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Summary: An insight into the songwriting process
Review: The author interviews songwriters about their songwriting habits, attitudes, experiences and inspirations. Each songwriter has something unique to say. The interviews are educational, insightful, and occasionally inspiring. There are many interviews, so the book is a very good value for the price. This book tells you how songwriters think and feel. The focus is on intangible artistic creation, vs. mechanical songwriting techniques.
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Summary: fantastic inspiration
Review: the person who wrote that this book contains "dull rock stars" has obviously not read this book. the interviews are very comprehensive and go beyond the standard "so, how's the babes?" format of rock magazine interviews. zollo asks the artists about their inspirations, about the chord changes, about whether it should be done on piano, or guitar, about why that chord ended up being a 7th and so on, without being sycophantic like many interviewers. it's true, that if you are not a songwriter, you may not be too interested in this book. however, my brother who does not write music, but is a huge music fan, loved reading about his favourite recording artist's methods of madness. the leonard cohen interview stands out. one can almost sense the frustration he has with song writing....it seems almost love/hate. zollo describes cohen's living room and i can picture the master sitting cross legged on the floor, with a furrowed brow explaining why he re-writes and re-writes year after year each line of his songs before they see the light of day, if they ever do. get his book! you'll never tire of it.
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Summary: Quick description of book
Review: This book is a must for all songwriters and fans of great music -- 52 interviews with the greatest songwriters of our time -- from Sammy Cahn through Bob Dylan through Paul Simon up to and beyond R.E.M. These discussions allow these songwriters to talk seriously and in-depth about their great songs and about the creative process. Many great songwriters who have already passed away are included, such as Frank Zappa, Laura Nyro, Harry Nilsson and others. This book is entertaining, informative and archival. And on the subject of songwriting, I don't think there is any other that is better. Paul Zollo
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Summary: Get it, Read it, Ponder it, Implement it, BE...
Review: This book is a must have for any serious poet/singer/songwriter. The author breaks it down with the best of the best. The work sheds light on inspiration, perspiration and infatuation with the muse. After reading it you are guaranteed to pick up your guitar and begin noodling. Enjoy
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