Editorial Review

In 1975, four teenagers from Mount Temple School in Dublin gathered in a crowded kitchen to discuss forming a band. The drum kit just about fit into the room, the lead guitarist was playing a homemade guitar, the bassist could barely play at all and nobody wanted to sing. Over thirty years later, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. are still together, bound by intense loyalty, passionate idealism and a relentless belief in the power of rock and roll to change the world.

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Reviews (10)

U2 from the Band Members.
I can't express enough how GLAD I am to own this book. The photographs are exceptional and personal, and the band members open and up front about their (very) humble beginnings, all the way to stardom... which doesn't impress them much. It is the perfect Time for this book. The Band's willingness to put together this volume is a gift to the millions of us who have been touched by the greatest rock band in all the history of rock 'n' roll.

A gift to the world!
I would like to thank U2 for giving us this book. It really made me feel part of their history together. I've been a U2 fan for more than half of my life and looking at those amazing pictures, reading their own words is priceless. If you like U2 is the perfect thing for you to have; if you don't, after reading this book you will.
The Beatles Anthology Book Done U2 Style
If anyone here owns the Beatles Anthology companion book to the TV series/CD's, this isn't much different. The story is "written" by the band, quotes culled from over 150 hours of interviews done for Neil McCormick. Every phase of the band's career, from it's earliest days straight through to "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" is told solely through quotes from each band member, making this is as definitive, brutally honest, unflinching and uncompromising a book on the band as we'll ever see. These aren't moments plagiarized from magazine articles or other books, but personal recollections.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Composers & Musicians - Rock    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    7. Ireland    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Rock Music    10. Rock groups    11. U2 (Musical group)    12. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts   

Reviews (3)

I LOVE THIS STUFF!
Springsteen fans have been very lucky as of late as he has been putting out more and more product.While non-fans may wonder what all the fuss is about, let's face it, if there is one rock ledged who is sorely lacking in the way of specialty releases, it's the Boss.How nice then to finally see things like the '75 London concert DVD and CD released last year, a revamped Seeger Sessions disc with songs that popped up on the tour and during rehearsals we otherwise would not have had on the actual release and items like this book and the coinciding "Greetings from E-Street..."
good job

Fantastic Tribute to a Great Artist.
I am a life long Bruce Springsteen fan, and so, I have become more objective with my opinions of this spectacularly gifted musician. In Dave Marsh's 'Bruce Springsteen on Tour 1968 -2005, the reader is taken deep into the movement that the Boss has set out, transforming American rock n roll, and in many ways putting a kick back into the American music industry.What is most fascinating in this biography is the wonderful and mostly unseen photographs of Springsteen and crew on tour. There are nearly 350 pictures or so, and nearly each of them tells a unique story of the movement that is Bruce Springsteen.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Concert tours    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    6. Genres & Styles - Rock    7. History & Criticism - General    8. Music/Songbooks    9. Rock musicians    10. United States    11. Music / Rock   

Reviews (1)

Well done
I do think this little book picks up some of the contemporary songs and adds a quality to some of the old ones that make it worthwhile to purchase. I bought it cheaper here that through the Cokesbury sale! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Methodism    2. Music    3. Religion - Worship - Music    4. Religious - Contemporary Christian    5. Religious - Hymns   

Reviews (13)

Have motorcycle...Will Travel
I just finished reading Roadshow:Landscape With Drums:A concert tour by Motorcycle and loved it from cover to cover!! It is what it is. A written visual discription of life on the road after 30 long years of touring out of a suitcase,town after town, city after city , country after country year in and year out!All I did was buy the new album every year,go to the show every year(33 at present)go home and go to work the next day! I could not do what Neil,Geddy or Alex has done for 2112 days straight!!!The book is a true account of what Neil enjoys in this stage of his complicated life and spoken wonderfully from a very unique private person.Neil,Thank you for the memories and look forward to the next book!

A curmudgeon's diatribe with drums
While I was looking forward to reading this book, I couldn't overlook the nagging feeling in my gut that Neil Peart would fill hundreds of pages with a lot of whining, crabbing and irritation at the fact that he has to actually put in a grueling three hour work day every other day. What I found most enjoyable were his observations about the scenery and locales he visited, particulary in Europe. (The Skibo Castle description was ornate and engaging.) But there was just too much bitching from this misanthrope millionare. The fact that he can't deal with fans who have allowed him to live a life of leisure and luxury is ridiculous. Sure, there are some nuts out there, but this guy needs to show more appreciation for his audience. And heaven forbid that Geddy should want to add one song to the set for the European leg of the tour--Neil freaked out on him like a spoiled child. There's no doubt that Neil Peart has prodigious talent with the pen, but he needs serious help in the social skills department. Of course, I don't need to like a writer at all to enjoy what he writes, but when the two are joined at the hip in a biography, it's certainly going to effect my impression of the work.

great book!
The book read as advertised- a travelogue of motorcycle riding between gigs. Those who are looking for inside Rush info, etc. from Neil should know better- the man is rightfully tight-lipped about private matters, and we, even as fans and patrons of his art, have no right to such info. Nor should we have any expectation of such info. To write negatively about his book because he is guarded about some matters comes across as childish to me. Having said that, it's a great book, and as a fellow motorcyclist (BMW R1100 RT) it's a pleasure to read books about the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Canada    3. Drummers (Musicians)    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Europe    6. Genres & Styles - Rock    7. Motorcycling    8. Music/Songbooks    9. Musical Instruments - Percussion    10. Rock musicians    11. Travel    12. Voyages And Travels    13. Music    14. Music / General   

Reviews (3)

What AGreat Trip down E Street !
This book is so much fun! It's sort of a "pop up" book for grown ups. The clever pull-outs, the repros of tickets & ephemera, the old newspaper clippings that show a YOUNG, YOUNG Bruce...it's all good!This is not only a very novel approach, but also an easy to read, informative scrapbook of Springsteen history.The wonderful, plentiful photos and out-takes include some superb shots (including the covers) by Frank Stefanko.

Very unique book that i highly recommend if you're a Bruce fan
i concur with the first reviewer - i too thought i had just about every book i could want on Bruce, but this one surpassed my expectations.Don't let the low page count deter you - this one is definitely worth the money.There are a ton of pictures i had never seen before (ones that very likely came from the band members themselves or members of their inner circle) and there are a lot of reproductions of interesting chachkies, clippings, documents, itineraries, setlists, etc. that are in little pockets throughout the book (akin to the inserts you got in the LP of The Who - Live at Leeds).The book begins with Bruce's first bands and goes all the way up to the latest reunion tours.The presentation is excellent - quality printing, binding, and beautiful thick stock slipcase.I paid around $24 for it and i'm extremely pleased - while not a narrative-heavy book like some others that run much longer, i'd rate this as one you'll want to add to your Bruce collection.Hats off to the author.

A Stroll Down The Boardwalk in Asbury Park and E Street
I'm going to try to make this as helpful as I can without going on excessively. I don't know about you, but I sometimes become belabored by long reviews.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    3. General    4. Genres & Styles - Pop Vocal    5. Genres & Styles - Rock    6. History & Criticism - General    7. Music    8. Music/Songbooks    9. Photography    10. Rock groups    11. Rock musicians    12. Springsteen, Bruce    13. United States    14. Music / Popular    15. Popular culture   

Reviews (27)

Piano Man is two thirds of a page long
In Billy Joel Complete Vol. I, Piano Man is five full pages long.In the Ultimate Fake Book, it's about two thirds of a page.Similarly, the sheet music for Webber's All I Ask of You is five full pages, but exactly one page in the Ultimate Fake Book.The Titanic Love Theme is one page in this fake book.I find the comb binding to be strong, and the print large enough and clear and everything is neat and accurate as far as I can tell.I am having SO MUCH FUN playing songs out of this fake book, I can't believe it!!! I'm almost giddy with delight -- I can't believe I'm playing some of these songs that I always wanted to be able to play!!!

Great collection, lousy binding
A "Fake Book" has just one staff, typically a synthesis between the melody and vocal line, so that you can play it on pretty much any instrument and get something recognizable as the song out.So you can play these songs on a piano, flute, harmonica - any C instrument really, which is most instruments (though not trombones or trumpets.)And the words are printed too, so you can sing it or at least know what would be sung.
The Ultimate Fake Book : C Edition (Fake Book Series)
This book contains many of my favoriate songs.ANd I like the way it indexes the songs in several ways.Alphabetic, by era, and by artist.
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Subjects:  1. Genres & Styles - Pop Vocal    2. Music    3. Music/Songbooks    4. Musical Instruments - General    5. Songbooks - General    6. Songbooks - Popular    7. Music / Songbooks   

Reviews (3)

Wild Harmonies - Will get into your skin!
Wild Harmonies
emotion is everything
She is looking for the right place in her life. Most of the people are looking for a meaning to live for.
insightful delightful, but not easy to read "Un" autobiography
WILD HARMONIES is an insightful delightful "Un" autobiography that breaks the rules of chronological order most books in that genre follow.Instead, the renowned French pianist is all over the place yet contains enough discipline so that the reader can follow her story.Most interesting is the combining of a love for music with a love for wolves.The music started as an unmanageable and unpredictable child in France while the love of wolves began as an adult in Florida when she met her neighbor's she-wolf.As she did with the piano Helene Grimaud became an obsessed fanatic who has opened up a wolverine conservatory in Upstate New York.
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Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Composers & Musicians - General    5. Genres & Styles - Classical    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Musical Instruments - Construction And Repair    8. Wild Animal And Bird Protection    9. Music / Classical   

Reviews (1)

Incredibly lavish!
Massive, beautiful and gorgeous.What a treat to finally have a such an incredibly awe-inspiring piece as this to finally compile all of the wonderful works of art that go into what is, was and remains Tennant/Lowe.I have honestly wanted something like this to be produced for decades now, and when I first saw it in the UK, I ordered it there and waited for it for weeks.Now you can have it here quickly and painlessly.Definitely pick up a copy today...if you are even the most casual of fan (and somehow, I sense that if you stumbled across this, you are, as I, far more than that), you are very much deserving of this.Get it and cherish/treasure it for years. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative    2. Genres & Styles - Pop Vocal    3. History & Criticism - General    4. Music    5. Music History And Criticism +    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Graphic design    8. Music / Popular    9. Photographs: collections    10. Rock & pop   

Reviews (107)

Excellent book/CD set
We are so happy to have received Philadelphia Chickens as a shower gift.While our 10-month old doesn't understand the lyrics, he clearly enjoys the music, bouncing and smiling whenever he hears, "Cows, we're remarkable cows....."The songs are very enjoyable for adults as well.I've given this as a gift to 3 friends and all have loved it.

Great purchase!
Thanks for the great books.I bought two of the same from this owner.Both were new and in terrific condition.The CDs were perfect as well.Thanks!!!!!!

My child LOVES this!
We listen to this CD almost every day in the car. She's 2 yrs old now but we started listening to it at 1 year I think. She loves the "cow" song and used to ask for it every time we got in the car! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children's songs    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Librettos    6. Music - Songbooks    7. Musicals    8. Vocal scores without accompani    9. Vocal scores without accompaniment    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Music / Songbooks    11. Musical scores, lyrics & songbooks   

Reviews (35)

Brilliant book!Motivation for musicians!
People - some of us are born with it and some of us nurture and grow it, imagine if you had the ability to do both? Kenny Werner is the Tony Robbins for musicians.This book is more of a spiritual guide to become the musician YOU think you are capable of becoming.If you believe that the only thing stopping you from achieving success, is you, then you are ready for this book.The accompanying CD is great to listen to for meditating.I have discussed this book with many musicians and overall it is agreed that this book is easy to read, in fact easy to apply too!

Direct self-help for the aspiring artist
A great discourse on how to be all you can be.Helps to dispel the mindsets and self-limiting attitudes we tend to hold onto consciously and subconciously.Broadens your scope and belief in self which allows you release and be the artist trapped inside you whether you believed it or not.

An inspiration to all musicians!
EFFORTLESS MASTERY by Kenny Werner
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Music    3. Music / Jazz    4. Music/Songbooks    5. Self-Help / Creativity    6. Creativity    7. Jazz    8. Jazz musicians    9. Music - Jazz    10. Musicians    11. Psychology Of Music    12. Self-help   

Reviews (4)

Generous and Wonderful
Being one who always wanted to audition using the Witch's song or the Baker's Wife's song, I am delighted and grateful to Sondheim and Co. for putting out this amazing vocal score.The effort to do so must have been incredible.My only wish, not complaint, is that the chords were also represented by "C" or "Dmaj7" so that I could play along as I sing.I can read music, but if I have to play piano chords by sight only, it takes me days to finger it one note at a time.Well, that's probably my fault - practice, practice, practice!Anyway, it's quite a thorough job and now I have audition pieces galore!Only hope the accompanists can play it!

grrrrreat!
The musical score was in tip top shape and it came to my house in perfect timing for me to be able to use it for a local production.thank you.

Sure it's expensive, but you pay for what you get
This book is not for the intermediate pianist who wants to find some new music to play for the family at the family reunion.Not unless you've got a whole bunch of singers who want to join in...Read more

Subjects:  1. Genres & Styles - Musicals    2. Instruction & Study - Composition    3. Instruction & Study - Voice    4. Music    5. Music/Songbooks    6. Songbooks - General    7. Light orchestral, dance & big band music   

Reviews (7)

P&W fake book
This is definately a great collection of worship songs in one coil bound book

good book
I need a code and note for guitar.
Awesome Worship Tool
Our Praise Team/Band could not live without it.Can't wait for a new edition with more of the recent songs of the last two years. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Music    2. Music/Songbooks    3. Musical Instruments - General    4. Religious - Christian    5. Songbooks - General    6. Music / Songbooks   

Reviews (20)

Always perfect music history~
This time is my 3rd time to but new edition of A History of Western Music. I studied from 5th edition. This new edition is more easy to study. Fully recommended~

Lots of facts, no analysis
When I found what I believe to be the first edition (from 1960) in a thrift store for $1, I had no idea that this was considered to be the pre-eminent music history textbook.Consequently, I approached it as "pleasure" rather than assigned classroom reading.And I am in full agreement with the assessment that the writing is dry in the extreme - and I admit that I skimmed certain sections rather than reading them all the way through.Compared to the writing of critics such as Donald Tovey, Norman Lebrecht, Alex Ross, Jonathan Saville, or August Kleinzahler, Grout is not "entertaining;" as I explain below, he does not even meet the definition of "critic."
A bit dry...
The entire book has a plethera of amazing and interesting information, yet, the information is presented in a little bit of a dry way... but hey... it's a textbook, what can you expect? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History & Criticism - General    2. History and criticism    3. Music    4. Music/Songbooks    5. Music / History & Criticism    6. Western music: periods & styles   

Reviews (9)

can't put it down
i sat in barnes and noble and read about two or three chapters from this book. it easily kept me captivated.
A must for music enthusiasts
"Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll's Legendary Neighborhood" is an interesting book in which one learns about the origins of pop-rock music in that there were a great number of bands and musicians that started their careers in a residential area in Los Angeles, California. The book is devoted to contributions of such artists as Frank Zappa, the band known as the Eagles, the band known as the Byrds, and Jimmy Webb, to the genre of music that is known as American rock, and with some artists/bands, there are even interviews in which they chronicle what it was like to perform in those days. Michael Walker also shares with readers a little bit of information on the history of cocaine as it was not only relevant to that time period, but also had something of an influence on the development of this music all the way from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s.

the magic of the 60s revisited
For those who continue to debate whether San Francisco or Los Angeles was the epicenter of 60s music, Michael Walker provides the answer. He skillfully paints a multidimensional mural of a fabled time period. Walker uses the unique perspective of a location as metaphysical as it is geographic to describe the musical culture of the 60s and 70s. The magic of those years is deftly captured in Walker's words. He leads us through the twists and turns the canyon takes in the 80s, portraying a location attempting to hold on to its aura long past its prime. All in all a great read, although I wish there had been more stories of the musicians of the 60s. Walker's writing is as colorful and tightly woven as any tie-dyed wall hanging. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California    2. Genres & Styles - Rock    3. History & Criticism - General    4. History and criticism    5. Los Angeles    6. Music    7. Music History And Criticism +    8. Music Of The 20th Century    9. Music/Songbooks    10. Popular culture    11. Rock music    12. Social Science / Popular Culture   

Reviews (11)

Very Good at what's important
This is a fast and engaging read about one of the most important musicians of the late 60s. Duane Allman was more than a musician but the leader of the southern music movement that started in the late 60s and into the 70s. This book gets a lot of stuff right, especially giving you a good picture of the man. There isn't a lot of rumour and rock star stories, but the author is blunt about Duane's shortcomings as well as his musical genious.
Precise Doses Of Passion And Power
This is one of those rare books that make me wonder what had more impact.Was it the truly worthy subject of Duane "Skydog" Allman or was it the superb writing?Truth is, I read this book in two sittings because the story is so terrific and the way it's told completely spellbinding.It's my favorite rock book of 2006 thus far.
Thank you Randy Poe!
As a diehard Duane fanatic, I was very pleased with this book. It felt to me much more than just retread and recompiled interviews, I got a good picture of the man and the musician and learned lots of stuff, interesting stuff, about Duane. The years at Military school were a complete blank until now, and we are also given the secret to how he became so good. He played and practiced and built his chops one note and then one phrase at a time...how do you get to Carnegie Hall?
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Subjects:  1. Allman Brothers Band    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    7. Rock musicians    8. United States    9. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    10. Biography: film, television & music    11. Rock & pop   

Editorial Review

In a time when school music classes (if they exist at all) teach their students the finer points of the themes from Read more

Reviews (29)

A very good entry level book
This is a very good entry level book, about classical music.
Learn & Enjoy
My music education, having been neglected, is in better shape after I read this book.The appendices direct the reader where to start buying good classical music, the names of the various works, and their difficulty.
Awesome
Okay, so some of the jokes get a little lame or overused, but holy cow, when I read this book the first time, I was crying with laughter - and dangit, I even learned a thing or two!I've recommended this book to my orchestra students (7th and 8th graders) and not only have they read some it, they've enjoyed it as well.And if something like this can impress middle schoolers, you know it's good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Genres & Styles - Classical    2. History & Criticism - General    3. Instruction & Study - Appreciation    4. Music    5. Music Of The 18th Century    6. Music appreciation    7. Music/Songbooks    8. Music / Classical    9. Reference works   

Reviews (2)

How blonde can you get?
All I can say is Mona Lisa must be a blonde!It's a fine book of unseen photos from the Born to Run cover shoot. And yes, Mona Lisa it was all shot in one day.

Disappointed
I am a Jersey Girl, about Bruce's age and a big Bruce fan, but this book was a total disappointment.The pictures seem to beall from one roll of film taken on the same day.One poster would cover the whole book for a whole lot less money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Genres & Styles - Rock    2. Individual Photographer    3. Individual Photographers And Their Work    4. Photo Essays    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Photography    7. Rock Music    8. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    9. Photographs: collections    10. Photography / Portraits    11. Rock & pop   

Reviews (79)

beatle fans can really appreciate it
reading this book, as long as you know most beatle songs, will give you a better understanding and appreciation for the beatles. someone let me borrow it, and i have no background in audio production, but you begin to understand it through emerick's clear descriptions. He points out little things that happened in the studio that one would never catch. It's fun to read about it then play back the song and know where a certain lyric or idea came from. Great book

An Insider's View of Beatle Music Making!
In the early 1960s Geoff Emerick landed the dream job music fans would have killed for; assistant recording engineer at EMI Studio working with George Martin. It was a dream job because one of the first groups Emerick worked with was the Beatles. The next seven years of musical magic and misery Emerick spent in the control room are wonderfully chronicled in this book.
A Unique Perspective
This book is a unique perspective on The Beatles phenomenon.Admittedly, the author does give his opinion of the individual Beatles, but he acknowledges clearly that his perspective was entirely based upon observation and interaction in the studio.Therefore, all of the sound and fury expended in other reviews defending or attacking the author over his opinions of the individual personalities of the Beatles misses the point.This man was present at the creation of many of the most memorable Beatles records.He admits that he had limited contact with the individual Beatles, but what contact he had he recalls.Most of what he says about them individually is not new.We all know that Lennon was out of it for a lot of the time in the 1967-68 time period, and we all know that McCartney was the best all around musician of the bunch.Knowing that says nothing about the band, or who was the leader, or who wrote the best songs, or anything else.To the contrary, the impression one is left with of the personality sketches in this book is that the band was just that, a band, and that each individual made a contribution.The fact that the author had limited contact with George Harrison, for example, or that his contacts with Harrison were not always positive, is just one man's experience, and says little about Harrison.
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Subjects:  1. Beatles    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Business    8. Composers & Musicians - General    9. Emerick, Geoff    10. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    11. Genres & Styles - Rock    12. Great Britain    13. Rock Music    14. Sound engineers    15. Biography & Autobiography / Composers & Musicians    16. Biography: film, television & music    17. Rock & pop   

Reviews (2)

This book connects the dots...
I had begun to get serious about immersing myself in Jazz. A little dive around the corner was showing excellent Jazz groups and I had to take the opportunity to discover this great art form. My daughter lent me a textbook she had from college.
not for jazz scholars alone
It has been nearly 30 years since Mark Gridley's first edition of Jazz Styles appeared, and no other treatment of jazz styles comes close to his careful analysis of how jazz has been made since its inception.It is a work of great and serious scholarship, an invaluable resource for students of the genre.Yet, Jazz Styles is also an enjoyable and entertaining companion for anyone who wants to become a more perceptive listener to jazz.The Listening Guides are useful even for those 'veteran'
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Subjects:  1. Analysis, appreciation    2. Genres & Styles - Jazz    3. Jazz    4. Jazz musicians    5. Music    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Style, Musical    8. Music / General   

Reviews (16)

High quality, much content, but. . .
I've dabbled in jazz piano for many years to augment my rock chops.Treating this as a sideline (Until recently - I've started accompanying a standards singer), I haven't had a lot of spare money to spend on it.I've run into several frustrations with learning jazz piano that this book addresses with varying degrees of success:
The best book about playing jazz that I own
I dont play piano, I don't own a piano, but I study piano to understand guitar and violin. About 15 years ago I started to get bored with popular music and started studying jazz and classical exclusively. I remember my first experience with trying to learn jazz, there were all these chords I had no idea how to play or what the symbols meant. A few years later I played bass in a jazz band and one of the horn players had this book and I bought it right away.
Da Bomb!
The Point: Levine's book is truly great.
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Subjects:  1. Music    2. Music/Songbooks    3. Musical Instruments - Techniques    4. Songbooks - General    5. Jazz    6. Keyboard instruments    7. Music / Songbooks    8. Techniques of music