A couple o' new books that are doin' the rounds here in Holland that I'd figured would be worth mentioning even if you don't speak the lingo. First off is 'De Naald Erin!', a collection of short stories by John Schoorl all revolving 'round a particular LP, that is really too lame for words. And I wouldn't even mention this snore fest if it wasn't for the fact that one of the discs involved is the Nomads' 'Temptation Pays Double' in which even a certain Mr Vahlberg makes a cameo appearance (!), this is the book's sole redeemin' value. Of much more interest is Nothing Going On In The City a book documenting 40 years of pop/rock history in Groningen (or Grunnen as the locals call it). Not a story as such, but a chronological overview detailin' certain eras, bands or scenes thru' short descriptions and a massive amount of illustrations (Pictures, posters, flyers, newspapercuttings etc) that should make this one easily digestible for you foreigners as well. Immaculately layed-out, this one's well worth checkin' out. Same goes for Het Beste Uit Hitweek '65-'69, an overview of Hollands main 60s music mag Hitweek, as essential a part of the Dutch six-o scene as the Outsiders or Cuby. No lookin' back or hindsight, just page after (original-) page of tales about long hairs vs straights, provos, beat groups (even tho' one can already spot the roots of Holland's longtime fascination w/ Zappa and country rock in here), and browsin' thru' this really brings the era back to life. Essential !.
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