Customer Reviews

The Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock, and Soul

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

 

 

This is a wonderful book that provides all the information you may need to sate your curiosity about a particular aspect of a band like "Where are they from?", When did this album come out?", "Was she once in this other band?". I've been referring to an earlier edition of this rock encyclopedia by Stamler for 20 years! I felt it was time to get the newer edition for more information and it's great too.

A stiff wind from squaresville, this survey comes to us from a writer/editor at "Rolling Stone"... By definition, that makes its focus fairly mainstream, not that that really detracts much from its value as a reference work (especially considering how snobbish we've gotten about all those bloated, scary AOR bands from the '70s). Some entries seem a bit overlong, and starstruck, but this is a solid reference work.

The beauty of this book is that it is concise. If you want information regarding musical rock you get a succinct overview. I liked how the book covers the diverse music of the 80's. It is a handy reference.

You really can't go wrong with this Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock & Soul. It's pretty standard stuff if you know about your favorite groups. But if you want to know something about a rock group or person whom you know very little about this is a nice book to have. I always seem to be thumbing through it. Words are a good thing.

If you've ever hummed along to Elvis or tapped a toe to the Beatles, you should read this book. Although I always considered myself merely a knoweledgeable amateur of rock and roll, someone who likes to listen to all the greats without really knowing the meaning behind the songs, Irwin Stambler's book opened for me the rich world of 40 years of rock and roll. His encyclopedic knowledge of the singers, groups, music and recording industry and his access to all the biggest stars, give his book a depth and erudition unmatched by other authors. Written for the professional as well as just the person who likes to flip on the radio as he drives to work, this book is a rich source of valuable information about all your favorite singers.

Given to me as a gift, I don't know how many times I chucked it across the room out of sheer frustration. First of all, look at the title! I don't care what dictionary you use, but when I look up "encyclopedia" in mine it's defined as "information on all branches of knowledge or of one subject."

Apparently Mr. Stambler does not think, using just three of the most glaring examples, that Pat Boone, Brenda Lee, and Johnny Mathis - who were popular enough to chalk up 160 charted pop hit singles between them, rate entries even as "pop" artists!!

Instead, what we do get are multiple pages on the likes of Richard Hell, Ian Dury, and Psychedelic Furs!

I can't believe the omissions mentioned above were oversights, so I have to put them down to personal bias on the part of Stambler. He and his friends at Rolling Stone are cut from the same cloth as those at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame who continue to ignore a Connie Francis while opening their doors wide to the likes of Frank Zappa, Parliament/ Funkadelic and The Velvet Underground.

Had his book title included the caveat "according to the personal opinions of Irwin Stambler" I'd have no cause for complaint. As it is, Abraham Lincoln said it best in reference to a book: "People who like this sort of thing will find the sort of thing they like."

Irwin Stambler's "Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock, and Soul," is a must-have for anyone that is truly interested in the history of modern music. As a musician myself, I appreciate the in-depth articles on the lives and times of musicians and groups. Whereas most other music encyclopedias simply list dates and a few relevant facts, Stambler's encyclopedia provides biographies for every artist, often with personal interviews, from Zeppelin to Tina Turner to Elvis. A great place to learn about the artists that you listen to every day. I have contacted the author, and he has informed me that already out is his popular "Encyclopedia of Country Music," and that within the next year we should expect the release of the already finished "Encyclopedia of Folk and Blues."