Search results for ""Author Dave Thompson""

The Child Ballads are a series of over 300 traditional ballads from England and Scotland that, along with their American variants, were anthologized by folklorist Francis James Child in the nineteenth century. An Evolving Tradition is the story of the Child Ballads—the world’s best-known and most highly regarded repository of traditional English folk songs, and the wellspring for approximately 10,000 recordings over the last century, from obscure musicological archives to classic releases from Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, and Led Zeppelin.Drawing on interviews with numerous scholars and musicians, author Dave Thompson explains what a ballad is, outlines their dominant themes, and recounts how these ballads survived to become a mainstay of field recordings made by Cecil Sharp, Alan Lomax, and others as they traveled the English and American countryside in search of old songs. Thompson traverses the entire spectrum of rock, pop, folk, roots, experimental music, industrial, and goth to reveal the remarkable legacy and incalculable influence of the Child Ballads on all manner of modern music.

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ÊThe Twilight ZoneÊ is among the most beloved shows in American television history a pioneering fantasy behemoth that bridged the cultural gap between the 1950s and 1960s with thought-provoking mystery mind-boggling theorems and occasionally outright horror.ÞÊThe Twilight Zone FAQÊ takes the reader back to that halcyon era looking back on the show and its impact as a force for societal change via reflections on the manifold topics and controversies that the show took on ä from the space race to the Red Menace from paranoia to madness and beyond. Dave Thompson traces the history of the show ä from its earliest flowering in the mind of then-unknown Rod Serling through its slow birth shaky beginning and breathless five-season run ä and he shows how it became the blueprint for so much of the fantasy television that has followed.ÞChapters deal with the comic books novels and many other spin-offs including the movie the TV revamps and even the amusement park ride. In addition this FAQ offers a full guide to every episode providing details on the cast and music and pinpointing both the best and the worst of the series all adding up to a brightly opinionated time machine that catapults the reader back to the true golden age of American television.

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This book looks inside the artists and music that transformed the American and British soundscape of the 1980s and '90s. Scene-setting essays ä some with interviews of key figures ä explore alternative rock's primary influences from Captain Beefheart to Brian Eno and its many subgenres from punk to grunge and Brit pop to trip hop. Reviews and profiles cover over 2 000 recordings and more than 500 musicians such as The Beastie Boys The Cure R.E.M. Marilyn Manson XTC and hundreds more. This comprehensive guide also examines the cultural scenes technologies and people behind the alternative sound. From the author of ÊDepeche ModeÊ and ÊNever Fade Away: The Kurt Cobain StoryÊ.

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Cheerfully unpretentious and brash with all the trimmings one would expect of a traditional seaside resort, Blackpool remains the iconic resort town, but there is more to its richly coloured history than you might think. This absorbing collection of images reveals the changing face of the town during the past century. Over 200 old postcards and photographs - many never previously published - help highlight Blackpool's remarkable transformation from a fledgling resort. Aspects of everyday life in the town are featured here, including social occasions, the pleasure steamers that once plied their trade from the piers, seaside entertainment and old cherished street scenes of bygone Blackpool. This book is a valuable pictorial history, which will waken nostalgic memories for some readers, whilst offering a unique glimpse at the past for others.

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ÊThe WallÊ was Roger Waters's first album. So begins Dave Thompson's Thompson's ÊRoger Waters: The Man Behind the WallÊ the first full biography on this notoriously guarded personality that has eluded probing queries and papertrail dissection for the entirety of his career. As he prepares to release his first solo album in twenty-five years buff up on your Waters know-how with the paperback edition of Thompson's incisive profile first published in 2013.ÞBorn in 1943 amidst the bombs and shrapnel of the Second World War Waters abandoned a career in architecture to pursue his myriad demons through song. Over the years imbued with an utter brilliant mind and a general tendency toward belligerence Waters has regularly butted heads with his bandmates fellow musicians fans acquaintances family political figures and entire nations ä but why? Leaning on original research conducted among Waters' inner circle of friends and associates Thompson cautiously dismantles every wall Waters has erected between himself and the public a brick at a time in pursuit of an answer. As the mass of apparent contradictions stack up and the saga of this publicly isolated man unravels Thompson arrives at a portrait of an artist every bit as nuanced and recalcitrant as his work would suggest.

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An in-depth and comprehensive guide to ä and history of ä music collecting ÊThe Ultimate Guide to Vinyl and MoreÊ traces the hobby from its beginnings over a century ago. The book features informative and entertaining sections on every significant format in which recorded music has been released ä and some that are now almost completely forgotten.ÞBased on Dave Thompson's original Backbeat classic ÊThe Music Lover's Guide to Record CollectingÊ this revamped colorful expanded edition takes readers from the early days of cylinders 78s and Edison records on through 45s LPs 8-tracks cassettes bootlegs CDs MiniDiscs MP3s LPs and other formats.ÞLandmark labels collectable artists specialist themes and more are explored across a series of essays while dozens of color images bring the most obscure corners of the hobby to life. Unlike other volumes that focus exclusively on vinyl this book caters to the audiophile whose obsession for music welcomes all formats. Through it all the joy and fascination of music collecting in all its guises comes alive.

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Exactly who ÊwasÊ Jack the Ripper the infamous Victorian serial killer? ÊJack the Ripper FAQÊ explores this question in depth with a thorough overview not only of the world's most notorious serial killer but also of the cultural impact that remains as powerful more than 130 years on from his murderous spree. Every murder attributed to him is discussed in depth together with a number more that may have been his work; the book also details the myriad different suspects that have been mentioned over the years.ÞÊJack the Ripper FAQÊ investigates the world in which the Ripper operated with chapters discussing the factors that made it possible for him to act with such apparent impunity. Also covered are the policemen who tried to capture him the journalists who tried to illustrate his motives and the private investigators who raised theories that are still being discussed today.ÞThe book also revisits the movies novels and comic books that have tried to solve the mystery. But still the inescapable fact is we still do we not know who the Ripper was!

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From tips for evaluating recordings to lively discussions of bootlegs and piracy to the history of recording formats to collectible artists and more ÊThe Music Lover's Guide to Record CollectingÊ covers all the tracks. Designed for anyone who collects records for pleasure or profit at garage sales or on eBay this guide is both informative and entertaining. If offers a wealth of detail and informed opinion ä unique in a field dominated by stodgy price guides. Engaging entries and essays explore the development of all recording mediums from 78s to MP3; the distinctive character of imports; most collected artists from The Beatles to Nirvana; collectible labels such as Sun Chess and Motown; original packaging that enhances collectability; and much more.

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Between 1972 and their first break-up in 1976 (and then again following their 1979 reunion), Roxy Music were arguably the most exciting, ambitious and vivacious bans in the land - a core four piece of vocalist Bryan Ferry, guitarist Phil Manzanera, horn player Andy Mackay and drummer Phil Thompson (but also featuring, at different times, Brian Eno and Eddie Jobson) who emerged during 1972's long, hot summer of glam rock, but who could never be readily pigeonholed. The greatest records they made became, in turn, some of the greatest records of the age. 'Virginia Plain,' 'Pyjamarama,' 'Street Life,' 'All I Want Is You,' 'Love is the Drug,' 'Trash' and 'Dance Away' were the hits, but even the deepest cuts on the band's first five albums became anthems for a generation. Roxy were no ordinary band in other ways, too, as Ferry, Manzanera, Mackay and Eno all embarked upon solo careers - which, between them, were responsible for a complex catalogue of songs that stretches from the ballads of the 1930s to the electronica of the distant future, from Wagner's Valkyries to David Bowie's Low. This book encompasses all of that, documenting the histories of both band and band members, while analysing and detailing every album and single released by the Roxy family throughout the decade.

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ÊRobert Plant: The Voice That Sailed the ZeppelinÊ follows the iconic singer through his heights of fame with classic rock giant Led Zeppelin his second life as a multimillion-selling solo artist and his more idiosyncratic pursuits. A wealth of former associates lend their voices and recollections to an account that steps far beyond the tried and tested tales of Zeppelin's life and times.ÞThis all-new biography details Plant's early years as an unknown in Birmingham England with fresh depth and insight. It likewise tells the Zeppelin story from new and unexpected angles focusing on Plant's contributions to the band's success and on the toll/effect of that success on him as a performer and an individual.ÞAfter drummer John Bonham died in 1980 and Zeppelin broke up Plant went solo two years later in time becoming the only former band member to maintain an unbroken career to this day. His single-mindedness in meeting this challenge might well be his greatest personal attribute enabling him to push forward without regard for his past or any related expectations. Dave Thompson shows how it is Plant's determination alone that ensured Zeppelin reunions would not become a routine part of the classic rock furniture as he created a body of work that in so many ways artistically rivals what he recorded with the band.

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Income inequality. Wealth disparity. Roving bands of rogue knights. (OK maybe not that last one.) Now more than ever we need an egalitarian outlaw who isn't afraid to stand firm against the hypocrisies and excesses of presumptuous economic elites. Perhaps looking back is our best way forward. For centuries Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men have inspired the oppressed uplifted the downtrodden ä and of course forged a trail of their own across Western art and culture. From medieval myth to modern blockbuster Dave Thompson's ÊRobin Hood FAQÊ offers the complete story of Robin Hood tracing the tale across each of the many media in which it has been told from legends ballads books comics and magazines to songs movies TV series and so on. Thompson digs deep into both fact and fiction to separate the modern myth from its earliest counterpart and trace the patterns that the confluence followed. And who better to make sense of the vast and varied life of Nottingham's favorite son than Dave Thompson an English ex-pat with a bibliography a mile long a wit so droll it defies critical apprehension and a marked predilection for Lincoln green?ÞPlenty of ink has already been spilled on the Prince of Thieves but extant volumes tend to be literary out of print or in scholastic instances prohibitively expensive (aye the irony). Written in Applause Theatre and Cinema Books' acclaimed FAQ format ÊRobin Hood FAQÊ bursts at the seams with 400 pages of facts fiction history and trivia. Photo-filled and reader-friendly Thompson's latest tome is at once fun informative and at just $19.99 priced for the 99%.

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ÊThe Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQÊ is the in-depth story of not only the legendary stage show and movie but of a unique period in theatrical history ä in the movie's UK homeland as well as overseas. ÊRocky HorrorÊ has been performed worldwide for more than 40 years in over 30 countries and has been translated into more than 20 languages.ÞInside these pages we see ÊRocky HorrorÊ as sexual cabaret and political subversion as modern mega-hit and Broadway disaster. At the movie house we learn when to shout what to throw ä and why people even do those things. Here is the full story of the play's original creation; its forebears and its influences are laid out in loving detail together with both the triumphs and tragedies that attended it across the next 40 forty years.ÞPacked with anecdotes ÊThe Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQÊ is the story of dozens of worldwide performances and the myriad stars who have been featured in them. From Tim Curry to Anthony Head from Reg Livermore to Gary Glitter from Daniel Abineri to Tom Hewitt the lives and careers of the greatest ever Frank N. Furters stalk the pages joined by the Riff-Raffs Magentas Columbias and all.ÞThe book also includes the largest and most in-depth ÊRocky HorrorÊ discography ever published plus a unique timeline ä The Ultimate ÊRocky HorrorÊ Chronology ä detailing the who what where and when of absolute pleasure.

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Take a fast-paced survey of the ghosties ghouls and associated denizens of the country's haunted history with ÊHaunted America FAQÊ. Tracing local ghost stories back to Native American legends and then forward through horror tales both ancient and modern the book revisits some of the best known haunted locales as well as some of the most obscure creepy places in America.ÞDelving deep into the cultural history of American hauntings ÊHaunted America FAQÊ includes chapters on ghostly books movies and television. Also included is an A-Z of reality-TV ghost hunts and a state-by-state gazetteer of haunted spots.

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The town of Rhyl was born around the turn of the nineteenth century when the novel idea of 'sea bathing' and 'taking the air' at coastal resorts began sweeping the country. At Rhyl splendid villas and a terraced promenade were built, spelling out the importance of this salubrious spot on the North Wales coast. This absorbing collection of more than 200 old postcards and photographs, many never previously published, provides a nostalgic glimpse into the history of Rhyl during the last century, and explores the town's remarkable transformation into a flourishing seaside resort.The people, landmarks and events of 'Sunny' Rhyl's past are captured in this fascinating volume, including the crowning of Rhyl's May Queen, the beach fashions of the 1900s and a century of top seaside entertainment. Past stars associated with Rhyl include The Beatles, Laurel and Hardy and Paul Robeson. Cherished street scenes have made it into print, revealing how High Street, Wellington Road and other well-known Rhyl streets once appeared. Rhyl will reawaken fond memories for many, while offering others a unique glimpse at the past for others. It is sure to captivate all who know the district.

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ÊBritcoms FAQÊ is a sweeping survey of the very best in British television comedy from the early days of 1950s television and the rise of Tony Hancock through the golden age of ÊMonty PythonÊ ÊAre You Being Served?Ê and ÊSteptoe and SonÊ ä featuring the madcap comic geniuses of the 1980s ä to the modern age of ÊAbsolutely FabulousÊ ÊCouplingÊ ÊRed DwarfÊ and more.ÞWritten with both a deep love and cultural understanding of the shows highlighting the finest performances and resurrecting the greatest jokes ÊBritcoms FAQÊ also visits the medium's transition from radio to television its history on vinyl and compact disc and its thematic shift from straight-forward humor to a sometimes biting force for political and social commentary.ÞIncluded are chapters spotlighting the sitcoms' fascination with dysfunctional families their rebellion against conventional society and the changing face of the media itself. The legacy of Monty Python is explored in depth but so are such themes as class warfare censorship and even suicide. Britcoms long ago determined that very little is sacred when there's laughter to be had ä and ÊBritcoms FAQÊ proves it!

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As the creative force behind Berry Gordy Jr.'s Motown Records in the mid-Sixties, a writing credit from Holland Dozier Holland was virtually a guarantee of chart success. From Stop! In The Name Of Love to How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, they were the songwriting and production dream team responsible for some of the greatest songs of the twentieth century. In this compelling autobiography, brothers Eddie and Brian Holland share their story for the first time, starting with growing up in Detroit raised by a single mother and their grandmother, before shining a light on their early musical careers. A gifted lyricist, Eddie started out as a solo singer with Berry Gordy as his manager before partnering up with his brother Brian and Lamont Dozier, both talented arrangers and producers. When Holland Dozier Holland came together, they helped transform Motown Records from a local soul label into a worldwide hit factory, home to international superstars such as Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, The Four Tops and The Isley Brothers. After an awe-inspiring tenure they left Motown in 1968, continuing their successes at new labels and with new collaborators for years to come. Featuring honest and open first-hand accounts, Come and Get These Memories is more than just a behind-the-scenes look at Motown Records at its peak: Eddie and Brian set the record straight on both their personal and professional lives and offer a revealing slice of pop-music history.

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There have been many books written about Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, but only by people who weren t there. Walter Lure was from the band's chaotic beginnings on New York's Lower East Side, through a now-legendary UK tour with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, and on to a yearlong stay in London eyewitness and midwife to the birth of UK punk. Now, he tells his story in To Hell and Back, a thrilling ride through the clubs and dives of two continents, in the company of one of the most notorious junkies in rock 'n' roll history. Drawing from his own contemporary journals, Lure paints a vivid portrait of life in both cities, during perhaps the most crucial musical uprising of the past forty years the music, the characters, the clothes, the fights, the drugs, the orgies, the lot. Lure lays bare his own battle with drugs, and reflects upon his life after the band's split rising to become a Wall Street fixture yet still finding time to make music.

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'Don't live life worrying about it, just T. Rex the s*** out of it.' - Sylvain Sylvain The New York Dolls were called many things; glam, proto-punk, hard rock, but are probably best understood as a 'dirty rock & roll' band. Combining an aggressively androgynous style with street smart New York attitude and campy humour, the New York Dolls ushered in the era of CBGBs, heroin chic, loud guitars and referential lyrics which gave rise to Patti Smith, The Ramones, Television and many more. Fans of the band range from Guns N' Roses to Morrissey, who organised the reformation of the band when he curated Meltdown festival in 2004. Sylvain Sylvain was there from the start, and this is his story. Taking in his early life in New York, the rise, fall and rise again of the New York Dolls, and all his misadventures between, There's No Bones in Ice Cream is the true story of one of rock's greatest, told in his own authentic voice. 'In any great band it's often The Quiet One who has the best stories. There's No Bones in Ice Cream would be a superb book even if Sylvain worked in a bank. As it is it's one of the best rock biographies ever. Ten out of ten.' - Classic Rock

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There have been many books written about Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, but only by people who weren’t there. Walter Lure was—from the band's chaotic beginnings on New York's Lower East Side, through a now-legendary UK tour with the Sex Pistols and the Clash, and on to a yearlong stay in London—eyewitness and midwife to the birth of UK punk.Now, he tells his story in To Hell and Back, a thrilling ride through the clubs and dives of two continents, in the company of one of the most notorious junkies in rock 'n' roll history. Drawing from his own contemporary journals, Lure paints a vivid portrait of life in both cities, during perhaps the most crucial musical uprising of the past forty years…the music, the characters, the clothes, the fights, the drugs, the orgies, the lot.Lure lays bare his own battle with drugs, and reflects upon his life after the band's split—rising to become a Wall Street fixture yet still finding time to make music.

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"Don't live life worrying about it, just T. Rex the shit out of it." - Sylvain Sylvain The New York Dolls were called many things; glam, proto-punk, hard rock, but are probably best understood as a "dirty rock & roll" band. Combining an aggressively androgynous style with street smart New York attitude and campy humour, the New York Dolls ushered in the era of CBGBs, heroin chic, loud guitars and referential lyrics which gave rise to Patti Smith, The Ramones, Television and many more. Fans of the band range from Guns N' Roses to Morrissey, who organised the reformation of the band when he curated Meltdown festival in 2004. Sylvain Sylvain was there from the start, and this is his story. Taking in his early life in New York, the rise, fall and rise again of the New York Dolls, and all his misadventures between, There's No Bones in Ice Cream is the true story of one of rock's greatest, told in his own authentic voice. "In any great band it's often The Quiet One who has the best stories. There's No Bones in Ice Cream would be a superb book even if Sylvain worked in a bank. As it is it's one of the best rock biographies ever. Ten out of ten" - Classic Rock

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As the creative force behind Berry Gordy Jr.'s Motown Records in the mid-Sixties, a writing credit from Holland-Dozier-Holland was virtually a guarantee of chart success. From `Stop! In The Name Of Love' to `How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You', they were the songwriting and production dream team responsible for some of the greatest songs of the twentieth century. In this compelling autobiography, brothers Eddie and Brian Holland share their story for the first time, starting with growing up in Detroit raised by a single mother and their grandmother, before shining a light on their early musical careers. A gifted lyricist, Eddie started out as a solo singer - with Berry Gordy as his manager - before partnering up with Brian and Lamont Dozier, both talented arrangers and producers. When Holland-Dozier-Holland came together, they helped transform Motown Records from a local soul label into a worldwide hit factory, home to international superstars such as Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, The Four Tops and The Isley Brothers. After an awe-inspiring tenure they left Motown in 1968, continuing their successes at new labels and with new collaborators for years to come. Featuring honest and open first-hand accounts, Come and Get These Memories is more than just a behind-the-scenes look at Motown Records at its peak: Eddie and Brian set the record straight on both their personal and professional lives and offer a revealing slice of pop-music history.

Read more less