Swing It!: The Andrews Sisters Story

Rating:
Summary: Andrews Sisters: Anxiety?
Review: I ordered the book. I was excited to know that there are others that enjoy the Andrews Sisters. After reading it, I found that the author repeated, over and over, the rifts between the sisters. Read the book. For all of us; music should be heard. "Love your music lots! --

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Informative.
Review: I read "Swing It" upon recommendation and found it to be both entertaining and informative. As I read through the pages, the Andrews sisters, a band I was vaguely familiar with, came alive to me thanks in great part to Sforza's intricate research and finesse. For the casual reader, I recommend this book as a companion to the music and work of the Andrews sisters. For the educator, I stress the importance of this book and its treasure trove of information as a tool for teaching music, culuture, and history for Sforza not only entertains and informs, but, also, "fleshes out" these interesting women and their contribution to the American tapestry. Work well done, Mr. SForza !!

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Informative.
Review: I read "Swing It" upon recommendation and found it to be both entertaining and informative. As I read through the pages, the Andrews sisters, a band I was vaguely familiar with, came alive to me thanks in great part to Sforza's intricate research and finesse. For the casual reader, I recommend this book as a companion to the music and work of the Andrews sisters. For the educator, I stress the importance of this book and its treasure trove of information as a tool for teaching music, culuture, and history for Sforza not only entertains and informs, but, also, "fleshes out" these interesting women and their contribution to the American tapestry. Work well done, Mr. SForza !!

Rating:
Summary: It's a start
Review: I was estatic to finally find a book based around the career of the Andrew Sisters. If you're looking for information on who the sisters were as people, Sforza only hints on the subject. This book is largely a chronicle of their career and Sforza does an amazing job of tracking their discography. The book is not truly a biography as it does not delve into events in their personal lives. It leaves many things to the readers' imagination.

It would have been wonderful if the remaining sisters could have buried the hatchet one last time and collaborated on a biography. It would have been truly wonderful to have a book that commemorated not only their work, but the amazing lives they led.

Rating:
Summary: enjoy the read!
Review: I was so excited to finally find a book about the legendary Andrews Sisters--the songbirds I fell in love with ever since I saw them in some early Abbott and Costello films. Their music is timeless and this book is a fantastic companion for any fan. A must for your bookshelf. The compiled discography and film and TV appearance log is an invaluable reference, and the book is lovingly assembled as well. I wish there were more quotes from surviving Patty Andrews but I get the feeling the author was not allowed access to the aging crooner. Very few people have gotten the true story behind the Andrews Sisters and this book finally lays it all out in a very interesting and friendly manner. At last, a book on these gals. Some great photos, as well. It made me want more. Bravo, Mr. Sforza.

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: I've looked for a book like this and here it is. What a great story with some very intresting photos, too. Of course we all want someone to dish some more on the behind-the-scenes catfights between these sisters, but John Sforza took the high road and didn't rely on the cheap shots or the Enquirer style. This is an extremely dignified look at the Anderews Sisters career and if you like their music, you'll love this book.

Rating:
Summary: What's with the lousy reviews?
Review: My dad's a veteran of WWII. He bought a biography of The Andrews Sisters, and when I saw "Swing It" on the coffee table, I decided to start reading it. I then decided to order one for a friend of mine who's into swing music, and when he saw the negative reviews posted here, I was dismayed. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, which told me lots about this trio that I never knew, from their personal friendship with Lou Costello, to their abundant sacrifices for the war effort of the 1940s, to the reason they were so famous for squabbling. I also never realized that they recorded and performed through 1966 (who would've thought that The Andfrews Sisters recorded things like "Puff! The Magic Dragon" and "I Left My Hearty in San Francisco")? I thoroughly enjoyed the biography, and the pictures were great. And in regard to the bad reviews, I wasn't surprised to find that the e-mail address of the reader who wrote the "Yawn" review was "Nutloaf." That about says it.

Rating:
Summary: Trilly Down to Boogietown With the Andrews Sisters
Review: Previous generations having stupidly neglected to write a bio on the most popular vocal group in history, author John Sforza has tackled the job, and produced a truly fine work. All those interested in American pop music, and the history thereof, will appreciate the carefully researched, 'insider's' view of the lives, loves, and star status, of America's girls nextdoor. The Andrews Sisters; whose recordings still sell one million per annum. An engrossing book indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Worth getting
Review: Several books have been written on the Andrews Sisters but this is the first of them to make publication. It is more a published dissertation than a book as it is based entirely on already published sources. So it's really a parade of events in the Andrews' life than a real biography with the inside story, first-person interviews and the like. So much is missing, including the real reason for Patty and Maxene feuding; the person Maxene introduced late in life as her daughter; the real reason Patty could not undertake an outstanding solo career when Maxene ended up doing just that; Maxene and LaVerne's occasional lead singing on the records and their hurt feelings about Patty getting the leads when they also could sing lead--something they were too professional and too loyal to Patty to complain about. A lot seems to sail by the author, too, such as the fact nearly the entire Andrews Sisters catalog consists of them singing a capella! The instrumenation only occurs BETWEEN the sung lines and at the start and end of the records. It's mentioned briefly but that's it. Much is also missing of the Andrews's family saga, particularly their beloved mom and dad who were thought of in Hollywood as not so beloved. But, that aside, the scholarship here in terms of research is excellent; the book is smoothly written, fair, balanced and knowledgeable; and the discography at the end goes far beyond the others which have been compiled previously. For now this is the definitive Andrews book. Patty has been working on an autobiography forever and we're all still waiting. She is highly regarded in the entertainment business for her brights, her great talent, her enthusiastic personality and her true interest in and love of people. Until then, you will enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a bio about the Andrews Sisters--thanks Sforza!
Review: Sforza and U. of Ky. press are to commended on issuing the first biography of the Andrews Sisters. While this book may not answer every question, particularly about the private lives of the sisters, it does establish a publication basis for future efforts. In and of itself, the book documents the public careers of this seminal trio of popular song. Sforza lays out in convincing terms the threesome's place in history by comparing them to other vocal groups who have come and gone over the years. He rightly points to the variety of music sung by the Andrews gals from their early swing efforts of the 1930's to their harmonizing of broadway music in the 1970's, and everything in between--South American music, hymns, polkas, Hawiian, Christmas--their rousing version of Jingle Bells with Bing Crosby can still be heard in supermarkets across the land 50 years after it was recorded! And, this perennial trio was a hit in every medium of their day--records, films, theaters, nightclubs, radio and television. They packed a wallop and were loved by millions of fans in America and abroad. The book brings all this home to the reader. It should be of interest both to audiences who remember the Boogie Woogie girls, and to younger fans who still enjoy their music and want to know more about their unparalleled career. For more serious collectors the book provides a filmography, a discography, and information about their on air performances on radio and TV, their gold records, most played jukebox hits and more. Also, the book features lots of photographs, some rare. Hence, the volume is appropriate for the casual reader, because it is an easy and interesting read, but it is also a must for collectors, discographers, musicologists, and libraries for its valuable information. Appreciation is due Sforza for bringing this book to life; a book that is long overdue.

Bob Boyer