Book Description
Following his highly successful An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith (Applause), John Kenneth Muir now turns to the life and work of legendary cult-film director Sam Raimi. Raimi exploded on the movie scene in 1982, when he was 23 years old, with the audacious, independently produced horror film The Evil Dead. Re-igniting the horror genre to such a degree that Wes Craven credited Raimi on-screen in A Nightmare on Elm Street, Raimi went on to direct two Evil Dead sequels, his own comic-book superhero, Darkman, and an over-the-top, post-modern western, The Quick and the Dead. Raimi's influence on other filmmakers continues to be enormous - from the "shaky cam" shots of the Coen brothers to the early oeuvre of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, both of whom have been termed the "direct progeny" of Raimi's works.In 2002, Raimi's Spider-Man had the biggest opening weekend in history, earning more than $114 million at the box office. The Unseen Force also features a sneak peek at the much anticipated Spider-Man 2. Included are 30 first-person accounts and interviews from a number of eclectic sources - from the cinematographers who shot Raimi's early films to the producers, screenwriters, actors, special effects magicians and composers who collaborated to make his films the stuff of legend, earn mainstream success, and still be the focus of obsessive cult followings.
Customer Reviews:
More than thirty firsthand accounts and interviews.......2004-07-16
The Unseen Force: The Films Of Sam Raimi provide a behind-the-scenes, movie-by-movie survey of the career and work of innovative film director Sam Raimi. He made his debut in 1982 at the age of 23 with the independent horror film "The Evil Dead" which was so successful Raimi went on to direct two sequels. Included by film expert John Muir are more than thirty firsthand accounts and interviews with filmmakers that have worked with Raimi, from the cinematographers who shot the early films, to the producers, screenwriters, actors, special effects technicians, and music score composers who collaborated to make his films the stuff of box office legend and the focus of a devoted following of dedicated fans. The Unseen Force is a welcome and greatly appreciated contribution to the annals of filmmaking and filmmaker histories.
The Unseen Force.......2004-06-29
This book is a must have for fans of Sam Raimi. It provides in-depth coverage of all of his movies with information from interviews with members of the cast and crew on each of the films.
The author gives his own commentary on each movie and discusses Mr. Raimi's development as a director. I was already a fan of Sam Raimi because of the Evil Dead films and Spider-Man. After reading this book I am interested in checking out some of his other movies as well.
This is the fifth book I have bought by John Kenneth Muir(Horror Films of the 1970's,Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre,Films of John Carpenter and Wes Craven:the Art of Horror) and I would recommend each of them to horror movie fans and movie fans in general.
Great book for Raimi fans covering his entire career..........2004-06-12
Having read Bill Warren's "Evil Dead Companion", Bruce Campbell's "If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B-Movie Actor" and Josh Becker's "Evil Dead Journal" (available online at beckerfilms.com) the story of the production of Sam Raimi's classic 1981 film "The Evil Dead" is becoming somewhat tedious. That said, I still managed to learn some new "Evil Dead" info in Muir's book. The main draw of this book is that it gives all of Raimi's films equal coverage, rather than focusing on his two franchises. The aforementioned books by Warren and Campbell are probably better choices if you're simply an "Evil Dead" trilogy fan and Mark Cotta Vaz's books on the production of "Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man 2" (which has a pretty skimpy chapter in "The Unseen Force", but to be fair, the author couldn't have seen it in time for publication) focus mostly on the conceptual stage and offer little insight into Raimi as a director. It's nice to see "Crimewave", "Darkman", "The Quick and the Dead", "A Simple Plan" (Raimi's best film, as far as I'm concerned), "For Love of the Game" and "The Gift" getting some attention rather than used as context for the cinematic adventures of Ash and Peter Parker. The writing is scholarly but enjoyable, and Muir's interviews with Ian Abercrombie, Betsy Baker, Douglas Beswick, Brent Briscoe, Gary Cole, Kevin Conway, Willem Dafoe, Peter Deming, Chris Doyle, Phil Gillis, Daniel Goldin, Richard Grove, Lance Henricksen, Joe LoDuca, William Mesa, Simon Moore, Verne Nobles, Tim Philo, Robert Primes A.S.C., Thell Reed, Cliff Robertson, Amy Robinson, Chelcie Ross, Ellen Sandweiss, Randy Ser, Thomas Smith, Dana Stevens, Tom Sullivan, Theresa Tilly, Sherree J. Wilson and Christopher Young offer a more diversified portrait of Raimi as a filmmaker than previous books (although this is the first to focus primarily on Raimi himself). If there is one area where the book lacks, it is in the actual biographical details. The death of Raimi's older brother Sander, a tragic and defining moment in his childhood, is glossed over, and a few childhood stories in the tradition of Campbell's book would have been nice (nobody from the Raimi family was interviewed for the book, nor was Campbell) but as a look at Raimi's cinematic accomplishments, "The Unseen Force" doesn't disappoint.
Product Description
60 of the greatest blues riffs of all time, including: All Blues Back Door Man Boom Boom Couldn't Stand the Weather Good Morning Little Schoolgirl Hide Away I Believe I'll Dust My Broom I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man Killing Floor Pride and Joy Rollin' Stone (Catfish Blues) (They Call It) Stormy Monday Susie-Q Sweet Home Chicago Wand Dang Doodle Who Do You Love and more.
Customer Reviews:
Just the riffs - it can be fun and useful.......2004-09-08
This book has a good layout and was published by one of the finest in the business. The price is just right if you consider that they have to pay copyrights for everything included.
While it can be fun to go and play those classic riffs, a beginner guitar-player can also use the book as an instructional tool, since there are many styles covered: power chords, arpeggios,single note riffs, etc... You also can improve your rhythm skills and study the riffs a little (what is the implied harmony, what is(are) the scales used,etc)
The book is probably unecessary for an advanced player, who should be able to play those riffs by ear anyways, but I think it is a decent addition to a beginner rock guitarrist. One can set a goal like "I will master 5 of those riffs per week" or something (as a small part of one's practice - of course a budding musician should aim much more than that). It will be fun to play for friends, kind of instant gratification.
Book Description
This new edition features 30 top riffs from the 1980s in notes and tab, complete with fascinating facts about each song and a CD featuring a demo of each riff. Songs include: Cocaine * Dancing with Myself * 867-5309/Jenny * Every Breath You Take * Eye of the Tiger * Hurts So Good * I Love Rock n Roll * Panama * What I Like About You * You Give Love a Bad Name * and more.
Product Description
This stellar collection assembles 60 rock signature riffs, from hits including: All Right Now Angie Barracuda Crazy Train Day Tripper Dust in the Wind Fun, Fun, Fun Hey Joe Iron Man Jessica Layla Mississippi Queen My Girl Paranoid Pink Houses Pride and Joy Refugee Rock and Roll All Nite Run to You Smoke on the Water Soul Man Start Me Up Sunshine of Your Love That'll Be the Day Walk This Way You Really Got Me and more.
Customer Reviews:
Just for kicks.......2006-06-16
I think another reviewer may have missed the point of this rather small book -- its whole premise is (see the title, due) to run some classic intros by the player. I think it succeeds quite well on that front.
Besides, it's actually a lot of fun to grab the axe, open the book and be able to nail a new riff or two in no time flat. This book is fairly well packed with intros that are fun to jame on.
JMHO
Cheap but worthless.......2002-11-30
I bought this hoping to get a few dictinctive, recognizeable licks under my belt quickly. I was greatly disappointed. The snippets are mainly tiny, especially for the better songs -- several are so short you do not even get a feel for the song. Others do not seem authentic and vary from other tab/music scores I have seen (Sunshine of Your Love for example varies from two other versions that I own and is inferior to both). For Layla I don't think they chose the best guitar part (the original has at least 4 guitars). My girl is just one measure/barr!! Save your money, there are better books and magazines than this one.
Book Description
Finally, a rhythm guitar method for today's hard rock guitarist! This book and CD package is designed to get you started with techniques and grooves in the styles of Creed, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool, Van Halen and many other great bands. Covers: power chords, single-note riffs, picking, muting, accenting, syncopation, odd meters, drop D tuning, harmonics, rhythmic grooves, cool chords, and more. Each musical example in this book is demonstrated on the accompanying CD, backed by a full rhythm section.
Product Description
59 of the most recognizable rock guitar riffs of all time, including: All Day and All of the Night Barracuda Carry on Wayward Son Centerfold Crazy Train Don't Fear the Reaper Fast Car Frankenstein Hit Me with Your Best Shot Hot Blooded Jack and Diane Layla Money Money for Nothing Owner of a Lonely Heart Refugee Rhiannon Shattered Smells like Teen Spirit Sunshine of Your Love Sweet Emotion Welcome to the Jungle You Really Got Me and more.
Book Description
This book identifies 30 distinct guitar riff types, and goes on to illustrate them with 150 inspired examples, examining how they have been developed and used by great rock musicians from Cream and The Beatles, through Nirvana and Soundgarden, to Metallica, Limp Bizkit, The Strokes and The White Stripes. The first half of the book analyzes classic rock riffs and reveals the stories behind their creation, supported by illustrations and a 30-track CD of audio examples. The second section shows how to construct great riffs. Readers learn how to shape a melody, integrate a guitar riff with the rest of a song, enhance it with effects, and work with intervals and scales. Includes an exclusive interview with Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.
Customer Reviews:
Guitar Riffs.......2006-12-01
Ricky is spectacular in his manner of explaining not only how to play RIFFS but how to create them and gives a brief history of the origin of the RIFF.
If you desire to play lead guitar or just be a spectacular back up you can't do better than learn what Rikky presents in his book.
It's not THAT bad.......2004-02-27
This book is mostly verbal, yes, and rarely shows any sort of tablature for the reader to try out. However, for a bit of reading about a bunch of different songs and the author's take on the ways that the artists approached the songs, hey, it's an interesting read. A little short on the info, sometimes. Sometimes he'll just lightly graze a topic, and flutter on to the next piece/artist, leaving you wondering why he didn't continue in the same vein.
A fun idea but not exhaustive. Nonetheless worth well over 1 star.
A unique book on riffs.......2004-02-04
Glad I found this one for myself. Riffs is not a book of sheet music for other people's riffs, tho'it has lots of famous rock riffs described (and if you don't know how Smoke on the Water or Purple Haze sound, where have you been?). Rooksby has found a way to group riffs by type so you can understand what makes them work. I read this book and had a better idea of not only famous riffs but how my band's riffs work. I've looked at a lot of guitar books and this one is IMO unique in what it does. If you don't read music that's cool anyway cos the 30 made-up riffs are tabbed out and on the CD. This is a great book for anyone who wants to understand riffs, not just copy them.
Avoid.... Less than worthless.......2003-12-18
I was extremely disappointed in this book. There is some useful info/discussion in it, if your an absolute beginner to music theory but it is way too lean for someone who is anywhere beyond a couple of introductory lessons and way too confusing/meandering for someone who is a beginner. Your time would be better spent reading something else...
Like the other reviewer, I was extremely annoyed by the fact that while Rooksby has a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of Guitar Riff History (he cites an insanely large and diverse number of artists and songs when discussing various points) and cites a huge number of examples, NONE of those examples are presented in musical format. They are discussed verbally at a high level with little technical detail and, as such, it is rarely clear which portion of the song Rooksby is referring to or why it is related to the chapter's core concept since he quotes no actual music. The closest he gets when discussing examples is he will sometimes mention a chord change in the riff he's trying to cite. I mean this is a joke. The artists and songs cited are so diverse as to be obscure, also. So, you'll certainly be unfamiliar with many of the pieces discussed.
Oh yes, and I would estimate well over half of the book consists of these confusing, vague non-examples. The actual theory is very thin. Rooksby seems to have confused intervals with riffs in the first half of the book and scales in the second half. It's sort of ridiculous actually that this even managed to get published. The title is extremely misleading and the concept of a 'Riff' that is presented here is not really what I think most other guitarists even consider it to be (most players I know think Riff == "Rhythm Figure").
Another HUGE problem: Technique is COMPLETELY ignored. Things like Palm Muting, Drone tones, Harmonics, etc, and their contribution to Riffery is completely lost in this book.
The few examples that are presented in musical format are absolutely trivial (non copyrighted) things like the major scale intervals and patterns. Rooksby's Songwriting book is authored in exactly the same way... like some sort of bizarre muscic appreciation class that has nothing to do with actual guitar playing or composition.
The companion "CD" takes the examples to the point of embarassment: With examples like "let's play two notes a whole step apart" and "let's listen to someone play one position of the A pentatonic scale". Again: You can get past this point in the First Chapter of Guitar for Dummies or after two lessons with a competent instructor.
Really this book would be funny if I had shoplifted it but the fact that I wasted hard earned cash just annoys me. Avoid this and Rooksby's Songwriting book like the plague. :(
Misleading Title.......2003-12-17
The description of the book "illustrate them with 150 inspired examples" is very misleading. The author talked about 150 riffs. You are supposed find the actual riff tabs somewhere else. After buying this book, you may need to buy another 100 books to find the 150 riffs the author discussed about. Skip this book.
Product Description
This new book in our exciting Riff Notes series features 63 of the greatest guitar moments of the '70s, transcribed in notes and tab. Includes the top riffs from: American Woman Carry On Wayward Son Crazy on You Dust in the Wind Imagine Iron Man Layla Message in a Bottle Smoke on the Water Sultans of Swing Sweet Leaf Takin' Care of Business Walk This Way Wonderful Tonight You Really Got Me and more.
Customer Reviews:
No More Hal.......2007-06-13
This is another book for the trash heap. These hal leonard books only give you very short parts of the songs. Most of them arn't even the good parts. From now on i will look inside books at the store before i buy them anywhere. And no more hal leonard scams.
Just the riffs - it can be fun and useful.......2004-09-08
This book has a good layout and was published by one of the finest in the business. The price is just right if you consider that they have to pay copyrights for everything included.
While it can be fun to go and play those riffs (some are unquestionable monster hits, others are kind of second-tier), a beginner guitar-player can also use the book as an instructional tool, since there are many styles covered: power chords, arpeggios,single note riffs, etc... You can also improve your rhythm skills and study the riffs a little deeper (what is the implied harmony, what is(are) the scales used,etc)
The book is probably unecessary for an advanced player, who should be able to play those riffs by ear anyways, but I think it is a decent addition to a beginner rock guitarrist. One can set a goal like "I will master 5 of those riffs per week" or something (as a small part of one's practice - of course a budding musician should aim much more than that). It will be fun to play for friends, kind of instant gratification.
Book Description
This great book is your guide to playing more than 40 of the coolest riffs from this sophisticated group. Includes transcriptions in notes and tab for riffs from: Bad Sneakers * Black Friday * The Boston Rag * Deacon Blues * FM * Hey Nineteen * Josie * Kid Charlemagne * King of the World * Peg * Reeling in the Years * Rikki Don't Lose That Number * and more.
Product Description
60 essential riffs from some of the greatest acoustic guitar moments of all time. Includes: Angie Annie's Song Bus Stop Change the World Crash into Me Dust in the Wind Fire and Rain Free Fallin' Heaven Beside You Here Comes the Sun Hold My Hand Iris Landslide Leader of the Band Loser Maggie May Melissa More Than Words Name Silent Lucidity Wonderwall You Were Meant for Me and more.
Book Description
Every essential riff from every song written and recorded by Metallica from Ride the Lightning, Kill 'em All, Master of Puppets, ...And Justice for All, and Metallica. Includes notes and commentary for each plus tablature.
Customer Reviews:
Misses quite a bit........2007-08-31
You get as much music for each song as they could stuff onto 2 pages per song! Think about that! So a song like "To live is to die", you know they can't fit all onto two pages.
But i'd have been satisfied learning the main parts but there is a nasty habit of completely skipping intro riffs! The "Four Horseman" intro is not in this book! That is THE signature riff to that song and it's not there. Along with a lot of other holes. Sorry.
Great look at all the main riffs of all metallica songs (thru 1991).......2005-12-31
I picked up this book just to learn some of the main riffs of the black album, but then discovered that the earlier songs were what I really enjoyed playing. This is the perfect book if you want to try playing all of Metallica's songs and gives you plenty of insight on theory, equipment, band history and other info.
The only thing I didn't like was that the theory explanation to the riffs were like greek to me, although a more experienced player might be able to make sense of it.
The book is a bit outdated as Metallica have about 4-5 new albums since it was published, but if you like the earlier material this is the book to get.
Not that great.......2002-12-28
I should ahve know it was to good to be true. The books gives you a riff here and a riff there. I would prefer the entire song not just. "Repeat this riff in verse 3 twice" with tabs underneath it.
Awsome Book!!!!!.......2001-03-27
Buy This! It is a very good book for anyone who likes Metallica or just wants to play some awsome guitar riffs! Buy this book!!!
Riff by Riff, like the title says........2000-11-24
I enjoy looking at this book and seeing Metallica's first five albums tabbed out. I don't like the fact that this book only shows the IMPORTANT riffs, it doesn't show variations or anything. I guess you do have to keep a space limit, though, if you want to make a book for this cheap. Some cool features I like in this book include a Metallica timeline and Equipment Setup details. I also enjoy the commentary on the riffs, but if you don't know theory very well the commentary gets a little confusing. Not everyone will know what a "dyad" is. (It's two notes played at once, since it takes three to make a chord.) This book has helped me learn how to play better Metallica, so I guess it's pretty much accomplished its job.
4 out of 5 stars.
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- Untitled
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- Vivien Leigh A Biography
- Woody, From Antz to Zelig: A Reference Guide to Woody Allen's Creative Work, 1964-1998
- Writing the Screenplay: TV and Film, 2/E
- A Cast of Friends
- A MIRROR FOR NARCISSUS
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The Evil Dead Companion
Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way
If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor
Man with the Screaming Brain
Evil Dead II (Special Edition)
