MSCI

Want to add an excellent reference to your collection of books dealing with the Hollywood Musicals? Then this book is it. Just like those musicals from the golden age of Hollywood, this book has it all. Beautiful photographed images, lots of (techni) colours, stars in their greatest moments. Truly an Oscar winning performance! The book is printed in good quality paper and images are very clear and of good size on each page. Of course it's impossible to include a poster from every musicals in any given year, but the selections Bruce Hershenson made are excellent. A page may contain an average of 5 images while some are giving the full page treatment (e.g. Grease, Singin' In the Rain). Definitely an excellent addition to your library of movie books.

With the notable exceptions of Oliver! (1968), Cabaret (1972), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Tommy (1975) and Evita (1996), Hollywood has essentially turned its back on a genre that this book re-captures in all its glory. The images are superb, the color and quality are sublime. Though the book is straightforward, a thread of sadness runs subconsciously from its first to its last pages, as one ruminates about what this genre was all about, what it could have been and why it is, for all intents and purposes, dead except on the New York, London and Toronto stages. From Astaire and Rogers to Gene Kelly, Streisand and even the Beatles, it's all covered here. Though it seems awkward to most of today's audiences to see a person in the middle of a scene break out into a song with no band playing behind him on screen, this was the accepted norm and was often the the portion of a film that had an audience soaring in their seats. That such a feeling has all but disappeared makes this book all the more precious, preventing this genre from fading into the wisps of memory. The beautiful thing about this book is the unexpected. Rather than delve into the expected great musicals with the standard American images (which are included in great detail nevertheless), this book includes artwork from other countries, art that is more "in your face" and thought provoking. Who can forget the image used for the Polish version of the 1972 release of "Cabaret?" (Joel Grey's face in the center of four stocking legs bent into the shape of a swastika?) This is the kind of thing that you would never have seen printed or distributed in the U.S., works of art that can only be bought for thousands of dollars today at many of America's biggest auction houses. If you are the least bit interested in the jaw-dropping beauty of what has become a lost art -- the exercise of drawing images associated with the advertising of a Hollywood film -- this is the book to have. This book is part of movie poster maven Bruce Hershenson's exhaustive multi-volume series of books highlighting the history and beauty of what much of mainstream America has only in the last ten years begun to recognize. And that is movie posters are a "popular art" form that can stand proudly next to all other styles of art from gothic to modern, from expressionist to impressionist. Great film art borrows from all of these styles and this volume, which focuses only on posters associated with musicals, illustrates innumerable examples whereby despite the restrictive nature of the genre (musicals), not all posters went in the same direction in terms of style and presentation. From Shall We Dance to A Star is Born, from 42nd Street to Yellow Submarine, Hershenson and Allen have built an incredible archive (and legacy) of images in all of their books, capturing a period (when all posters were drawn by hand and then printed, as opposed to today's method of using photographic stock and manipulating them digitally and printing them by the thousands) that would otherwise be lost forever. A fine book for any collector (get the hardcover edition if you can, it's harder to find; if Amazon doesn't have it, it's available from Mr. Hershenson directly at mail@brucehershenson.com).

The best Musical Movie Poster book available today! This book has it all. Beautifully photographed and reproduced in great color this book reveals the outstanding artists, designers and photographers that created movie poster "Works of Art" from the early days of movie musicals to the current. A"must have" for the movie memorabilia collector and movie musical fan. Superb!

I'd like to know more about Nightmare Before Christmas.

Although this book is aimed toward the younger readers, it is the original poem of the Nightmare Before Christmas, so no matter if you are a Burton fan or study literature, this is an essential item to add to that collectio

I bought a copy of this book a couple years back, only to find my young nephew (only 5 back then) reaching to look at it often when he visited. I've now decided to buy him his own copy of this book, while it's still in print, because I see this movie's "legend" continuing to grow as an annual Halloween classic. Such is the unique and wonderful world of Tim Burton; his style often does not catch on immediately, but it slowly finds its way beyond "cult" viewing and into the hearts and minds of mainstream audiences. This book features a generous offering of pre-production designs (including many of Burton's own drawings) and behind-the-scenes photos, which are fun to look at again and again. A beautifully illustrated book, and fun to own

This book is a must I mean a must for all musicians! The author shows how phrases are linked together and their patterns. It takes the guess work out of how to phrase properly and allows the music to come out. If you teach, perform, or coach a group you will clearly hear and be able to show these patterns to your students or friends. It will allow them to not only see it, but hear it.

After struggling with being told to "be expressive" by music teachers and not knowing for sure what they meant, this book opened the door to my understanding. This is key information that should be read by all people who make music.

This is one of those very rare books about music performance that is actually useful to the performing musician (as well as the devoted listener). It describes the historical basis of our perception of rhythm, its expressive impact, and its practical application. It has had an enormous impact on me both as a performer and a teacher is an invaluable tool for all musicians! I give it my highest recommendation!

These boys are hot!! The calendar rules!! Especially the September pic( Ashley's pic!!). U should definitely get it!!!!

I just want 2 say how happy i was when i received my o-town calendar. It was a lot better than i thought it would b and it came really quick. I've made my mate well jealous as she wantsme 2 now order her 1. Thank u so much for me bing able 2 order it as the shops in england r (bad) and don't stock it.O-town r fab!!!

I bougth this Calendar and it is great. I love the guys and the pictures are hot. Buy it if you truely love O*Town and what they do. Ashley, Dan, Jacob, Trevor and Erik are the best.

I will not let bitter Mimi's words be the last on this book. I do not understand why she would waste her time writing such comments.

Reading about the inspirational life of Ricky Martin inspires a plethoria of hope in the depths of my innermost soul. Never before have I experienced such a profound sense of triumph. How one seemingly grotesque hairball was catapulted into the national spotlight from the depths of an alley cats digestive tract. This book is a must for any Ricky Martin fan!

If you are a Ricky Martin fan you must get this book, I learnedso many things I didn't know about him. It's the best.

Published in 1877. This book contains three parts as follows;

PART I .... upper partial tones, and qualities of tone
PART II ... combinational tones and beats, consonance and dissonance
PART III... scales and tonality

The part I is the basis of modern synthesizers. From the part II Paul Hindemith elaborated a theory of fluctuation harmony ("craft of musical composition"). Inspired by the part III Harry Partch created his 43 scale ("genesis of a music"). They are children of Helmholtz. So, this is the most important book which influenced the musical thinkings of 20th century.

However the following books are recommended for criticizing the part III;
Max Weber: Die rationalen und soziologischen Grundlagen der Musik
Herbert Kelletat: Zur musikalischen Temperatur, J.S.Bach und seine Zeit

I found two misprints:

Page 412, last equation on that page, x_2 = -b/(2a). ... : On the right-hand side, there are five terms. Terms number 2 to 5 have to be multiplied by b. In term number 3, replace u^2 by v^2.

Page 417, second of the two equations, r_p = 16 B' B" . ... : The second of the two brackets in the denominator must be squared.

These two misprints occur also in the German original, possibly since 1863.

This is worthwhile for the reasons already cited (so I need not rehearse them), but it is important to recognize that much of it has been superceded or disproved. I hope those prospective purchasers who have found their way here are aware of Juan Roederer's THE PHYSICS AND PSYCHOPHISICS OF MUSIC--very much recommended!

Once On This Island is a fabulous show! It may seem different in the beginning, but if you really read into the story and hear the music it'll send chills up your spine! This music has so much spirit and warmth behind it! I played "Asaka, Mother of the Earth" last summer, and I looved it! BUY THIS BOOK!

I havent actually read this book, but our school put it on (well we will in a week or two), and I just wanted to say how AMAZING the music is!!!

Though I don't actually have the book, i have seen it. It is amazing!... This is my favorite musical. My highschool did it two years ago and everyone absolutely loved it. It's awesome, and it comes away from comformaty. BUY IT!... it is SO awesome.

I just love this CD! The tunes are catchy, the lyrics are great, the musical quality far surpasses most kids CDs. This is not your typical kids music, but kids love it. After only one listen, my daughter was singing the "La-La" chorus from "It's raining it's pouring". Adults will love this as well, with its eclectic rock feel. A must have for kids!

Every song on this CD has an infectious appeal, and while it's a cliche to say that "kids of all ages" will enjoy it, it's a fact. "Rub-A-Dub-Dub" is my favorite... clever lyrics, catchy music, wonderful vocals. My wife is enamoured with "Calling Africa," and... oh yeah, by the way... did I mention that kids love this CD, too? I guess good stuff is good stuff -- at any age!

The music will get you singing and bopping no matter what your age is! I'd recomend this album to anyone who wants music the entire family can enjoy. With all great songs, it's tough to choose, but I'd say my favorite tracks are "Elliot," "Rub A Dub Dub," and "Surfin' the Net."

In dispute to the previous reviewer's comment, Harry Nilsson did NOT lack focus. Rather, he was adventurous. What does a pop star do to stay on top? Find a winning formula, and repeat it. This Nilsson did NOT do. He topped off his mounting pop success of the 60's with "Nilsson Sings Newman," a very UNpopular album at the time, but now quite revered. The project challenged Nilsson as an arranger and vocalist, but confused his more formulamatic fans. Then, he acheived Rock chart success with Nilsson Schmilsson, followed by Son of Schmilsson, which had an "F" word song on it, alienating his more genteel fans. So what does Harry do next? TWO albums of old standards; a thrill for him, but an alienation to his now more rocking fan base. Is this lack of focus? No, it's a artist doing what he wants to do, what he himself finds interesting, without too much concern for public opinion, a la Bob Fripp. Harry could have been a much bigger "Star" by repeating one of his successful formulas such as "Nilsson Schmilsson" over and over again, but he choose a more personal, heartfelt path; followed his artistic vision, wherever it took him.

You know, if you're going to complain that an artist's song "isn't really his song," then you should at least give ALL the credit where it's due.
Tom Evans and Pete Ham wrote "Without You."
Harry was an amazing talent. The world is worse off Without HIM. Enough said.

With reference to the first review, "without you" was not Nilssons song, it was written by Pete Ham. Nilsson was certainly talented but lacked focus.

Incredible in many ways, Toop's book attempts to trace a quiet revolution in twentieth century music. One cannot deny the impressive breadth of his knowledge, from Stockhausen to Miles all the way to Future Sound of London and their ilk. His writing is quite often beautiful, if occasionally one feels like he is writing too many words to actually say anything.

Ultimately, however, I leave the book feeling a bit underwhelmed. Ironically, it is the book's very eclecticism that works against it. I personally did not see the connectionsbetween, say, the music of Kraftwerk and Toop's (admittedly fascinating) discussion of the sound of the Amazon jungle. These disgressions ultimately make the book useless as a survey. Of course, I doubt that it was meant to be so, but Toop fails to make the kinds of connections that have given books by Greil Marcus and others a fascinating unity.

Perhaps, though, this is the point. Much like the ambient music that serves as the centerpoint of the book, this book simply floats by, not asking you to make any conclusions. It is probably best read in bits, before bed or in the bathroom, where the individual moments of brilliance can be better appreciated. Very ambient, indeed.

David Toop is both a musician and writer, having done ambient music, dub music with the likes of Prince Far I, and of course numerous written articles on ambient and experimental aspects of popular music. I'd have to say that this book is perhaps one of the definitive studies on this musical genre, covering the aesthetics, listening practica, concepts, influences, directions, and so on of this growing musical field in a very inclusive and insightful style. This is perhaps one of the best written companions to everything ambient, as well as influences on ambient music from as far afield as Sun Ra and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Anyone interested in knowing more...either in scope, or deeper within...on ambient should obtain a copy of this book.

This is an amazing document on the sonic explorations of the last 100 years, from improv classical to backwords dub lines to the tweak tweak nob movements of our techno, this book is brought with a fun if not intoxicating writing style. the ending of this book is getting even better with jungle sounds (the nature not the genre)