Two of Brad Delp's songwriting notebooks, both containing numerous pages of his working lyrics and handwritten notes. The first, a yellow spiral-bound Rite Aid 'Theme Book,' contains more than 50 handwritten pages (many double-sided sheets), with content ranging from just a few words to complete pages, including notes regarding his still unreleased solo material, written while working in the studio. A few highlights of this notebook include: notes in pencil for performing the Beatles' song "Not a 2nd Time," including lyrical excerpts, chord progressions, and notes on the arrangement; chord progressions and lyrics for "The Great Pretender," covered by Delp; lyrics for "Until Your Love Comes Back Around," a single released in 1992 by Delp's band RTZ; notes headed "B Jam," listing the popular Boston songs "Amanda," "Don't Look Back," and "More Than a Feeling"; handwritten lyrics for the chorus of "Amanda"; excerpts of lyrics to "Don't Look Back"; lyrics for the RTZ song "Return to Zero"; and notes and lyrics for numerous other songs, with titles including "Ready or Not," "Steve's Song," "Destiny," and several untitled passages. A handful of quotidian notes, such as telephone numbers and takeout orders ("Big Mac w/ cheese, lge fries"—although Brad was a vegetarian, he was happy to buy meals for those working with him in his basement studio), are interspersed throughout the musically-oriented pages.
The second notebook, a black spiral-bound 'The NoteTaker' tablet, 6 x 9.5, contains nine handwritten pages (some double-sided sheets), including untitled working lyrics for RTZ's 'Turn This Love Around,' a song entitled "Don't Let Go," and several untitled pages (with "Now is the hour of our discontent" appearing as a frequent lyrical line). In overall fine condition, with expected handling wear. A superb compilation of Delp's songwriting materials, demonstrating his diverse musical interests—including both covers of classics and his own original works. From the Brad Delp Collection, and accompanied by a letter of provenance from Micki Delp.
