From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-The lyrics to 25 of the previous century's most famous popular songs are handwritten by the writers and further explored through archival photographs and interviews. The styles range from "It Was a Very Good Year" to "Boom Boom," and the songwriters are as varied as Jimmie Davis and Grace Slick. The lyricists share insights into such subjects as the creative process, the practical aspects of working as an entertainer, the personal and cultural influences shaping their work, and their take on the state of the music industry today. There is plenty here to interest readers intrigued by popular music and the lives of the artists who create it, and the lavishly illustrated book is enhanced by two beautifully edited audio CDs.Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
"Our house is a very, very, very fine house. With two cats in the yard, life used to be so hard..." In 1970, "Our House" was recorded and released by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and immediately became a sentimental favorite for millions of fans. Its honest, romantic, homespun lyrics expressed a sentiment felt by all of us. To this day, the song remains a classic and is one whose melody and lyrics can be sung and repeated by the millions of people whose lives it touched. Songs like these and many others have created landmark moments in all of our lives, marking and celebrating key events, past and better times, current relationships, and hopes for the future. Now, Manuscript Originals has compiles the stories behind a collection of 25 of the world's most celebrated songs in Off The Record, a stunning book and CD collection that will commemorate the impact these classic songs have had in our contemporary world. Original handwritten images of the lyrics from these classic songs rendered by their original authors and accompanied by the songwriter's own artwork will be displayed in each of the book's 25 chapters. In addition, readers will find historical, social and "off the cuff" personal insights about these fascinating people and the music they produced. Illuminating photographs - some from the writer's or performer's personal archive that have never been seen before - will also document the journey of each artist's individual songwriting path. While the names of some of the songwriters included in Off the Record are better known to the general public than others, the songs these artists are associated with are some of the most famous titles in the world. Among the songwriters included are Graham Nash, David Crosby, Grace Slick, Ben E. King, Jimmie Davis ("You Are My Sunshine"), John Lee Hooker, Waylon Jennings, Randy Bachman, Peter Yarrow, and many, many more. The CDs enclosed in Off The Record include individual audio interviews from selected writers about their famous song's origin and the songwriter's perspectives on the creative process. A musical rendition of the song and/or its famous melody will also be represented. All told, Off the Record presents a remarkable and unique look into the world of songwriters and their classic songs. It gives the general consumer the ability to personally connect with some of the most beloved music of our times.

FROM OUR EDITORS

We all know the songs: Grace Slick's "White Rabbit"; Ben E. King's "Stand By Me"; Randy Bachman's "American Woman"; Paul Anka's "My Way"; Waylon Jennings's "Good Hearted Woman"; Paul Yarrow's "Puff the Magic Dragon." But how many of us know the stories behind the songs? Graham Nash, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and the lyricist for "Our House," has collected the inside skinny on 25 pop hits. This impressive package includes the artist's handwritten image of the lyrics of his or her classic song; biographical information; and an illustrated history and career chronology of the creator and the song. The enclosed CDs contain the original versions of each song; in-depth interviews with the musicians; and discussions about songwriting and the creative process.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Our house is a very, very, very fine house. With two cats in the yard, life used to be so hard..."

In 1970, "Our House" was recorded and released by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and immediately became a sentimental favorite for millions of fans. Its honest, romantic, homespun lyrics expressed a sentiment felt by all of us. To this day, the song remains a classic and is one whose melody and lyrics can be sung and repeated by the millions of people whose lives it touched.

Songs like these and many others have created landmark moments in all of our lives, marking and celebrating key events, past and better times, current relationships, and hopes for the future. Now, Manuscript Originals has compiled the stories behind a collection of 25 of the world's most celebrated songs in Off the Record, a stunning book and CD collection that will commemorate the impact these classic songs have had in our contemporary world. Original handwritten images of the lyrics from these classic songs rendered by their original authors and accompanied by the songwriter's own artwork will be displayed in each of the book's 25 chapters. In addition, readers will find historical, social, and "off the cuff" personal insights about these fascinating people and the music they produced. Illuminating photographs-some from the writer's or performer's personal archive that have never been seen before-will also document the journey of each artist's individual songwriting path. While the names of some of the songwriters included in Off the Record are better known to the general public than others, the songs these artists are associated with are some of the most famous titles in the world. Among the songwriters included are Graham Nash, David Crosby, Grace Slick, Ben E. King, Jimmie Davis ("You Are My Sunshine"), John Lee Hooker, Waylon Jennings, Randy Bachman, Peter Yarrow, and many, many more.

The CDs enclosed in Off the Record include individual audio interviews from selected writers about their famous song's origin and the songwriter's perspectives on the creative process. A musical rendition of the song and/or its famous melody will also be represented.

All told, Off the Record presents a remarkable and unique look into the world of songwriters and their classic songs. It gives the general consumer the ability to personally connect with some of the most beloved music of our times.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal