Loud and Clear: The Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound...

[cozmik_cowboy]

And an amp, after Dana Jr was cut and so Dana Sr took their gear back.

Peter

[garyhead]

I see the hardback is down to $14.00 on Amazon.

[edwin]

I read this as soon as it downloaded to my Kindle. It got lots of glowing reviews from people in the greater GD family, but I found it full of errors and pretty terrible writing. I had expected so much more and it seems like a lost opportunity as even between the time it was written and published, key people have passed away. I also expected a lot more pictures, since there are so many out there.

I think with a fact checker and a good editor (including photo editor), it could have been quite a bit better but as it stands, it's really a slapdash effort. I give it a C.

I wonder what the raw interviews are like. I would like to read those.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I read this as soon as it downloaded to my Kindle. It got lots of glowing reviews from people in the greater GD family, but I found it full of errors and pretty terrible writing.

Likewise, I'm sure.

I had expected so much more and it seems like a lost opportunity as even between the time it was written and published, key people have passed away.

Most assuredly.

I also expected a lot more pictures, since there are so many out there.

Again, I concur.

I think with a fact checker and a good editor (including photo editor), it could have been quite a bit better but as it stands, it's really a slapdash effort. I give it a C.

I find your observation astute, and your grading extremely lenient........

I wonder what the raw interviews are like. I would like to read those.

Send them to me when you're done!

Peter

[rv_bass]

This book was just recommended to me.  Is it really not worth the read as comments above suggest?

[cozmik_cowboy]

It is not even worth considering the read.

I cannot recommend strongly enough that you give it a hard pass.  Read Ken Babbs's Cronies, A Burlesque: Adventures With Ken Kesey, Neil Cassady, the Merry Pranksters, and the Grateful Dead instead.
Or John Perry Barlow's Mother American Night:  My Life In Crazy Times, or any (or all) of Dennis MacNally's 4 books.
For technical stuff, Blair Jackson's Grateful Dead Gear:  The Band's Instruments, Sound Systems, And Recording Sessions 1965-1995 is your best bet; not without errors, but compared to Loud And Clear it's immaculate.  Jackson at least tried to tell something right.......


Peter (who will add that Steve Parrish's Home Before Daylight is a fun & informative read, and that Phil's Searching For The Sound is 1 of the 2 best rock-star autobios ever - the other one is Levon's This Wheel's On Fire. Just ask Bill; he'll tell ya)

[lbpesq]

Yes indeed, Phil’s and Levon’s books are the best written most insightful rock autobiographies I’ve read.  I didn‘t find the book about the WOS to be that bad.   But it seemed more like an introduction for the uninitiated than a comprehensive analysis for knowledgeable Deadheads.  It pales in comparison to Blair Jackson’s book, which is the gold standard for gearheads like us.

Bill, tgo

[rv_bass]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I just got the Babbs book, I look forward to finishing that.  The Barlow book sounds interesting too.

[StephenR]

I was disappointed with the Wall of Sound book, especially the pictures, but if you read it knowing it isn’t completely accurate it isn’t a terrible read. If your local library has a copy that is the way to go… IMO not really worth owning but worth at least a look if you are interested in the subject.