Composers and songwriters Books

Book SynopsisLeslie's story of talent, determination and a little bit of luck will take you on a fascinating journey from humble beginnings through this hardest of businesses to dizzying heights.Trade Review

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Book SynopsisThis seminal work by master saxophonist John Harle offers players of all levels the most in-depth approach to playing the saxophone. In this beautifully presented, two-volume boxed set, Harle reveals his ground-breaking techniques for encouraging fluent and natural playing - transforming the musical experience of students and professionals alike

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsAbsolute Beginners; All The Young Dudes; As The World Falls Down; Ashes To Ashes; Beauty And The Beast; Blackstar; Blue Jean; Boys Keep Swinging; Changes; China Girl; Drive-In Saturday; Everyone Says ‘Hi’; Fame; Fashion; Five Years; Golden Years; “Heroes”; I Can’t Give Everything Away; The Jean Genie; John, I’m Only Dancing; Lazarus; Let’s Dance; Life On Mars?; Loving The Alien; The Man Who Sold The World; Modern Love; Moonage Daydream; New Killer Star; Oh! You Pretty Things; Rebel Rebel; Slow Burn; Sound And Vision; Space Oddity; Starman; Strangers When We Meet; Suffragette City; This Is Not America; Thursday’s Child; TVC15; Under Pressure; Young Americans; Where Are We Now?; Ziggy Stardust

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Book SynopsisDiscover where it all began in the inspiring story of Stacey Solomon''s life before becoming an Instagram cleaning sensation''Very honest and very open . . . Brilliant. I advise anyone to go and read it'' Louise Redknapp_______From X Factor star to Queen of the Jungle, Stacey Solomon has never been far from our screens . . .As a kid, Stacey always dreamed of becoming a star. But at 17, it looked like her dream was shattered when she unexpectedly became pregnant.Always the fighter, new single mum Stacey rallied, found a college with a crèche for her son Zachery and waitressed at night, determined that he should have the opportunities she didn''t.And then the X Factor came along, where she stunned Britain with her astonishing voice. She went from hard-up single mum to X Factor favourite, Queen of the Jungle and much-loved TV presenter in just two years.Stacey Solomon''s My Story So Far is a fantastic and inspi

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewHilarious * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewI have read the book – it is quite terrific and with a quite enviable sense of flow. In fact a great read, even page turning. Many congratulations. Really wonderful sense of detail in many places. -- Dr Lewis Foreman, distinguished author and expert on British Music of the 20th century. * Dr Lewis Foreman, distinguished author and expert on British Music of the 20th century. *I’ve been a fan of the music of Sir Arthur Bliss for many years. However, reading this book made me realise how superficial was my knowledge of Bliss the man. I believe that this fine new biography will be a major factor in the re-evaluation of the music of Sir Arthur Bliss. -- John Quinn, MusicWeb International * MusicWeb International *

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Book SynopsisUsing his trademark wit, insight and verve, icon Henry Rollins shares journals from his gruelling world tours of 1997 and 1998, as well as a record of the fulfilment of his longstanding dream to journey through Africa. He takes us on a rollercoaster of highs and lows, frustrations and exhilaration - from roving gangs of baboons in Kenya to haggling with immigration officials in Madagascar and his thoughts on meeting his childhood heroes, Black Sabbath - and finds a way to make his unique experiences accessible and meaningful to us all.Trade ReviewAn intelligent and perceptive man * Guardian *A post punk renaissance man. * MTV *

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Book SynopsisAn updated edition of the most comprehensive account of the Rolling Stones'' work yet published, with the full story of every recording session, every album, and every single released during their nearly 60 year career.The Rolling Stones have been recording and touring since 1963, selling more than 200 million records worldwide. While much is known about this iconic group, few books provide a comprehensive history of their time in the studio. In The Rolling Stones All the Songs, authors Margotin and Guesdon describe the origin of every song the band has released, details from the recording studio, what instruments were used, and behind-the-scenes stories of the great artists who contributed to their tracks.Organized chronologically by album, this massive, 760-page hardcover begins with their 1963 eponymous debut album recorded over five days at the Regent Studio in London; through their collaboration with legendary producer Jimmy Miller in the ground-breaking albums from 1968 to 1973; to their later work with Don Was, who has produced every album since Voodoo Lounge. Packed with more than 500 photos, All the Songs is also filled with stories fans treasure, such as how the mobile studio the group pioneered was featured in Deep Purple''s classic song Smoke on the Water or how Keith Richards used a cassette recording of an acoustic guitar to get the unique riff on Street Fighting Man.

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Book SynopsisOffers an account of how the Bomb Squad produced a singular-sounding record - the engineering, sampling, scratching, constructing, deconstructing and reconstructing. This title delves into the original songs that were sampled and recontextualized. It shows which of the four Bomb Squad members had the most personal relationship with each sample.Table of Contents1. "Yes....The Rhythm, The Rebel" 2. "This Is A Sampling Sport" 3. "Back...Caught You Looking For The Same Thing" 4. "Beat Is The Father Of Your Rock'n'Roll" 5. "Consider Yourselves Warned" 6. "All In, We're Gonna Win" 7. "Def Jam Tells You Who I Am" 8. "Here We Go Again" Works Cited

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Book SynopsisBob Dylan: Outlaw Blues is a major new biography, a story of the life of a man that intrigues his audience - both young and old. Bob Dylan's past and present is comprehensively detailed in this new book which will be published in July 2020, that is, in Bob Dylan's eightieth year.Trade Review`There simply aren't enough books about Bob Dylan. So complex is he as a human being, a songwriter, a poet, a guitarist, a pianist, a vocalist (never a mere singer), enough words can never be written about him. Dylan is to this day - inscrutable and unfathomable. Thank you, Spencer, for this, I feel some corners have been brightened, yet still you've left us plenty to ponder for ourselves, such is any great writer's wish.' Ian McNabb

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Book SynopsisBob Dylan in the Big Apple takes you on Dylan's journey through the streets of New York - the locations, characters and stories that formed a backdrop to his life and work. Follow in his early footsteps to the Cafe Wha? and more recently the Beacon Theatre. With maps, illustrations and wonderful stories this is a must for any Dylan enthusiast.Trade Review‘There is something magical about walking in the footsteps of our musical heroes. Whether it’s the Beatles in Liverpool, Leonard Cohen in Hydra or Bob Dylan in New York City, these pilgrimages can be vastly more rewarding than any planned vacation. Refreshingly non-academic, this book begins and ends at the Beacon Theatre, where Dylanophiles from around the world converge for a glimpse of the enigma that is Bob Dylan. This is your travel guide through time and space to the favorite haunts of the most celebrated folkie on planet earth.’ Kevin Odegard, musician, ‘Blood on The Tracks’

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Book SynopsisBob Dylan born in Duluth in Minnesota, grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota and cut his musical teeth in the folk scene of Dinkytown, Minnesota. This book brings together wonderful stories from each of these key locations and provides detailed information about the roots and the early life of Bob Dylan.

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Book Synopsis'Little Richard' is a fun-packed biography about a unique musician, singer and songwriter. An influential and charismatic man he lived his life as though he were continually on stage. On page after page, you will be exclaiming 'Ooh! My Soul'. Come and meet Lucille, Long Tall Sally, Miss Ann and Good Golly Miss Molly. Come and enjoy the company!Trade Review'I have known and admired Spencer Leigh's work as a music historian for many years. When he describes music and musicians of a bygone age, we become aware of so much more than the songs and performers - the era itself returns to life and we are reminded that all art, notably popular art, is inspired by, and inseparable from, its time and place, and if we don't understand that background, the story is far from complete', Sir Tim Rice

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Book SynopsisKnowing Britten is a vivid and insightful account of Steuart Bedford's long association with both Britten the man and his music - 2021 Book of the Year -Presto MusicThe conductor and pianist Steuart Bedford (1939-2021) could not remember a time when he did not know Benjamin Britten. His mother, Lesley Duff, sang with the English Opera Group in the premieres of The Rape of Lucretia and Albert Herrring in the late 1940s, and the family was closely involved with Britten and Pears for many years. Following his music studies and time on the music staff at Glyndebourne, Bedford joined the English Opera Group, gradually becoming Britten's trusted surrogate conductor. As Britten's health began to fail, he took on responsibility for the premiere performances of Britten's final opera, Death in Venice, including its US premiere at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and the dramatic cantata Phaedra among others.Trade ReviewA deeply heartfelt account with a wealth of personal photos.... A loving tribute to two great musicians, a must for Britten fans. -- Susan Pierotti * Stringendo, Journal of the Australian Strings Association *Table of ContentsTable of Contents: 1. My mind beats on 2. A thirst, a leaping, wild unrest, a deep desire 3. Should I give up the fruitless struggle with the word? 4. So be it 5. What lies in wait for me here? 6. My head is heavy, my eyelids ache 7. I must go elsewhere, I must find a clearer sky, a fresher air 8. How much better to live, not words but beauty, to exist in it, and of it 9. The power of beauty sets me free 10. Yet I am driven on 11. O voluptuous days, O the joy I suffer 12. So the moments pass 13. And now, Paedrus, I will go No epilogue, I pay you for your play needs no excuse Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisPianist Helmut Deutsch relates his journey from unknown repetiteur to one of the most refined and sought-after accompanists of the modern era. In this book, he gives, with humour and modesty, fascinating insights into pianistic technique, repertoire, performance, interpersonal relationships, and the special qualities required for his profession.Trade Review'This is a book which will surely appeal to any classical music lover, and in particular those with a penchant for lieder. Meanwhile pianists, and especially those who practice the art of accompanying, will find that the book offers a plethora of expert insight and valuable understanding. For college students learning this art, and those intent on a portfolio career, the book is absolutely invaluable.' - Andrew Eales @pianodao.com. 'All lovers of song will want this book, it illuminates with wit what it is to be an accompanist, and provides a clear-sighted view from 50 years partnering singers.' Robert Hugill @planethugill.com 'Outstanding. How often does one read a book from the first page to the last without putting it down? And feel sad when one has finished?' - Ingrid Wanja, OperaLounge ; 'This volume is quite simply treasure-trove: required reading for all those devoted to Lieder, and a wonderfully tasty appetizer for those as yet unfamiliar with the genre.' - Rotary-Magazin ; 'This book describes, with humour and with intelligence, Helmut Deutsch's journey from unknown repetiteur to one of the most sought-after accompanists of the modern era. Apart from pianistic technique we also learn the qualities required for his profession of accompanist: empathy, flexibility, psychological sensitivity, patience and the ability to take a step back and be at the service of others.' - Nicole Restle, Das Magazin der Berliner PhilharmonikerTable of ContentsForeword by Alfred Brendel, Translator's note, Acknowledgements, Prologue, 1. Hermann Prey. The first concert, 2. ' . . . and dream a blissful dream.' Japan, 3. 'What a dream profession!' The years with Hermann Prey, 4. Even Karajan had to laugh. Childhood and adolescence, 5. The right partnership. Early years as a song accompanist. Ileana Cotrubas, Irmgard Seefried, Rita Streich, 6. Hermann Prey. Winterreisen and anecdotes, 7. Yumiko Samejima, 8. Josef Protschka, 9. Olaf Bar, 10. Brigitte Fassbaender, 11. Practising, 12. Working with the singer, 13. Bo Skovhus, 14. Bernd Weikl, 15. Peter Schreier, 16. Thomas Quasthoff, 17. Teaching, 18. Juliane Banse, 19. Dietrich Henschel, 20. Jonas Kaufmann, 21. Stefanie Iranyi, 22. Mauro Peter, 23. Of pianos and concert-grands, 24. The day of the concert, 25. The concert, 26. Page-turners, 27. After the concert, 28. Barbara Bonney, 29. Angelika Kirchschlager, 30. Programmes, 31. Andreas Schmidt, 32. Recordings, 33. Grace Bumbry, 34. Matthias Goerne, 35. The press, 36. Werktreue and liberties, 37. Michael Volle, 38. Diana Damrau, 39. Competitions, 40. Piotr Beczala, 41. Camilla Nylund, 42. Singers and accompanists, 43. The Liederabend - past and future, 44. Epilogue, Appendices: Contributor biographies, The singers, Selected discography, Index of names

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Book SynopsisEthereal and enigmatic glass slides preserve the resonance of Hughes' voice in rippling, organic compositions The acclaimed Welsh singer and philanthropist Margaret Watts Hughes (18421907) was one of many inventors of her day fascinated by the visual documentation of sound. Her eidophone comprised a tube attached to a chamber covered in rubber, or diaphragm. Hughes covered a glass slide with grains of sand or coarse pigment, then saturated it with water or milk. By singing into the device, the vibrations of her voice would etch out patterns onto the disc: an artistic rendering of the scientific principle of standing-wave resonance. Her Voice Figures, as she called them, ranged from primitive patterns to designs resembling flowers, seashells and other natural phenomena. While Hughes valued her discovery for both its scientific and spiritual implications, leaders of the Theosophical movement saw her work as a means of making visible the invisible world.Sound May Be Seen presents selections from Hughes' original 1891 publication of the Voice Figures and a rare surviving set of her glass slides, alongside contemporary reactions to her captivating and ultimately enigmatic work.

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Book SynopsisCross-cultural collaboration in popular music represents opportunities for the audibility of multiple voices and the creation of new sounds, but it also presents many challenges. These challenges are both musical ? that is, how to technically match voices ? and ethical ? that is, how to negotiate historically entrenched power discrepancies. Practice-based research has recently developed as a field in popular music studies. This burgeoning area has much to offer in terms of new knowledge, based on embodied insights, lived experience, and an arts practice. Through a practitioner-centred account of three projects involving traditional Persian and Vietnamese musicians, and western folk/rock musicians, this Element suggests pragmatic strategies and conceptual frameworks for making pop music with people of different cultural backgrounds.

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Book SynopsisThis Element offers a critical analysis of the history of Elliott Carter''s String Quartet No. 1 and the composer''s rise to public acclaim, not through the study of the work itself but through intriguing and captivating narratives that surround this quartet and their socio-cultural-political context, which led Carter to become one of the most dominant voices in the post-1945 American music scene. Carter''s road to success was meticulously paved by powerful institutions and individuals, including critics, scholars, festival and radio programming directors, and the US government, for whom, in the context of the Cold War, Carter was chosen to represent an exemplary American triumphant story. The author argues that it is not the quartet itself that contributed to Carter''s reception and legacy, but the inextricable narratives that we associate with this work.

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Book SynopsisIn February 2024, America''s favourite wild child, Miley Cyrus received recognition from her peers, finally, after 15 years. With two Grammy Awards, over 20 million albums and 55 million singles sold worldwide and a wardrobe full of iconic outfits, Miley is now a pop chameleon equal to her idols Madonna, Dolly Parton and Debbie Harry, as well as an inspiring feminist role model to her global fanbase and a leading female songwriter willing to break all the industry rules.This Little Guide to Miley Cyrus is packed with all the wonderful wit, wisdom and wisecracks her fans have come to expect... and a whole lot more. Taken from interviews across her entire career, this tiny tome reveals the real Miley Cyrus, one candid, controversial and classic quote at a time.I''m introducing my audience, my generation, to everything that inspired me and created this cocktail of chaos that I am.Miley, on Plastic Hearts, interview with Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, December 4, 2020.I don''t want, in my life ever, some prince dude to come save me. I don''t need to be saved. I''m my own person. I''m strong.Miley, on not need saving by a man, interview with Marie Claire, December 3, 2015.Miley''s birth name, given to her in 1992, was Destiny Hope. However, she legally changed her name to Miley in 2008. She chose Miley due to her childhood nickname - Smiley.Miley''s ''Flowers'', released in January 2023 became her biggest hit, and her first No.1 smash since ''Wrecking Ball'' in 2013. ''Flowers'' remains the the fastest song in Spotify''s history to cross 100 million plays globally in seven days.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA philosophical look at heavy metal''s dark masters of reality, Black Sabbath Black Sabbath is one of the world''s most influential and enduring rock bands. Dubbed the Beatles of heavy metal by Rolling Stone, they helped to define a genre with classic songs like Paranoid, Iron Man, and War Pigs, songs whose lyrics reveal hidden depth and philosophical insight. Their songs confront existential despair, social instability, political corruption, the horrors of war, and the nature of evil. This book explores the wide range of profound ideas in the band''s music and lyrics to help you understand Black Sabbath as never before. Discusses and debates essential Black Sabbath topics and themes, such as the problem of evil, War Pigs and the nature of just war theory, whether or not Sabbath is still Sabbath without Ozzy, and whether evil is in the ear of the beholder Gives you new perspectives on Black Sabbath''s music and lyrics Provides a deeper aTrade Review“This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, shedding a lot of light on the members, music, and society with regards to everything from religion to family.” (Sacramento Book Review, 1 June 2013) “This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, shedding a lot of light on the members, music, and society with regards to everything from religion to family.” (City Book Review, 1 March 2013) “Black Sabbath & Philosophy is a wholly absorbing read large . . . A long-overdue work, and a rewarding one both for fans and those curious about the philosophical gravity behind all those murky riffs.” (PopMatters, 11 January 2013) “Much like Black Sabbath themselves, this wide-ranging, amusing book entertains and makes your brain ache in equal measure.” (Record Collector, 1 December 2012) “A book to dip into, that will get you thinking and almost certainly have you going back and listening to your old Black Sabbath albums in a different light. Highly recommended.” (Get Ready to Rock, 20 November 2012) Table of ContentsIntroduction: “What Is This That Stands Before Me?” x Acknowledgments: They Sold Their Souls for Rock ‘n’ Roll xii Part I Necessary Evil 1 1 Beyond Good and Evil: Facing Your Demons With Black Sabbath and Existentialism 3 William Irwin 2 Masters of a Better Possible Reality: Conquering Evil With Love 12 Liz Stillwaggon Swan 3 “Is It the End, My Friend?” Black Sabbath’s Apocalypse of Horror 20 Brian Froese Part II Playing Devil’s Advocate 31 4 Black Sabbath and the Sound of Evil 33 Joel McIver 5 The Worst of All Possible Worlds: Schopenhauer Meets Sabbath 41 James Heathers 6 Tony Iommi’s Hand of Doom: From Plastic Fingertips to Creative Freedom 51 Ken Pepper Part III The Dark Art of Metal 61 7 The Art of Black Sabbath: Aristotle Joins the Band 63 Greg Littmann 8 Black Sabbath and the Problem of Defining Metal 76 Søren R. Frimodt-Møller 9 Saint Vitus Dance: The Art of Doom 87 Manuel Bremer and Daniel Cohnitz 10 Gods, Drugs, and Ghosts: Finding Dionysus and Apollo in Black Sabbath and the Birth of Heavy Metal 96 Dennis Knepp Part IV Is It Still Sabbath Without Ozzy? 111 11 It’s Not Sabbath Unless Ozzy’s the Singer (But It’s Fine If You Disagree) 113 James Bondarchuk 12 Fightin’ Words: Sabbath Doesn ’ t Need the Ozzman 126 Wesley D. Cray 13 The Name Remains the Same—But Should It? 140 Mark D. White Part V Symptoms of The Universe 149 14 Wicked World: The Politics of the Supernatural in Black Sabbath 151 Erich Christiansen 15 “Demons, Dreamers, and Madmen”: Is Ozzy Going Insane? 163 Kevin McCain 16 “As the War Machine Keeps Turning”: Just War Theory, Pacifism, and the War on Terror 171 Jacob M. Held 17 Stop Stereotyping Sabbath: Sex, Subjugation, and Stupidity 182 Robert Arp Contributors: Children of the Grave 190 Index: The Writ 195

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Book SynopsisA musical biography that reveals Joaquín Rodrigo as a composer of unique vision

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Book Synopsis_______________A series of dazzling case studies exploring the idea of lateness in a range of composers, writers and artists'' - London Review of BooksGracefully unquiet, probing and wise ... Said''s own elegiac masterpiece of late style'' - Financial TimesWhat Said stands for - critical intelligence, high art and the preservation of the language - must be at the centre of our lives. This book is a fine monument to his life and work'' - Hanif KureishiHis own late style, if it is acceptable to call it that, mixes an easy mastery of material with an unquenched desire to preserve difficulties'' - Guardian_______________On Late Style examines the work produced by great artists -Beethoven, Thomas Mann, Jean Genet among them - at the end of their lives. Said makes it clear that, rather than the resolution of a lifetime''s artistic endeavour, most of the late works discussed are rife with contradiction and almost impenetrabTrade ReviewSaid's last book is a series of dazzling case studies exploring the idea of lateness in a range of composers, writers and artists. * London Review of Books *What Said stands for - critical intelligence, high art and the preservation of the language - must be at the centre of our lives. This book is a fine monument to his life and work * Hanif Kureishi *Gracefully unquiet, probing and wise ... Said's own elegiac masterpiece of late style * Financial Times *Table of ContentsForeword by Mariam C. Said Introduction by Michael Wood 1. Timeliness and Lateness 2. Return to the Eighteenth Century 3. Cosìfan tutte at the Limits 4. On Jean Genet 5. A Lingering Old Order 6. The Virtuoso as Intellectual 7. Glimpses of Late Style Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThe life of the world's first music superstar and the original 'King of Pop'. From child prodigy to the darling of European courts, discover the personal and professional life of one of the greatest composers of all time. Beloved and hyped, controversial and divisive. Who was the real Mozart?

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Book SynopsisWhen the Beatles burst onto the pop scene in 1962, they not only took the music world by storm but they also brought with them a counter culture that was to have far-reaching effects. With their long hair, humour and irreverent attitude towards authority, they were a breath of fresh air to a generation who had grown weary of the greyness of the post-war years. Beatlemania was to unleash a revolution against an outdated age. The 1950s with its oppressive and authoritarian attitudes was ready for change and young people, desperate to escape suburbia with its stifling formality, were set to lead that rebellion. In politics, fashion, education, the arts, religion, television, women's rights and universities, the time had come to challenge the old order. And in came the swinging sixties with its more liberal attitudes offering hope of change and a more peaceful and just world. The introduction of the contraceptive pill, legalized abortion, gay rights, easier divorce and the relaxing of

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Book SynopsisKylie Minogue is an Australian pop icon who has sold over 80 million records worldwide. The pint-sized pop princess showed us she had the ''wow'' factor when she first graced our screens as Charlene Mitchell in Neighbours in 1986. She ''did it again'' (and again and again) through her numerous incarnations. From her early days as PWL''s pop puppet, to the ultimate puppet master that she has transformed into today. Kylie achieved a massive musical milestone in 2020being the first woman to top the album charts in five consecutive decades. She is one of our nation's most beloved pop princesses, or arguably - if you ask her legion of fans (me included) - THE most beloved Pop Queen._Kylie Minogue: Album by Album_ explores in detail Ms Minogue's extensive repertoire, spanning more than three decades. It commemorates this unique artist''s genuinely exceptional, unmatched, and often under-appreciated career. The author is both a fan and a music critic, who examines Kylie's life and career from

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Book SynopsisRebellion always starts somewhere, and in the music world of the transgressive teen whether it be the 1960s of the 2020s, The Velvet Underground represent ground zero. Crystallizing the idea of the bohemian, urban, narcissistic art school gang, around a psychedelic rock and roll band - a stylistic idea that evolved in the rarefied environs of Andy Warhol''s Factory - The Velvets were the first major American rock group with a mixed gender line-up; they never smiled in photographs, wore sunglasses indoors, and in the process invented the archetype. They were avant-garde nihilists, writing about drug abuse, prostitution, paranoia, and sado-masochistic sex at a time when the rest of the world was singing about peace and love. Dylan Jones'' definitive oral history of The Velvet Underground draws on contributions from remaining members, contemporaneous musicians, critics, film-makers, and the generation of artists who emerged in their wake, to celebrate not only their impact but

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Book Synopsis''No other book has come close to capturing so well what Paul McCartney is about, nor described so vividly his mental breakdown when the Beatles separated, nor his need for Linda to nurse him back to good health...the book is packed with trivia, not for the sake of it but because it throws light onto the way Paul developed. And it''s fascinating; every word of it. It''s an extraordinarily brilliant book.'' SIMON NAPIER-BELL''Totally enjoyed. You might have got a bit close for Sir Paul, but then again a true pro always respects the one who gets inside. Brava. '' ANDREW LOOG OLDHAM''The most brilliant journalism ... Captivating.'' STEVE HARLEY, COCKNEY REBEL''...another amazing book. Your meticulous research is second to none.'' JOHNNIE WALKERThe first definitive account of Paul McCartney''s time in Wings, publishing on the fiftieth anniversary of the bestselling album Band on the RunNo comprehTrade ReviewAbsorbing . . . Jones perceptively portrays how Wings were always overshadows by the Beatles' success * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisThink you know the story of Jim Morrison and The Doors? This revelatory and explosive biography from critically acclaimed rock journalist Mick Wall will make you think again. 'Explodes in to life from the opening paragraph' RECORD COLLECTORTrade ReviewThis biography explodes in to life from the opening paragraph.. -- Mick Houghton * RECORD COLLECTOR *The pick of the best guitar tomes: Wall's account pulls no punches, cataloguing each of the primal scenes - early performances, indecent exposure, Jim's sexuality, decline and death - with a detached, knowing eye. * GUITARIST *

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Book SynopsisJonathan Lethem is one of the most acclaimed American novelists of his generation. His books include Motherless Brooklyn, The Fortress of Solitude, and Chronic City. His essays about James Brown and Bob Dylan have appeared in Rolling Stone. He is Roy Edward Disney Professor in Creative Writing at Pomona College, US.Trade ReviewHis achievement in Fear of Music is to let his personal passion for the album inform his thoughts on it with a vital urgency, without ever allowing those feelings to run rampant and obscure the work at hand. ...[It is] a powerful piece of scholarship on a band that deserves, and whose work holds up to, close examination of the serious kind Lethem does here. [Lethem] revels in Fear of Music's strain, the way it encompasses punk and disco, aggression and passivity, paranoia and resolve, gleefully dancing its way off the brink. This ain't no party, indeed. * The Atlantic *A single-minded investigation ... Lethem's book demonstrates what happens when the twin beams of passionate fandom and slicing critical intelligence intersect to illuminate a record you only thought you knew. * The Guardian *The collision of Lethem and Talking Heads makes perfect sense. Both can't escape being identified with New York - or, in Lethem's case, Brooklyn - and despite working in disparate modes, each brings the formalism and precision of the high arts to popular forms. * Salon.com *Lethem analyzes each of the songs in his book, alternating between close readings of lyrics, song structure, and meditations on the album as a whole. ...His prose is as sharp as ever, and his visual evocations demand accompaniment by the tracks themselves. As he puts it in the epigraph, "turn it up, for f--k's sake." * The Daily Beast *Lethem looks for the heart of the record from all angles. The Bottom Line is that if you love this record, you’ll love Lethem’s book...Lethem’s Fear of Music is exactly what these books were made for: lyrical geeking-out, unfettered fandom, great writing about great music. -- Roy ChristopherBy far the biggest name in the 33 1/3 roster of writers, Jonathan Lethem is no music critic, but an award-winning fiction writer … His take on Talking Heads’ 1979 album forgoes fiction for first-person criticism, in which Lethem’s teenage self acts as a sympathetic protagonist. Even as he plumbs each song on Fear of Music for meaning and significance, he uses the album as a point against which he can measure his own growth as a listener, becoming older and wiser and hungrier for connection with each year and with each listen. -- Stephen M. Deusner * Pitchfork *

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Book SynopsisNick Attfield is Lecturer in Music at the University of Birmingham, UKTrade Review"A growing Alexandria of rock criticism (Los Angeles Times, 2008) Ideal for the rock geek who thinks liner notes just aren't enough (Rolling Stone) One of the coolest publishing imprints on the planet (Bookslut) These are for the insane collectors out there who appreciate fantastic design, well-executed thinking, and things that make your house look cool. Each volume in this series takes a seminal album and breaks it down in startling minutiae. We love these. We are huge nerds. (Vice) A brilliant series...each one a word of real love (NME (UK)) Passionate, obsessive, and smart (Nylon) Religious tracts for the nock 'n' roll faithful (Uncut (UK)) For those of you who really like to know everything there is to know about an album, you'd do well to check out Continuum's "33 1/3" series of books." (Pitchfork)"Table of ContentsIntroduction: Punk Breaks At the Junction Archaeological Hard Rock You're Living All Over Me Rabbits Teeth Strings Girls Pressures The Hang Epilogue: Just Like Heaven Sources

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Book SynopsisTHE IRISH TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER 'He holds nothing back and gives everything' Bono Christy Dignam, lead singer of Aslan and one of Ireland’s greatest rock stars, reveals all in this extraordinary tale of excess and devotion to his music.   Growing up in Finglas, Dublin, there was only one thing Christy Dignam ever wanted to do – and that was sing. By the early 1980s, he had formed the band Aslan, part of a new wave of acts coming out of Ireland. Repeatedly chewed up and spat out in the feeding frenzy to sign 'the next U2', they stuck to their principles. developed a loyal following, and their first album Feel No Shame went to No 1 in their home country, showcased by the song ‘This Is’, which Christy proudly acknowledges has become 'part of Ireland's DNA'.   But just as America seemed ready to fall for Aslan, D

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Book SynopsisAn insightful biography of one of the world’s greatest musicians, Bob Dylan, by bestselling author Paul Morley. As one of the world’s greatest musicians, Bob Dylan has enriched the American song tradition for over 50 years. With a talent that has been proven in the worlds of music, radio, art and poetry, Dylan is a man of many personas. From defying pop music conventions with protest songs such as “The Times They Are a-Changin’” to releasing three of the most influential rock albums of the 60s, he has not only extended the parameters of music genres but has also showed us the fluidity his craft. To mark Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday and 60 illustrious years in the arts, this insightful biography by bestselling author Paul Morley will explore the many voices of the folk icon.

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Book SynopsisOne man, his piano and their miraculous survival.''Extraordinary'' Baroness Julia Neuberger''Powerful and gruelling ... an almost unimaginable story of horror and survival'' Mail on Sunday''Stunning. A beautiful blend of action, poetry, thought-provoking comment and music ... just brilliant'' James Ainscough OBE''A gripping narrative of suffering, loss and survival, with music at its heart'' Fiona MaddocksAll future, freedom and success lay ahead of young pianist Stephen de Bastion in 1930s Hungary. Life whirled headily around cocktails, romance, applause and the buzz of Budapest late into the night. Then, 1939. Stephen''s world disintegrates and this becomes a story of his brutal descent, of his time in labour camps, of Mauthausen and Gunskirchen and the unimaginable horrors he endured during the Holocaust as a man of Jewish descent. Yet, this is also a tale of extraordinary escape ... and the piano, waiting for

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Book Synopsis''A delight to read'' Philip Pullman''Essential reading ... a genuine landmark publication'' Tom ServiceA BBC Radio 4 ''Book of the Week''The music of the British composer Michael Tippett - including the oratorio A Child of Our Time, five operas, and four symphonies - is among the most visionary of the twentieth century. But little has been written about his extraordinary life. In this long-awaited first biography, Oliver Soden weaves a century-spanning narrative of epic scope and penetrating insight. His achievement is to have enriched our understanding not only of Tippett but of the twentieth century. Figures such as T.S. Eliot, E.M. Forster, Barbara Hepworth, and W.H. Auden jostle in the cast list. An Edwardian world of gaslight and empire cedes to turmoil and warfare and his operas'' game-changing attitudes to gay and civil rights, against a backdrop of the Cold War and the Space Race.The result is a landmark in the study of twentiethTrade ReviewA delight to read ... Oliver Soden's vivid biography of this major figure in twentieth-century music brings Tippett very clearly to life -- Philip PullmanCompelling ... an exceptional piece of work ... The joy of Soden's biography is largely in its novelistic grasp of the telling details ... It has so much to say about the 20th century from an unusual and compelling angle that it ought to appeal to many readers who don't necessarily find themselves deep in the world of art music ... The Britten bibliography may be 100 times the size, but it contains hardly anything as brilliant as this book. Let the revival begin -- Philip Hensher * The Spectator *Exhaustively researched, lovingly detailed, epic in scale, revelling in gossip, stuffed with information, this book furnishes every event ... from birth to death, with comment, observation, quotation ... [A] super-abundant, loving account. Its like will not come again -- Fiona Maddocks * Observer *[A] narrative in which readers can effortlessly lose themselves. Anyone wishing to discover the life of Tippett as a way into his music - his works include A Child of Our Time, five operas and four symphonies - will find in Soden's book meticulously researched biographical detail and a good story well told ... Soden's biography paints an authoritative, intricate portrait of Tippett, providing a stunning, delicate and engrossing portrayal of the composer as very much a child of his time -- Yvonne Sherratt * Literary Review *That rarest of things: a genuine landmark publication ... As much a biography of the twentieth century as it's about Tippett's music ... Essential reading -- Tom Service * Music Matters on BBC Radio 3 *A beautifully written, emotionally comprehensive account of one of our finest twentieth-century composers. Tippett's burning idealism and frequent impracticality - in matters of both music and love - shines through Soden's sensitive prose, and his conjuring of the spirit of the place in the diary entries that intersperse the chapters is exceptionally well done -- Nicholas Kenyon * Times Literary Supplement Summer Books *[E]xcellent ... The challenge to a biographer is to make us feel the of a talent unfolding in slow obedience to its own laws. Soden succeeds at this difficult task wonderfully well. The early chapters are especially rewarding, summoning up the Edwardian ambience of Tippett's country childhood ... Soden is especially good at tracing Tippett's increasing involvement in Leftwing politics, which eventually led to membership of a Trotskyite Militant faction - an episode Tippett was keen to gloss over in later life ... Soden doesn't shrink from suggesting that Tippett's cold determination to protect his inner life at times caused huge damage to those near him. It's a measure of his searching and beautifully written biography that, despite that, Tippett comes across as essentially generous and lovable. The exultation of his music finds its echo in the passionate intensity of his life -- Ivan Hewett * Daily Telegraph *[T]horoughly researched ... [Soden] tells the story of this socially fertile life with skill -- Michael Henderson * The Times *This first full biography of Tippett is a treasure trove of detailed information and yet it reads as compellingly as a thriller or psychological novel ... [T]o get inside the mind, and under the skin, of such a complex figure so completely is nothing short of miraculous -- Geraint Lewis * Gramophone *[A] page-turner of a biography whose irresistible brio drills deep into a psychologically complex man, painting a portrait studded wit fraught emotional entanglements and passionately-held political affiliations. On both counts Soden's formidable research is able to contradict previous erroneous claims ... His verve and flair for lassoing a vivid simile are illuminating, and he's happy to spice up the narrative with dissenting views ... [U]nputdownable, [the biography] crackles with a life force worthy of Tippett himself -- Paul Riley * BBC Music Magazine *I very much enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly recommend it. Soden writes with a rare poetic quality and imagination - especially elusive qualities when one is describing music -- Philip Borg-Wheeler * Classical Music magazine *Oliver Soden is a young but impressive writer who has taken on the task of re-evaluating Tippett. And he does it well, with a generosity of spirit that's arguably too forgiving of Tippett's failings as a human being (which were many) but properly celebrates his strengths as a creative artist (which were legion) -- Michael White * CATHOLIC HERALD *Oliver Soden's Michael Tippett was exemplary and placed this wonderful, neglected, undeniably silly composer in his world of political idealism and radical experiments -- Philip Hensher * THE SPECTATOR 'Books of the Year' *In a strong year for books on music, Oliver Soden's generous, game-changing biography of Michael Tippett topped the list -- Fiona Maddocks, best classical music of 2019 * Observer *Soden spent three years writing his book, and clearly developed a strong bond with his subject . . . Soden soaks up the atmosphere of the places where Tippett lived and worked. He strikes gold on one trip when he unearths the autograph manuscript of the First Piano Sonata. As a final coup de théâtre he produces a long tube that Soden knows, even before he opens it, must contain Tippett's ashes. . . It would be going too far to claim that the revival of Tippett's reputation rests in Soden's hands, but any such revival must begin with his plea that we listen to Tippett again, with fresh ears * London Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisFirst as a journalist and then a publicist at Warner Brothers Records for nearly twenty years, Barbara Charone has experienced, first-hand, the changes in the cultural landscape. Access All Areas is a personal, insightful and humorous memoir packed with stories of being on the cultural frontline, from first writing press releases on a typewriter driven by Tip Ex, then as a press officer for heavy metal bands taking the bus up to Donnington Festival with coffee, croissants and the much more popular sulfate. To taking on Madonna, an unknown girl from Detroit, and telling Smash Hits ''you don''t have to run the piece if the single doesn''t chart'', and becoming a true pioneer in music, Charone continues to work with the biggest names in music, including Depeche Mode, Robert Plant, Foo Fighters and Mark Ronson at her agency MBCPR.The story of how a music-loving, budding journalist from a Chicago suburb became the defining music publicist of her generation, AccesTrade ReviewBarbara is the quintessential force of nature. In this great memoir her insatiable thirst for beauty and adventure is fabulously quenched, be it by great music, interesting people or ultimately a fine rosé, all for the reader to sit back and enjoy. Of course, having been in the right place at the right time also helps, and every day I thank my lucky stars we crossed paths years ago and I was permitted to join her on such a fabulous adventure. -- Rufus WainwrightFrom Keith Richards to Madonna to Mark Ronson, the inimitable BC is a music industry legend and Access All Areas is the story of a life like no other -- Alexis PetridisBarbara Charone had a massive role in shaping my career over the past 15 years and she's one of the most adored figures in the music industry for good reason. Access All Areas is a warm, funny, boozy take on the last 40 years of the British music industry from the perspective of someone who helped shape it but is also obviously still a massive fan at heart. Her teenager-like enthusiasm for every project and artist she's ever worked beams from very page and as a music trivia junky, I lived for all the 80's Smash Hits-era insider information . . . This book rules -- Mark RonsonI loved this book! Smart, sharp and hilarious -- Suggs

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Book Synopsis Composer, conductor and operatic polymath Daron Hagen has written five symphonies, a dozen concertos, 13 operas, reams of chamber music and more than 350 art songs. His intimate, unsparing memoir chronicles his life, from his haunted childhood in Wisconsin to the upper echelons of the music world in New York and Europe. Hagen''s vivid anecdotes about his many collaborators, friends and mentors--including Leonard Bernstein, Lukas Foss, Gian Carlo Menotti, Paul Muldoon, Ned Rorem, Virgil Thomson and Gore Vidal--counterpoint a cautionary tale of the sacrifices necessary to succeed in the brutally unforgiving business of classical music.Trade ReviewIt is a rare privilege to experience a glimpse into the inner world of a great artist, and Daron Hagen has opened the door to his life in a memoir of searing honesty and unguarded intimacy. Daron leads us through a journey that begins in a brilliant, talented but dysfunctional family, into the treacherous depths of the ruthless competition and political machinations of the classical music scene, to a search for a happiness that often seems unattainable. Filled with anecdotes of countless musical luminaries, Duet with the Past is irresistible in its revealing candor and charm- an unforgettable journey into the private world of one of our country's greatest composers."" - JoAnn Falletta, conductor Buffalo Philharmonic

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisMost die-hard Brazilian music fans would argue that Getz/Gilberto, the iconic 1964 album featuring The Girl from Ipanema, is not the best bossa nova record. Yet we''ve all heard The Girl from Ipanema as background music in a thousand anodyne settings, from cocktail parties to telephone hold music. So how did Getz/Gilberto become the Brazilian album known around the world, crossing generational and demographic divides? Bryan McCann traces the history and making of Getz/Gilberto as a musical collaboration between leading figure of bossa nova João Gilberto and Philadelphia-born and New York-raised cool jazz artist Stan Getz. McCann also reveals the contributions of the less-understood participants (Astrud Gilberto''s unrehearsed, English-language vocals; Creed Taylor''s immaculate production; Olga Albizu''s arresting, abstract-expressionist cover art) to show how a perfect balance of talents led to not just a great album, but a global pop sensation. And he expTable of Contents1. Introduction 2. What Is Bossa Nova? 3. "The Girl from Ipanema" 4. Siren Song 5. "Doralice" 6. Backstage at Orfeu da Conceição 7. "Para Machucar Meu Coração" 8. Woe unto You, Copacabana 9. Stan Getz 10. Bossa and Race 11. "Desafinado" 12. The Cusp of Greatness 13. "Corcovado" 14. Bossa Nova on the Car Radio 15. "Só Danço Samba" 16. Happiness Is a Drop of Dew 17. Dancehall Memories 18. "O Grande Amor" 19. Haroldo Costa 20. Olga Albizu and "Alla Africa" 21. Two, Three, Many Girls from Ipanema 22. "Vivo Sonhando" 23. Bossa and Bicycles 24. Afterlife of the Girl from Ipanema Endnotes Index

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Book SynopsisMatthew Frye Jacobson teaches American Studies and African American Studies at Yale University, and is the co-founder of the Public Humanities program there. He has written extensively on a range of cultural forms, including film, television, literature, the arts, sports, music, and comedy. In addition to his five books on aspects of race in US culture, he has conducted several documentary, curatorial, and artistic projects, including The Historian's Eye, a web-based documentary project, and his forthcoming film, A Long Way from Home: The Untold Story of Baseball's Desegregation.Trade Review[Odetta’s One Grain of Sand] is part of the estimable 33 1/3 series of short books about individual albums ... [It] expands the context of Odetta’s songs, setting her alongside figures like Zora Neale Hurston, W.E.B. Du Bois and many others. * The New York Times *It is quite something to present a cohesive history of black America, a life story of an amazing human, and a review of a very important album all into 120 pages. But Jacobson has done so ... I highly recommend you get both of them [this book and One Grain of Sand] in your eyes and ears as soon as is humanly possible. * Bookmunch *Both informative and fascinating ... This is a very enjoyable read and a book that’s hard to put down once you start into it ... If you have an interest in social history and the importance of folk music as a chronicler of the times, then this is a book that will greatly appeal to you. * Americana UK *Table of ContentsIntroduction: One Grain of Sand Midnight Special: The Archivist Cool Water: The Coffeehouse Moses, Moses: Spiritual Geographies Cotton Fields: Social Geographies Conclusion: Ain’t No Grave Acknowledgments Notes

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Book SynopsisAfter his breakthrough with Ziggy Stardust and before his U.S. pop hits Fame and Golden Years David Bowie produced a dark and difficult concept album set in a post-apocalyptic Hunger City populated by post-human mutants. Diamond Dogs includes the great glam anthem Rebel Rebel and utterly unique songs that combine lush romantic piano and nearly operatic singing with scratching, grungy guitars, creepy, insidious noises, and dark, pessimistic lyrics that reflect the album''s origins in a projected Broadway musical version of Orwell''s 1984 and Bowie''s formative encounter with William S. Burroughs. In this book Glenn Hendler shows that each song on Diamond Dogs shifts the ground under you as you listen, not just by changing in musical style, but by being sung by a different I who directly addresses a different you. Diamond Dogs is the product of a performer at the peak of his powers but uncomfortable with the rock star role he had constructed. All of theTrade Review[Hendler’s] textual analysis of Bowie’s lyrics and the influences of the album is deep, yet he doesn’t skimp on musicology … This 33 1/3 is worth reading even if you know nothing about Diamond Dogs. * Bomb *This latest volume of Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 series sees US academic Glenn Hendler manfully take a crack at forensically unpacking the disparate ingredients of Bowie’s greatest future dystopia Diamond Dogs and passing with flying colours. * Shindig! Magazine *Table of ContentsTrack Listing Acknowledgments 1. This Is Not America 2. Who Can You Be Now? 3. 1984 in 1974 4. Mr. Burroughs Goes to Hunger City 5. Boys and Things 6. Rough Trade 7. Futures 8. This Ain’t Rock ‘n’ Roll 9. Repetition I 10. Repetition II 11. Wild Mutations 12 Everybody Wants to Be a Fascist 13. After the Human 14. It’s No Game

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