[Hassles]

The Saxophone by Stephen Cottrell v The Devil's Horn by Michael Segell

Has anybody read either or both of these publications and if so would you care to share your opinions please

 

[zxcvbnm]

I've read The Devil's Horn, it was alright. There wasn't too much I hadn't already known from nerding out about saxophones for many years.

 

[Guto]

I found the Devil’s Horn entertaining, worth reading. Check out a thread here, from yesterday about a video documentary based on the book, available on YouTube. I enjoyed it too.

 

[Hassles]

I found the Devil's Horn entertaining, worth reading. Check out a thread here, from yesterday about a video documentary based on the book, available on YouTube. I enjoyed it too.

yeah - I checked that video yesterday which kind of influenced my interest. Last sax related book I read was 'The Leak Light Speaks' which was interesting for a number of reasons. Like zxcvbnm above I've learned much in the same manner.

 

[Guto]

The leak light speaks is a very unique book. I can see how some may not like it. It's not a grammatically well written book but I found it very interesting. A great perspective on many aspects of sax ownership from an experienced repairman. Reviewed here:
http://peterspitzer.blogspot.com/2019/12/review-leak-light-speaks-by-tom-levitt.html

 

[Hassles]

The leak light speaks is a very unique book. I can see how some may not like it. It's not a grammatically well written book but I found it very interesting. A great perspective on many aspects of sax ownership from an experienced repairman. Reviewed here:
http://peterspitzer.blogspot.com/2019/12/review-leak-light-speaks-by-tom-levitt.html

Yes I have read that review. I had the profound feeling while reading this book that the author was not well. I consider some significant gaps and omissions of information rendered some of the information a little too near the edge of misguidance - IMO.

 

[Bkenes]

I've watched The Devils horn. It was partially interesting. I wouldn't read the book. The documentary is faster to watch...

 

[mijderf]

I've watched The Devils horn. It was partially interesting. I wouldn't read the book. The documentary is faster to watch...

I watched the video, and it was mildly interesting to me. I have read the book, and I see almost no relationship between the video and the book. They are so different that they should not share the same title. The book was an interesting and easy read. Please do not judge the book based on the video.

 

[nvilletele]

I watched the video, and it was mildly interesting to me. I have read the book, and I see almost no relationship between the video and the book. They are so different that they should not share the same title. The book was an interesting and easy read. Please do not judge the book based on the video.

Ok, I won't.

But can you please post a picture of the cover?

I am feeling rather judgmental today.

 

[mijderf]

Ok, I won't.

But can you please post a picture of the cover?

I am feeling rather judgmental today.

Judge away! This is the cover from my Kindle edition of the book. Not a very interesting cover to look at.

 

[Bkenes]

I watched the video, and it was mildly interesting to me. I have read the book, and I see almost no relationship between the video and the book. They are so different that they should not share the same title. The book was an interesting and easy read. Please do not judge the book based on the video.

Oh, I didn't know they were so different. I've only seen the video and thought that the book wouldn't be worth reading. Obviously that doesnt seem to be the case. Sorry.
The documentary was interesting at some point and a dissapointment in some. That's just my opinion.

 

[Canadiain]

Devils horn Book I found more entertaining than the Movie. The book as I recall it focused in part on the authors personal journey to learn to play and the people he met for advice along the way, which was totally omitted from the movie, while the movie focused far more on the eastern european player and the guy in Kansas City with his church, which to be honest didn't do a lot for me. If I had to pick one for my "desert island" it would be the book. Cant help with Cottrells book, maybe I will hunt it down sometime.

 

[turf3]

One of them is an account of a person's attempt to learn how to play, with some backgorund information on the history of the thing (there have been a couple dozen similar memoirs published here in the last 10 years or so), and the other is a more scholarly guide to the saxophone, its history and applications. They're totally different kinds of works. One is intended to be an engaging personal story and the other to be an informational work. I wouldn't compare them at all.

 

[saxtek]

Cottrell's book "The Saxophone" is one of the best books anywhere on our instrument. "The Devil's Horn" is entertaining. "The Leak Light Speaks," mentioned above, is so full of misinformation, I'd say stay away. The repair information is downright dangerous.

 

[Reet McVouty]

I've watched The Devils horn. It was partially interesting. I wouldn't read the book. The documentary is faster to watch...

Your mistake then. The book was actually good. The documentary sucked, was poorly done and really didn't follow the book at all.

 

[Hassles]

Well I ordered a copy of each - "the Devil's Horn" has arrived and was made a gift as will the Cottrell book be. I will undoubtedly be re-ordering for myself at some point soon. Maybe xmas gifts for myself

 

[JL]

I've watched The Devils horn. It was partially interesting. I wouldn't read the book. The documentary is faster to watch...

I've never, ever, not once, seen a video or movie based on a book that was even close to being as good as the book. Maybe there are exceptions, but if so I haven't found one. Read the book and forget about the movie would be my advice. I have it and it's a good read.

 

[floobydust]

I've watched The Devils horn. It was partially interesting. I wouldn't read the book. The documentary is faster to watch...

I've never, ever, not once, seen a video or movie based on a book that was even close to being as good as the book. Maybe there are exceptions, but if so I haven't found one. Read the book and forget about the movie would be my advice. I have it and it's a good read.

A couple of movies that exceeded their book source: "The Godfather" and "Jaws" (the original books were meh but the movies are classics).

-floobydust

 

[JL]

A couple of movies that exceeded their book source: "The Godfather" and "Jaws" (the original books were meh but the movies are classics).

Good call. I'll grant you those two movies were great, although I haven't read the books. Guess I should amend my statement to "in most cases."

 

[floobydust]

A couple of movies that exceeded their book source: "The Godfather" and "Jaws" (the original books were meh but the movies are classics).

Good call. I'll grant you those two movies were great, although I haven't read the books. Guess I should amend my statement to "in most cases."

Well, on the flip side, for example, there's the 1984 "Dune" movie that was pretty much incomprehensible.