't see that which is right in front of us.
I promise my documentary will provide considerable more insight, into this amazing and talented individual.

I know the band as well and when I contacted them about being involved in his documentary they did not respond. So, sadly they may choose to remain silent. But many of his other friends will be glad to contribute to this project.

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The late Lowell George is best known as the lead singer, slideguitarist, songwriter, and producer of Little Feat, acclaimed in the'70s by the likes of Mick Jagger and Jimmy Page as their favouriteband. George's offbeat sense of humour and surreal lyrics became aLittle Feat trademark, making songs like 'Fat Man in the Bathtub' and'Dixie Chicken' unforgettable. Rock and Roll Doctor explores thegenius that animated Little Feat - from George's early bands TheStandells and The Factory, to his work with Frank Zappa, landmarkalbums such as Feats Don't Fail Me Now and The Last Record Album, andhis session and production work with the likes of Linda Ronstadt andThe Grateful Dead. George's colourful childhood (he lived next door toHollywood idol Errol Flynn) is here - as is his solo career afterLittle Feat that was cut short tragically. But most of this bookportrays his highly productive period with this great rock and rollband. Each Little Feat album is dealt with in detail and the bookexamines the development of Lowell's classic songs - how they wereconceived, recorded, and produced. The analysis of Little Feat'scomplex rhythms and Lowell's great music will fascinate musicians andfans alike.

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Learn to Play Like the Guitar Greats: The Essential Guide to Chords, Equipment and Techniques Review

Learn to Play Like the Guitar Greats: The Essential Guide to Chords, Equipment and Techniques [Paperback]
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So I picked up this book based on what it advertised (which, I realise, is what most people do when buying a book, but bear with me here) and I was let down to an unimaginable degree. This book, "Learn to Play Like the Guitar Greats" is totally misleading. If you are expecting to actually LEARN some guitar riffs, guess again. This book is more of an abridged guide to some (and buy some, I mean only a select few) of the greatest guitarists around. Or is it? For some reason, the extremely un-talented Jack Black of the White Stripes made it into this book, yet Eddie Van Halen, Ted Nugent, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Tom Morello, Frank Zappa, Yngwie Malmstien, Randy Rhodes and Eric Johnson (to name only a few) were omitted. As for actual guitar riffs, the list grows shorter still. The book talks about some of the greatest guitar riffs written by Jimmy Page such as "The Song Remains the Same" and "Heartbreaker" as well as a look at his amazing double-neck SG, but when it comes to the guitar tab, we get a very weak selection of songs-"Kashmir" and "Stairway to Heaven"-both of which, like all the other tablature in this book, contain only the opening riffs. A better title for this book would have been "Learn About the Most Overplayed/Recognisable Guitarists and a Few Simple Riffs that They Wrote". In all seriousness (with my apologies to Amazon for discouraging the purchase of this book) I cannot stress enough what a waste of money this book is. I would have given this book a 0/5 rating, but apparently, that doesn't exist. Besides, how can you possibly take a book like this seriously if they claim the guitarist behind Black Sabbath is Tony Iommi (it's TOMMY, for those who weren't sure).

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Ever wanted to play like a famous guitarist? Now's your chance! This entertaining and accessible guide to emulating the legends features: notation for more than 65 classic riffs from "Stairway to Heaven" to "Smells like Teen Spirit" * clear, step-by-step annotated photographs showing how to play each riff * full-color features on more than 30 artists, their guitars, and equipment * hints and tips from expert musicians. Color photos throughout the 256 pages of this book!

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Nobody's Perfect: Billy Wilder, A Personal Biography (Applause Books) Review

Nobody's Perfect: Billy Wilder, A Personal Biography [Paperback]
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There is no one wilder in Hollywood than Billy - Billy Wilder, that is.  And the new bio of him, "Nobody's Perfect: Billy Wilder: A Personal Biography," is as close to the "perfect" non-critical, fun history of a man and his movies. Written by Charlotte Chandler (whose previous works include "I, Fellini" and "Hello, I Must Be Going: Groucho and His Friends"), the tome is based on interviews she conducted with Wilder and his friends over a period of years. The result is a wonderful kaleidoscope of movies, politicians, actors, geniuses and louses. From Sigmund Freud to Louis B. Mayer, from Richard Strauss to Joan Fontaine, from Prince Yussupov to Walter Matthau --- Wilder knew them all. He is the man who put Marilyn Monroe over a subway grate, Jack Lemmon in a dress and Gloria Swanson in the most famous close-up of them all. The great beacon shining through the entire book is, of course, the wit and humor of the man.  Wilder is certainly one of the great comic directors of all time, and his legacy is astounding. By structuring the book around the subject's work in a strictly chronological manner, Chandler creates a picture of Wilder that is at once true and wildly engrossing. The early stories about journalism in pre-war Berlin are as fascinating as the later tales of success in glittering Hollywood. That the last 20 years of his life, arguably the most creative time in an artist's life, were spent without a single film project is the underlying tragedy of this book, and Chandler doesn't exactly dwell on it, but the painful reality is certainly there. We like to think of him as this way: Billy Wilder, Somebody's Perfect. (Submitted by staff member Stephen J. Finn)

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The Memory of All That: The Life of George Gershwin (Book) Review

The Memory of All That: The Life of George Gershwin [Paperback]
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Though I enjoyed this book tremendously, it was a guilty pleasure. Gershwin's musical life has been thoroughly documented in other books, and comparatively Joan Peyser does a decent job of informing the reader of Gershwin's musical development in this book. However, her strong suit is Gershwin's personal life, and her theories and conclusions in that arena range from the very well-researched to blatant hearsay. Peyser's skill at doggedly digging up such obscure hearsay is impressive. Nothing revealed by Peyser's conclusions seems much out of character for Gershwin based on what we know from earlier more scholarly biographies; it all comes across as quite believable, and addresses head-on some of the juicier issues related to Gershwin's private life. In that sense, this book is a real page turner.

If the principles of scholarly biographical writing dictate that an author doesn't print information that didn't come from one or more reliable sources, Peyser has thumbed her nose that principle throughout this book. She frequently presents tantalizing bits of insider information that she obtained from a lone source, or worse yet from a person quoting another person, and in at least one memorable instance, a person quoting another person quoting another person (whew)! Having said that, essentially there are two new theories that she pushes in this book. One, is that Gershwin had a subconscious masochistic streak in him that caused him to gravitate towards people of a cruel, insensitive, selfish, or sadistic nature (theoretically because his mother was such a person), and the other: that it is a FACT, not rumor that Gershwin fathered an illegitimate son. While the former contention is merely interesting, the theory about Gershwin's illegitimate son carries more historical importance, and deserves a closer look.

Other biographies, notably Charles Schwartz' 1973 biography have addressed the alleged son's claim to be Gershwin's progeny while also making the disclaimer that there is no evidence to prove or disprove the alleged son's claim. Peyser, on the hand, dives head first into this controversy, throwing out every bit of information on the matter that she can dig up, from solid proof to secondhand hearsay and let's the reader decide whether or not it is true. Is this responsible journalism? Probably not. Does it mean that the story is nothing more than an outlandish fabrication? No, it does not. From what we do know as fact about Gershwin, the story is plausible. We do know from numerous reliable sources that Gershwin had an enormous sexual appetite, sleeping with dozens of women in his short life. We also know from the medical records of Gershwin's time that a dancer who appeared in George White's Scandals of 1927, one of Gershwin's musicals, gave birth to an illegitimate son in 1928 who grew up to bear a striking physical resemblance to George Gershwin, including the same premature male pattern baldness famously characteristic of the adult George Gershwin. All coincidence? Perhaps. But based only these facts alone, it is not hard to believe that Gershwin fathered at illegitimate child. It would be harder to believe that he did not. The odds were certainly against him.

I do believe there are certain exceptions to the principles of scholarly journalism, however questionable and unsavory they may be. One exception is when clear factual information simply does not exist to prove a theory, and the best proof an author can muster is circumstantial, e.g., Tchaikovsky's homosexuality. There is no solid proof to back up this claim OTHER than hearsay, and yet it is mentioned in all modern biographies of Tchaikovsky, and generally accepted as fact by the public. Another exception is when solid factual information is known to exist by the author but is withheld by its source, forcing the author to dig around for scraps from less reliable sources in order to corroborate what is known to be true behind closed doors. Such may be the case with Gershwin's alleged son. In all likelihood, there is more than enough evidence to prove or disprove the alleged son's legitimacy (or illegitimacy, as the case may be) as George Gershwin's son. If evidence exists that could disprove the claim of Gershwin's alleged son, one would think that the Gershwin family would have made it public years ago. Therefore, it is reasonable to deduce that the information that they refuse to share with biographers would prove the alleged son's claims to be true. It is understandable that George Gershwin's descendants would want to protect the image of so important an historical figure as George Gershwin, but it is also understandable that Peyser, sensing that she is onto something, would feel compelled to quote less credible sources than the Gershwin family in order to make a case for an important matter in the life of her subject.

I sense that this author has a good nose for sniffing out the truth behind a story even if the proof of her contentions fails to meet good journalistic standards . Intuitive journalism, one could call it. While I am the first to admit that this biography lacks the stamp of responsible journalism, and smacks of lasciviousness, I believe the author is barking up the right tree in most cases, even if she is unable to prove beyond a doubt that there's anything actually up the tree.

A must-read for anyone seriously interested in Gershwin's life, even if one disagrees with every word of it.

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A Ravel Reader: Correspondence, Articles, Interviews Review

A Ravel Reader: Correspondence, Articles, Interviews [Paperback]
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This is a wonderful book - very informative, interesting and enjoyable.As musicians my husband and I are fascinated with this composer, and knowing more about his life enables us to perform his works better.Highly recommended.

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Maurice Ravel played a decisive role in the history of modern French music.Thisreadercaptures the essence of this enigmatic man through his own words, both written and spoken. This compilation of articles by Ravel (who was a brilliant critic) features reviews, interviews, and some 350 letters from Cocteau, Colette, de Falla, Richard Strauss, Stravinsky, and others.


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Nirvana: Nevermind (Classic Rock Albums) Review

Nirvana: Nevermind [Paperback]
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Nirvana was an iconic album of the alternative rock genre. "Classic Rock Albums: Nevermind Nirvana" is just short of the music CD itself in fully understanding the album that made the grunge movement of the early nineties so memorable. Taking a look at the early days of Nirvana's career complete with black and white photographs of the band's early days, information on recording sessions, and information on each track of the million selling album. "Classic Rock Albums: Nevermind Nirvana" is an absolute must have for any Nirvana fan who can't get enough of trivia for the group.

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Nevermind established Nirvana as a worldwide sensation, made Kurt Cobain a rock idol, and put grunge rock on the map. Discover the inside story of this legendary album and its famous creator. With black and white photos.

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Not Fade Away: A Backstage Pass to 20 Years of Rock & Roll Review

Not Fade Away: A Backstage Pass to 20 Years of Rock & Roll [Paperback]
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I bought this book after seeing Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous".That was an exceptional movie and I thought I would relive the era through Ben fong-Torres, who was featured in the movie.
The book is really a reprint of many of his stories in Rolling Stone which the reviews probably stated and I didn't focus on.I would have preferred his story of being close to the Rock and Roll scene.Reading some of the articles that were over 20 years old became somewhat boring and outdated.I did learn quite a bit in some of the stories and Fong-Torres does provide some narrative on each story although it is limited.Overall though, I'd take a pass on this one and look for another if you are looking for a good book about rock in the 70's and 80's.

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American Idiot (Pvg) Review

American Idiot [Paperback]
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Green Day is the band that inspired me to learn guitar.This is a great, easy to use book for any talent level to play the music you love !Includes tab notations, cord notations and fingering.

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American Idiot was nominated for six Grammy® Awards and won Best Rock Album of the Year. The album is politically charged and communicates what it is like to be living during these disturbing and confusing times, while managing to keep Green Day's trademark musical punk-rock sound that fans love. Now available for piano/vocal/chords, this album-matching folio includes full melody, lyrics, and piano accompaniment with guitar chord symbols. Also included is a nine-page section of handwritten lyrics. Titles are: American Idiot
* Are We the Waiting
* Boulevard of Broken Dreams
* Extraordinary Girl
* Give Me Novacaine
* Holiday
* Homecoming
* Jesus of Suburbia
* Letterbomb
* She's a Rebel
* St. Jimmy
* Wake Me Up When September Ends
* Whatsername.

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The Day The Music Died: The Last Tour Of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens (Omnibus Press) Review

The Day The Music Died: The Last Tour Of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens [Paperback]
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Author Larry Lehmer has provided readers with a very detailed story of the events that led up to the deaths of early rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J. P. Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson.Individual chapters are provided on each individual and a thorough description of the various cities the rock stars visited during the Winter Dance Party in the Upper Midwest beginning in January of 1959.Due to inadequate bus transportation with little or no heat, the three singers decided to charter an airplane from Clear Lake, Iowa, to Fargo, North Dakota, for their next performance in Moorhead, Minnesota, to arrive early and get some needed rest.The crash of the airplane was due to poor flying conditions and the inadequate skills of the pilot in flying by instruments.The author explores other theories such as a fight on the plane or, incredibly, Buddy Holly shooting the pilot.Author Lehmer also provides a great deal of information on the airplane that was used and what has become of the arenas the singers used for their performances in each of the visited cities.Numerous photos of the singers during this Winter Dance Tour and of the crash site are also provided.Some readers may feel they are being told more than they want to know about this subject, but the author has done an incredible job in covering this story of this incident and what rock and roll was like during the late 1950's.

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Product Description:
Now available in softcover format! The story of the last tour of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Richie ValensÂ-and the fatal air crash that took their lives. Drawing on new documentary information, the author recreates the often grueling conditions of an early rock and roll tour, and provides new facts about "the day the music died." With 50 photos.

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Bach for the Cello: Ten Pieces in the First Position Review

Bach for the Cello: Ten Pieces in the First Position [Paperback]
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This collection of arranged Bach tunes is great for first pieces with piano. Everything stays in 1st position.

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For unaccompanied cello.

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