The definitive book on the worlds most beloved musical; The Sound of Music Companion charts the incredible and enduring story of Maria von Trapp and her story over the last hundred years - from Marias birth in Vienna in 1905 to the 50th anniversary of the films release in 2015. The book details every step in the evolution of this masterwork from real-life to page to stage to film to international phenomenon. It profiles every creative artist who has helped to shape the musical version of the von Trapp Family story - from Rodgers and Hammerstein and Mary Martin to Robert Wise; Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer - and includes landmark international stage productions; the movie in pop culture and the 2012 TV movie. Folded into the saga are guest appearances by Petula Clark; Carol Burnett; John Coltrane; Noeuml;l Coward; Carrie Underwood and Connie Walsh. Included are more than 170 pictures; many never seen before; in addition to: Complete lyrics to a dozen songs Rare manuscript pages from the pens of Rodgers and Hammerstein A map of Salzburg and the films locations Unseen storyboards from the film Updates on the Sing-A-Long phenomenon
#3398259 in eBooks 2015-01-29 2015-01-29File Name: B00SYHVJK6
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Essential for Fans of Ryan Adams Early WorkBy Keith HewittI wasnt expecting to like this book. Ive read a couple of atrocious 331/3 volumes and had already pigeon-holed this book as another of them. Menconi is probably some small town journalist attempting to ride the coattails of Mr. Adams fame (like a part time community college professor who "sat next to John Grisham in one class" and is therefore some kind of creative writing authority)...this was my assumption anyway. Full disclosure: Menconi is active in (at least) one online Ryan Adams club and; when I reached out to him; very personable; friendly; and perfectly willing to answer questions. Not at all the kind of self-aggrandizing dork I was expecting.Having now completed the book - in probably less than twelve hours; I really couldnt put it down - I am especially grateful that Mr. Menconi has given Ryan Adams fans this account. Ive always thought we owe it to celebrities to allow their private lives to be private; yet nevertheless its fascinating to imagine a scruffy 17-year old kid sleeping in a closet and sluffing off in a dishpit; fantasizing about; practicing; and eventually assimilating into his version of a rock star. Human beings are complicated - Ryan Adams no less. Its hard not to wince at the number of times he burned bridges or allowed others to get ground up under his tires. Menconi doesnt paint an especially pretty picture of Ryan; but his account does seem like a fairly honest one.Like good music you come back to after a dozen years; the novelty wears off and gets replaced with nostalgia for that younger version of yourself. When I first "discovered" Ryan Adams around Thanksgiving of 2001; I had the extraordinary pleasure of getting to dive into his already robust back catalog and I related to all of it. It changed my life. Ryan Adams handed me a lexicon that brought language (and chord progressions) to a heretofore unexplored part of my own landscape. Flash forward a decade and a half and Im no longer that fledgling bipolar artist working in record stores and dishpits. (Im a father and a comfortable; slow-moving old bore now). Reading Menconis book brought me back to being young; unsure; and not yet possessing the language to describe my place in the world; this time with eyes capable of seeing the innocence; hunger; and overflowing passion for music that my idols have all had.I dont agree with every detail of Menconis assessment of various albums or eras in Ryans career; but nevertheless its a fascinating and quick read. Again; Im thankful that its there for us fans. Like a batch of demos compared to a completed album; its always interesting to see what well-crafted songs looked like when they were still in process. Such is the case with the Ryan Adams we see in this book. Essential for fans of his early work.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This is a highly entertaining account of one of the USs greatest current singer-songwriters and the North Carolina music sceneBy K.Menconis book offers a richly drawn portrait of the singers life and career in his pre-solo days as the singer and guitarist in Whiskeytown. Menconi is an astute and generous biographer; not averse to drawing attention to DRAs flaws on occasion but also focused on an even-handed and perceptive account of the prolific amount of music that DRA was producing in his late teens and 20s. Menconi interviewed DRA on many occasions and was able to draw on these interviews as he documents DRAs early bands in Raleigh and the tempestuous times in Whiskeytown that ultimately led to Ryans solo career. This is a highly entertaining account of one of the USs greatest current singer-songwriters and the North Carolina music scene from which he emerged!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The book is a good read for any Ryan Adams fanBy GHRDavid Menconi is a solid writer. The book is a good read for any Ryan Adams fan. That being said; this book is written by a music journalist. There is A LOT of descriptive music nuance about; other bands; influences; technique; the music scene at the time; etc.; that I personally found to be a little tedious.
