Life On The Ceiling - Michael Chapman

Monty Python's Life of Michael

Advantages: Candid, revealing insight into the reality of 'the nice one'
Disadvantages: Sometimes hard to keep track of who's who; strangely short on humour

And now for something completely different?Never meet your heroes,? goes the old adage. ?Never read their diaries? might be equally sage advice. That?s probably why I didn?t tackle Michael Palin?s collected daily journals until now. Along with the rest of the Monty Python team, he was without doubt a hero of my teenage years. Today, when so much television is disposable pap, such admissions stretch credulity. But I derived more enjoyment, education and social acceptance from Monty Python?s Flying Circus than any other influence on my nerdish adolescent self. Even now, 30 or more years later, I was wary of anything which might demolish the façade of those shows, which could reveal that my telly gods had feet of clay. So I opened this hefty, 600-page distillation of the Python years (1969-1979) with trepidation. I came here ...

Silverback 21.11.2009 (25.11.2009) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years - Michael Palin

The reality of Michael Jackson's life

Advantages: Very comprehensive and informing.
Disadvantages: over 700 pages!!!

So many people must have gone through decades of thinking that Michael led an awe inspiring and wonderful life. Personally after reading his life story I wouldn't have wanted one day of his life, not as a child or an adult, and he must have been so lonely. His life as a Jehovah's Witness must have been so difficult to be involved in a normal way with people of the same beliefs....his total lack of sexual desire was rated as almost abnormal or perhaps as homosexuality, but even as a young man he seemed to keep christian standards that others in his family neglected and ignored. The details in this book are amazing. Its like being a camera in every aspect of his life on an ongoing basis. well well worth reading, and learning more about. Michael may have died, but he knows he will be back, and his life will be so different next time ...

Jualsy1996 01.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Michael Jackson - J.Randy Taraborrelli

A Chapman Revolution

Advantages: Great lyrics, very thought provoking
Disadvantages: sad at times

This album is nothing but true class. From the first track 'talkin' bout a revolution' to 'if not now'. It is probably the most melodic album I have ever heard and has a real mix of styles. Most people will know the track 'fast car' but this is album is about more than one great track. It's a whole series of them put together. The guitar work is exceptional in parts and great use is made of her stunning vocals to really emphasise the meaningful and thought provoking lyrics. Which incidently are quite sad at times. 'Talkin' Bout a Revolution' is a great rock track and talks about the problem of unemployment. 'Fast Car' is more than just a great melody; you can totally picture yourself escaping life by taking a drive with a loved one, forgetting the troubles of the day and just enjoying the experience. 'Across the Lines ...

nigelpm 21.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman