D. Thomas

This series deserves a better narrator

Revisado: 02-10-25

The McCartney Legacy, Volume 2, covers Wings during its peak period, and through all of its personnel shifts. It is meticulously researched, but not pedantic or boring. The information is a must have for any hard-core McCartney fan. However, like Vol. 1, it is spoiled by poor narration. Simon Vance reads this as if he's never seen the material before; nor has he apparently learned to pronounce important names surrounding McCartney or even basic musical terms. For starters, he insists on pronouncing Mickey Dolenz' last name Do-lEHNS, with the accent on the wrong syllable. He also refers to a certain percussion instrument as "CLAVES" instead of "CLAH-vehs". When referring to Opryland, he refers to it variously (all in the same chapter) as Oh-pree-land, Ah-pree-land, Oprah-land, and Opera-land. If he can't be bothered to learn the correct pronunciation of these things, the director should have caught them and made him correct them before giving Mr. Vance his paycheck. I would be embarrassed to turn in such a performance. This fantastic series deserves better.

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A well supported rant, with no solutions

Revisado: 12-19-24

This book, written in 1985, concerns itself essentially with the dumbing down of culture and the various causes thereof. Most of the facts, opinions and conclusions presented are well supported. One can only wonder how much more dark a picture the author would have painted, had it been written in 2015, after the internet and the PC had solidified their grip on society. The biggest problem I had with the book is that it presents no real solutions. The author proposes a brief pass at a solution in the last few minutes (which he acknowledges comes from Aldous Huxley), but tells us only what must BE done, not HOW to do it, or whether he even thinks it is possible. Personally, I am doubtful that there is any way to accomplish this "solution", and so it is no solution at all. What we have left is a klaxon signaling what is to come, without any hope of avoiding the inevitable.

As for the reading of the book, Mr. Riggenbach sounded like he was being paid by the word. For a book full of deep thoughts and relatively weighty matters to be pondered, he rushes through them with no apparent understanding or appreciation of the text. I would recommend the printed version for those who really want to gain an understanding of what the author is saying.

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An absolute must read for students of McCartney

Revisado: 10-10-24

This book is meticulously researched, a la Lewisohn's volume on The Beatles. It has levels of detail I've not seen before on the topic. It brings together all the bits and pieces of anecdotes that surrounded the years between the breakup of The Beatles and the release of Band on the Run, and enhances, strengthens, or in some cases debunks them with research..

Sadly, the audiobook is marred by Simon Vance's narration, which straddles the line between being pedantic and displaying complete boredom (his own). Most of the book is read with a detachment from the material that is so obvious as to be off-putting. His mispronunciation of the names of several characters in the Beatle world shows he has no more interest than a casual fan, and this is NOT a book for the casual fan. It is a book for the serious student of McCartney and his work; as such, Vance was a poor choice to read this otherwise exemplary book.

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All around excellent

Revisado: 08-13-23

Al Schmitt was a master at what he did. This book does that legacy justice by also being excellent in all respects. Highly enjoyable and recommended.

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No mysteries here

Revisado: 07-17-23

mys·ter·y
1.
something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
"the mysteries of outer space"

2.
a novel, play, or movie dealing with a puzzling crime, especially a murder.

Don't let the title confuse you; there are no mysteries here. Nothing impossible to understand or puzzling; only answers to questions you probably have never asked. It really is just a collection of behind the scenes music industry stories, and answers to some music trivia questions for those who like that sort of thing. If you look at it in that light, it's an average book where the author annoying and persistently refers to himself in the 3rd person, as in "the Rock and Roll Detective did this" or "the Rock and Roll detective did that." It gives the impression that the author is much more important than someone who simply knows a great deal of music trivia would normally be. That's the book - now for the performance.

Matt Hurwitz is a terrific journalist; I've read many of his articles over the years in various music related magazines. However, an impressionist he is not. His voice characterizations are amateurish. He makes anyone with a southern US accent sound like an idiot, and in some cases you would think he'd never heard the person speak (Klaus Voormann and Sam Phillips jump to mind immediately, but there are many others). Someone who is more adept at this should really be engaged to perform a book with vocalizations by so many well known figures.

I would not recommend the book unless you're really interested in music trivia, and then I would recommend the print edition so that you can hear the characters speak in your own head, as they really sound.

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Well written, engrossing story

Revisado: 06-07-23

This book is a well structured and written account of John Lennon's troubles with Morris Levy. Scott McKinley's vocalizations of the various characters involved help keep the story sorted out, but are at times annoying in their stereotyped portrayals. As far as I know, he does not claim to be an impressionist, but his attempts at Lennon are about 50% successful, and he clearly has never heard Klaus Voormann speak. Since most people have never heard the actual voices of most of the other characters, they are not as offensive. So while the performance is average, the book is excellent and most informative.

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Wonderful book; horrible reading

Revisado: 04-10-23

I have enjoyed all of Ken Womack's books. Unfortunately, he continues to use Paul Woodson to read them. Woodson's tortured attempts at British accents and German pronunciations which loom large in Beatle subject matter are a major turn off to anyone who is deeply immersed in Beatle literature. Woodson clearly is not, and is a horrible choice for Womack's informed writing. Do yourself a favor and buy the print editions. That's what I'll be doing going forward.

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Great stories from a master storyteller

Revisado: 08-20-22

I first was introduced to John Pizzarelli (literally) by a mutual friend when we were both in our early 20s. John was playing at a wedding for said friend, and I was just beginning my career as a public school music teacher. Having loved what I heard, and really enjoying John as a person, I watched as he moved from playing small restaurants and clubs to getting a contract with a major label, playing the Rainbow Room, Broadway, the Blue Note, Birdland, etc (and not necessarily in that order). We've gone to see him perform with his father (who features prominently in this book), with a trio, a quartet, the "swing seven", Jane Monheit, Ramsey Lewis - the list goes on. Dozens of performances in dozens of venues over the last 40 years. John is not only a great musician; his storytelling abilities rival his musical abilities, and every show strikes just the right balance. He knows how to leave you wanting more of both. So here is an entire book of John's storytelling, in his own voice - a treasure for anyone who has been to one of his shows. You'll learn a lot about John, about his musical family, and you'll laugh in the process. Can't ask for more than that.

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A monotonous reading of a pretty good story

Revisado: 08-19-22

James Burrows' work speaks for itself. He has created some of the most iconic and classic television of the last 50 years. Normally, I really enjoy it when an author reads their own book - it lends authenticity to their "voice". In this case however, I believe the reading is in need of - well, a good DIRECTOR! 95% of Mr. Burrows sentences begin on the same pitch, and they end about a perfect fifth lower; regularly. This repetitive, sing-songy delivery is grating, and by about Chapter 7 I wanted to drive off the road into a tree. His performance lacks energy, variety and enthusiasm; he sounds completely bored with his own life story. What was even more shocking was his delivery of the few jokes he tells (i.e., stories with a punch line). NOT GOOD! Should you attempt to excuse his lack of energy by reminding us he is 81 years old, give a listen to Mel Brooks' "All About Me", which he recorded in his NINETIES! The difference is like night and day. The content of this book is interesting, but I strongly recommend you get the print version if you're interested in Mr. Burrows' story. Listening to him read it was a disappointing and tortuous experience.

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Great book - not too sure about the performance

Revisado: 10-12-20

1927 was one extraordinary year. Anyone with a basic knowledge of American history will recognize many, many names in this book. The events recounted here were woven into a narrative that was informative, engaging, and consistently interesting. The reading however, had a tone which was at turns condescending, epicene, and generally annoying. The author would have done better to have someone else read the wonderful narrative he has written.

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