Composers and songwriters Books
University of Minnesota Press But He Doesn't Know the Territory : The Story
Book SynopsisChronicles the creation of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man—reprinted now as the Broadway Edition Composer Meredith Willson described The Music Man as “an Iowan’s attempt to pay tribute to his home state.” Now featuring a new foreword by noted singer and educator Michael Feinstein, this book presents Willson’s reflections on the ups and downs, surprises and disappointments, and finally successes of making one of America’s most popular musicals. Willson’s whimsical, personable writing style brings readers back in time with him to the 1950s to experience firsthand the exciting trials and tribulations of creating a Broadway masterpiece. Fresh admiration of the musical—and the man behind the music—is sure to result.Trade Review"This is the first-person perspective of a deeply canny and meticulous chronicler who managed to preserve the creative process as if it were spontaneously happening, catching the mundane moments and details that illuminate and humanize the story. The moment-to-moment ups and downs, ins and outs, and subtly shifting creative process that careen forward like a roller coaster all somehow make sense, and those details illustrate in most vivid terms what it feels like to solve a puzzle for which you’re not certain you have all the pieces."—Michael Feinstein, from the Foreword"Dollars to doughnuts, Meredith Willson dotes on brass bands. In The Music Man, he has translated the thump and razzle-dazzle of brass-band lore into a warm and genial cartoon of American life."—Brooks Atkinson, New York Times, 1957
£999.99
Flood Gallery Publishing The Beatles: All You Need Is Love
Book Synopsis
£21.25
HarperCollins Publishers BEING WAGNER The Triumph of the Will
Book SynopsisThe perfect introduction to the Master.Trade Review‘Would Callow be able to tell me, in layman’s language, what it is about Tristan that makes it so powerful? The answer, I am happy to say, is yes. The perfect introduction for those, like me, who may not be obsessives but who sense that something profound is going on, and would like to know more. A delightful little book’ Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday ‘A sparkly written, witty, learned and absorbing account, Callow brings The Master vividly to life’ The Times ‘Intelligent, fluent and buoyant’ The Daily Telegraph Praise for Simon Callow’s ‘Charles Dickens’: ‘Simon Callow is not simply a terrific actor who happens to write – you could as well call him a terrific writer who happens to act’ The Times ‘This is the book we have long been waiting for and only Simon Callow could have written it… A marvellous book.’ Michael Slater ‘A comprehensive biography as enthralling as one of his own performances … A great achievement.’Catherine Peters, Literary Review ‘Vivid and exuberant… This book, with its fresh angles and out-of-the-way sources, is the harvest of [Callow’s] dedication [to impersonating Dickens on stage]… His book is a celebration, jubilant, vigorous, imaginative, and, as Dickens might have said, an all-round sizzler.’ John Carey, Sunday Times ‘Callow … writes with great authority and elegant insouciance, which makes this "biography with a twist" very entertaining’ Independent on Sunday ‘By his enthusiasm for his subject, Callow has ensured that his book is a worthy addition to the Dickens studies’ Sunday Express ‘An excellent book’ Andrew Marr, Start the Week ‘Intelligent, fluent and buoyant’ Daily Telegraph ‘4/5… a crisply succinct account’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Colourful, almost salacious anecdotes abound’ Sunday Times
£9.99
Hachette Books I Am Brian Wilson
Book Synopsis
£18.99
Mandala Publishing Group My Music, My Life
Book SynopsisWith stunning new photographs and a new final chapter detailing Ravi Shankar’s hope for the preservation of Indian classical music, this updated edition of My Music, My Life profiles an extraordinary man. In his own words, Shankar describes his transformation from a young traveling dancer to a Grammy Award-winning, internationally known musician. An autobiography, a history of Indian classical music, and a manual on how to play the sitar, this book is about music as a both a lifestyle and an art. It embodies Ravi Shankar’s unique approach to his craft.
£21.25
MP-MPP University Press of Mississippi Dick Waterman A Life in Blues
Book SynopsisDuring his career, Dick Waterman befriended and worked with numerous musicians, including such luminaries as B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, and Eric Clapton. This authorised biography is the crescendo of years of original research as well as extensive interviews conducted with Waterman and those who knew and worked with him.
£22.36
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Bjorks Homogenic
Book SynopsisIn recent years, Björk's artistry has become ever more ambitious and ever more respected. With the release of her conceptual app-album Biophilia in 2011, and a huge retrospective exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art coinciding with her most recent album, Vulnicura, in 2015, her status as artpop auteur has been secured. The album that made all this possible, though is 1997's Homogenic, a turning point in Björk's career and still among her finest musical achievements. Produced under great strain, it moves beyond the stylistic magpie rush of Debut and the urbanophile future-pop of Post, to something darker, stronger and braver, full of dramatic assertions of independence, sharp, stuttering beats, rich strings and raw outbursts of noise. It created, as the Alexander McQueen designed sleeve clearly asserted, a new Björk, one who would never stop hunting.Trade ReviewPositively bursting at the seams with information and fresh insight, Emily Mackay’s ‘Homogenic’ is perhaps the pick of the bunch [of all 33 1/3s in 2017], a continually entertaining reading of one of Björk’s most vital, enduring albums ... As Björk primers go, this is certainly one of the best. * CLASH *A scholarly but thoroughly readable analysis ... Strongest of all are the in-depth dissections of Homogenic's heady blend of patriotism and cosmopolitanism, the traditional and tech savvy, nature and technology. * Record Collector *Table of ContentsIntroduction: I’m going hunting 1 State of emergency: Björk’s crisis 2 I want to go on a mountain top: Björk’s escape 3 The marvellous web: Björk’s friends 4 Excuse me, but I just have to explode: Björk’s noises 5 You just didn’t know me: Björk’s characters 6 Home, what’s been found: Björk’s national anthems 7 I dare you to take me on: Björk’s loves 8 Brand new tomorrow: Björk’s images 9 Game we’re playing is life: Björk’s virtual realities
£9.49
Scarecrow Press Bernard Herrmanns The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Book SynopsisRegarded as one of the greatest film composers of all time, Bernard Herrmann was responsible for some of the most memorable music in film. His work with Alfred Hitchcock produced a slew of classics including Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), and Psycho (1960). Several years before collaborating with Hitchcock, however, Herrmann composed the brilliant score for The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), which remained a personal favorite of the composer''s. Herrmann''s score reinforces the film''s romantic theme, and much of the music has an appropriately elegiac quality. In mood, orchestration, and even to some extent thematic identity, it seems to prefigure his music for Vertigo. In this latest addition to the Scarecrow Film Score Guide series, author David Cooper examines Herrmann''s career in general, as well as the specific elements that went into the creation of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir''s score. Cooper traces the development of Herrmann''s craft as a film composer, especially throuTrade Review...David Cooper's approach—tightly organized like an intro film theory class—will instill, certainly in some, new methods of appreciating film music....Like prior volumes in the series, the book's first section gives us an excellent portrait of the events that led the cast, crew, and composer towards the film project...Cooper's technical and theoretical breakdowns will be of particular interest to composers...There's no doubt this book is the result of a long and detailed effort to craft an important educational reference... * Music From The Movies, January 2007 *In this guide, Cooper (music and technology, U. of Leeds, UK) examines Bernard Herrmann's craft as a film composer, particularly in the score of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. He also explores nonmusical elements of the film, including the screenplay's relationship to the popular novel from which it was adapted, the contribution of director Joseph Mankiewicz, and the performances of Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. A rundown of all the cues in Herrmann's manuscript is followed by an examination of the score as a musical artifact. * Reference and Research Book News *Table of ContentsPart 1 List of Illustrations Part 2 Abbreviations Part 3 Editor's Foreword Part 4 Acknowledgments Part 5 Introduction Chapter 6 1. Herrmann's Career up to the Composition of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir Chapter 7 2. Musical Style and Musical Meaning: Herrmann's Film Scoring Technique Chapter 8 3. Literary, Filmic and Critical Context of the Score Chapter 9 4. Overview of the Score as a Musical Text Chapter 10 5. Analysis and Readings of the Score Part 11 Notes Part 12 Bibliography Part 13 Index Part 14 About the Author
£38.00
Red Planet Publishing Ltd Rock Atlas UK & Ireland: Second Edition
Book SynopsisA book of more than 700 great music locations throughout the UK and Ireland and the stories behind them. Featuring landmark album cover locations, gravestones, plaques, recording locations, statues, and sites of famous and infamous gigs. Rock Atlas features hundreds of stories, which deliver a fresh, new insight into the lives and times of our most famous rock and pop stars. Where were they born? Why does a particular movement inspire them? Rock Atlas has all the answers. This fact-filled look at rock and pop, from an entirely different perspective, throws up many new revelations about our favourite musicians. When you ve finished reading the stories, you can visit the places.
£23.75
Kahn & Averill Francis Poulenc: The Man and His Songs
Book SynopsisIn 1935 the French baritone Pierre Bernac formed a duo with the composer Francis Poulenc that became a legend throughout the world. Unprecedented in the history of music, it was the first duo in which the singer and pianist were perceived as equals. It lasted for 25 years and was a determining influence on Poulenc's vocal output: more than two-thirds of his songs were written for Bernac to sing. Bernac's general book on the French repertoire, "The Interpretation of French Song", has long been the standard and indispensable work on its subject. In "Francis Poulenc - the Man and His Songs", first published in 1977, he gives us the fruit of his long association with Poulenc, paying moving tribute to the composer both as man and musician, and providing detailed analyses of every piano-accompanied song that Poulenc wrote. Each of the 137 poems is annotated for pronunciation, with a line-for-line translation into English by Winifred Radford, who also translated the text of the book. The discussion of each song is preceded by a brief biographical note on the poet and a description of Poulenc's own attitude towards both poet and poem.Bernac aimed in this book, to pass on his personal understanding of the songs of Francis Poulenc, as well as a little of their mutual experience in interpreting and performing them. He has thereby left a unique record whose importance cannot be overestimated.Table of ContentsForeword by Sir Lennox Berkeley, Introduction, List of Songs, 1. Francis Poulenc, the Man, 2. Francis Poulenc, Composer of Songs, 3. Performance and Interpretation, 4. Guillaume Appollinaire, 5. Paul Eluard, 6. Louise de Vilmorin, 7. Max Jacob, 8. Maurice Careme, 9. Maurice Fombeure, 10. Jean Cocteau - Raymond Radiguet, 11. Louis Aragon - Robert Desnos, 12. Colette - Laurence de Beylie - Jean Anouilh, 13. Federico Garcia-Lorca, 14. Jean Moreas, 15. Ronsard, 16. Anonymous Texts of the Seventeenth Century, 17, Malherbe - Racine - Charles d'Orleans, Epilogue, Bibliographical Note, Index of Titles, Index of First Lines
£16.95
John Blake Publishing Ltd Tulisa - The Biography
Book SynopsisTulisa Contostavlos has one of the most fascinating and shocking life-stories in showbusiness. Her childhood included harrowing episodes of self-harm, bullying, witchcraft, drug abuse and suicide attempts. Then there has been the ever-present challenge of her mother's mental disorder which Tulisa - as the only child in a single-parent family - had to face alone. How did she rise from such a troubled and dangerous childhood to become first an edgy urban artist and then the much-loved people's princess of Saturday night television? This book, written by leading celebrity biographer Chas Newkey-Burden, tells her eventful and inspirational story for the first time. It uncovers the rich showbusiness heritage of her ancestors and then follows her through her childhood, unflinchingly examining the horrors she faced. It then traces how music became her salvation, thanks to the loving mentorship of Uncle B - the man who formed N-Dubz. The book then follows this never satisfied, always ambitious young woman as she moved into the mainstream and became the nation's sweetheart on The X Factor. The reader is taken behind the scenes to discover the reality of her successful first series on the show, as she guided Little Mix to victory.
£6.39
Kahn & Averill Ravel According to Ravel
Book SynopsisVlado Perlemuter had the privilege, as a young man in 1927, of studying all of Ravel's solo piano music with the reclusive composer himself. The origins of this book lie in a series of programmes broadcast in 1950 by Radio Francaise in which Perlemuter played all Ravel's compositions for solo piano and discussed them with Helene Joudan-Morange - a distinguished violinist who had been one of Ravel's closest friends. This is a transcript of their conversations supplemented with numerous musical examples. This edition also deals with the two piano concertos. The value of Ravel According to Ravel is obvious, but the comprehensive background notes which are woven into the conversational fabric give it a much wider appeal. Performers and listeners alike will find it a fascinating guide to the magical sound-world of Ravel's piano music.Trade Review'...fascinating companion to Ravel's piano music...yields fresh insights on each rereading' Roy Howat, The Musical Times; '...this book is a rare treasure...it is a must for any pianist and musicologist.' R Pitts, Choice; '...essential reading for all pianists...' Lionel Salter, GramophoneTable of ContentsForeword by Vlado Perlemuter, Preface by Harold Taylor, Editorial Notes, 1.1 Menuet Antique, 1.2. Pavane pour une Infante Defunte, 1.3. Jeux d'eau, 2. Sonatine, 3. Miroirs, 4.1 Gaspard de la Nuit, 4.2 Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn, 5. Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, 6.1 Ma Mere l'Oye, 6.2 A la maniere de..., 7. Le Tombeau de Couperin, 8. Piano Concertos
£14.95
Boydell & Brewer Ltd The Aesthetic Life of Cyril Scott
Book SynopsisThe first comprehensive account of the life and influences of Cyril Scott, not merely a composer but an artist in the broadest possible sense of the term. Prolific and personable, innovative and contentious, Cyril Scott (1879 - 1970) was considered to be one of the most promising young talents in modern British music at the turn of the twentieth century. He was a member of the 'Frankfurt Group' (together with Percy Grainger, Norman O'Neill, Roger Quilter and Balfour Gardiner), his music was performed by some of the leading conductors of the time in Britain and on the Continent, and his friends included highly influential figures in European literature, art and politics. Apart from his music, Scott was the author of many books on alternative medicine, psychology, Occultism, Theosophy and comparative religion. He also wrote fiction, autobiography, and poetry. Scott embodied a unique time in a particularly unique way. His aesthetic ideas informed both his professional creative practice and his manner of living. He was not merely a composer, but an artist in thebroadest possible sense of the term. This book provides the first comprehensive account of Scott's life and influences as well as an outline and contextualization of his aesthetic thinking. It traces his changing conceptionof the function of art and the role of the artist from his formative exposure to Symbolism through his friendship with the German poet Stefan George, to his exploration of Western and Eastern esoteric traditions, showing how the prevailing cross-pollination of ideas allowed him to develop a fully integrated rationale for his art and life. The story of Scott's development guides the reader through some of the most fascinating intellectual discourses of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century Europe. Sarah Collins' current research focuses on British music aesthetics and criticism in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. She has a particular interest in the interaction between turn-of-the-century conceptions of the function of criticism, theories of critical intuition and questions of moral philosophy. She lectured at the University of Queensland from 2006 and joined the faculty ofMonash University in 2012.Trade ReviewCollins's book raises valuable questions and is thought provoking throughout. Her work with primary sources is commendable. * NOTES *Thoroughly absorbing ... Collins's study is beautifully written, and is worthwhile reading in what it reveals both about Cyril Scott and about his time and milieu. * CHOMBEC News *This welcome, much-needed study is superbly argued and written. It is attractively produced and presented. * TEMPO *This is an absorbing and eye-opening study based on wide research, illustrated by a variety of fascinating photographs. * ELGAR SOCIETY JOURNAL *Table of ContentsIntroduction Matters of Biography and Autobiography "Music, Melancholy, Apprehension, Sex, and the Church" "An Artist-Autocrat of the Most Pronounced Type" "The Most Absorbing and Romantic Interest of My Present Incarnation" Music: Its Secret Influence Throughout the Ages The Immortal Artist Theory and Practice Epilogue Select Bibliography
£45.00
Equinox Publishing Ltd Being Prez: The Life and Music of Lester Young
Book SynopsisLester Young (1909-1959) was one of the great jazz masters, whose tenor saxophone playing brought new levels of expressiveness and subtlety to the jazz language. Many of his recordings - with Billie Holiday, as a member of Count Basie's band, and under his own name - are numbered among the finest examples of the art. The book follows Lester Young through his life in a rapidly changing world, showing how the music of this exceptionally sensitive man was affected by his experiences. The author, a musician himself, examines many of Lester's classic recordings in illuminating but non-technical detail.Trade Review'What a glorious book! I expected from Dave Gelly informed and perceptive commentary on Lester Young's music. What came as a rich bonus was the warm light Dave has shone through the veil of obscurantism behind which the jazz genius chose to live his life.' Humphrey Lyttelton'This exemplary and concise study is illuminated by the author's straight-ahead prose. While fully aware of the musical and biographical details, Gelly wears his knowledge lightly in a way that will appeal to general readers as well as specialists.' Brian Priestley, author of Chasin' The Bird and co-author of The Rough Guide to Jazz'An outstanding book, covering the life and music of a truly unique musician, by one of the most perceptive and literate jazz writers. Eminently readable from the first page to the last, Being Prez is an essential addition to the jazz library.' Alun Morgan, Jazz Journal International'an exemplary new study' Martin Gayford, The Daily Telegraph'Tells the story of the saxophonist who spanned minstrelsy and Miles Davis. Enlivened by Young's camp humour, this labour of love will appeal to a wider readership.' The Observer Music Monthly best books for 2007Table of Contents1. 'I Just Loved that Music'2. The Territory3. 'Well, Okay. So Now we'll Find out what Happens'4. 'The Hippest Thing I ever Heard'5. Jumpin' at the Woodside6. Just Jivin' Around7. Jammin' the Blues8. DB Blues9. Jumpin' at Mesner's10. 'Von Hangman in Here'11. Prez Returns12. 'Let's Review the Books'13. 'Ivey-Divey!'
£19.00
Omnibus Press Tales of the Smiths Graphic
Book SynopsisTales of The Smiths is a comic book retelling of the band members' teenage years, before the group was famous, and includes fascinating digressions about their influences (the New York Dolls, Nico, Sex Pistols, NY punk, Patti Smith, etc) and the times in which they were growing up. The story reaches its climax with the meeting of Morrissey and Marr, the formation of the band in 1982 and their first gig as The Smiths. With an introduction by Simon Wolstencroft, The Smiths' first drummer and the former drummer with The Fall, Patrol and Freak Party, which featured Andy Rourke and Johnny Marr.
£21.25
Simon & Schuster Ltd George Harrison
Book SynopsisFrom the author of the million-copy selling Shout!: The Beatles in Their Generation and the bestselling John Lennon: The Life comes a revealing portrait of George Harrison, the most undervalued and mysterious Beatle. Despite being hailed as one of the best guitarists of his era, George Harrison, particularly in his early decades, battled feelings of inferiority. He was often the butt of jokes from his bandmates owing to his lower-class background and, typically, was allowed to contribute only one or two songs per Beatles album out of the dozens he wrote. Now, acclaimed Beatles biographer Philip Norman examines Harrison through the lens of his numerous self-contradictions. Compared to songwriting luminaries John Lennon and Paul McCartney he was considered a minor talent, yet he composed such masterpieces as ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ and ‘Here Comes the Sun’, and his solo debut album ‘All Things MuTrade Review‘Norman has fashioned an authoritative portrait of Harrison that leaves you liking and feeling sympathy for his subject while being fully aware of the tetchiness…that was never far away' -- Will Hodgkinson * The Times *'You've got him' -- Pattie Boyd'Norman captures the creativity, the humanity, and the great humor of the man in this keen and lovely tribute' * Booklist, Starred Review *‘You have taken your readers right down the steps and into the Cavern as it really was’ -- Bill Harry, editor of Mersey Beat‘(a) fleet and confident new biography…Norman is hardly the first writer to unspool Harrison’s life…but his status as a respected chronicler of The Beatles, and 1960s culture more broadly, makes this biography a significant addition to an otherwise over-saturated field’ * The Telegraph *‘A deep dive by the acclaimed Beatles biographer paints a revealing portrait of perhaps the most undervalued band member…A fascinating story about a man of contrasts, and a must-read for fans of the Fab Four' * Woman & Home *‘Beatles chronicler Philip Norman turns his attention to the shadowy George Harrison…Norman sheds light on his poor but happy childhood in Wavertree, Liverpool, and traces the path to The Beatles with assurance' * Daily Express *'a fully realised portrait of a complex man: spiritual but peevish, brilliantly talented, but for ever shadowed by the Lennon/McCartney axis' * The Times, Books of the Year *‘[A] partial re-evaluation of the most underated Beatle [which] contains valuable input from Harrison's second wife Olivia and their son Dhani' * Uncut *
£15.29
Oxford University Press Inc The Gerry Mulligan 1950s Quartets OXFORD STUDIES
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAlyn Shipton has produced a well-researched, excellently detailed study of Mulligan's quartets. A very enjoyable read. * Bill Crow, author of From Birdland to Broadway: Scenes from a Jazz Life and bassist in the Mulligan quartet *Mulligan's brainy but playful artistry gets the attention it deserves in this valuable study by Alyn Shipton. His writing teems with clear, meticulous scholarship, musical understanding, and a desire to make his subject appealing and accessible to everyone from casual jazz lovers to musicians. With Shipton's book in hand, readers will set forth on a beautiful voyage of discovery. * James Gavin, award-winning music journalist and author of Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker *Highly recommended. * Lance Liddle, bebop spoken here *With forensic attention to detail Alyn Shipton reveals fresh and original material about a group that created a totally new ensemble sound. Famously pianoless the quartet was dominated by Gerry Mulligan's baritone saxophone not only as a soloist but also as an accompanying voice. In his Preface, the author makes it clear to being "fascinated by Mulligan's playing, writing and band-leading" since his schooldays. The research he undertook in 2002 for a four-part series on Mulligan's music for BBC Radio 3 allowed him to meet many "musicians and associates from all periods of his career". His "comprehensive sweep through newspaper and magazine reports" uncovers much that is new in the quartet's evolution. * Gordon Jack, The Jazz *Meticulously detailed but intensely readable analysis of the baritone sax giant's creative heyday. * Ben Thompson, Mojo magazine *The book places Gerry Mulligan's 1950s pianoless quartet in its historical and musical context by a detailed discussion of its recordings. * Gordon Jack, Jazz Profiles *This becomes the most useful book on Mulligan so far, and an appropriate celebration of his unique contribution. * Brian Priestley, Jazzwise *A worthwhile addition to the literature on Gerry Mulligan and a valuable aid to understanding a transformative period of modern jazz. * Ian Patterson, All About Jazz *The jazz world has not been blessed with many books about Gerry Mulligan that are commensurate with his stature as one of the most important jazz musicians and composers. Shipton's book is an exception: it is excellent and essential. * Jack Kenny, Jazz Views *Table of ContentsSeries Preface Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Antecedents Chapter 2. The First Quartet, 1952 Chapter 3. The Second Quartet from 1954 Chapter 4. The Quartet with Art Farmer Chapter 5. The Aftermath and Legacy Discography Bibliography Index
£999.99
Country Music Foundation Press,U.S. DeFord Bailey
Book Synopsis
£15.19
Orion Publishing Co Access All Areas
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 Trade 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
£9.49
Kahn & Averill Gavin Bryars
Book SynopsisArguably the most important British post-minimalist composer, Gavin Bryars has worked in classical music, jazz, free improvisation, minimalism, historicism, avant-garde, and experimental music. This new book brings together musicians and academics who have worked with Bryars, each discussing one particular aspect of his work.Trade Review'Listening to The Sinking of the Titanic, Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet, Double Bass Concerto (Farewell to St. Petersburg), Cello Concerto (Farewell to Philosophy) and One Last Bar then Joe Can Sing gave me the distinct impression of a thoughtful, committed composer with a very strong personal voice - always the main issue for me.' - Steve Reich; 'The music of Gavin Bryars falls under no category. It is mongrel, full of sensuality and wit and is deeply moving. He is one of the few composers who can put slapstick and primal emotion alongside each other. He allows you to witness new wonders in the sounds around you by approaching them from a completely new angle. With a third ear maybe?' - Michael OndaatjeTable of ContentsForeword by Steve Reich Preface by David Wordsworth Prologue - an interview with Gavin Bryars 1. Vocal Music - John Potter 2. Choral Music - David Wordsworth 3. Opera - David Wordsworth 4. Jazz and Improvisation - Brian Morton 5. Experimental Music - Virginia Anderson 6. Dance - Roger Heaton 7. Titanic and Jesus' Blood - Brian Morton 8. Orchestral Music - Martin Cotton 9. Notes from a Collaborator - Blake Morrison 10. The Adnan Songbook - Anna Maria Friman 11. The Flower of Friendship - The Gavin Bryars Ensemble - Audrey Riley 12. Bryars and Art School - Simon Strange 13. After Handel's 'Vesper' and the Harpsichord's Dual Life - Mahan Esfahani 14. Tributes - Howard Skempton and Bryn Harrison Epilogue: Career and Evolution - Gavin Bryars Appendices Bryars' Desert Island Discs Catalogue of Works Arrangements by others Discography Contributors Index of Names Acknowledgements
£52.50
Indiana University Press The World of Music According to Starker
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe writing is relaxed; the cast of characters is awesome. Starker makes a fascinating centerpiece. * The Herald Times *[Starker] looks back on his remarkable life in this detailed and eminently readable memoir. . . highly recommended. * Library Journal *Table of ContentsEpigraph DedicationPrelude Scotch and SodaAnacrusis Autobiography of a StomachC HungaryC# [short story to be selected]D Romania, Austria and SwitzerlandD# Mozart MeterE FranceF America, DallasF# Soft Pitch For the PitG ChicagoG# AfricaA Bloomington ThenA# L'art pour l'art: Waldo Caper, 1926-1960B Bloomington NowC Twilight at Tiffany'sCadence EpiloguePostlude That Room at the TopAppendix 1: "An Organized Method of String Playing"Appendix 2: Lists of publications, recordings
£22.79
University of Texas Press T Bone Burnett
Book SynopsisThis first critical appreciation of T Bone Burnett reveals how the proponent of Americana music and producer of artists ranging from Robert Plant and Alison Krauss to B. B. King and Elvis Costello has profoundly influenced American music and culture.Trade ReviewSachs’ fine book is a welcome addition to the living history of American music and a delightful read. * Booklist *A Life in Pursuit is the first bio of the now 68-year-old American and, smartly, author Sachs understands going in that Burnett's story is that of the music he's touched. . . . Rarely has a music biography been this jam-packed with names of artists and the records they've made—Burnett's footprint is enormous and the minutiae of that maze-like career is recounted expansively here. . . . Sachs has created what will likely remain a definitive account. * MOJO *Sachs artfully weaves together news clips and original interviews to create a valuable context for the musician-producer’s work. * Texas Monthly *In telling this story, Sachs has done roots music a great turn, in fine style. * Songlines Magazine *Table of Contents Opening Chorus: On Top of the World (or Close) 1. Sound Citizen 2. The Outsider 3. Player in the Band 4. Alpha Male 5. Spiritual Gumshoe 6. Master Builder 7. Co-Conspirator 8. Seeker 9. Svengali 10. Imagist 11. Native Son 12. Mentor 13. Hit Man 14. Reluctant Artist 15. Starmaker 16. Company Man 17. Coen Brother 18. Soundtrack Auteur 19. Minimalist 20. Lead Actor 21. Alchemist 22. Jazz Man 23. Blues Man 24. Senior Adviser 25. Audio Activist 26. Dylanologist 27. Televisionary 28. Back to the Futurist The Kill Squad: A Short List of Longtime Musical Associates Acknowledgments Selected Discography Selected Bibliography Index
£17.09
Sonicbond Publishing Billy Joel On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Book Synopsis‘In the beginning,’ Billy Joel entertained Long Island locals, with The Hassles and Attila, prior to forging a solo career in 1971. One year later, the singer-songwriter-pianist captivated college students when ‘Captain Jack’ dominated the Philadelphia airwaves. ‘And so, it goes…’ Cold Spring Harbor was rife with barrelhouse piano and tear-stained balladry but with Turnstiles Joel realised his dream of forming a stellar band. The success of The Stranger led to sold-out arenas and 52nd Street honoured the heyday of American jazz, while The Nylon Curtain highlighted socio-economic inequities and wartime brotherhood. 1993’s River of Dreams fused reggae and world music. Then, in the early 2000’s, his celebration of classical works ushered in a sea change. Unquestionably, Billy’s catalogue has thrived, despite constantly changing trends in the music industry. Over a fifty-plus year span, many of his relatable songs have become standards, covered by countless artists. The third best-selling solo artist in the U.S. has continued to attract multi-generational audiences across the planet, so if you’re ‘all in the mood for a melody,’ read on. Billy Joel On Track contains behind-the-scenes stories and an analysis of Joel’s extensive studio recordings, many of which became top 40 hits in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. ...
£19.34
Bobo Incantation, Wendy
Book Synopsis
£16.15
Boydell & Brewer Ltd Emma and Claude Debussy: The Biography of a
Book SynopsisEmma Bardac and her relationship with Claude Debussy take centre stage in this insightful exploration of their lives together. The singer Emma Bardac (1862-1934) has often been presented as a woman who ensnared Claude Debussy (1862-1918) because she wanted to be associated with his fame and to live a life of luxury. Indeed, in many biographies and composer-related studies of Debussy, the only mentions that she receives are brief and derogatory. Here Emma Bardac and her relationship with the composer take centre stage. The book traces Emma's Jewish ancestry and her background, the significant role of her wealthy uncle Osiris, her marriage at seventeen to the wealthy Jewish banker Sigismond Bardac, her affair with Gabriel Fauré and her liaison with and subsequent marriage to Debussy. As Gillian Opstad shows, the pressure and stifling effects of domestic life on Debussy's attitude to his composing were considerable. The financial consequences of their partnership were disastrous, and their circle of close friends was small. Emma suffered physically and mentally from the tensions of the marriage, particularly money worries, and the possibility that Debussy was attracted to her older daughter. She considered divorce but supported him through his deepest depression and during the First World War until he succumbed to cancer in 1918. After Debussy's death, Emma felt driven both on his behalf and for financial reasons to further performances of the composer's works and provoked the annoyance of other musicians by having early compositions resurrected, completed and performed. In this engagingly written biography, Gillian Opstad brings to light little-known facts about Emma's background and family, advances new insights into her relationship with Debussy, and provides a glimpse of an early twentieth-century Parisian milieu that experienced wide-spread antisemitism.Trade ReviewGillian Opstad's tireless research has here produced a genuine addition to Debussy studies, based on the substantial correspondence between the couple . . . plus copious contemporary documentation. Four stars. -- Malcolm Hayes * BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE *Her examination of Debussy's friendship with Gabriele d'Annunzio and the history of Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien is more thorough than in any biography of either man that I know. . . . Above all, this is a moving and exacting study of a woman who ultimately stood by [Debussy] for the last 16 years of his life, and as such adds immeasurably to our understanding of them both. -- Tim Ashley * GRAMOPHONE *Opstad presents an in-depth account of the relationship between the French composer and his second wife, Emma Bardac. . . . Opstad humanizes Bardac (a professional singer) as a woman committed to her musician husband despite the difficulties that pervaded their ten-year marriage. . . . Meticulous, comprehensive, and well researched, this volume paints a vivid picture of a woman who had previously been a mere footnote in the history of her famous husband. Highly recommended. -- J. J. Leary-Warsaw * CHOICE *Opstad's book is a welcome addition to the literature on Debussy and his family life. Not only does it illuminate many significant details about Emma's background and early experiences, but it also traces the subsequent lives of her surviving children Raoul and Dolly and their families. -- Marie Rolfe * H-FRANCE REVIEW *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements Abbreviations and note Part One. Emma: Wife, Mother, Lover 1) Emma's ancestry and background 2) Emma's relationship with Gabriel Fauré 3) Debussy's life until 1902 4) Emma meets Debussy. 1899 - August 1904 5) August 1904 - August 1905. Pourville and Eastbourne. 6) August 1905 - December 1906. Life in the Avenue du Bois de Boulogne 7) 1907. Stagnation 8) 1908. Marriage and an ivory tower 9) 1909. Illness and depression 10) 1910. Floods and despair 11) 1911. A marriage and Le martyre 12) 1912. Confined to home 13) 1913. Troubles and travels 14) 1914. The approach of war 15) 1915. Patriotism and love awakened 16) 1916. Debussy's treatment and mounting concerns 17) 1917 - April 1918. The last summer Part Two. Emma the Widow 18) April 1918 - Dec. 1918. Emma's mission 19) 1919. Tragedy and commemoration 20) 1920-1921. Disappointments and disputes 21) 1922-1923. Fiascos and controversies 22) 1924-1927. Friends and enemies 23) 1928-1931. Litigation and invective 24) 1932-1934. The final struggle 25) Epilogue Select Bibliography
£45.00
Hal Leonard Corporation Blake Shelton Happy Anywhere
Book SynopsisWatch Blake Shelton''s career begin and flourish from the viewpoint of a lifelong friend who moved the award-winning musician to Nashville when he was seventeen and has been with him every step of the way. In Blake Shelton: Happy Anywhere, Carol Cash Large takes you backstage for personal and unique insight into the life of the young singer. Large starts at the beginning, when Shelton worked with producer Bobby Braddock, recorded his #1 song Austin, and performed on the Grand Ole Opry. She shares his victories and the rise in fame when he started garnering nominations at award shows and then recorded seventeen consecutive #1 songs. Large''s favorite stories come from Shelton''s time as host and entertainment on Saturday Night Live and his induction into the Grand Ole Opry. But, she says, landing a gig as a coach of the NBC hit, The Voice, had the biggest impact on his career. Along with his music career success and fame, Large delves into his personal life, showing his
£17.99
McGill-Queen's University Press And Harmony Abound The Musical Life of Morley
Book SynopsisMorley Calvert’s Suite from the Monteregian Hills is cherished by brass players globally and performed hundreds of times annually, making Calvert perhaps the most performed Canadian composer outside the country. And Harmony Abound is a fascinating picture of Calvert’s contribution to musical composition, education, and cultural fabric.Trade Review“The breadth of information in And Harmony Abound provides a pathway for potential ongoing research for years to come. Long overdue, it encompasses the life and work of an important composer. Keith Kinder underscores the contributions Morley Calvert has made to instrumental and choral communities in Canada.” Glen Gillis, University of Saskatchewan
£27.90
Penguin Books Ltd Lets Go So We Can Get Back
Book Synopsis
£14.80
WW Norton & Co Dreams to Remember: Otis Redding, Stax Records,
Book SynopsisWhen he died suddenly at the age of twenty-six, Otis Redding (1941–1967) was the conscience of a new kind of soul music. Berry Gordy built the first black-owned music empire at Motown but Redding was doing something as historic: mainstreaming black music within the whitest bastions of the post-Confederate south. As a result, the Redding story—still largely untold—is one of great conquest but grand tragedy. Now, in this transformative work, Mark Ribowsky contextualises Redding’s life within the larger cultural movements of his era. What emerges in Dreams to Remember is not only a triumph of music history but also a reclamation of a visionary who would come to define an entire era.Trade Review"...lively and judicious account of the life of Otis Redding…" -- The Telegraph"His [Ribowsky's] understanding of the music is exemplary…" -- Mojo"A lot of familiar ground is inevitably covered, but Ribowsky is largely equal to the task of making it seem fresh again...He's especially good at the way the music business at the time was run…" -- Uncut"Ribowsky tackles his subject matter with conviction and aplomb, reaffirming Redding's seismic role in Southern soul music…" -- Record Collector
£13.29
Reaktion Books Heroes: David Bowie and Berlin
Book SynopsisIn 1976 David Bowie left Los Angeles and the success of his celebrated albums Young Americans and Station to Station and settled in Berlin, where he would work on his 'Berlin Triptych', the albums Low, 'Heroes', and Lodger, which are now considered some of the most critically acclaimed and innovative of the late twentieth century. But Bowie's time in Berlin was about more than producing new music. As explained in this fascinating account of the Berlin years, Bowie moved to that city - the capital of his childhood dreams and the home of Expressionist art - to repair his body and mind from the devastation of drug addiction, delusions and mania. In the course of this rehabilitiation he became an artist of extraordinary brilliance and originality. Tobias Ruther describes Bowie's friendships and collaborations with Iggy Pop, Brian Eno and Tony Visconti, and paints a vivid picture of his life in the city's Schoneberg area. Here Bowie started to paint again, and would cycle to the Die Brucke museum as well as explore the nightlife of the city - its wild side and gay scene. He also became close friends with Romy Haag. At Hansa Studios, a stone's throw from the Berlin Wall, Bowie recorded his groundbreaking song 'Heroes'. He even landed the part of a Prussian aristocrat in Just a Gigolo, starring alongside Marlene Dietrich. Berlin was then a divided city at a turning-point: at that time West Berlin began to redefine itself as a cultural metropolis, establishing its new role in Germany and the world. Neutralized politically due to the Cold War, Berlin turned to the arts to start its history anew. This book is the story of an artist and a city - the story of the music of the future arising from the spirit of the past.
£999.99
University of Minnesota Press My Life in the Purple Kingdom
Book SynopsisFrom the young Black teenager who built a bass guitar in woodshop to the musician building a solo career with Motown Records—Prince’s bassist BrownMark on growing up in Minneapolis, joining Prince and The Revolution, and his life in the purple kingdom In the summer of 1981, Mark Brown was a teenager working at a 7-11 store when he wasn’t rehearsing with his high school band, Phantasy. Come fall, Brown, now called BrownMark, was onstage with Prince at the Los Angeles Coliseum, opening for the Rolling Stones in front of 90,000 people. My Life in the Purple Kingdom is BrownMark’s memoir of coming of age in the musical orbit of one of the most visionary artists of his generation. Raw, wry, real, this book takes us from his musical awakening as a boy in Minneapolis to the cold call from Prince at nineteen, from touring the world with The Revolution and performing in Purple Rain to inking his own contract with Motown.BrownMark’s story is that of a hometown kid, living for sunny days when his transistor would pick up KUXL, a solar-powered, shut-down-at-sundown station that was the only one that played R&B music in Minneapolis in 1968. But once he took up the bass guitar—and never looked back—he entered a whole new realm, and, literally at the right hand of Twin Cities musical royalty, he joined the funk revolution that integrated the Minneapolis music scene and catapulted him onto the international stage. BrownMark describes how his funky stylings earned him a reputation (leading to Prince’s call) and how he and Prince first played together at that night’s sudden audition—and never really stopped. He takes us behind the scenes as few can, into the confusing emotional and professional life among the denizens of Paisley Park, and offers a rare, intimate look into music at the heady heights that his childhood self could never have imagined.An inspiring memoir of making it against stacked odds, experiencing extreme highs and lows of success and pain, and breaking racial barriers, My Life in the Purple Kingdom is also the story of a young man learning his craft and honing his skill like any musician, but in a world like no other and in a way that only BrownMark could tell it.Trade Review"A story of low notes and high stakes, of Revolution and of evolution, of bands and fans and best-laid plans, of pills and thrills and daffodils. Hang tough, children, and read it."—Questlove, from the Foreword"This is not a tell-all book. It is simply a candid, honest, heartfelt story about a young kid who goes on to achieve his dream of making it in the music industry, and the price that he pays along the way. It’s an uplifting tale about working with Prince, and it is an enjoyable read that serves as another piece of the puzzle that is Prince."—The Great Song Traveler"This page-turning memoir... will appeal to BrownMark’s fans and general music enthusiasts."—Library Journal"Those looking for a memoir awash in sex, drugs, and the seamier sides of Prince’s private life will instead discover hard work and rigid discipline under a stern taskmaster, an artist who became what he was through minute attention to detail as well as genius. A memoir of vivid detail and understandable ambivalence."—Kirkus Reviews"If you want to get to know Mark Brown, the human, I would say this book is a good way to go."—Insight News"The profound life lessons BrownMark learned while playing in the Revolution, as well as his experiences touring the world with Prince, forever changed his life. And BrownMark proudly carries those memories with him as he continues to blaze new trails while keeping Prince’s legacy alive."—City Pages"Simultaneously poignant and inspiring."—The Arts Fuse"By turns a reflective examination of his own place in the Paisley world over those years and a straight-shooting account of the less beautiful side of Prince’s modus operandi at his commercial zenith."—SoulTracks"An arresting piece of social history, often interesting and original."—Moving the River"Enlightening."—Chicago Review of Books"This memoir could be a real inspiration to someone with dreams."—The Bookworm Sez"My Life in the Purple Kingdom makes it clear anyone who thinks BrownMark was handed phenomenal success at a young age on a platter can think again."—Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder "Seemingly overnight, BrownMark was thrown into an entirely different reality, sharing the stage with The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and more. With Prince & The Revolution, he’d tour the world in one of the most iconic bands in history, perform some the greatest hits in popular music and experience an overwhelming level of fame."—Forbes Magazine Table of ContentsContentsForewordQuestlovePrologueRadio DaysDiscovery YearsChain ReactionsThe Skin I’m InNew Look, New SoundOff to See the WizardPrimping for PrnControversy, SexualityThreshold of a NightmareControversy TourMojo1999The ShadowLet’s Go CrazyThe Carrot and the Hat TrickThe Bitter TasteMoving OnEpilogue
£17.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Famous Father Girl
Book SynopsisThe intimate memoir of Leonard Bernstein and his family, that helped inspire the new movie Maestro“Unique among classical-music memoirs for its physical intimacy, its humor and tenderness, its ambivalence toward an irrepressible family genius. . . . The existence of this well-written book, with its poignancy and its shuddery detail. . . is a mark of [Jamie Bernstein’s] sanity and survival. In telling [her father’s] story, she got to write her own.” —New YorkerThe oldest daughter of revered composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein offers a rare look at her father on the centennial of his birth in a deeply intimate and broadly evocative memoir The composer of On the Town and West Side Story, chief conductor of the New York Philharmonic, television star, humanitarian, friend of the powerful and influential, and the life of every party, Leonard Bernstein was an enormous celebrity during one of the headiest periods of American cultural life, as well as the most protean musician in twentieth century America. But to his eldest daughter, Jamie, he was above all the man in the scratchy brown bathrobe who smelled of cigarettes; the jokester and compulsive teacher who enthused about Beethoven and the Beatles; the insomniac whose 4 a.m. composing breaks involved spooning baby food out of the jar. He taught his daughter to love the world in all its beauty and complexity. In public and private, Lenny was larger than life.In Famous Father Girl, Bernstein mines the emotional depths of her childhood and invites us into her family’s private world. A fantastic set of characters populates the Bernsteins’ lives, including: the Kennedys, Mike Nichols, John Lennon, Richard Avedon, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins, and Betty (Lauren) Bacall.An intoxicating tale, Famous Father Girl is an intimate meditation on a complex and sometimes troubled man, the family he raised, and the music he composed that became the soundtrack to their entwined lives. Deeply moving and often hilarious, Bernstein’s beautifully written memoir is a great American story about one of the greatest Americans of the modern age.
£14.24
Pan Macmillan A Sound So Very Loud
Book SynopsisTed Kessler was on the staff at NME between 1993 and 2003 before joining Q magazine's staff, working there for sixteen years, four of those as editor. He first interviewed Oasis around their debut single, Supersonic', in 1994 for NME; his final interview with the band was on the road in Amsterdam in 2009 for Q, a few months before the spilt. Since then, he has written five Liam Gallagher cover interviews. He is the author of the memoir Paper Cuts and the Billy Childish biography To Ease My Troubled Mind. He also devised and edited My Old Man: Tales of Our Fathers.Hamish MacBain worked at NME from 2004 to 2010, where he had a front-row seat to the break-up of Oasis. He wrote the words in the band's last ever official tour programme and was sitting on the train on his way to review what would have been their final UK show when it was cancelled at the last minute. With Noel Gallagher, he co-authored the 2018 book Any Road Will Get Us There (If We Don't Know Where We're Going). His sleevenotes for the reissue of Be Here Now were blown up to 8x8-inch size to form part of the Chasing the Sun: 19931997 Oasis exhibition.
£15.29
Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd Prokofiev
Book SynopsisBorn in Russia in 1891, Serge Prokofiev tirelessly devoted himself to the search for a new, individual music. His rich creative life coincided with the artistic, cultural, and political tumult that forged the early life of the Soviet Union. When first performed, much of Prokofiev''s work was greeted with scorn and derision. However, the fiery Russian composer went on to exert an influence on modern music which is still being felt to this day.This study by one France''s most eminent musicologists gives a detailed account of Prokofiev''s development as a composer, including his progressive search for new musical forms and his heady collaborations with Serge Diaghilev''s fabulous Ballets Russes.The book is heavily illustrated throughout with many rare photographs and drawings, as well as scores, costume designs and choreographic sketches.
£9.95
The University of Chicago Press The VerdiBoito Correspondence
Book SynopsisWith a glimpse of the daily life of European art and artists during the fertile last decades of the nineteenth century, this book is suitable for anyone passionate about opera.Trade Review"Verdi, who had previously considered librettists good only for translating into verse dramatic outlines he had already created, learned to work with an equal; Boito was a superb poet, passionately devoted to the renewal of the musical theater, who had to be treated as a peer, not a subordinate. The letters, stuffed with fascinating detail, catch the two titans in the process of creating the revised Simon Boccanegra, then Otello and Falstaff; sections of text, structural and musical ideas, even production concepts fly back and forth between Milan and Sant'Agata.... A must-have for every music lover's shelf." (Kirkus) "Opera lovers will be pleased." (Publishers Weekly)
£24.00
St Martin's Press The Old Weird America
Book Synopsis
£17.85
Oxford University Press Inc Bach against Modernity
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThere is a widespread feeling among music lovers today that 'Bach is a good friend of mine,' and that if he were alive in this era, he would surely be an 'ultra-modern' person who was good at Facebook and Twitter—after all, his music appeals so much to us! I find Michael Marissen's new book discussing Bach, rather, in opposition to modernity to be a wonderful model of historically-informed analytic criticism, not only against 'modernism,' but also against the current easy-going commercialism and triumphalistic secularism that prevent us from truly deepening our understanding and enjoyment of Bach. Wholeheartedly welcome! * Masaaki Suzuki, music director of Bach Collegium Japan *This is a thought-provoking, incisive, and hugely enlightening collection of essays from one of the most respected and original thinkers in Bach studies today. Marissen's razor-sharp wit and crystal-clear prose cut through some of the enduring myths of modern Bach reception to reveal different, unexpected, and sometimes uncomfortable facets of the man and his music. * Bettina Varwig, University of Cambridge *Table of ContentsPreface Credits Part I - Constraints of History on Interpretation 1. Bach Against Modernity 2. Bach's Handwritten Entries in his Bible Part II - Brief Commentaries 3. Fractal Gavottes and the Ephemeral World in Bach's Cantata 64 4. Time and Eternities in Bach's Cantata 23 5. Bach's Christmas Oratorio and a Blessed End 6. Bach and Art and Mammon Part III - Texts 7. Historically Informed Renderings of the Librettos from Bach's Cantatas (co-author, Daniel R. Melamed) Part IV - Jews and Judaism 8. On the Jews and their So-Called Lies in the Fourth Gospel and Bach's St. John Passion 9. Bach and Sons in the Jewish Salon Culture of 19th-Century Berlin Part V - Theological Character of Secular Instrumental Music 10. Bach's Sacred Brandenburg Concertos 11. The Serious Nature of the Quodlibet in Bach's Goldberg Variations Works Cited Index of Bach's Works Index of Names and Subjects
£999.99
Oxford University Press Inc The Marvelous Illusion
Book SynopsisThe Marvelous Illusion: The Viola in My Life I-IV is a detailed analytical study of four of Morton Feldman''s most important works. Morton Feldman was one of the most original composers of the 20th century, and throughout his career he attempted to locate sound at the moment the listener becomes conscious of its presence. Focusing on the listener''s attention on the sounds themselves, Feldman created the marvelous illusion of sounds shaping into coherent music through the act of perceiving them, rather than through the act of composing. Each work appears to assemble itself for the listener as they experience it.Author Thomas DeLio examines each work from the perspective of pitch/interval content, temporal evolution, register and timbre. Spectrographs are used to visualize what a listener actually hears, not just what is notated on a printed page, offering a window into dimensions of sound that clearly, deeply affect our experience of a musical work but which are typically not considere
£999.99
WW Norton & Co Louis Armstrong Master of Modernism
Book SynopsisThe definitive account of Louis Armstrong—his life and legacy—during the most creative period of his career.Trade Review"Thomas Brothers has now produced a second wonderful book in his multi-volume study of Armstrong's life and music." -- Literary Review"Evokes the quick-fingered, megawatt-smiled music legend's formative years, when he moved from New Orleans to Chicago and on to New York in pursuit of musical fame—and a style all his own." -- Vogue"It makes for a rounded, rigorous, vivid portrait of a man who, Brothers argues, became the ultimate representative of African-American musical history." -- Financial Times"...scholarly and well-written book..." -- Daily Mail"...scholarly but accessible biography..." -- Independent on Sunday
£999.99
Duke University Press Tony Allen An Autobiography of the Master
Book SynopsisTony Allen is the autobiography of legendary Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, the rhythmic engine of Fela Kuti's Afrobeat.Trade Review“There’s a sentence in the introduction where Veal, a Yale professor, uses the phrase ‘indigenization of jazz drumming’, but don’t let that put you off. The academic is present primarily to transcribe and edit, while Allen reflects on 50 years at the coalface. . . One of the great sidemen, Allen here cuts mercilessly through the bullshit.” -- David Hutcheon * Mojo *“Allen bring us his inspirational biography. Written together with Michael Veal, author of Fela Kuti’s biography, this is the most accessible Afrobeat book of them all. . . . Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of West-African popular music.” * AfrobeatMusic.net *“Tony Allen is a fascinating insider’s view of how a musician and a musical style developed over time. Allen is a compelling storyteller and sharp observer whose memories bring forth a stream of ideas, anecdotes, humor, and life lessons that add up to an insightful auto-ethnography. Well-organized and concise, the book flows as a story of one of the most important West African musicians of the past 50 years, a narrative of creativity in post-colonial African popular music, and sound advice on how to have a long and productive career in music.” -- Thomas Brett * Popular Music and Society *“This master drummer’s account is enriched by unstinting critical appraisal, whether evaluating Fela’s most loved recordings or his own subsequent solo efforts. Tony Allen, ever restless, retains the enthusiasm of an absolute beginner, tempered with a survivor’s wisdom. His life obviously a work in progress, one anticipates music yet to come and the stories that surface in its wake.” -- Richard Henderson * The Wire *“[D]rummers are going to love this book. With so few autobiographies of drummers in print, the publication of Tony Allen: An Autobiography of the Master Drummer of Afrobeat is a cause for celebration. . . . Most importantly, the book is a hell of a lot of fun to read, although Allen's first-hand accounts of his struggles with shamanistic bandleader and Nigeria's adopted ‘black president’ Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will piss off any musician who has had to fight to get paid for playing a gig." -- Chris Becker * All About Jazz *“After decades of being underpaid and underappreciated for his contributions with Kuti and beyond, it’s satisfying to see Tony Allen: An Autobiography of the Master Drummer of Afrobeat in print. Drummers, fans of African music, and lovers of music more generally will find a lot to love in this book.” -- Zachary Stockill * Popmatters *"There is much to enjoy from his account of growing up and becoming part of 'swinging Lagos' pre 1978, before it was unsafe to venture out at night. The part describing his musical influences and relationship with Fela Kuti is illuminating. Tony, one of the originators of Afrobeat, still plays to sellout crowds in his seventies . . . demonstrating that age is just a number. Allen's autobiography is a gem." * The Voice *“Anyone who knows their Afrobeat will tell you how pivotal the kit drummer Tony Allen was to the genre’s development. Indeed, as . . . Michael Veal points out in this important, deftly crafted book, the pairing of Allen and the late great Fela Anikulapo Kuti could be likened to partnerships between such jazz supernovas as Coltrane and Elvin Jones; Miles and Philly Joe Jones; Ornette and Billy Higgins.” -- Jane Cornwel * Jazzwise *“This is not a slice of dry academia, what we get in this incredibly fruitful collaboration is 160 pages of rich revealing narrative that is so engrossing that I missed my stop on the tube. . . . Basically, I couldn’t put the book down and it had me sifting through the records to provide a soundtrack to the narrative.” -- Paul Brad * Ancient to Future *“This is a much needed, truly fascinating book. . . . Allen spins the tale of his life, and of the evolution of one of the great popular musical styles of the 20th century, like the great storyteller he is. It’s a narrative filled with tasty anecdotes and twinkling details, which just add to its momentum. You can almost see the wry smile on his face as he challenges you to make up his own mind . . . Allen’s totally absorbing narrative was edited and shaped by Michael E. Veal. . . . In his introduction he treats us to an unbeatably succinct, lucidly accurate contextual analysis of Allen as a ‘Yoruba modernist’. He also gets to grips with how the Allen technique works. . . . This is highly readable and highly recommended.” -- Max Reinhardt * Songlines *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction / Michael E. Veal 1 1. Right in the Center of Lagos 21 2. Highlife Time 36 3. The Sky was the Limit 47 4. God's Own Country 68 5. Swinging Like Hell! 85 6. Everything Scatter 108 7. Progress 128 8. When One Road Closes . . . 146 9. Paris Blues 162 10. No End to Business 175 Selected References 187 Index 193
£18.89
Cambridge University Press Robert Schumann
Book SynopsisOffers an introduction to one of the most important and influential piano concertos in the history of Western music. It combines an account of the work's genesis with a detailed yet accessible analysis of each movement and new research into its reception and performance history.Table of ContentsIntroduction: situating Schumann's piano concerto; 1. Rethinking the romantic piano concerto; 2. The genesis of Schumann's piano concerto; 3. Analysis (1): the first movement; 4. Analysis (2): the slow movement and Rondo Finale; 5. Reception and Legacy; Appendix I: Glossary of Technical Terms and Symbols; Appendix II.
£16.19
Orion Publishing Co Buzzin
Book SynopsisAt the height of his initial, turn-of-the-1990''s infamy as the maraca-wielding dancer with ''Madchester'' giants Happy Mondays, the pop-eyed Mark Berry, forever known to the world as Bez, was visibly a danger to society. He became the so-called Chemical Generation''s bug-eyed pied piper, every weekend leading millions out to oblivion and beyond, as they adopted his E-gobbling party lifestyle.Neither an accomplished musician nor even a very good dancer, Bez was a prime candidate for fleeting celebrity, soon to sink into ''Where Are They Now?'' obscurity. That, however, never happened, nor does it show any sign of happening. Through Black Grape, the second band he co-fronted with the Mondays'' Shaun Ryder, and his ever-presence in the mass media, Bez''s popularity has grown exponentially, his star rocketing ever upwards.When he bowled into Celebrity Big Brother in 2005, he ended up winning the series, as viewers came to understand his fundamental decency and sunny outTrade ReviewIf there were a Prince of Manchester it would surely be Bez. -- Rev Richard Coles * BBC RADIO 4 SATURDAY LIVE *A cavalcade of eye-popping adventures. -- Ian Winwood * THE TIMES *The most jaw-dropping addition to the entire history of the genre. -- Nick Duerden * THE I PAPER *As an account of the deeds of the most wayward member of one of our most wayward bands, it does not disappoint. * THE TIMES SATURDAY REVIEW *
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc LCD Soundsystems Sound Of Silver
Book SynopsisWhen LCD Soundsystem broke up in 2011, they left behind a small but remarkable catalog of music. On top of the genius singles and a longform composition for Nike, there was a trilogy of full-length albums. During that initial run, LCD Soundsystemand the project''s mastermind, James Murphywere at the center of several 21st century developments in pop culture: indie music''s growing mainstream clout, Brooklyn surpassing Manhattan as an epicenter of creativity in America, the collision and eventual erosion of genre perceptions, and the rapid and profound growth and impact of digital culture. Amidst this storm, Murphy crafted Sound Of Silver, the centerpiece of LCD''s work.At the time of Sound Of Silver's creation and release, Murphy was a man closing in on 40 while fronting a critically-adored band still on the ascent. This album was the first place where he earnestly grappled with questions of aging, of being an artist, and the decisions we make with the time we have left. Trade ReviewLeas is an excitable ... host, and his love for the music ... shines. ... As the first LCD book per se, it's peerless. * Record Collector *Now in this book Ryan Leas has written down in detail the story of the album, and fans of LCD Soundsystem or anyone looking for more information will have come to exactly the right place. * OX Fanzine (Bloomsbury translation) *Table of Contents1. I Was There 2. Fashion 3. Living On Repeat 4. The Ways We Show Our Age 5. Borrowed Nostalgia For The Unremembered '80s 6. New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down 7. We Can Still Come Home To This
£9.49
University of Tennessee Press Searching for Woody Guthrie: A Personal
Book SynopsisBorn in the summer of 1912, Woody Guthrie remains one of the most significant figures in American folk music to this day. While most Americans know his iconic anthem “This Land Is Your Land”, surprisingly few understand Guthrie’s place in the greater context of American radicalism and protest in the 1930s and beyond.In Searching for Woody Guthrie, Ron Briley embarks on a chronological exploration of Guthrie’s music in the vein of American radicalism and civil rights. Briley begins this journey with an overview of five key periods in Guthrie’s life and, in the chapters that follow, analyses his political ideas through primary and secondary source materials.While numerous biographies on Woody Guthrie exist - including Guthrie’s own 1943 autobiography - this book takes a different approach. Less biographical and more thematic in nature, Searching for Woody Guthrie centres around Guthrie’s faith in the common working people of America, bringing together People’s Daily World “Woody Sez” newspaper columns, Guthrie centennial secondary source texts, research in the Woody Guthrie Archives, and Briley’s own personal reflections to present a narrative that is at once personal to the author and relatable to America’s rural working class.Interlacing Guthrie’s music with his own geographic and economic background, Briley presents an original and eloquent chronology of Guthrie’s life and work in what amounts to a compelling new case for why that work, more than fifty years after Guthrie’s death, continues to leave its mark.
£24.71
Reaktion Books Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Book SynopsisDrawing extensively on Tchaikovsky's uncensored letters and diaries, this biography explores the composer's life in the artistic culture of nineteenth-century Russian society, revealing how he became a figure of international renown. Yet his success came at a price, and Tchaikovsky found the social obligations that his fame entailed burdensome. Setting aside cliches of the composer as a tortured homosexual and naively confessional artist, this engaging biography paints a vivid picture of Tchaikovsky. It contains accessible introductions to his key compositions, as well as suggesting less familiar works for readers to explore, making it essential reading for all those who enjoy classical music.Trade Review"This latest volume in Reaktion's Critical Lives series is concise, comprehensive, clear-sighted, and thought-provoking. . . . It is refreshing to find an eminently fair and perceptive assessment of Tchaikovsky's life and works."--Classical Music "Bullock distils a great deal of thought and breadth of knowledge into this slim volume, conjuring up a clear picture of its subject and written in a way that is both stimulating and illuminating."--Gramophone "Short introductory lives of the great composers are getting thin on the ground these days, so it's good to welcome one on Tchaikovsky which can be relied on to get its facts right. Philip Ross Bullock knows his Russian sources and takes advantage of freedom from censorship to paint a more vivid picture of Tchaikovsky's homosexuality which clarifies how much he was, despite his disastrous marriage, happy in his own skin. . . . The illustrations are piquant and well selected."--BBC Music Magazine "In his concise but pithy study of the composer, blending biography with a perceptive account of the music itself, Bullock explores the individual characteristics of each of the stage works. . . . The account of the life into which the discussion of the works is so skillfully woven is no less considered and thoughtful . . . Bullock looks at the various possibilities, as he does everything else in this surprisingly comprehensive account, with complete expertise as well as fair-mindedness."--Opera Magazine "Following Jonathan Cross's Stravinsky, another Oxford scholar, Philip Ross Bullock, has produced a no less fine study Pyotr Tchaikovsky to grace the Reaktion Books series of Critical Lives. Indeed, I realized all the more the value of the strict discipline posed by this brief format--succinct and concentrated as it is, penetrating to the essence of its subject."--Musical Times "Bullock's biography of Tchaikovsky is a welcome addition to Reaktion's reputable Critical Lives series. Although brief, it is . . . packed with diverse factual material. . . . A scholar of both music and literature, Bullock expertly handles Tchaikovsky's nearly equal musical and verbal dexterousness. This is perhaps his most distinctive contribution here, making the book a fascinating read not only for the musically literate but also for everyone interested in Tchaikovsky, Russia, or the affective constitution of self."--Russian Review "Bullock's lucid and factually reliable account of both Tchaikovsky's personal and artistic lives is written with style and elegance. It contains a wealth of historical and musical detail and will surely prompt many of its readers to hear the composer's music afresh."--Journal of European Studies "This small study may have been written for interested music-lovers, but it is based on the most recent research. It also avoids bias. Life, work, sexuality, and the context of the composer's life are presented in such a way that no one aspect dominates and distorts the picture. As a Slavist, cultural historian, literary scholar, and musicologist Bullock possesses a wide-ranging command of the material and illuminates the theme of his study from various perspectives, which allows him to deal appropriately with the context. The interconnections between all of these aspects and the avoidance of biographical speculation allows us to understand Tchaikovsky's creativity."--Die Tonkunst "A refreshingly clear-eyed portrait of Tchaikovsky which is both lucid and perceptive."--Rosamund Bartlett, author of "Tolstoy: A Russian Life and Wagner and Russia" "This is an engaging read, a good length, and light enough to travel with. As an account of Chaikovskii's life unencumbered by technical language, it is ideal. There are judicious reevaluations of works: Queen of Spades receives an insightful discussion, the First and Sixth Symphonies are well situated (deciding to write the First was an 'audacious choice'), and Eugene Onegin is read in terms of Chaikovskii's personal foibles and occasional confusion between life and art. One of the book's best features is its extensive use of Chaikovskii's correspondence."--Slavic and Eastern European Review
£999.99
Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd Microjazz for Beginners
Book SynopsisChristopher Norton's acclaimed Microjazz series has won worldwide popularity with teachers and students alike for its stimulating blend of contemporary genres and classical values. Two beginners' books and five collections of repertoire pieces form seven clearly defined levels of achievement, making Microjazz the ideal basis for progressive learning and teaching.Microjazz Beginners is the second book in the series and is suitable for learners of all ages. Using a combination of words, music and illustrations, it takes first-time pianists steadily through the early stages of both the practical and theoretical aspects of playing.A booklet of accompaniments, suitable for use by a teacher or any intermediate player, is included. The resulting duets can be played on one or two keyboards, and turn even the easiest pupil''s tunes into unmistakable Microjazz pieces.Online audio resources containing both backing and full performance tracks are available to enthuse and enhance both your practice and performance.Instrumentation:piano
£13.29
Sonicbond Publishing Gong On Track Revised and Updated
Book SynopsisEverynow and then, a band comes along that defies convention, refuses to bepigeon-holed, thumbs its nose at comfy predictability and blows raspberries atcommercial wisdom. That band is Gong.
£17.09
Octopus Publishing Group A Little Bit of Harry Styles
Book SynopsisStep into the world of Harry Styles with this celebratory little book which will definitely leave you with a watermelon sugar high! An opportunity to dive into those green eyes, messy hair and raspy yet soulful voice, this book is a must-have collection of quotes, facts and trivia for any Harry Styles fan.
£6.99
