Walk Like a Man: Coming of Age with the Music of Bruce Springsteen by Robert J. Wiersema. (Greystone, 2011) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Walk Like a Man

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

Robert Wiersema joins me again. His new book, a sort of memoir and a sort of biography and criticism of Bruce Springsteen’s music is called Walk Like a Man: Coming of Age with the Music of Bruce Springsteen. It’s a great book; a beautiful, thoughtful book about growing up and growing older. I’m not a Springsteen fan. I have ‘Born to Run’ on my iPod, but that’s about it. Sinatra, another singer from New Jersey is more prevalent on my iPod. But Mr. Wiersema writes with such affection, care and honesty about his own life as seen with Springsteen’s music as an underscore, you can’t help but appreciate Springsteen as an artist, cultural icon, celebrity, and the person who illuminates Wiersema’s life, for both the writer and the reader, just a little bit more. Robert J. Wiersema is an independent bookseller in Victoria, and a prolific critic and book reviewer. He’s written two bestselling novels, Before I Wake and Bedtime Story, and was last on to talk about his novella, The World More Full of Weeping. His website is at www.robertjwiersema.com. This book is published by Greystone. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Rob Wiersema; Good morning, Mr. Wiersema.

A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio by Paul Myers. (Jawbone, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: A Wizard A True Star

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. In Vancouver, this is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

The musician and author Paul Myers joins me again. He’s just published a new book, a look at the legendary music producer and musician in his own right, Todd Rundgren: A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio. We’ll talk about how the book came about, who Myers talked to for this, who Rundgren is, and the influence he’s had on recording and music. In a 40 year career, Rundgren has produced nearly everyone, from Cheap Trick, Hall and Oates, Grand Funk, the New York Dolls, Patti Smith, The Band, and many others. A Wizard A True Star is published by Jawbone. The Paul Myers blog is at http://pulmyears.wordpress.com/. Mr. Myers was last on for his biography of Long John Baldry, It Ain’t Easy. He’s also written a book on the Barenaked Ladies. He joins me from Berkley, California, where he lives. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Paul Myers; Good morning, Mr. Myers.

The Bells by Richard Harvell. (Random House, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Bells

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

In Vancouver, I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

The Bells is a new novel from first time novelist Richard Harvell. It is a book about a celebrated opera singer who is born to a bell keeper in the Swiss Alps. As a boy, Moses Froben, is affected by the bells developing a gift for sound. He ends up meeting two travelling monks and then he meets Ulrich, a choirmaster, who then has Moses castrated, as he possess a remarkable voice. The book tells the story, takes us through loves, marriage, and the premiere of one of history’s most beloved operas. Richard Harvell is in Vancouver this day, and joins us to talk about his story, and this book, The Bells. He was born in New Hampshire, and studied at Dartmouth. He lives with his wife and son in Basel, Switzerland. The Bells is published by Random House. His website is at www.richardharvell.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Richard Harvell; Good morning, Mr. Harvell.

My Judy Garland Life by Susie Boyt. (Bloomsbury, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: My Judy Garland Life

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

You need not need share the author’s appreciation and adoration of Judy Garland to enjoy the book, My Judy Garland Life by Susie Boyt. It’s a remarkable memoir that was a Globe and Mail book of the year, and a critical hit here in Canada, the United States, and in Britain. It’s a wonderful mix of a memoir, of how the author grew up adoring Judy Garland, admiring her talent, enjoying her work, and examining the less than glamorous aspects of the legendary film, television, and stage performer who is arguably, according to Ms. Boyt, the greatest entertainer of the twentieth century, or any century. The author joins me now from London, England just as the book has been published in soft cover. If you haven’t read it, it’s definitely worth reading. It’s a serviceable biography of Garland, as well as a marvellous meditation on fame and hero worship. Susie Boyt is novelist, part-time bereavement counsellor, and a columnist for the Financial Times. Her great-grandfather was Sigmund Freud. Her website is at www.susieboyt.com. The book is published by Bloomsbury. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Susie Boyt; Good morning, Ms. Boyt.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

We check in with Graeme McRanor. The music writer for the Vancouver Sun, he’s covered arts and entertainment in Vancouver for the past five years. He’s also a freelance writer and producer, a dad, and he makes these great videos you can watch online. There’s some funny stuff there, like the Hitler video on the Olympics. At www.jawbone.tv, you can read his semi-regular series of pieces, Cokehead, which, as it says in the cautionary note: chronicle ‘one man’s journey to and from the depths of cocaine addiction including entanglements with Mexican drug police and a trio of knife-wielding pimps in Amsterdam, and life as a second-rate model in Milan, a bartender in Toronto and philanderer everywhere.’ They’re great pieces; witty and fascinating. The website for more is www.fluentfuel.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Graeme McRanor; Good morning, Mr. McRanor.

Bravo! The History of Opera in British Columbia by Rosemary Cunningham. (Harbour Publishing, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Bravo!

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Appropriately timed for the 50th anniversary of the Vancouver Opera and the 30th anniversary next year of the Pacific Opera Victoria, comes a new book from Harbour Publishing: Bravo! The History of Opera in British Columbia. It’s a lavishly laid out book, with exquisite photographs, and a history of the opera that’s not academic and dry, rather accessible and fascinating. If you’re like me and have never been to the opera, this is a great entry point into this form of artistic endeavour that’s around for well over a century. You have behind-the-scenes accounts of the production companies and the shows they’ve mounted and the stars they’ve brought to town. The author of Bravo! Rosemary Cunningham joins me now. She’s a long time season ticket holder of the Vancouver Opera, which just last Friday opened its season with a 50th anniversary gala concert. Following her retirement as a librarian, Rosemary Cunningham began a second career as a writer, and Bravo! is her first book. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Rosemary Cunningham; Good morning, Ms. Cunningham.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

It’s that time of year again. Christmas is just around the corner. And what better way to get into the spirit of the season than to head over to the Stanley Theatre to see the Arts Club’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Beginning previews, the 12th of November, the show features the immortal ‘White Christmas,’ and other memorable songs by Irving Berlin. It is said that Irving Berlin “is American music.” This is a stage adaptation of the hit 1954 movie musical, which starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera Ellen. The song was originally sung in the picture Holiday Inn in 1942, winning the Oscar for Best Song. The 1954 film, White Christmas was adapted to the stage a few years ago, and opened on Broadway last year. This Arts Club production runs until December 27th. For tickets and more information visit www.artsclub.com. Sara-Jeanne Hosie, one of the stars of the show, joins me now. She recently stopped the show at the Stanley as Fantine singing ‘I Dreamed A Dream,’ in last spring’s boffo production of Les Miserables. She’s also played the lead in productions of Cabaret, South Pacific and Guys and Dolls. Her website is www.sjhosie.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Sara-Jeanne Hosie; Good morning, Ms. Hosie.

One More Time! The Dal Richards Story by Dal Richards with Jim Taylor. (Harbour Publishing, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: One More Time!

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

The long-time columnist and author Jim Taylor is back. He’s always great to have on. A year ago when he was on for his memoir, “Hello, Sweetheart? Gimmie Rewrite!” My Life in the Wonderful World of Sports, he mentioned that he was fulfilling a lifelong ambition in writing a book with Dal Richards. Well, that book has just been published. We’ve talked to Dal, but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to talk to Jim Taylor. He’s written a number of books already, biographies with Rick Hansen, Matt Dunigan, Wayne Gretzky, and more. This time, it’s One More Time! The Dal Richards Story, and it’s a great book. It’s a wonderful view on to Vancouver as it once was, and all the evidence you’d need on why Dal is such a legend, and such beloved figure in this town. The book is published by Harbour, and its co-author joins me now. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Jim Taylor; Good morning, Mr. Taylor.

One More Time! The Dal Richards Story by Dal Richards with Jim Taylor. (Harbour Publishing, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: One More Time!

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Last year, when Jim Taylor was on the program to talk about his memoir, he mentioned that he was working on my guest now, Dal Richards’s own memoir. Dal was one of the first guests on the program when we first started five years ago, and now he’s back as his book One More Time! has just been published. It’s a wonderful book, filled with wonderful remembrances of his storied career as a musician here and across Canada on the radio and elsewhere. The book has some wonderful photographs, and is also a wonderful view onto this city, Vancouver, taking us to those great places that once were, Isy’s, The Cave, the Panorama Roof at the Hotel Vancouver and more. He was born in 1918, and he’s been honoured by nearly every institution in this country. He has the Order of Canada, the Order of BC, he’s got honorary degrees. He will be a Torch Bearer in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. He plays regularly gigs throughout the area, so check out his website www.dalrichards.com for dates. You can also hear his program, Dal’s Place, Sundays on radio station AM 650. He maintains a calendar that’d tire someone half his age, but at 91, it doesn’t seem to faze him. This is such a great book, and you ought to go out and get it: One More Time! The Dal Richards Story, written by Mr. Richards with Jim Taylor. It’s published by Harbour. Please welcome once again to the Planta: On the Line program, Dal Richards; Good morning, Mr. Richards.

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

The freelance writer and producer Graeme McRanor joins me now. He was a full-time journalist with Sun Media, appearing here in Vancouver in the 24 Hours paper. You can read more about Mr. McRanor and his work at http://www.fluentfuel.com. You can even hire him. I’m a big fan of his videos which he continues to make. They’re hilarious, self-effacing, witty, and sometimes sardonic. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Graeme McRanor; Good morning, Mr. McRanor.

Fluent Fuel: http://www.fluentfuel.com

Jawbone.tv: http://www.jawbone.tv