Mark Thomas Passmore book

[damdamdam]

Hi, all.

I'm hoping you can tell me something about Mark Thomas Passmore's book Dead Man's Curve and Back. Who is he, and what's the book like?

I became a fan (and collector) at 13 and am sort of rediscovering J&D after, well, let's just say it's been a long time. I've been ordering J&D stuff online and wondered if this would be worth including in the haul.

Thanks in advance.

[1Jay1]

Its a great read and well worth any jan and dean fans having this in there collection,it has some great photos theres some great ones,it has a discography up to 2003,and the last album recorded in the book is dean torrence Anthology,It also has jan berry related ie what other artist he produced what other songs he sung on apart from jan and dean,also dean related,its just under 300 Pages and tell you what Labels they were signed to and all single and chart positions,

One thing i m not sure of is that On the single fantan-Love and hate(jan and dean records 11) it says Roger christian and jan berry produced this track,when i first read this it was the first time i heard of roger christian as a record producer,As mark wrote the book he must have got the infomation from somebody,

It also says on page 169 that dean provided a few background voclas on laurel and hardy,

Photos of jan on tour with the monkeys Page 163,

I m sure theres a copy being sold on ebay,if anyones intrested

[11bees]

Definitely a great read and a must for any fan. Less 'political' than the McParland books, and a little less nerdy, which in a way makes it more enjoyable. Get it if you can!

[Mark A. Moore]

It's a serviceable overview . . . but the book is self-published, with no professional editing, and it's riddled with factual errors. No photo credits, either.

Roger Christian did not produce the "Jan & Dean Label" recordings (mentioned by Jason above). Roger was, however, often in the studio with Jan during the Carnival era.

Aside from being Jan's close friend, Roger's only contribution to the music was lyrics -- and an occasional voice (like on the Batman album, and Command Performance, etc).

[Mark A. Moore]

The McParland books are important reference works. I cross reference them often.

They too contain errors here and there, but are very helpful.

But in terms of readability, they're incredibly dense and tangential. Not light, easy reading by any stretch. I think the stuff in those books that's actaully about Jan & Dean would have fit into one thin volume, instead of two thin volumes.

The McParland books are also self-published . . . and pretty darned expensive.

[damdamdam]

Thanks, all. Hmm. So is there no definitive book?

Who are these two authors? Does anyone know?

Sad that J&D remain relatively obscure -- but at least now we have the Internet and can easily get hold of these self-published books, bootlegged DVDs, etc. I remember sending away for sale lists, bidding on things, and hoping the rare 45/magazine/boot you wanted would surface.

[1Jay1]

Damdamdam

In my collection i have the 2 Steven Macpharland Books,vol 1 - 2,also 2 Different books called "Torrenced of buried treasure"if you intrested in these google california Music/steven Macparland or email him on cmusic@hotkey.net.au  this email address is published in the book,so i ll feel its ok to put in this post,as its in all his books,

Also The alan clark Book called "The early years" you can post an ad on the www.rockin50s.com web site,go to the message board and post a message about this book with alans name in the title, thats what i done about the jan and dean book ,i ve just ordered a winter dance party book by him year 1959

Hope this info helps