Dance Books

I loved this book. It was a book given to my mother and she never read it and for the longest time I picked multiple books over this one. After a while I read the book and absoultely loved it. I am such a history buff and the reality behind this book just intrigued me. I would recommend it to any serious reader. If you only pick a book up evry now and then, then this book may not be for you. But to those who read on a continual basis and need alittle extra "padding" in a book (lol) this is the right choice. I loved it. (Sorry for all the grammatical errors....... I was in a hurry)

This is the first book I've read by this author. I thought it was well written and I would not hesitate to read more by Rosalind Laker.

I read this novel almost 30 years ago, and it is still as fresh in my mind as when I first read it. It contains a wonderful, accurate history of French monarchy from the reign of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Laker builds her characters with great skill and care.

Whenever I want to thank someone for something they have done for me, or want to give someone something special, I buy them this book. They always get back to me with thanks and raves.

Bloodstone Castle

Jeanne Dremont lives in the shadow of the palace of Versailles. As she lays giving birth to her daughter, a group of drunken young noblemen make their way into her home and witness the birth of her daughter, Marguerite. One picks up the baby and promises to return to her one day. Jeanne believes this is pure destiny. She is certain that Marguerite will one day belong to him. When Marguerite comes of age, the young nobleman returns and Jeanne arranges for her to become his mistress. But the country is plagued by religious turmoil and he is forced to flee the country without Marguerite. Marguerite soon meets and marries Laurent, an architect to the King. She bears him a daughter named Jasmin.

Laurent loves Jasmin, his only child, and there is nothing that he can deny her. Raised in the proximity to the palace, Jasmin ultimately meets the new young King of France. A mutual friendship develops between them. Their closeness comes to the attention of the Deputy Ruler. He forces her to marry a dishonored courtier named Sabatin. e two are banished from court and from Versaille to a secluded country home.

Sabatin is a dark, morose, angry man who blames Jasmin. He is a cruel man who treats her badly and rapes her regularly. Even worse, he keeps her in seclusion, forbiddng any contact between Jasmin and her parents. Years pass and in desperation, Marguerite and Laurent send a painter to her home in the country. Love soon blossoms. The painter cannot stay forever, and he soon must part. Unbeknownst to him, Jasmin is pregnant. Fearful for the life of the baby she carries, she keeps the pregnancy secret from Sabatin. When Jasmin gives birth to a daughter, she sends the child to a a family who lives in the country a comfortable distance away.

Violette grows into a beautiful young woman, angry at Jasmin for depriving her of a more prominent life. Sabatin dies and Jasmin rushes to reclaim her daughter, but Violette has run away from home. Jasmin seeks her daughter, but never finds her. Years thereafter, Jasmin's banishment is lifted and she is permitted to return to Versaille once more where she finally reunites with her lost daughter, now a woman grown.

Violette has not led an easy life. After a trail of abuse, she became mistress to the king and bore him a child. The King arranged for her to marry an Austrian nobleman, but her new husband refused to accept her baby who she has named Rose. As a last resort, Violette seeks out her mother to hand the child over to her to raise.

Under the loving care of her grandmother, Rose lives a contented life. At the tender age of sixteen, she is commanded to become lady-in-waiting to the new queen, Marie Antoinette. She learns that it was her late father who arranged this for her. When she learns the secret of her true parentage, she blames her grandmother.

Four generations of women live and dance in the shadow of the palace of Versailles. It is an intricately told tale starting with the creation and splendors of the French court and culminating with the turbulence of the French Revolution. The novel is a testament to historical detail and a tribute to the brilliance of author, Rosalind Laker.

This book was absolutely wonderful. It's quite easy to get entirely lost in it and accidentally stay up all night reading. It's hard to put down - and after letting a friend borrow it, I found out that I'm not the only one who thought so. I highly recommend it! :-)

When it comes to the saxophone, this book covers it all. Embouchure, posture, the parts of the horn, the history of the horn, reeds, fingering, you name it and it's in this book. It's surprisingly in depth on every front, even having a section on the altissimo register. This really is among the must haves of any saxophone player's library.

Having said that, this is in no way the ONLY book you should have. While it contains warm up exercises, actually buying a decent scale/chord study book should be a high priority. Also, if you're serious about learning the 3rd and 4th octaves, you need to buy a good high register book.

Ultimately, for me at least, this book comes down to more of an encyclopedia as opposed to a bible. It can take you really far, but you're eventually going to need to buckle down with specialty resources.

This book is considered by many to be the "Saxophonist's Bible." A great book with many illustrations and practical advice for playing the saxophone.

Great book!
I just started learning to play the sax, and this book has given me
an invaluable insight into the instrument and how to play it.
I recommend it to anyone starting to play the saxophone, but the information is valuable even for established and professional players.

I have recently started learning the basics of saxophone playing. My knowledge of playing the Saxophone, and indeed any musical instrument, and also music theory is limited. However I found that the information in "The Art of Saxophone Playing" was very informative and the way it is set out has certainly been of great help.
I think that the more advanced player will profit more from the information given in the later chapters. I'm hoping that as I improve I will better understand these chapters.

This book is a staple among saxophonists of all veins (jazz, classical, and anything else). It is a must-have, and for good reason. It gives insight in to every aspect of being a saxophonist, including some brief but helpful information on doubling. Some chapters are very in depth, though others are less so. A great find and worth every penny.

This is a very well researched and well written book. All of Tom Wheeler's guitar and amp books are terrific. I also have the companion Fender Amp book which is a "must have" for enthusiasts and collectors.

Incredible book. The whole story of the Fender Strat and Fender Musical Co., beautiful pictures and a deep analisys on different versions of who designed what!!! A lot of people have different versions of the story but at the end the picture is so much clearer. I tell you, this book is only for hardcore strat fans or collectors. 100% Recommended!!

Sometimes I think the rarest book of all is any good book on musical instruments. The market is FULL of make-a-quick-buck enthusiast books with poor content, bad writing, and indifferent quality. This one is a refreshing exception. It's a sweeping survey of the strat's history, but it's a good one, is very readable, and the pictures are excellent. I have to agree with another reviewer, though, that the accompanying CD is forgettable. It doesn't detract from the book itself, however. Well worth your while.

The Stratocaster Chronicles: Celebrating 50 Years of the Fender Strat

I ordered this book for my son-in-law. He is a working musician, the owner of 30+ guitars, and the Strat is his favorite guitar (he owns several). The book arrived when promised and in perfect condition.
Having been a guitarist in my own younger life I perused the book before wrapping and mailing it. It's a stunning beautiful look at the iconic guitar of a generation, and one which continues to stun us with the purity of its sound and the simple beauty of its shape.

The book is great and images are great. However, it was completely damage when it's arrived. Scratches everwhere. dented around the corners. I bought this book new, but it looks like someone has been throwing this book around before I got it.

I purchased a copy for a friend's baby shower. I couldn't help but read it before I gave it to her, and I loved it so much that I bought a copy for myself. It is now my go-to item for baby shower gifts, I give it to everyone.

I love all of the stories by Keith Graves. My kids laugh, tell people about the books, and read them over and over again. He is a fantastic children's author!

As an elementary, music teacher I will use this adorable book every year. It encourages less confident students to participate in creative movement. I enjoy it as much as my students!

This is a great book about Frank who just wants to dance. The pictures are great. It is funny for adults as well as kids!

My three kids, ages 6 to 3, absolutely love this book. We ran across it at the library one day and before we bought it we borrowed it about 10 times! The kids think it is just hillarious, especially if you tell it with enthusiasm. My oldest now knows it by heart and loves to retell it to her sister and brother. We even shared it with their schools. Great funny read.

The insightful anecdotes from previous road crew, opening acts and managers make this book a must have for any KISS fan.

For so long we've heard Gene & Paul's re-visionist history of the band, so it's great to hear other perspectives. While these stories may not be 100% accurate either, when pieces of stories from other KISS books are added to these, you get a more complete picture.

There are a lot of funny stories in here, that make the band more relatable and less iconic. It's also funny to realize how often, even during the Reunion Tour that Gene set his hair on fire.

Worth every cent you'll spend on it!

Perfect book, beyond my expectations.
The work inside is a huge achievement. You will love each line inside. Great pictures from all KISS eras. A real big book (in any means).

I read a book by Gene Simmons called KISS AND TELL. I also read a book about KISS called BEHIND THE MASK. After reading KISS FOREVER I noticed something strange happening to my way of thinking in regards to KISS. Before reading these three books I used to think of KISS the way I always had. What songs I liked, which album covers were the best, which costumes were best, ect. After reading this book (and the other two) I know so much about the day to day lives of KISS during the 70s and 80s that now I feel more like I was a member of KISS remembering my days with the band than a fan. As I read this I found it easy to imagine what it would have been like to have been a member of KISS. The book states when someone was sick, when their pants split on stage, when they did store appearances, ect. If you're a KISS fan you should have this book. I was worried I was wasting my money on a book that I wouldn't find interesting but I was wrong. Its a great book.

this is a great read. i like to just pick it up and browse. Interesting to see the actual attendence figures because they prove how much money KISS LOST in order to put on a good show. There are many dates that werent even close to selling out (mostly in the 80s), but it also shows that even in their hey day they usually only sold out places with apprx. 8 - 10,000 seats. Being compared to todays standards, that is pretty weak considering the sizeable show they toured with.
The set lists are interesting as well. Though many are the same, now and then you see a song and wish you were there to hear them play it! This book also has a few interesting notes in between tours.
This is one of the best books out there for kiss fans. Gives you a new appreciation for the band as you see how they played to a lot of half empty halls but still stuck with it. the book is also honest in its figures, no sugar coating. a really cool read that must have taken months, if not years, of research. Essential for any Kiss fan as well as rock n roll fans in general.

Kiss Alive Forever is a must read for any KISS fan. The book is filled with details from all their tours including dates, set lists, and many, many details from each show.

great read for people new to capoeira that want to have a more comprehensive review of the history, music, and game. also has an interesting review of a conference that discusses capoeira in US and Europe, which is very useful to read to learn about the different trends and mestres around. definitely recommend it!

I found this book to be an entertaining and informative read which discusses the game of capoeira on many levels from the philosophy through to movements and drills. It's a well rounded book and I reccomend that you give it a read if you are interested in capoeira (and even in philosophy).

I'll be perfectly honest. With my short attention span I have at times, I havn't done much in the way of practicing through the use of this book. But what I have practiced using it, I was able to figure out easily thanks to the diagrams and explanations in it. This book was also able to make me hold the interest I first had in Capoeria before finding it with the additional sections that talk about the styles history and the philosiphies behind the art.

If you want a book on Capoeria that will hold your attention for a good long time, than you'll deffiantley want this one! Just don't assume that you'll be able to catch on to the style immediatley though, this book also proves that Capoeria isn't something you can pick up right away. ;D

I grant I'm starting out but this book has amazing insight on the philosophy and moves. Reminding that creativity is as important as learning the moves that have come from those before us. He also gives exersies that can be done when a person can't get to the roda of his instructor/mestre. After this book I'm gonna have to read more books about capoeira as well as from Nestor cause he was able to explain more than I thought could be put in a book.

This book has been out for quite a while now and even now, in 2006 the book is still helpful. I'm new to the Capoeira lifestyle and reading this book has been extremely helpful in gaining more knowledge about the history as well as the many different movements involved with this awesome martial art.

I definitely recommend this book to newbies and more seasoned capoeristas. I may be a little "slow" but while the illustrations are great, I got a little confused when trying to "flow" through the movements but by reading, you'll figure it out and they'll begin to feel right.

Hope this helps...enjoy!

"On The Air"
I've been after this one for some years but couldn't make the price tag.
Finally I found one of Amazon's amazing cut price sources & grabbed it.
It arrived at my UK address in as secure a package as you could hope for and for a third of its original price! It is as near mint condition as one could expect and is one great hunk of reading. I'll be older and feebler before I reach Z with this one! I can't say I'm familiar with all shows as a UK guy but it'll be interesting to plough through the many shows that either I never heard of or that never quite made it. It was mainly thanks to AFRS & its dedication to keeping the troops in touch with Hollywood & the stars during their wartime golden days that drew me (and thousands of other UK listeners)into the web of American radio and now thanks to those dedicated groups like YUSA and OTR much has been preserved to be recaptured & appreciated as if it were yesterday,again! A solid souvenir for all fans of this incomparable media of the mind.

Whether you wish to know about the great or the small radio programs of the past, this book is for you. It is more than a resume of the various radio programs but rather is a complete history. With the more famous shows, entries can be several pages. Each entry is well researched and seems to be very complete, from cast members to those "behind the scenes." This is the definitive work, in my estimation.

Being an old time radio fan for more than 15 years and having collected more than 45,000 programs I was looking for a reference book that allowed me to better track what I have and what I wanted to look for. John Dunning's book is that and so much more. The detail he has included for the series listed is simply amazing. From showtimes to networks to cast to sponsors to a behind the scenes type view of each series you're left feeling like you were there the whole time.

This book is a must have for both novice and serious collectors of these fine old programs. You won't be disappointed in the detail. If you're looking for pictures then this isn't the book. It is a beautifully written reference book that gives you insight to not only the shows themselves but the actors and actresses who starred in them.

Simply put, a wonderful read!

Highly informative, well written, entertaining, sometimes exhaustive. I read this through from cover to cover (several evenings) - a process that has not tempted me with any other encyclopedia! Brings back many memories while adding much information new to me. Great stuff!

This book has everything you could ever need to know about OTR. Meticulously researched. I asked my father in law about shows he used to watch and he named some I never heard of and he said were just local shows and wouldn't be in this book. Wrong! This book had them and even said that they were local shows. If you want an encyclopedia on old time radio, this is the one to get!

i LOVED jAMIES BOOK WANNABE I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. I HOPE HE WRITES ANOTHER BOOK TO CONTINUE WHERE HE LEFT OFF. I TOLD ALL MY FRIENDS THEY HAVE TO READ IT THATS HAVE MUCH I ENJOYED THE BOOK.

I watched his show JKX for a few seasons and my wife and I found the show to be VERY funny. The best bits are the folks who apply for the paper delivery job and the skit with the driving instructor. In my opinion the all time best was when he had the mexican day laborers over for his birthday party.
Anyway, this book shows the struggles and nonsense that he went through before getting on TV. It is well written and doesn't really gloss over the nonsense he had to put up with.And there is a message in here but you'll have to read the book

I really enjoyed reading about Jamie Kennedy trying to make it in Hollywood, it was years of humiliating jobs, and lots of money down the drain on get famous quick scams, but he clawed his way to the middle, and planted his flag.

I have to admit, I wonder how truthful some of his stories really are, but I'm sure he told it as he really remembered it. I really admire him for having a dream, and making it happen.

He also spins some funny stories about his encounters with celebrities, my favorite was when he was working at Red Lobster, and Arsenio Hall came in, at first he didn't recognize him, and told him there were no tables available, and then recognized him, and got really excited, and then Arsenio asked if he had a table for him now, and Jamie said, "no". Funny stuff, definately worth a read.

Outstanding! What a life he has had so far. This book is not only hilarious, but it makes you believe that nothing is impossible no matter how many times you get knocked down.

Jamie Kennedy's show is what I know him best by. I'm so glad he wrote this book and gave us a little inside of his life. He's such an honest, and open book. What a fascinating character he is, in everything he does. I actually tend to look up to him and base my actions on him and others like him, never being afraid to show my inner self (read my profile here at Amazon if you don't believe me). Life is too short, and if you don't reach out and take Life, it won't be taken. That seems to be his "take on life."

I highly recommend this book and this lifestyle. It will truly rock your world!

MC White said: Check it out!!!

The product arrived in no time and in perfect conditions. I am very pleased with my purchase. Thank you! Cec!

This is the grandaddy of all of studio session books. So many have come after this (Jimi Hendrix, Clapton, etc.) but this is the gold standard. I have given this to a few people that I know would appreciate it, and every one of them has raved... just like I am doing.

My only suggestion is that Mr. Lewisohn updates it with all of the new information that has been put out there since this was published (many books including The Beatles's ANTHOLOGY CD and book for example).

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

This book is a must for any Beatle-fan, or anyone working in a studio who knows the Beatles' music. The book is a cornucopia of information on how the Beatles' music was created in the studio. Sit down with the book and the CDs, and listen to each song as your read Lewisohn's description of the recording session. It's like being there!

I love The Beatles records and have since my Dad purchased "Meet the Beatles" in 1966. The first records I bought on my own, as soon as I had a paper route and spending money, were The Beatles' LPs, in order of American release. I even knew the exact running time of every Beatles song and couldn't imagine that there were people in the world who didn't know every Beatles song. If you're like me, the revelation of the details of the recording of every Beatles track, as detailed in this book, will be a thrill to pore over.

Some Beatles books are gossipy, and others feature questionable armchair critical analyses of their music. Lewisohn takes a totally different approach. Working with the original Abbey Road studio logs, he's created a day-by-day record of what the Beatles were doing in Abbey Road studios, who played what instruments, and how long it took them to record and write their songs.

I own a first edition of this book and have used it ever since I bought a used copy sometime in the early 1990s. I reread it many times that summer, and that somewhat battered, oversized copy still sits on my shelf. It's a book I returned to when I set up a mini home recording studio, and returned to yet again when I was learning how to mix my sounds. Although this is not a "how-to" book, you can learn an awful lot about good recording and mixing technique by carefully reading it.

Furthermore, Lewisohn packed his text with surprises. I, for one, was shocked to learn how primitive Abbey Road's technology was, even by the standards of a British studio in the 1960s. I was also surprised to learn why the mono and stereo mixes of the Beatles' music often sounded so different from one another even though they were mixed from the same masters. Also, it's amazing to learn just how quickly some seemingly complex tracks were put together, while some seemingly simple songs took far more work. As a side benefit, Lewisohn's comprehensive notes probably knocked the wind out of more than one bootlegger trying to pass off BBC radio performances as lost studio recordings of Beatle tracks! Throughout, there are many, many excellent photos - many of which have not been reproduced elsewhere. Just when you think Lewisohn's run out of goodies, there's a rare interview with Paul McCartney that touches on the songwriting process.

I can't rate this as a five star book although I'd like to. As good as Lewisohn is, there are a lot of minor details here that are misleading or just plain wrong. Lewisohn can't seem to tell phasing from flanging (two very different techniques to create swirling electric guitar sounds). He also prints quotes from studio musicians without elaboration, leading me to believe he has a weak grasp on performance and theory. For example, one horn player describes a McCartney song as being "between the cracks" of two different keys; the song in question actually seems to have been recorded slightly flat and sped up to normal pitch upon playback, but we have no way of knowing what the horn player actually meant without more information. The average reader might walk away thinking that the song used two different keys, unless he also knew that the song was in a single key. I'm surprised an editor didn't catch this stuff.

If you're a Beatles fan who could care less about their personal lives, but would love to learn more about how they created their studio albums - this book is for you. If you're interested in home recording, you'll learn lots of tidbits here too. Lewisohn deserves a lot of credit for creating this resource, and I wish that it weren't such a difficult book to find.

There are many things I like about this book, but what I like best is that it's honest. Unlike many other books, it doesn't promise you the world, and a successful career overnight, but instead gives you an inside look at the music industry and guides you on how to make things happen for yourself.
The language is conversational, and the author has a great sense of humour. It simplifies issues most artists find confusing (like legal documents and royalty calcuation!) and is a great read.
'Getting Signed!' is a text book, idiot's guide and light read all rolled into one. It helped me a lot, and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who wants to have anything to do with the music business.
George Howard also teaches a number of great courses at berkleemusic online.

Highly Recommended! This is an excellent book for any one who is in the Music Industry or wants to understand how the Music Industry works. I purchased this book as part of the reading for Berklee Music Online course - "Inside the Record Industry". It helped me a lot with my course work and also in understanding how the Music Industry works. Thank you George !
Paulom

This book will take you step by step through all of the motions of getting yourself signed to a label. From press kits to the qualities that make a good manager, this book will hold your hand through the dark abyss that is the music industry. I would consider this a must read for anyone who would like to perform as a career. I personally have passed this on to all my bandmates, and many many friends. Do yourself a favor, and pick this up!

This is the book I needed when I was 15 years old, and grasping at any information to help move forward with a music career. Define where you are in your development as an artist, define where you would like to go, and more importantly why you want to go there. Then take action with the knowledge and confidence to realize your dreams and goals. Learn what labels look for in bands and artists, and how to position yourself to negotiate a win/win deal for yourself. Learn all the perspectives of the business of music from artist, label, distributor, publicity, and promotion, to management, and booking agents. Basically everything you need to understand to be successful, written in an understandable and accessible style, with a sense of humor. I loved it and learned so much I could write my own book with the research it inspired me to undertake. Don't just dream big, learn what it takes to do the work to become successful.

George Howard knows the music biz inside and out - reading this book is like having a top A&R guy as your personal coach. For everyone out there who wants to start a label or get a deal, the author dispels a lot of myths and helps you to focus systematically on the jobs you could and should be doing yourself. A very enjoyable read, this book is broken down into manageable chapters that give you the information and tools to help you reach your goals.