Here is a round up of books I plowed through in 2015. I’m recommending anyone reading these books.
Check (and support) your local library, and read on!
1. A Hard Day’s Write by Steve Turner
The stories behind every Beatle song. I’ve owned this book since it was first published and have enjoyed it along it’s counter part book, The Beatles Recording Sessions by Mark Lewisohn The official Abby Road studio session notes. 1962-1970
2. 50 The Rolling Stones.
A very BIG photo book by the Stones. Glossy vintage and new photos of the Stones and their rise to fame. Awesome for the vintage music gear heads. I couldn’t stop looking at it!
3. Reckless by Chrissie Hydne
The Pretenders front women. An autobiography I’ve been waiting for. I wished Christine spent more time writing about the band The Pretenders and less time on her hippy, drug using, protesting, and radical person she is. Her parents were straight arrows and she rebelled against that lifestyle. She spent more than 70 % of the book on her radical behaviour and the rest on music. The core four bands members were mentioned a lot towards the end, but the nuts and bolts of The Pretenders short existences was not. They (The Pretenders) made 3 great records together. Then James Honeyman Scott (guitar) died then Pete Fardon (Bass) died at the height of their fame. This left Chrissie and drummer Martin Chambers to make records with many changes and band line ups. I do respect Ms.Hydne’s animal rights stance, but the drug use is total Reckless. I saw the core Pretenders play live with my high school buddy Dave Dimeo and then again with a new band line up with my cousin Dave. Both Pretender’s shows were great. Each band were tight and clear sounding, but Chrissie Hydne’s words between songs were disappointing. Reckless seems like a proper book title. I still really enjoy Chrissie Hydne in many ways regardless of her faux pas.
4. Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Pat Benatar
A nice book about the Pat Benatar band & family. Written by a nice women. A family memoir and a rock band book. A total reverse from Reckless. The PBB was a great rock band. Her husband Neil and drummer Myron Grombacher were exciting to watch and listen to. I got to see them many times live. Myron was one of the best drummers of his era. I miss not seeing him play live. The powerful vocals, song arrangements, and great live band made the Pat Benatar band. Some of the MTV videos are well done (some rather funny and others sappy) were great to return to.
5. The Rolling Stone magazine special collectors edition:
Bob Dylan The complete Album guide.
This special collectors issue goes through every (BD) Robert Zimmerman record made 1962-2015. I received it as a gift. And I went crazy with this magazine (it’s more like a book) and rented every Dylan record recorded. This lead me to a Bob Dylan bonanza for months. Listening, watching, reading everything Dylan I could for months and I loved it! There is some really great songs from Dylan’s early folk years. Others have had even bigger hits with his lyrics and melodies. Other bands have made their careers covering Bob’s music. Many went off their heads in 1965 when Bob went electric and gave up the folk music and recorded Bring it all Home. I didn’t, but Bob did return to his folk music era from time to time. Highway 61, Blonde on Blonde, Blood on the Tracks are all good records. But Bob Dylan’s newer records are even better. I wished RS spent more time on his newer records because Bob Dylan gets even better with age. I fully recommend anyone listing to Bob’s cowboy Americana records from World Gone Wrong 1993 up to his 2012 record Tempest. Check out records like Time out of Mind 1997, Love & Theft 2001, Modern Times 2006, and Together Through Life 2009 are pure genius. These records are well recorded and played. More fantastic lyrics and melodies and a lead vocal that is only Dylan’s. Some guest studio players and core band play on these records. And Los Lobos’s David Hidalgo shines on many tracks. Bob Dylan is a genius an a true American master. He changes which makes him interesting and fresh today. This RS magazine book is a great tool while tracking the Dylan albums.
Scanning the thrift shops are a great way to hunt for vintage gems. Here’s a couple vintage Fishing books I’ve found along the way. Look for me out on the local streams with my fly rod in hand. I do fish during the winter (yeah I know I’m crazy). But winter also means spending time tying flies for the next fishing season. Can’t wait for spring fishing!
A true classic among fly fishing book.
Another great find for less than $2.oo by a guy who knows all about fly fishing during that time.
And lot’s of art books I hope to list at another time.