A Real Gem From An Unlikely Source
591758
Although Goldie is one of my favorite actors, I didn't expect much from this book. In fact, she writes very little about what you would expect; acting, marriages, kids, personalities. But, I was blown away by the books' insight, compassion, inspiration and pure love. I could never improve upon the description of the book by the write-up on the inside flaps. It is a perfect summation of the book. I love the short stories she tells between chapters that she calls 'postcards'.

  The book shows that she's as intelligent and passionate about life as she has been and still is: the funniest, sexiest creature on the screen.

  If you want to know about Goldie's life in the movies, there are other books that tell much more, 'Absolutely Goldie' by Chris Wilson is best I have found (you get a lot of his opinions along with movie facts, however).

 This book is strictly from the heart and so much more valuable. It has a permanent place in my library.
4872195
One curse of an audiophile is often music purchases are made on a single track or the sonic worth of a particular mastering. As a consequence, I have a stack of CD's that are not that musical.
This SACD is recorded with the warmth, detail, depth and spatiousness one would expect from the Chesky label. The wonderful surprise is Rebecca's crystalline voice floating in the phantom center channel with a blend of celtic folk music that  truly appeals to me.
The open and natural rendition of Spanish Harlem is simply stunning, and I am sure has been used at many hi-end audio shops to sell gear.  The double bass is tight, the piano and guitar are not smeared, and the shaker is 7-10 feet back from center stage. Kaleaka, You Got Me and remember me are three songs that are truly enjoyable to listen to simply for the melody and the lyrics.
Normally I click through a CD quickly to find songs that are immediately interesting. I found that I listened to the entire disk, skipping to the end of only two songs. Following this, I put the player on repeat for several hours.
I realize i am a little late discovering her, and many probably know her more for her films, but she has made an instant fan. I am afraid I cannot compare this to the CD version, as I only bought the SACD.
Definitely a worthy addition to any collection.
1711782
This is one of those great albums that may suffer from oblivion, unless people who appreciated its beauty begin to share about it. The whole set of songs maintains an amazing level of realization, both lyrically and in terms of its hushed arrangements. Early on, its mood and unassuming depth of feeling, reminded me of another, recent folk jewell: Damien Rice's "O." Like Rice's, this a work profound longing and immediate tenderness. Both these CDs showed the possibilities of nuance and range that new Folk singers are exploring. Its easy access is far from announcing its lack of superficiality. It's hard to recommend songs here, given the quality of all of them, yet "Amanda's Dream," "Poetry and Aeroplanes" and "I Was Just Thinking," are particularly glorious. I love that young men, like Teitur, are willing to shudder and wonder at their lives this openly, in the context of truly wonderful songs.
2775762
Some of the best literature, whether divinely inspired or not, has long been lost to the world, too often for political ends. Fortunately, volumes like this one, admirably edited by James H. Charlesworth, replenish much of what was "lost" between the time of the Councils at Jamina and Nicaea.

Whatever one's creed or intentions, if one approaches this volume in earnest, one will find much of interest including, but not limited to, strong, implied historical evidence of egregious tampering by the early Church fathers of certain non-canonical works. A good example in this collection is 1 Enoch, which had been in the canon for centuries before being finally removed and, in the West, abandoned. In other instances, copies were, on Church orders, simply destroyed. Fortunately, complete copies of Enoch (or Henok) were preserved in Ethopic texts. In fact, the version of 1 Enoch presented in this volume (translated by E. Isaac) is largely structured on the Ethiopic texts, though the Aramaic fragments found among the Dead Sea Scrolls have been consulted along with Greek and Hebrew renditions. Charlesworth has also included many other fine renditions of apocalyptic works, including selections from the Syriac and Slavonian. Even more is to be had in the many non-canonical Testaments presented here, many with apocalyptic passages.

Matters of whether these "rebel" and "outcast" books appeared to be divinely inspired by the various communities that embraced them is a matter of conjecture, though there are strong hints here and there from the various communities of seekers that preserved these texts around the Mediterranean world. Of greater interest to me was the thoroughness with which each non-canonical text has been researched and translated. Charlesworth should be lauded for at least that contribution to our body of collective knowledge about what was being written and by whom at the end of the pre-Christian era and in the early years of the Common Era.

To the truly curious I recommend both volumes, whether for personal enrichment, Bible study, research, or tasting and comparing various translations of non-canonical literature. This is as unbiased a compilation as I have seen in many years. I rank it with the work being done by scholars like Geza Vermes as invaluable to any person seeking a deeper understanding of the great minds on either side of that turbulent millennium (i.e., give or take 300-500 years either way). Of course these writings can lead one's mind to many other insights and down many other paths of inquiry and thought; that is best left for the individual.

Be assured that this scholarly work is exactly that, and is not only highly-informative about the stories, symbols and myths of non-canonical literature that informed the consciousness of the Near East and eventually the Western world, but this volume does so in a highly accessible way. It is easy to read and certainly gives one pause. Savor it.
3192792
There is quite nothing to add to the exhaustive reviews by Bob Zeidler and Samuel Stephens; besides, everything is also well analyzed in the really complete booklet of this wonderful CD.

I only wish to emphasize that you rarely will listen to something more vivid, spontaneous, creative and unbridled. The twenty-year-old Berlioz, like a not yet tamed thoroughbred, let his innate musical instinct run through unexplored musical prairies.
There were and there will be dozens of wonderful Masses in music, but Berlioz managed to create something absolutely original and peculiar: he leads us outside a town crowded with well built and marvelous cathedrals to find a primitive but phantasmagorical temple, where spirit can freely spread its wings in a spontaneous and heartfelt prayer.

I do not think that the work is interesting because it anticipates unorganized fragments of many ideas Berlioz will later develop and improve. No, it is not only a collection of good,  but immature, sketches; I think the work has an autonomous and absolute value because it is actually naf, and the Author is not an amateur, but one of the most original Geniuses in the history of music.

The fact that here we have a live recording of what was an important media event adds even more vividness to the whole thing; the performance is outstanding and particularly heartfelt: don't miss it!
2523330
This book is an extremely rare find, like a gem in the sand of modern literature. This is the case for 3 reasons:

First, 20th century saintly female characters already are a rarity as such.

Second, 20th century saintly females who were born rich, super-smart with photographic memory and well-connected but gave it all up to pursue God's kingdom and remained faithful till the end are even more rare.

Third, the story of such individuals would usually be written by a third person- student,friend or researcher/biographer, whilst in this case the story is written as personal account by abbess Thaisia herself-making it fully authentic and credible.

Abbess Thaisia is truly a spiritual princess in an information realm dominated by MTV/Hollywood/Bollywood frogs. In addition to providing a great personal example, the book also makes available valuable instructions from Abbess Thaisia's conversations with St John of Kronstadt, the author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/My-Life-in-Christ-or-Moments-of-Spiritual-Serenity-and-Contemplation-of-Reverent-Feeling-of-Earnest-Self-Amendment-and-Peace-in-God/dp/0884650189/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">My Life in Christ, or  Moments of Spiritual Serenity and Contemplation, of Reverent Feeling, of  Earnest Self-Amendment and Peace in God</a>
2115851
I can't believe I am reviewing a title that has been out of print for over fifty years and that probably no one will ever look at, but then again I stumbled upon it and so perhaps you will too. And if you have, let me just say this. This book is a gem. It was published in 1930, just before Mao Zedong rose to prominence (in fact this may be one of the few books about modern China that you will ever read in which his name does not appear even once) and before the Japanese began invading the mainland. So just from that you can see that you will be getting a perspective that you have probably never encountered before. And if that is not enough, this author seems to really know his stuff. Not only does he give you a vivid portrayal of just what China was like during the warlord period of the 1920s, he also provides a perceptive analysis of the situation back then that in many aspects is still relevant to the situation in China today. It turns out, apparently, that many of the problems of modern China that we now attribute to the chaos of the Chairman Mao era were actually already problems before Chairman Mao even arrived on the scene. This is fascinating reading. Hunt down an old library copy like I did or try to find a copy through interlibrary loan. You will be glad that you did.
2469685
I'm not going to critique the entire documentary; others have already done so, and very well.  What I will offer is my opinion that this is truly a worthwhile documentary.  It is comprehensive in scope and draws facts, opinions, and stories from many people, including the band members who seem to be more approachable and reflective than ever seen or heard by the general public.  The bonus disc offers fans rarely, if ever, seen performances and outtakes that have good entertainment value.  Some true gems in the performances.

I'm not thrilled with the disc placement in the case, but overall the packaging is nice and protective.

As always, I'm very satisfied with Amazon's product fulfillment processes.
2884173
This small but 'fat' book is a gem.  Pick it up and open it anywhere to be greeted by insightful, profound and surprising wit. It has such depth that it is obvious the author knows full well, the experience of Zen (on the Path of sudden, joyful and enlightening moments in the Eternal Now).  Laugh out loud at its outrageous facing of truths.  This book is now out of print, so it is a great opportunity to buy it from this source, while still available.
660752
There are a lot of suspect and/or just plain bad publications emerging recently purporting to be insider accounts of this remarkable period in history and, since the subject matter is dear to my heart, I manifest an immediate initial skepticism each time a new offering emerges. Co-author Tom Davis also wrote a recently released bio of SNL which was justifiably panned, which just increased my apprehension.
Happily, I can say "Owsley and Me" has exceeded all expectations by a wide margin. Rhoney Stanley was not only an Owsley familiar for decades, but also an accomplished chemist in her own right who writes with intelligence and exactitude about the alchemical laboratory scene which vaulted Owsley into preeminence in the psychedelic universe. Personal details are not overlooked, and the tone of the book so perfectly captures the Zeitgeist of the era I found myself transported back to those remarkable times as if conveyed by a time machine!
The prose itself is quite competent. Odd little chronological hiccups and non sequiturs do occur, as has been noted by other reviewers, but these are minor in nature and barely interrupt the continuity of the narrative.
I could go on, but, please, just get the book!! What a welcome chronicle to the period!
813739
When I first encountered this Mass as a member of the Paul Madore Chorale, I questioned who is this Paine? Do I really want to spend so much time preparing a piece by an unknown composer which was unlikely to be worth much?  But by the second or third rehearsal I was hooked, as were many other members of the Chorale. This is a deeply moving work, unlike any other--uneven--a few sections seem only workmanlike--but on the whole a wonderful experience, immediately accessible, and of enduring interest.  It's a shame that it is so neglected.  This worthy recording by the St. Louis forces seems to be the only one ever made, and few people are likely to have the opportunity to hear it live.
4858266
This book is a rare find. No aspect of the subject of magic, alchemy, and the history of witchcraft, now and then, is left uncovered. Superb illustrations, artwork, and rare photographs enrich the text. A fairly unusual photo of Alister Crowly and other explicit photos lend an air of enchantment. A treatment of Chaos Magic is included, which lifts the veil and leave no room for misinterpretation of this little-known practice. I highly recommend this book for anyone seriously undertaking the study of this branch of religion for the purpose of understanding.
1431142
My wife gave an earlier Holcomb recording several years ago as a birthday gift. After listening to it once or twice (and reading the fascinating and impassioned liner notes), I set it aside as odd, strange, and most peculiar. Although Roscoe Holcomb is a fluid instrumentalist, his voice is so high and unusual that I did not see how his songs could bear repeated listening.
I was wrong, about as wrong as a body could be. A couple of years later, I picked up "High Lonesome Sound" again and listened to it with care. The peculiar and high-pitched voice grew on me, and I found the powerful and honest delivery moving in the most compelling way. I now think that Roscoe Holcomb stands on a par with Blind Willie Johnson (in his time an equally obscure and strange singer) as one of the greatest exponents of American-born and bred music.
Imagine my surprise when this new recording of Holcomb's was released.  To my amazement, the leftovers that were not included in Holcomb's earlier ("High Lonesome Sound") album are at least as good.  This is a wonderful and astonishing set of recordings.  Lovers of American mountain music should be grateful that this legacy of Holcomb's great artistry has been preserved.
4081472
There are so many books about advertising "best music never heard" that it is certainly possible to call the phrase cliched. Moreover, when one looks through books of this type repeatedly it is apparent that what may not be praised lavishly by&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Rolling-Stone/dp/1932958010/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Rolling Stone</a>&nbsp;could in fact be very well-known to&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/serious-rock-critics-who-understand-the-history-of-the-music-as-a-critic-is-supposed-to/dp/0634028618/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">serious rock critics who understand the history of the music as a critic is supposed to</a>.

As guides of this sort go, "The Rough Guide to the Best Music You've Never Heard", however, must be judged quite well for the presence of some undeniably classic artists who are not as well known to the general public as they should be. The way in which Laura Nyro, ESG, Can, Slint and Godspeed You Black Emperor, all unique artists possessed of music with unique qualities beyond the radar of people who only read mass-circulation magazines, are discussed is impressive. Most surprising as a fan is the information on Godspeed which is unavailable even from sites like Pitchfork or All Music!

Then there is the section of the many lost psych-folk classics of the early 1970s that have only very recently become known to the general public. It's a slight pity they did not mention more songs on&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Parallelograms/dp/B0001XTIUO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Parallelograms</a>, for the description of how a quite inaccessible record came to be released by a major label without touring is very interesting. There are a great many other interesting stories within the book, for instance those on Handsome Family, which were a married couple for decades before playing music.

For people with a different musical taste to mine, I am sure the section on lesser-known heavy rock bands like Blue Cheer and Kyuss will be very valuable: even to me it is quite impressive. The chapter on non-anglophone pop, a genre which experience has told me to be sceptical of because it really is almost never original compared to songs sung in English, is another surprise even if it rarely fires with utter completeness. The section of the lesser-known figures in 1960s and 1970s black music is also pleasing because for decade after decade that genre has been picked clean in a manner rare in popular music. The story of Minnie Riperton is one in particular I never suspected: a black soul singer who inspired Kate Bush!

On the other hand, I can definitely find enough faults with "The Rough Guide to the Best Music You've Never Heard" to prevent myself giving it the full five stars. For one thing, the biographies of the artists discussed could follow a much tighter template than they do. It often seems some are given much more detail than others and that the reasoning behind what is written could be better. Then there are artists like Pavement and albums like Neil Young's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Tonight-s-The-Night/dp/B000002KCC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Tonight's The Night</a>&nbsp;whom readers of even the most mainstream of rock magazines will be familiar with and whom, as Richie Unterberger told me half a decade ago, are not in any sense obscure even though not mass sellers. The sections on "alternative Americana", progressive rock and blues could also have been done better to match the rest of the book.

All in all, "The Rough Guide to the Best Music You've Never Heard" has both valuable information and a large number of interesting sidelights that make it well above average as music guides go. It should help even experienced music listeners like myself find out more, and for those less experienced, even if uneven, it might tech them a great deal.
3182026
I bought this neat coffee-table gem upon recommendation by a friend in Oxford, and I was pleasantly surprised - not by the good quality; I've seen some of authors' work before - but by the angle of the content. As a fan of urban archaeology/exploration, I love photo documentaries about desolate areas or building, particularly when juxtaposed with cityscapes. This book, though, was different: Not only does it portray a part of the world very different to my UK surroundings; it is also the most political work I own in the genre. Typically, the photos I'm drawn to show abandoned industrial facilities, subways, hospital and hotels, all locations that are innately evocative. These images are less immediately dramatic, but once one knows about their background - the conflict - they become intimate and strongly suggestive.

The atmosphere is claustrophobic and the contrast is high, but there is less distance between ruin and ongoing life than I usually see in these books. Where many photographers often aim to portray their objects as lifeless and thoroughly deserted, in "Nicosia..." people move like shadows or just-hinted blurs just beyond the walls, highlighting the absurdity of the conflict that is the reason for the existence of these buildings. My favourite photo is found on page 49: a door and a giant plush toy, both tattered and leaning against a wall, suggesting the lack of an exit and pointing to those who always suffer the most from political clashes.
3167129
As a silent film enthusiast, I am constantly amazed at the rediscovery of old movies long thought to be lost. Many were discovered in archives in Russia and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, occasionally, some turn up in unexpected places like THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC in a closet in a Norwegian asylum or a Mary Pickford film in a barn in New England. THE UNDESIRABLE was recently located in the basement of a Hungarian culture center in New York and returned to Hungary for restoration. The movie is a major find as it gives us the opportunity to view an early work from his native country of one of Hollywood's legendary directors .

Mikhaly Kertesz (who would become Michael Curtiz in America and later direct CASABLANCA) made this 1915 adaptation of a then well known Hungarian play. While the scenario is a pretty standard affair of a servant falsely accused of theft, the film is a remarkable historical document of turn of the 20th century Hungary. The peasant costumes worn by all the characters are visually striking and absolutely authentic (because they're the real deal) while the use of outdoor locations are like picture postcards. Although there is no camera movement in a film of this vintage, Curtiz's camera setups are direct and effective and show an early eye for how to compose a shot.

The performances are a little broad at times but then the characters are meant to be country folk. The actors occasionally step out and gesture directly to the camera (like an aside on stage) but that was normal for European silent cinema at this time. The story concerns a young village girl who goes to the city and finds employment as a maid. After being falsely accused of theft (making her THE UNDESIRABLE of the title), she is forced to go back to her village where her mother, whom she thought dead, has returned after being in jail for murdering her abusive husband. There is a reunion and a highly unexpected twist before the happy ending.

The restoration which took almost a year is absolutely stunning and the film looks gorgeous though I question the use of some of the color tints employed . Why are the city living room scenes gold for example or the return trip to the village green? Also some of the title cards are translated as if in peasant dialect "I am a honest girl" or "she tried to flirt me". The title cards are also "leaders"  telling us what is going to happen rather than what is happening. The newly commissioned score by Attila Pacsay is wonderfully atmospheric and idiomatic especially during the wedding finale. Another excellent silent offering from Olive Films. More please!
2550420
A vastly underrated gem. Definitely worth your time