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alexandracowie's review
3.0
2.5 stars
An interesting account but scattered at times and difficult to follow
An interesting account but scattered at times and difficult to follow
alexandrasklar's review
2.0
Dragged on and the thesis was weak. I did appreciate learning the history of many of my favorite bands and musicians. A few of these references came up in Patti Smith's "Just Kids", which I read shortly after, and that made me appreciate this book a bit more in hindsight.
gingerholli's review
4.0
Satisfied my ongoing fascination with all things Laurel Canyon in the late 60’s early 70’s. Good read indeed.
sewfrench's review
4.0
AKA the Evolution of the Canyon.
Basically a gossipy read about the musicians (and a few celebrities) who moved in and out of the Laurel Canyon area in the late 60s to early 80s, and how it transformed over the years into something different while still being the same. The whose who of the era, Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, John Mayall, the Mamas and the Papas, Carole King, the Eagles, Frank Zappa..., was here before they grew up and moved on. Enjoyable short read.
Basically a gossipy read about the musicians (and a few celebrities) who moved in and out of the Laurel Canyon area in the late 60s to early 80s, and how it transformed over the years into something different while still being the same. The whose who of the era, Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, John Mayall, the Mamas and the Papas, Carole King, the Eagles, Frank Zappa..., was here before they grew up and moved on. Enjoyable short read.
ghostofyesterday's review
4.0
A vividly written account of a very special moment and place in time that had a huge influence on rock 'n roll. There are many fascinating accounts of decadence and creativity in the book, and the author traces a cultural history of two decades in Laurel Canyon, covering everyone from Joni Mitchell to Frank Zappa and the GTOs to Led Zeppelin and even the notorious John Holmes. A must read for fans of the L.A. folk rock scene and of the city itself.
p.s. I found this anecdote especially amusing:
"One of the things I did at Elektra when I was working there was little promotional items," says [Sally] Stevens. "And for Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain' I did little coke mirrors. Everybody gave mirrors. It was very socially acceptable."
p.s. I found this anecdote especially amusing:
"One of the things I did at Elektra when I was working there was little promotional items," says [Sally] Stevens. "And for Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain' I did little coke mirrors. Everybody gave mirrors. It was very socially acceptable."
hinkle's review
So I was listening to the audiobook of this in the car. I had liked some of it, thought some of it was eye-roll worthy or awkward as hell. Then, he started talking about Kim Fowley in glowing terms. I immediately switched to the radio, where unfortunately there was only cricket. So I listened to the cricket. You have any idea how boring listening to cricket is? So very boring. Still better than listening to him extol the virtues of Kim Fowley though.
In case you're wondering why I might have that reaction, have a look at this article: http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/the-lost-girls/ (TW for discussion of rape and sexual assault, specifically of underage girls.)
In case you're wondering why I might have that reaction, have a look at this article: http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/the-lost-girls/ (TW for discussion of rape and sexual assault, specifically of underage girls.)