Coldplay: Look at the Stars

Author and musician Phil O'Brien explores the ascension of one of the most popular and acclaimed new rock bands. She tells the story of their rocky rise, looks at the effect of fame on the band, especially on lead singer Chris Martin, and delves into the complex emotions of their music. It's all here — Martin's relationship with actress Gwyneth Paltrow, the endless gossip, the extraordinary commercial highs (their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, was the number-one album in 12 countries within a week of release), and the emotional lows of life on the road. Coldplay describes all of the band's activities to date and contains over 40 black and white photos, offering a timely appraisal of its future — rock superstardom on a par with that of long-running internationally renowned bands such as Oasis and U2.

Customer Review: Coldplay rocks!
I borrowed this book from a friend and I'm buying my own copy after reading about what is the complex group of individuals known as Coldplay. I was very perturbed at the few mentions of how much Chris Martin was teased as a kid because people believed he was gay (so what if it was the case, which it isn't?) and how critics continue to put down the most original group that has graced music in about a decade. I'm also a bit tired of hearing the wisecracks about Martin's looks (I think the man is cute and very charming, along with the rest of Coldplay). The first Coldplay song I heard on the radio was "Clocks" (from "A Rush of Blood to the Head") and I, at first, thought it was a new U2 single (not realizing, until I read this book, that Coldplay idolizes U2). I was hooked from then on. I recently sat down and listened to the entire "X&Y" album again and appreciate their songwriting and vocal abilities more than ever. The group is a welcomed breath of fresh air in this day and age of corporate "music" (undertalented and overexposed starlets doubling as singers, rappers rapping over drum machines calling women every derogatory name in the book and videos being nothing more than glorified porno film shorts). Phil O'Brien exposed Coldplay for what they really are: A complex group of individuals who value their art and their talent is appreciated (screw the naysayers!).
Customer Review: I wish I could give it even more stars
I'm a little old for a Coldplay fan (53), but I "discovered" them when I watched them play at Live8 in July 2005. Chris Martin is far from "boring" as this book attests. He's interesting, smart, funny, complex, deep and - yes - a nice guy who can get in touch with his feelings and express them beautifully in his wonderful songs. I was already a fan of Chris' wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, and was glad to see that the book dealt with the relationship. It made me dislike the "STALKerazzi" even more. Vultures! The book really told me a lot that I was dying to know about the band, especially their charismatic frontman. I highly recommend it.

Drawing on the insane humor of the much loved "cult" movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", Monty Python's Spamalot has been wowing the audience on Broadway since it opened in March 2005. With a story line roughly looking at the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the spoof musical parodies everything in sight in its quest to bring the audience to their knees in laughter. It pokes fun laughs at the Arthurian legend and quaint old English mannerisms, and satirizes that great institution that we love dearly: the Broadway musical!

Some famous tunes and references to Python offerings from the 1970's make it to the stage including 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", and nods to "the Lumberjack Song" and "Ministry of Silly Walks" sketch and the "Dead Parrot" sketch. Python fans will love it and will relive some old memories, and new audiences, unfamiliar with Monty Python, will gain a new appreciation of the peculiar British humor espoused by the likes of John Cleese, The Goodies, The Goons and of course, Monty Python.

More parodies in the show include a Lloyd Webber-esque power ballad "The Song Goes Like This" and a "Boy From Oz" style dance number "His Name is Lancelot". Yentl and The Producers get an honorable dig in the song "You Won't Succeed on Broadway".

Monty Python's Spamalot received 14 Tony Award nominations, more than any other show in the 2004-2005 season. It won three awards:

Best Musical

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Sara Ramirez)

Best Direction of a Musical (Mike Nichols) Suitable for all ages, everyone will love this show and see this musical! It has recently finished a successful season in Melbourne, Australia, and the final date is already scheduled in London's West End for early 2009. Whether you are a Monty Python fan and will know all the jokes within this musical, or if you just love a good night of laughs and great music, then this is the show for you! Make sure you get your friends and family together - because you always need someone to rehash a joke with you!

Monty Python's Spamalot

Don't miss your chance to see Spamalot - the award winning and hilarious Broadway show.

For the best deals on hard-to-get Spamalot tickets check out http://www.concert-ticketdeals.com

90s dance music