Biography: arts and entertainment Books

Book SynopsisIn 1974, when young music promoters Allan Pepper and Stanley Snadowsky opened their night club the Bottom Line in an industrial area of Greenwich Village that was all but deserted after 6 pm, no one could have foreseen either its long-term success or its impact on the musical and cultural landscape of New York City. Over the next thirty years, while trends and tastes came and went, the Bottom Line throughout its fabled history remained true to its co-founders' profoundly simple vision: that if you presented entertainers in an intimate setting where the focus would always be on what transpired onstage, both artists and audiences would treasure the experience.That vision would ultimately translate to, literally, thousands of magical evenings and events featuring both icons and up-and-comers from across the music universe. As the performers, patrons and staffers who passed through its doors all agree, the Bottom Line realized its founders vision as no New York music club, before

Read more less

Book SynopsisA PERFECT UNION OF CONTRARY THINGS

Read more less

Book SynopsisCONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL SONGWRITER

Read more less

Book SynopsisHere is the story of an often overlooked one-of-a-kind rock ''n'' roll musician and the historic times he lived in. In spite of numerous opportunities for success he became a tragedy.ÞJerry Nolan came out of New York in the 1970s as part of two of the most influential and infamous bands of the time the proto-punk New York Dolls and Johnny Thunders'' Heartbreakers. Jerry had what it took to be a star but his battles with heroin continually stymied his career and ultimately ended his life. Despite this he is remembered as a cross between a Martin Scorsese film character and jazz legend Gene Krupa: a stylish urban wisecracking trendsetting raconteur who was also a powerhouse drummer.ÞÊStranded in the Jungle: Jerry Nolan''s Wild Ride ä A Tale of Drugs Fashion the New York Dolls and Punk RockÊ tells Jerry''s story through extensive research and interviews with those closest to him: bandmates friends lovers and family members including new interviews with members of Rock and

Read more less

Book SynopsisÊLeading TonesÊ is a glimpse into several aspects of the musical world. There are portions devoted to Leonard Slatkin''s life as a musician and conductor portraits of some of the outstanding artists with whom he has worked as well as anecdotes and stories both personal and professional. Much of the book discusses elements of the industry that are troubling and difficult during this first part of the 21st century. Auditions critics fiscal concerns and labor negotiations are all matters that today''s conductors must be aware of and this book provides helpful suggested solutions. ÊLeading TonesÊ is intended not only for musicians but also for the music lover who wishes to know more about what goes into being a conductor.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTake an intimate and fascinating look into the life of Elvis Aaron Presley, the undisputed King of Rock ''n'' Roll! Learn what his life was like growing up in poverty in Tupelo, MS, about his childhood as told by his father, Vernon, his rise to fame in the music world by his mid-twenties when the world lay at his feet, his military career, and sizable film career, and the pressures that led to his self-destructive behavior and early death. You''ll also learn all the ups and downs in Elvis''s life including intimate details about his relationship with his parents, his wife Priscilla, the Memphis Mafia, and array of girlfriends with photos to match. This book features private family photos in addition to many originally seen in LIFE magazine, plus fascinating explanations of Elvis''s state of mind while recording each album, behind-the-scene photos, the track list, how each album was received by fans and critics, and the effect it had on his career.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn irreverent yet deeply researched biography about the always offbeat, suddenly meme-able, and wildly popular actor.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first and only estate-authorized biography of the legendary artist, Tupac Shakur, a moving exploration of his life and powerful legacy, fully illustrated with photos, mementos, handwritten poetry, musings, and moreArtist, poet, actor, revolutionary, legendTupac Shakur is one of the greatest and most controversial artists of all time. More than a quarter of a century after his tragic death in 1996 at the age of just twenty-five, he continues to be one of the most misunderstood, complicated, and influential figures in modern history. Drawing on exclusive access to Tupac’s private notebooks, letters, and uncensored conversations with those who loved and knew him best, this estate-authorized biography paints the fullest and most intimate picture to date of the young man who became a legend for generations to come.In Tupac Shakur, author and screenwriter Staci Robinson—who knew Tupac from their shared circle of high school friends in Marin City, California, and who was entrusted by his mother, Afeni Shakur, to share his story—unravels the myths and unpacks the complexities that have shadowed Tupac’s existence. Decades in the making, this book pulls back the curtain to reveal a powerful story of a life defined by politics and art—a man driven by equal parts brilliance and impulsiveness, steeped in the rich intellectual tradition of Black empowerment, and unafraid to utter raw truths about race in America.It is a story of a mother and son bound together by a love for each other and for their people, and the relationship that endured through their darkest times. It is a political story that begins in the whirlwind of the 1960s civil rights movement and unfolds through a young artist’s awakening to rage and purpose in the ’90s era of Rodney King. It is a story of dizzying success and its devastating consequences. And, of course, it is the story of Tupac’s music, his timeless, undying message as it continues to touch and inspire us today.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'The definitive, scrupulously researched biography of a life steeped in mystery' ObserverThe definitive biography of one contemporary culture's most iconic and mysterious figures - musical revolutionary, Nobel Prize-winner, chart-topping recording artistIn 2016 it was announced that Bob Dylan had sold his personal archive to the George Kaiser Foundation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, reportedly for $22 million. As the boxes started to arrive, the Foundation asked Clinton Heylin - author of the acclaimed Bob Dylan: Behind the Shades and 'perhaps the world's authority on all things Dylan' (Rolling Stone) - to assess the material they had been given. What he found in Tulsa - as well as what he gleaned from other papers he had recently been given access to by Sony and the Dylan office - so changed his understanding of the artist, especially of his creative process, that he became convinced that a whole new biography was needed. It turns out that much of what previous biographers - Dylan himself included - have said is wrong; often as not, a case of, Print the Legend.With fresh and revealing information on every page A Restless, Hungry Feeling tells the story of Dylan's meteoric rise to fame: his arrival in early 1961 in New York, where he is embraced by the folk scene; his elevation to spokesman of a generation whose protest songs provide the soundtrack for the burgeoning Civil Rights movement; his alleged betrayal when he 'goes electric' at Newport in 1965; his subsequent controversial world tour with a rock 'n' roll band; and the recording of his three undisputed electric masterpieces: Bringing it All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde. At the peak of his fame in July 1966 he reportedly crashes his motorbike in Woodstock, upstate New York, and disappears from public view. When he re-emerges, he looks different, his voice sounds different, his songs are different. That other story will be told in Volume 2, to be published in autumn 2022.Clinton Heylin's meticulously researched, all-encompassing and consistently revelatory account of these fascinating early years is the closest we will ever get to a definitive life of an artist who has been the lodestar of popular culture for six decades.Trade ReviewWhether you've read one book on Bob Dylan or one hundred, THIS is the one you want to read and refer to from this day forward. If the basic story of the Bard from Hibbing is oft told, familiar to anyone that's been paying attention, this new work leaps a couple light years forward with much newly revealed material and deep scholarship. If somebody's got to tell the tale, we can all thank our holy electric pickups and mystical typewriter keys that it was up to Clinton Heylin * Lee Ranaldo, Sonic Youth *Gripping...you feel that Heylin understands what he [Dylan] was going through... a forensic analysis of Dylan's early life that, for depth of research alone, is hugely impressive -- Will Hodgkinson * The Times, *Book of the Week* *Clinton Heylin is the eminence grise of Bob Dylan scholars -- Andrew Motion * The Spectator *Heylin has long been Dylan's most accomplished biographer -- Neil Spencer * Observer *Painstakingly detailed...informative and well organised -- Ludovic Hunter-Tilney * Financial Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhile many film fans may not be familiar with Bill Duke’s name, they most certainly recognize his face. Dating back to the 1970s, Duke has appeared in a number of popular films, including Car Wash, American Gigolo, Commando, Predator, and X-Men: The Last Stand. Fewer still might be aware of Duke’s extraordinary accomplishments off-screen—as a talented director, producer, entrepreneur, and humanitarian. Bill Duke: My 40-Year Career on Screen and behind the Camera is the memoir of a Hollywood original. In an industry that rarely embraces artists of color, Duke first achieved success as an actor then turned to directing. After helming episodes of ratings giants Dallas, Falcon Crest, Hill Street Blues, and Miami Vice, Duke progressed to feature films like A Rage in Harlem, Deep Cover, Hoodlum, and Sister Act 2. In this candid autobiography, Duke recalls the loving but stern presence of his mother and father, acting mentors like Olympia Dukakis, and the pitfalls that nearly derailed his career, notably an addiction to drugs. Along the way, readers will encounter familiar names like Danny Glover, Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Whoopi Goldberg. From his Broadway debut in 1971 to the establishment of the Duke Media Foundation, which trains and mentors young filmmakers, Duke has been breaking the rules of what it means to triumph in the entertainment industry. Recalling pivotal moments in his life, Bill Duke: My 40-Year Career on Screen and behind the Camera is the story only Bill Duke could tell.Trade ReviewAs an actor and director, Bill Duke has been breaking down racial barriers since the 1970s. In blockbuster movies and hit TV shows, he has channeled his personal struggles into professional triumphs that helped pave the way for a new generation. His story is an important and inspirational reminder that change can and must happen in Hollywood as well as Washington. -- April Ryan, White House Correspondent-American Urban Radio Networks; CNN Analyst; authorWorking with the great Bill Duke was one off the most sublime pleasures of my creative adventure. Bill is a consummate actor’s director and collaborating with him and Laurence Fishburne and the wonderful cast was wildly delicious. What a giant talent - deeply gifted, authentic, focused, free, uniquely inspirational, powerfully wise - I’m so proud to have been part of Deep Cover and enormously grateful for our friendship. -- Jeff Goldblum, actorRarely does someone get to work with the level of giftedness that Bill Duke exudes. His creativity and versatility is exemplified in the massive body of work he’s done. It was a pleasure to work with him on Not Easily Broken. His autobiography is destined to be invaluable to those seeking to unlock and enhance their own potentials and learn from his experiences! -- T.D. Jakes, C.E.O. TDJ Enterprises, LLPActor and director Duke looks back on his life and career in film and television. . . . Duke doesn’t shy away from the internalized racism he battled and the challenges he faced in trying to form healthy romantic relationships in this memoir of resilience and talent. * Booklist *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Foreword Prologue Introduction CHILDHOOD Chapter One: Wyatt Jones Beer Garden Chapter Two: Little Black Sambo Chapter Three: Understanding Hate A GROWING MIND Chapter Four: Finding the Skips Chapter Five: Poetic License Chapter Six: The Awakening Chapter Seven: Higher Learning Chapter Eight: A Tumultuous Time SUCCESS AND FAILURE Chapter Nine: The Death of Courage Chapter Ten: Inspirations and Aspirations Chapter Eleven: A Pool of Regret Chapter Twelve: Meditation MY CAREER Chapter Thirteen: Acting Out Chapter Fourteen: Directing Hollywood NO CONCLUSIONS Chapter Fifteen: The Rainbow Bridge Chapter Sixteen: Now What? Epilogue Index About the Author

Read more less

Book SynopsisRockin' the Kremlin is the wild true story of the first CEO of Universal Music Russia and his quest to bring Western popular music to post-Soviet Russia. With many twistsfrom political chaos and gang violence to the launch of Russian's most successful pop act of all timeit shows how an American built cultural bridges with long-lasting impacts.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFormer WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz brings readers behind the scenes for an unprecedented look at the chaotic, surreal, unbelievable backstage world of the WWE.With untold stories from a career spanning over 15 years and featuring the biggest names and controversial moments in wrestling history, HEELS AND HEROES is an honest, unflinching look on how an introverted life-long fan unexpectedly became one the most powerful men in all of professional wrestling.For decades wrestling was shrouded in secrecy. It had larger than life personalities, bone crunching physicality and jaw-dropping theatrics but backstage it was an industry devoid of outsiders. Then in 1999, after working together on a special for MTV, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson turned to 26-year old television writer Brian Gewirtz and asked “You ever consider writing for WWE?” That question, and its answer, would have a profound effect on both of their lives for years to come.HEELS AND HEROES is a story about perseverance, tenacity, and steel chairs. Most writers in the WWE last for a matter of months; Gewirtz was there for over 15 years, writing some of most memorable and infamous storylines in WWE history (covering the “Attitude Era”, the “Ruthless Aggression Era” and into the “PG” and “Reality” eras). Throughout this journey Gewirtz found himself becoming both friend and antagonist to some of the biggest names in WWE history – Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Stephanie McMahon, Bill Goldberg, Paul Heyman, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, and the two men who he worked the most closely with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. These men not only shaped his life professionally but also personally, forcing him to grow and change both as a writer and a human being. So how does a lifelong fan and outsider break through to become the ultimate insider? How does a low-key personality deal directly with his boss, the most brash, unpredictable “alpha male” on the planet, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon? How does one gain respect in a locker room that wants nothing more than to see him disappear? Where does one go when every year in wrestling takes you further away from the writing career you always wanted? Taking advice from his idol, the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, when you’re so full of fear, there’s only one way to push through: become fearless.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA definitive history and celebration of the ground breaking show RuPaul's Drag Race in its first decade, from a Burbank basement set all the way to the Emmy's, and every weave in-between, as told by its stars, producers and fans.Told over the first ten years of a television mainstay, And Don't F&%k It Up tells a cultural history through the stories of the people who lived it: the creators of the RuPaul's Drag Race, the contestants, the crew, the judges, and even some key (famous) fans. It begins with RuPaul's decades-long friendship and business relationship with World of Wonder Productions, the entertainment company that helped launch him into superstardom, and later talked him into giving a drag reality show a chance. From there, it follows the growth and evolution of the show-and its queens-through a decade of gag-worthy seasons, serving up all kinds of behind-the-scenes realness. With a history as shady and funny as it is dramatic and inspiring, And Don't F&%k It Up shows how RuPaul's Drag Race is a mirror reflecting the cultural and political mores of our time. Its meteoric rise to becoming a once-in-a-generation success story is explored here as never before, in intimate, exuberant, unfettered detail.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt the turn of the twentieth century, American women began to reject Victorian propriety in favor of passion and livelihood outside the home. This alarmed authorities, who feared certain "over-sexed" women could destroy civilization if allowed to reproduce and pass on their defects. Set against this backdrop, THE UNFIT HEIRESS chronicles the fight for inheritance, both genetic and monetary, between Ann Cooper Hewitt and her mother Maryon.In 1934, aided by a California eugenics law, the socialite Maryon Cooper Hewitt had her "promiscuous" daughter declared feebleminded and sterilized without her knowledge. She did this to deprive Ann of millions of dollars from her father's estate, which contained a child-bearing stipulation. When a sensational court case ensued, the American public was captivated. So were eugenicists, who saw an opportunity to restrict reproductive rights in America for decades to come. This riveting story unfolds through the brilliant research of Audrey Clare Farley, who captures the interior lives of these women on the pages and poses questions that remain relevant today: What does it mean to be "unfit" for motherhood? In the battle for reproductive rights, can we forgive the women who side against us? And can we forgive our mothers if they are the ones who inflict the deepest wounds?

Read more less

Book SynopsisNAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2021 BY THE NEW YORK POST AND BOOK RIOTNAMED A BEST TRUE CRIME BOOK OF 2021 BY CRIMEREADSAt the turn of the twentieth century, emboldened American women began to seek passion and livelihood outside the home. This alarmed authorities, who feared "over-sexed" women could destroy civilization, either by crossing the color line or passing their evident defects on to their children. Set against this backdrop, The Unfit Heiress chronicles the fight for inheritance between Ann Cooper Hewitt and her socialite mother Maryon, who had her daughter sterilized without her knowledge. A sensational court case ensued, and powerful eugenicists saw an opportunity to restrict reproductive rights in America for decades to come.This riveting story unfolds through the brilliant research of Audrey Clare Farley, who captures the interior lives of these women on the pages and poses questions that remain relevant today: What does it mean to be "unfit" for motherhood? How do racial anxieties continue to influence who does and does not reproduce? In the battle for reproductive rights, can we forgive those who side against us? And can we forgive our mothers if they are the ones who inflict the deepest wounds?

Read more less

Book SynopsisRoy Orbison emerged as an artist alongside his Sun Records contemporaries in the early days of rock 'n' roll. He did not possess the good looks of Elvis Presley or the everyman toughness of Johnny Cash nor did he conduct wild-child stage antics like Jerry Lee Lewis. But he did possess a magnetic mystique that would captivate fans around the world and inspire countless musicians.ÞA quiet man who k.d. lang would refer to as Buddha Orbison was more interested in building model airplanes watching films and reading books in his den than talking about himself or partying hard. Yet he was nothing shy of a superstar ä determined to succeed driven by a relentless love for music that started in childhood and blessed with some of the best pipes in the business. Standing still onstage hidden behind his perpetual Ray-Bans Orbison delivered his melodious songs with haunting emotional depth. His artful recordings mysterious image and angelic voice have left an indelible mark on popular music.ÞIn ÊRhapsody in BlackÊ John Kruth tells the story of Roy Orbison in prose as musical as the artist's melodies and does not shy away from or trivialize the personal pain alienation and tragic events that shaped Orbison's singular personality and music. Featuring interviews with people who worked closely with Orbison career-spanning photos a select discography and a new afterward for the paperback edition ÊRhapsody in BlackÊ is both celebratory and touching. It delves into the behind-the-music details of Orbison's collaborations recording sessions tours and business affairs as well as his personal life ä his roots his marriages and his children ä to present a telescopic view of his legacy.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisJohnny Cash was an American icon, known for his level bass-baritone voice and sombre demeanour, for huge hits like "Ring of Fire" and "I Walk the Line." He's one of the best-selling musicians of all time, and his crossover appeal earned him inductions into the Country Music, Gospel Music, and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. But he was also the most prominent political artist in the United States, even if he wasn't recognized for it in his own lifetime, or since his death in 2003. Then and now, people have misread Cash's politics, usually accepting the idea of him as a "walking contradiction." Cash didn't fit into easy political categories-liberal or conservative, Red state or Blue state, hawk or dove. Like most people, Cash's politics were remarkably consistent in that they were based not on ideology or scripts-but on emotion, instinct, and identification. He supported Richard Nixon in his Vietnam War policies, while also seeming to stand up both for those asked to fight the war and for those who protested against it. Instead of choosing sides, Cash channelled an emotional discontent that bridged America's youth and the "silent majority." Foley traces the political evolution of the Man in Black as a prominent public citizen. Drawing on untapped archives and new research on social movements and grassroots activism, Citizen Cash offers a major reassessment of a legendary figure.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExperience spiritual encouragement from the Queen of Country Music with this collection of devotionals and uplifting lyrics.It's been over sixty years since the late Loretta Lynn first rose to stardom, transforming from a coal miner's daughter to the Queen of Country Music. Loretta knew she was blessed-to record music, to sing her songs to such great crowds, and to write books.A Song and A Prayer is a collection of devotionals combined with song lyrics that delivers a unique form of worship. Inspired by her songwriting sessions with Kim McLean (a fellow songwriter, music producer, as well as ordained minister and reverend doctor), Loretta's love of God is felt on every page of this book. Readers will learn to experience and maintain an intimate one-on-relationship with God. This volume will become a cherished companion for Loretta Lynn fans and readers everywhere as they strive to live each precious moment to the fullest and happiest.Through A Song and A Prayer, readers of all faiths and walks of life will have the opportunity to bask in a month's worth of spiritual encouragement. Loretta's thoughts and lyrics not only capture the presence of God, but also capture a presence that transcends Christianity-the spirit of creativity. In a busy world, Loretta's lyrics and prayers remind readers that God loves them more than they could imagine.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat happened between Bowie's 70's heyday as a controversial glam-rock rebel and his current iconic status in the daddies-of-rock gang? Renowned author and Bowie aficionado Dave Thompson looks at the middle and later years of a star who may or may not have come back down to earth.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeorge C. Scott (1927-1999) born in Wise Virginia created some of the 20th century's most memorable performances on stage and screen ä the cunning prosecutor in ÊAnatomy of a MurderÊ the manipulative gambler in ÊThe HustlerÊ the buffoonishly warmongering chief of staff in ÊDr. StrangeloveÊ and of course the brilliant and rebellious ÊPattonÊ. He also played Willy Loman Richard III Mussolini Scrooge Fagin and countless others. But his offstage life was as filled with drama and controversy as any of the lives he portrayed with such intensity.ÞÞHe refused the Oscar for ÊPattonÊ battled with TV networks to include realistic elements in his series ÊEast Side/West SideÊ invested (and lost) his own money on Broadway and in the scandalous film ÊThe Savage is LooseÊ married five times (twice to Colleen Dewhurst) and had a tempestuous affair with Ava Gardner traveled to Vietnam at the height of the war to write an article for ÊEsquireÊ magazine and weathered a damaging sexual harassment suit.ÞÞIn the first complete biography of this great star David Sheward documents Scott's artistry as well as his roller-coaster career. Featuring interviews with numerous colleagues including Nathan Lane Karl Malden Piper Laurie and Eva Marie Saint as well as friends and family members ÊRage and GloryÊ pays tribute to one of our finest and fieriest actors.

Read more less

Book Synopsis8-page photo insert

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn ÊMarleneÊ Hollywood legend Marlene Dietrich is vividly brought to life. In the mid-1970s Charlotte Chandler interviewed the reclusive actress in Dietrich's Paris apartment. The star's career was all but over but she agreed to meet because Chandler hadn't known her earlier when âDietrichã was young and very beautiful. ÊMarleneÊ is further enriched by Chandler's interviews with others who knew Dietrich well including Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Burt Bacharach.ÞChandler relates how Dietrich began her career in her native Berlin as a model then a stage and screen actress during the silent era becoming a star with ÊThe Blue AngelÊ then moving on to become one of the brightest lights in Hollywood. Prior to World War II the fiercely anti-Nazi Dietrich resisted Hitler's flattering invitations to return to Germany and became an American citizen instead later entertaining Allied troops on the front lines. After the war she embarked on a new outstanding second career as a stage performer.ÞDietrich had a strict Prussian upbringing but she refused to be constrained by society's expectations. She spoke candidly with Chandler about her unconventional marriage; she and her husband both had affairs each with the other's consent. She even expressed warm feelings toward her husband's mistress.ÞMarlene Dietrich lived an extraordinary life and ÊMarleneÊ relies extensively on the star's own words to reveal how intriguing and fascinating that life really was.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen 20th Century Fox planned its blockbuster portrayal of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor it looked to Akira Kurosawa ä a man whose mastery of the cinema led to his nickname the Emperor ä to direct the Japanese sequences. Yet a matter of three weeks after he began shooting the film in December 1968 Kurosawa was summarily dismissed and expelled from the studio. The tabloids trumpeted scandal: Kurosawa had himself gone mad; his associates had betrayed him; Hollywood was engaged in a conspiracy.ÞNow for the first time the truth behind the downfall and humiliation of one of cinema's greatest perfectionists is revealed in All the Emperor's Men. Journalist Hiroshi Tasogawa probes the most sensitive questions about Kurosawa's thwarted ambition and the demons that drove him. His is a tale of a great clash of personalities of differences in the ways of making movies and ultimately of a clash between Japanese and American cultures.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe unsettling saga of Larry Flint's most notorious protege.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book reprints a four-hour conversation between Mr. Schickel and Mr. Allen and includes a long essay of introduction by Mr. Schickel, which places Woody Allen's entire career in critical perspective, as well as a complete filmography. Readers will find Mr. Allen's reflections on his major preoccupations—the battle of the sexes; the conflict between reality and fantasy in his major films; mortality, religion, and the role that chance plays in the unfolding of our lives. The book also offers insights into Mr. Allen's working methods as a writer and the growth of his skills as a director.Trade Review...This book also offers new, tasty, nutritious stuff for Woody loyalists to savor. -- Owen McNally * Hartford Courant *This is an urbane and readable work and will be of great interest to avid Allen fans... -- Andrea Slonosky * Library Journal *Even those who have lost who have lost patience with Allen's recent efforts will want to read what he has to say about his 1970s masterworks. -- Gordon Flagg * Booklist *As usual, Richard Schickel has nailed his subject, and this time his subject is a particularly hard one to nail. -- Jeanine BasingerWitty, surprising, important (but never self-important), and—best of all—moving...a compact but very real treasure...graceful and perceptive...wonderful. -- Steven BachClearly, Allen is comfortable talking to Schickel...a brisk read. * Chicago Tribune *The author pleads a strong case that as a gifted writer and actor of limited range, Woody Allen deserves a more prominent position in the motion picture arts. * Foreword Reviews *…Thoughtful, critical insights into Allen's screen works. * Newport News Press *…Fascinating biography of a giant in film… * Forecast *Schickel is a thoughtful observer and critic, a lively writer…. * Virginia Quarterly Review *Schickel may well be the smartest, most practiced and least axe-grinding interviewer Allen has ever had. * The Buffalo News *A breezy, readable entry to Allen's vast bibliography...with an excellent Introduction and Afterword. -- Richard A. Blake * America: The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture *Table of ContentsPart 1 A Note on the Text xi Part 2 Introduction: Woody in the Afternoon 3 Part 3 The Interview 71 Part 4 Afterword 171 Part 5 Filmography 180 Part 6 Index 206

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHardcover

Read more less

Book SynopsisHis exceptional good looks made him a matinee idol and Franco Corelli ä the Prince of Tenors ä was dubbed Mr. Soldout for 20 consecutive years. In 1958 just seven years after beginning his career he was already the highest-paid tenor in Italy. Following his Met debut in 1961 he was celebrated as the greatest tenor in the world a position that he retained until his departure from the Met in 1975.ÞHis charismatic performances in such operas as ÊLa VestaleÊ and ÊFedoraÊ (both in collaboration with Maria Callas) coupled with a formidable mystique as well as a number of notorious and colorful incidents including his real-life sword fight with Boris Christoff in Rome the Callas walkout there the beating up of a spectator in Naples and the alleged biting of Birgit Nilsson on a Boston tour of ÊTurandotÊ created a mania for Corelli.ÞNearly a decade in the making this definitive biography is based on the author's extensive research of theater archives and interviews with the opera star's numerous friends family members colleagues (Nilsson Pavarotti and many others) as well as the management of some of the world's leading opera houses.

Read more less

Book SynopsisZubin Metha has created a body of work with the world's greatest orchestras including the Vienna Berlin Los Angeles and New York Philharmonics. In the course of his career he has gained the highest approbation in the international community: an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera and honorary conductor of the Vienna Munich and Los Angeles Philharmonics the Bavarian State Orchestra and Opera and the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino he is also a recipient of the United Naions Lifetime Achievement Peace and Tolerance Award. And in this book he takes us with him along the road that brought him to the heights of success.ÞÊMy Life in MusicÊ is a frank and direct account of Mehta's entire musical life. From his childhood days in Bombay where he received his first musical education from his father Mehli Mehta and his journey at the tender age of 18 to Vienna to study music on through his entire professional career he shares with us an insider's view. We also learn everything about the private Zubin Mehta ä about his marriages his children his thoughts on music and politics especially in Israel where he is lifetime Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisLEONARD BERNSTEIN AT WORK: THE FINAL YEARS 1984-1990

Read more less

Book SynopsisMICHAEL RABIN: AMERCIA'S VIRTUOSO VIOLINIST - REVISED AND UPDATED

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe piano music of Maurice Ravel is among the most thrilling the most colorful and for pianists the most challenging of the repertoire. This book is about how performers and listeners can discover it and relate to it ä how it sounds and feels under the fingers and within the receptive imagination. But to write about those experiences to explore the background influences and impulses behind Ravel's music is to be engaged in a form of biography. Discovering the delicate melancholy of the ÊPavaneÊ and the ÊSonatineÊ the astounding virtuosity of ÊGaspard de la nuitÊ and the exotic tone painting of ÊMiroirs (Reflections)Ê leads to the question Who was the extraordinary person who created this? ÞHere are indispensable insights into the literary origins of ÊGaspard de la nuitÊ the derivation of the water imagery in ÊJeux d'eauÊ and the sensuous delights of ÊMiroirsÊ. The chapter on ÊValses nobles et sentimentalesÊ illuminates Ravel's meticulously controlled sense of irony. ÊLe tombeau de CouperinÊ is related to the impact of the First World War on his psyche and to the refuge he sought in the civilizing values of the age of Watteau and Couperin. Intimate and perceptive ÊReflectionsÊ is inescapably about the life of Maurice Ravel ä reflections by way of the piano music on an exceptionally private but immensely attractive man.

Read more less

Book SynopsisConducting an orchestra is something that is seen as well as heard but it is quite misunderstood when it comes to knowing what this person actually does for a living. This most mysterious of jobs is brought to life for the music lover as well as for the aspiring maestro in a new book by Leonard Slatkin.ÞDrawing on his own experiences on and off the podium Slatkin brings us into the world of the baton. He tells tales of some of the most fascinating people in the musical world including Frank Sinatra Leonard Bernstein and John Williams. He takes the reader to the great concert halls and orchestras soundstages in Hollywood and opera pits around the globe.ÞMr. Slatkin recounts his controversial appearance at the Metropolitan Opera his creation and direction of summer music festivals and a shattering concert experience that took place four days following 9/11. Life in the recording studio and on the road as well as health issues confronting the conductor provide an insider's glimpse into the private world of public figures.ÞCovering everything from learning how to read music to standing in front of an orchestra for the first time what to wear and how to deal with the press ÊConducting BusinessÊ is a unique look at a unique profession. ÞÊConducting BusinessÊ is a recipient of the 2013 ASCAP Deems Taylor Special Recognition Award.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis heartbreaking tale uncovers a mystery in the life of one of the most important personalities of the twentieth century guitarist Andr©s Segovia (1893-1987). He married the widowed Paquita Madriguera (1900-1965) famous child prodigy pianist and prized student of Enrique Granados in 1935 as his international career was blossoming. They fled their native Spain under death threats when the Spanish Civil War erupted in 1936 and began an odyssey that landed them in the Uruguayan capital.ÞSegovia's support for the fascist Franco resulted in his banishment from the lucrative American concert scene while the travel dangers of World War II further isolated him from the rest of the world. During this time Segovia greatly enriched the guitar repertoire through numerous arrangements and collaborations with major composers via correspondence. It was also an era of happy family life with Paquita. The couple collaborated on two of the most important contemporary guitar concertos and traveled throughout Latin America to perform.ÞThen tragedy struck as the guitarist became entangled with a beautiful Brazilian singer in an affair that ruined his marriage and brought tragic consequences to his family life. In writing his autobiography Segovia could never face this period. With the help of tenacious research and Paquita's two surviving daughters Alfredo Escande diligently lifts the veil of secrecy and reveals a magical age of music history framed around the couple's decade together.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLauded by Verdi Debussy and other music legends the celebrated conductor Arturo Toscanini raised the standards of orchestral and operatic performance over an astonishing 69 years on the podium. But as he did so he acquired a reputation as something of a tyrant who unleashed an explosive temper at musicians if rehearsals did not meet his expectations.ÞIn ÊThe Real ToscaniniÊ Cesare Civetta presents an intriguing collection of vivid one-of-a-kind interviews with artists who performed with Toscanini. A portrait of the inner workings of the maestro emerges through these extensive conversations conducted by the author over a period of 20 years together with other firsthand recollections. These accounts clarify Toscanini's philosophy musical style and techniques. They depict a man tormented by inner demons of anger and depression which were easily triggered by his frustration at being unable to produce the musical ideal in his mind's ear.ÞToscanini is also revealed as a vehement anti-Fascist and an unequivocal opponent of totalitarianism and racism ä he defied Mussolini and publically opposed Hitler. The book includes a comprehensive account of his 1936 inauguration of what is now known as the Israel Philharmonic in solidarity with Jewish refugee musicians.ÞToscanini comes through in this book as a tortured but deeply humane individual who strove to constantly improve ä a sincere and humble musician who was nevertheless the preeminent maestro of the 20th century.

Read more less

Book SynopsisÊRichard Wagner: The Lighter SideÊ appeals to classical music and opera enthusiasts in general but particularly the many thousands of members of the 135 Wagner Societies around the world. There are many books about every aspect of Wagner's life and works but none has focused on the trivia the interesting facts anecdotes and quotations about the man and his operas. For more than twenty years Terry Quinn has collected information on each of Wagner's 13 completed operas and the difficulties encountered in staging them; famous Wagnerian directors conductors and singers; key persons in the composer's life especially the women not to mention the dysfunctional Wagner family; Wagner's visits to London; the festival and theater he created in Bavaria; and a great deal more. Also included are interviews with current Wagnerian scholars.ÞÊRichard Wagner: The Lighter SideÊ contains more than 300 tidbits and features ranging from a few paragraphs to several pages. The light side of the book is immediately apparent via its lively headings as well as its fascinating tales of the fanatical enthusiasts who travel the world to see Wagner's operas performed.ÞIllustrations include photographs dozens of contemporary caricatures beautiful postage stamps on Wagnerian subjects and other reproductions of ephemera.

Read more less

Book SynopsisClaude Debussy was the father of the modern era in classical music. His innovations liberated Stravinsky Schoenberg and Bartìk to write their iconoclastic works and his harmonic inventions are still heard in American jazz. Though he was among the most compelling figures of the Belle »poque his life is little known to all but scholars; and of his considerable musical output only ÊPrelude to the Afternoon of a FaunÊ ÊLa merÊ and ÊClair de luneÊ are widely known.ÞHarvey Lee Snyder addresses this cultural neglect by presenting the composer and his music without jargon or biographical trivia in a richly detailed accurate narrative that reads like a novel. Here is the story of a poor unschooled Parisian boy swept by odd coincidences to the Paris Conservatory at age ten. Here is a brilliant man struggling to invent a tonal language capable of expressing his unique musical vision finding inspiration not in Bach and Beethoven but in Mallarm©'s poetry and the paintings of Whistler and Turner; a man determined to end two centuries of Germanic domination of European music. Here is a reclusive gentle man whose misguided love affairs ended in scandal and scorn. His hard work failed to end decades of poverty and debt but when he died in 1918 he was and has remained the foremost French composer of the twentieth century.

Read more less