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Bookazine Book Review

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Bookazine Book Review: What to Expect - When You’re Expecting

by Lang Reid

This book is the 5th reprint of a 1984 publication (ISBN 0-7434-5028-0) and is the 3rd revision and update. The first two pages are plaudits from parents, mothers, doctors and even post pregnancy paediatricians, all of whom were glowing with their testimonials. The book does say it was written by mothers, for mothers, full of eminently practical advice. Now whilst I have never been a mother, you do not have to be an artist to critique a painting or a chef to rate a restaurant, so bear with me. I also received much help from other mothers with this review, as well as referring questions to the Pattaya Mail’s and the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital’s consultant, Dr. Iain Corness.

The book is divided into five parts, starting with “In the Beginning” covering the initial diagnosis, choosing your obstetrician, screening tests and other important items such as diet.

The second part is divided into the nine months of pregnancy and describes, in detail, the changes the expectant mother will go through and each month has a sub-section titled “What you may be concerned about”. These are very pertinent and all-inclusive even covering how to break the news and how to tell your boss! There are illustrations which are also excellent in helping the mother-to-be understand more about her own body and the changes she will experience.

The third part deals, again in detail, with the events which happen in the first weeks after the birth (post partum) and a section on what the “expectant” father may go through. From my (male) point of view it was good to see that the father of the child was not dismissed as just some itinerant seed planter.

The fourth part is titled “Of Special Concern” and covers mainly medical items that may be of concern with the mother’s health as well as the continuation of the pregnancy itself. This section also looks at the problems associated with the loss of a foetus including the loss of one twin and coping with grief. A most wide-ranging manual. And the final part? The next baby, of course!

The review copy was made available by Bookazine, first floor Royal Garden Plaza, next to Black Canyon and Boots and has an RRP of 595 baht. It would have to be the most comprehensive book on any subject that I have ever seen. It would be difficult to imagine any item which is not covered in the extensive 20 page index.

If I were to have any criticism, it would be the use of a very small type face throughout the whole book, though most mothers would not be at the age of needing reading glasses. However, this book is also of value to expectant fathers, some of whom, especially in the Pattaya environment, are of the age to need glasses and large type faces. This is an excellent book for any expectant couple, no matter how many children they have had before. Buy the book before you buy baby’s bootees! You will save more than the published price on doctor’s fees and peace of mind.

Mott’s CD review: 

UFO Strangers in the Night

by Mott the Dog

The predominance of live albums in the 1970’s was a response to consumer demand for more explorative treatments of the hits being generated by AOR radio. Hard rock icons UFO utilized the trend to great effect with 1979’s “Strangers In The Night”, a double album of hits and fan favorites that showcased the impromptu greatness of Michael Schenker’s rock ensemble. Recorded over the course of two U.S. concert dates, the set list finds UFO delving into a career’s worth of classics, including the key tracks “Rock Bottom” and “Doctor Doctor”. While it proved to be Schenker’s swansong with the band, the album encapsulated an ambitious worldwide tour and cemented UFO’s status as one of the era’s most exciting - and loudest - bands.

“Strangers In The Night” (1978) was the coronation for UFO. It was the crowning achievement of a great rock and roll band that had paid its dues for many years and finally received the critical and popular recognition it was due. And it almost never happened! Consider the improbable scenario that unfolded early in the formation of the group.

1973. A hungry young English club band (whose name was taken from a legendary London club, not an extraterrestrial transport) with a marginal following has a guitarist left behind due to a mix-up in travel arrangements. Without an axe-man in a foreign country, they approach a sixteen-year-old guitarist from a German band, who has opened up for them at previous shows. A quick run through some rock classics and a young Michael Schenker goes on stage with them. UFO gets paid for the shows, fulfilling their contractual obligations. Shortly after, the band asks the guitar wunderkind to join their fold, going back to England with them and leaving his brother behind in Germany. That brother, Rudolf, would build the Scorpions into rock legends, and Michael would unleash some of the greatest guitar licks ever; in a band with whom he shared only one language - rock and roll.

What ensued for UFO was a brilliant run of guitar-stung songs, headlining gigs, good fun, spats, several albums, tours, a lot of beer, a ton of tension, and disagreements ad infinitum. Unadulterated live readings rarely eclipse studio versions of classic songs, but UFO did just that on “Strangers In The Night”. “Doctor Doctor”, “Rock Bottom”, “Lights Out”, “Only You Can Rock Me”, “Too Hot To Handle” and many more, all get rocket-launched to completely new heights.

The classic late-’70s UFO line up featured lead vocalist Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond on guitar and keyboards, Pete Way on bass, Andy Parker on drums and Schenker on lead guitar. Mogg, Way, and Parker had been there from the beginning in 1969, in what was initially called Hocus Pocus. Re-emerging as UFO, the band enjoyed a surprising amount of early success in both Germany and Japan, with a line up that predated the one highlighted on this classic album.

UFO’s assault on the U.S. and UK began with their Chrysalis signing and the release of their first album for the label, “Phenomenon” (1974). “Force It” (1975) and “No Heavy Petting” (1976) followed closely and helped to fortify a burgeoning fan base. When Raymond joined the group in July of 1976, the scene was set for the classic UFO line up to record their most artistic and commercially successful albums, “Lights Out” (1977) and “Obsession” (1978). Both albums are considered seminal releases in their genre. The subsequent 1978 tour (in support of Obsession) saw UFO opening for Blue Oyster Cult in the U.S. It was a pair of unforgettable dates on this tour that were immortalized for this live record.

Phil Mogg said it best when he spoke about the making of Strangers: “It was easy. Some bands doctor their live albums to death. I’m proud to say our live album was practically perfect. There was no real need to doctor this record with endless studio overdubs.” (Michael Schenker insured that by quitting UFO in November of 1978, to be replaced later by Paul Chapman.)

This newly re-mastered and modernized version of “Strangers In The Night” has been re-sequenced to remain faithful to the band’s original set list while placing previously unreleased versions of “Hot ‘N’ Ready” and “Cherry” in their original concert positions. Pay attention to the special humour and spice that were such a part of the UFO concert experience at this time. This record is justly considered one of the most inspiring live albums of the hard rock era and it captures perfectly the essence of UFO in its prime.

Track Listing

1. Hot ‘N’ Ready

2. Cherry

3. Let It Roll

4. Love To Love

5. Natural Thing

6. Out In The Street

7. Only You Can Rock Me

8. Mother Mary

9. This Kids

10. Doctor Doctor

11. I’m A Loser

12. Lights Out

13. Rock Bottom

14 Too Hot To Handle

15. Shoot Shoot

Reissue Credits:

Executive Producer: Michel Etchart

Produced & Compiled by: David K. Tedds

Project Manager: Dennis Argenzia

Art Design: Lisa Glines, Sam Gay

Re-mastered by: Bob Norberg at Capitol Mastering

Musicians:

Andy Parker - Drums

Michael Schenker - Guitar

Paul Raymond - Keyboard, Guitar and Vocals

Phil Mogg - Vocals

Pete Way - Bass Guitar