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RedwriterBB
Posted December 18, 2011
Charlie Souza was a musical Wonderkind and has been able to maintain his high standards throughout his life. This is the opinion of those who have listened to his body of work and seen him perform. However, Live Your Dream is written in Charlie's own words. He speaks bluntly about his shocking tragedies early in life, touching on the subject, then backing off and being thankful that he didn't choose a dark existence. With his early remembrance of family singing to him, he fell deeply in love with music. It is no exaggeration or poetic notion that music DID save his life; sometimes music was his only joy. Charlie experienced early success in the music business. However, there came times when he couldn't get a break. Charlie has a sense of humor and good memory recalling funny "happenings." Of course he came in contact with the flip side of rock life: drugs and excess, but it didn't take him down. Music allowed Charlie the ticket to his dream: traveling and living in some cool places, performing live on stage, recording his creations and collaborations, and sharing it all with a lot of really great people. This book is of moderate length; there are lots of pictures for times of relaxed browsing. After reading many books about music and biographies about rockers, Live Your Dream stands apart and comes highly recommended.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Having been told by friends that Charlie Souza's book, "Live Your Dream" is one of those 'can't put it down' kind of read, I set aside a quiet weekend so I could read undisturbed and boy am I glad I did. For those of us on the East coast, especially Florida, there is a real "Local guy makes good" kind of quality to this book as it's jam packed with pictures of everyone written about, which brings back a lot of memories for those of us old enough to call ourselves Babyboomers (or even the Boomer's little sister!) Charlie played with, met or interacted with a LOT of people over the years who made the music we loved. It's great to hear inside stories about back in the day without getting too salacious or "kiss and tell". For those on the West coast there is plenty to jog good memories as well since I believe he said he spent 30 years in the LA area. Charlie tells his story from the perspective of someone who lived a rockstar life at times but not the entire time. He doesn't cover up mistakes he's made and appears now, at an age when he can reflect on things, to really understand what drove him to do some of the things he writes about.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cynthiapoetess58
Posted October 18, 2011
Dear Charlie: thank you soooo much for the sweet message on my book, I treasure that, and also the CD, it is truly awesome, love it!! Your book touched me on many levels, it is an unforgettable story, and such a great read----finished it in one day!! So great for all music lovers who want a really inside and personal view of the business.....KEEP LIVING YOUR DREAM!!!???
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LendMe™
Overview
An excerpt from Track 5 California Dreamin' ~ LIVE YOUR DREAM - Endorsed by Tom Petty"At age 27 I had not developed my communication skills to a point where I could make myself clear about my own feelings and expectations. Most of my music friends and acquaintances were in the same boat... My new friend Tom Petty had the same problem. When he picked up me and my bass guitar at LAX with his two seater Opel sports car, I knew then we were both "Runnin' Down a Dream" but while narrating our ride up the 405 and over the "big hill" as Tom described it and then into the San Fernando Valley, he had a hard time conveying to me what his plans were for our ...