Bands!

"BANDS!" is a humorous, coming-of-age story about growing up with no musical talent in a very musical Italian-American community. It's about music of course -- you get intimate with a bassoon, you practice, you go to several lessons and band concerts, you learn why pianos are from Venus and clarinets are from Mars. But it also includes a language lesson, Herr Schmutzig, Annie Cheapasport, a belly-dancer in Youngstown and plenty of wine, Iron City Beer and sausage sandwiches.

You don't have to be an Italian-American to identify with the experiences Mr. DeVivo writes about in "BANDS!" Anybody who's ever taken music lessons, given music lessons, or had a kid taking music lessons will love it. If you grew up in the wonderful years of the 50's, you'll be transported back. If you like food, you'll get hungry. And the book is funny. People who have read it have described it as "Erma Bombeckish" and "like an Italian Jean Shepherd."

An added bonus in the book are wonderful 4-color pictures of some of the author's large collection of bands -- various tin toys, ceramic figurines, wooden and plastic sculptures of all manner of musicians, many not human. They delightfully decorate each chapter's title page.

This is a truly unique book. It is a music lesson. It's also a celebration with parades and fireworks and plenty to eat and drink. And there's laughter all the way.