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PrintableAnxiety said: freakyfeet said: How many books have YOU written ?
At least Alex got off his arse and did something rather than whine about other peoples opinions. If you don't like Alex's writing, don't buy his book - pretty simple really ! 1. I haven't written any books...I'm nearly finishing my first novel and starting a second one next month...but I've written a three-act play and several one-acts (some of which were produced in NYC), and I've had numerous articles published. Does that count? 2. Alex took advantage of a situation in which he was representing a magazine in court, by using the research and notes that THEY had compiled and gluing them together with his own extreme bias against a performer he'd battled in court. He did a LOT of whining in that book, on several levels. His objectivity was nil as a writer, and his attempts at sensationalism were laughable and desperate. 3. "If you don't like his writing, don't buy his book"??? This has to be the most ludicrous statement of all. It was his first stab at authoring (that I'm aware of, anyway). How are we supposed to KNOW what his writing is like unless we READ the book?  
if I turn gay I'm marryin you "Climb in my fur." | |
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freakyfeet said: IstenSzek said: can someone please post a picture of Alex Hahn.
soft focus and low lighting can do wonders for somepeople   and true love lives on lollipops and crisps | |
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Batdance said: The best Prince book will come from someone who *really* knew him, who was actually in the inner circle. A book by Susannah Melvoin could cover the 80s, and a book by Mayte could cover the 90s Prince.
And this book "Possessed" will serve as a big part of the foundation of facts when someone who worked with him decides to put a bombshell of a book together without going out on a limb. | |
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Some of the reactions to this book have been truly mind-boggling.
A little scary, a lot funny. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm a sucker for a major chord | |
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soulpower said: minneapolisgenius said: I just thought it was funny how he kept repeating the same things over and over again, like, "Susannah Melvoin, Wendy's twin sister, was also along for the tour..." etc.
 I swear, he always called her by her full name, Susannah Melvoin, and then had to add that she was Wendy's sister too many times to count. As if we couldn't remember who she was or something. This book is not exclusively written for the hardcore-fans. Most casual listeners or simple biography-lovers need to be reminded 5 times who Susannah is. I said I thought it was funny because it really stood out to me that he kept repeating himself. Maybe some people need to hear things a million times, but I don't. "I saw a woman with major Hammer pants on the subway a few weeks ago and totally thought of you." - sextonseven | |
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minneapolisgenius said: soulpower said: minneapolisgenius said: I just thought it was funny how he kept repeating the same things over and over again, like, "Susannah Melvoin, Wendy's twin sister, was also along for the tour..." etc.
I swear, he always called her by her full name, Susannah Melvoin, and then had to add that she was Wendy's sister too many times to count. As if we couldn't remember who she was or something. This book is not exclusively written for the hardcore-fans. Most casual listeners or simple biography-lovers need to be reminded 5 times who Susannah is. I said I thought it was funny because it really stood out to me that he kept repeating himself. Maybe some people need to hear things a million times, but I don't. Nobody needs that..soulpower is just "debating" for debatings' sake "Climb in my fur." | |
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rdhull said: minneapolisgenius said: soulpower said: minneapolisgenius said: I just thought it was funny how he kept repeating the same things over and over again, like, "Susannah Melvoin, Wendy's twin sister, was also along for the tour..." etc.
I swear, he always called her by her full name, Susannah Melvoin, and then had to add that she was Wendy's sister too many times to count. As if we couldn't remember who she was or something. This book is not exclusively written for the hardcore-fans. Most casual listeners or simple biography-lovers need to be reminded 5 times who Susannah is. I said I thought it was funny because it really stood out to me that he kept repeating himself. Maybe some people need to hear things a million times, but I don't. Nobody needs that..soulpower is just "debating" for debatings' sake I know. I wish he would go bother someone else. "I saw a woman with major Hammer pants on the subway a few weeks ago and totally thought of you." - sextonseven | |
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soulpower said: rdhull said: "that aint no excuse" Exactly. There aint no need for an excuse. Its natural to give a discription of the person you are writing about.  each and everytime they are mentioned in ONE book? I don't think so...wipe that stupid smile from your face and dont be a ding dong. . [This message was edited Wed Oct 29 13:15:04 PST 2003 by rdhull] "Climb in my fur." | |
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By "sensational" I meant sensationalist. The book appears written for serialisation over a period of time...that is the only excuse for the amount of needless repetition I can think of. In actual fact I thought this was a poorly written, clumsily researched, badly editted piece of work that just so happened to connect with the manner in which has conducted his career well.
The pervading sense of inevitability...obviously in hindsight as all events have occurred...that runs through the book rings true. I still think the manner in which he has approached the commentary on the songs is poor and could have been handled much better by not commenting personally, arbitrarily, and leaving the words on the music to the previously released critical comment. | |
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I liked the book. Not enough gossip in there to satisfy me, though. It's kinda like a supplement to Per Nielsen's DMSR. Add the gossip parts in each together and you get a fuller picture, although far from complete.
I'm still waiting for the book on his personal relationships rather than another one on his music and his business relations.    FREE THE 29 MAY 1993 COME CONFIGURATION!
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rdhull said: Nobody needs that..soulpower is just "debating" for debatings' sake
Hmmm.. lemme see which one of us has posted more on this site. Oh, I forgot: "Peace and Benz -- The future, made in Germany"  | |
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soulpower said: rdhull said: Nobody needs that..soulpower is just "debating" for debatings' sake
Hmmm.. lemme see which one of us has posted more on this site. Oh, I forgot: that's a moot point...dont be a ding dong. "Climb in my fur." | |
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rdhull said: that's a moot point...dont be a ding dong.  Stilkl havnet figgerd out what a ding dong is..."Peace and Benz -- The future, made in Germany" | |
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soulpower said: rdhull said: that's a moot point...dont be a ding dong. Stilkl havnet figgerd out what a ding dong is...it's a step up on the politness scale for "dumbhead" "Climb in my fur." | |
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my opinion of "possesed" is this:
It was entertaining, a page turner, and gossip-packed. I liked reading it, I chuckled a bit while reading, though, i must admit. It's basicly book with unconfirmed gossip & rehashed facts. It definitely has a more negative tone to it than a positive one, but hey, not everything's roses and candy. I really don't like that he said/she said, "source" confirming things. therefore, whenever I see "according to a source", i have to take whatever the source is confirming with a grain of sault. I.E. Like the sources confirming him dating apples & kristin scott-thomas, what source? A friend? A worker? who? It also says a lot of things out of thin air without any aknowledgement of where it was heard, I.E. him & lisa together (notice how most of these things are about his personal life?), there isn't one quote in that book, not even a "source" one that says that or that wendy got fined for drinking in public, or shiela & cat fighting over him. So, other than the rehashed facts, i have to take everything else with a grain of salt, and that's probably 35, 40% of the book. Doesn't make the book look to hot, huh? I find it to be very tabloidish I also find it to be very negative, but then agian, that's to be expected, I think it's quite obvious the way that Alex feels about him, and that's cool, people are allowed to have their opinions. I don't have anything against Alex, he wanted to wanted to write a book & succeeded, more power to him. this book just isn't really for my taste and I find it hard to take it seriously, when it consists of rumors, rehashed facts, and an (intentional, IMHO) overall negative feel to it. ~KiKi | |
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lovebizzare said: my opinion of "possesed" is this:
It was entertaining, a page turner, and gossip-packed. I liked reading it, I chuckled a bit while reading, though, i must admit. It's basicly book with unconfirmed gossip & rehashed facts. It definitely has a more negative tone to it than a positive one, but hey, not everything's roses and candy. I really don't like that he said/she said, "source" confirming things. therefore, whenever I see "according to a source", i have to take whatever the source is confirming with a grain of sault. I.E. Like the sources confirming him dating apples & kristin scott-thomas, what source? A friend? A worker? who? It also says a lot of things out of thin air without any aknowledgement of where it was heard, I.E. him & lisa together (notice how most of these things are about his personal life?), there isn't one quote in that book, not even a "source" one that says that or that wendy got fined for drinking in public, or shiela & cat fighting over him. So, other than the rehashed facts, i have to take everything else with a grain of salt, and that's probably 35, 40% of the book. Doesn't make the book look to hot, huh? I find it to be very tabloidish I also find it to be very negative, but then agian, that's to be expected, I think it's quite obvious the way that Alex feels about him, and that's cool, people are allowed to have their opinions. I don't have anything against Alex, he wanted to wanted to write a book & succeeded, more power to him. this book just isn't really for my taste and I find it hard to take it seriously, when it consists of rumors, rehashed facts, and an (intentional, IMHO) overall negative feel to it. Why can't you just come out and say the book stinks? You know you want to. "Climb in my fur." | |
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rdhull said: lovebizzare said: my opinion of "possesed" is this:
It was entertaining, a page turner, and gossip-packed. I liked reading it, I chuckled a bit while reading, though, i must admit. It's basicly book with unconfirmed gossip & rehashed facts. It definitely has a more negative tone to it than a positive one, but hey, not everything's roses and candy. I really don't like that he said/she said, "source" confirming things. therefore, whenever I see "according to a source", i have to take whatever the source is confirming with a grain of sault. I.E. Like the sources confirming him dating apples & kristin scott-thomas, what source? A friend? A worker? who? It also says a lot of things out of thin air without any aknowledgement of where it was heard, I.E. him & lisa together (notice how most of these things are about his personal life?), there isn't one quote in that book, not even a "source" one that says that or that wendy got fined for drinking in public, or shiela & cat fighting over him. So, other than the rehashed facts, i have to take everything else with a grain of salt, and that's probably 35, 40% of the book. Doesn't make the book look to hot, huh? I find it to be very tabloidish I also find it to be very negative, but then agian, that's to be expected, I think it's quite obvious the way that Alex feels about him, and that's cool, people are allowed to have their opinions. I don't have anything against Alex, he wanted to wanted to write a book & succeeded, more power to him. this book just isn't really for my taste and I find it hard to take it seriously, when it consists of rumors, rehashed facts, and an (intentional, IMHO) overall negative feel to it. Why can't you just come out and say the book stinks? You know you want to. isn't that basicly what I said? ~KiKi | |
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lovebizzare said: rdhull said: lovebizzare said: my opinion of "possesed" is this:
It was entertaining, a page turner, and gossip-packed. I liked reading it, I chuckled a bit while reading, though, i must admit. It's basicly book with unconfirmed gossip & rehashed facts. It definitely has a more negative tone to it than a positive one, but hey, not everything's roses and candy. I really don't like that he said/she said, "source" confirming things. therefore, whenever I see "according to a source", i have to take whatever the source is confirming with a grain of sault. I.E. Like the sources confirming him dating apples & kristin scott-thomas, what source? A friend? A worker? who? It also says a lot of things out of thin air without any aknowledgement of where it was heard, I.E. him & lisa together (notice how most of these things are about his personal life?), there isn't one quote in that book, not even a "source" one that says that or that wendy got fined for drinking in public, or shiela & cat fighting over him. So, other than the rehashed facts, i have to take everything else with a grain of salt, and that's probably 35, 40% of the book. Doesn't make the book look to hot, huh? I find it to be very tabloidish I also find it to be very negative, but then agian, that's to be expected, I think it's quite obvious the way that Alex feels about him, and that's cool, people are allowed to have their opinions. I don't have anything against Alex, he wanted to wanted to write a book & succeeded, more power to him. this book just isn't really for my taste and I find it hard to take it seriously, when it consists of rumors, rehashed facts, and an (intentional, IMHO) overall negative feel to it. Why can't you just come out and say the book stinks? You know you want to. isn't that basicly what I said?  "Climb in my fur." | |
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BoySimon said: ...I've just got/read his book. I really enjoyed it...if the title page could have had embossed letters it would have been truly heavenly, as such I'll suffice by saying, "it was a real page turner".
The one aspect of the book I have a problem with is the mix and match commentary on the music. It appears that Alex Hahn was not expressing an opinion with regards the music created, simply regurgitating a lot of other people's thoughts. The reason I mention this is because he seems to miss out a lot whilst mentioning nearly everything...if you know what i mean...no? Well, I don't know, it ust felt like he wasn't saying what he thought but what his narrative required. If he could have left out any, seemingly personal/original, critical comment on the music and reported just the facts as recorded by other critics/commentators then his book would have been a stronger whole. That said, having now read the book, I really find it sensational. gossip does not make a good biography mr hahn does not know prince one day, the man himself will write his story until then, all else is heresay | |
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I dunno, whatever. It's been the best fucking bathroom book of the year in my house. I highly recommend it.
He does seem incredibly creepy, and he's not much of a writer, but so what? It eases the bowels and provides so much entertainment I have a red ring around my ass by the time I'm done. No confusion, no tears. No enemies, no fear. No sorrow, no pain. No ball, no chain.
Sex is not love. Love is not sex. Putting words in other people's mouths will only get you elected. Need more sleep than coke or methamphetamine. | |
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sumtymes said: gossip does not make a good biography mr hahn does not know prince one day, the man himself will write his story until then, all else is heresay whoa, can you imagine how frightening that would be !?!?! "...1nce upon a tyme, eye signed a CONtract that enslaved me, then my saviour Larry G came 2 save my soul... | |
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Hahn's book is an entertaining read. I generally don't agree with his assessments of P's music but it doesn't make it a bad book. I did notice that in my copy, he no longer names Bobo as U2's guitar player so that's settled. I guess that Hahn gives a pretty accurate description of the kind of person that P is (or used to be). As for the mistakes in the book, I for one would certainly like to hear them. The most obvious I could find was the mention of Miko being a band member as late as 1993 (referring to alleged cocaine use on the act II tour).
People say that Hahn has a bone to pick with P because of the Uptown lawsuit. He won the suit didn't he? If it wasn't for him Uptown magazine would probably have ceased to exist and maybe the org wouldn't be around anymore either. So cut the guy some slack OK? | |
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Uhhhmmm... for "Bobo" read Bono! | |
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freakyfeet said: IstenSzek said: can someone please post a picture of Alex Hahn.
soft focus and low lighting can do wonders for somepeople Looks a bit like Arnold Rimmer from Red Dwarf  | |
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sumtymes said: gossip does not make a good biography Is it really important where he takes his nap
Or who he sleeps with?
People with real minds will peep this out (Yo) one day, the man himself will write
his story  The horror of it! How could you even entertain that silly notion?  FREE THE 29 MAY 1993 COME CONFIGURATION!
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sumtymes said: gossip does not make a good biography mr hahn does not know prince one day, the man himself will write his story until then, all else is heresay You dont need to know the person you write a biography about. I am glad somebody with a critical view finally got it together to write this book. Gossip is an inevitable part of a biography when writing about an entertainer. You just need to varify your sources. If Prince writes his own book one day (which I doubt) you can be sure that it will be as close to reality as Saddam Hussein`s autobiography. "Peace and Benz -- The future, made in Germany" | |
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soulpower said: If Prince writes his own book one day (which I doubt) you can be sure that it will be as close to reality as Saddam Hussein`s autobiography. | |
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soulpower said: McD said: Look at it in a bookstore - DO NOT BUY THIS SEMI-LITERATE TRASH! It really is a travesty in so many departments.
Princer`s life is spectacular. You are whining about this book, but you have nothing to hold against it, and you still make a lot of noise. As a journalist myself, I think its an okay-book. Its not the best biography I have ever written, but one need to consider the difficulty of getting information from the Prince camp. I happen to have some tight contacts to the inner circles, and from there I heard that book pretty much reflects how Prince truly used to be. However, what people around him say is that he has changed significantly since he has converted to the witnesses. His new religion seemed to have made a more humble person out of him, and still everybody whines about it because they still worship the illusion that Prince once was a cool dude who doesnt do drugs, is respectful with women and overall a nice person to be around with. Thats a wrong perception, and for people to whom Prince is the main focus in their lives (which is sad in itself) I understand that this book is a painful read. But so far, my contacts in the camp have not claimed that anything in the bokk wasnt true. So get over it dude. Or at least put some proof on the table that the book is full of lies. --- What kind of journalist are you if think this is a good book? It is a good book if you like reading the Star or one of the other tabloids. The author does not really discuss the music so much as he does Prince's personal life. Most of the stories in the book have already been told in other publications. Mr.Hahn really wrote a book full of old gossip with no insight into the music. I do not think anyone on this board thinks Prince is some saint. He functioned in the Rock n Roll world. Rock stars chase woman around,party,drink and sometimes use drugs. Most of Prince's music is about partying and chasing woman. Sounds like he has been honest about himself and his lifestyle. Prince never put up an illusion about himself.Now the guy has decided to grow and act his age and he has written songs about that to. We will all just have to wait for someone to write a really good book about Prince. This guy has led a spectacular life and I think we all have yet to hear the whole story. I am not going to go into how Hahn let WB off the hook in the book. Prince did things that were wrong but, look at the state of WB today and the music industry in general. | |
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pigeontoes said: Looks a bit like Arnold Rimmer from Red Dwarf You said "Rimmer". Huh huh huh. | |
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I don't think it's cool to make fun of other people's appearences. It puts you in a bad light - in my eyes if no one elses. FREE THE 29 MAY 1993 COME CONFIGURATION!
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