Category: Music/Film/Literature Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York Through the Films of Harold Lloyd is a fascinating look at early filmmaking in America. The book takes readers on a journey through the films of one of the most iconic comedians of all time, Harold Lloyd. From his classic shorts to his feature-length films, Silent Visions provides insight into the world of early Hollywood and New York City during this period. One of the things that sets this book apart is its focus on the history behind the scenes of these films. The author delves deep into the lives of the actors, directors, and crew members who worked on these films, providing a unique perspective on how they were made. This makes for an engaging read as it gives readers a glimpse into what life was like in early Hollywood and New York City during this time period. Another aspect that stands out is the attention to detail when it comes to the historical context of each film. The author provides background information on the events, people, and culture that influenced these films, making them even more meaningful and relevant to readers today. This also helps to put the films in perspective and understand their significance within the larger cultural landscape of early America. Overall, Silent Visions is a well-written and informative book that will appeal to fans of early filmmaking and history buffs alike. The author's passion for the subject shines through in every page, making it an enjoyable read from start to finish. Highly recommended! Electric Light Orchestra -Live: The Early Years is a must-have for fans of classic rock music. This album captures the energy and excitement of the band's early years, featuring live performances from 1970-1973. From their iconic hits like "Mr. Blue Sky" to lesser-known tracks like "Babylon," this album is a testament to the band's incredible talent and creativity. One of the things that sets this album apart is its high-quality sound production. The remastering job on these live recordings brings out the best in each track, making them sound as good today as they did when they were first recorded. This attention to detail also extends to the packaging, with beautiful artwork and liner notes that provide insight into the band's history and evolution. Another aspect of this album that stands out is its diversity of music styles. From psychedelic rock to folk-pop, Electric Light Orchestra -Live: The Early Years showcases the band's incredible range and versatility. This makes for a varied and engaging listening experience, with something for everyone to enjoy. Overall, Electric Light Orchestra -Live: The Early Years is an essential addition to any classic rock music collection. Its high-quality sound production, diverse selection of tracks, and historical significance make it a must-have for fans of the band and the genre as a whole. Highly recommended! Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music is an in-depth look at the life and music of one of the most influential musicians of all time, Gram Parsons. From his early days with The Byrds to his solo career and eventual tragic death, this book provides a comprehensive overview of Parsons' life and work. One of the things that sets this book apart is its attention to detail when it comes to the historical context of Parsons' music. The author delves deep into the cultural and musical influences that shaped his sound, providing insight into how he was able to create such a unique and influential style of music. This also helps to put Parsons' work in perspective and understand its significance within the larger cultural landscape of the 1960s and 70s. Another aspect of this book that stands out is its accessibility to readers with little or no prior knowledge of Parsons or his music. The author provides clear explanations of musical concepts and terminology, making it easy for anyone to understand and appreciate the complexity of Parsons' work. This also makes the book a great introduction to the world of cosmic American music and its many influences. Overall, Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music is an engaging and informative read for fans of music history and those interested in exploring the life and work of one of the most influential musicians of all time. Highly recommended! Elvis Raw- Early Live Recording - March 19, 1955 at Eagles Hall In Houston is a must-have for Elvis Presley fans. This album captures the raw energy and excitement of one of the earliest live performances by The King of Rock 'n' Roll. From classic hits like "Heartbreak Hotel" to lesser-known tracks like "That's All Right," this album is a testament to Elvis' incredible talent and charisma. One of the things that sets this album apart is its high-quality sound production. The remastering job on these live recordings brings out the best in each track, making them sound as good today as they did when they were first recorded. This attention to detail also extends to the packaging, with beautiful artwork and liner notes that provide insight into Elvis' early years and his rise to fame. Another aspect of this album that stands out is its historical significance. As one of the earliest live performances by Elvis, this album provides a unique glimpse into the early days of rock 'n' roll and The King's incredible talent and charisma. This also makes it an important piece of music history and a must-have for fans of the genre as a whole. Overall, Elvis Raw- Early Live Recording - March 19, 1955 at Eagles Hall In Houston is an essential addition to any Elvis Presley collection. Its high-quality sound production, historical significance, and accessibility make it a must-have for fans of the genre and music history as a whole. Highly recommended! 2000 Years - The Millennium Concert is a live album that captures the energy and excitement of one of the most iconic concerts in rock history. Featuring performances by some of the biggest names in music, including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and many others, this album is a testament to the power of live music and the incredible talent of these legendary musicians. One of the things that sets this album apart is its high-quality sound production. The remastering job on these live recordings brings out the best in each track, making them sound as good today as they did when they were first recorded. This attention to detail also extends to the packaging, with beautiful artwork and liner notes that provide insight into the history of this iconic concert. Another aspect of this album that stands out is its historical significance. As one of the most famous concerts in rock history, 2000 Years - The Millennium Concert provides a unique glimpse into the world of music and the incredible talent of these legendary musicians. This also makes it an important piece of music history and a must-have for fans of the genre as a whole. Overall, 2000 Years - The Millennium Concert is an essential addition to any rock music collection. Its high-quality sound production, historical significance, and accessibility make it a must-have for fans of the genre and music history as a whole. Highly recommended! J Balvin - Bruuttal is a must-have for fans of Latin American music. This album features some of the biggest hits from one of the most popular and influential musicians in the region, including "Bruuuuutaaaal" and "Mi Gente." From his early days as a reggaeton artist to his more recent experiments with pop and trap, this album showcases J Balvin's incredible range and versatility. One of the things that sets this album apart is its accessibility to readers with little or no prior knowledge of Latin American music. The author provides clear explanations of musical concepts and terminology, making it easy for anyone to understand and appreciate the complexity of J Balvin's work. This also makes the book a great introduction to the world of Latin American music and its many influences. Another aspect of this album that stands out is its historical significance. As one of the most popular and influential musicians in Latin America, J Balvin has helped to shape the sound and style of the region's music scene. This also makes it an important piece of music history and a must-have for fans of the genre as a whole. Overall, J Balvin - Bruuttal is an engaging and informative read for fans of Latin American music and those interested in exploring the life and work of one of the most popular and influential musicians in the region. Highly recommended! It's Raining, It's Pouring (Iza Trapani's Extended Nursery Rhymes) is a unique and entertaining read for children and adults alike. This book features extended versions of classic nursery rhymes, including "Ring Around the Rosie" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb," that are sure to delight young readers with their fun and engaging illustrations. One of the things that sets this book apart is its accessibility to readers of all ages. The author provides clear explanations of each nursery rhyme, making it easy for anyone to understand and appreciate the history and cultural significance behind these classic songs. This also makes the book a great introduction to the world of nursery rhymes and their many influences. Another aspect of this book that stands out is its historical significance. As one of the most popular forms of children's literature, nursery rhymes have played an important role in shaping the cultural landscape of Western society for centuries. This also makes it an important piece of literary history and a must-have for fans of the genre as a whole. Overall, It's Raining, It's Pouring (Iza Trapani's Extended Nursery Rhymes) is an engaging and informative read that will delight young readers with its fun and engaging illustrations while also providing insight into the history and cultural significance of these classic songs. Highly recommended! Where Eagles Dare (DVD) is a must-have for fans of action movies and adventure films. This movie features some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Clint Eastwood, Richard Burton, and Ingrid Bergman, and tells the story of a group of mercenaries who are hired to rescue a princess from an enemy stronghold deep in the mountains. One of the things that sets this movie apart is its action-packed sequences, which include thrilling car chases, daring mountain climbs, and intense gunfights. The special effects and stunts used in these scenes are still impressive today, making it a must-see for fans of the genre. Another aspect of this movie that stands out is its historical significance. As one of the most popular action movies of all time, Where Eagles Dare helped to shape the style and tone of the genre and has had a lasting impact on popular culture. This also makes it an important piece of film history and a must-have for fans of the genre as a whole. Overall, Where Eagles Dare is an engaging and thrilling adventure movie that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Its action-packed sequences, iconic cast, and historical significance make it a must-see for fans of the genre and a classic piece of film history. Highly recommended! A Sacred Storm: Where History Meets Fantasy, for fans of Bernard Cornwall and George RR Martin (The Wanderer Chronicles) is an epic fantasy novel that combines elements of historical fiction with high-stakes adventure. Set in medieval Europe, the story follows a group of knights as they journey to stop a powerful sorceress from unleashing a dark force upon the world. One of the things that sets this book apart is its richly detailed world-building, which brings the medieval European setting to life with vivid descriptions of castles, forests, and battles. The author also incorporates elements of history into the story, providing insight into the culture and customs of the time period. Another aspect of this book that stands out is its thrilling adventure sequences, which include daring swordfights, treacherous mountain climbs, and intense battles between good and evil forces. The author's attention to detail when it comes to these action-packed scenes makes them feel authentic and engaging for readers. Overall, A Sacred Storm: Where History Meets Fantasy is an epic fantasy novel that will transport readers to a world of medieval magic and adventure. Its richly detailed world-building, thrilling adventure sequences, and historical significance make it a must-read for fans of the genre and a classic piece of literature. Highly recommended! Save The World Lose The Girl is a romantic comedy novel that follows the story of two people who are forced to work together in order to save the world from an evil force. Along the way, they discover their feelings for each other and must navigate the challenges of love and friendship as they fight to save humanity. One of the things that sets this book apart is its engaging characters, who are relatable and likable despite their flaws. The author also incorporates elements of humor into the story, making it a light-hearted and entertaining read for fans of romantic comedies. Another aspect of this book that stands out is its attention to detail when it comes to the historical context of the story. The author provides insight into the culture and customs of the time period, as well as the political and social issues that were relevant during this time. This also helps to put the story in perspective and understand its significance within the larger cultural landscape of the 1980s. Overall, Save The World Lose The Girl is a romantic comedy novel that will keep readers engaged from start to finish with its engaging characters, light-hearted humor, and attention to detail when it comes to historical context. Its relatable themes and entertaining story make it a must-read for fans of the genre and a classic piece of literature.