Music Books

"Hollywood Beauty" is a thoroughly well researched bio of the late actress, Linda Darnell. It definitely portrays a tough, life in the Tinseltown whirlwind. HB also offers a solid overview of life in the old studio system that wedded performers to one autocratic employer. We read how actors were assigned to a picture, then suddenly pulled or shuffled off to another job with no thought given to personal feelings or effects on careers. Fox boss Darryl F. Zanuck and director Joseph l. Mankiewicz are portrayed as hedonistic cads. This reviewer is too young to remember but that system broke up in the early 1950s. TV was the culprit. Fewer Americans were going out to movies so fewer films were made. Linda was cut by Fox but such stars as Clark Gable, Betty Grable, Gene Tierney, and Jeanne Crain also received pink slips. This reviewer encountered one minor disappointment with HB: He would like to have learned more about the making of that classic, brooding western, "My Darling Clementine". How did LD like react to working with director John Ford? (Do we remember that scene where she tries to cheat Henry Fonda at cards?). That minor complaint aside, HB is highly recommended to movie fans of any age. One may be too young to remember LD but that is what VHS and DVDs are for! Some may believe that HB is a sad story but this reviewer disagrees. For all her troubles, LD never gave up. She hung in there through it all and was gainfully working as a stage actress right up to her untimely death in that fire. Readers should enjoy HB more if they approach with an optimistic mindset and a desire to learn of the old Hollywood studio system that is gone forever, for better or worse. Most likely the latter.

Linda Darnell has been a long favorite of mine, so to read "Hollywood Beauty: Linda Darnell and the American Dream," was a real treat. Well written, with a good insight to this lady as both an actress and woman.

Madam Shopper
http://www.marchars.com

This was the only bio I could find on Linda Darnell and I must say, it was worth the money. The author's honest depiction and narrative of this actress is wonderfully written. I highly recommend this insightful biography!

I always liked Linda Darnell. My mother had told me about her when I was in my early teens, saw some of her films, and was quite taken by her. She wasn't a great actress, but she certainly wasn't a bad one, either. But when you look like that, who cares? Linda, born Monetta Eloyse Darnell in Texas, was blessed, or cursed, with a strikingly beautiful face. Pushed by her volatile, ambitious mother, Linda was signed to a contract at 20th Century Fox at the age of 15. Touted as Fox's "Glory Girl", she was featured in several films as a decorative brunette. With her lovely "Latin" looks (her grandfather actually was part Cherokee) and voluptuous figure, she adorned the screen in films such as "The Mask of Zorro" and "Blood and Sand", playing "good girls". When her box-office appeal started to wane, she was still barely over 20 years old. Her personal problems began to mount, dealing with her overbearing mother, a mounting drinking problem that began when she was married to her first husband, (who was some twenty-odd years older), and the fact that she could not bear children. Ms. Darnell's career picked up, however, when she started playing gorgeous "bad girls" in films such as "Fallen Angel", "Hangover Square", and the overblown costume epic "Forever Amber", in which she played an upwardly mobile woman of ill repute. Her best role, as the golddigger with a tender heart in Joseph Mankiewicz's "A Letter to Three Wives", came in 1949, but from then on it was pretty much downhill. Ms. Darnell's personal life became a series of unhappy marriages, exploitative relationships, a spotty career, alcoholism, and ultimately ended in a spectacularly awful way: she was horribly burned in a house fire in 1965, with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 90% of her body,lingered for about 33 hours, and died, aged 41.
The book is a quick, albeit depressing read. Ronald Davis, also a native Texan, writes with compassion for his subject. Several interviews with her siblings, friends, and adopted daughter give a sympathetic portrayal of the "Fallen Angel". To put it in a nutshell, Ms. Darnell wasn't tough enough to handle the ups and downs of show business. Her tale isn't the first nor the last about the cruel world of showbiz, but it just seems even more depressing, when one thinks of the beauty with the face of a Madonna, going downhill at such a young age, and dying so horribly. I may add that there are eerie foreshadowings of her demise in three of her best known films. In "Hangover Square", she is strangled by Laird Cregar, who places her body on a bonfire on Guy Fawkes Day; in "Anna and the King of Siam", Linda, playing the runaway concubine Tuptim, is burned at the stake; and in "Forever Amber", she bears witness to the Great Fire of London. Creepy, isn't it?
Just a word of warning: Don't read this book if you're depressed!

Very well, written, but the author couldn't decide the year of Linda's birth. On the copyright page, one year of birth was given, then in the book, another year. It made me question the other facts. Aside from that, the book was very interesting-- the strange homelife, the thyroid problem, the marriages, the films, the decline of her acting career and the section on her burning and death are just gripping. I recommend this one.

My daughter loved this book as a toddler when I got it from the library and she still loves at 7 yrs old. So much so that she put it on her Christmas list because she doesn't want to borrow it from the library anymore. Cute illustrations and great easy to sing additional versus to a classic song.

I love this book and my daughter does too. We have a lot of Iza Trapani books and I'm on Amazon to buy another. This is the hardest one for me to sing in places but the story is so sweet and it teaches kids about doing nice things for others. The first few times I read it, it really did bring tears to my eyes. I get tired of reading a few of the Trapani books after enough days in a row but I may never get tired of this one.

iza trapani is the best. she's got wonderful imagination. every page is beautifully painted to take little minds and hearts out of this world. my son loves and remembers all her rhyme books since he was 3.

We (my husband, my sons and myself) love this book a lot, the story is great (see the other review) and our sons love it when we sing it out. It has became our standard gift for babyshower and small kids' birthday parties, whenever we can.

We felt that this book deserve more "promotions" -- too few people heard of it. Too few bookstores have it in stock -- I could not buy as a gift if I forgot to order it ahead of time. This book deserve to be in every kid's bookshelves. This is the first time I ever write a review because 3 reviews are just too few. I am sure more would give it 5 stars if only they get access to this book.

and the best will come back to you." (Unknown)

A cute little boy wants a doggie but doesn't have enough money. He has saved some money but it isn't enough. (Oh! I wish there were more books on saving money! Kids need them.) The pet store owner shows him other pets he can afford but the boy's mind is made up. He goes home and has a lemonade stand but it rains and he catches cold and can't do anything to make money to buy that doggie in the window. In the meantime, his sister, mom and dad each have a need that he can fill with some of his money and he gladly does so without hesitation. At the end of the week, he counts the money in his piggy bank and realizes he can't afford the doggie. He accepts this (another great lesson for kids to learn--to accept when they can't have something) and goes to visit the doggie just to say, "Hello." How sweet.

Good things happen to that little boy, I think, for the rest of his life with such a kind, giving heart. Thanks, Iza for a very special story with lots of takeaway value.

Soar!

'Been in the game for 12 years getting no place. Moved to Nashville, hang out, thought I was doing stuff right. But I kept hearing what I didn't want to hear - my songs weren't quite there. 'Been too stubborn to accept that. Then I read Leiken's book and read what all those publishers said. Okay- I'll give it another shot, doing it their way. Thanks, Mollie. Good to know you're out there

We sent our songs to all the cheap "consultants" in the world for direction with our music career. But this book has been more helpful than all of the "experts" put together. 'Bought four copies - one for each member of my band.

Finally! A book that really helped us! My band and I read all the other books. Went to the seminars. Paid the lawyers. But this book has opened our eyes, sharpened our pencils and got us going. Our songs are 'way stronger, and now we have a major deal on the table.
Put your egos away and listen to this lady. She knows her stuff. This book will change your life and career, too.

We sent our songs to all the cheap "consultants" in the world for direction with our music career. But this book has been more helpful than all of the "experts" put together. 'Bought four copies - one for each member of my band.

How To Be A Hit Songwriter: Polishing And Marketing Your Lyrics And Music offers practical creative and career advice from an Emmy-nominated songwriter Molly-Ann Leikin. From rewriting without overwriting, to coping with rejection, to meeting deadlines, to developing business smarts, and so much more, How To Be A Hit Songwriter is a definitive, down-to-earth, accessibly written, "must-read" instructional reference guide for all aspiring song writers and composers of popular music.

Sheila Anderson's book, How To Grow As A Musician, focuses on many questions that younger artists have the moment they step on the scene. There are great answers, given by revered musicians,that have lived every statement made about the rough road of show business. Sheila allows the reader to hear from those who live the life of an artist. Not those who give commentary or opinions of something they do not know first hand. It is a book that should be in any classroom or library of those who like to follow a plan to personal achievement.


Kahlil Kwame Bell

Producer, Arranger and Musician.

I not only enjoyed this book, but found it to be an extremely useful resource for achieving success in my own career. Reading this book is a "must" for those who wish to enrich their lives and grow personally in their profession.

When I first opened Sheila Anderson's book it hit me in the face like a cool zephyr. I have never read a book about musicians before but this will not be my last. Brava, Sheila. I cannot put this book down. I have read this book three times already and I cannot wait to read it again. A whole new world has opened up to me becuase of this book.

I highly recommend "How to Grow as a Musician" to musicians, people who work in the industry (like me) and anyone who has ever been interested in the music business. This comprehensive resource with insight from some of the industry's top musicians from Al Jarreau to Ruth Brown make this an indispensible work. Congratulations to Sheila Anderson on such a fine book!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was informative, easy to read and a fascinating glimpse at the life of being a musician in this country. The different genres of music represented in this book , from gospel to classical, made it well-rounded as well.

My 2 year old loves this book!!! I get to read it at least twice a day. We both like that it can be sung or read.

I recently found this book at the library along with Iza Trapani's books. A-Hunting We Will Go! has a better flow than the other books and makes it easier to read in a hurry. My 2 yr old likes to turn pages fast, but this is easy to memorize, and easy for her to read along with me. I recomend it for anyone who has to put a child to bed (which would be most parents). Definitely 5 star quality!

This is my 4-year-old's favorite book. He's heard it so many times, he can repeat the entire story verbatim (in prose and in song form). The words are very large - useful for this beginning reading - and the rhyming form is easy for him to master. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is a lot of fun. Great book!

The moose character is a totally new addition for Mr. Kellogg's repertoire, and he is quite the funny looking fellow.

A sure tonic for any parent or grandparent that reads to their children or grandchildren. As entertaining for adults to read as for the young ones it is created for. His illustrations are charming & funny. A real treat! I highly recommend this author/illustrator. If you like this book, look for any of the Pinkerton series, a "sell out" at all the public libraries.

My three year old grandaughter loved this book. She refers to it all the time. "I'm the boss and I say floss!" The Llamas in their pajamas were so cute, and it is a real imagination pleaser. Great illustrations! Fun book!

The topic is very well covered. It offers some very good harmonic devises.

If you want to be original in your playing, this book is for you. I have gone through all the exercises, and believe me, it will take a lifetime to explore all the permutations that can happen in this method. I tried using this method in my playing employing my own bass runs and other sweep picking techniques. The results are truly amazing. The best part of this book is that the writer encourages creativity. It is not that show and follow sort of books you get often. This is the ultimate guide for original playing. A must have for the independent guitarist.

I'm a professional guitarist and guitar teacher and am submiting the below review based on many years experience performing and teaching the guitar in a variety of styles.
Many guitarists' right hand technique is limited to the use a pick only. Others favor the use of their individual right hand fingers exclusively. The technical exercises required to excel at each approach vary somewhat and the strengths of each approach also vary. For example the pick is a wonderful tool for creating a consistent sound while performing complex, linear single note lines while the use of individual fingers allows for a more contrapuntal approach and excels when wide intervals are required.
Since both techniques are strong at bringing out different types of musical material the obvious question is; why not use both approaches at the same time and get the best of both worlds? In fact a number of great players have been doing just that with what has come to be called Hybrid Picking technique for quite some time but, up to now, no one as knowledgeable as author/guitarist Assis-Brasil has taken the time to really address the technical challenges that a person encounters when trying to get a significant level of mastery in this area.
Hybrid Picking For Guitar is a well organized book that finally addresses this neglected area of guitar technique: the art of using a guitar pick held between thumb and forefinger combinded with the remaining available right hand fingers together as a powerful and well integrated 'team' which then allows the player to optimize the strengths of both approaches. The beauty of the approach is that the player doesn't have to sacrifice anything; if an idea sounds better with a pick it can still be performed with one whale a phrase that can only be played using individual fingers can also be executed with ease and each phrase could be part of one longer integrated line.
The book explains the technique extremely clearly and lays out a series of well thought out exercises that are designed to help the student gain strength, independence and control. The curriculum then progresses to examples which both help the student extend facility while also showcasing some of the musical ways in which the technique can be used. Perhaps the highlight of the book is the section at the end which features a series of wonderful and varied compositions by the author. The pieces are both very instructive and very musical which is not always the case in instructional books.
Most essentially author Assis-Brasil does a great job of giving a sense of how Hybrid Picking technique can be used both to transcend the limitations of existing guitar technique and the confines of traditional guitar vocabulary and/or play traditional guitar phrases with more ease and speed. It soon becomes obvious that, as a guitarist, one may be able to play musical ideas that have previously seemed only possible to execute on piano or saxophone for example.
Assis-Brazil has made a great contribution to guitarists by writing this excellent book because it lays out a methodical approach to mastering the technique and gives inspiring examples of it's application in real music. I strongly recommend Hybrid Picking For Guitar to any student of the guitar especially those who want to expand their technique and musical vocabulary in line with their imagination not limited by traditional guitar technique.

This is a great book/cd combo.The compositions are fantastic.I have been working on the study #1 and it is really beautiful.When you think what a single lesson costs this becomes a bargain of the century .My only complaint is that the standard tab lets you know which note at which fret but not which finger plays that note.Most of the times this is pretty obvious though.Definitely the best book of its kind that I have seen .

By LEE PROSSER - JazzReview.com

Recognized for his unique stylings and innovative approaches, Gustavo Assis-Brasil shares with guitarists his many intricate insights for a complete method of combining pick and fingers for hybrid picking. His book will educate and entertain. In creating this fine book of instruction, the author provides step-by-step exercises. He gives standard notation and tablature, and there is a CD with examples and compositions included. The user of this book will learn how to combine legato, alternate, and sweep with hybrid picking. Chapters include an excellent section on hybrid picking lines, melodic pairs, 12 tone lines, harmonic exercises, permutation chart, and voicings. Each chapter covers in-depth its subject matter in concise, clear writing and examples. Highly recommended for those interested in developing hybrid guitar picking skills.

I have used this book collaboratively with 3 & 4th grades at an inner city school. The rich information and fantastic illustrations are a perfect stimulant to lessons in language arts as well as dance and painting.

This is an excellent resource for the classroom. It depicts the history of African American music from Africa to rap/hip hop with vibrant art work matching the electric words! Wow!

This book is a great book to include in a public library, home library, or school library. This book can be incorporated in many areas of learning. The author does an excellent job discussing the historical and physical features of African American music. Reading the book is like going on a musical journey. Some of the music types discussed are; jazz, ragtime, blues, gospel, and bebop. Each music type is well described, and Michele has included in each musical description a timeline, important figures associated with the music, and sample lyrics. Michele Wood also includes an activity in the book. She has put a little girl in each scene, and the reader has to locate her. It is not always easy. The little girl represents Michele when she was growing up. I highly recommend this book to young and old. Michele Wood has done an excellent job writing an interesting and informative book.

This beautifully illustrated book tells the history of African-American music through poems and art. It is both informative and inspiring. I hate age-level labels on books like this. Adults will appreciate this book as much as children. I stumbled upon it at a new multicultural bookstore, discovering later that it was a Coretta Scott King winner. I can see why!

"I see the rhythm. I see the rhythm of our beginnings. I feel the pulse of a people and a land in harmony. I hear the legends told by the drum, the beats of our beliefs, the music of our ancient history..." From its roots in Africa and slave songs, to the birth of the blues, ragtime, swing, jazz, and gospel, to rhythm and blues, rock and roll, hip hop, funk, and rap, Toyomi Igus and Michele Wood trace the history of African American music. Ms Igus' lyrical free verse, rich in imagery and magic, is powerful and evocative as it swirls creatively around the page, and is complemented by Ms Wood's stunning illustrations, full of emotion and drama that captures both the feel of the music and the times. Each two page spread also includes a brief description of the musical style, and a marvelous timeline that sets that musical period in its larger, historical context. Perfect for youngsters 10 and older, I See The Rhythm is an inspiring feast for the eyes and ears that celebrates African American music and brings it to life on the page, and is a terrific introduction that shouldn't be missed.

"In Grandma's Attic" is a beautiful book that our whole family enjoyed, from my 5-year-old homeschooled kindergartener all the way up to my 77-year-old parents.

Author Arleta Richardson, herself in her 80s now, recalls stories that her grandmother shared about her childhood. The grandmother grew up on a farm in Michigan around the turn of the last century, so the stories offer a nice glimpse into the past--almost doubling as a history lesson.

Arleta introduces each story with what was happening when her grandma told it to her, whether grandma was sitting down to sew, telling about something Arleta had pulled out of the attic, or entertaining Arleta as the little girl from diphtheria. Readers can learn about day-to-day life from two different periods of history at once.

What I most appreciate is the quaint honesty of the stories. Grandma even tells stories about the mischief she got into as a child! Arleta manages to show that childhood is still childhood, no matter the time period.

We used this book as a read-aloud during school times and at bedtime. I'd say a child with about a third-grade reading level could read it alone. Each of its 23 chapters is short, with about 5 or so pages each. Each chapter tells a different story.

The book has five nice, black-and-white illustrations. It even feels good in the hand, with a nice linen cardstock cover and standard novel size.

If you enjoy the Little House on the Prairie series, you'll enjoy this book. Some of the stories end with a Christian message, such as how prayer brought grandpa a new pair of shoes. All emphasize values, though not at all in a preachy way.

Like grandma from the book, I also grew up on a farm in Michigan, but I think anyone would love these stories.

We read this as part of the Sonlight Core C (kindergarten) homeschool curriculum. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

"In Grandma's Attic" is one of the best character-building books I have come across. These humorous short stories convey history, family life, and lessons learned in such a delightful way. Reminds me of the "Little House" books, but with a greater spiritual emphasis. So glad we were introduced to this series through "Five in a Row" by Jane Claire Lambert, who recommends it be read in conjunction with "The Rag Coat" by Lauren Mills.

What I liked the most about this book was that this girls grandmother told a lot of stories in this one book. It was REALLY good and I liked all the stories. I learned never to put your tounge on metal when it is winter and never touch guns and lots of other great lessons. I would like all of my friends to read this book. I am sure they would love it just like I loved it.
by: Jordan age 7

We read and reread these books to our sons when they were small. Then they read - and reread - them for themselves. Our family laughed a lot over the adventures and misadventures of Mabel and Sara Jane, two delightfully irrepressible little girls who, with the best of intentions, managed to get into all sorts of trouble. Our boys grew up watching Mabel and Sara Jane grow up. These true stories offer a rare and endearing view of childhood as it ought to be and of godliness cultivated through wisdom and love.

The entire Grandma's Attic Series, and this first book in particular, is one of the most beloved book series of my childhood. I haven't read them in years, but I still can recall most of the stories from each book.

When I was very young, my mother read them to me before I went to sleep. As I got older (6 or 7), I began reading them on my own. The stories were short enough that storytime before bed didn't drag on into the night, and they were also funny and well written. Morals were present in each story (the importance of truthfulness and the value of hardwork being two recurring themes, as I recall), but they weren't preachy or heavy-handed.

I haven't read the books in over a decade, but they left such a lasting impression on me that I have kept a set of the books in my library to read to children who visit. They've been a big hit so far with all the children I've read the stories to.

Anthony's book shows us, the reader, how interviews can be handled in a professional, smart way to engage the subject, triggering that person to open up and reveal the business of music and the creativity of his/her soul. My favorite interview is where Keith Richards talks about his daughters sneaking into bed with him while he is asleep and waking up to find them next to him.

Octaroons (people over 100 and baboons with eight legs) will find this book absolutely wonderful. I found out about this fine book from my good friends, Andy Breckman and Friedman, International Comedic Envoy for the UN. However, this show is pathetic, but just as hilarious as the Wikipedia one. Everyone should buy this book. Seven Second Delay Rocks.

I had the distinct pleasure of listening to Mr. DeCurtis speak to my History of Rock and Roll (taught by the best teacher ever) class at Indiana University in the Spring of 2004. This was definitely one of the highlights of my collegiate acamdemic career. Anthony's knowledge and experience in the music world is astonishing and his way with words in the recollection of his stories give his listeners a feeling that he not just a writer, but a true music fanatic. In fact, I was so enthralled by Mr. DeCurtis' stories, I attended every section of the classes he was scheduled to address that day. Although I have not read this particular book, I have read his others and would highly suggest them. Based on my readings of his other books, and seeing Anthony speak, I plan to buy this book as soon as I can, and I would bet that I will love it, and most other music lovers will as well.

Written by one of the most esoteric giants of rock n' roll writers, "In other words" is simply funny and fascinating. Anthony DeCurtis sure got around the music scene and it's all here. 7SD rocks!

Anthony DeCurtis is one of the best rock critics writing today and this book is full of fascinating interviews that show you a side of many stars you've never seen before. The dueling interviews with Paul McCartney and George Harrison and Keith Richards on Mick Jagger are worth the price of the book alone. The book also includes an interview with Martin Scorsese and a rare interview with Don Delillo that show that DeCurtis is just as knowledgable about film and literature.

Challenging and freindly. A truly deep yet down to earth work. It conveys a considerable amount of information, in a contemporary style. It covers a whole array of aspects beyond music, which made it so intresting to me.

Readers of my Jewish CD reviews know that I have spent considerable energy explaining Hasidic music here on Amazon. But the limited space of a review doesn't lend itself to exploring the "kabbalah of music" in depth. Now there is a book which does exactly that. Even if you have a tin ear, "Inner Rhythms" will help expand your understanding of how music is used by Hasidim and others to reach the highest spiritual levels that cannot be accessed in any other way. As Rabbi Bachya ibn Pakuda said in the eleventh century, "Speech is the pen of the heart, song is the pen of the soul."

This book will no doubt have a much wider appeal than Rabbi Pinson's first book, "Reincarnation in Judaism." For one thing, it's better writing. "Reincarnation" established Rabbi Pinson as a meticulous scholar, but it dealt mostly with esoteric theory and was a rather academic read. Not so with this, his second book. "Inner Rhythms" speaks directly to the heart.

Make no mistake: the careful Torah scholarship is still there, with copious footnotes explaining the sources. But, in addition, it's clear that Rabbi Pinson has experienced these musical soul phenomena. Himself a practicing Hasid, he has personally stood among throngs of Hasidim singing the very songs and prayers about which he writes. When he illustrates his points with stories taken from the entire spectrum of Jewish thought, you know that he understands the spirit as well as the words of these tales. (The stories alone make the book worth buying!)

The result is a book that not only gives us the kabbalistic theory of music, but also illuminates how music can be used to bring greater spirituuality into our daily lives. For Jews and gentiles alike, this is a book that will forever change the way you hear music. Highly recommended!

This is by far the most clear and profound book I have ever seen about music and the Kabbalah.

An extraordinary book exploring the nature of music, as it is viewed by the masters of the Kabbalah - Jewish mystical thought. I for one highly recommend it.

This book is a "must read" for anyone concerned with his (or her) relationship with G-d. It tells how Chassidic music can facilitate a closer relationship. The rhythm of feeling closer to G-d and then realizing how great a distance still remains becomes clear to the reader. However, one is left with a belief that one can always get closer with the appropriate Chassidic music.

Rabbi DovBer Pinson discusses the source and nature of Chassidic vocal melodies. (There is some reference to instrumental and dance music.) He tells how the melody reflects the emotions of the creator (or perforemer) and the listener.

Chassidic melodies are used to reach Deveikut (oneness with G-d), to create Simcha (joyousness), to reflect Marirrut (sadness from feeling distant from Ein Sof), to reach upwards through prayer, to carry G-d's message to us through Torah study, to aid one in Yechidim (drawing G-dliness into this world), and to create a pathway to reaching Bitachon (trust in G-d and a realization of G-d's goodness).

Along the way Rabbi Pinson explains why we praise G-d, types of Chassidic songs, the Sefirot and Tzimtzum. There are also many entertaining and illuminating stories .

The notes and references are copious and many help to clarify the text. The writing is easy to read although the meanings are deep and may take more than one reading.

Being Jewish and a musicologist, I would like to see musical examples in an Appendix and/or an audio tape or CD along with the book. Perhaps they'll appear in or with a future edition.