Vanilla Pop: Sweet Sounds from Frankie Avalon to Abba

Joseph Lanza did something brave and integral with this book by dismissing the notion that American black suffering in music is a panacea for good taste and audio appreciation. Lanza not only made affluent white guilt seem ridiculous and empty, but he put forth all the flavors that made '50s and '60s white pop, rock and romanticism so great. Doubtful anyone at this point would argue that early black jazz, blues and R & B are powerful evocations of American life in the first half of the 20th Century. Lanza, however, goes beyond viewing white pop music as a mere novelty of '50s naivete. The Norman Rockwell notion of songs like "Sh'Boom" or various Mitch Miller Singers albums are appreciated for their sonic beauty and delectible arrangement. These songs are as much flight-of-fancy... full of good times... as they are relics of a bygone era. Lanza's text holds works by the Ray Conniff Singers, the Lettermen, the Cascades and Harper's Bizarre up as All-American pieces of pop-art, giving them historical context and some good old journalistic insight on how to enjoy the music. For my money, I haven't seen a better chapter written about producer Curt Boettcher yet. Here's hoping a Boettcher book is somewhere in the works. Until then, pick "Vanilla Pop" up and find out about the celestial sounds that inspired and sustained Boettcher and other creative minds.

Vanilla Pop is revolutionary ! Of all the music books out there, this is the ONLY book that covers the careers of such popular artists as the Lettermen, the Four Preps, Brian Hyland and much more. He also goes into great detail about the production. There are already enough books written about the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Nirvana, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. Mr. Lanza dares to be different in a biased society where these artists are considered lame and whitebread by critics and the public alike. As much as i like rock, heavy metal, soul and disco, I also like most of the artists in Mr. Lanza's book. His writing style is excellent and is filled with wit. He also covers some cult artists, such as Sagitarius, Joe Meek, Claudine Longet and the Sandpipers. Any true fan of music should read this book, it is essential.

I picked up this book because of the Fabulous Cover!...With a smile on my face, I turned to the back and saw that it was about the BEST music from the 50's and 60's...I couldn't believe someone was resurecting this happy part of Music History!...I thought it was lost but now I FOUND!!!...What a TREAT...behind the scenes happening..the producers and the risk takers..to make the 60's Scene absolutely a DREAMY etching in Our Plexes!...Cool Pics to go with the info!...I've finished..but I take it to bed and read one chapter a night for a Shot of Nostalgic Smiles!...Thank You Joseph Lanza!!!