So I just read the Paul's Boutique 33 1/3

[Lex Diamonds]

Sounds like Dan LeRoy really did his research. Some very interesting shit in there. If he checks the boards, big respect to you man.

I'd love it if he went on and made a similar book for the CYH/IC era. A lot of cool shit to learn about that period of time too, almost certainly more so than LTI/HN.

[Lex Diamonds]

As a sidenote, I read the Illmatic 33 1/3rd as well cuz Amazon recommended it. There was some interesting info in there but the guy who wrote it sounded like a total cockend. Dan LeRoy actually seems like a cool guy.

Then again I guess it takes a certain level of coolness to "get" Paul's Boutique, whatever that means.

[dave790]

yeah, i remember noticing on amazon that a lot of people seemed to see it as the benchmark for the 33 1/3 books. it's probably the best book on the beasties i've read, but as you say, kinda makes you wish he could cover other eras in a similar style.

[silence7]

Dan LeRoy does visit the BBMB, seems he's not just a writer but a fan as well, just a fan with better sources for info than we have (rumors, innuendo, claims, lies, and jokes).


Great Book!!

Gave out a copy as part of the prize package on our last contest, because I think all fans should read it.

[Brother McDuff]

As a sidenote, I read the Illmatic 33 1/3rd as well cuz Amazon recommended it. There was some interesting info in there but the guy who wrote it sounded like a total cockend. Dan LeRoy actually seems like a cool guy.

Then again I guess it takes a certain level of coolness to "get" Paul's Boutique, whatever that means.

thats funny. i just received notice from amazon that my Illmatic 33 1/3 order had been cancelled because the the seller never responded. ordered it months ago.

do you recommend i re-order from someplace else, Paddy?

[Lex Diamonds]

It depends how big a fan of Nas you are. A lot of it is quite pretentious conjecture and if you're a true Nas fanatic then you'll know pretty much everything in there- it's a lot more opinion-based than the Paul's Boutique one. The stuff about Ill Will and Nas' upbringing is pretty readily available anywhere, and a lot of it is reaching with the metaphors.

There's a couple of new interview quotes from Serch and Primo but other than that, not too much. There is a cool story about how they laid down NY State Of Mind on the first take and other little studio tales like that. Large Professor pretty much refused to talk to the author, presumedly because he is such a douchebag.

Also, it has a first chapter which is about why white kids like listening to hip-hop, which makes so many ignorant assumptions based on race it is embarassing. I cringed while reading it.

[Kid Presentable]

Paul's 33 1/3 is dope - the best album coming with an instruction manual = (y)

What it does is skate pretty much away from that idiotic academia realm of hip-hop appreciation in which the Nas books makes its nest.

[Speedygee]

Then again I guess it takes a certain level of coolness to "get" Paul's Boutique, whatever that means.

Well said. :D Paul's Boutique 33 1/3 is very good book about perfect B-Boy record. ;) I liked also DJ Shadow's Entroducing 33 1/3.

[Brother McDuff]

Thanks for the review. I will not be pursuing Nas' 33 1/3 after all. Any book that starts with a preface about why white kids dig hip-hop is played out. I don't think I need to hear about it ever again. and furthermore, what about Illmatic requires such a preface? the legend of that record has far more to do with critical acclaim than it does with some sort of racial crossover success. Thank you for saving my time, I will stick to the "It Takes A Nation of Millions..." 33 1/3 I recently picked up instead, (anyone have any thoughts on that one?).

Also, I didn't quite feel the Endtroducing one so much. It had some cool stories and thoughtful anecdotes, but overall i found it quite boring. I guess i prefer the 33 1/3's that offer considerable insight into the making of the record at hand than the one's that solely outline the general impact of the album. To each their own though, right?

[brooklyndust]

I'd love it if he went on and made a similar book for the CYH/IC era. A lot of cool shit to learn about that period of time too, almost certainly more so than LTI/HN.

Check out this book: http://www.amazon.ca/Check-Technique-Liner-Hip-Hop-Junkies/dp/0812977750

They break down the album song by song.

[Bernard Goetz]

I keep my copy of the Paul's Boutique 33 1/3 in the john and open to random pages all the time. Latest thing I noticed that didn't really hit me the first time I read it: they actually wanted to design and sell the Beastie Egg Gun.

[Jiberish]

Check out this book: http://www.amazon.ca/Check-Technique-Liner-Hip-Hop-Junkies/dp/0812977750

They break down the album song by song.

This book is a must have anyways! A lot of the CYH stories had been told already but it was still a fun read. The book itself though is incredible. I enjoyed it so much I read about some of the albums I didn't already know about. Can't wait for part II.

[Guy Incognito]

I have just been given this book as a belated birthday present and was really surprised, looking forward to reading it(y)

[mathcart]

I guess i prefer the 33 1/3's that offer considerable insight into the making of the record at hand than the one's that solely outline the general impact of the album. To each their own though, right?

Couldn't agree with this more.
I remember being very impressed with it when I read it because of how much more I understood about the enormous undertaking of making such a technically awesome album with such limited tools. Plus the stories were great.

This (http://www.40ozcomics.com/old/store/askforjanice.html) is a pretty awesome compendium piece, although I'm not sure its still out there...

(y)

[Guy Incognito]

I have just been given this book as a belated birthday present and was really surprised, looking forward to reading it(y)

just finished this and its really good. like the format (are all 33 1/3's like this i.e history then track analysis?).

loads of cool snippets of info. I do have a better understanding of the album and have given it a few listens whilst reading but its still patchy imo but now i understand why that is.

[Brother McDuff]

The Public Enemy "It Takes A Nation of Millions..." one is really solid. In the thick of it right now. Really sheds some great light on the record as a whole. One of the best 33 1/3s I've read. (y)

[JoLovesMCA]

Okay it seems this one is a must have! I'll have to go and get it because I just love reading and finding out new facts. From the way you're talking it seems to show how genuine the guys really were when it came to hip hop. I just hate that unauthorized video interview with that music critic who says they knew little to nothing about rapping and really had no interest in it in the beginning. He just insinuated it was all a freak accident how they got into hip hop. Yet the guys confirmed again and again it was always there and they were always rhyming together which makes more sense because it all seemed to come very natural to them.

[RichieT.]

It's the definition of essential reading. Can't put it down, one sitting reading.

[Kid Presentable]

just finished this and its really good. like the format (are all 33 1/3's like this i.e history then track analysis?).

loads of cool snippets of info. I do have a better understanding of the album and have given it a few listens whilst reading but its still patchy imo but now i understand why that is.

You think Paul's Boutique is patchy? Maybe around the Hey Ladies mark, but jesus...:confused:

[Guy Incognito]

You think Paul's Boutique is patchy? Maybe around the Hey Ladies mark, but jesus...:confused:

as i said, its what i think, i am aware i'm in the minority on this ish. I just think there are at least three better albums they have done.
I do like it and there are some really good bits but (and the book backs this up a bit for me) there are so many changes and jumps and samples all over the shop that it seems disjointed in parts and parts of it feel unfinished.

[AstroBBoy]

Dan LeRoy gave us some exclusive outtakes from the book. You can check them out here:

http://www.beastiemania.com/misc/3313.php

[SpacemanSpliff]

Paul's Boutique 33 1/3 is an excellent book, the only book i did read in the last 15 years maybe. I will read the book again and this time i will play the album in the background.