Off Beat by Dudley Moore ( Signed Copy)

Moore, of music, acting, and comedy fame, assembles a crazy patchwork of trivia, personal stories, quotations, jokes, bits of history, and cartoons that span both serious and popular musical worlds, and then some. Somewhat reminiscent but more varied than Victor Borge and Robert Sherman’s classic My Favourite Intermissions, this collection of anecdotes ranges from Beethoven to Gershwin, from Josquin des Prez to Jolson. Sly quotes by everyone from Toscanini to Tina Turner abound. Witty and casual in tone, these informational oddities are entertaining. However, Moore’s personal anecdotes are the real highlight; indeed, more recollections would have made the book even better. Fans of Moore and general readers with an interest in music will enjoy this book.