Arts & Music Books > Popular Music Arts & Music Books > B

Advantages: a funny trip down memory lane
Disadvantages: some of the songs you would rather forget

...never truly forgotten (even if we try hard to erase them from our memory) as some of the songs are too famous (or more likely to be infamous) for that fate. I enjoyed Tom Bromley's trawl through the strange world of the one hit wonder. It reminded me of a literary version of the nostalgia and list shows (I love the 100 best type of shows) that were fashionable a few years ago. It's even better than them because you do not have to listen to some ...
...is very subjective and personal. We all have our guilty pleasure. I quite like Brian and Michael's Matchstick Men and Matchstick Cat's and Dogs". I'm not sure how the author can put Deep Blue Something' Breakfast at Tiffanys is one of the worst one hit wonders ever. I love the song as it reminds me of being at uni and just find it quite catchy. I would really recommend this book if you want to chortle down memory lane to the rubbish music (and the ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting read, informative
Disadvantages: Not a complete history of 60's music

...born in 1942 from a white very middle class background; he first discovered a love of music from listening to his parent's old scratchy blues and jazz recordings. Boyd did more than simply become a fan he sought out those artist he loved many of which were living in relative poverty and helped to bring them to the attention of a wider white audience. When we think of sixties bands we might think of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Jimi ...
...shunned by American audiences both white and black whilst being worshipped by newfound British fans. It took a British blues explosion with bands like The Yardbirds, Cream, The Stones, Fleetwood Mac to take this music back to its home in the US and get homegrown audiences interested. I'm not claiming and neither is Boyd that he single-handed gave rise to this musical revolution but he was certainly a part of it and he was certainly there to witness ... Read review

Advantages: The "facts" behind the band
Disadvantages: the godamn writing style of the author

I have recently finished this book which I bought some time ago - with my renewed interest in the band documented here I thought I would give it another go. All I will say is that if you just have a passing interest in this band give it a miss. If you want the facts behind the formation of the band and the recording of the songs it is quite good. The book details the upbringing and backgrounds of all four members of Talking Heads - David Byrne,Tina ...
...form one of the most influential bands of the last 25 years. In this respect the book is good - it offers insight into the band dynamics and the otherwise unknown love/hate relationship between Weymouth & Byrne. I knew there was animosity there but this book suggests, through interviews and observations from those close to the band, that Tina was in love with David and vice versa even though Tina had always been with Chris Frantz and indeed married ... Read review

Advantages: the insider tips
Disadvantages: the pictures that do not belong in the sections

...the fist being the classic Burlesque side with tips on how to perfect your inner burlesquer. Dita also shows you how to perfect your look depending on where decade you want my personal favorite was from the 40s look with unseen pictures of dita and her personal stories its a must have the other side is called Fetish this is my personal favorite with an insight on how fetishes are a part of everyday life with a picture of her on the cover of playboy ... Read review

Advantages: very easy to understand
Disadvantages: none

Many readers are of the opinion that this is one of the finest books written on Photography, especially recommended for new photographers and those interested in photography.. The text is straight forward and easy to understand, covering the topics Aperture, Lighting and Shutter speed, but, it is not a highly technical book.. There are many illustrative photographs accompanying the text and also there are many photographs which illustrate different ...
...as it give a basic knowledge of photography , and sharpens their skills at photography.. He has made it interesting and practical by including some excercises all through the book to help you gain some experience as you read on.. He has taken care to include all details that a beginner would want to know, thereby helping one analyze where they went wrong while taking a particular shot.. The price is attractive for a book of this kind..a good buy ... Read review