Post by cooksferry on Jan 31, 2017 6:35:54 GMT 12
My music related book collection seems to have grown at a pace with the records and space constraints have meant some cut back but it's a very bad day when i dont get some reading time in. Not a big reader of fiction with honorable exceptions to Jane Austin and Terry Pratchet, mainly music and history. Fortunately Dunedin has a couple of 2nd hand book shops that always yield something on interest on my visits and my well trained son who lives there keeps an eye out during library sells and various other outlets. I always have at least one book on the go at work for smoko time which generally gives me half an hour per day. Generally pick lighter material like anthologies that can be easily read in small sections but there's always exceptions. On the menu at the moment is 'Hotel California' by Barney Hoskyns, subtitled singer-songwriters and cocaine cowboys in the LA canyons 1967-1976. While the book doesn't cover many artists that I'm particularly interested in it does delve nicely into the social and record company interactions that came with that hedonistic time and it's a subject that the author seems well versed in. At home I've just finished 'Stealing Dylan from Woodstock: When the World Came to the Isle of Wight' by one of the original festival organisers, Ray Foulk. Now moving onto the follow up ' When the World Came to the Isle of Wight' which covers the 2nd large festival in 1970. Both signed volumes were a Christmas present from my wife after a few hints . I've had quite a long standing interest in the Isle of Wight festivals and the books provide not only a fascinating insight into the festival background and organisation but serve to correct some of the myths that have emerged over the years. As a side note there are several of the festival performances available in both audio and visual formats. My particular favorite is the the intense show put on by Taste(Rory Gallagher) in 1970 but also in the collection are items from Jethro Tull, Hendrix, The Who and Leonard Cohen.
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Post by Owen Y on Jan 31, 2017 17:21:40 GMT 12
I'm reminded of Ten Years After's legendary set at Woodstock a year earlier in '69. They were UK blues-rockers too of course. I read they may were also at Isle of Wight in 1970.
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Post by Citroen on Feb 1, 2017 19:11:10 GMT 12
LOWSIDE OF THE ROAD - A Life Of Tom Waits by Barney Hoskyns. Maybe one day Tom will actually contribute to an autobiography. Tom doesn't even like/allow his freinds/family to be interviewed!
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Post by cooksferry on Feb 2, 2017 6:38:54 GMT 12
LOWSIDE OF THE ROAD - A Life Of Tom Waits by Barney Hoskyns. Maybe one day Tom will actually contribute to an autobiography. Tom doesn't even like/allow his freinds/family to be interviewed! Interested in your thoughts on that one. I don't usually read many biographies as I find most musicians to be pretty average, boring people but Waits could well be an exception.
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Post by guitardude on Feb 3, 2017 12:54:31 GMT 12
And for me this weekend its the "love in vain" Robert Johnson Graphic Novel, accompanied by a suitable soundtrack of course.
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Post by cooksferry on Feb 28, 2017 6:03:39 GMT 12
Finally finished Hotel California. Although I dont have much interest in the artists it covers( Mitchell, Young, CSN, Browme, Eagles etc) it gave a good enough overview of that late 60s to mid 70s LA scene to keep me reading.
Now moved onto Trips; A Rock Life in the 60s by Ellen Sander. Even today music journalism is primarily a male domain so Sander was on a fairly lonely road back in the 60s as a female reporter covering music and the counter culture. Sander features in one of the infamous Led Zep tales when on the last night of their 2nd US tour which she was covering, some band members led by Bonham started to rip her clothes of in what she has described as a frenzied attack and was saved by the intervention of manager Peter Grant. Her summary of her time with the band-" as like being inside cages at a zoo where "you get to smell the shit first-hand". Chuffed to score a very tidy copy(intact DJ) from Abe Books as its long out of print (1973).
Trips makes for a nice pairing with "Lillian Roxon, Mother of Rock", the biography of the pioneering Aussie journalist and author of the very first encyclopedia of rock.
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 1, 2017 15:30:09 GMT 12
Ahh... the Encyclopaedia of Rock (I have a copy c.1977) & the Illustrated Rock Encyclopaedia, Somewhere on the shelf.
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Post by cooksferry on Mar 14, 2017 6:35:04 GMT 12
Finally finished the Ellen Sander book mentioned above and a bit disappointed. The author was an attendee at several of the pivotal moments of the 60s music scene(Monetray, Woodstock, Altamont etc) as well as being in at the beginnings of the Yippee movement but in her desire to give an overview of the decade there are far to few personal moments that would have lifted the book up a notch. At the moment at work going through Love Become a Funeral Pyre, the Doors story by Mick Wall. Really enjoying this one and find my smoko breaks are starting to stretch out could quite easily lock the door and spend the rest of the day reading.
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 14, 2017 8:33:10 GMT 12
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Post by Citroen on Apr 3, 2017 18:57:55 GMT 12
Not actually reading, more listening. Audio book "Don't suck, Don't die: Giving up" Vic Chesnutt, as told by friend Kristin Hersh. Not an autobiography as such but more about the relationship between the two.
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Post by cooksferry on Apr 4, 2017 7:34:56 GMT 12
Not actually reading, more listening. Audio book "Don't suck, Don't die: Giving up" Vic Chesnutt, as told by friend Kristin Hersh. Not an autobiography as such but more about the relationship between the two. Worth having a punt on on ? The book has been on my Amazon wish list but never pulled the trigger. Finished the Doors book mentioned previously. As you'd expect the ratio of material concerning Morrison far out weighs that on the other group members. I found it an entertaining read although there wasn't a whole lot of new information I gathered except for the authors different take of Morrison's Paris death, debunking the bath tub scenario . If you're one of those who likes to hero worship your musical heroes and cloth them in a squeaky clean image then you wont want to read this, too many warts exposed. Now moved on to "Death of a Rebels, starring Phil Ochs and a small circle of friends" I'm not familiar with Ochs music, the little bit I have heard hasn't stood the test of time well, a common fate for topical song I guess. Still, his story appears to be an interesting, if once again, troubled and fated to not end well.
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Post by Citroen on Apr 4, 2017 18:40:04 GMT 12
So far I'm really enjoying it. Currently listening while walking the dog about Mt Eden.
Pull the trigger.
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Post by guitardude on Apr 10, 2017 15:16:09 GMT 12
Just finished reading Born to Run the Springsteen autobiography. Not even slightly being a Springsteen fan ( I once wasted an hour of my life listening to "the River", which is an hour of my life I will never get back), was lent this by a mate and thoroughly enjoyed it. The guy missed his calling, should have been a writer. Chapter and verse the accompanying vinyl just arrived which backs up the book beautifully. As the LP is arranged chronologically you can really spot the stage where he found his own voice on Born to Run. Nice cover too and I thought it was really neat how the record labels depicted him through the various stages of his life, kinda cool. So a suprisingly good read really.
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Post by cooksferry on May 5, 2017 7:06:26 GMT 12
Finished the Phil Ochs book mentioned above. Interesting read concentrating more on his dysfunctional private life than a musical analysis. Worth while read but hasn't prompted me go and explore his music.
Also in the finished pile, When the Levee Breaks, the making of Led Zeppelin IV. A bit disappointed in this as I thought by the title it would concentrate on that album but it's more like a potted band story with a couple of chapters devoted to IV. Really nothing there that a regular reader of Mojo, Uncut, record Collector etc wouldn't already know.
Next on the up is The Holy or the Broken, Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley & the Unlikely Ascent of Hallelujah.
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Post by cooksferry on May 24, 2017 7:22:38 GMT 12
The Holy or the Broken, Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley & the Unlikely Ascent of Hallelujah. Finished this a few days ago, an enjoyable and informative read. I'm by no means a particular fan of the song and my knowledge of its lineage was lacking so plenty of gaps filled in. I must must have a listen to the version by John Cale at some time as it is noted as the one that brought the song to wider public attention long before Buckley recorded it.
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Post by cooksferry on May 24, 2017 7:28:25 GMT 12
A couple of new additions to the waiting to be read list. I should stay away from Book Depository. The music book collection is getting a little out of hand, had to add another bookshelf over the weekend and it's already 95% full with books that were stored in boxes/crates etc. Tell myself I'm building plenty of material to fill in retirement days.
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Post by guitardude on May 24, 2017 16:07:03 GMT 12
Hey cooks,
Is that the university bookshop in Dunedin you are referring to ? Its a cracker. The one in CHCH years ago used to sell records too, specialized in all the weird imports you couldn't get anywhere else. Cant remember the name of the guy that used to run it but he was a bit of a local legend at the time.
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Post by cooksferry on May 25, 2017 7:37:06 GMT 12
Hey cooks, Is that the university bookshop in Dunedin you are referring to ? Its a cracker. The one in CHCH years ago used to sell records too, specialized in all the weird imports you couldn't get anywhere else. Cant remember the name of the guy that used to run it but he was a bit of a local legend at the time. No, not Uni shop. Book Depository is a UK based seller, huge, with some really good prices. I get most of my new books through there now. www.bookdepository.com/For 2nd hand Dunedin is excellent with two established sellers that usually have something interesting in their music section. I always travel in hope but many used book outlets have minimal music sections and very rarely anything of interest. Pre quake there were several small book sellers in Chch that rewarded a visit but all the central city ones have gone, however there are still a couple in the suburbs that I stop at. Strangely, for all the stock that it carried, Smiths in Chch never seemed to yield many treasures.
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Post by cooksferry on Jun 30, 2017 7:24:55 GMT 12
Current read at work Up and Down With the Rolling Stones by Tony Sanchez. pub 1979
This is one of a number of 2nd hand books picked up on a recent visit to Chch. Sanchez has a certain notoriety under the name Spanish Tony, drug supplier to the stars and especially Keith Richards who he worked for as personal assistant at one time. This book has been pretty much discredited for many of its stories by later Stones scholars but I'm finding it an entertaining and somewhat salacious read . Some sections provide ample proof of the damage too many drugs can do if the hysteria in some chapters (ie Altamont/relationship with Kenneth Anger) is anything to go by. Well worth the $1 invested though.
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Post by cooksferry on Jul 9, 2017 9:43:19 GMT 12
Finished the Stones book noted in my earlier post. An interesting read but I felt a little grubby afterwards. Best not to read if you're a Stones fanatic (rather than a fan, there's a difference). The portraits of Jagger and especially Richards are not flattering but pretty well match up with other references. Now moved onto I Wanna be Sedated, a very irreverent look at 70s pop and rock. Ideal book for smoko breaks.
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Post by cooksferry on Jul 17, 2017 15:12:59 GMT 12
Now moved onto the book below for work time smoko breaks. Yet another el cheapo buy from my last trip away.
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Post by cooksferry on Jul 21, 2017 7:37:32 GMT 12
A couple more arrivals to join the to be read queue .. The Irish Folk Blues book was great buying for 1 UK penny plus shipping. Even came with a clear cover over the dust jacket. The author, Colin Harper wrote, Dazzling Stranger, the best exploration of the UK folk scene that you'll probably ever read. Thoroughly recommend it. The Peter Grant biog will probably be next though. Bit unsettling that I appear to have yet again run out of shelf space. Two units, 1.8 x 0.9 metres now full and no more room for a third. Maybe time to launch a take over of the very large book shelf in the lounge . pictures of a safefull size image hosting
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Post by cooksferry on Aug 3, 2017 12:24:58 GMT 12
Finished the Freddie Mercury biog mentioned earlier. While I was familiar with the broad outline it did fill in some finer points. Once again not a book recommended if you're the type of fan who only wants to read positive things about the artist. Having said that I dont feel that he is portrayed in a negative manner and his life style choices are part of the man/artist. Even after all these years found the final chapters moving. Now moved onto yet another $1 find and the 2nd biography of Louis Armstrong. While I dont have any of his music(shame) I do find his story and that of the social climate he moved through to be fascinating. how to upload a photo on internetI also have the book below. Some time since I read that.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 3, 2017 18:44:16 GMT 12
The missus, having made a visit to Nashville/Memphis last year & garnered some background, just finished this.... cooksferry have you read it by chance? I may have to read myself.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 3, 2017 18:51:23 GMT 12
Now moved onto yet another $1 find and the 2nd biography of Louis Armstrong. While I dont have any of his music(shame) I do find his story and that of the social climate he moved through to be fascinating. Infectious stuff, esp the early years (I really need to get a mono setup running ) Genius indeed.
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Post by cooksferry on Aug 4, 2017 4:58:56 GMT 12
The missus, having made a visit to Nashville/Memphis last year & garnered some background, just finished this.... cooksferry have you read it by chance? I may have to read myself. No, haven't read that one Owen. From memory the only J Cash biography I have is the one by Robert Hilburn. A good read. Hilburn had accompanied Cash on his famous visit to Folsom Prison . upload high quality photos
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Post by cooksferry on Sept 5, 2017 7:18:35 GMT 12
Finally finished the Armstrong book noted earlier. Turned into a bit of a slog at times. The author is a brass musician and some chapters got quite technical , delving into Armstrong's valve and lip techniques etc. I have to confess to skipping quite a few of those sections, a foreign land to me. As is usual with many biographies the later years are given shorter shift. The author found Armstrong the entertainer much less interesting than Armstrong the jazz pioneer. Due time is given to his work with the hot five and seven bands however after reading the Laurence Bergreen biog previously I dont feel that any new light was shed on the man or his career. Now onto a little lighter reading with an autobiography by Sam Cutler, "You Can't Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Other Wonderful Reprobates". Cutler has gained some fame and notoriety over the years for his involvement with both the groups listed above, mainly as tour manager and front of the house MC. I will read with interest his version of the events at Altamont .
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Post by cooksferry on Sept 28, 2017 9:07:33 GMT 12
Finished the Sam Cutler biography noted above. Interesting, especially the authors take on the Altamont debacle. He makes strenuous efforts to absolve himself from much of the blame that has been attached to him over the years. Well worth a few hours of your time. Also been and gone, Crazy Diamond, a Syd Barrett Biography. This book is one of the earlier Barrett biographies (c1992) but out of the number I've read, probably the most readable. The authors seem to have had good first had contacts with family and friends and there's little pushing of the crazed genius story that some other books pursue. Now moved onto Hit Men: Powerbrokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business. This is already shaping into an extended smoko read. While I'm reasonably familiar with the over view of the shady dealings and dealers of the early rock and roll days (50s) this book is diving deeper into personalities , backroom boys, label heads etc that I know little of. Only downside I can see is the book cuts off well before our present day. It would be interesting to follow the time line through. upload multiple pics
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Post by guitardude on Sept 28, 2017 18:58:27 GMT 12
Hi cooks,
Have you seen or read the Billy Bragg skiffle book yet ? I've seen it about new and it looks interesting but too pricey for me as a new issue.
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Post by cooksferry on Sept 28, 2017 19:28:49 GMT 12
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