Harvey Kubernik

Great photos - and this book should have stopped right there. Author is annoying, very impressed with himself. Chapters are arranged by musician or band, and there is so much cross-referencing between musicians (because they were all playing at each others' homes or studios) that the book doesn't flow well.

"I thought a book needed to be written about the music, especially the rock 'n' roll, we hear on the screen and collect as soundtrack albums; the interaction of the music and the cinematography clicking together like a Motown rhythm section; the story of how the music gets inside the films, and how rock 'n' roll in particular has been utilized in television the last six decades."--from Hollywood Shack JobFor over thirty years Harvey Kubernik has been actively involved in the music scene in show more Los Angeles as a studio musician, record producer, and reporter. Here he shares insiders' accounts of the compromises and "deals" behind the fusion of creativity and commerce in the making of cultural commodities.Kubernik begins in the 1950s when rock 'n' roll made its first appearance in movies with artists like Chuck Berry or Little Richard, moves through the 1960s with the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night, when people began to realize the commercial potential of soundtracks, to Easy Rider, which took individual singles, most already released, and created a new soundtrack. Over the course of thirty-one interviews he covers nearly six decades of music in movies and television, bringing the story up to 2006. "Harvey Kubernik is a cornucopia of American culture. . . . He's onto the most important development since bebop, that is, the absolute cultural primacy of rock 'n' roll. . . . His new book, Hollywood Shack Job is a totally original scan across this history, uncovering major and minor players, aficionados and accomplices of every stripe."--David E. James, professor, School of Cinema-Television, University of Southern California, and author of Power Misses show less

I had high hopes for this book. It was expensive and I knew that was partly because it contained quite a few photographs from Henry Diltz. What I wasn't expecting was the poor writing from Harvey Kubernik and editors, if there were any. I also wasn't expecting quite so much input from Henry Diltz. As a photographer I'm not sure what he had to add to the story aside from bragging rights about how much time he spent with the musicians. I guess as a resident and celebrity he earned the space in show more the book. There was some information to be gained. Much of it was a long and winding tale of marijuana fueled reminiscences of times gone by. show less

Another 5 ★ ♥ that I truly enjoyed ....*

Canyon Of Dreams(2009) is 368 pages with greater than 300 photographs and snapshots of memorabilia from the era discussed. There is an extensive index, photo credits, foreward ( the late Ray Manzurek) and afterword (Lou Adler).

Laurel Canyon sits in the Hollywood Hills (above Sunset Boulevard) and since the beginning of Hollywood, it quickly acquired its hideaway reputation.
This volume speaks of "the metamorphosis of the canyon from the very show more beginning concentrating on the 60's, until the 70's, when the magic of the canyon began to crumble."

The book layout is similar to a scrapbook (text, pictures, memorabilia of all types such as concert tickets, clippings of upcoming shows, interviews, quotes etc.)
The text was broken up by photos, interviews and memorable quotes.
But, if you had a mind to, the flow of the text could be easily followed.

I found it fascinating and informative as a musical history reference.
Longtime residents guide us as they reminisce of days in the Canyon.
The cast of characters includes "wordsmiths, authors, musicians, photographers, rock bands, record label owners,poets, dancers" and the list goes on......

Kubernik heralds it as "amazing stories of residents and the adventures, misadventures, artistic pursuits, parties, trysts, or some combination of all of the above."

Canyon of Dreams traces the enduring history and legacy of Laurel Canyon.

With an extensive collection of photographs of the times (some candid, some staged),
I would consider it a"must have" for anyone interested in the "old days" of 60's music....and ready for a personal tour
through an area that served a a rock music center for nearly a decade. show less