===== Original Message From skip Heller <velaires@earthlink.net> ===== on 12/29/02 9:37 AM, Adam Marrus at adamj2517@hotmail.com wrote:

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Would any of you be so kind as to rec a "guide" of sorts? For example i saw a reasonably priced Penguin Guide to Jazz at a nearby record shop recently. Is this a reasonably reliable source? Or should i seek out another one? Granted i realize that none are perfect or all-inclusive, but perhaps some of you could rec some that are better than others. These days i use allmusic.com. Its not terrible, but i'd like a coffee table book or two to supplement it. I imagine i would get alot out of something like that.

The All Music Guide has been really helpful to/for me, because the people who review for them tend to know what they're talking about.

i'll admit it, i use AMG alot when i'm in search of info about a band or artist i'm currently curious about BUT even they've written stuff i can't say have proven they fully understand the material. i'm especially thinking about the review of Lovage "Songs to make love to your own lady by" (featuring Mike Patton & Dan the Automator among others). it seems the reviewer don't see the humorous side to the project. which it basically is. a good, funny but very interessting CD.