Composers and songwriters Books

Book SynopsisLondon teemed with top-rated singers and musicians during the '60s and '70s, whether they were squatting, playing gigs or investing in multi-million pound mansions. Follow McCartney and co. to the quiet flat on Green Street that was their refuge before the Beatlemaniacs sought them out. Wind back time to when Loog Oldham locked Mick and Keith in their flat and demanded they compose a song. From the zany to the tragic - it was in St Mary Abbot's Hospital, Kensington where Jimi Hendrix was pronounced dead - this is a guidebook like no other, a pilgrimage dedicated to the rock 'n' roll greats. Also in the series: Vinyl London ISBN 9781788840156, London Peculiars ISBN 9781851499182, and Art London ISBN 9781788840385.Trade Review"It is all about those important addresses, the ones where rock stars lived and died, where iconic groups were formed, videos were filmed, gigs were played, arguments took place. It is about the place where jobbing musicians become legends, where those truly iconic albums were recorded." - fashionmommy's Blog

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Book SynopsisA searing, triumphant story. A testament to the tenacity of the human spirit as well as a beautiful ode to an iconic figure' IRENOSEN OKOJIELetters to Gil is Malik Al Nasir's profound coming of age memoir the story of surviving physical and racial abuse and discovering a new sense of self-worth under the wing of the great artist, poet and civil rights activist Gil Scott-Heron.Born in Liverpool, Malik was taken into care at the age of nine after his seafaring father became paralysed. He would spend his adolescence in a system that proved violent, neglectful, exploitative, traumatising and mired in abuse. Aged eighteen, he emerged semi-literate, penniless with no connections or sense of where he was going until a chance meeting with Gil Scott-Heron.Letters to Gil will tell the story of Malik's empowerment and awakening while mentored by Gil, from his introduction to the legacy of Black history to the development of his voice through poetry and music. Written with lyricism and power, itTrade Review‘A searing, triumphant story. A testament to the tenacity of the human spirit as well as a beautiful ode to an iconic figure’Irenosen Okojie ‘An incredible story, one that will have you jaw-dropped in disbelief at the cruelty meted out to Malik as a boy but also uplifted by his courageous, irrepressible exuberance, by his determination to defy the shitty hand he was dealt after he was put into the care system. And at the centre of this remarkable story stands the towering figure of Gil Scott-Heron …This is an intensely powerful and vivid memoir … When a book like Letters to Gil comes along, you are reminded of how indomitable the human spirit can be and how light can emerge from darkness, and joy from pain’Jamie Byng ‘Letters to Gil [is] part of a growing corpus of Black British memoir that confronts difficult subjects … It is also a tribute to artists who blend creative expression with fearless political commentary, such as the hip-hop artists Mos Def, Nas and the members of Public Enemy. With this brave memoir, Al Nasir can be counted among them’TLS ‘So compelling … Given the magnetism that he clearly displays I only hope that he will find time to be a new leader for the UK jazz movement … Voices such as his are certainly needed. His story is a wake-up call’Marlbank ‘Tells the story of his life – including his brutal treatment in care homes as a child –and his friendship with the musician-poet [Gil Scott-Heron]. His candid, eye-opening story includes a joyously uplifting tale of the time he accompanied Scott-Heron to meet Stevie Wonder’Independent, Books of the Month ‘A harrowing yet ultimately heartening memoir, Letters to Gil transcends the purely personal to make an important contribution to the burgeoning science of public history, championed by the likes of David Olusoga’London Jazz News ‘Get this book and read it… Superb’ The Grooved Review

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Book SynopsisPuccini's operas are among the most popular and widely performed in the world, yet few books have examined his body of work from an analytical perspective. This volume remedies that lack in lively prose accessible to scholars and opera enthusiasts alike.Trade Review"A serious, long-overdue analysis of all of Puccini's great operas, filled with fascinating detail." - Reed Woodhouse, Boston Book Review "Girardi takes us through the operas, act by act, showing us how cleverly they're put together, and how thoroughly they are conversant not just with Wagner but also Berg, Schoenberg, Mahler, Stravinsky, Strauss, Debussy and others.... We also get a sampling of Puccini's correspondence, and the discreetest possible hint of the amorous embarrassments that he was forever getting involved in." - Jerry Fodor, London Review of Books "The most comprehensive Puccini study to date.... A major accomplishment, this book adds new dimensions to Puccini research and formal criticism." - Choice "It is high time for a biography worthy of Puccini, and that is what Michele Girardi has given us.... This is likely to remain definitive for a long time." - Richard Freed, Washington Post Book World

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Book SynopsisThis volume uniquely combines a lively biography of one of the best-loved composers of the nineteenth century with a detailed chronological guide to much of his oeuvre, from the most popular - Swan Lake or the 1812 Overture - to the lesser known pieces. David Brown enthusiastically and sensitively guides the reader through Tchaikovsky''s music in the context of his life. His writing on the music is accessible and informative, both for the professional musician and the keen amateur listener. The biographical writing includes fascinating quotations from the composer''s letters, and those of his friends; the Tchaikovsky that emerges is, despite his periodic struggle with depression, a man with a positive attitude to life, and a kind and supportive friend to many around him. This is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Tchaikovsky, his music, or the culture of the time.''One of the finest one-volume biographies to have appeared in recent years, written Trade Review"'One of the finest one-volume biographies to have appeared in recent years.' Classic FM Magazine"

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Book SynopsisA passionate and illuminating memoir by the celebrated Music Director of the Royal Opera House.''Mesmerising.'' DANIEL BARENBOIM Sir Antonio Pappano is one of the best known and most celebrated conductors alive today. His deeply held belief in the power of music to inspire and enlighten is the motivation behind this long anticipated memoir.In 1969, decades before he was chosen to conduct the music at the Coronation of King Charles, Sir Antonio Pappano was a ten-year-old boy accompanying his father's singing lessons. My Life in Music tells the moving tale of a legendary conductor who, nurtured in childhood by his parents and their dedicated work ethic, goes on to conduct at many of the most influential opera houses of Europe and North America. Pappano skilfully evokes an extensive selection from his wide-ranging repertoire operas and orchestral works spanning from Mozart to Birtwistle and Mark Anthony Turnage, as well as art song and cham

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Book SynopsisAs the lead guitarist of Queen, Brian May is one of rock''s most recognisable stars. Brian May: the definitive biography charts his life from his childhood, through his years studying astro physics and teaching, his success with Queen, his more recent projects and his volatile relationship with actress Anita Dobson. Bestselling writer Laura Jackson examines closely the many aspects of the musician''s life revealing his true story for the first time. The book reveal''s Queen''s struggles to gain success and life at the top, throwing some of the most notorious and wildly salacious parties in the business. It charts the camaraderie and conflicts within Queen as well as Brian''s difficult years throughout the disintegration of his first marriage, the death of his father and the profound professional and emotional effects of Freddie Mercury''s illness and death. The book is packed with nearly 70 first-hand exclusive interviews with some of his closest friends, colleagues and fellow musicians. These include school and college friends, early band members and colleagues in the scientific world. Interviewees include, Tony Iommi, Joe Elliott, Raul Rodgers, Cliff Richard and Spike Edney.Trade ReviewLaura Jackson is the queen of biographers. * DAILY EXPRESS *When it comes to getting to the rich and famous, Laura Jackson is second to none. * SKY TV *

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Book SynopsisMusic historian and journalist Tim Riley''s biography challenges many popular assumptions about Lennon''s life, from his widely misunderstood ''Working Class Hero'' origins to his epic romance with Yoko Ono. Riley also explores Lennon in all his contradictions: the misogynist turned peace activist, the moralist who loved to outrage and the ''bigger than Christ'' LSD enthusiast who settled down to become a house-husband.A pre-eminent scholar of Beatles music, Riley has consulted some of the most important Beatles scholarship of the past two decades. In a field littered with untrustworthy memoirs, he has culled the most reliable information from hundreds of books, and tracked down even more insightful sources among Lennon''s friends, enemies, confidantes, celebrity associates and business contacts. He also writes brilliantly about the music and about Lennon''s artistic and creative processes. The Beatles have just enjoyed their most successful sales decade ever, and this bTrade ReviewThis exhaustively researched life of the Beatles' chief cynic, John Lennon, aims to get beneath the surface gloss ... a compelling account -- Mark Edmonds * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisInspired by A Complete Unknown starring Timothée Chalamet?Discover the critically-acclaimed, definitive biography of the legendary rock musician, Bob Dylan.''Engagingly written and scrupulously researched'' ObserverOne of the best biographies I have ever read' ***** Reader reviewBob Dylan was the first figure in the history of popular music to challenge the domination of the three-minute pop song and to bring serious ideas and poetry into the song lyric.A true revolutionary, he was also the first pop performer to adopt the attitudes and lead the life of a bohemian artist. In doing so he not only defined the direction which popular music would take in the second half of the twentieth century, he also defined the lifestyle which would come to be associated with the rock artist.This new edition of Howard Sounes'' critically-acclaimed classic biography of Dylan gives the complete picture of the man, the artist and performer, and includes a new chapter that brings the legend''s life story right up to date. Meticulously researched and including hundreds of interviews with Dylan''s closest associates, the brand new chapter also covers the last ten years of Dylan''s life, and the last (and previously unpublished) interview with Dylan''s first serious girlfriend.Written by the acclaimed biographer of Paul McCartney and Lou Reed, this is a compelling, fast-paced and revelatory read, which takes the reader on a journey from Dylan''s childhood in a Minnesota mining town to the status he enjoys today as one of the most iconic figures of contemporary culture.''Sets a standard few rock ''n'' roll chronicles have attained'' Independent''The benchmark by which all future Dylan biographies will be judged'' USA Today

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Book Synopsis''The best non-fiction book I''ve ever read. It''s magical. Stunning'' Dan Schreiber, No Such Thing As a Fish''A pop biography for people who don''t read pop biographies'' Dorian Lynskey, Guardian''Brilliant, discursive and wise'' Ben Goldacre''Utterly irresistible and totally brilliant'' The Quietus''A thing of endlessly fascinating, utterly demented genius'' Alexis PetridisThey were the bestselling singles band in the world. They had awards, credibility, commercial success and creative freedom. Then they deleted their records, erased themselves from musical history and burnt their last million pounds in a boathouse on the Isle of Jura. And they couldn''t say why.This is not just the story of The KLF. It is a book about Carl Jung, Alan Moore, Robert Anton Wilson, Ken Campbell, Dada, Situationism, Discordianism, magic, chaos, punk, rave, the alchemical symbolism of Doctor Who and the special poweTrade ReviewThe best non-fiction book I've ever read. It's magical. Stunning -- Dan Schreiber * NO SUCH THING AS A FISH *The best non-fiction book I've ever read. It's magical. Stunning * NO SUCH THING AS A FISH *A pop biography for people who don't read pop biographies. Higgs approaches the short career of the early 90s top 10 provocateurs like Adam Curtis brainstorming with Thomas Pynchon, exploring all manner of magical thinking and conspiracy theories. Touching on Dada, Doctor Who and Discordianism, it's as playful and sui generis as the KLF themselves, which is saying something * GUARDIAN *A pop biography for people who don't read pop biographies. Higgs approaches the short career of the early 90s top 10 provocateurs like Adam Curtis brainstorming with Thomas Pynchon, exploring all manner of magical thinking and conspiracy theories. Touching on Dada, Doctor Who and Discordianism, it's as playful and sui generis as the KLF themselves, which is saying something * GUARDIAN *Might well be the best music book of the 2010s . . . eccentric, bizarre, confusing, hilarious and more than a little pretentious but utterly irresistible and totally brilliant -- Cay McDermott * THE QUIETUS *Might well be the best music book of the 2010s . . . eccentric, bizarre, confusing, hilarious and more than a little pretentious but utterly irresistible and totally brilliant * THE QUIETUS *The book brilliantly captures the anti-establishment attitude of Drummond and Cauty, and makes you wish the pop charts were full of such madness these days * THE BIG ISSUE *The book brilliantly captures the anti-establishment attitude of Drummond and Cauty, and makes you wish the pop charts were full of such madness these days * THE BIG ISSUE *This wildly entertaining thesis speculates on how the KLF arrived at a crowning act of transgression even they did not understand, drawing together threads including practical magic, strange patterns of coincidence and punk * MOJO *This wildly entertaining thesis speculates on how the KLF arrived at a crowning act of transgression even they did not understand, drawing together threads including practical magic, strange patterns of coincidence and punk * MOJO *Succeeds by ignoring music for much of the story, in favour of the group's philosophical and psycho-geographical underpinnings in Discordianism, situationism, art and magic. Sometimes, the music is just a means to an end - in their case, a million-quid bonfire that Higgs suggests may be "a magical act that forged the 21st century". Well, maybe . . . * INDEPENDENT *Succeeds by ignoring music for much of the story, in favour of the group's philosophical and psycho-geographical underpinnings in Discordianism, situationism, art and magic. Sometimes, the music is just a means to an end - in their case, a million-quid bonfire that Higgs suggests may be "a magical act that forged the 21st century". Well, maybe . . . -- Andy Gill * INDEPENDENT *Book of the Century. Most pop biographies are a dull patchwork of clippings - this is something elseBook of the Century. Most pop biographies are a dull patchwork of clippings - this is something elseBy far the best book this year, brilliant, discursive and wiseBy far the best book this year, brilliant, discursive and wiseI am going to bang on about THE KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds rather a lot. Fascinating . . . Enthralling'I am going to bang on about THE KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds rather a lot. Fascinating . . . Enthralling'John Higgs's book about the KLF is - like its subject - a thing of endlessly fascinating, utterly demented geniusJohn Higgs's book about the KLF is - like its subject - a thing of endlessly fascinating, utterly demented genius

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Book SynopsisDiscover the remarkably honest and captivating story of one of the world''s greatest ever singing talents, Sir Tom Jones ''Brilliantly told'' SUNDAY TIMES ''A terrific, star-studded journey'' DAILY EXPRESS ______ ''For a lot of years, I''ve answered a lot of questions, but have never told my story before . . .'' In a business where dreams are often short-lived, Sir Tom Jones has maintained his sensational career across six decades. But how did a boy from a Welsh coal-mining family attain success across the globe over the course of decades? In this, his first ever autobiography, Tom revisits his past and tells the tale of his journey from wartime Pontypridd to LA and beyond. He reveals the stories behind the ups and downs of his fascinating and remarkable life, from the early heydays to the subsequent fallow years to his later period of artistic renaissance. It''s the storTrade ReviewA story brilliantly told ... Hold up your banners: "Sir Tom F****** Jones". Yeah! -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *Packed with the kind of showbiz tales you don't get any more ... Jones is a charming, matey voice and the book is a terrific, star-studded journey through the world of entertainment. Even after meeting some of the greats, such as Elvis and Sinatra, Jones still retains an innocence and freshness that is rare * Daily Express *Over the Top and Back is a great read and funny. It charts his youth in the coal mining town of Pontypridd. It captures his Welshness * Sunday Telegraph *a book that gets to Jones's core * Daily Mirror *The book lays bare a career that has spanned 60 years, Tom revisits his past and tells tales from his journey from wartime Pontypridd to LA and beyond. He reveals the ups and downs of his remarkable life, from his early heyday to his subsequent fallow years to his later period of artistic renaissance * Wales on Sunday *You tell the story of an Electrolux vacuum cleaner with the same gusto as you talk about Elvis Presley, and that's why it's brilliant Tom * Chris Evans *Tom Jones really has had the most astonishing life, one which he recounts here with verve, energy and a vivid eye for detail - this is a hugely enjoyable read * The Daily Mail *This lively, thoughtful and entertaining account does justice to a remarkable life and career * Sunday Express *A story, brilliantly told... hold up your banners: "Sir Tom F****** Jones". Yeah! * Brian Appleyard, Sunday Times *A brilliant read full of charm and anecdote that captures the spirit of each decade as well as giving a great behind-the-scenes snapshot of the music world. -- Fanny Blake * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisAlice Herz-Sommer, 1903-2014The pianist Alice Herz-Sommer survived the Theresienstadt concentration camp, attended Eichmann''s trial in Jerusalem, and along the way befriended some of the most fascinating historical figures of our time, from Franz Kafka to Gustav Mahler, Leonard Bernstein and Golda Meir. A Century of Wisdom is her story: a testament to the bonds of friendship, the power of music and the importance of leading a life of maternal simplicity, intellectual curiosity, and never-ending optimism.Trade ReviewA Century of Wisdom is a stately and elegant book about an artist who found deliverance in her passion for music. Caroline Stoessinger writes with a special purity, as though she were arranging pearls on a string of silk * Pat Conroy *I have rarely read a Holocaust survivor's memoir as enriching and meaningful. Get Caroline Stoessinger's book, A Century of Wisdom, telling Alice Herz-Sommer's tale of her struggles and triumphs. You will feel rewarded * Elie Wiesel *As one of millions who fell in love with Alice on YouTube, a 107-year-old Holocaust survivor who plays the piano and greets each day with no hint of bitterness, I'm grateful to Caroline Stoessinger for writing a book that explains this mystery. You will be inspired by the story of Alice Herz-Sommer, who lived to teach us * Gloria Steinem *I'd walked on the cobblestones in Prague for thirty years wondering who might have walked on them before me: Kafka, Freud, Mahler. It feels like a miracle to have encountered, in Caroline Stoessinger's wonderful book, Alice Herz-Sommer, who walked with them all - with a heart full of music * Peter Sis *Caroline Stoessinger's celebration of music and life, the meaning and legacy of Alice Herz-Sommer's remarkable love-filled journey across the bitter hate-filled years of 20th-century madness is lyrical, compelling, and profoundly moving. This is an extraordinary, enchanting, entirely inspiring book - most timely and needed now. * Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Roosevelt *A sweetly affecting collection * Kirkus *From countless hours and interviews conducted over the course of several years, she has mined a treasure trove of insight and reflection. Herz-Sommer's life is a tribute to the purity of artistic endeavor under the most devastating circumstances, and her refusal to be bitterly defined or essentially reshaped by tragedy is a testament to moral and spiritual courage. As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, it becomes increasingly important to capture and communicate their individual stories. * Booklist *A Century of Wisdom is universal and will enrich readers for generations to come * Itzhak Perlman *'A Century of Wisdom is a stately and elegant book about an artist who found deliverance in her passion for music. Caroline Stoessinger writes with a special purity, as though she were arranging pearls on a string of silk.' * Pat Conroy *'I have rarely read a Holocaust survivor's memoir as enriching and meaningful. Get Caroline Stoessinger's book, A Century of Wisdom, telling Alice Herz-Sommer's tale of her struggles and triumphs. You will feel rewarded.' * Elie Wiesel *'As one of millions who fell in love with Alice on YouTube, a 107-year-old Holocaust survivor who plays the piano and greets each day with no hint of bitterness, I'm grateful to Caroline Stoessinger for writing a book that explains this mystery. You will be inspired by the story of Alice Herz-Sommer, who lived to teach us.' * Gloria Steinem *'I'd walked on the cobblestones in Prague for thirty years wondering who might have walked on them before me: Kafka, Freud, Mahler. It feels like a miracle to have encountered, in Caroline Stoessinger's wonderful book, Alice Herz-Sommer, who walked with them all - with a heart full of music.' * Peter Sis *'Caroline Stoessinger's celebration of music and life, the meaning and legacy of Alice Herz-Sommer's remarkable love-filled journey across the bitter hate-filled years of 20th-century madness is lyrical, compelling, and profoundly moving. This is an extraordinary, enchanting, entirely inspiring book - most timely and needed now.' * Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Roosevelt *A sweetly affecting collection * Kirkus *'From countless hours and interviews conducted over the course of several years, she has mined a treasure trove of insight and reflection. Herz-Sommer's life is a tribute to the purity of artistic endeavor under the most devastating circumstances, and her refusal to be bitterly defined or essentially reshaped by tragedy is a testament to moral and spiritual courage. As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, it becomes increasingly important to capture and communicate their individual stories.' * Booklist *'A Century of Wisdom is universal and will enrich readers for generations to come' * Itzhak Perlman *

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Book SynopsisWill Stockton is Associate Professor of English at Clemson University, and author of several books including Members of His Body: Shakespeare, Paul, and a Theology of Nonmonogamy (2017), and Playing Dirty: Sexuality and Waste in Early Modern Comedy (2011). D. Gilson is Assistant Professor of English at Texas Tech University, and author of I Will Say This Exactly One Time: Essays (2015) and Brit Lit (2013).Trade ReviewIn dc Talk’s Jesus Freak—their contribution to Bloomsbury’s 33? Series—Will Stockton and D. Gilson explore this 1995, genre-crossing, hit-making album by the Christian pop/rock/rap trio. As queer scholars with evangelical roots, Stockton and Gilson offer aunique understanding of how the band—with this album in particular—served to shape the theological and cultural understandings of young Christians. * Reading Religion *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Jesus Freak 2. Colored People 3. Between You and Me Outro: Queer Shame Acknowledgments Bibliography

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Book SynopsisA biography of Winnaretta Singer-Polignac, heiress to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune, who befriended and subsidized some of the most important musical and literary artists of the 20th Century, including Stravinsky, Proust, Ravel, Cocteau, and Colette. The American-born Winnaretta Singer (1865-1943) was a millionaire at the age of eighteen, due to her inheriting a substantial part of the Singer Sewing Machine fortune. Her 1893 marriage to Prince Edmond de Polignac, an amateur composer, brought her into contact with the most elite strata of French society. After Edmond's death in 1901, she used her fortune to benefit the arts, science, and letters. Her most significant contribution was in the musical domain: in addition to subsidizing individual artists (Boulanger, Haskil, Rubinstein, Horowitz) and organizations (the Ballets Russes, l'Opéra de Paris, l'Orchestre Symphonique de Paris), she made a lifelong project of commissioning new musical works from composers, many of them unknown and struggling, to be performed in her Paris salon. The list of works created as a result is long and extraordinary: Stravinsky's Renard, Satie's Socrate, Falla'sEl Retablo de Maese Pedro, and Poulenc's Two-Piano and Organ Concertos are among the best-known titles. In addition, her salon was a gathering place for luminaries of French culture such as Proust, Cocteau, Monet, Diaghilev, and Colette. Many of Proust's memorable evocations of salon culture were born during his attendance at concerts in the Polignac music room. Sylvia Kahan brings to life this eccentic and extravagant lover of the arts, whose influence on the 20th Century world of music and literature remains incalculable.Trade ReviewA splendid biography of the munificent princess. --Alex Ross [online at http://www.therestisnoise.com/2011/04/merci-beaucoup-domo-arigato.html] Superb new biography. . . The list of her achievements -- music dedicated to her, works commissioned by her, artists supported by her -- are all scrupulously recorded here. . . a dazzling and inspiring array. . . In Sylvia Kahan Winnaretta [Singer-Polignac] has a biographer able to explain her special mixture of arrogance, intelligence and bravery. -- Margaret Reynolds * THE TIMES *Her book is magnificently readable. The reader's complaint might be that it stopped after 550 pages and has not yet been made into a movie. * THE VILLAGER *A pleasure to read and a good reference book to keep. . . . [Winnaretta's] beautiful kingdom created a musical reality that we enjoy to this day. -- Julie Cross * JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MUSIC *The list of those who owed much to [the Princesse de Polignac] is simply breathtaking. . . . This biography by Sylvia Kahan [now available . . . in paperback] is easy to read as an adventure story just as much as it is a sideways glance at over half a century's cultural history. -- Geraint Lewis * GRAMOPHONE *This is a book to be referred to again and again. . . an authoritative study that will give any interested reader an overview of a fascinating artistic epoch with a complex and intriguing survivor at its helm. Underneath the forbidding exterior, 'Aunt Winnie' was a sensitive and selfless philanthropist, both acutely perceptive of genuine talent in others and wide-ranging in her patronage. These aspects shine clearly through the mine of detailed information in Sylvia Kahan's important new study. -- Robert Orledge * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Kahan appears to have gotten as close to Singer-Polignac as any scholar could in the many years she worked on this good book. * NOTES, March 2005 *Kahan does justice to this inspiring woman's legacy by crafting a biography that is heartfelt and stimulating. -- Eileen M. Angelini * FRENCH REVIEW, 2006 *Wonderfully researched. . . . Sensitively sets Singer Polignac's vibrant lesbianism in the context of the times. -- Andrew Green * CLASSICAL MUSIC *A pleasure to read and a good reference book to keep. . . . [Winnaretta's] beautiful kingdom created a musical reality that we enjoy to this day. -- Julie Cross * JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MUSIC *Table of ContentsAn International Child Life with Mother A Woman of the World The Sewing Machine and the Lyre Marriage and Music La Belle Epoque Renovations Modern Times The Astonishing Years Shelter from the Storm The Magic of Everyday Things Cottages of the Elite, Palaces of the People A Pride of Protégés Mademoiselle All Music is Modern The Beautiful Kingdom of Sounds

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Book Synopsis'From her raging, handwritten letters to late-night phone calls with David Bowie, this biography gets up close and personal with the tempestuous Nina Simone' Observer Drawing on glimpses into previously unseen diaries, rare interviews and childhood journals, and with the aid of her daughter, What Happened, Miss Simone? tells the story of the classically trained pianist who became a soul legend, a committed civil rights activist and one of the most influential, provocative and least understood artists of our time. This is the story of the real Miss Simone.Trade ReviewHer willingness to speak her mind shines out of every page * * The Times * *Arrestive telling of the high priestess of soul's life story...What makes this portrait so compelling are the extras; think of the book as a director's cut * * MOJO * *She is loved or feared, adored or disliked, but few who have met her music or glimpsed her soul react with moderation -- Maya AngelouExplores the huge impact [Nina Simone] made for civil rights through her music, as well as her activism * * Observer * *Traces a path through the sad and bewildering tangle that was Simone's life * * Telegraph * *Nina Simone was an overwhelming artist, piano player, and singer - the kind of artist that I loved and admired -- Bob DylanElectrifying . . . Captures how unique and real she was on every page -- Alicia KeysAbsorbing * * Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday * *A gripping (if often grim) portrait of a woman and her legend * * Louis Wise, Sunday Times * *Decent, respectful, conscientiously crafted and even-handed * * Uncut * *

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Book Synopsis**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Roxy Music's iconic first album with this collection of Bryan Ferry's evocative lyrics of aspiration and romantic longing, introduced by the author.'Lyrics is a book any Roxy fan would be proud to have on their shelf' The TelegraphBryan Ferry's work as a singer and songwriter, both as a solo artist and with Roxy Music, is legendary.Lyrics collects the words written for music across seventeen albums, from the first iconic Roxy album of 1972 via the masterpiece of Avalon to 2014's reflective Avonmore, introduced by the author, and with an insightful essay by James Truman.All the classic Roxy anthems are here - 'Virginia Plain', 'Do the Strand', 'Love is the Drug' - songs in which the real and the make-believe blend in a kaleidoscopic mix, shot through with cinematic allure.Also included are the evocative lyrics of romantic longing and lost illusions for which Ferry is rightly revered: 'Slave to Love', 'Mother of Pearl', 'More Than This'. As he writes in his preface, 'The low points in life so often produce the most keenly felt and best-loved songs.' And, it might be added, some of the best poetry.Discover this unforgettable collection of Bryan Ferry's work today.Trade ReviewLyrics is a book any Roxy fan would be proud to have on their shelf * Daily Telegraph *There is something arresting seeing Ferry's words laid out in black type on the white page... the layout of Lyrics offers an elegant simplicity that allows these lines to breathe * Record Collector *

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Book SynopsisIn 1963, it was unusual for a pop group to have a monthly magazine devoted exclusively to their career. Only Elvis Presley had been considered important enough to warrant such an honour. But then the Beatles were unusual. Within the space of that pivotal year, the Fab Four became the biggest thing in British popular culture and their worldwide fame was soon inescapable. One of the first to astutely recognise their greatness was Sean O'Mahony and the monthly magazine he launched with the full blessing of The Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein - The Beatles Book.Looking Through You presents a selection of over 300 images from the precious Beatles Book photo archive, many unpublished or unseen in their original form from the original negatives, as well as the story behind the success of the regular Beatle bulletin.With each new issue, Beatle fans worldwide would voraciously devour the contents from cover-to-cover, discovering the Fab Four's latest news and activities and most of all, savouring the exclusive B&W photographs, captured by in-house photographer, Leslie Bryce.During the magazine's six-year run only a small fraction of these photographs were printed - and then often altered in some way. The Beatles Book Monthly captured the Beatles' development from British provincial theatres - through foreign tours including their ground-breaking first American visit - and onwards to the band's withdrawal into the recording studio. It was unique in its access - as well as concert tours and television shows, the band were photographed off duty, at their homes and in the studio - locales that were generally out-of-bounds to most Beatle observers. This unique and original photographic record preserves many important moments within the Beatles' career, providing a historically important glimpse into the world's greatest ever entertainment phenomenon.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Andy Gill assess the circumstances behind Dylan's most famous songs, tracing the artist's progress from young tyro folkie to acclaimed protest singer, and through the subsequent changes which saw him invent folk-rock and transform rock 'n' roll with symbolist poetry, before retreating into country-tinged conservatism just as his followers were engaged in the great psychedelic freak-show of the late 1960s. Even then, he couldn't help but innovate, introducing the world to another strain of popular music-country-rock-which would come to dominate the American charts through the next decade.Always one step ahead of the crowd, always pushing himself to extend the boundaries of his art, the Dylan of the 1960s remains a beacon of integrity to which fans and fellow musicians keep returning.Table of ContentsBob Dylan • Freewheelin' Bob Dylan • The Times They Are A-Changin' • Another Side of Bob Dylan • Bringing It All Back Home • Highway 61 Revisited • Blonde On Blonde • The Basement Tapes • John Wesley Harding • Nashville Skyline.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLING AUTOBIOGRAPHY FROM THE QUEEN OF ROCK 'N' ROLL_______________________'Astonishing, soul-baring - the must-read memoir by rock's greatest survivor' DAILY MAIL***The full, dramatic story of one of the most remarkable women in music history, whose legacy will never be forgotten***'Unbearably poignant' THE TIMES, Book of the Week_______________________Love's got everything to do with it.Tina Turner was the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. In this dramatic autobiography, she tells the story of a truly remarkable life in the spotlight.From her early years picking cotton in Nutbush, Tennessee to her rise to fame alongside Ike Turner, and finally to her phenomenal success in the 1980s and beyond, Tina candidly examines her personal history, from her darkest hours to her happiest moments and everything in between.In her honest and heart-felt voice, Tina reveals:· How (love) and a kidney transplant saved her life - and how her new husband made an incredible personal sacrifice· How she has coped with the tragic suicide of her son· How ex-husband Ike Turner forced her to go to a brothel on their wedding night... and why she tried to kill herself because of Ike's mistresses· The Cinderella moment when David Bowie made Tina a star ...· ...and the day Mick Jagger ripped her skirt off!AND MUCH MOREBrimming with her trademark blend of strength, energy, heart and soul, My Love Story is a gripping, surprising memoir, as memorable and entertaining as any of her greatest hits._______________________'The book is written with a warm heart and a generous spirit... It is a thoughtful, moving reflection on a life of spectacular achievement' DAILY EXPRESS'Turner comes across as courageous, optimistic, big-hearted and generous' SUNDAY TIMES'Fascinating, dramatic, surprising' OK! MAGAZINE'An honest, thoughtful and touching reflection on a full and fulfilling life' SUNDAY EXPRESSTrade ReviewAstonishing, soul-baring – the must-read memoir by rock’s greatest survivor * Daily Mail *The book is written with a warm heart and a generous spirit… It is a thoughtful, moving reflection on a life of spectacular achievement * Daily Express *Turner comes across as courageous, optimistic, big-hearted and generous * Sunday Times *Fascinating, dramatic, surprising * OK! Magazine *An honest, thoughtful and touching reflection on a full and fulfilling life * Sunday Express *

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Book Synopsis'Whatever I did, at least I meant it . . .' Gary Moore White Knuckles chronicles the personal and professional journey of one of rock's most influential musicians: Gary Moore. Born in Belfast and rising to conquer some of the world's biggest stages, the guitarist-singer-songwriter enjoyed spells with the likes of rock giants Thin Lizzy before becoming a successful solo artist in his own right. Moore's solo career spanned three decades and millions of album sales until his untimely passing in 2011. Balancing biography with a critical analysis of Moore's songs and guitar style, White Knuckles explores the evolution of Gary Moore's music, from progressive rock and jazz fusion to metal and pure blues. It also examines his friendships and artistic collaborations with the likes of George Harrison, Philip Lynott, Peter Green, Rory Gallagher, Cream's Jack Bruce and many more. Based on interviews with Moore's friends, colleagues and fellow musicians, this definitive work catalogues the life and oeuvre of a true legend.Trade Review'An evocative and richly detailed narrative' Eternal Terror

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Book SynopsisA Resident Book of the Year'A masterpiece. Beautiful, tragic and immaculately researched.' - Matt Everitt'Elliott was one of the best songwriters of our day and a formidable musician.' - Beck'There's an undercurrent of real sadness in a lot of his music ... and that's just really the way he was.' - Steve Drozd, Flaming LipsIn 2003, Steven 'Elliott' Smith died from two stab wounds to the heart. To this day, the autopsy evidence remains inconclusive as to whether the wounds were self-inflicted or the result of homicide. Either way, this tragic end to Elliott's short-lived though prodigiously talented life became the dark denouement of a story riddled with depression, mental illness, addiction and chronic substance abuse. Yet it is also a story of worldwide critical acclaim, of Oscar nominations and of some of the finest recorded music of the late twentieth century.Now, two decades after Elliott's death, Shooting Star seeks to encapsulate the many complexities of this shy, funny, engaging, enigmatic musician and his desperately troubled soul. With contributions from those closest to Elliott who have not previously spoken about their friend, this masterful biography places the singer-songwriter's vulnerabilities and decline within the broader context of all that he achieved: the sheer, stark beauty of the records he made and the resounding impact they went on to have across a whole spectrum of contemporary music.This is the definitive account of Elliott Smith - a once-in-a-generation artist.Trade Review'A masterpiece. Beautiful, tragic and immaculately researched.' -- Matt Everitt'A new take on a harrowing tale. 4/5' -- Mojo'(A) heartbreaking biography....a remarkable musical talent who was overwhelmed by his demons.' -- The Times

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Book SynopsisThis is the first English language biography of Ottorino Respighi, the most performed Italian composer of the twentieth century. Best known for his so-called Roman trilogy, (Fountains of Rome, Pines of Rome and Roman Festivals), this book documents the story of his rise to fame and offers a fascinating insight into the active lifestyle of an internationally renowned musician, who made an important contribution to the revival of interest in early music. It also takes a closer look at Respighi’s associations with eminent figures such as Arturo Toscanini, Serge Diaghilev, Gabriele D’Annunzio and even Albert Einstein which make his story deeply engaging and take us beyond the realms of music into a world of Russian émigrés, wealthy patrons and Nobel Prize winners, while also documenting some of the early effects of fascism on art and culture.

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Book SynopsisMidge Ure is one of the most successful musicians of his generation, selling more than 20 million albums over the last five decades. During the 1970s he played in various rock and pop bands around Scotland before moving to London to join ex-Sex Pistol Glen Matlock's Rich Kids, later playing guitar for Thin Lizzy, forming Visage and joining Ultravox. In the 1980s he had phenomenal worldwide success with Ultravox and as a solo artist. He also co-wrote one of the best-selling singles of all time, Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas'. He co-founded the Band Aid charity and is still involved with it today. This book is a stunning collection of photographs taken by Midge on his travels between 1980 and 1985. Travelling with a Canon A-1 camera, he documented his work in the recording studio, on tour with Ultravox, behind the scenes whilst directing promotional videos (for Ultravox and other artists such as Phil Lynott, Fun Boy Three, Bananarama) and holidays in far-flung places and road trips. This is a fascinating travelogue of a working musician. All photographs have been carefully scanned and retouched from the original negative to show the images in their glorious best, and every element of this book has been produced to the highest specification. Midge is still active today writing and recording music, touring around the world as well as presenting TV and Radio programs.

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Book SynopsisEver been thrown off the bus in the middle of a Swedish forest or asked to play at one of the UK's biggest music festivals with musicians you've just met who are covered in blood? If so you've probably been in The Fall. Dave Simpson made it his mission to track down everyone who has ever played in Britain's most berserk, brilliant group. He uncovers a changing Britain, tales of madness and genius, and wreaks havoc on his own life.Trade ReviewRiveting stuff **** * * Q magazine * *Three decades of personal stories, of social change, shifting cultural landscapes and musical minimum wage slavery, seen through the eyes of a random collection of people whose only constant is that at some point, for some reason, they were members of The Fall. A Canterbury Tales for the MP3 generation. * * Stewart Lee * *A tremendous read. I warmly recommend it. -- Stuart Maconie * * Radio 2 * *A great book - a fucking amazingly great book . . . a simple but excellent concept . . . Absolutely brilliant. It has made me race back to all 554 Fall songs and put them on repeat. * * Everett True * *The best book yet on a band that have evolved into a cross between a large Victorian family and a rehab unit. * * The Times * *I read The Fallen for the second time. Wow. It just does your head in. It's one of the best rock or music books i've ever read. I recommend it without hesitation. It is a monster -- HENRY ROLLINSA right riveting read. -- Simon Reynolds * * Blissblog * *I hate that f***ing t**t! I just f***ing burned it! -- Mark E. SmithBrilliant and bloody awkward. Just like its subjects. * * The Word * *A British, provincial take on Apocalypse Now! where Kurtz (Smith) is encountered by Capt. Willard (Simpson) before the latter gets on the boat -- John Doran * * The Quietus * *Hilarious... horror stories... Dave Simpson's written the book we've been waiting our entire adult life to read. -- Peter Wild * * Bookmunch * *The Fall are my favourite band. I also hate my favourite band. With a passion...I vow never to go to another Fall show and yet somehow always end up at the next one. I am sick. * * Julian Cope * *An amusing study of what is without exaggeration Britain's most uncompromising band. * * Sunday Herald * *

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Book SynopsisThe Clash: trendsetters, icons, revolutionaries. They were the pioneers of British punk rock and their story is steeped in mythology. Many people have an opinion about what made them who they were - this book gives the chance to read the full story, from the band themselves.This is the first official book to be created by the band. With unprecedented access to the Clash archive, this landmark publication brings together previously unseen material - including tour posters, artwork, and photos of the band at home, on stage, in the studio and on the road - with each member telling it like it was, in their own words.Trade ReviewWhat could be more fun than a book about The Clash written by The Clash... What makes this tome more worthy than the reams of unofficial Clash literature available is that in it, the band tells their story in their own words - it's packed with little secrets and playful digs... Brilliant. * Short List *Thrilling... This is a treasure trove of hitherto undiscovered gems. Long overdue. * Classic Rock *Gorgeous... A visual and textual feast.' Irish Examiner 'A wealth of old photographs, posters and record covers that will have some of us yearning for the days when we had enough hair to sport a Mohawk. * Glasgow Herald *This book is a cracker...crammed with Clash bits and bobs. * The Sunday Times *A lavish career retrospective * Q Magazine *

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Book SynopsisCaught in a Trap draws back the veil of secrecy on the most dramatic event in the life of Elvis Presley. In October of 1975, Elvis was abducted and spirited away to a cabin in the Kentucky mountains where he was made to sing for his supper. After a week in captivity, a ransom was paid to ensure his release, a bizarre episode that was hushed up on orders from the White House, no less. This psychological thriller not only reveals the dramatic details of how Elvis was snatched but also delves into the innermost thoughts of the King of rock'n'roll. How does Elvis react when he is treated like an ordinary person, told to sweep floors and chop wood? How does he interact with his kidnappers? Will his songs grant him his freedom? And how do those close him, among them ex-wife Priscilla and manager Colonel Tom Parker, respond to the crisis? Caught in a Trap is so believable you'll be asking yourself why it has taken so long for the story to get out.

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Book SynopsisOver a long, hot Christmas in Australia, Throwing Muses frontwoman and critically acclaimed solo artist Kristin Hersh considers her future as a songwriter. Is it possible to create music and not show off about it? How can artists establish and refine a following without becoming part of the commercial problem? And just how many times is it healthy to watch It''s A Wonderful Life in three weeks? In The Future of Songwriting, Hersh chooses to interrogate these questions through philosophical dialogue. From in-depth conversations with a comedian friend about the similarities between songs and jokes, via a fruitful visit to Sydney''s ''bone museums'', to a revelation from an acupuncturist in New Orleans, she delivers a fierce, funny and existential meditation on the art of the song - and its future.

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Book SynopsisAll supremely talented musicians in their own right, together as The Police, Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland had a string of reggae-infused hits in the late seventies: 'Roxanne', 'Can't Stand Losing You', 'Message In A Bottle' and 'Walking On The Moon'. By the eighties, with the commercial and critical success of 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' and 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic', The Police were considered to be one of the biggest bands in the world, pushing new musical boundaries where their punk and new wave contemporaries hadn't dared to go. With the hit single 'Every Breath You Take' elevating them to greater heights of stardom, there was everything to play for. In celebration of the band's full tenure and complemented with a narrative by Laura Shenton MA LLCM Dip(RSL), this visual biography is crammed full with photos and memorabilia, all reproduced on high quality art paper.

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Book SynopsisA book of the year for the Times, the Sunday Times, the Independent, the Guardian and the Daily Mail ''Charming . . . heartbreaking, sometimes both funny and unsettling, and always - from start to end - very, very good'' RODDY DOYLE''Magical . . . as scrumptious as the home-made mayonnaise, pumpkin soup and game pie coming out of Joan''s kitchen'' DAILY MAIL, BOOK OF THE WEEK''A love letter to a remarkable childhood. A total joy'' SARAH WINMAN____________________________________________________________________________In a small corner of a field in Wales, Tiffany Murray is hiding with Boggle the dog, dreaming of her mum''s moussaka, blackberry and apple crumble, and, if she''s lucky, ice-cold lemonade. A sheep bleats. The smell of hay tickles her nose. The twang of a guitar and crack of a snare carry on the breeze.It''s the late 1970s and Tiff lives with her mum, Joan, at Rockfield, the iconic recording studios. This place of legend, where some of the most famous rock albums of all time were recorded, is the background to a freewheeling, ever-changing whirlwind of a childhood. Tiff''s days are spent running around the farm, making friends with local wildlife and helping out with the endless array of dishes her mum creates to keep the bands fed. She''s looking for a dog, she''s looking for a father; but the one constant throughout is her and Joan, building an unconventional family in the most unlikely of locations.My Family and Other Rock Stars is Tiff''s remarkable, truly unique story of growing up in a rural idyll, of Cordon Bleu cookery and of a childhood where the chances of bumping into Freddie Mercury playing piano, or a group of Hell''s Angels turning up to record for Lemmy, or even the hope of David Bowie appearing, were as normal as hopscotch and homework.____________________________________________________________________________''You will fall in love with Tiff, her hilarious non-nonsense mother Joan, and a cast of hungry rock stars from Freddie Mercury to Siouxsie Sioux. An utter treat'' RACHEL JOYCE''Full of pop gossip that''ll leave you starry-eyed, and written with a warmth and precision you''ll want to savour for as long as you can . . . I didn''t want it to end'' SÉAMAS O''REILLY''Enchanting'' INDEPEDENT, 20 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEARLonglisted for the Penderyn Music Book PrizeMy Family and Other Rock Stars was the Daily Mail book of the week 17.05.2024

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Book SynopsisYou know the songs by heart. You've traded the friendship bracelets. You've worn the cowboy boots and the bejewelled bodysuits.Now, get the inside track on this generation's biggest super star Taylor Swift.An intimate look at the life and music of modern pop''s most legendary figure, Taylor Swift, from leading music journalist Rob Sheffield.A cultural phenomenon. A worldwide obsession. An agent of emotional chaos. There''s no parallel to Taylor Swift in history: a teenage girl who turns into the world''s favorite pop star, songwriter, storyteller, guitar hero, live performer, changing how music is made and heard. An all-time great on the level of The Beatles, Prince, or David Bowie.Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music is the first book that goes deep on the musical and cultural impact of Taylor Swift. Nobody can tell the story like Rob Sheffield, the bestselling and award-winning author of Dreaming the Beatles, On Bowie, and Love Is a Mix Tape. The legendary Rolling Stone journalist is the writer who has chronicled Taylor for every step of her long career, from her early days to the Eras Tour. Sheffield gets right to the heart of Swift and her music, her lyrics, her fan connection, her raw power.At once one of the most beloved music figures of the past two decades and one of the most criticized, Taylor Swift is known as much for her life beyond her music as she is for her hitsthe most public of stars, yet also the weirdest and most mysterious. In the tradition of Sheffield''s Dreaming the Beatles, Heartbreak Is the National Anthem will inform and delight a legion of fans who hang on every word from Taylor and every word Rob writes on her.

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Book SynopsisA look inside the genius of a once-in-a-generation icon.From bedroom singer through environmental activist and Met Gala fashion icon to global phenomenon, this is your guide to the most influential musical artist of a generation.The Pocket Billie Eilish is an unofficial and unauthorized celebration of a totally original talent. It?s packed with facts, trivia, quotes and anecdotes and gives readers an inside look at Billie?s creative process with her brother Finneas, the stories behind her songs, her life at home and in the spotlight, and her unique style, musically and sartorially.Discover Billie?s thoughts on self-esteem, mental health, bullying, gender rights, body positivity and creativity. The perfect gift or self-purchase pick-up for the Billie Eilish superfan.Gemini PocketsFrom little guides to soothe your soul to all-access passes to the lives of pop icons, and from quizzes and puzzles for literature lovers to books on food, nature, fashion and more, Gemini Pockets are the perfect fit for your life and interests.

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Book SynopsisMatt Lee has been collecting Rolling Stones memorabilia for more than two decades. He amassed so much that he had to move house; he now has his own private museum dedicated to Stones memorabilia and he is the Guinness World Record holder for the largest Stones memorabilia collection. For the first time, Rolling Stones - Priceless showcases his collection, which spans all decades, and tells the story of the Stones through their memorabilia as never before.Table of ContentsMatt Lee's collection includes many unique, handwritten and personal items as well as tickets, posters, backstage passes, promotional items, instruments, tapes, records and clothing. All have been specially photographed for this book and are accompanied by a narrative detailing rarity and in some cases the amusing anecdotes behind how they came to be part of the collection. A regular at Stones concerts, Matt personally collects many of the pieces, as well as buying at auction and exchanging. Highlights of the collection include: the Stones' first ever contract, the band's first acetate, Bill Wyman's resignation letter, the first 'tongue' pin, a signed Shine a Light guitar, original 'Street Fighting Man' record sleeve, handwritten set lists from Mick and Keith... and thousands more.

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Book Synopsis“An engaging journey into the wild and wonderful world of drumming.”—CLEM BURKE, BlondieTo have a great band you need a great drummer. For the first time, Tony Barrell shines a long-overdue spotlight on these musicians, offering an exciting look into their world, their art, and their personalities. In Born to Drum, he interviews some of the most famous, revered, and influential drummers of our time—including Chad Smith, Ginger Baker, Clem Burke, Sheila E., Phil Collins, Nick Mason, Patty Schemel, Butch Vig, and Omar Hakim—who share astonishing truths about their work and lives. He investigates the stories of late, great drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, analyzes many of the greatest drum tracks ever recorded, and introduces us to the world’s fastest and loudest drummers, as well as the first musician to pilot a “flying drum kit” onstage.Filled with fascinating insights into the trade and little-known details about the greats, Born to Drum elevates drummers and their achievements to their rightful place in music lore and pop culture.“As Born to Drum proves, there’s a lot more to be told about drums and drumming than the Rolls-Royce in the swimming pool and the pyro beneath the bass drum.”—NICK MASON, Pink Floyd“Everyone should read this book—especially if you’re not a drummer. A great insight into a great sport.”—Joey Kramer, AerosmithTrade Review"Interesting, entertaining, and insightful. Barrell finally gives drummers their due-it's more than we're all a little crazy and just want to make some noise." -- Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers "An engaging journey into the wild and wonderful world of drumming." -- Clem Burke, Blondie "As Born to Drum proves, there's a lot more to be told about drums and drumming than the Rolls-Royce in the swimming pool and the pyro beneath the bass drum ... Good advice may be found within." -- Nick Mason, Pink Floyd "Everyone should read this book-especially if you're not a drummer. A great insight into a great sport." -- Joey Kramer, Aerosmith

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Book SynopsisRod Stewart was born the working-class son of a Scottish plumber in North London. Despite some early close shaves with a number of diverse career paths, ranging from gravedigging to professional football, it was music that truly captured his heart - and he never looked back. This title tells his story.Trade ReviewHe is enjoyably gossipyabout friends such as Elton John and about his many exes — including Britt Ekland, who loved making eggy bread for his bandmates, and his former wife Rachel Hunter, the only one to have broken his heart. Written in a cheery, faintly ironic style (there’s even a chapter devoted to his haircut), this is a very enjoyable romp. * DAILY MAIL *…amiably and self-knowingly told... the tone pitched right and the jokes good…He writes articulately about music: where a drummer sits on the beat, or what makes a song bombproof. It's the work of someone who really knows his craft, and loves it. * Guardian *Behind the rock'n'roll persona, vividly portrayed in his new memoir, is a self deprecating man of manners...highly entertaining. * The Sunday Times *Quite the life you've led... the stories in here, I mean, I blushed a little * Graham Norton *It really is a rollercoaster ride...It’s a proper book. It’s not frothy. It’s not candy flossy...It is no holds barred. You wrote it yourself, it’s so obvious. It’s your voice all the way through * Chris Evans *

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Book SynopsisJohnny Thunders: In Cold Blood is the definitive portrait of the condemned man of rock n roll, from the baptism of fire and tragedy that was the New York Dolls, through the junkie punk years of the Heartbreakers, to his sudden and mysterious death in 1991. It is an unflinching account of a unique guitarist whose drug problems often overshadowed his considerable style and talent, but whose unquestionable influence on glam, punk, and more still resonates today. Nina Antonia discovered Johnny Thunders and the New York Dolls as a teenager and spent her formative years as a dedicated fan before starting work on this book in her twenties. Then, when Johnny and his manager read her early drafts, they decided she should make it an authorised biography and granted her unique access to Johnny s life. As such, it begins by painting a historical portrait of Thunders and his early life and work before shifting into the present tense as Nina vividly describes her own experiences with the real-life Johnny and his associates. First published in 1987, Johnny Thunders: In Cold Blood has been kept alive over the years by an audience that isn t always catered for. While the New York Dolls are now rightly acknowledged as having been as pivotal as the Velvet Underground, and you might catch the odd fashionista sporting a Dolls T-shirt, Johnny s dark flame burns for those who have known adversity. He is the voice of the disenfranchised; he is every gifted son or daughter who went off the rails. Like Jesse James or James Dean, he couldn t come in from the badlands of rock n roll; he wouldn t appease or kowtow to the establishment. This new edition adds a new closing chapter, bringing Thunders legacy up to date, new photographs, and a foreword by Mike Scott of The Waterboys.

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Book SynopsisA literary and visual exploration of the songs of Steely Dan.Trade ReviewWeird and wondrous...Quantum Criminals fairly drips with information…and I have drunk it in eagerly...The writing in Quantum Criminals is often arresting and always engaging pop-music journalism...Quantum Criminals is a reminder that one can be massively fulfilled by language one doesn’t fully comprehend. * New York Times *Quantum Criminals is one of the sharpest, funniest, and best books ever about any rock artist. * Rolling Stone *Pappademas offers a lively series of ruminations about individual songs, loosely pegged to the characters who populate those songs and who are rendered in playfully detailed and colorful portraits by LeMay. The result is both a celebration and an artifact of the current Steely Dan moment...In sharp and funny chapters, Pappademas riffs on [Steely Dan's] cast of characters in ways that capture the band’s cultural context and musical debts. * The Atlantic *[Quantum Criminals] uncovers the vast constellation of lyrical references, artistic influences and social and political contexts surrounding the band and its music. * NPR Music *Wry, playful but deeply incisive...Fagen, Becker...and Pappademas are kindred spirits, smartass, sharp-eyed observers of life’s El Supremos—a description that suits other Dan fans as well. Quantum Criminals is like a secret handshake between two covers. The best part is that it illuminates details the rest of us may have glossed over for years. * Los Angeles Times *In one fell swoop, [Quantum Criminals] has become the essential Steely Dan book. And you should absolutely be reading it right now...Pappademas and LeMay leave no stones unturned in their quest to unlock every mythological quadrant of Steely Dan’s immense, decades-long artistic conceptions. * Paste *A whimsical plunge into one of America’s most unconventional rock bands...[A] delicious deep dive into the many protagonists in the 'Steely Daniverse'...LeMay’s vibrant paintings—more than 100 of which are included in the book—provide yet another kaleidoscopic lens through which to consider the duo’s wild imaginations. Any major dude will tell you that this is a solid and highly entertaining take on Fagen and Becker’s 'platonic love story.' * Kirkus *[An] engaging and illuminating way to tell the band's history...Quantum Criminals is undoubtedly the best thing I’ve ever read about this endearingly strange and endlessly fascinating band. * The Forward *An engrossing series of essays that innovatively chart the cosmology of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker’s musical universe…[A] terrific and irresistible book. * Talkhouse *Remarkable...we finally have a book about Steely Dan in which the writing and art fully measure up to the sophistication and beauty of Becker and Fagen’s music...Pappademas’s incisive, elegant prose poetry pairs perfectly with LeMay’s colorful hand-painted portraits that offer humorous and empathetic glimpses of the Dan’s menagerie of luckless pedestrians. * Expanding Dan *Wonderfully weird and insightful...the Steeliest of all the Steely Dan books out there. And it’s wholly refreshing...There have been a number of fine books on Steely Dan, but Quantum Criminals is the one whose spirit, vivacity, and off-kilterness matches its subjects and their body of work. * Houston Press *Steely Dan fans should love this book. And if you’re not a fan of that non-band band, but love good writing about rock music, Quantum Criminals is still worth reading. * Milwaukee Shepherd Express *These song-based essays are part band biography, trenchant culture criticism, poignant ‘70s history, and psychedelic tone poems. Like Steely Dan’s tunes, they toe the line between an unbridled reverence for the music and esoteric sensibilities. I read it in a day and came out with an even deeper respect for their catalog. * No Expectations *This is the finest piece of rock journalism that I have read in a long time. * Religion News Service *Alex Pappademas reveals the stories behind many of [Steely Dan's] songs and, in the process, gives us a book that shows what the right kind of obsession leads to—joyful, contagious passion. Featuring terrific illustrations by Joan LeMay, this is a fascinating, fun, and deep dive into the stories behind the music and the men who created it...After you read this book, you’ll never be able to forget the genius of these two writers. * Air Mail *For those who are anywhere from casual listeners to hardcore Dan Fans, this book is an unceasing delight from cover to cover…Engrossing, well-written, with vivid, whimsical illustrations, Quantum Criminals is the literary equivalent of a Steely Dan album: vibrant, a little strange, and nearly perfect. * Spectrum Culture *Writer Alex Pappademas and painter Joan Lemay...go beyond explanation to produce the definitive Danomicon with this expansively argued and vibrantly illustrated survey of the songs, lyrics and characters populating the whole Steely Dan catalog. * Tertulia *Whether you count the current Danaissance as something entirely new or another turn in a recurring cycle, and even if you’re among those who find the band too weird or jazzy, it’s undeniable the Dan endures. Quantum Criminals is an entertaining and insightful account of why. * The Washington Free Beacon *The book is as smooth and intriguing as Gaucho, a combination of sophisticated thinking, clear language, and a calm view of the dark interior of this band. All of it is told through a series of connected biographies that are based on each song that the band recorded . . . and that give the musicians involved, the cultural views accumulated, and Pappademas’s own journey, significant roles in what is a great and complex story. The book will be terrifically satisfying to any and all Dan fans in the way that having one’s own experiences and perceptions acknowledged and validated is, but it goes far beyond hagiography. * The Brooklyn Rail *The new book, Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and other Sole Survivors From the Songs of Steely Dan, is the delightful result of an author not only understanding their subject, but emotionally bonding with it. In this case, it’s the two co-authors, Alex Pappademas (who writes the words) and Joan LeMay (who paints the pictures). . . Quantum Criminals understands the paradoxical nature of Steely Dan, and the book embraces that chaos. It’s not a paean to “great men” of classic rock, nor is it a fan service love letter. But it is most definitely the right book about the correct band. * The Daily Beast *There have been a number of fine books on Steely Dan, but Quantum Criminals is the one whose spirit, vivacity, and off-kilterness matches its subjects and their body of work. * Classic Rock Bob *[An] ultra-cool hybrid of music criticism and pop art...For older fans, who remember when 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number' owned the airwaves in spring 1974, Quantum Criminals is like a tour guide with a music geek friend whose fresh outlook about songs you've heard hundreds of times enables you to experience elements of their greatness for the first time. * New Hampshire Union Leader *The best music book of 2023…From Rikki to Hoops McCann to Kid Charlemagne, Pappademas’ prose and LeMay’s paintings pair together to give Donald Fagen and Walter Becker’s band the vivid, unforgettable context it has always deserved. It’s an essential mapping of Steely Dan’s wild and wonderful world, told straight from two Danheads. * Paste Magazine *Steely Dan’s stock is even higher today than it was in the 1970s, when they were having hit records. Critic Alex Pappademas and illustrator Joan LeMay deliver the perfect celebration of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker’s unique hermetic grandeur, honoring their oblique mystique while also getting at the real human beings lurking beneath the pristine tunes and cynical worldview. Each chapter is a revelatory riff on a different character in a Dan song — from Peg to Rikki to Mr. LePage to the Gaucho — with LeMay’s artwork just as smart and fun as the writing. They get into topics like the band’s secret hip-hop influence, their ‘famously overdetermined guitar solos,’ and the dialectical nature of their relationship with fellow El Lay rock royals the Eagles. People have been trying to untangle the riddle of Steely Dan’s greatness for decades. No one’s ever done it better. -- Jon Dolan * Rolling Stone *Quantum Criminals is such an unusual, funny, and creative work of criticism that it should inspire anyone who loves pop music but feels tired of the forms into which the market hems writers who want to tell its stories. * Slate *Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan (University of Texas Press) by Alex Pappademas and Joan LeMay has been described as the quintessential Steely Dan book. As part of the project, LeMay, a native Houstonian, created 109 whimsical portraits of characters that sprang from the musicians’ lyrics and legends. In a review, fellow artist Melissa Messer wrote: 'Looking at Joan’s oeuvre makes me feel tipsy, or like I’ve drunk Wonka’s Fizzy Lifting Drink and I’m swimming through the air after her, searching for the same vision.' * Texas Observer *This book not only dissects Steely Dan’s lyrics and dives deep into the imagery of their discography, it also steps back and provides helpful context about how the band’s music was written. * New York Magazine: The Strategist *Table of Contents 1. Jack 2. Walter 3. Donald 4. King Richard/King John 5. Lady Bayside 6. Chino & Daddy Gee 7. Michael/Jesus 8. The Charmer 9. The Fella in the White Tuxedo 10. Dan 11. David 12. Mr. Whatever 13. Louise 14. Cathy 15. The El Supremo 16. The King of the World 17. Rikki 18. The Major Dude 19. Mr. Parker 20. Buzz 21. Napoleon 22. The Archbishop 23. Dr. Wu 24. Mr. Lapage 25. Owsley 26. A Bookkeeper’s Son 27. The Eagles 28. Babs & Clean Willie 29. The Old Man 30. Pepe 31. A Wooly Man without a Face 32. Peg 33. Sayoko 34. The Expanding Man 35. Broadway Duchess 36. Josie 37. The Babylon Sisters 38. Hoops McCann/The Dread Moray Eel 39. The Dandy of Gamma Chi 40. The Gaucho 41. A Jolly Roger 42. Third World Man 43. Abbie/Dupree 44. Franny from NYU 45. Lizzie 46. Jill 47. Gina 48. Dave from Acquisitions 49. Daddy Acknowledgments Notes

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Book SynopsisLit Up Inside contains the lyrics of about one third of the songs that Van Morrison has written over his 50 year career. In this representative selection from the work of one of the most innovative and enduring songwriters of the last century, the reader will find examples of all the features of the world that Van has created through his work: the back streets and mystic avenues; memories of childhood wonder and of adult work; the chime of church bells and the playing of the radio; the generous naming of other artists and the joy of solitude; love and sharp dealing; consolation and grace.

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Book SynopsisHoward Goodall is an Emmy, BRIT and BAFTA award-winning composer of choral music, stage musicals, film and TV scores - among them Red Dwarf, QI and Blackadder - as well as a distinguished broadcaster and the author of Big Bangs: The Story of Five Discoveries that Changed Musical History. In recent years he has been England's first ever National Ambassador for Singing, the Classical Brit Composer of the Year, and Classic FM's Composer-in-Residence. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music education.Trade ReviewGoodall has a prodigious gift for gathering information. People who know nothing about music will learn a lot here * Sunday Tribune *Intelligent, infectious * Observer *Writing a breezy history of music is a tough nut to crack, but Goodall manages it * Independent *

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Book SynopsisWhen it was first published in 2017, Jesse Fink’s masterful biography of Bon Scott became an international sensation: it made the cover of Classic Rock magazine, threats were made against the author, and there was talk among some AC/DC fans of boycotts and book burnings. So why the uproar? The legend of the man known around the world as `Bon’ grows with each passing year. In death, AC/DC’s trailblazing frontman has become a rock icon. But so much of his story is myth. Bon: The Last Highway tells the unvarnished truth. The 1977–80 period forged the legend of AC/DC. There wasn’t a harder working band on the road in America. But, as Fink reveals in a journey that takes the reader from Austin to Miami to London, the relentless AC/DC machine was threatening to fall apart. With unprecedented access to Bon’s lovers, newly unearthed documents and a trove of never-before-seen photos, this updated edition contains a new introduction and more revelations about the singer’s death, which should dispel once and for all the idea that Scott succumbed to acute alcohol poisoning on 19 February 1980. Meticulously researched and packed with fresh information, Bon: The Last Highway is an affectionate, honest tribute to a titan of rock music.Trade Review'The most extensively researched book on AC/DC ever ... it's outstanding. This is as close as anyone is ever gonna get to the complete truth behind the legend, warts and all.' - B. J. LISKO, Canton Repository 'This one-man investigation, born of respect for the truth and for Bon Scott as a human being, blazes a new trail.' - JOE BONOMO, author of AC/DC's Highway To Hell (33 1/3 Series) 'Jesse Fink has done rock fans a great service. He dispels the many myths about how AC/DC's Bon Scott lived and died, and in doing so, brings to life one of the most influential, memorable and complex figures in rock history.' - GREG RENOFF, author of Van Halen Rising

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Book SynopsisWhen Twin Peaks debuted on the ABC network on the night of April 8, 1990, thirty-five million viewers tuned in to some of the most unusual television of their lives. Centered on an eccentric, coffee-loving FBI agent's investigation into the murder of a small town teen queen, Twin Peaks brought the aesthetic of arthouse cinema to a prime time television audience and became a cult sensation in the process.Part of Twin Peaks' charm was its unforgettable soundtrack by Angelo Badalamenti, a longtime musical collaborator of film director and Twin Peaks co-creator David Lynch. Badalamenti's evocative music, with its haunting themes and jazzy moodscapes, served as a constant in a narrative that was often unhinged and went on to become one of the most popular and influential television soundtracks of all time. How did a unique collaborative process between a director and composer result in a perfectly postmodern soundtrack that ran the gamut of musical styles from jaTrade ReviewThe Soundtrack from Twin Peaks book is thoroughly enjoyable. It is music I know backwards, but it gives me all kinds of new trajectories and connections ... This is the strength of the [33 1/3] series. * Manchester Review of Books *Norelli clearly has an enormous love for the subject and is skilled in being able to identify how Lynch has used the music to heighten the emotional impact of his show. The book is as much for the film student as it is the music lover ... [It] offers an excellent way to find one’s way back into the woods and enjoy a truly unique and evocative aural experience. * We Are Cult *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Track Listing Welcome to Twin Peaks Beautiful Darkness There’s Always Music in the Air Falling Wrapped in Plastic She’s Full of Secrets Freshly Squeezed I’ll See You Again in 25 Years Notes Bibliography

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Book SynopsisA must have book for fans of Mick Ronson and David Bowie - the Spider from Hull who lit up the fabulous Ziggy Stardust shows with his dazzling guitar playing and powerful stage presence. This is Mick Ronson's story. And it begins in his home-town of Hull.Trade Review'Carefully crafted, it collects anecdotes and insights from family, friends and fellow musicians into his genius - and genial - character... Rupert and Garry charts Ronson's life, from the moment his mother realised the gift he had, through his early struggles to achieve his ambition, the Bowie years, and onwards to the many collaborations with top musicians as producer and arranger.' Yorkshire PostTable of ContentsFOREWARD PREFACE INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1- Childhood and Early Years 1946-1963 CHAPTER 2 - First Bands 1963-1966 CHAPTER 3- The Rats Part One 1966- 1968 CHAPTER 4- The Rats Part Two 1968-1970 CHAPTER 5- Bowie, Hype and the Man Who Sold the World 1970 CHAPTER 6 - From Ronno to Ziggy 1970-1971 CHAPTER 7 - Ziggy Played Guitar 1972 CHAPTER 8 - Ziggy's Rise and Fall 1973 CHAPTER 9 - From Sideman to Frontman 1973-1974 CHAPTER 10 - Musician & Producer for Hire 1974-1977 CHAPTER 11- The Long Road Home 1977- 1993 CHAPTER 12 - The Legacy APPENDICES: Who's Who Mick Ronson Timeline Bands & Artists that Mick worked with as a Musician and/or Producer Mick Ronson Map of Hull Acknowledgements Bibliography Photo Credits Index

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