Synopses & Reviews
With a string of number-one hits showcasing Karen Carpenter's warm and distinctive vocals and Richard Carpenter's sophisticated compositions and arrangements, the Carpenters were responsible for some of the most popular music of the 1970s, and this compendium collects more than 50 articles, interviews, essays, reviews, and reassessments that chronicle the lives and career of this brother-sister musical team. Writings from pop journalists and historians such as Daniel J. Levitin, John Tobler, Digby Diehl, Ray Coleman, Robert Hilburn, and Lester Bangs provide insight into the music and personalities of the duo who produced such timeless pop music. From serious musical analyses of the Carpenters arrangements to lighter pieces in which Karen and Richard discuss dating, cars, and high school, this new edition has been revised and expanded to include nearly a dozen additional pieces, some of which have never been published.
Review
"Unquestionably, the definitive historical recalling of the Carpenters . . . . Like the Carpenters' music, Schmidt's book about them delivers brilliantly, combining the talents of a gifted editor, the dedication of a devoted fan, and the admirable work of the writers he chose." —New England Entertainment Digest
Review
"This narrative down memory lane proves to be a pleasant trip . . . . Yesterday Once More is a pastiche of mostly affectionate and warm portrayals of two talented people who, in spite of their human frailties, gave the world a lasting legacy of music." —Amplifier
Review
"There was always something of the night about the Carpenters . . . . This compendium of interviews, concert reviews, and critical essays spans the duo's career and beyond." —Mojo
Review
"Fascinating . . . . It's not just the 'behind the music' insights that make this book important. . . . Yesterday Once More will make you want to dust off those old LPs and rediscover the Carpenters' pop magic." —DISCoveries
Review
"What looks on the surface like an uncritical celebration of an American pop institution turns out to be a fascinating exercise in musical archaeology . . . . Endlessly intriguing." —Record Collector
Review
“Its a good resource for Carpenters fans, allowing you to watch the duos story unfold and see how the duos legacy has been re-evaluated since Karens tragic death.” —Goldmine
Review
“Who was the ‘real Judy Garland—the diminutive woman who lived a life away from the camera? Judy Garland on Judy Garland is an intriguing and seductive look at the icon through the eyes of the fragile woman who lived in the shadow of her own stardom. At last, we can read what Judy Garland thought of her talents, her struggles, her achievements, and her life. This is the true story of an international superstar whom the public never really knew. Flirtatious, defiant, sympathetic, contradictory, funny, sad, and charming—Judy Garland.” —Michael Gregg Michaud, author of Sal Mineo: A Biography
Review
“The Holy Grail for fans of Judy Garland! Randy L. Schmidt is the Indiana Jones of Garland archeology. Never before has Judy been given such a laser-focused spotlight to speak for herself—and like her greatest musical performances, she takes center stage and wows us with every phrase. Careening from the hilarious to the gut-wrenching, Judy will charm your socks off! This book is not just over the rainbow, its out of the world!” —Sam Irvin, author of Kay Thompson: From Funny Face to Eloise
Synopsis
With a string of number-one hits showcasing Karen Carpenter's warm and distinctive vocals and Richard Carpenter's sophisticated compositions and arrangements, the Carpenters were responsible for some of the most popular music of the 1970s, and this compendium collects more than 50 articles, interviews, essays, reviews, and reassessments that chronicle the lives and career of this brother-sister musical team. Writings from pop journalists and historians such as Daniel J. Levitin, John Tobler, Digby Diehl, Ray Coleman, Robert Hilburn, and Lester Bangs provide insight into the music and personalities of the duo who produced such timeless pop music. From serious musical analyses of the Carpenters' arrangements to lighter pieces in which Karen and Richard discuss dating, cars, and high school, this new edition has been revised and expanded to include nearly a dozen additional pieces, some of which have never been published.
Synopsis
Judy Garland on Judy Garland is the closest we will come to experiencing and exploring the legends planned autobiography. Collecting and presenting the most important Garland interviews and encounters that took place between 1935 and 1969, this work opens with her first radio appearance under contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and concludes with her last known interview, one taped for Radio Denmark just months before her death. What makes this collection unique is that it places Judy in the role of storyteller. She wrote a number of essays for various publications and sat for countless print, radio, and television interviews. These and other autobiographical efforts she made are proof that Judy Garland wanted her story told in her own words. Finally, 45 years after her death, here it is.
About the Author
Randy L. Schmidt teaches music in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He served as creative consultant for several television documentaries on the Carpenters, including the E! True Hollywood Story, A&Es Biography, and VH1s Behind the Music. He is the author of Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter. He lives in Denton, Texas.