Vocal Books

I have always been a huge fan of Whitney Houston. I read it a few years back before her divorce and new comeback. I hope they update the book or someone writes a new book. She is a talented artist and I found some things I never knew about her.

Whitney Houston is rarely out of the tabloids,so you may think you know all about her. Leave it to Mr. Parish to get beyond the headlines and give us a well-rounded look at this diva. This is not the just the story of Whitney Houston, but of her family, esp. mother Cissy and of the era of pop in which she came of age. From the projects to mansions, from ups and downs, it is a fascinating look at a great talent. It gives an in-depth look at her marriage to Bobby Brown, a marriage that continues to defy predictions of doom. Whether a fan or not this is a very enjoyable book.

This was one I could not put down untill I finished it. Completely up to date, covers her life,rise to fame,and ends on trip to Israel. Mr. Parish has walked the tightrope of keeping his feelings out the book, but still gives warts and all. Has a couple of pictures I never saw before, and is very quick moving as books of this type go. Learned some new things about my favorite DIVA!

Whitney Houston is rarely out of the tabloids, so it is tempting to think one knows all there is to know about her. Leave it to Mr. Parish to get beyond the headlines with a fascinating look at this major talent. It is a well-researched look at Whitney Houston, her family (esp mother Cissy) and an era of pop music in which she came of age. From the projects to mansions we follow every step of her rise to the top (including set-backs along the way). This is also a well-rounded look at her marriage to Bobby Brown, a marriage that has continued to defy predictions of doom. Whether a fan or not this is a highly readable book.

Great piano arrangements that veery closely match the original 1967 arrangements of these charming and (in some cases) classic songs. All your favourites are there from the ubiquitous "Happiness" to the more eclectic, but VERY FUNNY "Queen Lucy", and is there a kid with homework who can't relate to any (or all) of the opinions on "A Book Report". Lovely stuff....

Ordered it as a gift and it was in great shape. Thanks.

Oops! I meant to order not just the music, but the screenplay, which my son's drama teacher wanted me to get for him. Well, we will make good use of it anyway! Arrived in perfect condition.

This is NOT the score, it is the vocal selections!!

Plenty of Billboard-type guides provide chart lists of hit albums and many a music book discusses key albums; but this is the first to select 100 albums with lasting influence on popular music trends, and should be considered an essential reference for any collection strong in popular music history. Analysis includes notes from critics, insights on music history, release dates and notes, and clear surveys of why the albums are to be considered groundbreakers.

Chris Smith takes what could have turned into a self indulgent top 10 list and instead manages to tell an insightful and witty narrative with Music as the main character. It is captivating for fans of music and academically rigorous for those who really want to use it as a "reference guide". In any case, it is entertaining enough to never be demeaned to a door stop and you will no doubt find albums listed therein you never thought you would want, but now suddenly find you need. I highly recommend it.

What a great book! I love music but don't know all that much about it, and this book told me just what I wanted to know about my favorite albums of all time. The book devotes 2-3 pages to each album, providing fascinating details about the album's historical context, creation, musical style, and long-term significance. All of the entries are written in a clear, engaging style that made me want to keep reading. In addition to covering classic albums by figures like Elvis and Miles Davis, the book covers more recent albums by current stars like Eminem and the Dixie Chicks, which i found particularly interesting. Highly recommended for anyone with even a passing interest in music!

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS ON THIS TOPIC. WELL WORTH THE MONEY FOR THE HISTORY OF ACAPELLA GROUPS.THE PICTURES OF THE GROUPS AND THE ALBUM COVERS OF THE LABLELS THAT THEY WERE ON.ALSO EVERY RECORD THE GROUPS RECORDED AND WHERE YOU THEY ARE LOCATED ON 45 OR ALBUM WITH PICTURES OF EVERY GROUP.I RATE THIS BOOK HIGH ON THE LIST OF MUST HAVE IN YOUR COLECTION. TOO BAD THE PICTURES ARE NOT IN COLOR

A well-documented collection and profiles of groups who sang and made acappella recordings during the 1960s. The authors did an excellent job in providing information about that time period. The author's presents a clear and truthful historical account of what took place among street corner singers. This book is a tribute to all groups who love the vocal group sound and a major contribution to the history of vocal group music. The information provided is insightful and entertaining. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in vocal groups who sang acappella.

An excellent book for record collectors, vocal group enthuasist and students of music history. The authors do an excellent job in providing information about the 1960s acappella era. This book will become the definitive guide to the development of the acappella age. This book is essential for those who want to understand how the vocal group scene of the 1950s impacted the street corner groups of the 1960s.An understanding of the acappella movement of the 60s will help the reader understand why the oldies market,the resurgence of the group sound and the reissueing of classical group recordings of the 50s is so popular today. This book can be used as an "introduction" to the history of rock n roll during the 1960s.

One of the difficulties in learning how to use your voice properly is that you cannot see what happens physically. This book explains and illustrates as accurately as ever the way the vocal chords and the whole vocal apparatus work. The cd is full of very helpful examples for men and women to cover all needs and ranges. Simply Fantastic!

if i teach someone how to sing, i'd like to have this book as a curriculum for my students. it's really easy to understand and has good exercises you can follow. definitly 5 stars and two thumbs up!

In her second book, Dena Murray (along with Tita Hutchinson) picks up where she left off in her first book, taking the beginning singer into advanced concepts. Her first book explained what not to do and presented the vocal faults most singers contend with, so it is a prerequisite for this book. This book continues on, showing the student who has learned what "not" to do, into the area of "how" to do things correctly such as support, placement of the voice, etc, with many vocal examples and exercises to guide you through her teaching style, which helps the student connect their entire vocal range into one instrument. I also like the fact that she and Tita touch on vocal health issues such as reflus, nodes, polyps, etc. If you are a fan of Dena's work and methods, you will love this book. It is easy to read and broken down and explained in a such a way as to allow the novie and professional alike to understan vocal anatomy and the methodlogy behind her voice strengthening skills. I personally know of Dena and think she's a fantastic coach. It's like she can 'see' inside the singers voice!

This book is very well thought out and written. Lots of good information for beginning and probably advanced singers. Lots of theory and lots of song. Definitely get the accompanying CD set.

As a novice singer in our community chorale, I was looking for a book that would review the basics (I sang in high school groups long ago) and teach me things to help me keep up with the near professionals in this group. The beginning section was an asset with lessons on breathing, sight reading, techniques for practice and many other valuable subjects. The last 2/3 of the book contains songs that have been around for years that provide opportunities for further practice. I would say this is a good book to use when wanting to review or learn the basics. It was recommended by my voice teacher.

The book had a lot of information on the importance of voice. It taught an individual how to develop and how to effectively use one's voice to it's fullest potential. It made the ability to develop one's talent much easier that what was atually thought by many people, especailly me.

Allegro opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theater on October 10, 1947, running for only 315 performances. It starred John Battles as Joseph Taylor, Jr., Annamary Dickey as Majorie Taylor, William Ching as Dr. Joseph Taylor, Roberta Jonay as Jennie Brinker, Lisa Kirk as Emily West, and John Conte as Charlie Townsend. It was directed and choreographed by Agnes de Mille. The production received mixed reactions from critics, which is perhaps the reason that it, along with only three other R&H productions, was never performed on the big screen. Be that as it may, it did win three Donaldson Awards including Best Book, Lyrics and Score.

According to Stephen Sondheim (who was a production assistant for the original Broadway production), in his introductory remarks prior to the 1994 New York City Center Encores! concert reading of the show, Allegro may have suffered the most disastrous opening night in theatre history. In addition to a falling flat, during a dance number in Act One, one of the actors caught his tap shoe in a track on the stage, tearing every ligament in his leg, and had to be carried - screaming - from the stage. In Act Two, Lisa Kirk, who was making her professional stage debut, caught a heel in another track and fell headlong into the orchestra. Mr. Sondheim confesses his memory may be faulty, but he recalls that she was back up on the stage without missing a note.

Oscar Hammerstein often claimed that he wished he could go back and rewrite the second act of Allegro; he felt audiences didn't get the show properly, leaving the show thinking it was a simple story of an Everyman returning to his roots. Hammerstein claimed the show was his most autobiographical work, and that Joseph Taylor, Jr.'s life was a mirror of some of his own experiences.

Looking at and playing with this score today, one realizes that despite the bad opening night (and Sondheim has had some fairly bad openings himself since then) the material for this show is sparkling. This show is a musical and book achievement that would do well today in our world of Indies and art pieces. As a full scale Broadway musical, even with the likes of Lisa Kirk (who would become a legend)America wasn't interested in having a theatre piece hold a mirror into their faces and say, "Look: this is us. This is America." Every great theatre collaborator has attempted this, at times relentlessly. Again, look at Sondheim. But then Sondheim studied under Oscar Hammerstein, so it should surprise no one that "allegro" is of such high quality. The difference between "Allegro" and "Oklahoma" is that "allegro" withstands time and "Oklahoma" is a delicate piece of history to be placed on a curio shelf and kept well dusted. Take a look at Allegro-full of musical riches, buy the libretto for this and consider this show the next time you want a huge old fashioned musical that everyone isn't sick of seeing over and over.

This book is a wonderful substitute if you don't need the entire vocal score...it's a great option for those of us who love this musical, but only want the "big" songs out of the show!

This Vocal Score has all of the music from the show...from scene change music to bows and exit music. The ALLEGRO Vocal Score is very thick as well...an impressive 245 pages (I'm looking at the book now). If you plan to do the show, want the music, or for any reason: GET THIS VOCAL SCORE! Allegro is a great show (I love R&H no matter what) and I'm 100% satisfied. (I bought the book-new and never before used-in a zShop with Amazon for cheap!) I now have all of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Vocal Scores- and I'm so excited to add this one to my collection!

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If you're into Vocal Groups......This Book is a Must.....It is one of the most visual and comprehensively well written books of its kind.

LES LEVINE

Do you remember Sonny Til and the Orioles? They were the founding fathers of rhythm and blues.

Well, what about the El Dorados (named after Cadillac's hottest car)?

The Soul Stirrers? They were largely responsible for the development of modern soul music.

To summarize the above questions, you can't imagine how many groups are profiled. The book is organized into decades: 40's, 50's, 60's, etc. Obviously the book can't contain all the groups there ever were, far too many groups form, do little except some local gigs and fade away. But it certainly does include a bunch. So many, with so much information about each one, that you have to wonder how all this information was collected. Certainly Mr. Warner couldn't have known all these people. Or could he?

Note that this book is on American Singing Groups. You won't find the Beatles here.

Ever wonder what tracks were on the A side of 'The Clovers' records in 1961? Well now you can find out! Jay Warner has amassed biographical and musical information for hundreds of singing groups from the 1940s to today. Some pretty detailed histories. These are pop/harmonizing groups, hence fewer entries for later decades. Warner has them categorized by decade for easy reference. There are pictures at the start of each chapter, and a listing of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame inductees. And remember - these are AMERICAN singing groups. Just when I was freaking out that ABBA wasn't included, I remembered. So enjoy!

A first-rate book with a lot of new (to me) information (like that the whole Apple Computer/Apple Corps legal battles started when George Harrison ran across an Apple Computer ad in a magazine). Also, I've read a ton of Beatles books and interviews, and was impressed that most of the quotes by John, Paul, George and Ringo in this book were quotes I'd never seen before. I do think the author is an unnecessarily sour and incorrect critic about certain things (like complaining about audience noise in the Beatles Shakespeare skit...if you watch the skit on YouTube, that audience noise was obviously encouraged as part of the performance's extreme irreverence). But over all I really liked this book.

This new examination of the history of the Beatles considers just how the Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein pioneered not just their music, but the modern music business itself. From how they promoted and sold records to playing concerts, making films, and setting up their own recording companies, BEATLES FOR SALE provides a very different focus from the many books which have revealed their music and lives, making it a top pick not just for popular music collections, but for business libraries as well.

As someone who's read just about everything out there on the Beatles, I was pleasantly surprised by the latest offering from John Blaney (Lennon and McCartney: Together Alone, previously published in separate iterations). There have been a few books out there addressing the business, as opposed to the musical end of the Beatles' career. But none has offered the amount of detail and insight while remaining steadfastly readable as this one.

Blaney takes us on a thorough investigation of how the Beatles became the success that they were in terms of their business dealings, be it through their club dates, their merchandising, their music publishing and so forth. At first glance, such a potentially "dry" study may seem to be of limited interest, but Blaney is such a masterful researcher with a sharp eye for the kind of minutia that fans find irresistible that you'll find yourself drawn in, as I was, to learn the nuts and bolts of how it all happened. (Did you know that the Beatles pioneered the concept of the tour bus?)

Another strength of the book is how it dissects and clarifies long-held myths about their history. The Beatles literary canon is replete with hearsay, but Blaney has done a great job in going back to the original sources to brush aside the shrouding fog of nostalgia, contextualizing their achievements (which only serves to make them more remarkable).

I highly recommend this work for anyone who's been baffled about the ins and outs of their business affairs or Brian Epstein's efforts on their behalf. The good, the bad, and the ugly is laid out in crystal-clear detail - this eminently readable work will stand as one of the more worthy additions to anyone's Beatle bookshelf.

Not only the sheet music for many of the most popular numbers from his Broadway shows, but a synopsis of each play and other interesting facts about his life and work are included.

I've just spent an amazing day reading these songs cover to cover. Immense fun for anyone. Witty, clever and moving, it is truly sad Bernstein never got his rightful place in the pantheon of great composers. It is a seat well deserved.

(...)This collection gives us a remarkable cross-section of his work; from On The Town to West Side Story through to rareties from Peter Pan and even Madwoman of Central Park West. For a "Lenny" freak, and for a serious musical theatre lover, this collection is an imperative. Unfortunately, it is currently out of print. Bad move, Boosey. If you are a musical theatre lover, and you can get a copy of this...do so, now!!!