Andrew Lloyd Webber

I find Walsh gets himself into a repeated pattern with each chapter, and the sypnosis of each story becomes very tiresome and the the musical analysis (ie, a key signature and time signature) is not really worth doing. Any five year old can open Lloyd Webbers music and find out the key and time signature. I wanted more detail about the music.

The book I brought was the reprinted one with information about Sunset, Whistle and the movie of Evita, although it was already worth the reprint and these chapters are no where near as enthused or informative as the previous chapters. Very disappointing, but still a great buy and well worth getting.


A must-have book for all fans of Lloyd Webber and his work.   January 19, 2003
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

This is a must-have for Lloyd Webber fans; it truly is an in-depth account of his life and work. Packed full of information and many photographs, it was an interesting read. It has been claimed that Walsh concentrates too much on the chapter featuring "Phantom of the Opera", but I for one cannot blame him! Walsh has reason to, as he states "Phantom" was the first musical where Lloyd Webber developed his more mature style and a strong sense of key association than in his previous musicals. (He also admits it was after viewing "Phantom" he had the notion to write the book in the first place.)

The only reason why I would not give this book the full five stars is the fact it may be somewhat frustrating to read for musicologists and music students who wish to study Lloyd Webber's style in depth. Walsh tantalizes the reader with only brief excursions into analysis of the music; e.g. very brief descriptions of the keys and rhythms the songs are in, with no printed musical examples on how Lloyd Webber constructs the fabric of his scores.

However, in all, I would certainly recommend this book.

E.A. Bucchianeri, author of "A Compendium of Essays: Purcell, Hogarth and Handel, Beethoven, Liszt, Debussy, and Andrew Lloyd Webber" and "Handel's Path to Covent Garden: A Rocky Journey"


Great info; okay writer....   April 28, 2001
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

My first impression of this book was that Michael Walsh must only be a fan of The Phantom of the Opera. It honestly seems to be the only show that he doesn't have an unkind word for. However, once you get past the comments that might be offensive to serious fans, you find a great wealth of material on the inside life of Lord Lloyd Webber. Everything is covered in this book, from the origins of his nickname (Bumper) to Jean's pet monkeys and days in "Bohemian" Lloyd Webberdom, to the recent revivals and productions of his shows. Even the musical structures of some songs from each show are analyzed. This is only the beginning; there is lots of great information that any fan will find infinitely interesting. Now if only Mr. Walsh would lighten up....


I wouldn`t buy this book bacause....   July 30, 1999
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I rec`d the first Michael Walsh book as a present as I am an ardent fan of ALW. Michael Walsh nit picks at the composer`s genious.I would like to know his qualification to be a music critic. I would buy such a book for curiosity, to prove that the lay person is the final ctitic.


I wouldn`t buy this book bacause....   July 30, 1999
 1 out of 9 found this review helpful

I rec`d the first Michael Walsh book as a present as I am an ardent fan of ALW. Michael Walsh nit picks at the composer`s genious.I would like to know his qualification to be a music critic. I would buy such a book for curiosity, to prove that the lay person is the final ctitic.