Off The Record: Songwriters on Songwriting 
asked by blueoasis on October 30, 2006 11:48 AM
"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.
Reviews
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This book is an absolute Gem!I just spent the afternoon enjoying this terrific book and the 2 CD's that came along with it.25 great songs, mainly from the second half of the 20th. century,and the songwriters behind them.The songs and writers were so well chosen that it's hard to imagine anyone not liking most,if not all,the choices.
To listen to these Artists talk about their lives,work,and the things that meant so much to them is a real treat.The interviews are all very personal and it seems that everything was spontaneous and came right from the heart.
Here is some of what you'll find:
"If you wanna make it,you can't fake it,you gotta live it."
Hank Williams Sr.
"The answer,my friend,is blowing in the wind."
Peter Yarrow will tell you what it means.
"You don't hit a home run every time you come to bat.You don't hit oil every time you drill."Jimmie Davis,Gov.Louisiana and writer of "You are my Sunshine".
"Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your Cold,Cold Heart." Where did Hank get that title?
"The Dragon lives forever and has been with us for 3 or 4 generations." Peter Yarrow
"Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree." L.Russell Brown tells us what prompted this one.
"Love is Like a Burning Ring of Fire"What gave Merle Kilgore and June Carter Cash the idea for this song?
I am reluctant to say anything negative about this super book;but I felt a letdown after the end of each interviev on the CD's.I think the songs should have been included in their entirety;but then again it would have been impossible to give it only 5 stars.
I read the book and then listened to the CD's;and found that a good order.
Finally,I'd recommend you read the other reviews.They all have something to add.
reviewed by rob33 on November 6, 2006 9:55 AM
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. . . was the music! I was surprised and mildly disappointed that the CD's didn't include the original recordings of the songs talked about. Other than that it was most enjoyable
reviewed by theriver on November 27, 2006 3:15 AM
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"Off The Record: Songwriters on Songwriting" by Graham Nash is WONDERFUL!
It features
Full color artistic renderings the lyrics of 25 famous songs by the original songwriters.
Songs like True Colors, What a Wonderful World, Never My Love, and many more.
Pictures of the songwriters and artists.
Interviews with the songwriters.
Then 2 CD's filled with songwriter interviews where you get to hear some of the story about what inspired the featured song and other songs the songwriter wrote.
"Songwriters on Songwriting" is beautiful and delightful.
Ande Rasmussen
Songwriter
Editor and Publisher of Inspirations for Songwriters
President of Austin Songwriters Group
reviewed by literary on November 27, 2006 11:05 PM
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A visually stunning book for music lovers or casual fans. The multimedia format really takes the music and lyrics to a new level. Cheers to Graham for this wonderful effort!
reviewed by teacher on November 28, 2006 12:15 AM