Customer Reviews

Leppard Tracks: Misty Dreamers, 1977-2008

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

 

 

This is the ultimate resource book for Def Leppard fans.

Leppard Tracks is a whopping 450 page plus book that details the history of the band through means of tour dates, album releases, and interviews from various sources. From the bands early and eager up bringing in Sheffield to their multiple jaunts around the world, Leppard Tracks follows them step by step.

The book is basically written chapter by chapter in a very neat and organized way. The structure is as follows: When/where/how/etc. an album was recorded. The breakdown of the album song by song, which ones were singles, various B-sides included and even some light is shed on a few unreleased songs. Then the tour dates with anecdotes thrown in-between from various interview sources. While none of these interviews are "brand new" or conducted by the author himself (that's what makes this book UN-official), there are placed well to fill the gaps of information, and who better to tell it then the band themselves. Another one of the more interesting (well to some!) points of the book, is what the band recorded individually before, during and after there tenure with Def Leppard. There is also a section that lists various artists/bands that have covered all kinds of different songs in a very different manner than the way they were originally recorded. A piano version of `Pour Some Sugar On Me', a R&B version of `Bringing On The Heartbreak' to a techno version of `Love Bites' and various "Metal" versions, even though Joe Elliott has stated many times "We're not F#*$&@G metal!". Despite all this information, there is also quite a few pictures, some rare, of the various releases/concert posters/etc. This is a really nice addition to the sea of words.

All in all this book is a great reference piece if nothing else for fans who might quickly want to look up when the band played such-and-such date. Or who played on what; like the saxophone on some of the "YEAH!" tracks (Vivian's brother John, I didn't know, or realize that!). It is also a very up to date book. It is inclusive thus far through the bands current album "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge". It's obvious not only in size, but the detail put into this book that it was a labor of love by the author. Really who else would you want writing about `Rock And Roll Clowns' than a `Die Hard' fan?

Norm Huizenga
Webmaster: www.defleppard-related-recordings.com

I must say that I am impressed with the extent of the author's research and the exhaustive compilation that he has come up with. This is the definitive source of everything Def Leppard. It has every album, every song, every single, everything that each member of the band did aside from Def Leppard, etc. The book would be an asset to any Def Leppard fan's library. I highly recommend this book, as there is no other like it in print.

For a band as popular and notable in terms of rock history as Def Leppard, it's surprising there isn't more literature on the band. Other than the great Animal Instinct book from 1987, there really isn't a good fan resource that details the band's career...until Leppard Tracks.

This book is a must-have for any Def Leppard fan...old and new alike. It's packed with facts detailing each of the band's album releases, song information including brief details on the songs and co-writers, chart information, info on all those great Leppard b-sides, tour dates, photos, etc. In between the factoids, you really get a nice snapshot of where the band was at during the times in which they were recording the albums through quotes and interview snippets. It's all here from On Through The Night up to 2008's Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, and there is some great information from especially the very early period of the band and the years between Pyromania/Hysteria and Hysteria/Adrenalize, and the band's great cover album, Yeah! I had a great time reading through this and listening to my DL albums on my iPod...filling in the gaps behind the songs, so to speak.

Many KISS fans will know Julian Gill's fantastic KISS Album Focus series and this book is along those lines as well. There is so much valuable information that it is definitely something a fan can refer back to over and over, and you'll be able to impress family and friends with your band trivia knowledge! Again...it's a must-have for any DL fan!

A differnt way to examine one the best and underated bands ever. I wish they would write their own story just like Motley Cure did with THE DIRT and Aerosmith did with WALK THIS WAY. Very informative, a real fast read, very detailed.

Incredible read from cover to cover!! The ultimate Def Leppard encyclopedia...and then some! If You are even the slightest fan of Def Leppard, then this book will be A very enjoyable browse. If You are A huge fan of the British Rockers, then You MUST have this in Your collection!! If You love Def Leppard and want to know more about Them, or if You already know quite alot of the facts, this book will still satisfy both! Don't delay to order! You never know when A great book will stop being published!!

It's a very interesting book. Quite enjoying it....BUT...There are so many typo's in this book it's embarrassing! Makes me wonder if his editor didn't bother to actually edit the book or the author doesn't have spellcheck and grammar check on his computer! Not something a Lep fan/avid collector as myself should worry about though. This is a "must have". Lot's of info.

Lots of good info here. I noticed one mistake but overall a great listing of recordings and concert info.