Stardust-The Big Band Bible [Perfect Paperback] Review

This is the quintessential book on the Big Band era.I have read many, many books on the subject, including large, fancy, hard cover books, but none compares with this. Every other book seems to be more a list of statistics compared with the life that Richard Grudens has breathed into this exciting, informative work.I have had the good fortune to have met many of the players, and been friends with some of the leaders and arrangers, and yet I have gleaned a wealth of knowledge I did not have. Do not fail to get this book.
Dr. Irwin C. Shiell

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Product Description:
The complete Big Band Bible covering the Bands, the bandleaders, the musicians, the vocalists, the arrangers, the singing groups of most of the previous century told through a collection of personal profiles featuring the twentieth century's greatest musical stars with a foreword by Frankie Laine and an introduction by Kathryn Crosby, Mrs. Bing Crosby. The book will include the history of the song Stardust, bandleader Van Alexander's 'So You Want to Lead a Band.' The lists will document every known band and its theme song, as well as two lists documenting every girl and boy singer who ever sang with a band or bands. Features: Your Lucky Strike Hit Parade, The Cotton Club, Big Band Million sellers, Presentation of the First Gold Record, Great Moments in Big Band History, WNEW radio polls, the Recording Ban, Anecdotes and Fables, interviews with almost every Big Band Leaders and their vocalists. Vignettes of every known singing group, Big Band Associates like Mitch Miller and John Hammond, a chapter on the songwriters, the arrangers, the broadcasters, the Ghost-tribute bands and their tours of today, a list and interviews with the current crop of singers, The Music of Your Life story, 50 pages devoted to the bands of England and Europe, the complete alphabetical list of all known bands 1920-1980's, Big Band organiztions, clubs, and publications. Big Band Anecdotes and Non de Plumes; the performers real names, and much more. The book has over 300 photos, many never before published.

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Marching Band Arranging: Methods, Materials, Techniques [Paperback] Review

I used William Spencer-Pierce's marching band arrangements in my high school marching band for many years. They were always well received by the audience and judging community. My students and I were never dissapointed.
I recognize many of the techniques in the book because Bill explained many of the " hows and whys " of his philosophy when I was his client. This book is full of thesegreat nuggets of information on marching band arranging.
I especially like the book because it is practical rather than purely theoretical. The widespread use of musical examples really does a nice job of illustrating the text.
The book belongs in the personal library of every high school marching band director. It would also be a valuable resource for high school or college students considering a career in instrumental music education.
Experienced band directors can also benefit becausearrangements might need to be tweaked during during the marching season to adapt to personnel changes or judges' suggestions.
Based on forty years of teaching marching band, I hardily recommend this book!

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Product Description:
Conversational in style and full of practical advice, this user-friendly book takes the reader step-by-step through the process of writing effective arrangements that will make any band sound better. Over 150 musical examples illustrate the dozens of practical tips and techniques presented.Chapters include Fundamentals, Notation Basics, Basic Scoring, Form, The Wind Section, The Percussion Section, Working Procedure, Special Effects, The Jazz Idiom, and Getting A Big Sound With Smaller Groups. An Appendix includes information on copyright issues, suggested reading, and three arrangements with annotations by the author.Pencil-and-paper procedures are outlined, along with tips and techniques for using MIDI and computer notation software to input, score, print, and record. Detailed without being too technical, "Marching Band Arranging" is an excellent reference for both aspiring writers and for directors searching for ways to improve their group.

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Public Radio: Behind the Voices [Hardcover] Review

This book of profiles is well written and very engrossing.Through a quick and lively prose, the author brings each of her subjects to vivid life right there on the page.I've long been curious about many of the people behind the voices on public radio and this book scratches that itch.I feel like I know them all so much better now when I tune into their programs.I enjoyed this book thoroughly and recomend it highly to all fans of public radio.

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Sticks 'n' Skins: A Photography Book about the World of Drumming [Hardcover] Review

Whether you are a drummer, or just have a love and appreciation for the drums and the musicians who play the drums... you simply MUST get this book.Jules Follett and her wonderful team have continued the dedicated photography work of Lissa Wales, who was beloved in the drum community for her support and love of drummers around the world.Jules has brilliantly captured the love and spirit and sense of community that exists in the drumming world, and this book is being embraced by all who love and live by the heartbeat of the drum.It's a one-of-a-kind collection of amazing photography and information about hundreds of the world's top drummers, of which I am humbled and honored to have been included.This collection of art is perfect for any drummer, drumming student, music fan... and perfect for any music/corporate office waiting room, studio, live music venue green rooms, listening room, coffee houses, music stores... anywhere that music lovers congregate and hang out.Also a great reference book for schools, music conservatories, universities, etc...There will probably never be another book to rival this amazing collection of drummers... I'm sure you'll find yourself going back to it over and over and you'll be glad you got it.And you'll want to keep it forever!

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Product Description:
Discover the heartbeat of music in this 560-page full color coffee table book. Sticks 'n' Skins is dedicated to late drumming photographer Lissa Wales and opens with a tribute to her work. Illuminating the eclectic world of drumming over the past 70 years, the book features never-before-seen photos and stories of legendary artists including Louie Bellson (Benny Goodman), Steve Gadd (Barbra Streisand), Jim Keltner (Bob Dylan), Hal Blaine (Elvis Presley), Ginger Baker (Cream), Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones), David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), Anton Fig (Late Night with David Letterman), Nigel Olsson (Elton John), Chad Smith (The Red Hot Chili Peppers), and many more. Sticks 'n' Skins is not only visually inspiring with its stunning photos, but also preserves the legacy of the drumming community. Sure to become a music lover's collector's item, this extraordinary book offers fans young and old a new perspective on some of the biggest names in music history.

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Some Kind of Genius: The Extraordinary Journey of Musical Savant Tony DeBlois [Hardcover] Review

The book not only takes you on the journey of Mr. DeBlois's life and accomplishments, it explains the complexities of his "disabilities" along the way. I had the pleasure of meeting the family and I heard Tony's one-man concert. Too bad it wasn't longer. I would've stayed because it was riveting, beautiful and the man performs from the deepest corners of his heart. I recommend the book to parents of autistic or asperger's syndrome children, even if they are not musical, artistic or a math genius. Ms. DeBlois two sons, both born with these similar disabilities, were raised to bypass all the obstacles and develop the gifts with which they were blessed.

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Product Description:
For everyone whose heart was touched by the movie Rain Man, here is the inspiring true story of an autistic savant whose musical gifts thrill audiences the world overEver since he was bornblind and weighing less than two poundsTony DeBlois has been defying the odds and wildly surpassing others expectations. Diagnosed early on as autistic, at two years old his talent for music was revealed when he played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on a toy piano. Going on to graduate with honors from the Berklee College of Music, today Tony leads an improvisational jazz ensemble and performs solo shows from Dublin to Taipei and even Washington, D.C.s Kennedy Center.Some Kind of Genius weaves details of Tonys amazing musical accomplishmentshe can play 20 instruments and his sixth CD, also titled Some Kind of Genius, is set to be released at the time of this bookwith a fascinating look at savant syndrome, in which a person with certain developmental limitations exhibits brilliance in some other aspect of his life. Tonys fiercely devoted mother, Janice, also tells of her own crusadenot only for the rights of her son but on behalf of all those with special needs.Tonys story will hold special appeal for all who have seen him on the Today show and Entertainment Tonight; watched the Lifetime movie based on his life, Journey of the Heart; heard him in concert; or read about him in Dr. Darold Trefferts book, Extraordinary People: Understanding Savant Syndrome.

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George Gershwin: A New Biography [Hardcover] Review

I ordered this book because I've always liked Gershwin's music & happened to catch the last part of the film Rhapsody in Blue on Turner Movie Classics recently. The book does an adequate job of covering Gershwin's composing career, and indeed most of the chapters are titled according to the major composition discussed. If one is looking for in-depth information about Gershwin himself, his relationships, his family & his interests & activities outside music, the book is less satisfying. For example, one might assume from reading this book that his younger brother Arthur died in infancy as he is not mentioned except for his birthdate. Arthur actually lived to an old age, married, had kids & composed music himself. What relationship he & George had is unknown. Similarly, while Ira's wife Leonore had a part in George's life, she appears haphazardly throughout the book and little about her relationship with George is explored. George was also a painter but that is only tangentially mentioned. There is so much more that could fill out a broader, more in-depth picture of Gershwin. One could also wish for better editing to remove grammar errors & smooth out the repetitious use of some phrases as well as the jerky transitions from one subject to the next. The author's extensive research is evident & the endnotes at each chapter useful. For someone interested in Gershwin's growth as a composer, the book does a creditable job of documenting the major compositions & music events in the composer's life. For more about the man himself, readers must look elsewhere.

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The Pockit Rockit Music Finder [Paperback] Review

This book is great!I am a music nut (with over 1,200 CD's!) but over the years I have had less time to stay on top of what's new and exploring other artists.

This book is my new shortcut and I have had it on my bedside table for a week.Basically, you find an artist you like either through the front "Core Artist" listing, or through the Index in the back.Flip to the page where the musical artist is and you'll find a listing of 10 - 12 other musical artists that the book thinks you might like.

For instance, I looked up Iggy Pop and I recognized most of the "Artists you'll like" except for one: The Dictators.This was new to me, so I checked them out online and they are awesome!That's the way this book works, and they have artists from every kind of music, from classic rock, to punk, to jazz, to folk, to world music...

I just wonder how big this book will have to grow over the years as more and more artists come out.

Anyway, if you like music you'll really enjoy this book!I am getting a few extras for my friends for Christmas.

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Product Description:
You know what music you like, you want more, but you don't know where to start?
Built on the idea that "if you like X, you'll like Y," POCKIT ROCKIT makes it fun, fast, and easy for you to turn on to music you don't know through music you do know.
We've chosen around 200 "core" artists: the subjectively determined, most "important and influential" musical artists of the past 60+ years. For each of these core artists, we've chosen 10 other artists that most listeners would probably find to be of interest if they already enjoy the core artist. For each artist, we have provided a 30-50 word blurb describing the artist's sound and why they might be significant, along with three or four of the artist's best albums.
There's a dazzling array of artists presented, from the most legendary to the most obscure. Whatever your taste, the song of Pockit Rockit remains the same: To turn you on to music you don't know through music you do know.

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