{"title":"Lisa MacKinney","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the captivating world of Lisa MacKinney, a distinguished author in the realm of Arts \u0026amp; Culture. Lisa's works are celebrated for their immersive storytelling and her ability to weave intricate narratives that resonate deeply with readers. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for exploring complex themes, her books invite readers to delve into rich cultural tapestries and discover new perspectives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of her notable works, \u003cem\u003eDressed In Black\u003c\/em\u003e, showcases her talent for combining artful prose with thought-provoking concepts. This book, like many of her others, navigates the delicate intersections of identity, culture, and personal expression, inviting readers to reflect on the nuances of human experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLisa MacKinney's books are perfect for those who appreciate literature that goes beyond the surface, offering an exploration of the artistry found in everyday life. Whether you are a long-time enthusiast of Arts \u0026amp; Culture or a newcomer eager to expand your literary horizons, Lisa MacKinney's collection promises an engaging and enlightening journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"dressed-in-black-by-lisa-mackinney-9781959163077","title":"Dressed In Black","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe first full-length history of the Shangri-Las, one of the most significant—and most misunderstood—pop groups of the 1960s.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSisters Mary and Betty Weiss, together with twins Mary Ann and Marguerite Ganser, were schoolgirls when they formed the Shangri-Las in 1963, and had a meteoric rise to fame with songs like \"Leader of the Pack\" and \"Remember (Walking in the Sand).\" Their career was cut short for reasons largely beyond their control, derailed by the machinations of Mafia-linked record executives, and heartbreak and tragedy followed. Historian Lisa MacKinney marshals an impressive array of new evidence to tell the Shangri-Las' story, dispelling many myths and long-standing mysteries along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEqually importantly, \u003ci\u003eDressed in Black\u003c\/i\u003e radically rewrites the accepted narrative of the Shangri-Las' place in rock history. As young women, they were permitted little agency within a male-dominated industry that viewed teenagers as fodder to be manipulated and exploited by producers, songwriters, and label owners. For decades, this has served as an excuse for critics to deny the musical input of the group members, to trivialise the Shangri-Las as a \"girl group,\" and to assign their work a lesser rank in the canon of \"authentic\" rock and roll. MacKinney's great achievement here is to foreground the Shangri-Las' considerable abilities and musicality, and establish the centrality of their \u003ci\u003eperformance\u003c\/i\u003e of their songs to the group's underappreciated artistic achievement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not to deny the critical role in the group's success of professional songwriters (including Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry) and writer\/producer George 'Shadow' Morton, a pioneering and eccentric figure whose self-mythologising has generated a level of obfuscation that rivals that of the Shangri-Las themselves. MacKinney's clear-sighted account reveals Morton in a completely new light—and as part of a complex ecosystem of musical relationships. Morton wrote and produced highly emotional material specifically for the Shangri-Las because he knew they had the skills to make his mini-operas not only believable, but enthralling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe group members, particularly Mary Weiss, channelled personal anguish into their extraordinary performances, which are central to the songs' impact—no less so than for such classic singers as Ella Fitzgerald and Elvis Presley, who also relied on producers and songwriters for their body of work. The Shangri-Las' impassioned delivery elicited a massive response from their audience of fellow teenagers at the time and has continued to connect profoundly with audiences ever since. MacKinney backs up these arguments with in-depth analysis of key Shangri-Las' recordings, and makes a powerful case that their achievements warrant a far more prominent place for the Shangri-Las in the history of popular music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47076535763180,"sku":"9781959163077","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/14926623482885.jpg?v=1765203606"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/lisa-mackinney.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}