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The Twang Dynasty [Paperback]

Deke Leonard (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 371 pages
  • Publisher: Northdown Publishing Ltd; First edition (1 Mar 2012)
  • ISBN-10: 1900711184
  • ISBN-13: 978-1900711180
  • Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 14.4 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 262,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

The Twang Dynasty is a book for people who love guitars and the glorious noise they make, written by a musician who has lived and loved the music for 50 years. Deke Leonard reflects on the genre from within in a highly amusing and informative style that makes this an essential read. He shines a light on how and why some musicians changed the landscape forever, tracing the development of modern popular music from its fragmented roots in delta blues, country and early rock'n'roll to today's guitar-based rock. He mixes personal encounters with Hendrix and Clapton with analysis of less well known but equally important players, ending with a chapter on Welsh rock guitarists that have been particularly dear to his heart. If you own a library of guitar-related titles, we guarantee this is like no other book you own. The Twang Dynasty is compelling reading, making you want to revisit the music and embark on your own guitar odyssey. Nominated "Book of the Month" in Guitar and Bass Magazine May 2012.

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Customer Reviews

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4.8 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading 27 Feb 2012
By Oakers
Format:Paperback
This is an essential purchase not just for guitar lovers, but for anyone with a fondness for popular music in all its forms, and especially for fans of rock and blues.
By his own admission Deke lacked the necessary dedication to command a place of his own among the pantheon of guitar greats, though he did carve out at least a semi-successful career with legendary Welsh band Man.
Among those numerous musicians who have tried their skills with pen instead of plectrum, however, I would venture he is peerless.
In this, his latest gem, he recounts the careers of guitar greats past and present from Reinhardt to Ry Cooder...Chuck Berry to Jeff Beck, with fascinating insight, numerous personal anecdotes and relentless, sardonic wit.
Even with close to 100 axemen featured, of course, there are many notable omissions, but Twang provides a detailed context that is as valid for those excluded, as those included.
In summary...it's a great read, and very highly recommended.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Deke - The Man with the golden pick. 26 Feb 2012
By David Jones
Format:Paperback
Those of you who have read his previous books will know to expect more of the same in that wonderful, humorous, style with which he can captivate your attention. Here he tells of his guitar heroes and influences, of which there are many. Along the way we get more of his own life story and his meetings with some of his heroes. No pictures, but then none are needed as the words lead you to your own images as each story is so magnificently told you feel you were there. So, here we have an amusing, informative and of course knowledgable read, as of course Deke is such a master of the instrument himself. But the book succeeds also in making you check out, again if needed, and maybe some for the first time, the music of the great axemeisters hailed within these pages.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great guitarist - brilliant writer. Makes you sick! 14 Dec 2012
By Earl Grey
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fantastic book. It takes us from Deke's upbringing in South Wales stopping off with his painful piano lessons and time served, quite improbably, with the Air Training Corps through to the current day. Fortunately Deke was ambushed by Rock n Roll and the military's loss was our gain as he took up guitar and never looked back.

The book gives an enjoyable overview of the best blues and rock guitarists including the genius Mickey Jones who has to be one of the most sadly neglected musicians ever. The pleasure of seeing Deke and Mickey in concert together in Man is not something I will never forget. Who else could make the Fforde Green Hotel in Leeds or the Breedon Bar in Birmingham seem like the centre of the universe?

Anyone who can find a way of mentioning that The Guardian and Independent are the only newspapers worth reading while taking a swipe at stockbroker belt bluesmen and the horrible noise Bryan Ferry makes when he is with musicians has to be listened to with respect. A fantastic read and highly recommended.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars essential addition to rock 'n' roll literature 17 Jun 2012
By AndyG48
Format:Paperback
thoroughly recommend this book to not just music fans and biased Man/Deke obsessives like myself, but to anyone who has a fondness for rock 'n' roll history and the birth of guitar music in general. Written in Deke's thoroughly entertaining style laced with loads of acidic wit, cynicism and self put-down (far too much in my opinion as Deke is well up there with some of the guitar masters of the late 60s and 70s) the book is compelling reading and introduced me to lots of facts and insights I never knew. What makes it better than many others is the fact it is not intended to be an A-Z of guitarists but an affectionate look back to those who influenced and shaped one particular man's style and playing and it succeeds in bucket loads!!! Can't wait for the next volume Deke (Twang part II??)
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A great book by a guitar genius? 3 April 2012
By Charles Parry
Format:Paperback
Deke Leonard leads his own band - Iceberg - but is probably best known for his work with the legendary Man. He's an excellent guitarist and songwriter - subtle as a well-oiled axe and more inventive than Da Vinci on acid - traits he superbly displays in his writing. After many years penning articles for the music press and two excellent autobiographical accounts of his time in the music business (Maybe I Should've Stayed in Bed? The Flip Side of the Rock 'n' Roll Dream and Rhinos, Winos and Lunatics: The Legend of Man, a Rock'n'Roll Band) here he turns his acerbic wit onto fellow axemen. From the earliest days of the Blues to the likes of Micky Gee, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, this insightful account of the development of guitars, guitarists and guitarmanship is as educational as it is humorous. His descriptions of their foibles and idiosyncracies are often bone-achingly funny, providing many laugh-out-loud passages that ensure that even someone with just a passing interest in guitars would find this a worthwhile read. Deke is uniquely positioned to write this book: as a master of the dark art himself and possessed of a brillant turn of phrase, I can think of no one else who could do it better.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read! 9 Dec 2012
By John Rodge
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An absolutely fascinating and insightful look at the great guitarists in the history of rock music. Deke's ability to remember details and to recount stories of past meetings is remarkable. A hugely entertaining and superbly written account of a rock legend's journey through life! You must read this book.
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