Genres Books

An extraordinary read! I feared that this book was receiving so much praise because blues geeks felt that they had to eulogize the talents of this famed sixties blues promoter. No, it's not hype, this book really does hit new highs in great closeup shots and portraits, woven together with rich and personal tales that describe the crossing of Waterman's path with that of many of the greatest blues musicians ever. Some chapters are touched with sadness, such as the exploitation of Arthur Crudup's royalties (only for Waterman to help secure a rich reward for the family estate shortly after Crudup's death). Others are hilarious, such as the exposure of Robert Lockwood as being perhaps the sweariest bluesman ever. I could go on, but readers deserve to discover these stories for themselves. Albeit to say that the human sides of many famous musicians are exposed here, be they glorious or grim or bizarre. The only other blues read that I know of that gets so close up and personal in text and pictures is perhaps Tim Duffy's from the Musicmaker Foundation, entitled: "Musicmakers: portraits and songs from the roots of america". In fact the two books are complementary because whilst Waterman's subjects are by and large towering figures of the blues who have mostly died by now, Tim Duffy's subjects remain somewhat obscure and undiscovered by the main stream but many are still alive and kicking the blues in a neighbourhood near you.

As a blues enthusiast, I have always found myself looking for the inside stories, the newly discovered photographs or the alternative recordings of the players that literally changed my life 35 years ago when I was in high school. To find that Dick Waterman was a common link among so many of the greatest blues figures of the last century was a revelation. I knew of his relationship to Son House, and will forever speak his name with reverance for bringing him out of Rochester, NY to record again in the 60's. But all these other guys? Dick Waterman, thank you for putting more flesh on to the legends of so many of these guys, most of whom are now gone. I am grateful.

There really are no words to fully describe what a treasure this book is--which is entirely appropriate given that Mr. Waterman himself is an American treasure. Whether you are a hardcore blues fan or a casual listener, the photographs in this book will take your breath away. The stories that accompany them strip away the mythology to reveal the humanity beneath, and leave you looking at these legendary artists through fresh and more honest eyes.

I simply can't recommend this book highly enough. Buy a copy for yourself, and then buy as many as you can for your family and friends. You will not be sorry.

Once I started reading this book, putting it down was impossible. Dick Waterman's stories about the various blues musicians were as impressive as the outstanding photos in the book. It felt like I was pulled inside this incredible book and for a moment felt like I personally knew and was living with these people. The believability of this book was truly enhanced by Dick Waterman's honesty. He truly says it as it is. This book is not only interesting for blues officianados, but also for anyone interested in American history, great photography and captivating stories.

Dick Waterman's photographs are a stunning chronicle of the art and music that are most important to me. Dick calls his photographs products of opportunity and access, but they are far more. I would submit that Dick's "Son House at the Liberty Bell" ranks with the top echelon of 20th century American photographs.

If you have a passing interest in blues or fine photography; you need this book. If you are a fan of the music or the art, you absolutely must have this book.

I finally found a copy of this book.Knowing how good these "Complete idiots" series books are this book is just what I had hoped for.

This book explains I-Ching in simple to understand English with some technical explanations throughout.An ideal book for anyone even if you are just starting to learn I-Ching.Its is an enjoyable read.One of the most enjoyable I-Ching books I own.

Each hexagram is covered by a double page and covered in great detailed but doesnt drag on.Step by step instructions,advice on what kinds of questions to ask and how to interpret your reading.Even has a section on Feng Shui.I like the hexagram reference section at the front of the book,in colour too.Nice touch.One of the more thorough books on I-Ching.

I hope the publishers reprint this book.

I think this is surprisingly good, one of the top five for sure. I would recommend it. HOwever, after using it over a long period of time I began to notice the commentaries had some peculiarities. For one thing, the man is telling you to "sever the relationship" way too often. To me, that goes against the philosophy of the i ching which is to bend with the wind and take the moderate approach. Running around severing your ties with various people is an extreme act and not moderate. I'd be wary of that, if I were you. And it's not like he just says it in one or two places, but in SEVERAL places. One of the hexagrams he even names "severing" so that every line is about getting rid of someone in your life. Even on hexagram 50 (the cauldron) line five, which usually is a very positive line (about the handles on the cauldron being upgraded to jade or something) he says something like, "people have betrayed you--rid yourself of them." I don't know how he got that idea out of that line. No one else has anything remotely with such a negative connotation.

He also says often that people are gossiping about you, betraying you, etc. It's kind of like he's paranoid. There's a time and a place for that but I don't think people in general are so much like that as this version indicates and, besides, this guy needs to think more about forgiving people for their bad behavior instead of jettisoning them out of his life like one of the machines at a target practice range that hurls clay pigeons out onto the grass: sever the relationship! sever the relationship! sever the relationship! It's really too much.

That said, this version has a lot going for it, just be warned. I noticed it's also over-priced for one that's used right now. It's not THAT good--I'd just buy the one by alfred huang and stephen karcher's may be a little overly optimistic at times but is excellent. Good luck.

Elizabeth Moran and Master Joseph Yu did a wonderful job in writing "The Complete Idiot's Guide to The I Ching". Yijing is a powerful divination tool in traditional Chinese culture. It has been intriguing and difficult to understand thoroughly. This book is well organized in explaining from the historical background to tts modern day application, as well as how to utilize the knowledge further to open our mind and improve our life. It is thoroughly enjoyable reading. Thank you for a job well done.

While new to I Ching, I find myself fortunate to find this work. It brings a structured simplicity with comprehensiveness that is essential in order to give the I Ching veracity and approachability. Excellent.

Usually, the "Complete Idiot's" and "Dummies" books give you the basic information on their subject, with some depth, but nothing too encompassing. I was very surprised with this book -- it gives in-depth information about the I Ching and its history, as well as touching upon other things like synchronicity. The translation of the I Ching included in the book is also rather well done, and better than some stand-alone translations (for example, "The Taoist I Ching"). I learned a lot about the I Ching from this book. Recommended.

this is not only a book about an era in the beginning of the career of bruce, but a book about friendship as well. very nice photos. i recommend it to bruce fans

1978 was a key moment in Bruce Springsteen's career, and Frank Stefanko was there to capture it in black and white. In these photos, you see a rock star breaking out, but still struggling and working his [tail] off. Stefanko had not even heard the Darkness album when he took the photos that would lead to its cover (and the cover of The River), but he captured the mood and the tone perfectly, of both the music and the musician. Even if you're not into photo books, if you have an interest in Springsteen, do yourself a favor and get this book.

This book engrosses you from the moment you start reading you cant stop.I am giving this book to my clients and friends as it makes the perfect gift for Bruce Springsteen fans.I was also very moved by Authors tribute to his late wife Sheila and feel there may be another story there Frank ?

Just thought everyone would like to know that the cover photo was taken in front of Frank's Men's Hairstyling on Kings Highway in downtown Haddonfield, New Jersey!

This is a wonderful book. The photographs are uniformly compelling and insightful, as is the text. The reader is treated to a rare, unvarnished glimpse of an American hero about to "burst like a supernova." The images are timeless, and harken back to a simpler, perhaps more poignant time -- before MTV and the Internet changed the way we obtained and enjoyed our music. The author's spare text is thoughtful without being intrusive; a perfect compliment to the compelling images that accompany it. The text conveys a straightforward warmth and appreciation for the author's subject that are both refreshing and inspiring. This is a book to pore over, savor, and return to. Thank you, Frank, for sharing your gift -- and thank you, Bruce, for recognizing his genius, and for allowing us a little glimpse of yours.

I finally got my hands on a copy of this amazing book. It has lived up to everything I've heard about it from my fellow Elvis fans. First of all it's huge. It's 626 oversized pages of nothing but Elvis. It has over 500 photos ( I stopped counting at 500). Many of the photos were completly new to me. If you were from another planet and didn't know anything about Elvis this book would bring you up to speed. I predict this book will become "the bible" of Elvis fans all over the world.

The book is divided into 33 chapters. Each chapter focuses on one aspect of Elvis and his fans. Some of the chapter titles: Elvis music, Elvis and family, Elvis and the Army, Elvis and romance, Elvis and the martial arts, Elvis and food, Elvis impersonators, Elvis and animals, Elvis in person, Collecting Elvis, Elvis in cyberspace - It's sort of a "how to" book on being an Elvis Fan. It's like a Peter Guralnick book with a sense of humor and a lot more photos.

Not only does it tell you everything you want to know about Elvis himself, it tells you about what has emerged in the 25 years since he's been gone. At the end of every chapter is a section called " The Elvis and You Experience." This is where the author's suggest things to do to enhance your enjoyment of Elvis. The suggestions are a lot of fun. Some are really silly. Just like Elvis!

My favorite chapter is "The Pilgrimage". It lists all the important places to see in Memphis during tribute week. A lot of stuff only Elvis insiders know. I'm studying up to get ready for Tribute week 2002. If you're going to the 25th anniversary Elvis week in Memphis this August. I have one thing to say about this book. Don't leave home without it!

Probably because the book is this massive it is printed on very thin paper. Especially because this guide will function as a reference book often, this is a pity. We bet there will be only a few in perfect condition after a couple of weeks. Also a lot of the pictures used in the book deserve more than the exposure they get now, also due to the poor paper-quality. On the other hand: this work on quality paper might hardly be affordable for a lot of people, so the choice is understandable. Let's see if the content is good enough to hope for a "deluxe version" someday.As we always do with new books, we thumbed through it looking for new pictures. On first sight it looked a little complex, with a lot of repeats, we thought. Well, we weren't completely wrong about that, but starting from the beginning we soon found out it has a reason, and a well considered one. All chapters are build in the same way: a more or less short essay about the subject, facts ("Essential Elvisology"), references ("Your Elvis Education") and tips how to enrich your own experiences regarding the subject ("The Elvis And You Experience"). This consistent design makes it pretty easy to find what you want, most of the time. Unfortunately there is no index to this guide, so when you are looking for something really specific... it can be a very hard job.During the acknowledgements it becomes clear that the book has "a heavy Internet base". The reader familiar with the Elvis-scene on the Internet will recognize a lot of the names. Of course this results in a lot of references to the Internet throughout the book.The book is split up in 33 chapters, starting with the man himself: a short biography, mainly a time-line of important dates, his death, his records, his movies, his TV-work, his shows and his personal interests. There are a couple of chapters that are devoted mainly to the fans: Collecting, The Pilgrimage, Your Elvis Shrine, Impersonators and such. As stated before, all chapters start with an essay. Those essays are very well written, and even though nothing new comes up, the point of view from the authors makes them very enjoyable. The guide part of these chapters is very good, directing the reader towards the more important available works. Because the Internet-addresses (the so-called URL's) are often very long and hardly readable, the references to the sites look pretty cluttered. A better solution would have been to list just the site-names, with an alphabetic overview including the URL's in the back of the book. Since this book has its own site (that is: they are constructing the site, so far it looks like they only registered the URL), it might be a nice idea to include all links used in the book on that site, if possible per chapter. Since the Internet is evolving constantly, this might be a good idea anyway. Before such a list returns from the printer it may be outdated already.In general we can say the Elvis part of the guide is reliable, there are some mistakes, but they are in every book it seems, and we didn't find real major misses. The "You"-part is often going towards the ridiculous, especially the chapters we mentioned before. This certainly doesn't mean you can easily skip them. Again, the essays are well written, including a lot of wit and the "tips" are often so ridiculous it gets really funny (e.g. the "Dos and Don'ts of Impersonation" and "How to get started impersonating"). Having met all kinds of people ourselves (especially on the Internet), we know it's not complete nonsense written in those chapters, but sometimes we can't help but think it's too crazy to be true. In opposition to the main media, that love to use those exceptions to stereotype the average Elvis fan, this book shows it in a light-hearted, funny way. Probably the poor souls suffering the "handicaps" in these chapters won't even recognize it and take it seriously, so they'll be happy too.  Our conclusion is that this guide is really what it claims to be: "the guide to the pleasure of being an Elvis fan". Interesting, well researched and very enjoyable, thus it gave a lot of pleasure. We can only say that supported by a well maintained website it certainly deserves a "deluxe edition". "So now let's have a tremendous hand for a very nice book"

"Elvis & You", A comprehensive book like this deserves just a short review as it contains within it vast scope it's own recommendation. Elvis fans will be delighted with it's in-depth research, and the less scholastic will enjoy the eccentric humorous nature of the book as a whole. A work to explore at leisure and delve into for those important links to all things Elvis. A bargain for the photos alone!

As a discerning fan of the late Elvis Presley since 1957 yours truly has read a library of Elvis books-this one is amongst the very best.

This book is by far the absolute best book that will ever be written about Elvis. The authors are sincere Elvis fans who have done their homework, and it truly shows in this masterpiece. Whether you are a lifelong Elvis fan, or an "outsider looking in", this book is a must read. If you are an Elvis skeptic, read this book and you will be smitten for good. Kudos to the authors!!!

One of the most useful, fun and interesting Elvis books around. A must-have for Elvis fans and scholars because of the breadth and depth of its information. The photos are great as well. This book will be read and used for a long time. I only wish it had been around when I wrote my Elvis book - would have made my work much easier!

Man, this book was sooo good..I don't even know where to start with my review! I ordered this book based on all the five star reviews and I'm glad I did. Every chance I got I read this book. I kept telling myself I'll just read one more chapter and put it down, but I'll tell you right now it's hard to put this book down!

The residents of Macon Street Apartments are:
Peaches..a stripper that is only concerned with how much money a man can give her, and if he doesn't give her the amount she think she deserves then she has no problem taking it out of his wallet when he's not looking.

Romello..a street hustler that has been living with his baby momma for nine years. They have three kids together, but since his baby momma has put on a few pounds he starting to get a little bored, and boredom is not the only thing Romello is dealing with he's also obsessed with Peaches.

Alisha..is married to Craig. She's beautiful, faithful, well taken caren of, but one day her 'perfect life and marriage' seems to start crumbling like a cookie after Peaches starts whispering in her ear telling her you can't trust a man.

LaDonna..is a homely resident of Macon Street, but it's nothing for her to spread rumors or eavesdrop on other residents conversations. She's suppose to be Alisha's best friend, but is she really?

And then there's Lucky...he's the new resident of the complex. He doesn't work, drives a Mercedes Benz, his apartment is laid out and all the ladies want him. After reading this book I see exactly where he gets his name from. LADIES WATCH OUT FOR THIS MAN! lol

I loved this book from the first page to the last! It was good, good, good!

Welcome to Macon Street Apartments where there is drama on top of drama. If you ever stayed in an apartment you can relate to this book. The author takes you into the lifes of characters that have you laughing one minute and mad the next. Enjoying this book is not the word for it, a breath of fresh air I should say.

Peaches is a stripper that has the residents folks up in arms about her life style. Especially when she comes out of her door with a little bit of nothing on. All the ladies has a problem with this because their mens are looking from head to toe.

Romello has Jewel whip so hard that the truth is in her face and she can't see it. Romello has what us women says "it must be made of Gold!"

Craig & Alisha is the happy couple until her bestfriend (Ladona) starts to take interest in Craig. All hell brakes lose when Peaches starts whispering into Alisha ear about men's are no good and you need to watch that Ladona.

You have this mystery guy move in name Lucky that all the women is checking out. All the guys is up in arms about him because the rumor is that he has lucked up and have a women taking care of him. So he don't have a care in world but to get lucky so more.

Let me tell you that this book is not a fairy tale with a happy ending. I didn't see any of this coming for me. One time I throw this book across the room and left there. I was so made at characters I had to laugh at myself.

This book is very well written with the characters that is developed just right. I could see this book in a sitcom on television while I was reading it. There is so much that the author brings out and leave you wanting more after each chapter. This is a must read and I highly recommend this book to all.

This book kept me wanting more...and more...and more....Please go buy this book. I only have one question...How could Lucky be in 2 places at one time? I don't want to give the book away but how can he be in Utah and at the complex with Alisha???

I loved the book and I can't wait to read the sequel. I emailed the author, she even wrote me back and asked my view on the characters. It's a great read.

APOOO Rating: 4

In Getting Lucky by Kamryn Donavan, there never seems to be a dull moment in Macon Street Apartments. When a new resident, Lucky Thompson, moves in, EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is affected. Well, mainly the women. He claims that his "baby" is paying all his bills. He is riding around in a Mercedes, dressing nice, and his apartment is laid out.

Peaches, the stripper who sometimes brings her "work" home, is determined to find out why they call the new neighbor Lucky. Romello, Jewel's boyfriend of nine years, is determined to see what has the men coming back for more of Miss Peaches. In the meantime, Jewel has her eye on Peaches and Romello.

Alisha is happily married to her husband, Craig. She wants to start a family and make their life complete. Craig is not sure that is the best decision right now. He is working long hours to make sure that Alisha wants for nothing. He treats her like a queen. Alisha's friend Ladonna wants a piece of that heaven. She is dead set on having Craig for herself.

I was emotionally invested in the characters of Getting Lucky and wanted to know what would happen next. It kept me on my toes all the way to the end. There were so many twists and turns and it was a great read. I definitely recommend this one for those avid readers. Can't wait to see what Donavan puts out next.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub

This Book seems to be a great tool; I have not had the opportunity to really get into it yet!I am sure I will enjoy!

As the Video Hound's Guide is for movies, this book is for songs. It categorizes the songs logically so you can always find a song that relates to what you are teaching to help engage kids, help them connect the content to their world, and sometimes even teach content. (Maybe ask your school librarian to buy a copy if you do not wish to spend the money on it.)

How many times does the fragment of a song go through your mind, or a phrase and you cannot think where it comes from? And even more, how often during a day do you think of a song again and again and you cannot recapture where you heard it or who sang it on the record.This Book is the answer to any music lover who forgets the title or author of a favorite song. I have used it to plan theme parties, since it lists songs by subject. I cannot imagine how they did the work and keep it so up to date, but this is a reference book for the professional, and for any music lover who has a headfull of songs and needs a hand remembering "Where have I heard that song before"
Don't even think about planning a wedding or a 50th anniversary or 21st brirthday with the Green Boook. It is a treasure!!...

I just received the latest edition (5th) and am blown away by how comprehensive this book is. As a marketing professional, I consider it a competitive advantage and a wise business investment. At times, it's downright entertaining. I would love to see a pocket or "bathroom reading" edition. In the meantime, I'll haul it's comprehensive girth around with me wherever I "go." ;?) LOVE it. HIGHLY recommend it.

Now in an updated and expanded fifth edition with over 14,000 songs added (and featuring over 35,000 songs overall), The Green Book Of Songs By Subject is a comprehensive and very strongly recommended, "user friendly" reference for looking up popular songs by subject. Basic topics such as Freedom, Rivers, specific states and cities, etc. are listed in alphabetical order; each listing is followed by appropriate song entries arranged by title. An especially excellent book for tracking down the title, composer, or publisher of popular as well as obscure songs, The Green Book Of Songs By Subject is a core addition to the reference shelves of academic music history reference collections, and would prove invaluable in the personal reference libraries of professional musicians, DJ's or music-writers who can't afford to waste time struggling to remember (or needing to track down) who composed, performed, or produced a given tune.

He gives the real story...the stories about how the songs were conceived, recorded, and of course the stories about the road...all delightful reading..I highly recommend for any Eagle fan who wants to learn the inside scoop about the band and it's members...!!

I really loved this book! Got it yesterday and read 3/4 of it soon as I got it...quitting only because it was 3 a.m... and my eyes were sleepy! Lot of it has been reported on Henleys and Freys Egos and all...but this was even more of an insight into....how greedy they really seemed to be. I could have read more...wish he'd gone into even more detail...but of course "THE GODS" sued to keep a lot out of it! hard to believe they could become one of the greatest band ever.amonst all the acrimony, etc.!Really an enjoyable read!

Don Felder rose from near poverty to become guitarist in one of the most popular bands in the 70's. His new book HEAVEN AND HELL chronicles how he became a guitarist, met Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green, Duane Allman and other important guitarists, developed his skills and ultimately became one of the guitarist/songwriters in the Eagles. Felder was first introduced to Henley & Frey by his future and former Eagles bandmate Bernie Leadon who was a friend. Interestingly, Felder also played at one time in a band with Stephen Stills although he never tried to use that connection when he got his first big break backing David Blue and, later, Crosby & Nash.

Felder's book is surprisingly even handed given the recent bad blood between Don Henley & Glenn Frey and Felder over his firing from the band. Felder ultimately had to take his former bandmates to court since he was a part owner of Eagles, Ltd. the company the band set up to pay out their royalities and handle merchandising. While there's no doubt that "The Gods" (as Felder refers to them when, later in the band's career, they suddenly became perfect and untouchable in their own eyes)are talented, they gave Felder a raw deal considering how much he did contribute to the band. Nevertheless, Felder manages to be fair balanced and brings up both the good and bad times. Ultimately, he feels that his sacking from the band was a benefit because, as his estranged wife pointed out, he was locked in an abusive relationship at the end of the band's rein.

Felder provides details about the creation of many of the band's classics, how the band really was a "one for all and all for one" at first when he joined but that the fighting and bickering had already begun as well. He also chronicles how the Eagles managed to bruise and damage his friendships with former bandmates Joe Walsh and Tim Schmit.

Kudos to the book's co-author as well for helping Felder create a breezy memoir about his life in the fast lane. The book does have some flaws for example when referring to "On the Border" the book states that Henley & Frey wrote or co-wrote 9 of the 14 songs on the album (there were only 10 songs on the album and Henley co-wrote 5 while Frey co-wrote 4). I suspect that during the galleys this got overlooked but there are bits and pieces that have minor inconsistencies. The authors also thank Marc Elliot for his book TO THE LIMIT which was written with participation of Don Henley to clear up some issues as well. Elliot's book, along with this one, provide a good clear idea about the band's rise and fall from the heights of rock stardom.

It's a pity that Felder was sidelined as he is a talented guitarist and songwrite but this book does address some of the questions that lingered around his dismissal.

This truly is Felder's inside perspective on being in one of the most popular bands of its time. I would have liked a complete discography on Felder's career and, perhaps, to have also heard a bit more about his post-Eagles life but those are minor issues in the context of the thing.

First off, Felder has written (with help, admittedly) a very enjoyable look into the life and times of one of America's last great rock bands. Days when musicians depended on talent and not computer samples to create songs, and when being able to carry a tune with your voice wasn't such a liability as it is nowadays.

Secondly, it is an eye opening and fascinating look into what happens to insecure people with huge egos once they come into money, and lots of it. By this I'm speaking about "The Gods," Don Henley and Glenn Frey. At one point late in the book, the band is on tour in (memory fails me, but I think) China, and Glenn Frey instructs a lackey to overnight him a couple of cartons of his favorite cigarette. The lackey is summarily fired - because he shipped Frey SOFT PACKS instead of FLIP TOP BOXES. My jaw literally dropped when I read that. If that's what happens to you when you get rich and famous, I'm glad I am neither.

Having been (somewhat) in Felder's shoes, where people I trusted and thought of as friends suddenly threw me under the bus and had convenient amnesia as to my contributions to their success, I can relate to his story. Frey and Henley welcomed Felder into the band whole-heartedly, calling him Duane Allman incarnate, (which he is), and then set themselves up as the Supreme Dictators Of The Eagles, wrapping themselves in their own cloaks of superiority and fired Felder only when he asked to see the books of where the money was going.

I also cannot believe that Irving Azoff is actually still in business, the way he "managed" both Felder and "The Gods," yet was nothing more than a highly paid lapdog of Frey and Henley, screwing everyone else around him.

I'm afraid I've digressed, but it was a very intriguing book, one that I found hard to put down. If you're at all a fan of the band's music, and especially if you've read "To The Limit" by Marc Eliot, you'll find it incredibly enjoyable.

I read about "Heaven and Hell" in a British magazine before the book was published in the United States, and I knew I had to pre-order it. It was worth the wait. As mentioned by another reviewer, this book makes an excellent companion piece to Marc Eliot's "To the Limit." I've read all four Eagles biographies that I know of, but those two are the best.

"To the Limit" gives a great overview, and "Heaven and Hell" gives an inside look from Felder's point of view, plus later details not covered in "To the Limit."

Once the book picks up speed, it's hard to put down, even if you've read the other Eagles biographies. Felder seems like a nice guy; of course, I guess most people would present themselves as such in their autobiographies. However, since he's pretty frank about himself and others, he may indeed be as decent as he seems.

I think Felder is an immensely talented guitarist, and he does have the right to stick up for himself and the other lesser-known Eagles -- and he seems to really be the one member who most transformed them into a rock band (right in the middle of "On the Border").

Still, I'm not sure why he doesn't seem to realize why Henley and Frey demanded and got top billing when the reunion rolled around. Not only did they have the most successful solo careers, they were the primary songwriters, the primary singers on the hits (except for "Take it to the Limit" and "I Can't Tell You Why"), and they are the only two members of the band to be there from the beginning to the present. That said, it's a shame they carried on without him, and none of the Eagles books paint Henley or Frey in a very favorable light. With Henley's gift for writing and reputation for speaking his mind, you have to wonder if he'll ever decide to tell his version of the Eagles' story.

From a writing standpoint, the book is well written, except for the occasional times where it drifts from practically perfect prose to occasional profanity. When those instances occur, the reader is reminded that there are two people writing this book -- Felder and Wendy Holden. Better are the majority of moments in the book when the writing seems neither poetic nor profane -- just telling it as Felder remembers it. That's when you forget it's a book and you just become immersed in the storytelling, which to me is the mark of a great autobiography.

I am a 57 year old Washington, DC trombonist with many years of "chittlin circuit" experience. Reading Fred Wesley's account of his life as a sideman really hit home with me. So far, I have purchased (at last count) twelve copies of this fascinating book and distributed them to fellow musician friends who I know would also appreciate it. This really feels good and also therapeutic that our story is being told and documented. Older musicians always used to talk about paying dues. Well it seems that we never stop paying them, and Fred really spells it out in a clear, brutally honest, and what I find to be a very humorous and entertaining fashion. I would highly recommend this book to musicians young and old and to anyone else interested in learning what it is really like for the majority of us in this bizarre and crazy business.

Lincoln Ross
[...]

Fred wesley's book takes you on a Journey of the Music industry that you seldom every get on the whole un-cut real. this Man is responsible for some of the Baddest Jams known to the Human Ear Drum. He is a Multi Talented Instrumentalist, Producer&Arranger. He Grew up Down south&dealt with so much,but that was just the start upon entering the Army, then His Exposure to the Music Business under the Controls of Ike Turner. back when Ike&Tina Turner were together. then Fred going over to James Brown's camp which alone makes this Book a Must have. He doesn't pull no punches about JB's Camp&How He ran&did things. then fast forward to George Clinton and the Whole P-Funk Mob&operation. you move on to Count Basie. this Book deals with Inflated Ego, Sex,Drugs,Music, Race, Politics of the Industry&so many other details that you just can't even imagine sometimes that go on behind the curtains. very detailed&a Must read.

"Hit Me, Fred" by Fred Wesley is one of the most honest and engaging autobiographies I have read. Honest in that Fred gives us uncolored insight into to the world of the music industry with all of the inflated egos, false hype, drug abuse, and intense politicizing. Also honest in his love and appreciation for his mentors, his unabiding affection for his fellow sidemen through out his career and his sense of awe when the James Brown band or Parliment or the Count Basie band were playing at their best. "Hit Me Fred" is engaging for all of the reasons above with the addition of Fred being a gifted story teller in general. This book is a must read for funk enthusiasts and aspiring musicians.

Despite being a big Fred Wesley fan, I must admit I was skeptical about any entertainer writing an autobiography with no co-author and no credited editor. In fact, I got a copy of this from the public library first because I just couldn't imagine that the book would really be worthwhile reading.

I was wrong. This book won't win a Pulitzer prize but Fred writes a very readable and entertaining memoir. It's particularly enjoyable to those of us who believe Fred is one of the most important musicians of the latter 20th century, but reads well enough that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone who had no idea who the author is.

Fred Wesley is "THE MAN". Here is a musical funk legend who has really paid his dues. He was the glue that kept the Funk going strong despite of James's legendary self-righteous super-ego and his harsh tyranny ways that interferred with the creative freedom and progressive potential of the most talented musicians that God has ever put on earth. James invented Funk which I will give him the credit he rightfully and respectfully deserves, but he definitely didn't do it on his own (thanks to the talented musicians of Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Alfred 'Pee Wee" Ellis, St Clair Pinckney, Waymon Reed, Richard 'Kush' Griffin, Jimmy Nolen, Al 'Country' Kellum, Clyde Stubblefield, John 'Jabo' Starks, Melvin Parker, Fillyau Clayton, Bootsy and Phelp Collins, Bernard Odum, Sweet Charles Sherrell, Johnny Griggs; the talented singers of Marva Whitney, Vicki Anderson, and the late great Lyn Collins; last but definitely not the least, I can't forget Bobby Byrd because if not for him, James life would have taking a bleaker turn since Byrd and his family not only helped James get out of prison and on parole, but got James into his gospel group which James would later become the frontman of and, with his ambition and talent, would take the group further than they had ever imagine. There are other James Brown musicians names that I can't remember but had a major influential impact on builting the structural foundation on the sound we now know as 'Funk'. This book honestly puts everything on the table with his experiences as a professional musician as well as how shady the music industry really is.

Why is this book so good? Unlike most books, Richards takes the time to explain why each of the example pieces are important, and what you should pay extra attention to. He also really holds your hand in the improvisation practices by suggesting notes (and explaining why the suggested notes were suggested). Also very good is the use of different keys in the pieces. Some blues books tend to stick to C or G, but in this book the keys are varied (and Richards suggests going back through the pieces in other keys, which is a very good idea).

My only wish is that Richards makes a sequel to this book. This does not mean that this book isn't completely jammed with material, or is too easy: no on both accounts. I found myself wanting to learn more of the advanced "cliche's" which make Blues sound like the Blues. Nonetheless, this book is the best there is on the market for blues or improvisation instruction.

This is, by far, the best blues piano book out there. Mark Harrison's book is also good, but more as a quick guide for those who already have some chops and some understanding of theory.

Richards' book is a full course in Blues theory and practice and as such, you have to work through it. I've been at it for 14 months now and have just finished the second chapter. The material is perfectly paced for a pianist of my level (about Gr. 2-3, RCM, 30+ years ago). The pieces are fun to play and jam packed with important ideas and blues cliches. I'm really starting to see the beginnings of true hand independence that works , not only when I play memorized pieces, but that I can invoke when trying improvisations!

If you want to play professional-level blues piano in a month, then this is not the book for you. If, however, you live in the real world and are prepared to work at it, this book will do more than show a few riffs or tricks. It will give you a deep and firm foundation in popular piano improvisation in general, and blues in particular. I estimate I'll be another couple of years with this book and I can't wait to get back to it!

This book is a work of genius. Thank you, Tim Tichards!

I'm an aspiring jazz pianist in Canada (I'm 32). I'm another one of the victims of the classical music education system that was taught to read the page and nothing else. I always thought that people who were good at jazz and could play by ear were born that way.

When I was in high school I wanted to play jazz piano. Someone recommended the Mark Levine book to me. I tried going through it but gave up because I couldn't even figure out what a II-V was from his explanation. I figured jazz was this impenetrable language. I was sick of classical lessons by that time and gave up the piano.

Fast forward ten years when I decided I didn't want all those hours of practicing (before school, even) to go to waste. I headed to a local music store and literally went through every piano book before I found IBP. It's pretty much been a revelation, from discussions of notations to chord types to ideas. I still suck at improvising, but before this book I wouldn't have even tried.

I've got Tim's other two books on my shelf, patiently waiting for me to get to them. Seriously, his books are phenomenal. If I had found IBP back in high school instead of Mark Levine's brick wall of jazz accessibility, I might be ten years ahead. I can't recommend it highly enough. Rumour has it he's working on a fourth book about Latin piano, too.

There realy are not many great methods for the blues out there, but Tim Richards is thorough and goes into the required detail to show you how each blues style works.

The examples are very playable, suiting more or less an intermediate level pianist. Richards is one of the few take-away instruction teachers to be concerned about fingerings, and takes the trouble to suggest good ones. His playing instructions work very well and add a dimension that you don't often get in these method books - he has a great insight into the chords, and the notes and the way they fit the music. The breakdown of theory is very well explained, if sometimes overdone. But he never floods you with scales without showing you how to apply them - that in itself is a good thing!

Richards' choice of music is impeccable, and calssic blues standards of af all styles are presented from boogie, to funk, slow blues, and some jazzy numbers. And he shows you music in a number of keys so you aren't stuck to one or two and get a work out in the other keys. I found the music very playable, and well sounding, although I didn't always find the improvising instructions that intuitive.

The historical background he gives is accurate and informative and the pictures of blues and jazz legends really make this book interesting.

My criticism of the book is that it should have stretched up to the more advanced techniques of the blues - where the top players are, like Oscar Peterson, for example. That is its dissapointment - a teacher as good as this who dedicated the time to work a out a progressive and different course in blues shouldn't have stopped at the middle level. He surely should have stretched us, his interested audience up to the highest level.

But this should not stop you from using this very useful and inspiring book - I Thank you sincerely Tim.

Now and then you run across a method book that makes you a better player and is great fun to work through. "Improvising Blues Piano" is one such book. It starts out very simply and steadily progresses to a pretty sophisticated level. The accompanying disk is well recorded and the author's playing, particularly his timing, is quite musical. On most examples, if you can make your playing sound like Tim Richards, you'll really swing.

Starting in "C" and moving on to other familiar blues keys, the author mixes theory and practice in a logical progression of "bite sized" lessons that are very complete and doesn't assume anything about the student. At first, the experienced player may find the pace a bit slow but each section builds smoothly upon the foundation of the preceding material and I think it's worth while to patiently work on your weaknesses. When you can make those first simple exercises sound really musical, you've learned something valuable.

The volume is accessible to beginners (this will take you a long way) while remaining useful for the more advanced because there is so much good content. I particularly like that he weaves in biographical information of known blues players along with examples of their style. The history of blues unfolds along with the student's expanding ability to play.

If you are interested in the blues, I can't think of a better learning tool.

In The Wings is a wonderful book to own especially if you or the person you're buying the book for has had dance training. It's a wonderful look at everything you don't see before the performance. The morning warm up, ten-minute break, and exhausting rehearsals. My only gripe is that it's small! I was hoping this would be a coffee table book but it is in fact compact and very easy to take around.

The pictures and commentary are fabulous and give an in depth look into the goings on of the NYCB.

Highly recommended for the content and both black and white and color photographs. Only downer is the size, but that is easily looked past when you see what an amazing book this is.

I wish this book would have received more attention upon its release. It is a fabulous book of photographs and commentary from someone, a dancer, on the inside at New York City Ballet and is filled with images, wonderful images, that one would likely not otherwise see in any other ballet book. For the fan of NYCB it's a must have, but would be equally at home on the shelf of any ballet or photography fan. Mr. Froman has produced a keeper. Bravo!!!

This book is not another valentine to the New York City Ballet - it's far more authentic than that, and far more important. It's an often poignant look at what it's been like for this thoughtful, creatively gifted dancer to grow up in the company, with all the joys and disappointments that come with that surreal but privileged life.
I've always thought of Kyle Froman as a beautiful dancer, but as it turns out he's also a gifted photographer and an elegant writer as well. His photographs and his words have a penetrating honesty, and the book succeeds so brilliantly because it rings so true.

Rarely do I write in about purchases I've made, but In The Wings deserves mention. I bought this book for my daughter, a twelve-year old aspiring dancer, but when it arrived in the mail, I found myself completely immersed in it.
I don't consider myself a ballet buff. What I immediately identified with was the dancers' devotion to their art. I loved the fact that Froman didn't portray this world as sugary sweet. In page after page of gorgeous photography, he showed what it was like to devote yourself to something, what it takes from you, and what it gives back. Bravo, Kyle Froman

This book provides a great look behind-the-scenes at my favorite ballet company, New York City Ballet. Kyle's photos are super and his story of a day in the life of a dancer is revealing, funny and moving all at once.

I wrote about the book at my blog, Oberon's Grove.