Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd

Book Description

Here, for the first time, is the story of Pink Floyd from the inside out. With 116 million albums sold worldwide and 25 years on the pop charts to their credit, Pink Floyd is one of the most successful rock groups in history, yet their story until now is one of the least known. The only continuous member of the band through its entire 40-year history, Nick Mason has witnessed every twist, turn, and sommersault from behind his drum kit. The journey begins with the band's origins as the darlings of London's late 1960s underground and the creation of the classic Pink Floyd sound, all the way through to The Wall and those legendary stadium shows. Here are the players who shaped the band's history and the story behind the story the inside perspective on, for example, the deterioration and departure of Syd Barrett; the overwhelming success of The Dark Side of the Moon and the resulting pressures and conflicts within the band, including the rift with Roger Waters; and Nick and David Gilmour's decision to put their reputations on the line and continue as Pink Floyd. Packed with rare photographs and vintage Floyd graphics from Nick Mason's extensive private archive, Inside Out is an eye-opener for both veteran fans and those just discovering the group. And, in keeping with the classic Floyd style, the book's cover was designed by Storm Thorgerson, creator of such iconic images as the Dark Side pyramid. Always candid, by turns poignant and funny, Nick's own memories are augmented with extensive research and interviews, making Inside Out a comprehensive history of one of the most brilliant and imaginative bands the world has known and a masterly memoir of rock and roll.

Customer Reviews:

item in excellent condition and fast shipment!!!.......2007-09-14

As a true Pink Floyd fan I can sincerely say that this book does a great job in telling the story of this great band.

Awesome book .......2007-01-11

I purchased this item for my son who has been a Pink Flyod/Waters fan since high school. He told me about this book at Christmas, and he is absolutely thrilled with it. The photos are wonderful and the history of Floyd incredible. If you are a die-hard fan, get this book. You won't be disappointed!

Awesome!!.......2007-01-09

As a Floyd fan and a musician, I found this book incredibly interesting. Mason does an perfect job in describing Floyd from it's embryonic state to it's final performance, to it's unlikely Live 8 appearance.
I loved it. I bought it for my girlfriend for Christmas. I ended up reading it from Christmas morning through the following days.
My only negative criticism was that I wish more time had been spent on the why's and how's the in fighting become so overwhelming and so difficult for these guys that they had no choice but to disband. Other than that a great book.

A must for every Pink Floyd fan.......2006-11-03

I was amazed by the size of this book, is huge. Packed with photos and can only be compared with the Beatles Anthology. Nick Mason tells Pink Floyd's history in a cautious and funny way. Learn everything from Syd's decay to David's feud with Waters and everything you wanted to know about The Wall and Dark Side Of The Moon. Is a good reading and a very interesting view of the band from it's early days to Live 8. Get this book now and get The Pink Floyd.

Pink Floyd - The Book.......2006-10-12

If you're a fan of Pink Floyd for their music, you'll probably love this book. I think a lot of the people reviewing this book are forgetting that it was put together by a rock and roll drummer. The book may not go terribly deep into the psychological nuonces of the group, but it sure does lay out one hell of a collection of images for you to make what you will of their career. This book is kind of like looking through Nick Mason's photo album and reading captions he wrote to remind himself of what was going on in the pictures. The text won't let you in on the stuff you would've missed by not being there, but the photos give you a glimpse of his memories and experiences. Don't treat this book as a Pink Floyd biography, it's best viewed as a giant booklet included in a giant box set, the box set being Pink Floyd's entire musical career (which most people buying this book probably already own).

Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll's Legendary Neighborhood

Average customer rating:

Mixed results for an unevenly written book.
It's the 60's Again
Better than "White Bicycles"
Interesting look at L.A. and Hollywood in the 1960's - 1980
Rockin Good Time

Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll's Legendary Neighborhood
Michael Walker
Manufacturer: Faber & Faber
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Hotel California: The True-Life Adventures of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Mitchell, Taylor, Browne, Ronstadt, Geffen, the Eagles, and Their Many Friends
I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie
Since Then: How I Survived Everything and Lived to Tell About it
The Haight-Ashbury: A History
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon

ASIN: 0571211496
Release Date: 2006-05-16

Book Description

In the late sixties and early seventies, an impromptu collection of musicians colonized a eucalyptus-scented canyon deep in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles and melded folk, rock, and savvy American pop into a sound that conquered the world as thoroughly as the songs of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones had before them. Thirty years later, the music made in Laurel Canyon continues to pour from radios, iPods, and concert stages around the world. During the canyon’s golden era, the musicians who lived and worked there scored dozens of landmark hits, from "California Dreamin’" to "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" to "It’s Too Late," selling tens of millions of records and resetting the thermostat of pop culture.

In Laurel Canyon, veteran journalist Michael Walker tells the inside story of this unprecedented gathering of some of the baby boom’s leading musical lights—including Joni Mitchell; Jim Morrison; Crosby, Stills, and Nash; John Mayall; the Mamas and the Papas; Carole King; the Eagles; and Frank Zappa, to name just a few—who turned Los Angeles into the music capital of the world and forever changed the way popular music is recorded, marketed, and consumed.

Customer Reviews:

Mixed results for an unevenly written book........2007-09-11

In the summer of 1972 forces that had been building for decades coalesced to give us the opening strains of the Eagles' "Take It Easy" and Country-Rock went from being a musical undercurrent to being a pop phenomena that affected music, fashion and the culture of young adults for the rest of the '70s. Strangely, in the early '80s this musical phenomena vanished much more quickly than it had appeared leaving little to mark its passing until the Eagles reunion in 1994. Now, over 30 years later there are any number of books telling the story of how Folk, Country, Rock and (to some extent) Blues all came together in LA's Laurel Canyon to make LA the musical promised land which bred this phenomena. Likewise, these books explain how it all collapsed into a heap as cocaine inflated egos clashed and creativity was overtaken by monetary concerns and other realities.

Of the books I've read on the subject of the LA music scene in the '60s and '70s this one perhaps best explains the poisonous effects of cocaine and other vices on the whole scene yet he seems to resist the conclusion that the absolute freedom of the times opened the door to its eventual demise. Michael Walker refers to the culture of the '50s as if it were a nasty communicable disease and he seems genuinely surprised that the free spirits of Laurel Canyon weren't able to change the world to their liking and eventually they too had to conform to reality just as their forebears did.

This brings me to my greatest problem with this book, it seems to be written from the viewpoint of someone who wishes he was there and feels as if he missed out. While he is honest in pointing out that drug-related crime and prostitution surfaced in spite of the tidal wave of idealism that existed at that time he seems to write from a viewpoint of wistful nostalgia for something he never actually was a part of. He seems to believe in the fantasy even though he is chronicling its failure. Accounting for the fact that the author is a Chicagoan that relocated to Laurel Canyon helps to explain this; at least to me. The author (and this book) seem divided; one foot rooted in the past "glories" of the era he writes about while the other foot cautiously treads the reality of the present. It's as if part of the author is wishing that some of the old crew would show up in his yard and start partying while the other half of him would call the police in a heartbeat if they did.

I wouldn't warn anyone off of buying this book, it is in fact very informative, but it is nonetheless uneven. It is a book I would recommend to a true afficinado of the subject but not as a sole purchase if you want to read about Country-Rock. A few other books you might enjoy are: Desperados: The Roots of Country Rock, Hotel California: The True-Life Adventures of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Mitchell, Taylor, Browne, Ronstadt, Geffen, the Eagles, and Their Many Friends and To The Limit: The Untold Story Of The Eagles.

It's the 60's Again.......2007-09-06

The 1960's music scene in Los Angeles comes vividly alive in this account of the rock world that thrived in Laurel Canyon. This is a must-read for anyone (like me) who grew up listening to CSN&Y, Frank Zappa, the Mamas and the Papas, Joni Mitchell and others. It's amazing to think that all this talent and more converged in one place at one special time. Michael Walker provides a thorough accounting of the birth and death of Laurel Canyon as a rock colony in a captivating and insightful way. You can almost smell the marijuana wafting from the book! These truly were the good old days, probably never to be seen again. A great read!

Better than "White Bicycles".......2007-08-22

Put on your wire-rimmed granny glasses when reading "Laurel Canyon", an affectionate and breezy evocation of the area that virtually birthed the "laid back" California musical sounds of the 60's and 70's.

Author Michael Walker painstakingly constructs a portrait of this sequestered piece of real estate, with its narrow, winding roads, quaint bungalows, and eucalyptus trees. It came to serve as a refuge, salon, and social laboratory for the Western fringe of the Woodstock generation.

A whole rogues' gallery of rock stars, groupies, club owners and passers-thru is recreated, to accurately reflect the milieu of people that interacted, "back in the day." You'll get a ringside seat at Frank Zappa's audition of Alice Cooper, see David Crosby careening down the road, cape flying, on his motorcycle, and find Arthur Lee of "Love" tripping on a hill top.

It's heady stuff. And don't believe the snide comment about "a magazine piece" from Publishers Weekly. Yes, there may be a resemblance to the kind of recreations of times and places that "Vanity Fair" publishes... but I view that as a GOOD thing. The writing in "Laurel Canyon" is crisp--it's juicy and it flows. It has flair, it's not prosaic, and that's what you want in a book about places where great music originated. Grab a glass of vintage wine and enjoy.

***Recommended cds to accompany reading:

"Ladies of the Canyon", Joni Mitchell
"Deja Vu", Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
"Blues From Laurel Canyon", John Mayall
"Forever Changes", Love
"Permanent Damage", the GTOs
"Jackson Browne" ("Saturate Before Using"), Jackson Browne

Interesting look at L.A. and Hollywood in the 1960's - 1980.......2007-08-12

Laurel Canyon is a good two sitting read that offers the reader an insightful perspective into the world of West Hollywood and LA over a roughly 20 year period. The writing style seemed odd at times, but overall not a great obstacle. For some reason Walker finds it necessary to elevate the importance of the LA music scene and culture while purposely downplaying or omission of the San Francisco Bay Area's colossal influence on 1960's musical and cultural significance with such bands as The Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Country Joe and The Fish, Sly and The Family Stone, Blue Cheer, Quicksilver Messenger Service etc.). Walker seems to consider "L.A Citizen" Janis Joplin more of a fixture of LA than San Francisco despite Janis' extended stay and musical development with Big Brother and The Holding Company and shacking up with the Grateful Dead in the Haight. The music scene and draw to LA/Hollywood was largely reciprocal to the movie industry presence there where as the cultural development in San Francisco in the 1960 was he next phase of the 1940-50's Jazz and Beat movements - think Kerouac. From the famous Psychedelic light shows (Glenn McKay and The Brotherhood of Art at the Fillmore and Winterand (The Last Waltz) Cow Palace (Rust Never Sleeps movie), Candlestick Park (Last Beatles Concert) to the 1960's rock art; Stanley Mouse, Robert Crumb (keep on truckin'), Golden Gate Park (first love-ins), Electric Kool-Aid acid test, Purple Haze (Stanley Owsley (bear)) etc.. All roads lead to San Francisco in the 1960's ..

Rockin Good Time.......2007-08-11

This is a fascinating book and the author ties in history and anecdotes to make an interesting story of the tie between Southern California and Rock and Roll in the late 60s and early 70s. I saw many of these bands perform in those years and it was nice to learn the "story behind the story." Mama Cass Elliott put Graham Nash in touch with Steve Stills and David Crosby and the rest is musical history, as they say. Graham Nash has many kind words to say about her. Nice book, but short on details about individual bands and their artistry.

Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius

Average customer rating:

Rock music collections will find it an invaluable exploration.
well done

Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius
Philip Lambert
Manufacturer: Continuum International Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0826418775

Book Description

Tracing a line from Brian Wilson's very first musical loves (George Gershwin and the Four Freshmen) through to the Smile and Pet Sounds tours of recent years, Philip Lambert's astonishingly comprehensive book details over 50 years in the musical life of one of America's foremost pop composers. Lambert acknowledges the familiar biographical contexts behind many of Wilson's songs, but sheds new light on the birth and evolution of his musical ideas. A huge number of songs are discussed, including the famous ("Help Me Rhonda," "Good Vibrations," "God Only Knows") and the less well known ("Farmer's Daughter," "Boys Will Be Boys" and more). The end result is a remarkable story of musical growth and ambition, sure to appeal to devoted Beach Boys fans. The book also includes a unique Brian Wilson Song Chronology, listing every musical endeavour to which Brian is known to have made a musical contribution.

Customer Reviews:

Rock music collections will find it an invaluable exploration........2007-07-08

INSIDE THE MUSIC OF BRIAN WILSON: THE SONGS, SOUNDS, AND INFLUENCES OF THE BEACH BOYS' FOUNDING GENIUS is a pick any Beach Boys fan needs: while Brian Wilson's life has received extensive documentation in other biographies, here the focus is solely on his music, not his life - and what a welcome change that is, for fans of his sound. New stories cover the birth and evolution of Wilson's musical ideas using the history of his songwriting and production to explore his evolution. Rock music collections will find it an invaluable exploration.

well done.......2007-05-16

This book is best suited for those with some background in music theory.

All You Need Is Ears: The inside personal story of the genius who created The Beatles

Average customer rating:

Posted Bio
A good book that should have been great
Beatles
Okay but not all that I wanted
George Martin REVEALED!

All You Need Is Ears: The inside personal story of the genius who created The Beatles
George Martin , and Jeremy Hornsby
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312114826

Book Description

"George," he said, "I don't know if you'd be interested, but there's a chap who's come in with a tape of a group he runs. They haven't got a recording contract, and I wonder if you'd like to see him and listen to what he's got?""Certainly," I said, "I'm willing to listen to anything. Ask him to come and see me." "O.K., I will. His name's Brian Epstein...."All You Need Is Ears is the story of George Martin, the man who spotted the Beatles' talent, who recorded and produced them from the start, and who brought their musical ideas to life. In this witty and charming autobiography, he describes exactly what it was like to work in the studio with the Beatles--from the first audition (and his decision to scrap Pete Best on drums) to the wild experimentation of Sgt. Pepper (complete with sound effects, animal noises and full orchestras in evening dress at the direct request of Paul McCartney).This is a singular look at the most important musical group of all time, and how they made the music that changed the world: No other book can provide George Martin's inside look at their creative process, at the play of genius and practical improvisation that gave them their sound; it is an indispensable read for Beatle lovers and anyone interested in the music world.

Customer Reviews:

Posted Bio.......2007-04-04

Just to point out --

The biography posted is for George Martin, the sci-fi writer,
who isn't the same person (as far as I know!) as the Beatles'
producer. FYI.

A good book that should have been great.......2007-03-05

George Martin was the 5th Beatle. He gave them their first break after they had been turned down by all the labels. Without the break he gave them, Martin muses that the Beatles may have just given it up and gone their separate ways. Apparently George Martin was the only one around that was willing to take a chance on these scruffs from Liverpool that would chane the world.

It seems that Paul was the one Beatle that could have made it on his own, but if not as on of The Beatles, then as what? Could he have been a backup for Tony Sheridan, or a bass player for Little Richard? Thankfully, we will never know. Would the other Beatles have likely gotten working class jobs, and/or just self-destructed? As always, the whole was greater than the sum of its parts.

It is hard to imagine a world without the Beatles, but that just underscores the importance of George Martin in giving them their lucky break. George Martin played all positions with the Beatles, except for vocalist. He produced, directed, arranged, and even played piano and harpsichord on many records. He brought that classical influence of strings and horns into the Beatles music, starting with Yesterday. Any die-hard fan will want to read this book, however, beware: it is diluted a bit with stories about other recording artists that have little relation to the reason why I bought the book in the first place, i.e., The Beatles. Nevertheless, it does have a few anecdotes that have not been seen elsewhere, so yes, it is worth buying and reading. You can always skip the parts that you don't care about.

George Martin is very informative on the evolution of multitrack recording technology, so that should be of interest to anybody that wonders how they got all those "layer cakes" out of the primitive equipment of the day.

I enjoyed the book immensely, but I think George Martin could have done better given his intimate knowledge of one of the greatest cultural phenomena of all time. Sometimes he seems a little aloof in the book, as if he hardly cares, but it is probably just old-school English understatement at its best, or maybe a futile attempt to downplay that he is probably their biggest fan, if not one of their oldest.

On a side note, it is too bad that George Martin was never rewarded financially (at least up to 1979 when this book was published) on a level that would have been commensurate with the important role he played in not only discovering, but also developing the greatest band of all time. As always, the Beatles come off as cheap, uncharitable and self-indulgent on this score. As the book explains, Martin was offered some royalties under the table, (as a kickback from an unscrupulous publisher) but he never compromised his ethics. Eventually I'm sure he made a nice living through his long association with the Fab 4, but not what one might expect, according to the book, at least up to 1979. A lot has happened in the financial world of The Beatles since this book was written, including the huge Vegas production of Love, in which Martin played an integral role along with his son, Giles. It's nice to see a music producer that is more driven by quality and innovation than the lowest common demoniators. I wish we had more like him.

My rating says 3 stars, but that was a mistake. I really gave it a 4.

Beatles.......2007-01-18

A must read for anyone involved in the making of music as it pertains to production and recording. It however exhibits George Martins conservative nature and is someone bias from his perspective. A much superior book is Here,There, and Everywhere by Geoff Emerick. It is the same subject matter but much more detailed and objective.

Okay but not all that I wanted.......2007-01-05

I wish there were more technical specifics in the descriptions of various sessions. Sir George gets you into Abbey Road studio #2 and lets you know about his experiences with various artists.

George Martin REVEALED!.......2006-09-03

This is a truly amazing book. I had just finished reading "Here, There and Everywhere" by Geoff Emerick (the Beatles recording engineer) and decided I wanted to know more about George Martin, their producer. It was a great decision because the introspect gained from reading both of these books together tells a big picture that I before could only guess at.

George's personality really comes out in this book and it makes it far easier to understand what went on during the Beatles many many recording sessions. It has been said that the producer is a major contributer to the outcome of any project and this book definately confirms and educates about that process.

It is an easy read and the edition that I purchased has fairly decent sized type and makes it easy on the eyes. It is a paperback and tucks easily into your daybag or briefcase for those times when you can read a few minutes - but if you are like I am - you may devour the whole thing in one seating!

The early life of George Martin is also detailed in this book with it's different perspective of growing up in Britain. I had no idea that George Martin was in pop music groups as he was growing up and that came as a terrific surprise. I might have known, though.

The classical side of George Martin comes out strong also. This came into very significant play as he produced the Beatles.

Great book. Don't hesitate to buy this!

Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting

Average customer rating:

Tunesmith is pure inspiration for songwriters!
Serious book for serious songwriters
Fundamental book for understanding the meaning of songwriting
Priceless
A must read for songwriters or wannabes

Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting
Jimmy Webb
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786861312

Customer Reviews:

Tunesmith is pure inspiration for songwriters!.......2007-07-08

I have been a professional songwriter and producer for many years, but this book gave me so much inspiration it made it all feel fresh and new again. Of course Jimmy Webb's track record as a successful songwriter gives him plenty of credibility as an authority, but that is no guarantee he can write a book. Well, he certainly can! It is very well written, entertaining, informative, and gives us a real insight into his processes and motivations, as well as useful tidbits on how others who practice our craft work their magic. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in any way in the creative processes as they may apply to any creative endeavor.

Serious book for serious songwriters.......2007-05-15

One of the reviews cited on the back cover calls the book a master class in songwriting. It is. But it is not for the musically illiterate--gotta know them little dots on the staff before you crack this book.

Webb goes deep into the structures and grammar of musical creation, phrasing, cadence, theme, motif, etc. etc. And his discussion of the blending of lyrics and music is profound and fascinating. But light reading, it ain't. If you are a play-by-ear musician who often says "I don't read enough music to hurt my playing," accompanied by self-deprecating aw-shucks grin, don't even think about buying this book.

Fundamental book for understanding the meaning of songwriting.......2006-11-30

"Tunesmith" is a brilliant, insightful book if you're interested in the structures and methods behind the craft of popular songmaking. Its prose style is very warm, witty and laid back. I can see some people having problems with part of the anecdotical content: I cannot agree, and while one's engagement in such content might be strictly dictated by his/her own generational background, I can't see such content as detrimental in the least in the context of what the book sets itself out to achieve. I am waiting on a further edition of "Tunesmith" with a chapter on basic arranging.

Priceless.......2006-11-06

This book is jam packed full of practical information. I find something literally on every page. It is also inspirational. It helps to define and unlock ideas that are floating around in my head. It is one of the best music books I have ever read. I am in the process of reading it for the second time.

A must read for songwriters or wannabes.......2006-08-19

Jimmy Webb covers a lot of ground in this book but its a suprisingly quick and enjoyable read. It was comforting to realize that even highly successful songwriters share the same struggles as those not so famous. One point hit home well and that is "songwriting is work". Nothing will happen unless you sit down and put your fingers to the instrument. There's just enough music theory in the book to understand the foundation of a good song. Jimmy spends equal time discussing lyric and melody as well as the interplay between the two. There's also a fair amount of coverage on the music and songwriting industry. The book includes perspectives from other notable songwriters as well. Published in 1998, it only hints at the forthcoming transfomation of music distribution brought on by the internet. None the less, a highly recommended book.

Average customer rating:

Inside the heart of Tupac Amaru Shakur
A crucial historical document.
We LOVE you TUPAC!
Greatest Book In The World
Inside a Thugs Heart

Inside A Thug's Heart
Angela Ardis
Manufacturer: Kensington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Customer Reviews:

Inside the heart of Tupac Amaru Shakur.......2007-04-13

Tupac Shakur was shot again on September 7th, 1996, but instead of recovering from his injuries this time, a week latter he died. In this book, "inside A Thug's Heart with original poems and letters by Tupac Shakur" you will explore the emotions, thoughts, feelings, and out looks Tupac has for Angela Ardis or `Ms. Lovely' as he calls her. When at work one late night, Angela and he co-workers are playing around. One of the co-workers asked, " If you could have a `ruffneck' who would it be?" Angela says she would pick Tupac. Everyone laughs at her choice; for at the time he was in jail and everyone also thought he was no good. So a bet was made that she couldn't get in touch with him. Well it just so happens she did. She sent him a letter that stood out from the rest, one that smelled and looked nice. Inside the letter she gave him her number so he would be able to call and a picture so he would know what she looked like. With in one day he replied to with a phone call and soon followed by a letter. Now they're writing to each other. In Tupac's letters he expresses himself in so many ways you never hear the media talk about before. He is forward and honest, plus he wrote wonderful poems. What you read in this book you would never expected from Tupac. You think by the way he raps and acts on T.V. and/or magazines is the way he acts 24-7, but its not. There's another side to him. In fact there are seven as he explains in one of his letters.

My favorite part of the book is each and every time you get to read his letters and poems. It's my favorite part because I get to see the other side of idol. I get to know more about Tupac then what the media portrays. Also get its my favorite part because when I was reading his poems and letters I could feel what was getting at. You get to take a look into a real thug's heart. To show you what mean, below is one of my favorite poems written by him called " 4 those nights when u r alone".

U ever share your love with a stranger
Only To realize he was a long lost friend?
Ever Talk 2 A Man like u talk with a woman
And share what you can't with other men?

Can u picture your love being given
2 A criminal stuck in this hell
Can u promise 2 hold off from Judging him
Until the day when you know him well

Can u close your eyes and imagine
If everything went Right
The power of passion finally possessed
After all those sleepless nights

I bet you think I'm gaming you
Just like all the men in your past
Cuz' all of them promised u heaven on Earth
But none of them seem 2 last

After All, What can I offer u?
Besides lonely nights & sweet words
Promises of pleasures 2 come
And lines you've already heard

All I, can say is have faith in me
And in Time maybe you'll come 2 c
The definition and true meaning
Of friendship can be discovered in me

In my opinion this book is one of my all-time favorites and I would most recommend it. I recommend it mostly to Tupac fans because you get to see that there is more to him then what you hear from the media. Also because when you read it, you feel as though you where there when it was written. So if your looking for a good book to read I would recommend you read this one.

A crucial historical document........2006-01-06

I feel blessed that we are able to have access to these letters between Ardis and the late Tupac A. Shakur, and I thank Afeni Shakur (the executor of her son's estate) for allowing Ms. Ardis to publish this correspondence.

Some folks will question the motivation behind releasing these letters, an understandable criticism in this age of vapid kiss-and-tell celebrity culture. What does Ardis stand to gain from this? Is she exploiting her relationship with Shakur solely for personal gain? Fair questions yes, but in light of the fact that Shakur is no longer with us, the only connections that we have to him are through the artifacts that he left behind: his music, films, and personal documents. Collecting and preserving these artifacts is important for understanding the context of Shakur's life, his profession, and the society that he lived in.

The historical significance of this correspondence between Ardis and Shakur cannot be overstated. Here, we are exposed to Tupac Shakur as a human being, away from the exploitive glare of the media spotlight, during what was perhaps the most difficult time of his life, when he was imprisoned in upstate New York for sexual abuse. Confined in a place where he had only himself and his thoughts, he is compelled to reach out to a fan who decided to send a letter to him on a dare. For those of us who think we know all there is to Mr. Shakur, the intimacy and vulnerability displayed in his letters to Ardis is a real eye-opener.

Readers see multiple sides of Pac: friendly, inquisitive, erotic, humorous, frustrated, angry, depressed, reflective, obstinate, and self-critical. He reveals himself to be what astute observers knew all along: a deeply intelligent, spiritual, and complex human being. His uninhibited communication style allows the dialogue between him and Ardis to develop fully, and these two strangers share passions and secrets that most people would conceal from close loved ones. From reading this book, I gained tremendous insight into this person who is no longer with us.

My one criticism of the book is the title. Obviously the publishers saw the marketing potential of the "thug's heart" reference, being that Shakur's public image is defined by this term. However, I do not nor have I ever believed that Tupac Amaru Shakur was a thug. This word was thrown around by Shakur, his record company, his fans, his detractors, and the media as both a term of praise and an epithet. It's loaded with so many contradictions, namely racism and hypermasculinity, and it's a label that too many young Black men are saddled with, for whatever reason. The fact that Shakur was a Black man killed in his youth makes calling him a "thug" even more egregious.

More than just a kiss-and-tell memoir, "Inside a Thug's Heart" is a strongly recommended resource for any serious student of hip-hop and American cultural history.

We LOVE you TUPAC!.......2005-12-20

I would like to thank Angela for allowing us (the readers) inside the intimate relationship that she shared with Tupac. With each letter I felt the sincerity of Tupac's words. Even though many reviewers felt she got played, I didn't feel that AT ALL! He was honest and upfront with her. Initially, she didn't set out to fall for him. BUT, who can blame her?? I was mushy after reading every letter. So many WISH they could have shared a little piece of Pac. Angela had more than a little piece of him... she had his mind. Who cares if it was temporary?

Angela, thank you sooo much for sharing.

Greatest Book In The World.......2005-10-27

This is one of the best books I've ever read in my life. Tupac is just one of the best artist. His life is so amazing. I am like In love with him!!!!! I love reading all his books and all the review's because they all speak the truth, they always have the best review's , well duh it's the best book to read!!!!!! I'm 1 in a million 14 year old girls that love him.

Inside a Thugs Heart.......2005-09-24

I agree with most of the other people that commented on this book, Angela was definitely played. I think the book would have been much better without all of her comments (fantasies.) It was nice to see another side of Tu Pac through his letters to her.

Bill Graham Presents: My Life Inside Rock and Out

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Great, interesting book
Insightful
judgescott
The Production Manager king
A Fascinating Perspective On The Fillmore Era

Bill Graham Presents: My Life Inside Rock and Out
Bill Graham , and Robert Greenfield
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306813491
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Book Description

The national best-selling autobiography of Bill Graham, the colorful, larger-than-life architect of the modern concert industry.

As a child, Bill Graham fled Europe to escape Hitler's armies. He grew up on the streets of New York and in the dining rooms of the hotels in the Catskills. After failing as an actor, he headed for San Francisco right before the Summer of Love where he founded the Fillmore and launched the rock icons of a generation--Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Jefferson Airplane, Cream, the Grateful Dead, and more. He was a complex, caring, compassionate whirlwind of energy who rock stars either loved--or hated.

In his own voice and those of the people who knew him--Jerry Garcia, Keith Richards, Grace Slick, Ken Kesey, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, and Carlos Santana--we hear Bill's story as well as the scoop on the major events in rock for more than three decades, ending with his tragic death in a 1991 helicopter crash. Gritty, moving, funny, and always fascinating, Bill Graham Presents is the inside story of the explosive and unforgettable man who created the business of rock.

Customer Reviews:

Great, interesting book.......2007-04-03

This book is a little weird (to me) in concept but it works out really well in the end. The book goes from Bill's early days in Nazi Germany all the way to his death with no major stone left unturned. Lots of great stories with very little in the way of punches being pulled. I mean Bill really tells you what he is thinking. Very uncensored. Covers the drugs and the behind scenes stuff with no BS involved. Shows the guy for who he was, warts and all and lets him and the people he is talking about retort one another which I thought was weird in a good way. This book is of great interest to anyone who has probably gotten to this point in reading reviews. If you are interested in this type of subject then this book is a must.

Insightful.......2007-03-24

It's a good insight into the rock scene back in the 60's and 70's. A must read for anyone who likes classic rock.

judgescott.......2007-01-10

i didn't realize how much bill graham did behind the scenes.
montery pop ,woodstock, altamont,ect............

The Production Manager king.......2006-12-21

This book is structured so that as Bill Graham comments on different times of his life, he allows the persons hes speaking of to comment in the next paragraph. This makes for some very interesting reading. Grham discusses his time in Korea and killing the enemy. This experience allows him to have an abundant amount of courage when it comes to dealing with band managers in the future. Bill discusses Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Zeppelin, the Stones, J Geils Band, Santana, the Who and all the tense dealings with each of these personalities. This book could have benefitted from better pictures of the bands. Thats my only critical comment.

A Fascinating Perspective On The Fillmore Era.......2005-03-31

Bill Graham is the rock promoter most famous for operating the leading rock and roll theaters of the late sixties and early seventies, including the original Filmore auditorium in San Francisco, the Fillmore East in New York, and the Fillmore West, (a different building in San Francisco.) The Fillmore period was sort of a golden age of rock and roll. Graham was able to present virtually all the cutting edge bands of the time, including some acts, like Santana and the Allman Brothers, before they even had their first record out. Rock and roll shows had never received the kind of attention to detail and respect for performers and audiences that Graham brought to the Fillmores. Graham presented a variety of music, including blues and jazz, although the headliners were almost always top draw rock and roll acts. Many artists took advantage of the Fillmore's reputation to record live albums there. In fact, according to this book, 58 albums were recorded at the Fillmores and 17 of them were certified gold. The Fillmores also became gathering places for the music industry. Graham was more than just a first hand witness to this era, he helped to create it. The Fillmore sections of this book are a fascinating examination of how the Fillmore came into existence, how the musicians felt about playing for Bill Graham, how the booking policy of the Fillmore evolved, and finally why Graham closed the Fillmores at the peak of the their success.

In addition to Graham's own memories, there are memories of his contemporaries as well which round out the story. Italics are overused in attempt to make the writing sound like a transcription of someone talking, but this is only a minor irritation. Consider the following quote from Pete Townsend which is taken from the book: "(Graham) gave us dignity. We felt we weren't the pop plebes we had been when we went out with Herman's Hermits and we were told to shut up and get in the back of the bus. We were dignified people. We were artists."

Graham's opinions are fun to read. Who was the best act he ever saw? (Otis Redding) Who was the biggest pain in the neck? (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young).

Of secondary importance, but still fascinating, an added bonus really, are Graham's memories of his childhood escape from Nazi Germany. Most biographies are boring when the subject's childhood is discussed, but in this case, Graham's family was broken up during the Nazi era. Graham was a small boy and the only member of his family to escape to the United States. He was reunited with his surviving sisters after the war.

I'll Be Watching You: Inside the Police, 1980-83 (Taschen Artists Edition)

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I'll Be Watching You: Inside the Police, 1980-83 (Taschen Artists Edition)
Andy Summers
Manufacturer: Taschen
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Binding: Hardcover

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The Police - Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out

ASIN: 3822827649

Book Description

The insider: The Police on tour photographed by guitarist Andy Summers. In the early 1980s, The Police went on tour accompanied by a photographer who documented the band behind the scenes in a series of candid and striking black and white photos. This talented photographer also happened to be the band's guitarist, Andy Summers. Yes, it's true--the man responsible for the guitar lick from "Every Breath You Take" was not only the backbone of one of the most popular bands of all time, he also possessed a visual gift for composition and mood that allowed him to capture the spirit of The Police better than anyone else could have.

This book, somewhere between photojournalism and an illustrated diary, follows The Police around the globe between 1980 and 1983. From the American West to Australia to Japan, Summers recorded not only the band members rehearsing and partying--the proverbial sex, drugs, and rock and roll--he also photographed fans, landscapes, still lifes, and passersby in a reportage style reminiscent of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank. Containing over 600 photos and filled with diary-style entries, I'll Be Watching You is a sumptuous volume beating with musical energy, nostalgia, and atmospheric beauty. A must for photo buffs and Police fans alike. Collector's edition features: * Limited to 1500 copies, each numbered and signed by the artist * Packaged in a slipcase * Contains over 600 photographs personally selected from the photographer's archive of over 25,000 negatives (1980-83) * Most photos are previously unpublished, and many of them have never even been printed prior to this project

Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business
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Want to discourage a loved one from going into the music industry?

The Dirty Truth About an Equally Dirty Business

MICROCOSM OF AMERICA?

The Real Story

Great insider's look at the dark underside of the music biz!

Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business
Fredric Dannen
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Exploding: The Highs, Hits, Hype, Heroes, and Hustlers of the Warner Music Group

ASIN: 0679730613
Release Date: 1991-07-02

Amazon.com

A nauseatingly honest and therefore controversial expose of the base beings that inhabit the higher levels of the music industry. Filled with horror stories that will confirm your worst suspicions about the toxicity of what my friends and I call "Planet CD Wood."

Book Description

Hit Men is the shocking, highly controversial expose of the venality, greed, and corruption of many of the assorted kingpins and hustlers who rule over the music industry. "A sobering, blunt, and unusually well-observed depiction of the sometimes sordid inner workings of the music business."--Billboard. 4 pages of photographs.

Customer Reviews:

Want to discourage a loved one from going into the music industry?.......2007-09-28

OK, here's the deal... Are you thinking of getting into the music business? Trying to get your band signed? Becoming a songwriter? This book will discourage you beyond description, so read at you own risk. However it will allow you to go into the business of music with your eyes wide open. A good history lesson of the deal makers that launched rock and roll, R & B, pop, disco, etc. All happening before the digital age. Do you have a kid that wants to be the next American Idol? Want to discourage them? Get them this book!

I read it a while ago and have used the knowledge to my benefit. Though I haven't made a fortune writing music, I have managed to keep my songs mine and make vacation money.

The Dirty Truth About an Equally Dirty Business.......2007-06-08

Mr. Dannen has written a book that could have been written by any one of two dozen people. However, the others would have incriminated themselves, or wound up in a Nevada corn field with a bullet in their heads!!

Naming names and identifying specific dates, Mr. Dannen tells the majority of the truth about how things really work behind the scenes to make a song a "HIT". From the early days of "legal payoffs" to the "payola" scandals of the late 50s and early 60s, to the line item "marketing" expenses that major labels right off every day to cover the payments made to the corporate radio stations.

This book helps identify why great music never makes it to "Top 40" or CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio). Why great artists are left in the dark while "Casper Milktoast" acts seem to get played 12 times during drive time!!!

If you want to read a fact-filled book about how the music business and hit radio have created such an insestuous relationship, then buy this book. It is full of thrills, fear, anger, humor, big names and bigger deals. You'll love it.

MICROCOSM OF AMERICA?.......2006-08-07

This book shook the music world when it was first released, which was when I first read it. I just recently picked it up and read it again, and it was still an equally mind-blowing experience.
What was with those guys? Why did they feel the need to rip off every artist to the maximum possible extent? Couldn't they still have been just as powerful, just as legendary, and very nearly as wealthy, if they'd paid the artists the few pennies per record or airplay that would have been their rightful compensation for creating the music that rocked the world and brought billions of international dollars into American coffers?
Whatever happened to Dennis Waitley and his "win-win" scenarios? You don't hear much about him any more. Perhaps his concepts were too anathematic to the American mindset. Whatever happened to the concepts of "noblesse oblige," and "from those who have received much, much is expected"? Whatever happened to "a rising tide lifts all boats"? Whatever happened to the Magna Carta, the Renaissance, the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and all the other movements that raised the world to the dizzying heights it once achieved?
I guess they've been replaced by that all-American concept, "whoever dies with the most toys wins."
As we watch the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and rising fuel prices cause the American dream to recede into the sunset while our beloved representative republic slips back toward medieval fuedalism; as we watch American corporations, once looted from without by corporate raiders, now being looted from within by greedy and/or incompetent executives with golden parachutes while their stockholders, employees and retirees have their lives decimated, we can at least hope that what we do here will stand forever as an example to the rest of the world of how NOT to live.
Osama bin Laden, in his famous "letter to America," called us the worst civilization the world has ever seen, wallowing in decadence and depravity and calling it the height of individual freedom. Could he have been right?
This book gives the reader a valuable opportunity to take a close-up look at one of the foundation pillars of our economy and our culture, and witness the process by which America is rotting from within.

The Real Story.......2005-05-30

Having worked in the music buisness for 25+ years, I must agree with most that is written in this great book. As crazy as it was, it was a great buisness to be in if you love music.I highly recommend getting this book & holding on for one crazy ride!

Great insider's look at the dark underside of the music biz!.......2004-11-18

This is a very eye-opening book, about how money and drugs changes hands to determine which new artists get played on the radio and who doesn't. There's really no other book out there that covers this topic. Written by an industry insider.

Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock

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honest thoughts on american evangelicalism
Body Piercing Didn't Save Beaujon's Life
Great Perspective
Inside the Religious Machine
A VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE

Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock
Andrew Beaujon
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306814579

Book Description

A riveting, in-depth, behind-the-scenes account of the subculture of modern Christian rock music, which saw estimated sales of one billion dollars in 2003 alone

Body Piercing Saved My Life is the first in-depth journalistic investigation into a subculture so large that it's erroneous to even call it a subculture: Christian rock. Christian rock culture is booming, not only with bands but with extreme teen Bibles, skateboarding ministries, Christian tattoo parlors, paintball parks, coffeehouses, and nightclubs,encouraging kids to form their own communities apart from the mainstream.

Profiling such successful Christian rock bands as P.O.D., Switchfoot, Creed, Evanescence, and Sixpence None the Richer, as well as the phenomenally successful Seattle Christian record label Tooth & Nail, enormous Christian rock festivals, and more, Spin journalist Andrew Beaujon lifts the veil on a thriving scene that operates beneath the secular world's radar. Revealing, sympathetic, and groundbreaking, Body Piercing Saved My Life (named for a popular Christian rock T-shirt depicting Christ's wounds) is a fascinating look into the hearts and minds of an enormous, and growing, youth culture.

Customer Reviews:

honest thoughts on american evangelicalism.......2007-08-11

I think there's something in all of us that loves to know what other people think of us. Growing up in the `90s under the "christian music only" rule, and a (former) collection of over 300 christian rock cds, I found this aspect of my life under scrutiny from the "outside." And I loved it.

In Body Piercing Saved My Life, Beaujon offers a very candid look at the christian rock music industry. I have to say that I learned a ton about the music industry in general by reading this book. Seeing the behind the scenes issues, the financial policies, the tensions, etc. was something new for me.

The book focuses more on people than anything, and I think Beaujon realizes that you can't really learn much from caricatures or stereotypes. (I guess that's why he wrote the book). This, for me, was incredibly interesting, as he basically related a series of interviews, relationships with figures in the scene, and how they all fit into the big picture.

I can't say that I found much to disagree with in the book. I resonated strongly with David Bazan's confusion and then rejection with the charismatic background he was raised in. I very much agreed with Beaujon's analysis of modern praise music as "more than a little sexual and a tad uncomfortable if you're sitting next to an attractive person who's been overcome by the Spirit." (159). He pointed out the similarities between the way Deadheads and now the current jamband scene experience their music, and the current "worship experience." I thought I was the only one who saw that! As one who has had deep experiences in both scenes, I thought his analysis was right on and matched my experience perfectly. He also points out many of the quirks and foibles in modern american evangelicalism, and I couldn't really argue with any of them.

I think I share the same opinions with Beaujon when it comes to american evangelicalism and its music. For me, I've rejected it in favor of a bare-bones, bible based faith which rejects most of the trappings of this sub-culture (some would label me a "fundamentalist," though (like we all say) "it's much more nuanced than that!") When I "got convicted" about my music, it wasn't just the Grateful Dead that got tossed out, it was my entire music collection, all 300+ christian rock cds included. Beaujon, in contrast, finds himself identifying with those christians who reject the american evangelical subculture in favor of the world's culture, and an emphasis on a social gospel.

I found this fascinating: "As I left, [Jae] Choi asked me if I was a Christian, and when I said no, he handed me a tract. I was on the plane home before I realized that I'd been working on this project for six months, and it was the first time anyone had tried to evangelize me." (168)

It's apparent to me, also, that Beaujon doesn't understand the gospel: "To me, the message of the Gospel is love one another, look out for the less fortunate, and try to walk gently on the earth." (271). This is, in fact, the "gospel" that many american evangelicals are currently preaching. To me, the message of the gospel is this: even though I am a wretched sinner who knows that I deserve hell and have no possible way of saving myself from it, God Himself took the initiative, became a man, took my sin upon Himself, and received the punishment I deserve. The way is clear for a restored relationship with the Creator of the universe! That's good news!

I loved Beaujon's writing style. It was downright art at times. I also loved his transparency, and felt that this was a pretty unbiased, straightforward account of the scene. I didn't feel any hatred or malice or desire to make anyone look stupid; (if anyone looks stupid in this book, they brought it upon themselves). Overall, I wouldn't say that I necessarily gained a whole lot by reading this, but I found it fascinating and enjoyable to read.

Body Piercing Didn't Save Beaujon's Life .......2007-07-09

I enjoyed reading the book, but I didn't agree with much of what the author had to say. Beaujon inserted a lot of opinion into this book and it shows in some ways he had an agenda even though he probably would deny that. He highlighted Christians who swear, drink and carouse. He hung out with David Bazan and seems to feel most comfortably with him more than anyone else in the book.

The book is informative and shows that he did research, but still he wrote that Yellowcard started as a Christian band that crossed over to the mainstream. He wrote transcripts of interviews in the book, which is kind of lazy. He revealed all the "off the record" comments by the people he interviewed. Not only that but some parts of the book dragged on because he lacked a clear focus. It becomes apparent that Beaujon wrote the book and didn't have an editor who knew enough about Christian Rock or Christianity to correct some of the mistakes he made.

The bottom line is that this book is better than "Why Should the Devil Have All The Good Music?" But that's not saying much. The book should have been called "A Spin Magazine Writer's Take On Christian Rock".

Great Perspective.......2007-07-05

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a Christ follower, and it was interesting reading about the history of Christian rock. Of greater interest to me was looking at things from Andrew's perspecitve on Christianity as a self-described non-Christian (not anti-Christian). Beyond his perspectve on Christianity and Christian music, my favorite thing was the occasional glimpse into his own personal journey and thoughts.

Inside the Religious Machine.......2006-10-03

As a Christian who has refused to disengage my brain in order to embrace religion, I am encouraged that an agnostic writer would be willing to tackle the wooly subject of Christian rock and roll. Is such music the real deal? Is it all about money? Is it even necessary?

Beaujon approaches his subject with honesty, insight, and not even a smidgen of mean-spiritedness. He admits that the secular media has some biases toward this sector of music, but he himself explores the fringes and the heart of the matter with eyes open and intellect intact. "Body Piercing Saved My Life" is an admirable job of reporting, on any level. Not only does the author take us through the history of modern Christian music, he explores the trends and theologies that infiltrate it. He pulls no punches, showing the frustrations of those within the industry--regarding lifestyles, business practices, and censorship--but he also demonstrates the rare willingness of an outsider to enjoy and even be moved by the music. Admittedly, these moments of enjoyment come infrequently for him (for understandable reasons).

I was one of those church kids, back in the eighties, who loved rock music and wanted to be "with it." With parents who were pastors, this meant I had to rummage through the garbage pile of Christian music and hope to find gold flakes (no double meaning intended) in the stream of heavenly wannnabes. Of course, as the years passed, I realized that life could not be compartmentalized into simple boxes--despite the attempts of many preachers to do so. Although I've still managed to hold onto a belief in a relationship with Jesus, I've been discouraged by the industry's attempts to cover up scandals and to placate the masses with mediocre "worship" music. To hear Beaujon address these subjects is to be reminded that Christian rock and Christianity itself should be more than a phenomenon--they should be reflections of the love of Christ for those inside and out of the religious machine.

Andrew, thank you for "risking" a year in the trenches of American Churchianity. I would've loved more focus on fringe bands (such as Underoath, As I Lay Dying, As Cities Burn, Project 86), but you did a remarkably comprehensive job. Your candid, yet mostly kind, words should be a challenge for thought and action on the part of all those involved.

A VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE.......2006-09-30

I read this book after I read "Faith, God, and Rock and Roll" by Joseph. I liked that book very much, but this one was a bit better. As an outsider, Beaujon takes a relatively objective look at Christian music and what it tries to do. However, just because he's an outsider doesn't mean he is not sympathetic to these musicians and what they're trying to do. I believe that it comes through in the book that Beaujon is sympathetic to any musician who takes his/her job seriously. I think Beaujon has a certain respect for anyone who is passionate about what they do.
That said, the book is a sometimes fascinating (David Bazan), sometimes frustrating (music executives, blah blah) read. Personally, I think the topic of whether Christian musicians should make music only for Christians or for the "outside market" is a fascinating one. I see both sides of the argument and I think it's a good argument (how about debate"?) to have. This book is a nice addition to the growing literature which asks tough questions of Christians concerning their (sometimes) insular musical genre.

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