Music Books

This is wonderful writing, full of vivid images and delicate, half-felt resonances, conjuring imagined memories, calling to mind treasured recollections of favorite spooky books from the dim past. I can't wait to settle into a sleeping compartment on the Orient Express and read the whole thing! Don't miss the Prologue the author has provided.

The book: "Music of the Mists" written by Leona Francombe pulls the reader in from the very beginning. The prologue sets the tone, one of foreboding and fright. The protagonist, a musician, lives in Cornwall and the house, its surroundings and the eerie wind blowing around the house make for a feeling of suspense, carefully crafted in beautiful prose by this author. The reader experiences a sense of urgency heightened by a letter the protagonist receives from her uncle in Brussels. The Prologue and the first two chapters entice the reader to wish for more.

Read the prologue first (see author's comments), then get pulled right into this intriguing mystery. Evocative descriptions of places and characters--I can't wait to read the rest of the novel!

Music of the Mists by Leona Francombe promises to be a must-read for all ages. The Prologue and first two chapters of this book are well-written, gripping and obviously thoroughly researched. It leaves the reader hoping for publication of the remainder in a timely fashion!

I was immediately swept into the atomosphere and mystery of the book. The prologue and two first chapters set up an intriguing and interesting scenario. I'm looking forward to the rest of the book!

As the synopsis says, the main character is obsessed with the movie The Sound of Music. I am also a big fan of the movie. I used to watch it all the time when I was little. Anyway, because of this, I thought the book would follow the movie's story in some fashion. Instead, it's a modern take on Pride and Prejudice (think a G-rated version of Bridget Jones--one of my favorite movies, by the way!).

I loved this book. It is a sweet and simple romantic story. It is also humoress with pop culture and literary references thrown in. I really liked this aspect because I am the dorky girl who loves musicals and things of that nature, so I got all the references to musicals and such. I also enjoyed the literary references being an English major myself (the main character has an English degree).

This is the perfect book for people who enjoy sweet romance novels, especially the ones with a P&P feel to them. I feel that Must've Done Something Good is a book I'll keep as one of my comfort books to read when I'm feeling sad and need a good pick me up. :)

This may be tagged "chick-lit", but as a guy who greatly enjoyed this book I think anyone would enjoy it. There's so many situations that anybody can relate to. Go Sylvie!

I am a mother to 5 kids and one step son so, needless to say, I usually don't have time to read however for this book it was easy to make time because I enjoyed it so much!

Like the other reviewers on this site, I too found myself laughing out loud on so many occassions throughout the book. Everywhere I went with it, people would ask me what I was reading and I couldn't help but go on and on as to how much I loved this book! It was absolutely outstanding! (I actually broke out in a chorus of "My favorite things" the other day in front of my 8 yr old and he had the oddest expression on his face...priceless!)

I hope Cheryl Cory decides to write many more novels! If so, I may just turn out to be her biggest fan!

This is a great book, very funny and entertaining. To think of it solely as 'chick-lit' is a major disservice. Guys, like myself, will enjoy the characters and plot and irreverent humor as much as anyone. Sylvie's trials in the classroom are amusing, especially if one has any background in teaching, and it is nice to note her progress at adapting to this new situation as the school year progresses. This is really a neat book we can all like.

This is a great book. I loved it. My wife read it too and she loved it. It's a must buy!!

Very happy with the product and service. If you communicate w the publisher you might tell them the cover art is hideous. Will order from you again

This book was cool and cool and awesome and i liked it...... no thats not right....i LOVED it. its REALLY good...You should read the first one first so it makes sense......ya.. so... end of review. *triumphant music*
PS. i'm 11 years old

My son read Detectives in Togas last year and loved it! This is part two. Not as good as D in T but still kept his attention.

This book was about a class that had to find out which one of their fathers would be murdured and why. Their teacher helps them solve it also. This was a good book.

My 9 year-old son had to do a book report on a historical fiction book about Rome. We read this together, as it was a little above his reading level in places. My 7 year-old listened as well. We read it in 3 days, if they had had their way, we would have finished in one. They loved this story. I stopped in several places and we recounted the logic of characters, trying to figure out the mystery ourselves. I also had a map of ancient Rome handy, to follow the various wanderings of the characters. Knowing your Greek/Roman myths is a plus, this book is a great application for those just finishing studying the ancient myths. For those concerned about violence and character issues, there are many situations that present themselves in the story for discussion. We had a few times where we stopped and asked, "What do you think about that decision?" A great book, WE highly recommend it!

This was the very first *NSYNC book I got, and I loved it at first sight. I mean, I still like it. It's pretty informative...mostly stuff you could find out in any other book. The pictures are the best part. Some of the pictures a little old, though. It's a pretty good gift for the younger generation of fans, or the freaky fans like me.

Okay, this book is pretty good...it was my very first *NSYNC book and I think it's got some pretty good stuff in it.

Of course, it is unauthorized, which means the guys didn't stamp their names on it, and it has some inaccuracies in it. Of course, you might not notice it if you weren't a freak like me.

I think this is a great gift for a young fan...however, if you're older or a freak like me, then this definitely is a bit beyond your obsession for these hot and talented guys.

Well I know that I am a big fan of Nsync, and to read this book makes me fall in love with this group all over again...it gives 411 on the group and it has wonderful and beautiful pictures (and I mean BEAUTIFUL!) I know this isn't the best description but if your a true Nsync fan than you need to go buy this cuz it is awesome book and it is a great keepsake!!

This was the very first *NSYNC book I got, and I loved it at first sight. I mean, I still like it. It's pretty informative...mostly stuff you could find out in any other book. The pictures are the best part. Some of the pictures a little old, though.

This book about my favorite boy band was really cool! All of the stuff in the book was factual and there were some really cute pictures of the guys in there. There's a lot of stuff on each one of the guys personally and also stuff about the group as a whole. A fantastic book for any fan!

This is one of the best drum books for drum set available today, hands down. It basically has a list of patters to be played over ostanado patterns (that is, ones that do not change). It starts simple, with quarter notes, and by the end of the book, its highly syncopated 16ths and whatnot. Very challenging, but it' the type of book that will really, really help anyone develop their creative mind with the kit. Most importantly, this is NOT one of those 'play through and then throw into the closet' kind of books. NO!! This book can be used for entire careers endlessly. It's like Stick Control. It's a bible of a book, it's to be interpreted not just read and played! This book will separate the men from the boys!! Buy it now!!

I'd recommend this book for any intermediate to advanced drummers. It's too involved for beginners. It does get a little to academic at times, but those areas still build skill even if you'll never use the pattern. The ideas in this book are also good for exercises that are not mentioned. Really, Chester has only scratched the surface of what is possible with his concepts. With a little imagination, one could work out of this book for years.

This book does indeed assist drummers to building their own creativity. Take heed, this book can be difficult and one will need patience, persistence, and passion in order to get through it. The use of "Book with CD" can be misinterpretted as a CD with sampled grooves; the CD is an interview with Gary Chester, the author of the book. It is a raw cut, so the volumes aren't equalized.

If you're serious about drums, or seriously need to grow as a drummer, this book is for you.

gary's approach to the drums uses exercises which are both musically and technically challenging. begin by singing the click track while playing the first system...right from the start you'll realize how much room there is for improvement. if practiced carefully with a click while singing all of the parts, the improvement in your playing will be tremendous. i had the good fortune to have experienced this process first hand while studying with Gary back in the 80's. it is a sure way to ramp up your focus and independence. guys like kenny aronoff, danny gottlieb, and dave weckl used this method as a launch pad for their own creativity...

This book is loaded with excercises that will dramatically improve limb independence - it's not easy stuff! Also, it's not really a play-along kind of book where you'll immediately apply the patterns to your playing - so if you're just looking to pick up some cool beats and fills, you should look elsewhere. Now, if you're into buckling down and honing your chops, then this is definitely a book you should consider!

Wow! What an amazing book filled with the most beautiful pics ever! Also has a few inspiring quotes. All NKOTB fans should own this one.

This book is filled cover to cover with beautiful photographs of the fabulous five on stage, off stage, awake and asleep. This book is filled with seriousness and silliness. Lynn Goldsmith has managed to capture the very essence of these men. It's more than a documentary. She's managed to illustrate where they come from, where they're going and who they are. Even if you're not a NKOTB fan you can appreicate the beauty of these photographs.

This is one of the most exciting books ever published on the New kids! The pictures really share the most intament experiances the boys went threw! Pictures are the most wonderful part of the book!

A must have book for any New Kids Fan. This book contains some of the most incredible pictures I have ever seen. Lynn Goldsmith captures the guys in there own way. Their Real Selves!

A+

I am an adult and I am still and always will be an NKOTB fan! This book is great! The pictures are the best one's I have seen! This book is a must for any NKOTB fan new or old! Iam very proud to own this book!

I only skimmed this book (didn't want to "crack" the binding!), as I bought it as a gift for my son's piano teacher. She just wrote me a thank you note and called the book "amazing." She's a very dedicated teacher, loves the piano and her students, and this book really touched her. (The little bit I read was lovely.) I would highly recommend this book as a gift for a piano teacher, but I'm sure it would be equally welcomed by anyone who loves music or who took music lessons as a child.

I devoured this book on my Kindle because I was so hungry to know how piano students learn. I recently took up piano so that I can help my young daughter with her lesson/homework. This book inspires me to be more patient with my daughter and myself in my own endeavor to learn the piano as an adult. The only regret I have about this book is that it seems rather short, and it didn't take much time to finish reading it.

As one of Tricia's former piano students and friends, I was shocked and awed by how fantastic her book is. I always knew she was a special person with talent oozing from her fingertips when it came to both music and literature but this book blew me away. You don't have to have any knowledge of the piano or any interest in music at all to enjoy this wonderful book. Everyone should read it, I guarantee you'll enjoy it as much as I did!
-M.A.

I am fifty-one and about to start my fifth year of piano lessons. I'm slogging in the early - middle intermediate stage. I am also the father of there teenage girls who have studied piano five years, eight years and ten years.
This book covers the entire child (or new adult, like me) piano training process from beginning, age seven, to graduating high school, it lays out all the steps.
So I am highly recommending this book to parents, who are trying to figure out where the lessons are going and where they will lead, and to intermediate adult students, like me, who are trying to figure out how one becomes an advanced student. The advanced students "are in this because of an attraction to the act of playing that is compelling, deep and inarguable." The "difficult passages must be broken down into their smallest part and played over and over and over." So, for me there is no more skimming and going off for a ham sandwich (playing with my laptop) when my Scarlatti is hard.
Sadly, maybe, for parents this desire to master the piano "comes entirely from within". I am not sure my older daughters will ever be advanced, they don't "feel an internal necessity to play".
The book was written to adults (I knew every Beatles song and can't imagine playing a duet of American Pie, front to back), and while I think teenage students would certainly sympathize with the Recital chapter, most of the reflections on learning would probably be lost on them.
Thank you Tricia Tunstall for sharing your life and explaining the process to us, and for telling me to work harder.

This book is poignant, tender and funny. The author, a piano teacher, describes the wonderful relationships she has built with her students, how they progress and what she learns from them. The book also harks back to the author's own piano teachers, and finally (and most movingly) to her last piano teacher, who was her husband. Anyone would love this book, whether they have any piano experience or not. It is really about the dimensions of personal growth and how they are enhanced by a student-teacher experience, no matter what realm that relationship takes place in. And it's about the something unusual in our world today: a slow, gradual process.

A very interesting book that will rattle the chains of any self respecting "Baby Boomer" with rock n roll memories from the 50's and 60's! Being in the middle of this target group: (Class of "67"/BEHS), I enjoyed this book immensely! Warning: do not give these quizes to anyone born after : 1960! They will give you a blank stare! :-)

This is a "fun" book to read. filled with lots of information that even a casual rock & roll fan might be expected to know . It's a book of quiz's and i have to admit i was REALLY surprised at how much i just didn't know or remember. But, a word of warning,don't write your answers in the book if you intend to let a friend (or 2) take the quiz's after you, use a scratch pad instead. The Oldies Music Aptitude Test is very reasonably price and certainly fun to read.....dale

My Boomer friends and I had a ball with this book - and then the kids wanted to 'play', too. Now my kids (30-somethings) grew up with my music for their lullabies and their lives in general. Imagine my chagrin to discover that these former 'Sesame Street residents' actually did better than we Boomers, in some cases! It was no consolation that they had learned it from me. As my son put it, "A test is a test, so stop crying and lose like an adult". It could have been worse - he COULD have called me a 'grown-up'. Sigh. Bring the generations together with these questions about the greatest era in music. Just check your ego at the door. Thanks, Barb, for a wonderful trip down memory lane. And next time we 'adults' play, we'll be sure to keep the kids locked out of the house!

There had to be something to all the praise over at Oldiesmusic.com about this book. So I bought it and now I understand. This is one truly different and fun trivia book. You know all those "multiple-guess" (yawn!) trivia books? Thankfully, this isn't like those at all! This one has funny categories and it's actually humorous! There are clever cartoons too that oldies lovers will really appreciate. Just take a look at the cover art, hahaha!

Spread the word, this is a super fun book and why it's not available in "real" bookstores is beyond comprehension. My college reunion is coming up and I'll bring this along with my lava lamp and Desiderata poster to set the mood. ;->

Best $... I ever spent on a trivia book, I must say!

Hohoho

I consider myself to be a bit of a trivia buff, from history to TV to music. At least I did before I got this book. Barb Jastrab has assembled a set of "tests" within the book to help you determine whether you are a "player" or a "pretender" in the world of trivia. Once you begin, you can't stop! It's funny, it's enlightening, it's humbling, and it's full of "DUH I should have known that" moments. Challenging and fun, well balanced.

I do have one complaint, Ms. Jastrab. You are responsible for eight hangovers this past weekend.

Your book and an eggtimer became the fodder for a drinking game of sorts after an otherwise civilized dinner party. Yes, I know better, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Anyway, at my age, I suffer a bit more than I did in my youth after such foolishness.

We have all agreed that next time we do this, we'll play for orange juice. But play again we must! Thanks for a great book and a fun challenge.

I had this when I was a child (20 years ago) and I learned how to play almost everything in it, as well as how to improvise according to the song's key and play blinding legato runs. I recently bought it again and am digging into this classic once more because it is so worth it.

I'm 25 and have been playing guitar for about 14yrs. I started out playing electric and was motivated to play like Randy from the start. Before I ever even picked up a guitar I always dreamed and wondered "What if I could sound like that?" refering to Randy on the Tribute album, truley a masterpiece performance/recording. I was young and ambitious and wanted to sound just like him. When I found Wolfe Marshall's transcriptions I fell in love. Marshall was the best for me and my guitar playing developement during those early days because he showed me how to model my playing style after that of Randy's. Through Marshall I learned Randy better than I could ever imagine learning Randy without Marshall. Truley a great book. Now after having impressed many o' college coed and friends with some awsome guitar playing and feel I have Randy & Marshall to thank. Really what come's out in my playing more than even skill (which you will learn) is the feel for the music. There is true feeling in Randy's playing and if you honestly make the effort to learn you can become a really good player because you will feel the music. Sounds wacky but I don't know how else to explain it. You will certainly see smiles on peoples faces when you play not so much because you can play (really good if you study hard) but because people will know you are enjoying yourself pushing yourself emotionally to your limits through your instrument. Randy's inspiration makes that possible ONLY IF YOU PRACTICE AND APPRECIATE HIS STYLE. Good luck to any begginer choosing to take on this book and this masterpiece...take it serious and you'll have something with you for the rest of your life that will make your life that much nicer, guitar skills and guitar heart. Only works if you really feel like you can be a great guitarist...push yourself with this book!

Helpful hint: listen to the album if you get stuck at any point while reading the book and feel like you need clarity at any point during a song. Usually by listening to the record you'll go "Oh that's what marshall meant here". Marshall will tell you and Randy will show you...great way to learn!

His songwriting (yes, Randy's songwriting cause Ozzy hasn't written anything close to what was on 'Blizzard' and 'Diary' since!) was clearly GENIUS!!! Randy's solos challenged your music theory knowlege and technique. Then he would touch your heart too with his SOLO'S. Kind of telling you what kind of person he was!!! A genuine one, a nice one (obviously INTELLIGENT AS WELL). Someone dedicated to music. NO ONE HAS COME CLOSE SINCE. AS A WORKING MUSICIAN IN ANOTHER GENRE I WILL TELL YOU THAT RANDY HAD A FEELING IN HIS PLAYING NO ONE WILL EVER DUPLICATE!!! He took that polka dot flying V and MADE PEOPLE REMEMBER BUDDY GUY!!!! Hell, I bet Chuck Berry is proud of him too!!! DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT GUITAR? DO YOU KNOW THAT CHUCK BERRY IS THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL!!!! DO YOU KNOW THAT "JOHN LENNON" SAID THAT IF ROCK AND ROLL HAD ANOTHER NAME, IT WOULD BE "CHUCK BERRY"? I JUST LOVE MUSIC PERIOD, I GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.....

MR. RANDALL RHOADS THIS WORLD SORELY MISSES YOU AND YOUR TALENT!!!!

I'm 26 and play guitar, and I have to say that Rhoads was the best of the best..the only guy that comes close in my opinion is Zakk Wylde.

Dimebag Darrell, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen and Stevie Ray Vaugn also come to mind,,,but Rhoads is my favorite..I dont have this book but I have the album..I wish I had the privlidge of seeing him perform live

I was lucky enough to grow up watching Randy play weekends at the Starwood on Santa Monica Blvd with Quiet Riot. The guy is still the best I have ever heard and this "Randy Rhoads Tribute" truly rocks. Sorry everyone, if you never saw the skinny dude with his polka dot bow tie live, this is the best you can do!

Very efficient with delievery and a book in excellent condition. I thank you .Our son reads alot and we were pleasently surprised in ALL areas of this transaction.

I am a new fan of the clash and just fell in love with them one day. Wanting to know more about this band, I bought this book and was blown away!! I honestly couldn't put the thing down. It really gives an insightful history of the band and really made me like them even more. If you love the clash this book is worth every cent. Buy it!!!

I just got it a week ago. I CANNOT put it down. Well written and a lot of great facts that I never knew about. For example: Did you know that Joe Strummer's first guitar was actually originally owned by Pete Townshend?

A great,detailed and thorough history of The greatest Punk band ever. This is a MUST READ for anyone interested in the origin of contemporary rock music. The author delves into the personal history of the band members from childhood on. Pat Gilbert obviously has a passion for The Clash as every band today should and probably does. This book is an amazing overview, easy to read and impossible to put down. I bought this for myself but my 14yr. old son "permanently borrowed" it from me, reading it like crazy(he's not fond of reading) and I couldn't be happier.
Thank you Pat Gilbert for writing this awesome book!!!!!

This review applies to the 2004 hardcover edition. I knew a reasonable amount about The Clash before reading this book but the author here opened my eyes to a number of things and helped to confirm some of my ideas and reject others.

This is an academic book in the sense that any university sociology or history department type would or should respect the high standard of scholarship here - painstaking research involving interviews with a large number of band friends, business associates and childhood and youth buddies - and objective and intelligent analysis throughout. Although the research is detailed and Gilbert takes the subject matter seriously, the writing is still lively and captivating.

The book first traces the childhoods, youth days and former bands of all members individually which is fascinating and well researched. A lot of this information would be new to even the diehard fans. It's fascinating to read about and see a picture of Mick Jones' gran's 18th floor council flat in South London overlooking the Westway - where Mick "practised daily in my room" according to the song Stay Free. We also get to learn about Mick's close friend, also written about in Stay Free, who in real life did serve time for a bank robbery offence.

The art-school beginnings and the "squatting days" in early 1970s London (living in vacated houses under the Westway without paying rent) and the members' pre-Clash bands are well documented. Overall, Gilbert does an excellent job in helping the reader recreate in his/her mind the world of 1970s South London where the Clash story was played out. That is one of the book's great strengths in my opinion.

The book demolishes some punk myths, but keeps others alive. Firstly, the book demolishes the cherished idea that The Pistols and The Clash were working-class lads who met up, decided to form a band, and sing about social and political topics. There is some element of truth in that idealised view. However, the bands' respective managers, Malcolm McLaren of The Pistols and Bernie Rhodes of The Clash, clearly manufactured the bands to a certain extent based on their personal visions of what they wanted to achieve. Joe clearly understood this and was willing to co-operate with Rhodes to achieve common goals - but Mick was less supportive, being more of a traditional old-time rocker.

Gilbert clearly describes the social changes affecting Britain in the late 70s - the rise to power of the Thatcher right-wing government and the first wave of West Indian immigrants into London (and especially Brixton). We see how all band members had a genuine and sincere desire for racial harmony - they were fascinated by Jamaican reggae music and later New York hip hop. The bands' involvement in anti-racism gigs and sharing the stage with acts such as Bo Diddley and Micky Dread were extremely influential in contributing to the unity of the streets.

Another Clash myth that the book does not debunk but strengthens is their closeness to the fans and genuine warmth they felt towards the fans and vice-versa. However, the bitter infighting and bad vibes involving Joe, Mick and Paul often seemed to take the joy out of their lives and the book exposes this fully. It ultimately led to Mick's sacking at the hands of Joe, Paul and Bernie.

Other highlights are detailed descriptions of the recording sessions that led to each album and brief song-by-song descriptions (however, the focus on the actual music is fairly brief - the book is more a study of people and society).

Producer Guy Stevens' drunken chair-smashing antics during the London Calling sessions are hilariously recounted. His crazy energy probably contributed to the eclectic joy that London Calling produced. The details of the football games during the London Calling sessions are also interesting. The orange mohawked Japanese guys they met playing football in the London park - who knew every note of every Clash song (and Joe's cynical reaction to them, in contrast to the other band members) - also is humorous in my opinion.

Lastly, we are also are given a rare insight into The Clash Mark II. The three young band members who replaced Mick and Topper are all interviewed. Naturally they were dissapointed with certain aspects of the Mark II experience - but they don't seem bitter and it doesn't seem that they were treated totally badly (at least not by the band - by Bernie Rhodes maybe). In my opinion "This is England" (from 1985) ranks in The Top 3 Clash songs of all time. Good to get an insight into this less-publicised and once-denied stage of the band's existence. It almost makes me want to go out and buy Cut the [...]!!

I enjoyed my trip to the world of South London that Gilbert offered and South London became a better place I'm sure due to the huge influence of Joe, Mick, Topper and Paul. Stay free...

See also my soon to be published paper:
James, K. (forthcoming). "'This is England': Punk Rock's Realist/ Idealist Dialectic and its Implication for Critical Accounting Education", Accounting Forum, doi:10.1016/j.accfor.2008.01.002 (available at www.sciencedirect.com or by contacting me at kieran_james@yahoo.com (Kieran James)).