Michael Walker (2) (1957–)

An interesting and nostalgic look at the residents of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles in the 1970’s – Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison, Graham Nash, Cass Elliott, Carole King, Don Henley, and David Crosby - as music turned away from the Brill Building in New York City to the performer/composer in California. Full of inside tidbits and inside stories. A fun read.

Reading this book took me back to the early 70s when I was first listening to Rita, Joe Cocker, Delaney & Bonnie, Derek and the Dominos, CSN - I've always loved her smoky voice. I saw her and Kris Kristofferson in concert once, and he was stumbling around the stage, obviously drunk - it was rather shocking at the time. The book wasn't extremely detailed about her life, although she does give us a few tidbits. I wanted more!

Some books just take us back. Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson were my first couple crush. Thought Rita was beautiful, her voice so clear, mellow and emotive. Thought Kris was gorgeous, A star is Born is the only movie I ever stood in line for and as a couple they were phenomenal. Was devastated when it didn't last, was to young to be cynical yet.

The music of the times, Graham Nash, Joe Cocker, Cher, Clapton, George Harrison, all phenomenal, all part of the scene. Loved reading Rita's show more thoughts on this time period, these musicians as well as others. She gives a special nod to Bob Dylan, this book came out before he won his big controversial prize, saying she wonders if he realizes how much his words effected a generation. Her youth, her closeness with her sister, Patsy and Patsy's horrific end. Her career, loves and her marriage. Plenty of drug use ne alcohol, but she did not heavily partake in either. The music, lifestyle and scene. Gobbled it all up, loved the way she told her story. I highly respect not only her musical abilities but her view of her past and present life. show less

As music books go, this was all right. Not fantastic, not earth-shaking, but all right.

As many other reviewers have noted, while it purports to be the "inside story of rock and roll's legendary neighborhood" it does take far too many detours out of Laurel Canyon and into the offices of music companies, or into LA, or wherever.

It started out strong, and I will say I quite enjoyed the first half, and I think if Walker had simply focused on Laurel Canyon up to, say, the Manson murders, and gone show more more in depth on the musicians in the canyon, and more about their songwriting and collaborations and inspirations, this would have been a far more interesting read. show less