Playing this role is exactly the point, though, when you have a book to sell, and Vail approaches this task with a thoroughness, integrity, and love of the subject that make this one of the best books of its kind. No. it's not an exhaustive technical reference, nor the end-all of any debate about the Hammond. It's not meant as such, any more than a docent-guided tour of a famous museum is meant to replace a PhD in art history. Rather, it's the beginning of a journey, and for this subject, a better beginning than we've ever had.

Among Vail's many sources are longtime Hammond exec Alan Young, who also shed light on the legacy of John Hanert, the engineer who made many of Laurens Hammond's ideas work, rotary speaker inventor Don Leslie, and a who's who of the jazz, rock, and gospel players that imprinted the Hammond-Leslie sound on our consciousness to the degree that even people who've never heard the name of the instrument recognize "that sound." While I haven't fact-checked every page, it is simply absurd to suggest any generalization that the sources are suspect or the information inaccurate.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and informative read that can save you a ton of legwork in approaching the realm of the mighty Hammond. The better part of a century lies between us and its conception, and some current repairers and restorers scrape part numbers off components so their work can't be duplicated. In such a world, Vail's book is as objective as it gets.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


Thorough and real, Vail's book is a good read  Mar 03, 2004 By Moe Denham
As a Hammond B3 player for more years than I'd like to admit, I WILL admit I enjoyed this book tremendously. Now, it's not a tech manual, but I thought the book was laid out very well. It gave a good description of who Laurens Hammond was, such as being inventor of the electric clock. When doing research there's always gonna be some folks out there who may disagree with some statement, but that's just natural. I think that Mark Vail did an incredibly thorough job of researching this instrument and its history. He showed that he has a personal interest in it as well. A lot of people can just write a book 'cause they're paid to, but Mark has passion for the B. He showed it all the way through. I liked the reproductions of some of the original brochures, with the pictures of the different models. I remember those from when I was a kid -- my mother went to buy a Hammond and brought those brochures home. Quite often when I'm talking with someone about a particular model, I'll take out Mark's book and show them the photos and descriptions. He gives the year the models were built, what their price was -- that sort of stuff is very helpful and just plain fun to know.

8 of 9 found the following review helpful:


Very Disappointed in the Second Edition  May 29, 2002
The first edition of this book had many inaccuracies which are too numerous to mention here. I was greatly looking forward to the second edition, and the correction of the many discrepancies that were written in the first edition of Beauty in the B. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The book continues to be innacurate in many ways. For example, there is a picture of Rhoda Scott playing a Hammond B-3000, with a caption saying that it was manufactured by Hammond Suzuki. This organ was never manufactured by Hammond Suzuki. It was made by the old Hammond Organ Company. This inaccurate information was also in the first edition of the book. This is but one of the examples. Mr.Vail would have been well-served to have Alan Young review the entire book before publishing it. The effort of compiling the information for the book is to be commended, but the inaccuracies are too many to overlook.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


Buy this book  Nov 05, 2003 By Barry M. Gould
I had borrowed a copy of this book from a friend, and after skimming it, decided then and there I had to have my own copy; so I bought one.

It's great to see that someone took the time to research and write such an informative and interesting book on a very "niche" piece of the music industry.

It should be required reading for anyone interested in the Hammond organ, and it's history. Because of the amount of pictures and quotes, it makes for very "easy" reading. I finished it in about one day, and still refer to it!

I recommend it, highly!

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Spinning wheels to moving Air  Oct 08, 2003 By John Fisher
The "beauty in the B" first edition was hard to put down,I have read it from cover to cover several times. The Second edition is equally compelling and filled with a wealth of additional information on how to approach "the sound" with todays instruments. Mr Vail also presents "how to play" information and performance tips from several B3 masters, a must for anyone seeking to master the incredible B3's range of sound. A detailed history of Laurens Hammond and his Organ Company is also wonderfully covered with many quotes from company insiders. Of course the other mandantory half of the B3 equation, the Leslie speaker and it's creator Don Leslie, are also detailed in photo and text. Especially intriguing to me was the war between Laurens Hammond and Don Leslie. Mr Vail presents insight from insiders of both camps as the battle waged on, great reading.If you have not read the first edition, the second edition is an incredible buy. If you have an insatiable appetite for all things Hammond and Leslie, own both books!.

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