John Tait (1)

This book certainly gives lots of anecdotal information about the careers of vanda and young. Well over 100 pages spent on the Easybeats period. It is an interesting read if you are looking for a linear histiporical narrative, it also has some biographical material on the pair and other key players in that band and various other bands that they participated in in one way or another. It is definitely not an insiders view or Prespective on their long term role as hit makers and/ or shapers of Australian popular music or culture. Sure, it says they did it, but really only in a linear narrative form, like they produced this band and that band and this solo singer and so on. Anyone, with the slightest interest in Australian contemporary music will know most of this stuff, sure there are some interesting snippets of new information. But this is not an siders view and certainly gives no information on the hit factory, no internal perspective at all and barely a glimpse of any tools used. Hey the power of the rythm guitar, that is earth shattering news. The full listing of there material is of some interest, as is who has covered what, but hey it's not worth producing a book to give us that, it could have all been put on a website, if it's not already. And do we really need to know all the rich and famous musicians who think vanda and young are wonderful? Really! This book is a sham, as it misrepresents itself. It should be called the history of vanda and young. Have rattled my sword, I will admit, it was a nice light read. But it is not what it presents to be.… (altro)