All of Me [Hardcover]

Anne Murray (Author), Michael Posner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2009

In this revealing autobiography, Canada’s first lady of song, for the first time, tells the whole story of her astonishing 40-year career in show biz. It is a candid retrospective of the extraordinary success achieved, and the prices that had to be paid.

“After ‘Snowbird’ hit, I was swept up like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and catapulted into a strange new universe … If I thought for a moment that I was really in control of events, I was deluded.” Anne Murray

An unflinching self-portrait of Canada’s first great female recording artist, All of Me documents the life of Anne Murray, from her humble origins in the tragedy-plagued coal-mining town of Springhill, Nova Scotia, to her arrival on the world stage. Anne recounts her story: the battles with her record companies over singles and albums; the struggle with drug- and alcohol-ridden band members; the terrible guilt and loneliness of being away from her two young children; her divorce from the man who helped launch her career, Bill Langstroth; and the deaths of two of her closest confidantes. The result is a must-read autobiography by Canada’s beloved songbird.

Editorial Reviews

Review

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

"It is warm, straightforward and candid, and Posner has wisely dimmed his own stylistic light in order to let her voice come through. And it does, sometimes with low-key, self-deprecating humour and surprising honesty, and always with a lack of pretentiousness."
— The Globe and Mail

"In keeping with Murray's down-to-earth honesty, the [book]...provides a balanced account of her life that covers both career highs (her 54 million records sold and dozens of awards) and personal lows (the dissolution of her marriage and her daughter's struggle with anorexia)."
— Calgary Sun

"Anne Murray's new memoir blows the lid off her image as the fresh-faced all-Canadian singing sensation.... A fast-paced and revealing autobiography."
— Winnipeg Free Press

"Murray is the queen of Nova Scotia.... The notoriously private singer finally open[s] up about her astounding life in All of Me."
— The Salt Lake Tribune

About the Author

Born and raised in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Anne Murray has enjoyed an unparalleled career, delighting millions with her signature voice and time-honoured songs. Over a four-decade-long career, she’s sold 54 million records, putting more than 30 pop hits, 50 country tunes and over 40 adult contemporary songs on the Billboard charts.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Canada (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307398447
• ISBN-13: 978-0307398444
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.3 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #354,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Very Informative", October 27, 2009

By 

Terry Richard "Terry Richard" (Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: All of Me (Hardcover)

Anne Murray reached superstardom in 1970 when she released "Snowbird". She eventually became a household name thanks to many hits that were not only successful on the country charts, but the pop charts as well. "You Needed Me" became Anne's signature song propelling her to worldwide recognition. Anne has the respect from her peers and her fans as not only a fantastic vocalist, but a woman who has class and morality. Never popping up in the tabloids, Anne has lived a solitary life, so it was with great interest when I heard Anne was writing her memoirs. In "All of Me" fans finally get a glimpse into what makes Anne Murray. She documents her early success in the 1970's, a success she was not ready for. She eventually became a regular on CBS's "Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour", recorded multiple hit albums, toured throughout the world, performed in Vegas, and received accolades from some of the biggest names in the music business, most notably Elvis Presley who stated Anne was his favorite singer. In these pages Anne discusses how she felt out of place being in the splotlight, her troubles with certain band members who participated in drug and alcohol abuse, her eventual divorce from her husband, her daughter's bout with anerexia, and the loss of some very close people who were dear to her. Perhaps I am a bit biased as I have always admired and respected Anne Murray, not just because she is an extraordinary person, but because she was born and raised in the same area that I am from in eastern Canada. She also attended the same university that I did, the University of New Brunswick. "All of Me" is an excellent read, not just for music lovers, but for those who want an insight into the background on one of the most private and famous singers of all-time.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Straight, Clean and Simple, October 31, 2009

By 

Satisfied Lone Wolf (Timonium, MD) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: All of Me (Hardcover)

Kudos for Anne Murray in writing a book that highlights her life and career but does not cheapen itself with tacky gossip or mean spirited comments. This is a book for the Anne Murray fan, who appreciates her talents and her integrity for not falling into the star maker machinery behind the popular song. I enjoyed the family portraits, and early days when Anne was discovering her talent in Nova Scotia. Her family certainly did take the d out of dysfunction, and painted a portrait of a not perfect, but normal, loving family. A nice relief from the celebreties who write tell alls that end up being empty and passive aggressive.

Anne gives us snippets of her life with her family, her daughters struggles with anorexia,drug abuse with band members, the gay rumor mill,business stuggles, her marriage, and loss of friends and beloved manager as well as highlights the control of record executives who tried to run her career. But throughout her career, Anne remained a simple girl, who mostly did not operate out of narcissim, but soared through pure talent, friendship and intuition.

I was most interested in the music, her decision to leave working with Brian Ahern right after her best ( in my opinion) album was released, Highly Prized Possession in favor of a LA based producer who was all slick and brass- Tom Catalano, who did not understand her. And her meetings with David Foster and the work she did with him in producing "Now and Forever", her last megahit were absorbing. I remember the "Midnight Special" period, which my favorite time of Annes career and the toll it took on her. But this was the time when my favorites were created. I would have liked to have heard more about the recording of the cd, Anne Murray, where her song with Bryan Adams was done, as that was another album that was underappreciated. She kind of jetted through that period.

We still get glimpses of other celebs who entered her life-Seinfeld, Don Rickles, Burt Reynolds, Dusty Springfield, Alice Cooper. It was hard to imagine Anne hanging out at Alice Cooper, but there it was in print. I respect Anne for not dragging out the pain of her divorce or her daughter's struggles, as it is obvious that this book was not written to hurt, but to inform.

I did find some record inconsistencies. I did not think that David Foster produced the entire Now and Forever album, only that one song, but the book let me to believe that. And Anne indicates that Jim Ed Norman produced Jennifer Warnes first album, when he only produced 2 songs on that product- Jim Price did the rest. Interesting to me that she picked him as a result of "Right Time of the Night" and "I'm Dreaming". Her intuition served her well. When her "Christian" album was produced, it was selling like hotcakes in Christian book stores and Anne was thought to be another "born again" celebrity. I would have like to have heard how this came to be, and how she got such access to the evangelical market as a Catholic. This was avoided.

Anne is sensible. She indicates that she will no longer record or perform, and that is a good decision. Her vocal chops are weary as her most recent cd's show us. It is always sad to be when singers perform way past their prime. Anne has chosen to walk away before
she has become a has been. I will miss her recordings but will have fond memories which this book helps preserve.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All of Me by Anne Murray, December 9, 2009

By 

Frenchie (Delaware County, PA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: All of Me (Hardcover)

I have been an Anne Murray fan since the "Snowbird" days. Her book is a wonderful read! I recognized many of the stories/events. She really opened her heart and soul to the public. The personal pictures really add the her life story and career. I will miss her performing at concerts.