No comments about I Think There's Another Terrorist in My Soup.

5 comments about An Unsung Cat.

1. I have been reading about and listening to the Tristano guys for almost a year now, but was always partial to Lee Konitz. I've done some study of his playing and listened to a lot, from Tristano to present day. I am a great fan of his playing, through all the evolutions of his style.
   
   Unfortunately, it caused me to overlook Warne Marsh on those recordings. I've read Konitz's bio and Tristano's, and picked this up to complete the set. The biography is compelling, and so very well written. I've read some horrible biographies recently, but this one just grabbed me, both with Marsh's story and the way Safford Chamberlain writes about it. Plenty of detail, without going overboard (I'm looking at YOU, Tad Szulc. Chopin admirers, don't waste your time on "Chopin in Paris"...).
   
   Perhaps my favorite aspect of the book are the transcriptions. Chamberlain has included transcriptions of Warne Marsh solos, generally chronological through his career, and they are spaced out in the book several chapters at a time. If you can find the recordings, it's really great to watch his solos unfold. Even after reading along with the first one, my ears were opened in a new way to Warne Marsh's playing, and he has quickly become a favorite. The analysises (anylysi? Analyses? Whatever, plural, there is one with each transcription) included are also good, they point out some important things that might be overlooked.
   
   
   All the information about Warne Marsh and his music is so wonderful, and compiled MASTERFULLY. The perfect amount of info, spaced and presented perfectly, and the inserted transcriptions really seal the deal.
   
   
   I have since gone back to listen to the older solos, and also check out the evolution of his playing (the Red Mitchell records...my god!), and "An Unsung Cat" is so very true. Him and Konitz, from Tristano through their individual growth away from that style (while never abandoning what they gained through it), are, generally, the only two horn players I can get excited about any more (aside from the undeniable legends). They've effectively ruined most jazz for me...a mixed blessing, but my appreciation for a well constructed solo is so much deeper than a year ago, in no small part thanks to this book.
   
   
   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL JAZZ FANS.



2. This book is a decent read for Warne Marsh fans and has some interesting insights into Lennie Tristano and his school; awfully dry at times though.
   
   While I really like Warne Marsh's playing, the book seems to idolize him and hold him in a much, much higher realm than I think he belongs.
   
   Again, a good read with some very interesting information.



3. Mr. Chamberlain has done a great service for jazz musicians and fans with the creation of this book. One of the most refreshing points of the book (which actually sets it apart from most other jazz biographies) is that Safford is not scared to be critical of Warne and his associates, especially Lennie Tristano. The book only paints a vague picture of Warne as a person, but I interpret that as a way of showing how hard it was to really get to know the man. This is definitely a book that should be picked up to help spread the word about one of jazz' most important and creative improvisers.



4. My biggest complaint about Ken Burns' "Jazz" was how many great musicians were ignored. People like Herbie Nichols, Serge Chaloff, Jimmy Raney, the list is almost endless. Safford Chamberlain's book about one of the most sorely underappreciated improvisers ever is superb. It puts in human terms the struggles that almost all jazz musicians faced from the late 1940's on in trying to document a music that was falling further and further from the public view. Lee Konitz has stated "I don't know of any other musician that realy surprised me as much as Warne did with his inventiveness." Mr. Chamberlain is an excellent writer, and I hope this book helps to turn more jazz fans onto to Warne.



5. Safford Chamberlin's love for his subject matter, the jazz solos of the late tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh, comes out on every page of this unusually well researched and well written biography.

   Marsh was a child prodigy who fell under the spell of the eccentric jazz recluse Lennie Tristano, the founder and guru of a school of highly disciplined post-bebop jazz in New York City during the late 1940's. Marsh ping-ponged between Tristano and the West Coast, mostly in relative obscurity, until he died on stage at Donte's in North Hollywood in December 1987.

   Chamberlin skillfully weaves the facts of Marsh's life with details about his milieu and descriptions of his recordings. The chapters describing Marsh's early recordings with fellow Tristanoite Lee Konitz are particularly interesting. Chamberlin delicately deals with the difficult subjects of drugs, commercialism and racism in jazz music.

   I have read many jazz biographies, some lurid, some sloppy and inaccurate. This one, however, treats the subject matter with the seriousness and attention to detail this wonderful music we call "jazz" deserves.

1 comments about Poison Pen: The True Confessions of Two Tabloid Reporters.

1. A husband-and-wife team (since divorced) of tabloid reporters recount their adventures. Breaking into a hospital for the first photos of Madonna's new baby, interviewing Dana Plato after her arrest, participating in a Gulf War-sized tabloid operation to infiltrate Liz Taylor's wedding. Names are named, and their book is lively and entertaining. Yet one senses the authors are being disingenuous, putting the best spin on their own motives and behavior, while hypocritically distancing themselves from past employers and coworkers. Another case of former tabloid writers biting the hand that fed them. Released in 1996.

1 comments about Go Long!.

1. Once we got past the reader being someone else's voice, my college son and I listened with interest during a cross-country car ride. The book entertained us and gave us food for thought and talk. I watch football with a different understanding now. I was fascinated by this inside look at the game and Rice's take on leadership.

5 comments about You'll Never Make Love in This Town Again.

1. This book can't decide if it is Celebrity Gossip or anti-prostitution.
   
   While starting out with a blurb from someone writing about the terrible world of women being dragged down into prostitution, the girls go on talking about their jobs with the calmness of a fast-food worker talking about his job. The women ramble on for pages and pages about the gifts they got and the free shopping sprees, and they would even talk about the sex in a non-committal way. For some of them, it only seems like they felt like they were wronged when they were spurned by their "boyfriends".
   
   Don't get me wrong, that world really does chew up women and spit them out. It's just this book does a really inconsistent job of pointing that out to readers.



2. Despite the promise of "honest reflection" and that "this is the book from which Hollywood will never recover" (from the front flap) it is nothing but trash. I never would have bought it (it was a library book) and strongly discourage anyone else from doing so. (Money talks.) Sadly, this book is yet another way that these women have disrespected themselves.



3. A very entertaining book, but not very thought-provoking and extremely biased. I've lived in Hollywood and I can tell you that not every little girl is a victim. None of these ho's would complain if Brad Pitt offered them a million dollars to sleep with them. But instead they hook up with socially inept, awkward and immature power players whose only crime is not having the time or the skills to romance a lady properly whether or not those biatches deserves it. And most of the no-talent gold-diggers who publish tell all novels don't.
   
   T. L. Young



4. I walked away from this book with conflicting views about it and its contents.
   On one hand, I felt very sorry for the girls about some of the experiences they had, but one of the girls still seemed somewhat smug about the sexual experiences she had with certain celebrities and considering the fact that she said she had suffered so much , that kind of dampened the effect of the horrific things she went through.
   Another thing is that 3 of the girls kept going on in their sections about how sexy and beautiful they were or how hot their bodies were or how hot and sexy they looked at any given moment.
   
   I'm sure that they are all beautiful girls-I think its a given that prostitutes to the stars would have to be very attractive-it got kind of grating hearing it repeated over and over again.
   
   I think its sad the way they allowed themselves to be used and degraded for so long , but I do admire them for writing this book as a cautionary tale for young women though.
   
   Although every girls story was a sad one,Liza stirred my sympathy the most.
   I hope they are all doing well now.



5. I didn't buy this book, but read it quickly at the local thrift shop. I felt sorry for these girls when I started reading this book, but the feeling mostly left me near the end of it. These girls wanted to be famous,rich and successful in Hollywood. I believe one should follow his or her dreams, but do so wisely. The key word here is wisely. To make it in Hollywood or anywhere else you need talent, hard work and persistence. Hollywood is a buisness and they are not going to hire people who will not make them money. Thats the bottom line truth. You dont make it in Hollywood or anywhere else by offering sexual favors and being used. All you end up with is a loss of dignity, anger and mental scars. What is telling about this account is how these girls seemed to enjoy what they were doing. They endured some traumatic situations but they never left doing sexual favors. This is what makes me think it was written more for sex appeal than truth. No one is stopping these girls from getting out of this nightmare. They could have packed up and left town, gone to school, gotten help from drug rehabs in L.A. and other alternatives. Instead they go from one rotten experience to the other. I dont buy their claim they couldnt get out because they were feeding their drug habit. They eventually got out. So why not sooner than later? Their stories come out as mostly self indulgent. That is, I can't get what I want, so I'm going to turn to prostitution and drugs. Its only after a lot of horrible experiences that they decide to lead a normal life. This implies they would do anything to make it in Hollywood and when all else fails, they stoop to lead a normal life. This is why it comes off as sounding mostly pathetic. What stunned me somewhat is the arrogance of these "celebrities." Its ironic that these celebrities are used by groupies and the media among others for their own ends. Groupies sleep with them for example, to get bragging rights. They couldn't care less about them. Thats why they're one night stands. I know about Hollywood, having been involved with it in one way or another. I won't say more than that. If you can't make it in hollywood then do the smart thing and GET OUT! At least you will save your dignity and sanity. You won't waste your time in dealing with bottom feeders and sharks.

1 comments about Cary Grant: A Biography.

1. The book starts with a boring wordy intro...but I didn't mind. The main subject...Cary Grant was going to be worth the wait. Then C.G.'s mother dies and everyone tells the adolescent boy that she went on vacation...he finally learns the truth. He is barely noticed by his dad and gets into the entertainment field in England. That's all happy dappy compared to the next part of the book. Cary Grant goes to America sleeps with a man he rooms with and becomes a male prostitute/gigolo. I couldn't listen past the third tape. It was too dark, weird, and depressing.

No comments about The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan.

No comments about Amelia Earhart (Young Patriots) (Young Patriots Series).

No comments about The Ashdown Diaries.

5 comments about Jen-X: Jenny McCarthy's Open Book.

1. It tells us secrets about Jenny never evealed before.It's a little costly but well worth it.



2. I found the book to be a great information resource into her life and career start. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the out of order details, found to much jumping forward then back, or back then forward, but other than that, I thought is was a great book and I still love jenny in a big way, she is the greatest.



3. The title should tell it all: Jen X. It should read Jen O because she is a negative interger. Take away those breasts, and she is just another annoying self serving celebrity with little talent. This book is a must read for airheads, retards, mutants and crackheads. Enjoy!



4. When my boyfriend gave me this book as a joke for my birthday, I didn't find it very amusing! You see, up to this point, I was one of the hopefully few "Jenny-haters" out there. But I decided to give the book the benefit of the doubt and give it a whirl, and I have to say that I was more than just pleasently surprised! Jenny McCarthy is not only very down-to-earth, but she's witty, hilarious, and quite frankly...normal! It was so refreshing to read that she isn't perfect after all - that she had acne, and stretch marks, and bad hair days, and bozo boyfriends. This book flys by, and I really didn't want to put it down. I am so glad I decided to read this book, not only because it was 100% entertainment, but because it gave me a chance to meet the "real" Jenny McCarthy. I loved it!



5. I think the book was one of the greatest books i have ever read. i could realate so much to her. she is my like idol and i was so happy when i found out she had a book coming out. i bought it the very first day i saw it at the mall. one day i hope i can meet her but i know that will never happen but all in all the book was really good~! i think everyone needs to buy this book and see just how much she is like anyone of us!!! well if your out there jenny mccarthy i just wanna say hi and maybe i will be lucky enough to see you one day! i love you! you are so cool! well people i have said enough, now you need to go get the book that i am raving about!please buy it! it will make me happy! well cya people! hope you read this jenny!!!! from: Your biggest fan in the world!!!!jenny h