Customer Reviews

Bootleg: The Secret History of the Other Recording Industry

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really like this imperfect book about the beginnings of rock and roll bootlegging -- as distinguished from the jazz and opera boots which are another, equally interesting story.

This story will have resonance with those who know the theology of rock music from the '60s and '70s -- why Dylan or the Stones were so "important" to so many people. If you know what I'm talking about, you will enjoy this tale of serious fandom.

In the interest of full disclosure I must admit I know a couple of people written about in the book -- their reaction to it was a good deal more ambivalent than mine, and I'm sure the author did get some things wrong. After all he wasn't there, and they were.

But if you are at all interested in this topic (there must be a few out there) by all means buy this book.

P.S. I'm happy to see from the last (and only!) comment that Scandinavia remains a bastion of serious pop music fanatics.....

I was excited when this book came out, but it fell short of my expectations. I was hoping for some great stories from the good old days of bootlegging, but this reads more like a history book and is, sadly, written by someone who wasn't even involved in the business.

This book is good for someone who is interested in learning a bit about bootlegging, but I'm holding my breath for the day that a first person account of the world of early bootlegging comes out!!

_Bootleg_ is a fascinating, enthralling book, which I expect would be interesting to anybody regardless of their particular position on the morality of bootlegging. To be sure, Heylin comes solidly in the corner of "let the music be free," but is hardly obstrusive about that fact. Small research errors aside, Bootleg is an amazing look at a once-thriving musical subculture.

Which is, I guess, my one point of reservation here. The bootleg scene has changed so massively and, perhaps, immeasurably, during the past ten years that _Bootleg_ begins to read as more of a pure history book on days long past than as a record of something vibrant. The advent of CDRs, in particular, has totally changed the dynamic in which bootleg recordings are distributed and manufactured. A 21st century update which recognizes the birth of these trends would be very appreciated.

Just like the name said, book tells the history of boots. But, its not just that, there's larger story in whole for that the book tells also the story of dark side of the recording industry.

To put it briefly, its also a story of ways controlling the market, using copyrights and blank tape fees to take not the slice of a pie but the whole cake. Read it yourself if you got interested.

While a very interesting book with a few enjoyable stories about bootlegging this book was also a bit of a disappointment.Firstly the authors own feelings about certain bands and performers is rather clear.For example its fairly obvious that the author has a great love of The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan and is not to fond of The Beatles,a point of view I admit I do not entirely share.I love Dylan and The Stones but The Beatles will forever be my favorites.Granted its clear that while not involved in bootlegs himself at any point the author is a big fan of them thus a hard core music fan and hardcore music fans do tend to have even stronger opinions than most people.Still I must say it would be nice to have a book that gives an overview of bootlegs from a more unbiased point of view,maybe thats to much to ask but I am still hoping to find a book like that someday.I don't need someone that loves The Beatles to write such a book(since there are already such books out there)simply someone that can keep themselves out of the book a bit more so to speak.At times the book reads a bit more like a critique of rock music and thats not what I was looking for in this particular book but an overview of the history of the rock bootleg industry.
The other problem with this book is at times Clinton Heylin also has a habit of going off into long explinations of the workings of national and international copywrite law.I would understand at least some of this being in there as it relates to the subject but he goes a bit far with it and it makes the book drag at times(unless of course you want to study copywrite law that is).
Overall this is a fairly enjoyable book and worth reading with a number of worthwhile stories in it but it could have been better.Personally I am still looking for the book that will give a real insightful look at the history of rock bootlegs.

Great insight into the history of musical bootlegging and how it still remains to be a thorn in the side of the major record Co's. Invaluable!

If you are like me you remember the thrill of finding that local record shop that had a nice mix of "boots" in with the "regular" vinyl that you would occasionally stumble upon. Sure, you had to drop significant cash for these "imports", but you always knew this one would be worth it. Well, this book is a great way to relive some of that experience as the author tells the story of the bootleg industry including how it worked and who was involved. This is one I'll read over and over.

I first read this book from the library and instantly knew I had to get a copy. As a live recording collector and fanatic, this book is an excellent read! A huge thank you to Mr. Heylin for writing this book. If you like live "Recordings of Indeterminate Origin", or "Recordings of Independent Origin" and/or collect for the historical signifigance of each live recording, get this book! You can't go wrong. Especially for the price here.

These guys are the worst. The seller that is, not the book. Never received it. They never respond to repeated inquiries. If you are looking for something you'll never receive then this is the seller for you. How amazon tolerates them on their site baffles me. Steer wide and clear of this incompetent seller. Books by Loi - I imagine someone feeds and dresses them each day.

Growing up in Los Angeles. I remember going into music stores that had rows of Bootlegs. I did have Zeps (or not zeps) Blueberry Hill. Lots of Deep Purple & Alice Cooper. It was true! You could see a show,10 days later? Thar she blows! RECORD WORLD in LA PUENTE did have the best! You can tell the world was Bob Dylon for Clinton Heylin. Listening to the Beatles fart was about the leval of most Bootlegs. But thats what we wanted to get a wiff of,right?,lol! }:-D My step-brother Rick had at least 200 or more! But for me nothing like the real deal.