Author Topic: Recommended reading (Read 427 times)

jerryme · « **Reply #15 on:** August 05, 2009, 11:00:51 AM »

Sometimes can't tell much difference between the dark and the light...

McNally's book is great, but the best by far is Blair Jackson's Garcia: An American Life in terms of the Garcia biographies.

lbpesq · « **Reply #16 on:** August 05, 2009, 12:57:38 PM »

I found McNally's book to be the best biography. Blair Jackson's Grateful Dead Gear book is also excellent. The best Dead book, IMHO, is Phil's autobiography: Searching for the Sound.

Bill, tgo

tom_z · « **Reply #17 on:** August 05, 2009, 12:58:12 PM »

Since we're throwing in other titles, here are a couple good ones to consider:

The Real Frank Zappa - very entertaining autobiography

Chronicles, Volume 1 by Bob Dylan

lbpesq · « **Reply #18 on:** August 05, 2009, 02:21:02 PM »

This Wheel's on Fire by Levon Helm. Best book on the Band. Across the Great Divide: The Band and America is pretty good too.

Bill, tgo

jacko · « **Reply #19 on:** August 06, 2009, 01:23:14 AM »

I'll second Phil's book as a great GD read. (I was quick enough with the pre-order to get the signed frontispiece too) and McNally's book gives a superb picture of the life of the band as a whole. The only criticism I have of Blair jackson's Grateful Dead gear book is that it perpetuates the myth that Irwin was the only one to have a hand in building 'Wolf'. Shows a certain lack of research.

For a truly astounding autobiography I'd recommend Charles Mingus' Beneath the Underdog although I would caution that it's not for the straitlaced.

Graeme

p.s. having read and enjoyed fear and Loathing several times, I finally saw (some of) the movie last night. Boy was it dull.

jx2638 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:36:02 AM »

Does gear book give much depth to Wall Of Sound?

And does Phil's book chronicle the band's history similar to the Parish and McNally books??

jack · « **Reply #21 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:46:29 AM »

For something completely different, try Dirt about/by Motley Crue. I am no fan of their music, but someone gave me this book and it was very interesting. Graphic at times, but also very sensitive and even gutwrenching at others. And suprisingly well written. A good look into the 80s rock/metal scene.

Also, who's read the Eric Clapton autobio? It's gotten some rave reviews, I haven't looked at it yet though.

And I'm sure many have read Standing in the Shadows of Motown. That's another one I need to get to.

lbpesq · « **Reply #22 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:52:17 AM »

Clapton's book is excellent. Also, Clapton's Guitar by Allen St. John about renowned luthier & player Wayne Henderson is wonderful.

Bill, tgo

afrobeat_fool · « **Reply #23 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:54:42 AM »

I read the Clapton auto-bio and found it very dry. There is some insight into his life but suprisingly little that isn't already well documented. The McNally book looks interesting.

sonicus · « **Reply #24 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:54:53 AM »

JACO by Bill Milkowski

The extraordinary and tragic life of Jaco Pastorius
The world's greatest bass player

sonicus · « **Reply #25 on:** August 06, 2009, 12:02:32 PM »

THESAURUS OF SCALES AND MELODIC PATTERNS

By Nicolas Slonimsky

I think both John Coltrane and Jaco Pastorius like to study from this book ! And others I am sure.

jacko · « **Reply #26 on:** August 07, 2009, 01:44:01 AM »

Jae. The dead gear book goes into alot of depth about all of their kit. I think there's a chapter devoted to the wall of sound and there are many photos and diagrams of the stage layout in it's various incarnations.
Phil's book is similar to Parish's in that it's a very personal view of his time with the GD. There's also quite a bit about what's happened in his life since (aswell as his birth and early years). There's a very poignant chapter dealing with his fathers death and how 'Box of Rain' came to mean so much to him.

Graeme

jx2638 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 07, 2009, 08:07:35 AM »

Thanks Graeme. Based on that review I'll probably get them both.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #28 on:** August 10, 2009, 11:12:41 AM »

Peter,
I have to admit I don't know how many volumes of Freak Bros. there are... Back in the day I had the first 5 of them. Then someone borrowed them from me... and I never got them back. After that I heard that the publisher's space burned down. Then I heard that they were being reissued. But they seem to stand the test of time, sorta like Cheech and Chong.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #29 on:** August 10, 2009, 02:24:07 PM »

With a little research (sounds more impressive than a Google search) I have discovered that there are 13; you can get all of them, or all plus some in one volume, here. We've got some catching up to do!

Peter, who also has the first 2 issues of Junkwaffel (speaking of intities named Cheech)

Author Topic: Recommended reading (Read 427 times)

afrobeat_fool