During their golden years of 1977 to 1982, The Jam's frontman Paul Weller was their outspoken leader, but it was drummer Rick Buckler who was the beating heart of the band, and it is his fascinating story that is told in his autobiography, That's Entertainment: My Life In The Jam, replete with insights into his life and music.From his childhood in the 1950s to his musical growth to becoming the backbone of one of the most successful punk rock British bands, the story goes on to detail his post-Jam musical career, incorporating a number of other musicians in his continuous projects. Featuring some incredible photographs from Buckler's personal archives, in-depth details about his personal and musical life, as well as new information about his projects since The Jam, That's Entertainment: My Life In The Jam presents a great biography that is an antidote to many of the other popular music books out there.As The Jam rose to fame in 1977, their blend of rock, punk, mod and new-wave made them a musical force to be reckoned with. Weller's in-your-face attitude and songwriting combined with Bruce Foxton's powerful bass lines and Buckler's brilliant drumming to create a sound that has been often replicated but rarely matched. This book is the story of the man at the back of the band, absent from the bitter quarrels but always looking forward from the middle, both physically on-stage and metaphorically. There have been a vast number of other books written about The Jam, but none come close to the intimacy and personality of this portrayal of a pioneering band and their interesting story. Through Rick Buckler's eyes, That's Entertainment: My Life In The Jam chronicles the highlights of their heyday and the low points of the dissolution of friendships. It's a brilliant read if you're a fan of The Jam, or even at all interested in popular music, this Rick Buckler autobiography has it all. / Livre

First time in paperback! Noel Coward and Cole Porter's fascinating lives celebrated. Fresh on the heels of the popular motion picture based on Cole Porter's life De-Lovely Noel And Cole presents a delightful and often surprising portrait of these two geniuses. The author provides insight into both men's private lives - including a frank discussion of their homosexuality - while illuminating their musical achievements. Born an ocean apart - one in Indiana the other in England - Cole Porter and Noel Coward have come to represent the ultimate in sophistication and urbanity.Noel and Cole will be an essential reference as well as a fascinating dualbiography of two men who brought style and dazzle to the art of popular entertainment. Based on access to previously unpublished manuscripts lyrics scores and letters plus dozens of interviews the book also includes a chronology and a fifty-page section devoted to the analysis of select works.

A Scrapbook of Artifacts Treasures and Inside Information-The Martin Archives Scrapbook provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of America's oldest and most revered Guitar maker bringing the company's story to life with all kinds of memorabilia from their expansive archives - from a fold-out floorplan of their North Street factory and early purchase ledgers to letters and photographs from the many world-famous musicians who have favoured Martin Guitars.  The Martin Archives contain over 700 000 artifacts many of which have lain unseen for generations. The images documents and other souvenirs in this book have been carefully selected in order to paint acomplete picture of the company and its instruments from the concert halls of the pre-Civil War United States and the Grand Ole Opry stage to Woodstock Coachella and beyond. Whilst some Guitar makers in the U.S.A. predate the advent of the business computer Martin predates the typewriter electric lights and even the steam locomotive and this scrapbook reveals what an interesting ride that's been. In addition to 104 full-colour pages The Martin Archives Scrapbook also features pockets containing reproductions of original posters swing tags and more. The perfect gift for any Martin Guitar enthusiast or collector this illuminating book examines the impressive role played by Martin in the Golden Age of American music and the birth of rock 'n' roll.            

Smart Blonde: Dolly Parton is a comprehensive and revealing biography which includes interviews with family members, musicians and producers who have worked with Dolly over the years. This new and fully updated edition includes a detailed section on the superstar's legendary performance at 2014's Glastonbury Festival.This book is a detailed assessment of her music as a singer and songwriter over the last forty years, and author Stephen Miller discusses how she shrugged aside the male-dominated world of Nashville in the early 1960s to take hold of her career, sell millions of albums and appear in films with Jane Fonda, Burt Reynolds and Sylvester Stallone.Smart Blonde: Dolly Parton throws new light on her private life - her mysterious and closely guarded relationship with her husband Carl Dean, and her lifelong friend Judy Ogle as well as her seeming love of cosmetic surgery. This is the story of an artist and performer who is deadly serious about music but is often seen as frivolous about her image. The updated version of this Dolly Parton biography includes details of her Glastonbury 2014 performance, the cherry on the cake of her illustrious career. Finding new fans and putting on a characteristically entertaining show for old ones, the UK tour led to her most recent album being her biggest-selling album in the UK ever.This incredible detailed Dolly Parton biography is a must for all fans, old and new, of this jewel in country music's crown. Boasting an authoritative account of her ongoing career, this is the only biography on the legendary lady, the queen of country, the philanthropist and perfect performer.Stephen Miller practised as a solicitor until the early Nineties when he retired in order to pursue other interests, notably American country music. For six years he reviewed albums, books and concerts and interviewed a variety of artists for a weekly country music show on commercial radio station Scot FM. He is also the author of Johnny Cash: The Life on an American Idol, also published by Omnibus Press.If you've bought the biography and been inspired by Parton's incredible songwriting, why not learn some of her Greatest Hits with our Dolly Parton sheet music. / Livre

Opera is a thrilling art form that deals with lifeâ??s rawest emotions and greatest passions: love jealousy revenge forgiveness sex passion corruption fate power and death. Combining music with drama creates an exciting spectacle which can convey emotions create moods and portray the inner feelings and desires of characters more powerfully than words alone. Add in wonderful sets costumes and increasingly complex technical effects and you have a genre that embraces all the arts in one.This accessible and engaging introduction has been written for both students and newcomers to opera. Simply explained and illustrated with pictures from a wide range ofproductions it includes:A guide to what to expect when you go to the operaBehind-the-scenes insights into how an opera is put together and staged including set design costumes lighting and technical effectsAn overview of the history and development of opera through the agesAn in-depth look at 12 featured operas from different periods and stylesA playlist of video clips has been chosen to accompany the book.