Tom Rhea, author: Electronic Perspectives (book)

Subtitled "Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments," this is a treat of a book. From 1977 to 1981, Dr. Tom Rhea wrote 52 columns for Keyboard magazine called "Electronic Perspectives." In an era where synthesizer technology was changing incredibly fast, Tom was looking back on the origins of electronic instruments. With over 400 pages, this hardcover book comes in a fancy slipcover, features two CDs of accompanying audio, and focuses on reprints of Tom's original columns. The articles are massively expanded on with tons of striking images, in color if available, accompanied by advertisements, news clippings, patents, old and current photos, program guides, articles, and more. Some of the devices covered will be new to most of us. The Syntronic organ? The Cellulophone? The Trautonium? The Electronic Sackbut? But Hammond organs, electric pianos, Theremins, Buchlas, Moog, and more make their initial bold appearances here. There's a photo of an Ondioline my pal Stephen Masucci beautifully restored for Wally De Backer [both were in Tape Op #124], and the photos of Raymond Scott in his own electronic studios are unreal. I cannot state how important it is that tomes such as this get collected and curated at this level. Dr. Tom Rhea's research into the world of electronic-based music and instruments is staggering, and having a resource like Electronic Perspectives for future generations to peruse is highly warranted. A book well worth owning and combing through!