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CD (single)
Songs From The Book $5AUD
1. 'Wait And See'
2. 'Harlequin'
3. 'Wait And See' [backing track]
4. 'Harlequin' [backing track]
Enhanced CD includes sheet music for both tracks in
PDF format
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MUSO
A novel by Michael Nelson.
Published by Wrenn Nelson Productions. $29.95 AUD [incl.
CD add $5]
Available from:
Music Park
341 Albany Hwy,
Victoria Park
Western Australia $29.95 AUD
Tel: 08 9470 1020
www.musicpark.com.au.
Also available online from:
www.firsteditionbooks.com.au
(click: Bookshop>>Browse the
Bookshelves>>Thriller)
Also available online from:
www.ellingtonjazz.com.au
(click: Giftshop>>Stationery)
or purchase direct* from the author by sending $40 AUD
or $45 with CD [ price includes
pack & post to anywhere. Make cheque or money order out
to "Michael Nelson" Please print name and mailing address
clearly ]
to:
Michael Nelson
PO Box 353
Willetton Western Australia 6955
[ *Please note: post and pack rates when purchasing
from Music Park or First Edition Books will be less
expensive as they can obtain better rates than the author
]
Author's note: "Whenever older musos are
standing around after a gig waiting to be paid in the wee
small hours, the conversation inevitably turns to the 'good
old days' and the idea that there's 'got to be a book in
this.' These conversations refer to a time from about the
mid 60's to the late 80's when a professional musician could
make a respectable living from music.
For a musician, serious about his music, literate,
academically committed, prepared to practice hours every
day, with a clear business head and an equally professional
approach to all gigs whether they be to his taste or not,
music was not only a labour of love, it was good business.
Musos worked 6 nights a week, often 2 gigs a night.
Arranging, copying and studio recordings kept them busy when
not gigging.
These were the pre-digital days before home theatres,
computers, the internet - when music rode on the back of
liquor and vice and if you wanted to study jazz on a campus,
you borrowed a fortune and went overseas to Berklee. A night
club typically employed a band most nights of the week,
served dinner and presented 'floor shows'. Illegal but
tolerated gambling establishments flourished, providing
ample funds to support lavish entertainment budgets in small
venues. Every muso owned the 'uniform' - a dinner suit.
These were the days when the public 'went out' (most nights
of the week, it seemed to the musos plying their craft on
stage!).
This is the story of Hank Kelly whose love of music,
dedication and dreams of success are common to all
'pro-musos'. He is the quintessential muso from that earlier
time - career oriented and dedicated to the pursuit of self
development, more often than not along the pathway of jazz
while plying his craft in the seedy clubs and bars that
constituted the muso's workplace"
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Reviews
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Read all about it - in 'MUSO'.
Review by Lew Smith: President & Musical
Director, Jazz Fremantle and former jazz writer for
the Sunday Times Newspaper
"Among the WA music fraternity Mike Nelson is
well-known as a superb jazz pianist, composer,
arranger, singer and educator. Adding further to
his skills, in his mid-fifties he also took a new
career path gaining a diploma in mechanical
engineering - and Mike now builds high frequency
communications equipment.
If that was not enough he has produced a novel
called - MUSO - under his more formal title of
Michael Nelson. As with all his endeavours Mike has
shown meticulous application and thorough research
in locations, geography, period and dialogue.
MUSO is much more than the career and activities of
a peripatetic pianist. It is also a gripping and
gritty thriller, an engaging love-story and a
fascinating look behind the scenes of nightclub
entertainment in 1970s and 80s Perth and
London.
No doubt musicians will find things to relate to
and music fans will learn a bit of the dedication
and difficulties that a jazz artist has to suffer
to progress in a world of entertainment. However,
Mike has laced his story with humour and pathos
that will appeal to all readers. As a first novel
this is an outstanding effort and I am pleased to
recommend it to you. I hope it will not be the last
time Michael Nelson puts pen to paper - or is it
digit to laptop.
MUSO is available from Wrenn Nelson Productions at
www.jazzpiano.net.au or at Music
Park on [08]9470 1020: price $29.95
plus postage. Mike's complete professional history
can be viewed at: www.jazzpiano.net.au"
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©Mike Nelson
2001
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