SPILL BOOKS: GILLIAN G. GAAR – SPRINGSTEEN @ 75

GILLIAN G. GAAR – SPRINGSTEEN @ 75

QUATRO PUBLISHING GROUP

BOOK REVIEW BY BRYAN WILLISTON

In honour of Bruce Springsteen’s 75^th birthday, Gillian Gaar and Quarto Publishing have released the commemorative book, Springsteen @ 75.

At first glance, Springsteen @ 75 could be mistaken for a basic coffee table book, but it is actually much more. Packaged in an elegant case, and containing a multitude of photos and graphics, this publication also includes a bonus 8 X 10” glossy photo of The Boss, and a tour poster reproduction from 1977. The book itself is of wonderful quality, with a black and white concert photo on the front cover, and a colour photo of young Mr. Springsteen on the back.

Not to judge a book by its cover, but one is impressed by this volume, even before turning to page one. Once inside, awaiting the reader is a treasure trove of photos, album covers, press notices, and promotional material from Springsteen’s career.

Gaar has wisely subdivided the book chronologically into five parts, with each one covering a different era of Springsteen’s career. Presenting the book in this way, the author gives a sense of the arc of Springsteen’s career, through the decades. This is particularly helpful to newer fans, or to those who have observed the artist’s career more casually.

With each era further broken into component parts, Gaar hits all of the high points in Springsteen’s life: early days in Freehold, NJ, songwriting and forming his first bands, album and single releases, tours and special concert appearances, and significant personal, artistic, and business relationships. Relying on her exhaustive research, and using a simple, short-article format, Gaar delves surprisingly deeply into each subject area. She writes superbly, and the reader comes away from each article with a sense of knowledge and satisfaction.

There are too many pluses to this publication to simply dismiss Springsteen @ 75 as being a mere coffee table book. Sure, it looks great on the table, but the content and presentation are simply wonderful. Certainly, this is a fine volume, whether to add to the die-hard fan’s collection, or to pique the interest of a neophyte. Kudos to Gillian Gaar! Highly recommended.

ISBN: 978-0-7603-8867-9

PURCHASE BRUCE @ 75 VIA