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Post by Nancy on Jun 3, 2009 15:14:08 GMT
I got this email last night : £34.99 plus P&P Only 1000 hand-tooled copies on heavyweight paper will be produced Starts shipping on 6th July 2009 . Pre-Order now and get a free complementary dvd featuring “She was dressed as Biffo the Bear”, a complete and previously unreleased concert performance on DVD. It’s tragic magic! This is the true story of the Bonzos in their own words featuring the recollections of original members Neil Innes, Rodney Slater, Sam Spoons, Vernon Dudley Bowhay-Nowell, Bob Kerr and the irrepressible “Legs” Larry Smith. Also featured are extensive interviews given by the late, great Vivian Stanshall. Click here to Pre-OrderThe inimitable Dada-inspired collision of music, comedy, art, robots and vaudeville is totally unique and has never been equaled and is sadly missed. The Bonzos were brilliant and continue to delight lovers of intelligent British humour. At 205 fun-filled pages, this comprehensive review edited by David Christie is essential reading for Bonzo fans everywhere. THE COMPLEMENTARY DVD Every book ordered by June 30th comes with a bonus concert DVD featuring the reformed Bonzos performing live at the Shepherds Bush Empire in 2007 including previously unreleased live versions. Track list: 1. Cool Britania 2. By A Waterfall 3. My Brother Makes The Noises 4. I’m Bored 5. Look At Me I’m Wonderful/San Francisco 6. Look Out There’s A Monster Coming 7. Falling In Love Again 8. Jazz Delicious Hot 9. Noises For The Leg 10. Mr Slater’s Parrot 11. Big Shot 12. Hello Mabel 13. The Sound Of Music 14. Rockaliser Baby 15. We Are Normal 16. Robomania 17. What Do You Do? 18. The Strain 19. The Equestrian Statue 20. Jollity Farm 21. The Trouser Press 22. Little Sir Echo 23. Rhinocratic Oaths 24. Sport The Odd Boy 25. Mr Apollo 26. Keynsham 27. My Pink Half Of The Drainpipe 28. The Monster Mash 29. The Urban Spaceman 30. The Canyons Of Your Mind 31. Busted 32. The Intro And The Outro 33. The Head Ballet . Click here to Pre-OrderSounds very interesting but does seem a bit pricy even with A DVD, but they are limited edition so can only increase in value if kept in good condition. I've been waiting for ages for a book about the band written by them, but I was expecting a paper back. Hopefully it will come out in paper back when these first 1000 have sold and become more affordable.
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Post by doodahdiaries on Jun 4, 2009 12:53:44 GMT
Oh, that is expensive. Shame, as I was hoping it would have wide sales (a lot more than 1000) and spread the word on the wonders of the Bonzos (and by default the Doo Dah Diaries project.) Whilst I helped with the book I'm afraid I have no part in the commercial side of it. I personally think it's a good read that I hope the fans (that can afford it) enjoy. David
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Post by the-urban-spaceman on Jun 4, 2009 12:58:23 GMT
yes, i thought it was a bit on the expensive side.
although you do also get the DVD of the shepherds bush concert recorded this time last year. I may even get to hear me shouting "TENT!!!!"
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Post by Nancy on Jun 4, 2009 15:17:41 GMT
Hopefully there will be a paperback edition later, and what do they mean by "hand tooled"? I assume the books have been hand bound. I'd like to have one of the limited edition copies just for the collectors value, it's whether I'll be able to afford it or not.
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Post by gwood on Jun 10, 2009 11:11:10 GMT
Geez, they think old Bonzo fans are millionaires? Over my head.
Hand-tooled usually means the cover is leather, and has been worked with metal tools to produce a design, like they do with belts and such.
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Post by moosehead on Jun 10, 2009 17:20:46 GMT
It's my 50th birthday in a couple of months, so this is going to be my 'special' present. If it comes out (after all the cancelled Bonzos gigs, I'm not holding my breath).
If I get the radio thing working in the autumn, there may be readings...
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Post by Nancy on Jun 11, 2009 9:19:47 GMT
Looks like they are selling out recieved this email this morning MORE THAN 500 COPIES ALREADY PRE-ORDERED! Only 1000 hand-tooled copies on heavyweight paper will be produced. Starts shipping on 6th July 2009. Pre-Order now and get a free complementary dvd featuring “She was dressed as Biffo the Bear”, a complete and previously unreleased concert performance on DVD. It’s tragic magic! This is the true story of the Bonzos in their own words featuring the recollections of original members Neil Innes, Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater, Sam Spoons, Vernon Dudley Bowhay-Nowell, Bob Kerr and the irrepressible “Legs” Larry Smith. Also featured are extensive interviews given by the late, great Vivian Stanshall. SELLING FAST - Click here to Pre-Order The inimitable Dada-inspired collision of music, comedy, art, robots and vaudeville is totally unique and has never been equaled and is sadly missed. The Bonzos were brilliant and continue to delight lovers of intelligent British humour. At 205 fun-filled pages, this comprehensive review edited by David Christie is essential reading for Bonzo fans everywhere. THE COMPLEMENTARY DVD Every book ordered by June 30th comes with a bonus concert DVD featuring the reformed Bonzos performing live at the Shepherds Bush Empire in 2007 including previously unreleased live versions. Track list: 1. Cool Britania 2. By A Waterfall 3. My Brother Makes The Noises 4. I’m Bored 5. Look At Me I’m Wonderful/San Francisco 6. Look Out There’s A Monster Coming 7. Falling In Love Again 8. Jazz Delicious Hot 9. Noises For The Leg 10. Mr Slater’s Parrot 11. Big Shot 12. Hello Mabel 13. The Sound Of Music 14. Rockaliser Baby 15. We Are Normal 16. Robomania 17. What Do You Do? 18. The Strain 19. The Equestrian Statue 20. Jollity Farm 21. The Trouser Press 22. Little Sir Echo 23. Rhinocratic Oaths 24. Sport The Odd Boy 25. Mr Apollo 26. Keynsham 27. My Pink Half Of The Drainpipe 28. The Monster Mash 29. The Urban Spaceman 30. The Canyons Of Your Mind 31. Busted 32. The Intro And The Outro 33. The Head Ballet . SELLING FAST - Click here to Pre-Order It's the same link to pre-order
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Post by doodahdiaries on Jun 11, 2009 12:08:02 GMT
The book is definately coming out - I had a mock up to do the final review - and I've been advised that the first batch is due from the printers soon. (It is not a leather-bound embossed cover, just a normal cover.) There should be a plug for the Doo Dah Diaries project in the begining of the book, which is the reason I wanted to be involved. Those that buy - I hope they enjoy it. David P.S. The Shepherds Bush concert was the one in 2006, there were no concerts in 2007, and not to be confused with the Astoria concert in 2008.
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Post by moosehead on Jun 12, 2009 20:44:53 GMT
(It is not a leather-bound embossed cover, just a normal cover.) So the 'hand-tooled' is a lie then? It is a hardback though, I assume (sorry to be so sceptical, but totalrock are famous for their scams/cancellations).
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Post by trousers on Jun 16, 2009 8:46:08 GMT
Someone is making a hello of a lot of money from this version of the book.
By my reckoning they'll be at least 20k better off once they sell 1,000.
(I hope David from the Do Dah diaries got something more that a plug for all his hard work.)
I'm going to wait for a non hand tooled (whatever that means - my printer isn't sure either) version which will surely follow if they 'sell out' and reprint 'due to demand'.
The cover could have been better.
The Bonzo's represent Englishness, and the cover seems to illustrate a New England scene - or is it just me?
With all the images to choose from, this is a disappointment.
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Post by moosehead on Jun 16, 2009 19:31:33 GMT
I'm beginning to wonder if this is just a collection of old interviews that have been typed up. Possibly even the interviews that were done for the reunion plus 'extensive' old interviews by Viv. [ I'm beginning to suspect that the word 'extensive' is as true as the word 'hand-tooled' (meaning: 'to ornament (the cover of a book) with a bookbinder's tool').] David (DooDah) appears to have been the editor, but is not being paid for his work.
The real worry of course is that the publishers, Angry Penguin Ltd., appear to be related to Total Rock, an outfit allegedly legendary for copyright theft, false advertising and misrepresentation - their stock-in-trade being DVD histories of bands that contain no music whatsoever (or less than 30 seconds of any song, to avoid copyright payments).
As you say Trousers, this looks like a get-rich-quick scheme.
And yes, the cover (Grant Wood's American Gothic) has nothing whatsoever to do with the Bonzos, but appears to be the result of a quick Google Image search for the words 'farm picture'.
We shall see...
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Post by Nancy on Jun 18, 2009 12:46:35 GMT
The cover could have been better. The Bonzo's represent Englishness, and the cover seems to illustrate a New England scene - or is it just me? With all the images to choose from, this is a disappointment. That's a good point actually, what on earth has that picture got to do with the Bonzo's? It's not like there aren't loads of iconic pictures of them to choose from. The ad for the book suggests it's actually written by the band but not exactly as it says "in their own words" so it could be just interviews transposed. David has read it so he knows the most about the content he hasn't said it's all interviews he's heard or anything so hopefully it isn't.
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Post by doodahdiaries on Jun 18, 2009 16:52:02 GMT
Those that have received the Doo Dah Diaries will know that it is "hand tooled", in that I punch the paper and spiral bind them. The sample of Jollity Farm that I had, was bound as a normal book. I belive the "hand tooled" for Jollity Farm refers to the fact that it is bound in house at Angry Penguin. The cover of the book and the styling inside is not mine, but by Bob Carruthers, and is similar to that used for Pour L'Amour Des Chiens and Wrestle Poodles CD's. That is not to say it is bad - we all have different tastes. (I spent a fortune to get that picture that I use on the cover of the DDD and website, because it is the exact line-up that I feature. I'm sure some people would think a different cover for the DDD would be better.) It is not written by the band, although I know it has been reviewed by Vernon, and maybe other band members. The book does contain quotes that have been used elsewhere (Tour programme, Inside The Bonzos DVD, and obviously old quotes from Vivian Stanshall) but I believe it also contains quotes that are new. I have added some historic information and tried to help turn it into a book that does some justice to the great Bonzos. But in reality it is Bob Carruther's book, both in terms of content and production. I got paid a fee for my contributions - unfortunately I am self-employed and the work I missed making my contributions meant that it actually cost me money. But that was my choice and I'm not complaining. As I said before, my driver was initially to have an opportunity to advertise the Doo Dah Diaries project, and once involved, to make the book as good as possible. I have also read many complaints about Bob Carruthers, and you may say that I'm bound to defend him having worked on Jollity Farm with him, but the one thing you have to remember about him is that he brought the Bonzos back together. Maybe it was only for 14 concerts in the end, but I managed to get to 8 of the concerts and for that I will always be grateful to Bob Carruthers. Would we have Three Bonzos And A Piano if the reunion hadn't taken place? Probably not. Has he made money out of his various ventures with the Bonzos? I hope so, he's taken a financial risk arranging gigs, producing a new CD etc, so why shouldn't he make money? Having said that, would I have liked the book to sell for just £9.99 and not be limited to 1000 copies - of course I would, but it's not my money being invested. I have issued over 500 volumes of the Doo Dah Diaries without asking for or receiving a single penny. (And I don't want to guess how much that has cost me in postage, printing, paper, plastic covers, envelopes, spiral bindings, address labels, website costs, PO Box costs etc.) My reward is the development of the Diaries and having become friends with some of the Bonzos, some of their associates, and having made friends with some great like-minded fans. I am not financially motivated in my association with the Bonzos but I am not going to be critical of Bob Carruthers for wanting to make some money from investments that make my expenditure look small fry. Do I want it to sell well? Of course I do, but I agree the price is high and whether you buy it or not depends on your circumstances. I've paid more than that for a rare Bonzos single, so it is all relative. Have I ordered a copy? Yes. (Although Angry Penguin have since confirmed I will get a free one.) Sorry to have gone on... David P.S. Off to Exeter tomorrow to see the Three Bonzos And A Piano. 6+ hours of driving, but more than worth it. The other Bonzoheads will be there as well, so a great evening.
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Post by moosehead on Jul 2, 2009 18:44:45 GMT
My copy arrived today!
As suspected, the cover isn't hand-tooled, but it is hardback. And I still don't understand why American Gothic, but what the heck.
First off I must admit that having been working flat out today I've not had more than 5 minutes to look through it, but... It's not what I feared, rather it appears to be a proper history of the Bonzos, fleshed out with reminiscences by all the surviving Bonzos and reviews/articles from music magazines, etc. My first impression is that this is exactly what would have been produced if DooDahDavid had given over the Diaries to be made into a book, except with more royalty-free clip art and less photos of the band and its members (though there are some).
I'll try to make time over the weekend to read as much as possible of it (it's only 200 pages long), and get back with a fuller review.
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Post by moosehead on Jul 5, 2009 15:58:30 GMT
A quick update:
I'm afraid that my review will be delayed a bit. It looks to be a much better book than I'd expected, but I don't dare find out because as soon as I started reading it the pages began to fall out! So I'll be returning it tomorrow for a replacement.
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