not quite what i hoped for., 07 Oct 2008
When this project was first announced it sounded very cool with its promises of princes thoughts,feelings,scribblings etc, unfortunately what written text there is happens to be reproduced song lyrics.i was hoping for a diary type breakdown of his day by day thoughts on the gigs and the london experience in general,something more personal to him.
There are only actually a handful of live gig pics in the whole book, the rest being made up of staged art exhibition pieces.i was expecting a more raw portrayal of the gigs themselves as overall i dont feel the book necessarily represents the o2 experience...more of a show off for the Dorchester hotel.
Saying that it's saving grace is the cd included which could have commanded the asking price alone so i look at the book (which is extremely nice quality on great paper) as a glorified tour program.
Overall it's a very classy attractive product it's just maybe my hopes were set too high as to it's actual content.

So very glam, so very prince, an indulgent pleasure!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly this book is perhaps one of the most opulent, self-indulgent books I have ever purchased, but when it is the finest artist of his generation responsible for such extravagance how can you say no? Every photo appears to have been staged and feels more like a photoshoot than the intimate behind-the-scenes insight the book first appears. It features little in the way of photos from the shows and that is perhaps the biggest dissapointment. Especially as the Indigo o2 is not represented at all in the photography, a shame as I have great memories from seeing prince there and the CD is from his aftershow set there.

What makes this book special is the presentation, the quality of the paper and overall packaging is truly first rate, capturing the quest for perfection that prince has strived for in his performances. It is hard to knock such a well rounded product at such a fair price. It may be self-indulgent, but Prince is no egoist- he really loves to indulge his fans too and that is what we get in this lavashly presented book.

The CD is pure gold, you know why you want this, it is for the music and all that can be said is that it truly delivers. Okay Misty Blue and Alphabet Street do drag on a bit, but this is a wonderful exhibit to his musical genius. His live band sounded great in the indigo 02 and the sound quality of this live release is probably the best I have heard taken from such an intimate venue. It would be wrong for me to pick highlights as this is a largely flawless performance that is worth every penny, just wish the photos had a bit more soul to them.

Great value for money, perfectly produced but where are the live pics?, 07 Oct 2008
I went to 7 of the 21 nights shows; I was expecting to have my memories enhanced by a catalogue of photos spread out from the nights - which lets face it, very almost perfection. However, this is not the case; hardly any of the pictures are actually from the live shows.
You do get some quality pictures of the bands and lots of Prince but they are not natural pictures, more posed pictures that would fit perfectly in a publicity shoot.
You also get page after page of photos of 'Chelsea Rodgers' who maybe beautiful but is not what I went to the gigs for.

Saying that, for £13.50, with the addition of a great CD (now this does help the memories - a DVD please Prince!!), this book is beautifully presented - the book is big, certainly not produced for this budget price, so it's a must buy - even if I'd say '21 Nights' is a slightly misleading title.

Prince 21 Nights, 06 Oct 2008
We were there! this book is really good, and the CD is a massive bonus, this is the future for CD sales, you've got to look at all sales channels and this book is just another way to distribute the CD the same as a NewsPaper deal or handing a Disc to fans as they arrive at a concert. Prince is showing the music industry ways to survive - will they catch-on?

buy this book/CD and enjoy.

Worth the money for the CD, 05 Oct 2008
This book could be seen in two ways- as a collection of photographs that record Prince's residency in London in 2007 or as the most beautifully produced album cover ever. I suspect that like many of those who attended Prince's performances at the O2 last year, I have been eagerly awaiting some record of the event- hoping he would release a DVD that would showcase his talents and those of his superb band.
The CD that is included with this book is a remarkable recording of the intimate post-show gigs; it is one of the most terrific live recordings I have ever heard packed with humour, energy and fantastic performances; I've not been able to stop listening to it. His ability to move from jazz to soul to rock and back must be unique and conveys his live personna much more vividly than other recordings.
The book, well, there are pictures of airports and luxurious hotel rooms; there are fine portraits of prince and members of his band and of a sexy chambermaid. I would have liked more pictures of the gigs themselves, recreating the atmosphere of those fantastic performances, I would have liked to have seen the fans, the sneaky entrance in the flight-case, the magnificently staged waving of the banners during Purple Rain.
Who knows, maybe there will be another book with the DVD- I hope it's due soon.

not quite what i hoped for., 07 Oct 2008
When this project was first announced it sounded very cool with its promises of princes thoughts,feelings,scribblings etc, unfortunately what written text there is happens to be reproduced song lyrics.i was hoping for a diary type breakdown of his day by day thoughts on the gigs and the london experience in general,something more personal to him.
There are only actually a handful of live gig pics in the whole book, the rest being made up of staged art exhibition pieces.i was expecting a more raw portrayal of the gigs themselves as overall i dont feel the book necessarily represents the o2 experience...more of a show off for the Dorchester hotel.
Saying that it's saving grace is the cd included which could have commanded the asking price alone so i look at the book (which is extremely nice quality on great paper) as a glorified tour program.
Overall it's a very classy attractive product it's just maybe my hopes were set too high as to it's actual content.

So very glam, so very prince, an indulgent pleasure!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly this book is perhaps one of the most opulent, self-indulgent books I have ever purchased, but when it is the finest artist of his generation responsible for such extravagance how can you say no? Every photo appears to have been staged and feels more like a photoshoot than the intimate behind-the-scenes insight the book first appears. It features little in the way of photos from the shows and that is perhaps the biggest dissapointment. Especially as the Indigo o2 is not represented at all in the photography, a shame as I have great memories from seeing prince there and the CD is from his aftershow set there.

What makes this book special is the presentation, the quality of the paper and overall packaging is truly first rate, capturing the quest for perfection that prince has strived for in his performances. It is hard to knock such a well rounded product at such a fair price. It may be self-indulgent, but Prince is no egoist- he really loves to indulge his fans too and that is what we get in this lavashly presented book.

The CD is pure gold, you know why you want this, it is for the music and all that can be said is that it truly delivers. Okay Misty Blue and Alphabet Street do drag on a bit, but this is a wonderful exhibit to his musical genius. His live band sounded great in the indigo 02 and the sound quality of this live release is probably the best I have heard taken from such an intimate venue. It would be wrong for me to pick highlights as this is a largely flawless performance that is worth every penny, just wish the photos had a bit more soul to them.

Great value for money, perfectly produced but where are the live pics?, 07 Oct 2008
I went to 7 of the 21 nights shows; I was expecting to have my memories enhanced by a catalogue of photos spread out from the nights - which lets face it, very almost perfection. However, this is not the case; hardly any of the pictures are actually from the live shows.
You do get some quality pictures of the bands and lots of Prince but they are not natural pictures, more posed pictures that would fit perfectly in a publicity shoot.
You also get page after page of photos of 'Chelsea Rodgers' who maybe beautiful but is not what I went to the gigs for.

Saying that, for £13.50, with the addition of a great CD (now this does help the memories - a DVD please Prince!!), this book is beautifully presented - the book is big, certainly not produced for this budget price, so it's a must buy - even if I'd say '21 Nights' is a slightly misleading title.

Prince 21 Nights, 06 Oct 2008
We were there! this book is really good, and the CD is a massive bonus, this is the future for CD sales, you've got to look at all sales channels and this book is just another way to distribute the CD the same as a NewsPaper deal or handing a Disc to fans as they arrive at a concert. Prince is showing the music industry ways to survive - will they catch-on?

buy this book/CD and enjoy.

Worth the money for the CD, 05 Oct 2008
This book could be seen in two ways- as a collection of photographs that record Prince's residency in London in 2007 or as the most beautifully produced album cover ever. I suspect that like many of those who attended Prince's performances at the O2 last year, I have been eagerly awaiting some record of the event- hoping he would release a DVD that would showcase his talents and those of his superb band.
The CD that is included with this book is a remarkable recording of the intimate post-show gigs; it is one of the most terrific live recordings I have ever heard packed with humour, energy and fantastic performances; I've not been able to stop listening to it. His ability to move from jazz to soul to rock and back must be unique and conveys his live personna much more vividly than other recordings.
The book, well, there are pictures of airports and luxurious hotel rooms; there are fine portraits of prince and members of his band and of a sexy chambermaid. I would have liked more pictures of the gigs themselves, recreating the atmosphere of those fantastic performances, I would have liked to have seen the fans, the sneaky entrance in the flight-case, the magnificently staged waving of the banners during Purple Rain.
Who knows, maybe there will be another book with the DVD- I hope it's due soon.

Wow! A-w-e-s-o-m-e Book, 07 Oct 2008
Wow. Amazing book! I am still recovering from this book which cliff has written from the bottom of his heart. Thank you cliff for giving us an insight into your personality. For fans, it is a 'must' read, as we get to know so many intimate details like what he has for breakfast, his fears, his love and above all his frank approach to life and controversies which surround him. He not only clears the dust but also confirms what all his fans already know about him...that he is such a humble person, inspite of having millions of fans worldwide, especially here in India. My only regret was there were no contact details about his fan clubs nor an address we could write to, which could have been included in this super book.

A Revelation, 23 Sep 2008
A truly riveting and honest read. I've grown up hearing and sometimes reading about Cliff, but recently I have discovered for myself a genuine and talented singer. The book shares accounts of the different eras and experiences that Cliff has lived and worked through, and also his emotions and thoughts on an array of topics. I wholly recommend this book.

Sir Cliff: A True Legend, 19 Sep 2008
Having almost finished My Life, My Way I just had to review it.

I've read a broad array of books about Sir Cliff, some by the man himself, and others by other people. None capture the heart of the man as well as this new one. It is a fascinating insight into a man the media continues to treat really badly, as if 50 years of being at the top, having hits all the way through and giving pleasure to a lot of people is a crime.

The book is paced very well, with topics going back and forth between the present and past smoothly. We are given interesting little facts along the way and Cliff's frank opinions on modern life, all of which show him as a complete person who lives not in some sort of 'starry' out of touch bubble, but in the same world as you and me. It is heartwarming how often Sir Cliff refers to his family and friends, explaining how it is these people who keep his feet on the ground and in touch with reality.

The most moving parts of the book come when Cliff talks of his parents. That his father missed the best years of Cliff's career, having died in 1961, is clearly a regret, and his mother's long battle with dementia and the awful effect of this terrible condition are reflected in what feels like an urgency for the reader to understand what his mother was like before the condition took hold. Having lost a parent to dementia I found Sir Cliff's honesty and openness on the subject very moving.

One should not forget of course that Sir Cliff has written the book with Penny Junor, who has written a number of biographies. She has done extremely well to ask the right questions, and give Sir Cliff the freedom and possibly the security, to talk frankly.

The media of course chooses to twist certain things in the book and put words in Sir Cliff's mouth. The only way you will know what he is really like is to buy it.

It is fascinating that some choose to criticise Sir Cliff for writing about himself. It is an autobiography after all. Writing about himself was the whole idea.

GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 17 Sep 2008
I can't imagine what the previous reviewer thinks an autobiography should be about, if not its author! This is a very honest, very readable and engaging book - a proper reflection on an incredible 50 years in show business. Cliff has not taken the easy way out and produced an assemblage of photographs with captions and called it an autobiograpy. Instead he has done his fans proud and delved deep to produce a really worthwhile, detailed and fascinating story that doesn't cut corners or duck hard questions. He deserves every bit of his success and I'm sure this book will make him new fans.

"ME, ME, ME", 13 Sep 2008
I have always considered Sir Cliff to be a very gracious and modest gentleman, but in this autobiography he comes across as nothing but self-obsessed because the main topic on his agenda is himself.

Every chapter is devoted to him in some way reflecting on his life and career which makes him also come across as someone who is unable to let go of the past because he talks about it constantly throughout this autobiography.

-Stephen Alan Yorke.

not quite what i hoped for., 07 Oct 2008
When this project was first announced it sounded very cool with its promises of princes thoughts,feelings,scribblings etc, unfortunately what written text there is happens to be reproduced song lyrics.i was hoping for a diary type breakdown of his day by day thoughts on the gigs and the london experience in general,something more personal to him.
There are only actually a handful of live gig pics in the whole book, the rest being made up of staged art exhibition pieces.i was expecting a more raw portrayal of the gigs themselves as overall i dont feel the book necessarily represents the o2 experience...more of a show off for the Dorchester hotel.
Saying that it's saving grace is the cd included which could have commanded the asking price alone so i look at the book (which is extremely nice quality on great paper) as a glorified tour program.
Overall it's a very classy attractive product it's just maybe my hopes were set too high as to it's actual content.

So very glam, so very prince, an indulgent pleasure!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly this book is perhaps one of the most opulent, self-indulgent books I have ever purchased, but when it is the finest artist of his generation responsible for such extravagance how can you say no? Every photo appears to have been staged and feels more like a photoshoot than the intimate behind-the-scenes insight the book first appears. It features little in the way of photos from the shows and that is perhaps the biggest dissapointment. Especially as the Indigo o2 is not represented at all in the photography, a shame as I have great memories from seeing prince there and the CD is from his aftershow set there.

What makes this book special is the presentation, the quality of the paper and overall packaging is truly first rate, capturing the quest for perfection that prince has strived for in his performances. It is hard to knock such a well rounded product at such a fair price. It may be self-indulgent, but Prince is no egoist- he really loves to indulge his fans too and that is what we get in this lavashly presented book.

The CD is pure gold, you know why you want this, it is for the music and all that can be said is that it truly delivers. Okay Misty Blue and Alphabet Street do drag on a bit, but this is a wonderful exhibit to his musical genius. His live band sounded great in the indigo 02 and the sound quality of this live release is probably the best I have heard taken from such an intimate venue. It would be wrong for me to pick highlights as this is a largely flawless performance that is worth every penny, just wish the photos had a bit more soul to them.

Great value for money, perfectly produced but where are the live pics?, 07 Oct 2008
I went to 7 of the 21 nights shows; I was expecting to have my memories enhanced by a catalogue of photos spread out from the nights - which lets face it, very almost perfection. However, this is not the case; hardly any of the pictures are actually from the live shows.
You do get some quality pictures of the bands and lots of Prince but they are not natural pictures, more posed pictures that would fit perfectly in a publicity shoot.
You also get page after page of photos of 'Chelsea Rodgers' who maybe beautiful but is not what I went to the gigs for.

Saying that, for £13.50, with the addition of a great CD (now this does help the memories - a DVD please Prince!!), this book is beautifully presented - the book is big, certainly not produced for this budget price, so it's a must buy - even if I'd say '21 Nights' is a slightly misleading title.

Prince 21 Nights, 06 Oct 2008
We were there! this book is really good, and the CD is a massive bonus, this is the future for CD sales, you've got to look at all sales channels and this book is just another way to distribute the CD the same as a NewsPaper deal or handing a Disc to fans as they arrive at a concert. Prince is showing the music industry ways to survive - will they catch-on?

buy this book/CD and enjoy.

Worth the money for the CD, 05 Oct 2008
This book could be seen in two ways- as a collection of photographs that record Prince's residency in London in 2007 or as the most beautifully produced album cover ever. I suspect that like many of those who attended Prince's performances at the O2 last year, I have been eagerly awaiting some record of the event- hoping he would release a DVD that would showcase his talents and those of his superb band.
The CD that is included with this book is a remarkable recording of the intimate post-show gigs; it is one of the most terrific live recordings I have ever heard packed with humour, energy and fantastic performances; I've not been able to stop listening to it. His ability to move from jazz to soul to rock and back must be unique and conveys his live personna much more vividly than other recordings.
The book, well, there are pictures of airports and luxurious hotel rooms; there are fine portraits of prince and members of his band and of a sexy chambermaid. I would have liked more pictures of the gigs themselves, recreating the atmosphere of those fantastic performances, I would have liked to have seen the fans, the sneaky entrance in the flight-case, the magnificently staged waving of the banners during Purple Rain.
Who knows, maybe there will be another book with the DVD- I hope it's due soon.

Wow! A-w-e-s-o-m-e Book, 07 Oct 2008
Wow. Amazing book! I am still recovering from this book which cliff has written from the bottom of his heart. Thank you cliff for giving us an insight into your personality. For fans, it is a 'must' read, as we get to know so many intimate details like what he has for breakfast, his fears, his love and above all his frank approach to life and controversies which surround him. He not only clears the dust but also confirms what all his fans already know about him...that he is such a humble person, inspite of having millions of fans worldwide, especially here in India. My only regret was there were no contact details about his fan clubs nor an address we could write to, which could have been included in this super book.

A Revelation, 23 Sep 2008
A truly riveting and honest read. I've grown up hearing and sometimes reading about Cliff, but recently I have discovered for myself a genuine and talented singer. The book shares accounts of the different eras and experiences that Cliff has lived and worked through, and also his emotions and thoughts on an array of topics. I wholly recommend this book.

Sir Cliff: A True Legend, 19 Sep 2008
Having almost finished My Life, My Way I just had to review it.

I've read a broad array of books about Sir Cliff, some by the man himself, and others by other people. None capture the heart of the man as well as this new one. It is a fascinating insight into a man the media continues to treat really badly, as if 50 years of being at the top, having hits all the way through and giving pleasure to a lot of people is a crime.

The book is paced very well, with topics going back and forth between the present and past smoothly. We are given interesting little facts along the way and Cliff's frank opinions on modern life, all of which show him as a complete person who lives not in some sort of 'starry' out of touch bubble, but in the same world as you and me. It is heartwarming how often Sir Cliff refers to his family and friends, explaining how it is these people who keep his feet on the ground and in touch with reality.

The most moving parts of the book come when Cliff talks of his parents. That his father missed the best years of Cliff's career, having died in 1961, is clearly a regret, and his mother's long battle with dementia and the awful effect of this terrible condition are reflected in what feels like an urgency for the reader to understand what his mother was like before the condition took hold. Having lost a parent to dementia I found Sir Cliff's honesty and openness on the subject very moving.

One should not forget of course that Sir Cliff has written the book with Penny Junor, who has written a number of biographies. She has done extremely well to ask the right questions, and give Sir Cliff the freedom and possibly the security, to talk frankly.

The media of course chooses to twist certain things in the book and put words in Sir Cliff's mouth. The only way you will know what he is really like is to buy it.

It is fascinating that some choose to criticise Sir Cliff for writing about himself. It is an autobiography after all. Writing about himself was the whole idea.

GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 17 Sep 2008
I can't imagine what the previous reviewer thinks an autobiography should be about, if not its author! This is a very honest, very readable and engaging book - a proper reflection on an incredible 50 years in show business. Cliff has not taken the easy way out and produced an assemblage of photographs with captions and called it an autobiograpy. Instead he has done his fans proud and delved deep to produce a really worthwhile, detailed and fascinating story that doesn't cut corners or duck hard questions. He deserves every bit of his success and I'm sure this book will make him new fans.

"ME, ME, ME", 13 Sep 2008
I have always considered Sir Cliff to be a very gracious and modest gentleman, but in this autobiography he comes across as nothing but self-obsessed because the main topic on his agenda is himself.

Every chapter is devoted to him in some way reflecting on his life and career which makes him also come across as someone who is unable to let go of the past because he talks about it constantly throughout this autobiography.

-Stephen Alan Yorke.

Coffee table Clash, 06 Oct 2008
If you were ever looking for a coffee table story of The Clash look no more. The stories and many of the photographs will be familiar to Clash fans but the book is none the worse for that.

The book is beautifully produced for the price, I think even at non Amazon prices the book would be a bargain.

A little naughty to say that this is an autobiography created by all four band members seeing as Joe has not been around for some time, however it is a book that any Clash/punk aficionado will love.

A MUST FOR ALL CLASH FANS, 29 Sep 2008
Most of the photos in the book i have seen before ie Bob Gruen/Pennie Smith etc but it's great to have a good quality ones all in one book there are some black and white previously unseen ones.
The book also has some adverts/pic sleeves/album covers bits from the two clash songbooks,music paper front covers and articles, gig posters,postcards sent to family members while on tour etc,etc.
Its a beutiful coffee table type book and THE CLASH themselves are credited as authors as embodied in this compilation work. All interviews are by Mal Peachey

Best 15 quid i have spent in a long long time

Groovy Times Have Come To Pass, 28 Sep 2008
The second you see the dayglo pink cover..you know you are in for something a bit special. This is about the same size as the "Punk" hardback that came out a few years ago. In some ways layout is similar..but it's 100% clash!
For the photospotters...there are some well known pictures gathered here...but a lot of cracking b/w and colour shots I've never seen before.There are also record sleeves and posters, singles adverts lovingly reproduced. I haven't had time to read all the way through yet..but I'm like a kid on Christmas day with this!
There are also some pages from the first Clash Songbooks- biogs and the like.
The book works through in chronological order 1976 -1983 with a mix of pictures text, tour dates, albums etc...Joe,Mick, Paul and Topper all have their say..
It's the "Must Have Toy...(well book) for Christmas" as my son keeps reminding me..how am I expected to wait two months!

not quite what i hoped for., 07 Oct 2008
When this project was first announced it sounded very cool with its promises of princes thoughts,feelings,scribblings etc, unfortunately what written text there is happens to be reproduced song lyrics.i was hoping for a diary type breakdown of his day by day thoughts on the gigs and the london experience in general,something more personal to him.
There are only actually a handful of live gig pics in the whole book, the rest being made up of staged art exhibition pieces.i was expecting a more raw portrayal of the gigs themselves as overall i dont feel the book necessarily represents the o2 experience...more of a show off for the Dorchester hotel.
Saying that it's saving grace is the cd included which could have commanded the asking price alone so i look at the book (which is extremely nice quality on great paper) as a glorified tour program.
Overall it's a very classy attractive product it's just maybe my hopes were set too high as to it's actual content.

So very glam, so very prince, an indulgent pleasure!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly this book is perhaps one of the most opulent, self-indulgent books I have ever purchased, but when it is the finest artist of his generation responsible for such extravagance how can you say no? Every photo appears to have been staged and feels more like a photoshoot than the intimate behind-the-scenes insight the book first appears. It features little in the way of photos from the shows and that is perhaps the biggest dissapointment. Especially as the Indigo o2 is not represented at all in the photography, a shame as I have great memories from seeing prince there and the CD is from his aftershow set there.

What makes this book special is the presentation, the quality of the paper and overall packaging is truly first rate, capturing the quest for perfection that prince has strived for in his performances. It is hard to knock such a well rounded product at such a fair price. It may be self-indulgent, but Prince is no egoist- he really loves to indulge his fans too and that is what we get in this lavashly presented book.

The CD is pure gold, you know why you want this, it is for the music and all that can be said is that it truly delivers. Okay Misty Blue and Alphabet Street do drag on a bit, but this is a wonderful exhibit to his musical genius. His live band sounded great in the indigo 02 and the sound quality of this live release is probably the best I have heard taken from such an intimate venue. It would be wrong for me to pick highlights as this is a largely flawless performance that is worth every penny, just wish the photos had a bit more soul to them.

Great value for money, perfectly produced but where are the live pics?, 07 Oct 2008
I went to 7 of the 21 nights shows; I was expecting to have my memories enhanced by a catalogue of photos spread out from the nights - which lets face it, very almost perfection. However, this is not the case; hardly any of the pictures are actually from the live shows.
You do get some quality pictures of the bands and lots of Prince but they are not natural pictures, more posed pictures that would fit perfectly in a publicity shoot.
You also get page after page of photos of 'Chelsea Rodgers' who maybe beautiful but is not what I went to the gigs for.

Saying that, for £13.50, with the addition of a great CD (now this does help the memories - a DVD please Prince!!), this book is beautifully presented - the book is big, certainly not produced for this budget price, so it's a must buy - even if I'd say '21 Nights' is a slightly misleading title.

Prince 21 Nights, 06 Oct 2008
We were there! this book is really good, and the CD is a massive bonus, this is the future for CD sales, you've got to look at all sales channels and this book is just another way to distribute the CD the same as a NewsPaper deal or handing a Disc to fans as they arrive at a concert. Prince is showing the music industry ways to survive - will they catch-on?

buy this book/CD and enjoy.

Worth the money for the CD, 05 Oct 2008
This book could be seen in two ways- as a collection of photographs that record Prince's residency in London in 2007 or as the most beautifully produced album cover ever. I suspect that like many of those who attended Prince's performances at the O2 last year, I have been eagerly awaiting some record of the event- hoping he would release a DVD that would showcase his talents and those of his superb band.
The CD that is included with this book is a remarkable recording of the intimate post-show gigs; it is one of the most terrific live recordings I have ever heard packed with humour, energy and fantastic performances; I've not been able to stop listening to it. His ability to move from jazz to soul to rock and back must be unique and conveys his live personna much more vividly than other recordings.
The book, well, there are pictures of airports and luxurious hotel rooms; there are fine portraits of prince and members of his band and of a sexy chambermaid. I would have liked more pictures of the gigs themselves, recreating the atmosphere of those fantastic performances, I would have liked to have seen the fans, the sneaky entrance in the flight-case, the magnificently staged waving of the banners during Purple Rain.
Who knows, maybe there will be another book with the DVD- I hope it's due soon.

Wow! A-w-e-s-o-m-e Book, 07 Oct 2008
Wow. Amazing book! I am still recovering from this book which cliff has written from the bottom of his heart. Thank you cliff for giving us an insight into your personality. For fans, it is a 'must' read, as we get to know so many intimate details like what he has for breakfast, his fears, his love and above all his frank approach to life and controversies which surround him. He not only clears the dust but also confirms what all his fans already know about him...that he is such a humble person, inspite of having millions of fans worldwide, especially here in India. My only regret was there were no contact details about his fan clubs nor an address we could write to, which could have been included in this super book.

A Revelation, 23 Sep 2008
A truly riveting and honest read. I've grown up hearing and sometimes reading about Cliff, but recently I have discovered for myself a genuine and talented singer. The book shares accounts of the different eras and experiences that Cliff has lived and worked through, and also his emotions and thoughts on an array of topics. I wholly recommend this book.

Sir Cliff: A True Legend, 19 Sep 2008
Having almost finished My Life, My Way I just had to review it.

I've read a broad array of books about Sir Cliff, some by the man himself, and others by other people. None capture the heart of the man as well as this new one. It is a fascinating insight into a man the media continues to treat really badly, as if 50 years of being at the top, having hits all the way through and giving pleasure to a lot of people is a crime.

The book is paced very well, with topics going back and forth between the present and past smoothly. We are given interesting little facts along the way and Cliff's frank opinions on modern life, all of which show him as a complete person who lives not in some sort of 'starry' out of touch bubble, but in the same world as you and me. It is heartwarming how often Sir Cliff refers to his family and friends, explaining how it is these people who keep his feet on the ground and in touch with reality.

The most moving parts of the book come when Cliff talks of his parents. That his father missed the best years of Cliff's career, having died in 1961, is clearly a regret, and his mother's long battle with dementia and the awful effect of this terrible condition are reflected in what feels like an urgency for the reader to understand what his mother was like before the condition took hold. Having lost a parent to dementia I found Sir Cliff's honesty and openness on the subject very moving.

One should not forget of course that Sir Cliff has written the book with Penny Junor, who has written a number of biographies. She has done extremely well to ask the right questions, and give Sir Cliff the freedom and possibly the security, to talk frankly.

The media of course chooses to twist certain things in the book and put words in Sir Cliff's mouth. The only way you will know what he is really like is to buy it.

It is fascinating that some choose to criticise Sir Cliff for writing about himself. It is an autobiography after all. Writing about himself was the whole idea.

GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 17 Sep 2008
I can't imagine what the previous reviewer thinks an autobiography should be about, if not its author! This is a very honest, very readable and engaging book - a proper reflection on an incredible 50 years in show business. Cliff has not taken the easy way out and produced an assemblage of photographs with captions and called it an autobiograpy. Instead he has done his fans proud and delved deep to produce a really worthwhile, detailed and fascinating story that doesn't cut corners or duck hard questions. He deserves every bit of his success and I'm sure this book will make him new fans.

"ME, ME, ME", 13 Sep 2008
I have always considered Sir Cliff to be a very gracious and modest gentleman, but in this autobiography he comes across as nothing but self-obsessed because the main topic on his agenda is himself.

Every chapter is devoted to him in some way reflecting on his life and career which makes him also come across as someone who is unable to let go of the past because he talks about it constantly throughout this autobiography.

-Stephen Alan Yorke.

Coffee table Clash, 06 Oct 2008
If you were ever looking for a coffee table story of The Clash look no more. The stories and many of the photographs will be familiar to Clash fans but the book is none the worse for that.

The book is beautifully produced for the price, I think even at non Amazon prices the book would be a bargain.

A little naughty to say that this is an autobiography created by all four band members seeing as Joe has not been around for some time, however it is a book that any Clash/punk aficionado will love.

A MUST FOR ALL CLASH FANS, 29 Sep 2008
Most of the photos in the book i have seen before ie Bob Gruen/Pennie Smith etc but it's great to have a good quality ones all in one book there are some black and white previously unseen ones.
The book also has some adverts/pic sleeves/album covers bits from the two clash songbooks,music paper front covers and articles, gig posters,postcards sent to family members while on tour etc,etc.
Its a beutiful coffee table type book and THE CLASH themselves are credited as authors as embodied in this compilation work. All interviews are by Mal Peachey

Best 15 quid i have spent in a long long time

Groovy Times Have Come To Pass, 28 Sep 2008
The second you see the dayglo pink cover..you know you are in for something a bit special. This is about the same size as the "Punk" hardback that came out a few years ago. In some ways layout is similar..but it's 100% clash!
For the photospotters...there are some well known pictures gathered here...but a lot of cracking b/w and colour shots I've never seen before.There are also record sleeves and posters, singles adverts lovingly reproduced. I haven't had time to read all the way through yet..but I'm like a kid on Christmas day with this!
There are also some pages from the first Clash Songbooks- biogs and the like.
The book works through in chronological order 1976 -1983 with a mix of pictures text, tour dates, albums etc...Joe,Mick, Paul and Topper all have their say..
It's the "Must Have Toy...(well book) for Christmas" as my son keeps reminding me..how am I expected to wait two months!


A wonderful book from five wonderful girls, 06 Oct 2008
Barcode: 9780593061220

Girls Aloud are really quite beyond anything else. As a band, over the past six years they have caused a nation to fall in love with them, to cherish them and their inspired pop songs. They are impossibly beautiful, role models to countless young people, media darlings that have the tabloids and celeb mags hanging on their every move, they are fantastic singers who have treated us to some of the best pop songs of the 21st century, but most of all - they are Girls Aloud, and that is why we love them.

And now, in the book that all us fans have been waiting ages for, Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola, Sarah and Kimberley invite us to sit back and listen to just what it's like to be Girls Aloud. For those who have seen the Girls' brilliant DVD's Off The Record, Style and TV series Passions you will already have a taste of what to expect here. One thing I have always admired the Girls greatly for is their straight talking attitude, they have this down-to-earth charm and feistiness to them that truly sets them apart. And it is this that we see here in Dreams That Glitter.

The book takes a roughly chronological approach and starts off with the Girls' lives leading up to the band's beginnings on Popstars - The Rivals. The viewpoint alternates between each of the Girls, each offering their individual outlooks and own experiences at each stage of their career. It is fascinating to see them looking back now, with hindsight, on many of the things that must have just swept them up in a hurricane in the beginning. There are also individual sections scattered throughout with Q&A's for each of the Girls and such like.

In essence, this isn't so much an autobiography, but a series of insightful anecdotes, told by the Girls as they might tell a friend over an evening meal. In the past six years the Girls have been through a lot and this book shows very much how they have become very different, yet fundamentally still the same, from the people they set out as. They have learnt lessons in life, and as they started out so young, these lessons were all the more powerful, and it is heart-warming to see them working through these various aspects of their lives, whether they be for good or for bad. As the Girls repeatedly say, they wouldn't change any of it for the world - what will be will be and all that.

They are very humble about their success too, Cheryl in particular being very embarrassed by the stratospheric levels of fame and public awareness surrounding her now. There is an extremely touching paragraph in the book's introduction where the Girls say:

"We've been on the most amazing journey together and achieved so much more than we ever dreamed possible. We still have moments when we can't quite believe just how far we've come, that this extraordinary life really is ours. We'd love our story to inspire you to have faith in your dreams, whatever they might be, and to go for them, no matter what."

And you can't get a much more positive message than that. But it's true. Through these last six years, as the Girls themselves have grown up and matured, their fans have done so with them, it's a mutual experience, and I like to think that we all go through the same and that some of what's in this book will inspire people as from reading it, I think they say some truly insightful things about fame, the world around them, and life in general.

Girls Aloud have one of the most devoted fanbases around - they have after all helped the Girls to achieve that wonderful chart record of 18 consecutive top ten singles - and it is to these fans that this book is dedicated. Looking at the Girls today, we see a band that has serious publications like the Guardian writing six page articles about them, a band that NME applaud and give rave reviews to their albums.

In terms of the book itself, there are loads of lovely pictures in there of the Girls looking glam and having fun (plus one fascinating pic of the elusive Brian Higgins and Mirana Cooper - two of the masterminds making up the Girls' songwriters/producers Xenomania). The book itself is gorgeous too, very high quality with glossy, colourful pages and actual glitter on the cover.

I think it was around the time of Call The Shots that Girls Aloud finally transcended from being just a `great pop group' to something quite special indeed, something almost heroic, something almost magical. I've heard them described as `national treasures', the `saviours of pop' and thus this book makes a fitting tribute to a year which has really shown us the very essence of what Girls Aloud mean. Really, this book is for the fans, although I'm sure more casual readers will find plenty to enjoy here too - well worth reading.

not quite what i hoped for., 07 Oct 2008
When this project was first announced it sounded very cool with its promises of princes thoughts,feelings,scribblings etc, unfortunately what written text there is happens to be reproduced song lyrics.i was hoping for a diary type breakdown of his day by day thoughts on the gigs and the london experience in general,something more personal to him.
There are only actually a handful of live gig pics in the whole book, the rest being made up of staged art exhibition pieces.i was expecting a more raw portrayal of the gigs themselves as overall i dont feel the book necessarily represents the o2 experience...more of a show off for the Dorchester hotel.
Saying that it's saving grace is the cd included which could have commanded the asking price alone so i look at the book (which is extremely nice quality on great paper) as a glorified tour program.
Overall it's a very classy attractive product it's just maybe my hopes were set too high as to it's actual content.

So very glam, so very prince, an indulgent pleasure!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly this book is perhaps one of the most opulent, self-indulgent books I have ever purchased, but when it is the finest artist of his generation responsible for such extravagance how can you say no? Every photo appears to have been staged and feels more like a photoshoot than the intimate behind-the-scenes insight the book first appears. It features little in the way of photos from the shows and that is perhaps the biggest dissapointment. Especially as the Indigo o2 is not represented at all in the photography, a shame as I have great memories from seeing prince there and the CD is from his aftershow set there.

What makes this book special is the presentation, the quality of the paper and overall packaging is truly first rate, capturing the quest for perfection that prince has strived for in his performances. It is hard to knock such a well rounded product at such a fair price. It may be self-indulgent, but Prince is no egoist- he really loves to indulge his fans too and that is what we get in this lavashly presented book.

The CD is pure gold, you know why you want this, it is for the music and all that can be said is that it truly delivers. Okay Misty Blue and Alphabet Street do drag on a bit, but this is a wonderful exhibit to his musical genius. His live band sounded great in the indigo 02 and the sound quality of this live release is probably the best I have heard taken from such an intimate venue. It would be wrong for me to pick highlights as this is a largely flawless performance that is worth every penny, just wish the photos had a bit more soul to them.

Great value for money, perfectly produced but where are the live pics?, 07 Oct 2008
I went to 7 of the 21 nights shows; I was expecting to have my memories enhanced by a catalogue of photos spread out from the nights - which lets face it, very almost perfection. However, this is not the case; hardly any of the pictures are actually from the live shows.
You do get some quality pictures of the bands and lots of Prince but they are not natural pictures, more posed pictures that would fit perfectly in a publicity shoot.
You also get page after page of photos of 'Chelsea Rodgers' who maybe beautiful but is not what I went to the gigs for.

Saying that, for £13.50, with the addition of a great CD (now this does help the memories - a DVD please Prince!!), this book is beautifully presented - the book is big, certainly not produced for this budget price, so it's a must buy - even if I'd say '21 Nights' is a slightly misleading title.

Prince 21 Nights, 06 Oct 2008
We were there! this book is really good, and the CD is a massive bonus, this is the future for CD sales, you've got to look at all sales channels and this book is just another way to distribute the CD the same as a NewsPaper deal or handing a Disc to fans as they arrive at a concert. Prince is showing the music industry ways to survive - will they catch-on?

buy this book/CD and enjoy.

Worth the money for the CD, 05 Oct 2008
This book could be seen in two ways- as a collection of photographs that record Prince's residency in London in 2007 or as the most beautifully produced album cover ever. I suspect that like many of those who attended Prince's performances at the O2 last year, I have been eagerly awaiting some record of the event- hoping he would release a DVD that would showcase his talents and those of his superb band.
The CD that is included with this book is a remarkable recording of the intimate post-show gigs; it is one of the most terrific live recordings I have ever heard packed with humour, energy and fantastic performances; I've not been able to stop listening to it. His ability to move from jazz to soul to rock and back must be unique and conveys his live personna much more vividly than other recordings.
The book, well, there are pictures of airports and luxurious hotel rooms; there are fine portraits of prince and members of his band and of a sexy chambermaid. I would have liked more pictures of the gigs themselves, recreating the atmosphere of those fantastic performances, I would have liked to have seen the fans, the sneaky entrance in the flight-case, the magnificently staged waving of the banners during Purple Rain.
Who knows, maybe there will be another book with the DVD- I hope it's due soon.

Wow! A-w-e-s-o-m-e Book, 07 Oct 2008
Wow. Amazing book! I am still recovering from this book which cliff has written from the bottom of his heart. Thank you cliff for giving us an insight into your personality. For fans, it is a 'must' read, as we get to know so many intimate details like what he has for breakfast, his fears, his love and above all his frank approach to life and controversies which surround him. He not only clears the dust but also confirms what all his fans already know about him...that he is such a humble person, inspite of having millions of fans worldwide, especially here in India. My only regret was there were no contact details about his fan clubs nor an address we could write to, which could have been included in this super book.

A Revelation, 23 Sep 2008
A truly riveting and honest read. I've grown up hearing and sometimes reading about Cliff, but recently I have discovered for myself a genuine and talented singer. The book shares accounts of the different eras and experiences that Cliff has lived and worked through, and also his emotions and thoughts on an array of topics. I wholly recommend this book.

Sir Cliff: A True Legend, 19 Sep 2008
Having almost finished My Life, My Way I just had to review it.

I've read a broad array of books about Sir Cliff, some by the man himself, and others by other people. None capture the heart of the man as well as this new one. It is a fascinating insight into a man the media continues to treat really badly, as if 50 years of being at the top, having hits all the way through and giving pleasure to a lot of people is a crime.

The book is paced very well, with topics going back and forth between the present and past smoothly. We are given interesting little facts along the way and Cliff's frank opinions on modern life, all of which show him as a complete person who lives not in some sort of 'starry' out of touch bubble, but in the same world as you and me. It is heartwarming how often Sir Cliff refers to his family and friends, explaining how it is these people who keep his feet on the ground and in touch with reality.

The most moving parts of the book come when Cliff talks of his parents. That his father missed the best years of Cliff's career, having died in 1961, is clearly a regret, and his mother's long battle with dementia and the awful effect of this terrible condition are reflected in what feels like an urgency for the reader to understand what his mother was like before the condition took hold. Having lost a parent to dementia I found Sir Cliff's honesty and openness on the subject very moving.

One should not forget of course that Sir Cliff has written the book with Penny Junor, who has written a number of biographies. She has done extremely well to ask the right questions, and give Sir Cliff the freedom and possibly the security, to talk frankly.

The media of course chooses to twist certain things in the book and put words in Sir Cliff's mouth. The only way you will know what he is really like is to buy it.

It is fascinating that some choose to criticise Sir Cliff for writing about himself. It is an autobiography after all. Writing about himself was the whole idea.

GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 17 Sep 2008
I can't imagine what the previous reviewer thinks an autobiography should be about, if not its author! This is a very honest, very readable and engaging book - a proper reflection on an incredible 50 years in show business. Cliff has not taken the easy way out and produced an assemblage of photographs with captions and called it an autobiograpy. Instead he has done his fans proud and delved deep to produce a really worthwhile, detailed and fascinating story that doesn't cut corners or duck hard questions. He deserves every bit of his success and I'm sure this book will make him new fans.

"ME, ME, ME", 13 Sep 2008
I have always considered Sir Cliff to be a very gracious and modest gentleman, but in this autobiography he comes across as nothing but self-obsessed because the main topic on his agenda is himself.

Every chapter is devoted to him in some way reflecting on his life and career which makes him also come across as someone who is unable to let go of the past because he talks about it constantly throughout this autobiography.

-Stephen Alan Yorke.

Coffee table Clash, 06 Oct 2008
If you were ever looking for a coffee table story of The Clash look no more. The stories and many of the photographs will be familiar to Clash fans but the book is none the worse for that.

The book is beautifully produced for the price, I think even at non Amazon prices the book would be a bargain.

A little naughty to say that this is an autobiography created by all four band members seeing as Joe has not been around for some time, however it is a book that any Clash/punk aficionado will love.

A MUST FOR ALL CLASH FANS, 29 Sep 2008
Most of the photos in the book i have seen before ie Bob Gruen/Pennie Smith etc but it's great to have a good quality ones all in one book there are some black and white previously unseen ones.
The book also has some adverts/pic sleeves/album covers bits from the two clash songbooks,music paper front covers and articles, gig posters,postcards sent to family members while on tour etc,etc.
Its a beutiful coffee table type book and THE CLASH themselves are credited as authors as embodied in this compilation work. All interviews are by Mal Peachey

Best 15 quid i have spent in a long long time

Groovy Times Have Come To Pass, 28 Sep 2008
The second you see the dayglo pink cover..you know you are in for something a bit special. This is about the same size as the "Punk" hardback that came out a few years ago. In some ways layout is similar..but it's 100% clash!
For the photospotters...there are some well known pictures gathered here...but a lot of cracking b/w and colour shots I've never seen before.There are also record sleeves and posters, singles adverts lovingly reproduced. I haven't had time to read all the way through yet..but I'm like a kid on Christmas day with this!
There are also some pages from the first Clash Songbooks- biogs and the like.
The book works through in chronological order 1976 -1983 with a mix of pictures text, tour dates, albums etc...Joe,Mick, Paul and Topper all have their say..
It's the "Must Have Toy...(well book) for Christmas" as my son keeps reminding me..how am I expected to wait two months!


A wonderful book from five wonderful girls, 06 Oct 2008
Barcode: 9780593061220

Girls Aloud are really quite beyond anything else. As a band, over the past six years they have caused a nation to fall in love with them, to cherish them and their inspired pop songs. They are impossibly beautiful, role models to countless young people, media darlings that have the tabloids and celeb mags hanging on their every move, they are fantastic singers who have treated us to some of the best pop songs of the 21st century, but most of all - they are Girls Aloud, and that is why we love them.

And now, in the book that all us fans have been waiting ages for, Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola, Sarah and Kimberley invite us to sit back and listen to just what it's like to be Girls Aloud. For those who have seen the Girls' brilliant DVD's Off The Record, Style and TV series Passions you will already have a taste of what to expect here. One thing I have always admired the Girls greatly for is their straight talking attitude, they have this down-to-earth charm and feistiness to them that truly sets them apart. And it is this that we see here in Dreams That Glitter.

The book takes a roughly chronological approach and starts off with the Girls' lives leading up to the band's beginnings on Popstars - The Rivals. The viewpoint alternates between each of the Girls, each offering their individual outlooks and own experiences at each stage of their career. It is fascinating to see them looking back now, with hindsight, on many of the things that must have just swept them up in a hurricane in the beginning. There are also individual sections scattered throughout with Q&A's for each of the Girls and such like.

In essence, this isn't so much an autobiography, but a series of insightful anecdotes, told by the Girls as they might tell a friend over an evening meal. In the past six years the Girls have been through a lot and this book shows very much how they have become very different, yet fundamentally still the same, from the people they set out as. They have learnt lessons in life, and as they started out so young, these lessons were all the more powerful, and it is heart-warming to see them working through these various aspects of their lives, whether they be for good or for bad. As the Girls repeatedly say, they wouldn't change any of it for the world - what will be will be and all that.

They are very humble about their success too, Cheryl in particular being very embarrassed by the stratospheric levels of fame and public awareness surrounding her now. There is an extremely touching paragraph in the book's introduction where the Girls say:

"We've been on the most amazing journey together and achieved so much more than we ever dreamed possible. We still have moments when we can't quite believe just how far we've come, that this extraordinary life really is ours. We'd love our story to inspire you to have faith in your dreams, whatever they might be, and to go for them, no matter what."

And you can't get a much more positive message than that. But it's true. Through these last six years, as the Girls themselves have grown up and matured, their fans have done so with them, it's a mutual experience, and I like to think that we all go through the same and that some of what's in this book will inspire people as from reading it, I think they say some truly insightful things about fame, the world around them, and life in general.

Girls Aloud have one of the most devoted fanbases around - they have after all helped the Girls to achieve that wonderful chart record of 18 consecutive top ten singles - and it is to these fans that this book is dedicated. Looking at the Girls today, we see a band that has serious publications like the Guardian writing six page articles about them, a band that NME applaud and give rave reviews to their albums.

In terms of the book itself, there are loads of lovely pictures in there of the Girls looking glam and having fun (plus one fascinating pic of the elusive Brian Higgins and Mirana Cooper - two of the masterminds making up the Girls' songwriters/producers Xenomania). The book itself is gorgeous too, very high quality with glossy, colourful pages and actual glitter on the cover.

I think it was around the time of Call The Shots that Girls Aloud finally transcended from being just a `great pop group' to something quite special indeed, something almost heroic, something almost magical. I've heard them described as `national treasures', the `saviours of pop' and thus this book makes a fitting tribute to a year which has really shown us the very essence of what Girls Aloud mean. Really, this book is for the fans, although I'm sure more casual readers will find plenty to enjoy here too - well worth reading.

Jolly songs, 24 Feb 2008
The tunes are catchy as the words have been put to well known tunes but they are so short for each letter, which was a bit disappointing. The book is good and my 3 1/2 year old seems to enjoy the tunes. Perhaps 'short and sweet' is best for the little ones? Overall good value for money.

Not so jolly songs, 11 Jan 2008
I was very disappointed in this cd. The songs are far too short which makes for very stilted listening/singing along. It would be much improved if each letter was repeated several times or if the groups of letters were grouped as one song. As it stands you find yourself singing along for a few seconds, stopping and then along comes another one.

Jolly Good Book & CD!!, 30 Nov 2007
This is a great way to introduce phonics to your little ones. My daughter wasn't interested in learning her letter sounds so I started building my Jolly Phonics collection. We often sit together listening, reading and singing this and she enjoys it thoroughly. After only a few weeks she has started singing the verses herself while she plays and even asks to put the CD on!

I found it much easier with my 3-year-old in the beginning to put each track on repeat 3 or 4 times to get the tune to 'sink in', and to introduce a few letters at a time.

I was advised to invest in Jolly Phonics by a teacher at my daughter's pre-school because the local schools use the phonics teaching system. I have found it very useful because now I know I can help her at home with the same system so that she does not become confused.

With our progress so far I can highly recommend this series too!

Sing and learn all the phonic sounds, 14 Aug 2007
I was not sure how to teach the phonic sounds and also I did not know how to sound each letter etc. When you play the cd you learn the songs with your child & the letter sound. I used this along with the finger phonics books, then later on the phonics poster. We have both learnt the sounds together.

not quite what i hoped for., 07 Oct 2008
When this project was first announced it sounded very cool with its promises of princes thoughts,feelings,scribblings etc, unfortunately what written text there is happens to be reproduced song lyrics.i was hoping for a diary type breakdown of his day by day thoughts on the gigs and the london experience in general,something more personal to him.
There are only actually a handful of live gig pics in the whole book, the rest being made up of staged art exhibition pieces.i was expecting a more raw portrayal of the gigs themselves as overall i dont feel the book necessarily represents the o2 experience...more of a show off for the Dorchester hotel.
Saying that it's saving grace is the cd included which could have commanded the asking price alone so i look at the book (which is extremely nice quality on great paper) as a glorified tour program.
Overall it's a very classy attractive product it's just maybe my hopes were set too high as to it's actual content.

So very glam, so very prince, an indulgent pleasure!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly this book is perhaps one of the most opulent, self-indulgent books I have ever purchased, but when it is the finest artist of his generation responsible for such extravagance how can you say no? Every photo appears to have been staged and feels more like a photoshoot than the intimate behind-the-scenes insight the book first appears. It features little in the way of photos from the shows and that is perhaps the biggest dissapointment. Especially as the Indigo o2 is not represented at all in the photography, a shame as I have great memories from seeing prince there and the CD is from his aftershow set there.

What makes this book special is the presentation, the quality of the paper and overall packaging is truly first rate, capturing the quest for perfection that prince has strived for in his performances. It is hard to knock such a well rounded product at such a fair price. It may be self-indulgent, but Prince is no egoist- he really loves to indulge his fans too and that is what we get in this lavashly presented book.

The CD is pure gold, you know why you want this, it is for the music and all that can be said is that it truly delivers. Okay Misty Blue and Alphabet Street do drag on a bit, but this is a wonderful exhibit to his musical genius. His live band sounded great in the indigo 02 and the sound quality of this live release is probably the best I have heard taken from such an intimate venue. It would be wrong for me to pick highlights as this is a largely flawless performance that is worth every penny, just wish the photos had a bit more soul to them.

Great value for money, perfectly produced but where are the live pics?, 07 Oct 2008
I went to 7 of the 21 nights shows; I was expecting to have my memories enhanced by a catalogue of photos spread out from the nights - which lets face it, very almost perfection. However, this is not the case; hardly any of the pictures are actually from the live shows.
You do get some quality pictures of the bands and lots of Prince but they are not natural pictures, more posed pictures that would fit perfectly in a publicity shoot.
You also get page after page of photos of 'Chelsea Rodgers' who maybe beautiful but is not what I went to the gigs for.

Saying that, for £13.50, with the addition of a great CD (now this does help the memories - a DVD please Prince!!), this book is beautifully presented - the book is big, certainly not produced for this budget price, so it's a must buy - even if I'd say '21 Nights' is a slightly misleading title.

Prince 21 Nights, 06 Oct 2008
We were there! this book is really good, and the CD is a massive bonus, this is the future for CD sales, you've got to look at all sales channels and this book is just another way to distribute the CD the same as a NewsPaper deal or handing a Disc to fans as they arrive at a concert. Prince is showing the music industry ways to survive - will they catch-on?

buy this book/CD and enjoy.

Worth the money for the CD, 05 Oct 2008
This book could be seen in two ways- as a collection of photographs that record Prince's residency in London in 2007 or as the most beautifully produced album cover ever. I suspect that like many of those who attended Prince's performances at the O2 last year, I have been eagerly awaiting some record of the event- hoping he would release a DVD that would showcase his talents and those of his superb band.
The CD that is included with this book is a remarkable recording of the intimate post-show gigs; it is one of the most terrific live recordings I have ever heard packed with humour, energy and fantastic performances; I've not been able to stop listening to it. His ability to move from jazz to soul to rock and back must be unique and conveys his live personna much more vividly than other recordings.
The book, well, there are pictures of airports and luxurious hotel rooms; there are fine portraits of prince and members of his band and of a sexy chambermaid. I would have liked more pictures of the gigs themselves, recreating the atmosphere of those fantastic performances, I would have liked to have seen the fans, the sneaky entrance in the flight-case, the magnificently staged waving of the banners during Purple Rain.
Who knows, maybe there will be another book with the DVD- I hope it's due soon.

Wow! A-w-e-s-o-m-e Book, 07 Oct 2008
Wow. Amazing book! I am still recovering from this book which cliff has written from the bottom of his heart. Thank you cliff for giving us an insight into your personality. For fans, it is a 'must' read, as we get to know so many intimate details like what he has for breakfast, his fears, his love and above all his frank approach to life and controversies which surround him. He not only clears the dust but also confirms what all his fans already know about him...that he is such a humble person, inspite of having millions of fans worldwide, especially here in India. My only regret was there were no contact details about his fan clubs nor an address we could write to, which could have been included in this super book.

A Revelation, 23 Sep 2008
A truly riveting and honest read. I've grown up hearing and sometimes reading about Cliff, but recently I have discovered for myself a genuine and talented singer. The book shares accounts of the different eras and experiences that Cliff has lived and worked through, and also his emotions and thoughts on an array of topics. I wholly recommend this book.

Sir Cliff: A True Legend, 19 Sep 2008
Having almost finished My Life, My Way I just had to review it.

I've read a broad array of books about Sir Cliff, some by the man himself, and others by other people. None capture the heart of the man as well as this new one. It is a fascinating insight into a man the media continues to treat really badly, as if 50 years of being at the top, having hits all the way through and giving pleasure to a lot of people is a crime.

The book is paced very well, with topics going back and forth between the present and past smoothly. We are given interesting little facts along the way and Cliff's frank opinions on modern life, all of which show him as a complete person who lives not in some sort of 'starry' out of touch bubble, but in the same world as you and me. It is heartwarming how often Sir Cliff refers to his family and friends, explaining how it is these people who keep his feet on the ground and in touch with reality.

The most moving parts of the book come when Cliff talks of his parents. That his father missed the best years of Cliff's career, having died in 1961, is clearly a regret, and his mother's long battle with dementia and the awful effect of this terrible condition are reflected in what feels like an urgency for the reader to understand what his mother was like before the condition took hold. Having lost a parent to dementia I found Sir Cliff's honesty and openness on the subject very moving.

One should not forget of course that Sir Cliff has written the book with Penny Junor, who has written a number of biographies. She has done extremely well to ask the right questions, and give Sir Cliff the freedom and possibly the security, to talk frankly.

The media of course chooses to twist certain things in the book and put words in Sir Cliff's mouth. The only way you will know what he is really like is to buy it.

It is fascinating that some choose to criticise Sir Cliff for writing about himself. It is an autobiography after all. Writing about himself was the whole idea.

GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 17 Sep 2008
I can't imagine what the previous reviewer thinks an autobiography should be about, if not its author! This is a very honest, very readable and engaging book - a proper reflection on an incredible 50 years in show business. Cliff has not taken the easy way out and produced an assemblage of photographs with captions and called it an autobiograpy. Instead he has done his fans proud and delved deep to produce a really worthwhile, detailed and fascinating story that doesn't cut corners or duck hard questions. He deserves every bit of his success and I'm sure this book will make him new fans.

"ME, ME, ME", 13 Sep 2008
I have always considered Sir Cliff to be a very gracious and modest gentleman, but in this autobiography he comes across as nothing but self-obsessed because the main topic on his agenda is himself.

Every chapter is devoted to him in some way reflecting on his life and career which makes him also come across as someone who is unable to let go of the past because he talks about it constantly throughout this autobiography.

-Stephen Alan Yorke.

Coffee table Clash, 06 Oct 2008
If you were ever looking for a coffee table story of The Clash look no more. The stories and many of the photographs will be familiar to Clash fans but the book is none the worse for that.

The book is beautifully produced for the price, I think even at non Amazon prices the book would be a bargain.

A little naughty to say that this is an autobiography created by all four band members seeing as Joe has not been around for some time, however it is a book that any Clash/punk aficionado will love.

A MUST FOR ALL CLASH FANS, 29 Sep 2008
Most of the photos in the book i have seen before ie Bob Gruen/Pennie Smith etc but it's great to have a good quality ones all in one book there are some black and white previously unseen ones.
The book also has some adverts/pic sleeves/album covers bits from the two clash songbooks,music paper front covers and articles, gig posters,postcards sent to family members while on tour etc,etc.
Its a beutiful coffee table type book and THE CLASH themselves are credited as authors as embodied in this compilation work. All interviews are by Mal Peachey

Best 15 quid i have spent in a long long time

Groovy Times Have Come To Pass, 28 Sep 2008
The second you see the dayglo pink cover..you know you are in for something a bit special. This is about the same size as the "Punk" hardback that came out a few years ago. In some ways layout is similar..but it's 100% clash!
For the photospotters...there are some well known pictures gathered here...but a lot of cracking b/w and colour shots I've never seen before.There are also record sleeves and posters, singles adverts lovingly reproduced. I haven't had time to read all the way through yet..but I'm like a kid on Christmas day with this!
There are also some pages from the first Clash Songbooks- biogs and the like.
The book works through in chronological order 1976 -1983 with a mix of pictures text, tour dates, albums etc...Joe,Mick, Paul and Topper all have their say..
It's the "Must Have Toy...(well book) for Christmas" as my son keeps reminding me..how am I expected to wait two months!


A wonderful book from five wonderful girls, 06 Oct 2008
Barcode: 9780593061220

Girls Aloud are really quite beyond anything else. As a band, over the past six years they have caused a nation to fall in love with them, to cherish them and their inspired pop songs. They are impossibly beautiful, role models to countless young people, media darlings that have the tabloids and celeb mags hanging on their every move, they are fantastic singers who have treated us to some of the best pop songs of the 21st century, but most of all - they are Girls Aloud, and that is why we love them.

And now, in the book that all us fans have been waiting ages for, Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola, Sarah and Kimberley invite us to sit back and listen to just what it's like to be Girls Aloud. For those who have seen the Girls' brilliant DVD's Off The Record, Style and TV series Passions you will already have a taste of what to expect here. One thing I have always admired the Girls greatly for is their straight talking attitude, they have this down-to-earth charm and feistiness to them that truly sets them apart. And it is this that we see here in Dreams That Glitter.

The book takes a roughly chronological approach and starts off with the Girls' lives leading up to the band's beginnings on Popstars - The Rivals. The viewpoint alternates between each of the Girls, each offering their individual outlooks and own experiences at each stage of their career. It is fascinating to see them looking back now, with hindsight, on many of the things that must have just swept them up in a hurricane in the beginning. There are also individual sections scattered throughout with Q&A's for each of the Girls and such like.

In essence, this isn't so much an autobiography, but a series of insightful anecdotes, told by the Girls as they might tell a friend over an evening meal. In the past six years the Girls have been through a lot and this book shows very much how they have become very different, yet fundamentally still the same, from the people they set out as. They have learnt lessons in life, and as they started out so young, these lessons were all the more powerful, and it is heart-warming to see them working through these various aspects of their lives, whether they be for good or for bad. As the Girls repeatedly say, they wouldn't change any of it for the world - what will be will be and all that.

They are very humble about their success too, Cheryl in particular being very embarrassed by the stratospheric levels of fame and public awareness surrounding her now. There is an extremely touching paragraph in the book's introduction where the Girls say:

"We've been on the most amazing journey together and achieved so much more than we ever dreamed possible. We still have moments when we can't quite believe just how far we've come, that this extraordinary life really is ours. We'd love our story to inspire you to have faith in your dreams, whatever they might be, and to go for them, no matter what."

And you can't get a much more positive message than that. But it's true. Through these last six years, as the Girls themselves have grown up and matured, their fans have done so with them, it's a mutual experience, and I like to think that we all go through the same and that some of what's in this book will inspire people as from reading it, I think they say some truly insightful things about fame, the world around them, and life in general.

Girls Aloud have one of the most devoted fanbases around - they have after all helped the Girls to achieve that wonderful chart record of 18 consecutive top ten singles - and it is to these fans that this book is dedicated. Looking at the Girls today, we see a band that has serious publications like the Guardian writing six page articles about them, a band that NME applaud and give rave reviews to their albums.

In terms of the book itself, there are loads of lovely pictures in there of the Girls looking glam and having fun (plus one fascinating pic of the elusive Brian Higgins and Mirana Cooper - two of the masterminds making up the Girls' songwriters/producers Xenomania). The book itself is gorgeous too, very high quality with glossy, colourful pages and actual glitter on the cover.

I think it was around the time of Call The Shots that Girls Aloud finally transcended from being just a `great pop group' to something quite special indeed, something almost heroic, something almost magical. I've heard them described as `national treasures', the `saviours of pop' and thus this book makes a fitting tribute to a year which has really shown us the very essence of what Girls Aloud mean. Really, this book is for the fans, although I'm sure more casual readers will find plenty to enjoy here too - well worth reading.

Jolly songs, 24 Feb 2008
The tunes are catchy as the words have been put to well known tunes but they are so short for each letter, which was a bit disappointing. The book is good and my 3 1/2 year old seems to enjoy the tunes. Perhaps 'short and sweet' is best for the little ones? Overall good value for money.

Not so jolly songs, 11 Jan 2008
I was very disappointed in this cd. The songs are far too short which makes for very stilted listening/singing along. It would be much improved if each letter was repeated several times or if the groups of letters were grouped as one song. As it stands you find yourself singing along for a few seconds, stopping and then along comes another one.

Jolly Good Book & CD!!, 30 Nov 2007
This is a great way to introduce phonics to your little ones. My daughter wasn't interested in learning her letter sounds so I started building my Jolly Phonics collection. We often sit together listening, reading and singing this and she enjoys it thoroughly. After only a few weeks she has started singing the verses herself while she plays and even asks to put the CD on!

I found it much easier with my 3-year-old in the beginning to put each track on repeat 3 or 4 times to get the tune to 'sink in', and to introduce a few letters at a time.

I was advised to invest in Jolly Phonics by a teacher at my daughter's pre-school because the local schools use the phonics teaching system. I have found it very useful because now I know I can help her at home with the same system so that she does not become confused.

With our progress so far I can highly recommend this series too!

Sing and learn all the phonic sounds, 14 Aug 2007
I was not sure how to teach the phonic sounds and also I did not know how to sound each letter etc. When you play the cd you learn the songs with your child & the letter sound. I used this along with the finger phonics books, then later on the phonics poster. We have both learnt the sounds together.

So moving, 06 Oct 2008
As an admirer of Philip Norman's brilliant Beatles' book, Shout, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this and I have not been disappointed. This portrait of John moved me to tears. It made me see in a way no book has ever done before just how much the tragedies of his childhood affected his later life. I can't believe Yoko thinks this book has been "mean" to John. He emerges from it not just as a genius but a great - and real - human being.

Brilliant!, 05 Oct 2008
This has to be the best book about John Lennon ever written. I got hold of it late last week, and even though it's 800+ pages long I finished it in three days. Couldn't put it down.

Some of the best parts are about John's early childhood, his mother, Julia, and his famous Aunt Mimi, who brought him up. No wonder he was such a complicated human being when he had such a difficult childhood, and suffered so many losses early in life.

Philip Norman also reveals John's jealousy of Paul McCartney, and has someohow managed to get Yoko Ono to talk to him about their life together - quite a feat in itself.

Altogether, a great read, and a must-have for any self-respecting Beatles fan.

Very disappointing, 01 Oct 2008
I have been looking forward to the release of this book for several months and after spending all day reading it I am incredibly disappointed. There is very little, if any, information that will be new to anyone unless this is their very first Beatles/Lennon book. It's as if Norman simply bought all the currently available books (Goldman, Davies, Coleman) and wrote his own version using them as a reference. You would think at 850 pages there would be something new but there isn't. Perhaps this is why the typeset is so large and the margins on each page are so big.

Probably the biggest disappointment is the cursory treatment given to Lennons last 5 years, we learn absolutely nothing that isn't in other books.

Perhaps the most amusing line in this sorry peice of hack journalism is when Norman calls Albert Goldman "risibly ignorant" when a good 50 percent of the information in his book was in Goldmans book 20 years ago.

I would advise skimming through this book in the bookshop before you contemplate shelling out.

Fingers crossed for Mark Lewisohns forthcoming three volume biography of the Beatles.

not quite what i hoped for., 07 Oct 2008
When this project was first announced it sounded very cool with its promises of princes thoughts,feelings,scribblings etc, unfortunately what written text there is happens to be reproduced song lyrics.i was hoping for a diary type breakdown of his day by day thoughts on the gigs and the london experience in general,something more personal to him.
There are only actually a handful of live gig pics in the whole book, the rest being made up of staged art exhibition pieces.i was expecting a more raw portrayal of the gigs themselves as overall i dont feel the book necessarily represents the o2 experience...more of a show off for the Dorchester hotel.
Saying that it's saving grace is the cd included which could have commanded the asking price alone so i look at the book (which is extremely nice quality on great paper) as a glorified tour program.
Overall it's a very classy attractive product it's just maybe my hopes were set too high as to it's actual content.

So very glam, so very prince, an indulgent pleasure!, 07 Oct 2008
Firstly this book is perhaps one of the most opulent, self-indulgent books I have ever purchased, but when it is the finest artist of his generation responsible for such extravagance how can you say no? Every photo appears to have been staged and feels more like a photoshoot than the intimate behind-the-scenes insight the book first appears. It features little in the way of photos from the shows and that is perhaps the biggest dissapointment. Especially as the Indigo o2 is not represented at all in the photography, a shame as I have great memories from seeing prince there and the CD is from his aftershow set there.

What makes this book special is the presentation, the quality of the paper and overall packaging is truly first rate, capturing the quest for perfection that prince has strived for in his performances. It is hard to knock such a well rounded product at such a fair price. It may be self-indulgent, but Prince is no egoist- he really loves to indulge his fans too and that is what we get in this lavashly presented book.

The CD is pure gold, you know why you want this, it is for the music and all that can be said is that it truly delivers. Okay Misty Blue and Alphabet Street do drag on a bit, but this is a wonderful exhibit to his musical genius. His live band sounded great in the indigo 02 and the sound quality of this live release is probably the best I have heard taken from such an intimate venue. It would be wrong for me to pick highlights as this is a largely flawless performance that is worth every penny, just wish the photos had a bit more soul to them.

Great value for money, perfectly produced but where are the live pics?, 07 Oct 2008
I went to 7 of the 21 nights shows; I was expecting to have my memories enhanced by a catalogue of photos spread out from the nights - which lets face it, very almost perfection. However, this is not the case; hardly any of the pictures are actually from the live shows.
You do get some quality pictures of the bands and lots of Prince but they are not natural pictures, more posed pictures that would fit perfectly in a publicity shoot.
You also get page after page of photos of 'Chelsea Rodgers' who maybe beautiful but is not what I went to the gigs for.

Saying that, for £13.50, with the addition of a great CD (now this does help the memories - a DVD please Prince!!), this book is beautifully presented - the book is big, certainly not produced for this budget price, so it's a must buy - even if I'd say '21 Nights' is a slightly misleading title.

Prince 21 Nights, 06 Oct 2008
We were there! this book is really good, and the CD is a massive bonus, this is the future for CD sales, you've got to look at all sales channels and this book is just another way to distribute the CD the same as a NewsPaper deal or handing a Disc to fans as they arrive at a concert. Prince is showing the music industry ways to survive - will they catch-on?

buy this book/CD and enjoy.

Worth the money for the CD, 05 Oct 2008
This book could be seen in two ways- as a collection of photographs that record Prince's residency in London in 2007 or as the most beautifully produced album cover ever. I suspect that like many of those who attended Prince's performances at the O2 last year, I have been eagerly awaiting some record of the event- hoping he would release a DVD that would showcase his talents and those of his superb band.
The CD that is included with this book is a remarkable recording of the intimate post-show gigs; it is one of the most terrific live recordings I have ever heard packed with humour, energy and fantastic performances; I've not been able to stop listening to it. His ability to move from jazz to soul to rock and back must be unique and conveys his live personna much more vividly than other recordings.
The book, well, there are pictures of airports and luxurious hotel rooms; there are fine portraits of prince and members of his band and of a sexy chambermaid. I would have liked more pictures of the gigs themselves, recreating the atmosphere of those fantastic performances, I would have liked to have seen the fans, the sneaky entrance in the flight-case, the magnificently staged waving of the banners during Purple Rain.
Who knows, maybe there will be another book with the DVD- I hope it's due soon.

Wow! A-w-e-s-o-m-e Book, 07 Oct 2008
Wow. Amazing book! I am still recovering from this book which cliff has written from the bottom of his heart. Thank you cliff for giving us an insight into your personality. For fans, it is a 'must' read, as we get to know so many intimate details like what he has for breakfast, his fears, his love and above all his frank approach to life and controversies which surround him. He not only clears the dust but also confirms what all his fans already know about him...that he is such a humble person, inspite of having millions of fans worldwide, especially here in India. My only regret was there were no contact details about his fan clubs nor an address we could write to, which could have been included in this super book.

A Revelation, 23 Sep 2008
A truly riveting and honest read. I've grown up hearing and sometimes reading about Cliff, but recently I have discovered for myself a genuine and talented singer. The book shares accounts of the different eras and experiences that Cliff has lived and worked through, and also his emotions and thoughts on an array of topics. I wholly recommend this book.

Sir Cliff: A True Legend, 19 Sep 2008
Having almost finished My Life, My Way I just had to review it.

I've read a broad array of books about Sir Cliff, some by the man himself, and others by other people. None capture the heart of the man as well as this new one. It is a fascinating insight into a man the media continues to treat really badly, as if 50 years of being at the top, having hits all the way through and giving pleasure to a lot of people is a crime.

The book is paced very well, with topics going back and forth between the present and past smoothly. We are given interesting little facts along the way and Cliff's frank opinions on modern life, all of which show him as a complete person who lives not in some sort of 'starry' out of touch bubble, but in the same world as you and me. It is heartwarming how often Sir Cliff refers to his family and friends, explaining how it is these people who keep his feet on the ground and in touch with reality.

The most moving parts of the book come when Cliff talks of his parents. That his father missed the best years of Cliff's career, having died in 1961, is clearly a regret, and his mother's long battle with dementia and the awful effect of this terrible condition are reflected in what feels like an urgency for the reader to understand what his mother was like before the condition took hold. Having lost a parent to dementia I found Sir Cliff's honesty and openness on the subject very moving.

One should not forget of course that Sir Cliff has written the book with Penny Junor, who has written a number of biographies. She has done extremely well to ask the right questions, and give Sir Cliff the freedom and possibly the security, to talk frankly.

The media of course chooses to twist certain things in the book and put words in Sir Cliff's mouth. The only way you will know what he is really like is to buy it.

It is fascinating that some choose to criticise Sir Cliff for writing about himself. It is an autobiography after all. Writing about himself was the whole idea.

GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 17 Sep 2008
I can't imagine what the previous reviewer thinks an autobiography should be about, if not its author! This is a very honest, very readable and engaging book - a proper reflection on an incredible 50 years in show business. Cliff has not taken the easy way out and produced an assemblage of photographs with captions and called it an autobiograpy. Instead he has done his fans proud and delved deep to produce a really worthwhile, detailed and fascinating story that doesn't cut corners or duck hard questions. He deserves every bit of his success and I'm sure this book will make him new fans.

"ME, ME, ME", 13 Sep 2008
I have always considered Sir Cliff to be a very gracious and modest gentleman, but in this autobiography he comes across as nothing but self-obsessed because the main topic on his agenda is himself.

Every chapter is devoted to him in some way reflecting on his life and career which makes him also come across as someone who is unable to let go of the past because he talks about it constantly throughout this autobiography.

-Stephen Alan Yorke.

Coffee table Clash, 06 Oct 2008
If you were ever looking for a coffee table story of The Clash look no more. The stories and many of the photographs will be familiar to Clash fans but the book is none the worse for that.

The book is beautifully produced for the price, I think even at non Amazon prices the book would be a bargain.

A little naughty to say that this is an autobiography created by all four band members seeing as Joe has not been around for some time, however it is a book that any Clash/punk aficionado will love.

A MUST FOR ALL CLASH FANS, 29 Sep 2008
Most of the photos in the book i have seen before ie Bob Gruen/Pennie Smith etc but it's great to have a good quality ones all in one book there are some black and white previously unseen ones.
The book also has some adverts/pic sleeves/album covers bits from the two clash songbooks,music paper front covers and articles, gig posters,postcards sent to family members while on tour etc,etc.
Its a beutiful coffee table type book and THE CLASH themselves are credited as authors as embodied in this compilation work. All interviews are by Mal Peachey

Best 15 quid i have spent in a long long time

Groovy Times Have Come To Pass, 28 Sep 2008
The second you see the dayglo pink cover..you know you are in for something a bit special. This is about the same size as the "Punk" hardback that came out a few years ago. In some ways layout is similar..but it's 100% clash!
For the photospotters...there are some well known pictures gathered here...but a lot of cracking b/w and colour shots I've never seen before.There are also record sleeves and posters, singles adverts lovingly reproduced. I haven't had time to read all the way through yet..but I'm like a kid on Christmas day with this!
There are also some pages from the first Clash Songbooks- biogs and the like.
The book works through in chronological order 1976 -1983 with a mix of pictures text, tour dates, albums etc...Joe,Mick, Paul and Topper all have their say..
It's the "Must Have Toy...(well book) for Christmas" as my son keeps reminding me..how am I expected to wait two months!


A wonderful book from five wonderful girls, 06 Oct 2008
Barcode: 9780593061220