I have always loved the cozy domestic atmosphere evoked by Graham Nash in his famous song, Our House. The song describes the home he shared for a while with Joni Mitchell in Laurel Canyon and celebrates some quiet and soul-satisfying moments of everyday life.

“The house had a large, life-size, wooden carousel pig in the corner. Bricks, wooden floors, lace curtains, a couple of stained-glass ornaments in the window, which were the jewels that I was talking about in the song.” Nash tells the story behind the song and shares his happy memories of the place in Canyon of Dreams.

The book, by Harvey Kubernik, is a compilation of stories about the famous musicians that came together in Laurel Canyon in the 60s to create a magical and creative place that continues to inspire artists today.

There is a picture of zoned-out Eric Clapton staring at Joni Mitchell who is playing guitar while David Crosby in the background is trying to make a point. In the foreground, baby Owen Elliot placidly watches the circle of adults. They are all hanging out at Mama Cass Elliot’s place.

According to Nash, her house was a gathering place, like the salons of Gertrude Stein in Paris – that is Gertrude Stein with acid. The book tells of parties and people, the politics of the entertainment business, love and lust, and all that wonderful music.

Fans of Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap will love this book.

- Jane