Music Related Books

I just got these can't wait to read them.
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David Byrne - How Music Works. Now out in paperback in the US and UK. It’s been updated and amended considerably.
 
When I go into any thrift store looking for records, I also check out electronics, artwork and books. I've found some good reads for small money. Here are a few.

Wow, those are wonderful finds!! I have noted the Gospel book, thanks.

I picked up the Grout book at a GW a few years ago, along with a jazz book, The Jazz Book by Berendt. Any thoughts on it? I still haven't had the time to read either of them. Having a kid will do that.:D

Speaking of which, I can recommend a couple of "easier" reads. Books with short chapters, lots of pictures, etc.
I was given the book that went along with the American Roots Music series when it was on PBS. I finally got around to reading it, and I really enjoyed it. I know my blues, but when I got the book I didn't have much appreciation for most of the other genres that are "roots". It connected a lot of dots, for me.
I still haven't seen the series, so I'm curious if the DVDs are worth a purchase.

The Bob Marley book Songs Of Freedom was another one in the easy read category.

I was given a used copy of The Illustrated Story Of Jazz. I haven't read it yet, but thumbing through it makes me think I could potentially put it in the category as the two above.

I can also recommend the book about the making of A Love Supreme, the Muddy Waters bio Can't Be Satisfied, the Howlin' Wolf one that came out at about the same time(forget the title), and Chasin' The Trane.

I'm no classical expert, but I picked up the book that goes along with the Beethoven Bicentennial LP collection, and I like it a lot.

Speaking of GNR, did Izzy ever put out a book?

Hey kris, I have read both the Mudd and Wolf bios you mentioned - they regularily are suggestions I will make. I actually checked out that Love Supreme book from the library, but then never even cracked it. Thanks for the reminder.

I have 3 kids aged 7, 4 and 2 so I am in the trenches with you brother!

I just got these can't wait to read them.

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How interesting!!
 
Essential Reading: The Landscape

KrisM said:
It connected a lot of dots, for me.

This comment really struck a chord. I read for entertainment, but I also read for info/knowledge... connecting the dots. Here are some books which really helped me to understand the roots of popular music. I find books which cover record labels or regional music scenes are usually the best reads - you get alot of varied info in a single book. Anyhow, read these books and you will never hear music the same way again (and probably really annoy your friends)...

Anthony Heilbut - The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times
Nik Cohn - Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock
Arnold Shaw - Honkers and Shouters (The Golden Era of Rhythm and Blues)
Charlie Gillett - The Sound of the City
Gerhard Kubik - Africa And The Blues
Evan Eisenberg - The Recording Angel: Music, Records and Culture from Aristotle to Zappa
Ted Gioia - The History Of Jazz
Elijah Wald - The Dozens: A History Of Rap's Mama
Elijah Wald - How The Beatle's Destroyed Rock N Roll
Gerard Herzhaft - Encyclopedia of the Blues
Jeff Hannusch - I Hear You Knockin: The Sound of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues
John Collis - The Story of Chess Records
Brian Morton And Richard Cook - The Penguin Jazz Guide (1001 Best Albums)
Colin Larkin - The Encyclopedia Of Popular Music
Josh Alan Freidman - Tell The Truth Until They Bleed
Stuart Isacoff - A Natural History Of The Piano
Peter Guralnick - Feel Like Going Home: Portraits in Blues and Rock 'n' Roll
Peter Guralnick - Lost Highway: Journeys and Arrivals of American Musicians
Peter Guralnick - Sweet Soul Music (Rhythm and Blues and the Dream of Southern Freedom)
Lloyd Bradley - Bass Culture
LeRoi Jones - Blues People

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Awesome selection Poppachubby! Just in time for Christmas. Africa and the Blues and then the History of the Piano books are top of my list I think.

Can you recommend any other African music books? I'm a big fan. Franco, Nico, Fela, Salif Keita, Diblo Dibala, etc.
 
Awesome selection Poppachubby! Just in time for Christmas. Africa and the Blues and then the History of the Piano books are top of my list I think.

Can you recommend any other African music books? I'm a big fan. Franco, Nico, Fela, Salif Keita, Diblo Dibala, etc.

No kidding. I often buy my dad a blues book for Xmas or his birthday, and there's some good looking stuff there. I really need to do an inventory of his books.

I forgot to mention Wilco:Learning How To Die. A good read if you are into them. Pair that with the I Am Trying To Break Your Heart DVD, and you'll get a pretty good look at how they started and where they were in the early 2000's.

Those comic books made me remember the Hendrix one I have. It also came with a CD of demo stuff. Not essential, but kinda cool if you're into the comic thing.

I also have the Mitch Mitchell book The Hendrix Experience. Probably not the first place to go for the Hendrix story, but it offers an inside perspective. Another one of those easy read with lots of pictures books. Good pics, though.

Speaking of pics, I have a couple of Lee Tanner books, Images Of Jazz and Images Of The Blues. Not much info in them, but so many great pics. I think they retailed for $40 and I grabbed them for $5 from the discount table at Chapters. There always seems to be some interesting music books on that table. I'm waiting for a few of the "jazz album covers" books to end up there.:yes:
 
Just finished Bill Janovitz - "Rocks Off." It's about the Stones, natch. Also finished his "Exile on Main Street" book on the 33 and 1/3 series.

Just so you don't sense a rut here, I finally finished the James Brown bio "The One."

Currently browsing "Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story..." This is about all the singer songwriters in Laurel Canyon back in the 60s and 70s. Not to be confused with the excellent movie.
 
I forgot about Wyman's Stone Alone. I read that when it came out. I seem to recall liking it.
 
Great thread as I am as much a book nut as music. My two main pastimes.

I reiterate the recommendations for Peter Guralnick, well, many of the above.

Did I someone post these yet, a few of my favorite bios:

Charlie Mingus, Beneath the Underdog. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/191241.Beneath_the_Underdog

Really the blues:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/471934.Really_the_Blues

Dr John, Under a Hoodoo Moon:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/382727.Under_a_Hoodoo_Moon?from_search=true

My favorite bookstore:
Powell's books, downtown Portland Oregon, or online http://www.powells.com/
I go there every time I visit Portland. It is huge, and they mix the used right together with the new so you only have to look once.
 
Great thread as I am as much a book nut as music. My two main pastimes.

I reiterate the recommendations for Peter Guralnick, well, many of the above.

Did I someone post these yet, a few of my favorite bios:

Charlie Mingus, Beneath the Underdog. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/191241.Beneath_the_Underdog

Really the blues:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/471934.Really_the_Blues

Dr John, Under a Hoodoo Moon:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/382727.Under_a_Hoodoo_Moon?from_search=true

My favorite bookstore:
Powell's books, downtown Portland Oregon, or online http://www.powells.com/
I go there every time I visit Portland. It is huge, and they mix the used right together with the new so you only have to look once.

Nice! The Mingus and Dr John are two of my favorites as well. Important stories. I am going to put another short list together for some of my favorite bios. That should cover the glaring hole in the first list. More interesting to me are many of the colourful producers who came through during the 50's and 60's.
 
Nice! The Mingus and Dr John are two of my favorites as well. Important stories. I am going to put another short list together for some of my favorite bios. That should cover the glaring hole in the first list. More interesting to me are many of the colourful producers who came through during the 50's and 60's.

Don't forget Staight Life, Art Pepper. I just found my old copy that I had not finished. So of course I am listening to Art today too.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/553854.Straight_Life
 
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