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The Virgin Encyclopedia of Seventies Music (Virgin Encyclopedias of Popular Music)

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Here one may relive one's youth (or learn some history) from Abba down to singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. Sartorially the decade was one of extremes: compare the tartaned Bay City Rollers to the ridiculous hippieness of Wizzard, Kiss's comic-book style, Amanda Lear's disco leather decadence, Elton John's flamboyance and the austerity of the singer-songwriters. A particular pleasure is finding information on the more obscure hitmakers like R Dean Taylor (a solitary Canadian on Tamla Motown who gave us Indiana Wants Me & Gotta See Jane), UK experimentalists like Curved Air and East Of Eden, punk pioneers like X-Ray Spex and The Adverts. The more one reads, the more addictive this book becomes and the more you realize how rich and diverse the decade was. To think that side by side with the anger of the punk revolution there existed the hedonistic abandon of Disco -- the party of the 70s! Donna Summer, Boney M, MFSB, Sylvester and the P-Funkers are all here. There is also the Woodstock generation in the form of Matthews Southern Comfort, Don McLean, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Melanie. Other folk artists include Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention. Megastars like David Bowie, Neil Diamond and the Bee Gees merit their many pages but it is also heartening to see little-known reggae acts like Bob & Marcia (The Pied Piper) and Dave & Ansil Collins (Double Barrel) getting a mention. By the way, anyone wants to dispute the fact that Bowie produced his best work in this decade? Think of 1975's Young Americans, 1976's Station To Staion and the electronic cycle of Low and Heroes. But the 70s was also the decade of the teenyboper and you'll find them here: The Partridge Family, David Cassidy, The Osmonds nd Leif Garrett. For sheer variety and the essence of pop, the 70s cannot be rivaled. Nmes like Dawn (Knock Three Times)evoke tender childhood memories. The entries are informative and a pleasure to read. Perhaps there could have been more extensive discographies. All in all a fascinating read for nostalgists, the music researcher and music lovers of all ages and persuasions.