Music Books

Track 3, Beautiful Blue, is the song featured in the opening credits of Falcon Beach. This Canadian show ran on ABCFamily the summers of 2006 and 2007.

This is the best yet...the kind of CD you can put in, play beginning to end and then do it again and again. As others have noted, "Beautiful Blue" is a classic as is the driving "Dallas". "When You Come Down" is a favorite of mine. I have all the others but there's something more to this. The arrangements do the lyrics complete justice giving extra punch where needed as well as leaving open spaces in other songs allowing the music to breathe. Holly is just one of those rare performers (like Heather Nova) with something magic in her voice that brings the lyrics alive in a way that reaches deep into ones soul. This sounds as good (if not better) two years (and hundreds of plays) after I bought it as it did the first time I heard it on her website. I can't recommend this one enough.

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This album is also very good. It is a bit more mellow than Stuff. There are some exceptional songs on this record. There are a couple less good ones, but just about every album has a couple.

My favorites are Beautiful Blue and Watching Over You. She has a very pretty voice that can also be very powerful when she wants to crank it up. The album also has some nice drumming on it and is well produced.

Holly McNarland may take home the prize for some of the dumbest album titles around (Stuff? Home Is Where My Feet Are?), but don't let that deter you. Her music and lyrics are far smarter than her unfortunate choices in titles.

Though her 1997 debut Stuff had much more raw firepower, Home... kicks up the eccentricity a notch. Check out the techno-ed up "Brush into My Tears". Her melodies on this album are less immediately accessible and her song structures more ambitious, but there are still rock-out moments aplenty. Lead track "Do You Get High?" is a classic McNarland kicker in the veins of "Numb" and "The Box", with rough but anthemic vocal harmonies, big beats and electric guitars. McNarland has refined her vocals a bit to take the grating edge off, and while I enjoyed her unrestrained wails on Stuff, her singing has definitely matured. Her lyrics have improved greatly, dispensing with the sometimes awkward phrasing that had been her only lyrical flaw up to now. "Beautiful Blue" doesn't quite scale the heights of McNarland's best song "Water", but it remains an effective demonstration of her musical alchemy -- the reconciliation of the beautiful with the ugly, the tenderness with the rage. When this woman rocks out, she's a force to be reckoned with, her muscular arrangements, soaring but surprisingly versatile voice, and sure-handed song progressions demolishing the likes of Alanis Morissette.

Five years was a long time to wait and I think Stuff is a stronger album given its unbridled energy. However, it's still mighty nice to see a talented, uncompromising singer-songwriter back in action. Think of it as riot-grrl energy with musical finesse and catchy pop sensibilities.

I got this CD after hearing Beautiful Blue on the radio and was blown away from the simple beauty of it.

I was wondering how good this album would be. After all, it took over 4 years to make.

Lke wine, Holly let herself age a little bit to perfection.

The music is complex yet simple, and her voice is hard-edged and beautiful. She is a living oxymoron (in a good way)

Soem of the songs are instantly accessable (Do You Get High, Sister, Beautiful Blue) while others you grow to love (my favorites I Cry, More, Dallas)

She manages to get a very strong point across without being too wordy. In fact, many of her songs are lyrically repetitive, which usually bugs the hell out of me, but I like it here.

A hidden gem that every true music fan should seek out.

I love this book! As a DJ with 15 years in the business, the author has said what everyone else was afraid to say. This is the all-out truth about DJ myths and marketing. Highly recommend this book.

I received How To Avoid DJ Horror Stories as a shower gift. As a bride-to-be, this book quickly became my best friend! It is as funny as it is informative. (The cartoon illustrations are really funny!) I learned so much from reading it that when it came time to interview DJs, I was able to spot, ahead of time, some of the myths and sleazy tactics referenced in the book. It actually saved me time (a precious commodity when planning a wedding). I especially liked Chapter 13, AFAQs (Answers to Frequently Asked Questions). The author literally answered every question that crossed my mind. Furthermore, I was pleasantly surprised with how easy the book was to read; it felt like the author was actually talking to me. How To Avoid DJ Horror Stories is a "must have" for any bride going the DJ route. Highly recommended!!!

In such a vast field as DJ services, it nice to be able to find the true gems among the pack. This book was instrumental in helping me select a DJ for my wedding, and I was EXTREMELY pleased with the results. If you want to know how to identify a "line" when you hear one from a DJ, GET THIS BOOK!

I've been a Disc Jockey for 25 years and have seen it all - this is hilarious - be careful who you book though. Read this and you should get a good Disc Jockey and have a great wedding/party!

Mr. Harrison is probably a good mobile dj but he makes the mistake of assuming regional preferences (such as clients not wanting lighting) and that most weddings go 4 hours is true all over. More importantly, there are numerous occasions where he states his opinion as fact. If these were truly facts, there would be documentation to back them up. There is a lot of good advice in this book but it's mixed in with a lot of opinions and outdated information which the target audience would like have difficulty sifting through.

My grandson (22 months) laughs when this is read and at the same time has learned the names of various musical instruments

This book is a trip ! I teach Music K-2 and all the children loved this book. The best part about Shy Fellow is that it's a great teaching tool in terms of all different musical instruments swallowed. The children were amused, curious and interested with every page!
Music Teachers: I highly recommend this book !!

This book is delicious! A parody on the song, " I know an old Lady who Swallowed a Fly", "I know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello" is funnier and delightfully illustrated. I purchased it because I am a music educator, and I highly recommend it for children from ages 3 to 100, but only if they have active imaginations.

The kids in my class loved singing along. I read/sang it with my K-3 music students. They all know the tune and enjoyed this variation. I used it to introduce various instruments and as a memory test for the kids. Cute pictures, well written. Just be ready to explain the word "bellow."

Barbara S. Garriel has created an interesting shy fellow who has an almost never ending appetite for musical instruments. With the artistry of John O'Brien and the writing talents of Ms. Garriel, this shy fellow takes a whimsical journey that will have everyone smiling. This book is a "must have" !

Most, Most ENJOYABLE!!!! I've sung this song to my grandchildren for over 25 years, and I was most delighted to see it in a book with the music.

This is a great book! I bought it to give as gifts for baby showers.

My young daughter loves this book. She knows the tune from one of the Putamayo CD's (Dan Zanes sings this song.) Too sweet.

I came across this book while searching for the lyrics to the 'Bushel & A Peck' song from the 'Guys and Dolls' soundtrack. My grandmother used to sing the song to my mother and my mother used to sing the song to my sister and I. In keeping tradition, we both now sing the song to our children and I was so excited when I found this book! The kids love the little duck characters as they sing the song through the vibrantly colored pages. We all 'doodle oodle oodle' through the end!! If you like the song - - you will absolutely love the book!!

My 2 1/2 year old twins love it when I sing this song to them, so I was thrilled to find a book that illustrated it. The pictures are bright and fun, and it's always nice when the publisher includes the lyrics/music, as it does in this one.

EnThe Story of Johnny Cash Eaton...: Moments Remembered...His Story As Told to Me...j

Very interesting

Greetings. May I congratulate you for finding your way to this book and to these few words.

This title, I STILL MISS SOMEONE, if from one of my favorite Cash-penned songs and the book was/is published by a very small mom/pop outfit in Nashville. They (the publisher) have no promotion or marketing or publicity savy, to speak of when promoting a book like this, so it has just layed here in obscurity.

This book, although it contains the input of over forty close Cash associates and a foreword by the Grahams (Ruth and Rev. Billy), has NEVER been reviewed by any press. In fact, the Nashville media didn't even give it one line. Small publishers suffer this snub, and in the end, so did this tribute book. Lost in the larger shuffle of all things Johnny Cash.

The only folks that know about this book are folks like you, that have searched, surfed and stumbled across it or maybe found it after hearing about it word-of-mouth.

To the point, if you get this book, I STILL MISS SOMEONE, and are not moved by it, touched by it, or feel it is more than worth the price, I will personally refund your purchase price. (hughwaddell@comcast.net)

Yes, I believe in this book with all my heart and soul!!!! In the few interviews about the book that happened last year (2005), I stated the same challenge, and have not been asked to refund one dime, yet. In spite of all the review snubs, the book stands on its own simple merit.

So screw the tiny publisher, the snubby-dub media and the self-serving Nashville "pompasses". This book does not need to be hyped or pumped by critics, anyway. I swear to you that you will enjoy this look at Johnny the Cash through the eyes and hearts of people who knew him best... his friends and family.

Thank you and God Bless!

All of us who followed the music and life of Johnny Cash;knew from the beginning of his musical career in the laste 50's that there was something special about this man. He came to most of us by his music and shows but we always knew he was a man who first of all knew and loved his God. The name Pilgrim was often associated with him;but the name Disciple would be just as fitting. I have followed ,listened to and read about him for about 50 years,but I can honestly say that the real truth about what Johnny Cash was really like is not any better shown than in this book. How he was seen and loved by those who really knew him,loved him,worked with him,family members,and people who considered him a friend and at the same time he considered a friend. Over 40 people got the honor to say what Johnny meant to them and what kind of a man and friend he was. One thing that is obvious from reading this book of over 300 pages and over 40 people,is that there must be thousands of others that knew him as well and if they had the same opportunity would have similar things to say.
It is so obvious Johnny loved life ,how much his family meant to him,and how much he respected those around the music business. If anyone in the public arena ever gave the impression that as he journeyed throuh life;his friend and Savior Jesus Christ was always by his side;it had to be him.
Millions of us admired Cash;but what a privilege it must have been to have been close to him. No wonder a great personal loss is seen in the stories each participant has to tell.
As we continue to listen to his music;this book will remind us what a Legend "The Man in Black" really was.
I am sure that when he finally met his God,he probably said something like;"Thanks Lord, for the privilege to have served you and my fellow man.I did the best I could ,and it's good to be home with you"
After you read this book,why not sit down and think or write about what Johnny Cash meant to you.

How do you come up with a way to tell the Johnny Cash Story that hasn't yet been done? There are countless biographies out there (disclosure: I have consulted, resourced and been interviewed on many), and the mythic history of this great man has been told many ways. But Hugh Waddell, JRC's friend and confidant of longstanding, has produced THE definitive portrait. He did it not by another retelling of the great Redemption story of our times (although that never gets old), or by a mere chronicle of John's achievements. Instead, he spectacularly tells the story through the eyes of John's family, friends, colleagues and fans. He wisely, and accurately, realized that it was John's effect on others which made him Mt. Rushmore-worthy. His life and music spoke to us, for us and with us, and the impact he made on people great and small continues to take the breath away. Johnny Cash walked with presidents (they fawned over him) and he sat with the people (who worshipped him). Hugh Waddell captures the qualities which allowed this by pointing the camera not at John, but at those he touched. The lens is reversed, and we see The Great Cash as a father, a farmer, a friend. His importance is told through the countless small interactions, the kindnesses and generosity, the human fraility and the soaring triumphs. He gave voice to our dreams and aspirations, taught us what it was like to run the mortal race, to fall greatly and rise back up greater. In these touching stories we see the real man, but more, we see ourselves. I did not want this book to end. The real people and their real stories about a real man are gripping. Johnny Cash was a giant, obviously. In this superb book we get to see how giants get that way. If I want someone to know what Johnny Cash was like, I give them this book.

Mark Stielper
Shoe size 11W

OK, with all the hype about the movie, Walk the Line, and living in Nashville as I do...and hearing Johnny Cash's name everywhere you turn...I hesitated going to see the movie "just because". Well. I somehow ended up seeing it, (long story for another day.) And let me just say that much to my chagrin, I LOVED the movie. So now I've been on a Johnny Cash rampage, listening, watching, and reading everything I can get my hands on. Yes, I succumbed. Call me weak.

This title looked interesting to me because it's written by people who knew him on a day to day basis. There's a chapter written by the guy who kept his farm, for gosh sakes! You just feel the love seeping from the pages. I wept, I laughed, I've read it again, and again.

For readers who might be wondering what all the shoe size business is about here in the reviews (I know I wondered before receiving the book)...Hugh says in the book that Johnny always said he had "itchy feet". He always needed to be doing something and going somewhere different. Johnny said "Everyone has itchy feet, some just itch more than others." So at the beginning of everyone's chapter is that person's shoe size. Just one more quirky little reason why this book has earned a place on my 'favorites' shelf.

As a Nashvillian, I would like to say: We are proud of our 'Cash heritage' and this book lays it all on the line.

Thank you, Hugh Waddell for such a wonderful gift that I'm sure even JRC's family will treasure for years and years.

May
Nashville, TN
Shoe size: 7.5

All around, yet another hit from the Missing Manual series!

I'm well versed in most things computer, so computer books often either are way under my interest level or are very technical in nature. This is a great mix of advanced techniques taught in a quick and understandable way.

I'm actually using iLife '06, but haven't hit any major roadbumps between the content in the book and the '06 apps.

Great stuff - now I'm drooling over the iPhoto specific book - I want to dig even deeper into that app now that I understand the basics!

iLife '05 is the fifth Missing Manual I've purchased. I find them helpful, informative, and fun to read. The chapter layout is logical and fluid, the index is thorough, and the entire manual is chock full of color (!) illustrations.

The first few chapters will walk the beginner through iTunes and the iTunes Music store. There is even a chapter on managing your iPod.

Next is iPhoto, Apple's image browser-librarian-editor. Like Apple's software, there is more than first meets the eye in these pages.

Section three covers iMovie, from working with your camcorder through producing something worth burning to DVD...leading seamlessly to

Section four, exploring iDVD. Both general concepts and insider-like tips abound.

Section five covers GarageBand. All the above sections are much more accessable and thorough than Apple's Help system. This Missing Manual closes with more than 50 pages of troubleshooting tips for the 5 software titles, and an excellent index.

The whole book is a pleasure to read, browse, or just to hold in the hand (though it's heavy--nothing skimpy about it). I find myself reading some sections completely and diving in for a just a few pages in others. A must have if you own iLife '05--whhich can be had for a song now that iLife '06 is out.

David Pogue's iLife 05: The Missing Manual covers all the major features and functions of iLife: iTunes, iPhoto 5, Garage Band 2 and more. These are all key cornerstones of the Mac's popularity and here are revealed by a weekly computer columnist for the New York Times who is himself a Macintosh author. From producing polished music recordings with no prior experience to using information panels, effects panes, film rolls and other features of iLife 05, you simply can't be without this book if you own the program. The full color screen examples packed throughout make it hard to mess up.

Do you need to harness cutting-edge technology for your own creative expression and entertainment? If you do, you're in luck! Author David Pogue, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that doesn't require you to be a professional working for a media conglomerate to read it.

Pogue, begins by discussing how to use iTunes 4 for managing, playing, buying and sharing digital music. Then, he discusses how to use the iPhoto 5 program for downloading photos from your digital camera, and organizing, sharing, and printing them. The author continues by describing how to use the iMoves HD program for editing footage from a digital camcorder, adding effects, sound, and credits, and then presenting the result. Next, he details how to use GarageBand 2 for composing and recording terrific-sounding songs of your own. Then, the author provides an overview of how to use the iDVD 5 program for burning DVDs containing the movies, music, and photos from iTunes, iPhotos, iMoves, and GarageBand. Finally, he explains how to troubleshoot the preceding programs.

This most excellent book packages iDVD 5, iTunes, iPhotos, iMoves, and GarageBand come in a single package called iLife '05. In other words, if you've mastered all of the preceding information, you have all of the technical background you need to enjoy iLife '05: The Missing Manual.

This is a good book for understanding all of the applications included in iLife 05. Note, however, that iLife 06 has been released with a host of new features, and thus depending on whether or not you intend to upgrade, this book may have a limited lifespan of usefulness at this point in time. As of iLife '06, iLife consists of six components: iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb. However, if you intend to stick with iLife 05 for awhile, you couldn't ask for a better guide. Basically, what the author has done is condense his Mac missing manual series of books- iMovie&DVD, iPhoto, iTunes&iPod, and GarageBand - into one volume. I have some of the missing manuals for the individual applications, and I compared the individual books with the applicable sections in this book, and they seem to be equitable in quality. The only thing you are really missing is some of Pogue's insight into using the applications - for example, some pointers on film-making in the case of the iMovie&iDVD book versus this book. There also seem to be more advanced user and customization information in the individual "Missing Manual" books versus this book, so perhaps power-users would be better off buying the individual missing manuals on the applications. I notice that Amazon does not show the table of contents, so I do that here for the purpose of completeness:
PART 1: iTunes
1. Getting Music into iTunes
2. Getting Music out of iTunes
3. Managing Your Music
4. The iTunes Music Store
5. The iPod Connection
PART 2: iPhoto
6. Camera Meets Mac
7. The Digital Shoebox
8. Editing Your Shots
9. The iPhoto Slideshow
10. Prints and Books
11. Photos Online - and Your Network
12. iPhoto File Management
PART 3: iMovie
13. Camcorder Meets Mac
14. Building the Movie
15. Transitions and Effects
16. Titles, Captions, and Credits
17. Narration, Music, and Sound
18. Still Pictures and Quicktime Movies
19. Finding Your Audience
PART 4: iDVD
20. From iMovie to iDVD
21. iDVD Projects By Hand
22. Advanced iDVD
PART 5: GarageBand
23. Setting Up the Garage
24. Loops
25. Regions
26. Software Instruments (MIDI)
27. Recording and Editing Live Audio
28. Effects, Guitar Amps, and Instrument Models
29. Mixing and Publishing
PART 6: Troubleshooting
30. Troubleshooting iTunes
31. Troubleshooting iPhoto
32. Troubleshooting iMovie
33. Troubleshooting iDVD
34. Troubleshooting GarageBand

I've had this product for only two days and I'm burning through it. I once had a professor that said something like: People that understand a topic best can explain it in the simplest terms. That rings true with Jorgenson's approach. I don't site read music, but I understand basic harmonic theory. Most of the chords weren't too foreign to me. I'd spent a little time with some other Gypsy Jazz learning material, but was very quickly bewildered and exhausted by the effort. With this stuff, on the second day (some 2 hours into the material) I was already playing solos along with the practice CD.

I think there is a skill spectrum where this set can be most effective. The student on the DVD, Brad Davis, picks things up faster than I can. He's a pro and a really good player. I think he's at the top of the spectrum and I'm probably near the bottom. This set is for intermediate players, at least. If you are a guitar beginner, certainly pick something else.

I almost bought a cheaper learning DVD for Gypsy Jazz, but then I caught this on checkout (Thanks Amazon!). It's more expensive, but in this case, it's entirely worth it. I'm finally getting close to my dream of being able to play music by the most important jazz guitar player of all time. That's just plain cool and Jorgenson deserves some kind of educational award. I've purchased a good deal of instructional DVDs for guitar by all kinds of players and I think this is the best one. There's a difference between being a really good player and being a great teacher; Jorgenson is both.

I can't wait to devour this first "beginning" pack so I can get to the second.

I grew up listening to Django Reinhardt recordings. Not having touched a guitar in over 25 years, I recently decided to get serious about playing again, mainly for self-satisfaction and to give me something to do as I near retirement. By accident I stumbled across a recording by John Jorgenson and my jaw dropped--his sound and technique made me think I was listening to Django! Was it possible to learn how to play like this? I ordered Intro to Gypsy Jazz Guitar and I've been including it into my training regimen. In just one month, I can play some of the minor 6th rhythms (on my Gitane Selmer-style guitar) with "that" sound and beat. Oh, I have so much work to do and so much practice ahead of me (years), but John has broken down the essence of the Django Gypsy Jazz style in a way that is understandable and learnable. Now, the only thing that stands between me and mastery of this wonderful style of music is hard work and time (and right now I just can't put my guitar down). Perhaps someday I'll meet John and back him up on rhythm using the things he taught me! Always need a goal to shoot for, right? Thanks John for this great "course!" I have already ordered Intermediate Gypsy Jazz Guitar.

Jorgenson isn't just a great guitarist: he is an expert analyst of guitar skills, and a good communicator.
This book is not only for gypsy jazz wannabes, but will be useful for any guitarist seeking to expand their knowledge and musicianship. My 'used' copy was also a reasonable value, and in perfect condition. There's a great section, for example, on using three-string chords for 'comping.

Just started working through this great resource. The DVD is very well done . John uses an effective format for the instruction by using an actual student who works through the exercises. The text is well written and the instructive style will get you playing rhythm Gypsy Jazz in just a few hours. Well worth your time and money. Happy strummin'

This is excellent. Don't pass it up. In this one, the basic 1-4-5 blues progression is the starting point for a hands on demo walkthrough of how to take this basic progression and fill it in with more robust substitutions and exciting sounding background comping. The 9th, dim, aug and 6th cords are pressented in an easy to digest, follow, and incorporate series of demo's. The instructor describes what is going on so you can create this type of movement in your own arrangements.

The teaching style of having a "live" student asking questions during the dvd instruction, tries to create the feel that you are sitting in on an actual lesson. This works really well here as the instructor and student have good chemistry and the exchange keeps the information from becoming dry. It also helps pace the demo's as the teacher plays, then the student and teacher play together, which actually helps give you a bit more time to play along without having to continually replay demos that often seem a bit too short for new material on some of the other dvd's I've had.

I'm about half way through on this dvd today, and already I am here ordering the next level intermediate dvd cause this one is that good - I want to keep on learning from this guy! The pressentation is really well done, and the notation materials are excellent. The "book", is a full sized book - which is beyond the norm - this is not just a collection of "reminder" highlight notes in a half size booket insert, as comes with some other dvd video instructions. In addition to being full sized, these materials are well organized, easy to read, and include narrative text and explainations.

Bottom line: very nice instructional product of a really great and useful topic. In fact, even if you don't want to play this particular style in depth, the chord substitution theory is well worth the time and price of this product.

I finally got a chance to use this book. I hadn't had time to really sit and play with it. My friend called and needed me to come over and help set up Ipods for all three children. I grabbed the book thinking it may help. And yes it did. I would have been lost without it. It made things so simple and if I had a question it had the answer. I was so excited I came home and used the book to organize my ipods better. A must have for any ipod owner.

It seems to be a fair book. I didn't like the fact that it was in black and white only. I also thought it was a little outdated.

From my hands-on-perusal at the book seller's, I would say that ALL the iPod books are worth buying, but I chose Miller's IPODPEDIA over the others for the following reasons: 1) It is never out of date: Scanning the opening pages in the bookstore, I learned that Miller has a website for his book which he updates in sync with new iPod models and developments, so I put my purchase on hold for that moment with the intention of visiting Miller's website and then making a decision to purchase from the on-shelf possibilities when I next visited the store. I went to ipodpediatheblog.blogspot.com per Miller's instructions. One finds there an ongoing dated history of his evaluations/commentary/tips, not to mention the links to other sites on which he is a significant iPod presence. 2) He shows that the iPod's simplicity is real for the let's-get-going-user, but he also shows that there is a depth to the menus which might not be realized by this user. He supplies a useful chart of the of the menus, model by model. 3) Unlike the other iPod authors, he shows that commercial DVD's can be converted to iPod format, and then he directs the user to the resources. No other authors that I saw on the shelf deal with this possibility.
4) Like the other iPod authors he describes accessories of all kinds, but he gives an opinion about the quality or usability of many of these accessories as well--most useful stuff. 5) Miller lets us know in the opening pages that his book is "Safari Enabled" for those in need of an electronic reference resource. 6) Miller accesses the iPod from a ubiquitous Windows world, though he makes all the necessary concessions to Mac users. Mac or Windows OS? It makes no difference in the usability of this book. Nutshell opinion: The iPodpedia is a most helpful book for beginner AND beyond.

iPodpedia was a Christmas gift I bought for my brother who purchased his iPod in 2006. I bought myself an iPod 80GB Classic and my six-year-old son a iPod Shuffle for Christmas this year and was confident that my brother would share his iPod knowledge with me. Needless to say, the iPodpedia has become the CHRISTMAS GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.

My brother has been reading it like a book and shares all the great tips and tidbits he has found in the well-written book by Michael Miller. I'll receive phone calls from brother so excited, "Hey, did you know that your iPod can do this?"

I'm not certain, but I may have to buy another copy just for myself. What if I can't reach my brother one day and I have a question?

I purchased this book for my Dad because he is always asking me questions about his Ipod. I learned more by reading three pages from the chapter labeled secrets then all of the lookups I have done on my own. I was so impressed with the book that I purchased one for myself. If you own an Ipod or know someone that does, you must purchase this book.

A wonderfully crafted autobiography. Honest and personal, Geldof puts the first half of his life under the microscope and you grow to love him for his warts and scars.
A riveting book especially for those who recall the music of his era. You will laugh and you may cry even if it is only because the book ends years short of the present day.

This book is one of those books that will renew your faith in the ability of normal people to change the world for the better. It is also hilarious and a great read!

I don't usually read biographies books but this one is a very good one

It's severly dated by today's standards, but what an excellent read, all the same. I look at it as the music industry version of Julia Phillips "You'll Never Eat Lunch In This Town Again". Biting with sardonic wit, lots of muck-raking (most of it spot-on), and just a wee bit 'o' honesty.

How much of it is true, we'll never know. But the essential bits (the inception of the Boomtown Rats, their immersion into the music scene, other bands, Live Aid, etc.) are required reading for anybody who gives a damn about the music industry. There's loads of comedy as well as pathos, as well as some of the greatest quotes I've ever read in an autobiography.

If you can still find a copy, it's well worth owning.

Bob Geldof's book is a stunning odyssey into the mind of a rock star. he also happens to be a philanthropist who can teach a thing or two to the best of them. the man behind `live aid' not only collected hundreds of millions out of a telethon for africa's famine victims, but made sure they reached the right hands. his forthright language and no-holds-barred style are refreshing. if you must read an autobiography of a rock star, read this one.

I had never heard of Bjorling until several months ago one late evening when the local classical music station played some of his arias. I had missed the intro to the work and couldn't figure out to whom this incredible and unique voice belonged; I knew I'd never heard anything remotely like it. You have to hear Jussi only once to want to listen endlessly to his voice. (Needless to say, my opera CD collection is expanding exponentially.)

So it was a great pleasure to discover this excellent biography, which illuminates not only his life but also the opera world from the 20s through the 50s. His early life and training from his father are particularly interesting if you wonder how such a great talent was discovered and developed. (The only question in my mind not answered is the extent to which his children inherited the incredible musical talent that was in his family for generations; that they perform is mentioned but never elaborated on.) The book is well documented with quotes from his peers, and the authors do a splendid job of presenting the entire person with his strengths and weaknesses in a very objective way that holds the reader's interest from beginning to end.

Jussi was an impeccable artist with a a magnificent voice and superb musicianship. This book details his careeer as a flawed man and a magnificent artist with a voice which cannot be rivaled. Ever.

In a world where most opera biographies are either useless, gushy fan magazines or vicious, gossipy garbage, this loving yet warts-and-all account of the life of the great Swedish tenor Jussi Bjorling (1911-1960) is a standout. Although the book is written primarily by his widow Anna-Lisa, there is additional, exhaustive research and editing by Andrew Farkas (who also co-authored an Enrico Caruso biography with Caruso's son). Many of Bjorling's colleagues are also interviewed, and reviews of both his live performances and opera recordings are extensively quoted. As a supplement, there is also a 58-page listing of Bjorling's performances (933 in opera and nearly twice as many concerts and recitals) at the end of the book. The cover shows Bjorling as Romeo in `Romeo et Juliette', perhaps his greatest role.

Anna-Lisa Bjorling, who was married to Jussi for 25 years, was herself a fine soprano who often partnered her husband in concert. As of this writing she is still alive at 92. Although Anna-Lisa clearly loved Jussi very deeply, she is still capable of being objective about him when required. She is a wonderful writer, providing vivid portraits not only of Jussi, herself, and their children, but just about everybody they ever came into contact with, as well as of life in Sweden in general. After reading this book, I felt like Jussi and Anna-Lisa were old friends.

Bjorling had not only what was probably the most beautiful tenor voice to ever come out of a human throat, but also a nearly perfect technique, a superb sense of style, and the ability to truly stir the souls of his listeners. While he had a reputation for being a very poor stage actor, this was at least occasionally exaggerated. Although Bjorling died tragically young at the age of 49 of heart failure, he had a magnificent and very long career which lasted 45 years, 32 as a tenor. He is probably the only opera singer whose recording career (which began when he was 9!) lasted from acoustic to electric to LP to stereo recordings. He made his stage debut at 19 as Don Ottavio at the Royal Opera, Stockholm, after having studied first with his father, his principal singing teacher, and then at the Royal Opera School with the Royal Opera's director, baritone John Forsell. His career expanded to Europe and the rest of the world very quickly. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1938, and with the exception of the WWII years and several years in the 1950s due to fights with Rudolf Bing, he remained there until his death. He concentrated on about 10 or 15 Italian and French operatic roles, and was also an avid recitalist with several hundred songs in his `inventory'.

Unfortunately, Bjorling is nearly as famous in operatic circles for his alcoholism as for his glorious singing, and I think that is appalling. In fact, the one thing this book makes very clear is that although the disease was a tragedy for him personally and traumatic for his family, it had comparatively little effect on his actual career, at least outside Sweden. Working actually kept him from drinking. Anna-Lisa offers considerable proof that many of the stories about Jussi's drinking were exaggerations, gossip or outright lies, most tellingly in the true story of the cancellation of the `Un Ballo in Maschera' recording under Sir Georg Solti, which was a product of producer John Culshaw's malice. Nearly all his colleagues also defend him on this regard. As far as I'm concerned, the only people who have any right discussing Jussi's alcoholism are Anna-Lisa and his children, as they are the only ones who really had to deal with it. ....

Overall, Jussi comes across as a beautiful human being - simple, warmhearted and lovable, a wonderful husband and father, adored by almost everybody who worked with him or knew him. The book is full of stories about his kindness and generosity to colleagues. He was also an avid pike fisherman who loved westerns and was unbeatable at arm wrestling. He basically had only three serious flaws as a human being: impulsiveness that on occasion bordered on irrationality, stubbornness, and what Anna-Lisa calls, for lack of a better term, a deep inner restlessness - the inner demon that drove him to drink.

I only wish `Jussi' could have been longer. A year before it was published, I spoke with leading Bjorling authority Cantor Don Goldberg, one of the book's proofreaders. He told me that the first draft was 1100 pages. As the final copy is only 520 pages, I wonder what was cut besides the many laudatory comments from colleagues that were considered repetitive. I was surprised that there wasn't more information about Jussi's brothers once they reached adulthood, especially Gosta, who was so close to Jussi that they had an almost telepathic relationship. And while this book does full justice to such fundamental influences on Jussi's singing as his father, John Forsell (who emerges as quite a character!), and Tullio Voghera, I would have liked a bit more on Nils Grevilius, who conducted nearly every recording Jussi made before 1950. There is also virtually nothing about Hjordis Schymberg, the fine Swedish soprano who partnered Jussi over 100 times in Stockholm. More mention of his recordings besides the complete opera sets would have been welcome, although I am aware that his recordings are covered in the companion volume `A Jussi Bjorling Phonography'. Finally, while I am aware this would have added to the price of the book, there are so few color photos of Bjorling that I think they should have had one on the cover.

`Jussi' is essential reading for anyone with any interest in good music, let alone opera. It is the definitive biography of one of the most magnificent singers and human beings ever to appear on an opera or concert stage. If you haven't heard this man sing, remedy that immediately!

Using painstaking research, Mr. Farkas helps readers understand the demons that followed this troubled musical genius. I always revered this extraordinary man; I now feel that I know him. Thank you, Mr. Farkas Carol P. (JBS member...attended Washington conference but never met you)

That Jussi Bjorling was a man beset by demons from within, against which he frequently lost battles, is a revelation to those of us who only thought of him as the greatest tenor of the 20th century. Anna-Lisa does justice to his memory by openly discussing his problems. But of equal importance, she depicts a warm, friendly man whose life was his family and his singing. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, and, simultaneously, a consummate professional who took enormous pride in his craft. He achieved a level of success that will remain the standard for future generations of singers. The heights of adoration he engendered in his fans and colleagues, combined with the critical praise he enjoyed, will probably remain unequalled. His passing created a void that will NEVER be filled.