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the beautiful miss pamela ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ⊹˚.

Michael Walker: Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Legendary Neighborhood (2007)

Time to talk about another one of those special places and times in music history about which countless fans have uttered words along the lines of "I wish I could have been there": L.A.'s Laurel Canyon in the late '60s and early '70s.

In this absorbing book, journalist (and latter day Laurel Canyon resident) Michael Walker chronicled the origin, heyday, demise, and enduring fascination with the Hollywood Hills neighborhood that hosted maybe popular music's most idealistic and idyllic era -- certainly one of its most romanticized.

I say that because of course there was just as much petty jealousy and bitter rivalry behind Laurel Canyon's peace and love (maaaannn) facade, but lofty expectations and good intentions for changing the world definitely fueled many of the artists who tried to establish their own hippie nirvana among its steep hills and twisting roads.

Artists like The Byrds, The Mamas and the Papas, The Doors, The Flying Burrito Bros., The Turtles, the Eagles, Frank Zappa, Jackson Browne, Carole King, and the uncrowned queen of Laurel Canyon, Joni Mitchell.

Their efforts briefly created a fertile musical laboratory in those hills above L.A., and Walker does a fine job of addressing the social, political, and cultural forces (feminism, Vietnam, the Manson murders, etc.) that shaped their music and mood.

So even if you don't count yourself among those who pine to have experienced this particular slice of pop music Camelot (I don't, though I'd still want to visit Zappa's famous Log Cabin and maybe flirt with The GTO's), there's much to love about this book.

Featured Records:

Joni Mitchell: Ladies of the Canyon (1970)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Déjà Vu (1970)

The Flying Burrito Bros.: Burrito Deluxe (1970)

The Mothers of Invention: Just Another Band from L.A. (1972)

The Turtles: "Happy Together" (1967)