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| A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul | 
 enlarge | Author: John A. Jackson
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Category: Book
List Price: $50.00
Buy New: $10.40
You Save: $39.60 (79%)
New (21) Used (20) Collectible (2) from $5.52
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 108087
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 0195149726
Dewey Decimal Number: 782.4216440922
EAN: 9780195149722
ASIN: 0195149726
Publication Date: November 15, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
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Product Description
"If You Don't Know Me By Now," "The Love I Lost," "The Soul Train Theme," "Then Came You," "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"--the distinctive music that became known as Philly Soul dominated the pop music charts in the 1970s. In A House on Fire, John A. Jackson takes us inside the musical empire created by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, the three men who put Philadelphia Soul on the map.
Here is the eye-opening story of three of the most influential and successful music producers of the seventies. Jackson shows how Gamble, Huff, and Bell developed a black recording empire second only to Berry Gordy's Motown, pumping out a string of chart-toppers from Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the Spinners, the O'Jays, the Stylistics, and many others. The author underscores the endemic racism of the music business at that time, revealing how the three men were blocked from the major record companies and outlets in Philadelphia because they were black, forcing them to create their own label, sign their own artists, and create their own sound. The sound they created--a sophisticated and glossy form of rhythm and blues, characterized by crisp, melodious harmonies backed by lush, string-laden orchestration and a hard-driving rhythm section--was a glorious success, producing at least twenty-eight gold or platinum albums and thirty-one gold or platinum singles. But after their meteoric rise and years of unstoppable success, their production company finally failed, brought down by payola, competition, a tough economy, and changing popular tastes.
Funky, groovy, soulful--Philly Soul was the classic seventies sound. A House on Fire tells the inside story of this remarkable musical phenomenon.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 An Outstanding Book - Thoroughly Researched March 31, 2007
What impressed me most about Mr. Jackson's book is the research he did. I can't imagine a more meticulously detailed and thoroughly researched subject. This book should be required reading for potential writers, to learn how it should be done. Because this is not mainstream material - this book would never be a best seller since the subject matter is of interest only to a small segment of the reading public, Mr. Jackson probably could have taken a few shortcuts here and there; who would have known? But he obviously didn't.
My interest lied with whether there was a connection between Cameo-Parkway, a label whose music I treasured as a teen (and still do) and Philadelphia International, all of whose music I was equally as impressed with. I wanted to see if there was any connection between the companies since they were both based in Philadelphia. I certainly found my answers and then some, thanks to this book. Highly recommended!
The rise and fall of Philadelphia International Records. March 26, 2007
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's legendary Philadelphia International label was the most important and influential R&B imprint of the 1970s and this long-overdue chronicle of its rise, glory days and fall is indispensable for anyone who loves the music PIR released. Although the author was unable to interview either Gamble or Huff he does interview Thom Bell and other key players of the PIR camp. Thoroughly researched and a well-done job indeed. Whereas books on the Motown, Stax and Atlantic labels have been previously available this is (surprisingly)O the first-ever in depth one published about PIR and is much-welcome on all counts.
 Major Disappointment March 20, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
For me, this book is a major disappointment. The biggest gaping hole in the book is the fact that the author was not able to interview either Gamble or Huff. It also reads like a college textbook - dull writing style. This was hot R&B music of the 1970's and the writing should have reflected the excitement in the music.
I wish it could have gone on forever January 20, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The book AND the era in music, that is. Being a huge fan of both pop music history and early-70s soul, I savored this read like a fine meal. My only complaint is that it had to end. So much detail, such loving care applied by the author...this is one great read. I'd give it six stars if I could. It's that good!
Didn't I blow your mind....this time! January 21, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I thought I knew a lot about Philly Soul. This book turned on so many lights for me regarding Philly Soul. MFSB, Bell, Huff, Gamble and many others are covered in this book. I would like to sit down and talk to Thom Bell. Out of all the people in this book (and a lot are covered,) the music and genius of Thom Bell really blew my mind.
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