Spike Jones Off the Record: The Man Who Murdered Music (Vintage Comedy)

Rating:
Summary: Warped, warts and all.
Review: Jordan R. Young returns to a subject he originally covered in the 1984 "Spike Jones and His City Slickers", in a somewhat expanded format. His revised version is far and away the definitive work on an incredibly complex entertainer. Jones comes across in the work as a man for whom show-business was truly a business, and a ruthless one at that. His habit of stealing credit for all manner of innovations developed by his band members makes him appear the Tom Edison of Corn, in more ways than one. While the book is highly informative -- particularly in the biographical appendix of the band members -- it suffers from atrocious editing.

Rating:
Summary: The definitive authority on Spike Jones - great.
Review: Other than being a fun read, "Off The Record" is a definitive, all-inclusive reference source for Jones' life and career, as well as a great source of information about the bands and musicians he performed and recorded with. Great photos too. As a tribute band with only one recording we're only a small part of the story, but we were honored (and tickled) to be included with a reference.

Rating:
Summary: The definitive authority on Spike Jones - great.
Review: Other than being a fun read, "Off The Record" is a definitive, all-inclusive reference source for Jones' life and career, as well as a great source of information about the bands and musicians he performed and recorded with. Great photos too. As a tribute band with only one recording we're only a small part of the story, but we were honored (and tickled) to be included with a reference.

Rating:
Summary: Well-researched look at the king of crazy music.
Review: This is an excellent, well-researched look at a musician who influenced people from Zappa to Weird Al. Jones' serious side and dedication to his music are well-explored without the sense of a tabloid "tell-all." This is the ultimate biography of Jones, with attention paid to the importance of the members of his band. Reading the book made me listen to his music with a new, informed ear. I was especially interested in (and saddened by) the life of Doodles Weaver. An honest and fascinating book.