1 comments about Goldmine Country & Western Record Price Guide.

1. Goldmine COUNTRY & WESTERN Record Price Guide (2nd Edition)

   I was hoping that this long awaited new book would fill up some of the gaps in previous similar works, or at least that it could be a new interesting tool for better investigating the "big sea" of country music recordings. I've always bought Price Guides primarily for their amount of information on old recordings, useful for oldies fans and collectors too. Well, although I knew by experience that compiling a thorough conprehensive records guide avoiding at the same time any mistake is a very difficult(if not impossible) task, I could have never imagined that I would find such an inaccurate work, at least for what concerns the LPs part. As Mr. Neely says in his introduction, 75% of this new edition is dedicated to 45s(and this is good), but why should he neglect so badly the LPs section? It took me less than 30 minutes to find out, for instance, that Dave Dudley's listed LPs are only the Mercury cuts, and that there's no mention at all of the United Artists recordings.,Sun,? , furthermore: Johnny Dollar has only a Date LP listed; what about the others on Chart ?, Johnny Bond's Lamb and Lion LP is not included, Don Bowman's LPs list does not include "Support Your Local Prison", "Wispering Country", "The All New D.B."(?), Owen Bradley is entitled to a long list while Harold Bradley is totally ignored (!?), Jethro Burns, Jenks "Tex" Carman, Thumb Carllile, Fred Carter Jr.,etc. have no LPs on the list while other significant singers (dozens) have an LP dicography clearly uncomplete, ?.The famous "Red and Ernie" duet LP by Red Foley and Ernest Tubb is impossible to find under both Foley or Tubb. And this are only a few example.

   I really can't understand why Mr.Neely came up with such a poor work. Yet he was responsible for previous good ones such as the Goldmine STANDARD CATALOG OF AMERICAN RECORDS, etc. One could guess he didn't pay much attention on how F.Heggeness had conceived his previous(and controversial) COUNTRY & WESTERN PRICE GUIDE from which this second one has originated. Mr. Heggeness started in late 80s publishing a CD/Record Price Guide titled RAREST OF THE RARE which listed only recordings of a certain value. In 1990 he published the RAREST OF THE RARE version for Country & Western fans/collectors. There, only the most rare and valuable recordings were listed. Later on, in 1996, he published a new big volume: GOLDMINE COUNTRY WESTERN RECORD & CD PRICE GUIDE which was nothing more than an expanded version of his previous work and included many more recordings(78,45,LP,promos,...). Even though he was still focusing on the most valuable releases, he didn't forget to mention all others by listing (only under the artist's name) at least the labels on which they were issued, with their approximate prices. So has maybe Neely ,in his most recent book, considered only the full LP listing data from the previous Heggenes guide and forgotten the rest ??? It seems absurd anyway. But then, if it works for Dudley 's discography, certainly it doesn't (for example) for Pete Drake's whose LPs full list appeared on the Heggeness guide, while Neely had completly ignored them.

   However, though disappointing , yet this new price guide is something any collector should add to his library for the updated information it contains as well as useful extra cross reference tool. For the newcomers it could just be the first step into records collecting research, but only as long as they are fully aware that this work is widely incomplete.

4 comments about The Talking Machine: An Illustrated Compendium 1877-1929.

1. Nice color photos, easy read although there is so much information and names, one can get confused on who is who and what company they started and worked for. Covers the complete history of the phonograph and the records that play on it. Explains how it came about, all the patent wars between people and technology that changed the phonograph early on. Nice sized book, easy to handle, easy read. Beautiful color photos of phonographs of all types. Lots of information. Worth having if you love old phonographs.



2. This book is the size of a coffee table book, but you can actually read it and learn something. It is difficult to find a good history of the phonograph, especially the business history of how it developed. This book fills the bill. It also features a large number of clear photographs so you will know what the author is talking about. If you are interested in antique talking machines, or need a good coffee table book, this is a good choice.



3. This is truly a remarkable book. If you are interested in the subject of phonographs and how they got started then this is the book for you. It is filled with the history of the phonograph. Especially interesting was the story of how Nipper the dog came about. You can't go wrong with this book.



4. The Talking Machine: An Illustrated Compendium is an extraordinarily well-assembled collection of nuts-and-bolts information, fascinating anecdotes, and gorgeous photography. Those who are familiar with this subject will find as a great a plunder of knowledge as those who are just beginning their education. The book traces the invention, evolution and maturation of the mechanical "Talking Machine," variously known popularly as the phonograph, gramaphone, graphophone, victrola, etc., depending on manufacturer. We learn of the birth of this amazing instrument in the hands of Thomas Edison's labratory cronies, its period of idleness immediately afterward and its re-birth and "perfection" some ten years later. We follow the incredible and relentless period of patent lawsuits. Learn who among the famous helped "make" the invention with their visits to the recording studio. Discover the many small firms in the Chicago area which sprang up and were often as not just as quickly snuffed out by the "Big Three": National Phonograph (Edison), Victor Talking Machine, and Columbia. The well-presented text is sumptuously augmented with an amazing collection of beautiful color photographs. This book is not cheap at $70, but would be worth twice the amount in the invaluable information given!

1 comments about Official Price Guide to Movie/TV Soundtracks and Original Cast Albums: 2nd Edition (Official Price Guide to Movie/TV Sound Tracks and Original Cast Albums).

1. This guide is absolutely mandatory for anyone collecting soundtracks and cast albums. The price ranges are accurate and the lllustrations fun and informative. I have used my original copy so much that I am ordering another. A must have for serious collectors and those new to the hobby.

No comments about Goldmine's Price Guide to Collectible Record Albums, 1949-79.

5 comments about Warman's American Records, 1950-2000: Identification & Price Guide (Encyclopedia of Antiques and Collectibles) (Encyclopedia of Antiques and Collectibles).

1. i bought this cause i like weird al but it is a geat book buy this before it goes to $100 like everthing on amazon!!!!!



2. What this book lacks as a reference it makes up for in structure. By stylistically grouping the vinyl entries and providing a well written preamble for each section, Chuck Miller does a great service for the vinyl collector who may not be an expert in every musical genre. If you need a good general vinyl primer or are new to vinyl collecting, this is it. If you need a reference book, get Tim Neely's volumes.



3. This is a terrific book that not only fits the needs of anyone seriously interested in music, but will also hold the interest of the more casual music fan. It is filled with fascinating
   trivia and a knowledge of the music industry that gives an added depth to the various genres of music explored. It will updoubtedly send the reader re-examining their record collections in search of hidden *finds*. For *anyone* buying or
   selling records ... or even just learning more about American music ...this book is a *must*!

   Chuck Miller's encyclopedic knowledge of music shines through in this record guide! It would make a perfect gift for the music lover (or even the trivia buff!) in your life.

   I recommend it most highly!




4. Warman's American Records is not only a great reference book but is also a terrific source of entertainment. Being much more than a price guide, it delves into the history of many of the recordings and offers quite a bit of amusing trivia. I am not a collector in the true sense of the word (although I do own a couple of pieces of valuable vinyl) but I am a music junkie and this book delivers a great fix! I'm looking forward to Volume 2!



5. This book is a tremendous guide for people who want to start their own record collection, but aren't sure where to begin or which genre to collect. Over 50 different musical genres, artists and labels are profiled, each with photos of classic and rare LP covers, 45 labels, 78 RPM records, and 7" picture sleeves. The book even explains some rising collectible genres, such as Northern Soul music, Space Age Pop, and jukebox-only collectibles. It also contains ancillary information on record and music websites, magazines, museums and books, in order to help collectors increase their knowledge of their favorite music. If you are a record collector, or are thinking of becoming one, this book is essential reading! I enjoyed it immensely!!

No comments about Collecting Vinyl.

4 comments about The Musician's Home Recording Handbook.

1. I returned this book after opening the cover and scanning the contents. If you are looking for help with computer based recording this is not it.



2. An excellent book for a musician in desperate need but with no possibility of going into a professional recording studio. All the basic controls are explained, the book deals with recording and post processing in an easy and understandable manner using graphs and photographs. A great book for those that want to produce good music from home, but if you want to get noticed and step away from your home recording studio you should also read "How To Make A Fortune In The Music Industry By Doing It Yourself: Your Personal Step-By-Step Guide To Having A Successful Career In The Music Business. ... To Sell Music, Book Shows And Get Noticed!" By Ty Cohen, a great book to get you started in the music business .



3. Gives explanations on equipment,such as effects signal routing,basic mixer functions,tells what mics to buy for what job,covers effects to some extent.But far as hands on recording...this book fails miserably



4. Gives well explained information on all aspects of recording. Useful pictures and graphs. Explains the use of certain equipment well. A good, well rounded book for home recording.

No comments about Album: Style and Image in Sleeve Design.

1 comments about Goldmine the Beatles Digest.

1. I love this book. I really do. This work is a collection of first rate photographs and wonderful anecdotes about the early career of the Beatles. Reading old articles and being regaled with these stories is a delightful vicarious experience. It is like hopping on board the Magical Mystery Tour (a 1967 classic) and taking a trip down 1964 Memory Lane. I love it!

   It is fun to read of the Beatles' early days; 1964 has rightfully been hailed as the Year of the Beatles and Ed Sullivan took his place in TV history when the Beatles performed live on his show in 1964 and again in 1965. This book is such plain good fun. It is sure to cheer up, brighten and bring smiles to the faces of those who read it.

   I give it 5 stars, two thumbs up and a hearty YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!

No comments about Digital Audio Workstation.