Music: styles and genres Books
Sonicbond Publishing The Temptations 1960 to 1978 On Track
Book SynopsisThe Temptations are one of the iconic soul vocal groups, this book covers the first phase of their career, with volume two to follow in 2026. Hits in this period include the classics My Girl', Get Ready', Ball Of Confusion' and Papa Was A Rolling Stone.'
£15.29
Sonicbond Publishing Deep Purple and Rainbow 1968 to 1979 On Track Revised and Updated
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£15.29
Omnibus Press Time is Tight: The Autobiography of Booker T
Book SynopsisThe long-awaited memoir of Booker T. Jones, leader of the famed Stax Records house band, architect of the Memphis soul sound, and one of the most legendary figures in music. From Booker T. Jones's earliest years in segregated Memphis, music was the driving force in his life. While he worked paper routes and played gigs in local nightclubs to pay for lessons and support his family, Jones, on the side, was also recording sessions in what became the famous Stax Studios-all while still in high school. Not long after, he would form the genre-defining group Booker T. and the MGs, whose recordings went on to sell millions of copies, win a place in Rolling Stone's list of top 500 songs of all time, and help forge collaborations with some of the era's most influential artists, including Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Sam & Dave. Nearly five decades later, Jones's influence continues to help define the music industry, but only now is he ready to tell his remarkable life story. Time is Tight is the deeply moving account of how Jones balanced the brutality of the segregationist South with the loving support of his family and community, all while transforming a burgeoning studio into a musical mecca. Culminating with a definitive account into the inner workings of the Stax label, as well as a fascinating portrait of working with many of the era's most legendary performers-Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Tom Jones, among them-this extraordinary memoir promises to become a landmark moment in the history of Southern Soul.
£17.00
Omnibus Press What Have We Got: The Turbulent Story of Oi
Book SynopsisThe only book to consider Oi! as a distinct genre within punk rock, What Have We Got? is the story of a musical movement that became a national concern in the eighties and still divides opinion today. Drawing on new interviews with Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts, Cockney Rejects, Crown Court, Lion’s Law, The Templars and many more, Simon Spence considers the genre’s inception and noble intentions, how it fell into infamy, and where it lies now. With a growing and formidable audience in the US, Europe, Asia, South America and the UK, Oi! is as alive as it has ever been, and without the far-right associations that plagued its past.
£17.00
Danann Media Publishing Limited Seventeen Right here Right now
Book SynopsisDiscover the stories behind SEVENTEEN's most iconic performances, with intimateinsights and a host of stunning illustrations in a book that offers the ultimate look into theirrise to global stardom.
£19.12
Masala Noir HIP HOP LOGOS
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£14.72
Volonte & Co. Ennio Morricone Anthology
Book Synopsis
£15.96
Cornerstone Bad Vibes
Book SynopsisForget Blur/Oasis and Cool Britannia. None of that actually happened. Bad Vibes is the true story of English Rock in the nineties. Written with wit, brio and no small amount of bile, Luke Haines recounts how it felt to ride a wave of self-congratulatory success in a world with no taste. As frontman of The Auteurs, Haines tells of supporting Suede, conquering France, and failing to break America. Of knuckle-headed musos , baffling tours and a swiftly unravelling personal life. And of what it''s like to be on the cusp of massive success. Funny, honest and ridiculously entertaining, Luke Haines attacks anyone within rifle range, and is more than happy to turn the gun on himself. Bad Vibes is a brilliant memoir from a man who tells it how it was - and how he wishes it hadn''t been.Trade ReviewThese recollections could be mistaken for a great comic novel... Haines is as funny as he is grumpy * Independent on Sunday *Haines' prolific spleen, pasty English wit and peerless way with a smartly tailored insult was always going to make this memoir essential reading * Time Out *Beautifully acerbic and elegant. . . a viciously funny writer * Q Magazine *A lavishly bitchy memoir packed with gripes, grievances and tall stories told at the expense of other more famous musicians ... Haines has constructed a vivid literary persona for himself as the great, grumpy Nearly Man of 1990s rock ... He pours endless scorn on his amiable peers, who bizarrely seem not to mind or even notice ... Rock's misanthrope in excelsis * The Sunday Times *As entertaining as Spinal Tap * Guardian *
£10.44
Pan Macmillan Me: Elton John Official Autobiography
Book SynopsisIn his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life. Me is the joyously funny, honest and moving story of the most enduringly successful singer/songwriter of all time.'The rock memoir of the decade' – Daily Mail'The rock star's gloriously entertaining and candid memoir is a gift to the reader' – Sunday Times______________Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was performing his first gig in America, facing an astonished audience in his bright yellow dungarees, a star-spangled T-shirt and boots with wings. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.In Me Elton also writes powerfully about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father. In a voice that is warm, humble and open, this is Elton on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes. This is a story that will stay with you, by a living legend.______________'Self-deprecating, funny . . . You cannot help but enjoy his company throughout, temper tantrums and all' – The Times'Racy, pacy and crammed with scurrilous anecdotes - what more could you ask from the rocket man' – Guardian (Book of the Week)'Chatty, gossipy, amusing and at times brutally candid' – TelegraphTrade ReviewBlazingly honest . . . From sex and drugs and dancing with the Queen to sobriety and finally fatherhood, the rock star's gloriously entertaining and candid memoir is a gift to the reader * Sunday Times *The rock memoir of the decade * Daily Mail *Self-deprecating, funny . . . You cannot help but enjoy his company throughout, temper tantrums and all * The Times *All the sex, drugs and showbiz gossip you could want . . . A chatty, gossipy, amusing and at times brutally candid account * Telegraph *Outrageously enjoyable . . . racy, pacy and crammed with scurrilous anecdotes – what more could you ask from the rocket man? * Guardian *Bracingly open and spectacularly funny . . . practically everyone who is anyone in rock jumps briefly but revealingly into view * New Statesman *Full of warmth and candour . . . John's enthusiasm for music continues to shine through, as does the rebellious streak that made him the groundbreaking artist he continues to be today * Independent *A fitting testament to Elton’s life . . . unrelentingly enjoyable * GQ *Me is a riveting, laugh-til-you-cry, heartfelt page-turner . . . it is the earnest, sweet, damaged “music mad” kid at the heart of Me that will stick with you. * EW *The perfect pop memoir . . . the world's most successful singer-songwriter is thin-skinned, opinionated, mischievous a, prone to excess - and funny * The I *
£18.75
Cornerstone Leitch D Hurdy Gurdy Man
Book SynopsisDonovan''s autobiography charts his life from a post-war, Glaswegian childhood to the height of an international career as one of the leading figures of the 1960''s music scene.Always feeling like an outsider he found relief through music and poetry. The book reveals how he came to be influenced by Buddhist teachings and the music of Woody Guthrie and Joan Baez. The book explores the significance of falling deeply in love with the woman who was to become his muse, and the profound sense of loss he felt when their relationship came to an end, and how the loss affected him both personally and creatively.A leader of the folk revival in both Britain and America, the book recounts how he rose to be an international star, releasing songs such as Mellow Yellow and Catch the Wind, and his most successful album, Sunshine Superman. Donovan is acknowledged as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 1960''s.The book provides a frank accountTrade ReviewAnyone who lived through that time, or anyone curious to know what the 'magic' or theswinging 60s where about, will enjoy this trip through 'histories of ages past' with the original Hurdy Gurdy Man. * The Guardian *Entertaining and indisputably personal account * MOJO *Three cheers for the Hurdy Gurdy man for approaching his autobiography as a serious book rather than a quick cash-in or headline grabbing confessional...a pleasing trip back to a time, not so long ago, when every gentle heart believed peace was a real possibility * The Telegraph *An unqualified delight * The Observer *Touching, illuminating and frank * The New York Times *
£999.99
Oxford University Press Inc LOVE SONGS UPDF The Hidden History
Book SynopsisThe love song is timeless. From its beginnings, it has been shaped by bohemians and renegades, slaves and oppressed minorities, prostitutes, immigrants and other excluded groups. But what do we really know about the origins of these intimate expressions of the heart? And how have our changing perceptions about topics such as sexuality and gender roles changed our attitudes towards these songs?In Love Songs: The Hidden History, Ted Gioia uncovers the unexplored story of the love song for the first time. Drawing on two decades of research, Gioia presents the full range of love songs, from the fertility rites of ancient cultures to the sexualized YouTube videos of the present day. The book traces the battles over each new insurgency in the music of love--whether spurred by wandering scholars of medieval days or by four lads from Liverpool in more recent times. In these pages, Gioia reveals that the tenderest music has, in different eras, driven many of the most heated cultural conflicts, and how the humble love song has played a key role in expanding the sphere of individualism and personal autonomy in societies around the world.Gioia forefronts the conflicts, controversies, and the battles over censorship and suppression spurred by such music, revealing the outsiders and marginalized groups that have played a decisive role in shaping our songs of romance and courtship, and the ways their innovations have led to reprisals and strife. And he describes the surprising paths by which the love song has triumphed over these obstacles, and emerged as the dominant form of musical expression in modern society.Trade Review[a] wide-ranging and fascinating study * PD Smith, The Guardian *In this wide-ranging and fascinating study, music historian Ted Gioia examines the surprisingly ancient and diverse origins of the love song and its enduring power over us. * Peter Smith, The Guardian *A fascinating new book... clearly a work of love itself. * Daily Express, Jenny Selway *[A] richly researched and heartfelt song book of the ages... Gioia boldly and brilliantly enters the space between the noises of ancient fertility rites and the sexualised music videos of YouTube to discover how melody and love songs, like hearts full of passion, jealousy and hate, are never out of date. * The Times *An illuminating and entertaining book... As with his previous book on work songs, and his well-known history of jazz, Gioia shows a gift for condensing a vast mass of detail into a graceful narrative... Vast and fascinating. * Telegraph, Ivan Hewett *[Gioia] is one of those rare writers who [is] as comfortable with the comprehensive picture as with the telling example: clear-headed and persuasive as the overall argument of this intriguing book is, it is also packed with fascinating detail about everything from the love story of Dido and Aeneas to the twerking of Miley Cyrus... [Overall] this is an absorbing, provocative but consistently thoughtful study of a somewhat neglected area of musical history, a pioneering and useful complement to Gioias existing studies of Work Songs and Healing Songs. * London Jazz News, Sebastian Scotney *Extremely comprehensive, covering a huge swath of global music history in a conversational yet knowledgeable style. * The Australian, John McBeath *Gioia's book covers a tremendous amount of ground and gives you something to remember on almost every page. * The New Yorker *Gioia has constructed a mind-expanding, deep-focus piece of scholarship here... * The Atlantic *Gioia's is always an intellectual odyssey worth attending to. * The Buffalo News *Taking a somewhat chronological approach to the subject, Gioia has used his extensive knowledge of love songs throughout time and human history to write an unorthodox examination of this topic. The reader is transported from bird song to ancient Rome, from the troubadours to folk songs, from crooners to contemporary rappers. This is a fascinating approach. Essential. * Choice *Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Biology of the Love SongChapter 2: Procreative MusicChapter 3: Sappho and ConfuciusChapter 4: The Rise and Fall of the Roman Love SongChapter 5: The Thousand Year RepressionChapter 6: The Middle East — North African ConnectionChapter 7: The TroubadoursChapter 8: The Triumph of the Love SongChapter 9: A Love SupremeChapter 10: Profane LoveChapter 11: Love at the OperaChapter 12: Folk BalladsChapter 13: Love and the Rise of the Music BusinessChapter 14: Love Songs in Modern Times
£20.69
Oxford University Press Music
Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, InspiringThe world teems with different kinds of music - traditional, folk, classical, jazz, rock, pop - and each type of music tends to come with its own way of thinking. Drawing on a wealth of accessible examples ranging from Beethoven to Chinese zither music, this Very Short Introduction considers the history of music and thinking about music, focussing on its social and cultural dimensions. Nicholas Cook balances the Western Classical traditions within the context of many other musical cultures in today''s world, tracing the way in which their development since the eighteenth century has conditioned present-day thinking and practice both within and beyond the West. He also considers the nature of music as a real-time performance practice; the role of music in contexts of social and political action; and the nature of musical thinking, including the roles played in it by instruments, notations, and creative imagination. In this new edition Cook explores the impact of digital technology on the production and consumption of music, including how it has transformed participatory music-making and the music business. He also discusses music''s position in a globalized world, from the role it played in historical processes of colonisation and decolonisation to its present-day significance as a vehicle of cross-cultural communication. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1: Music in the moment 2: Thinking in music 3: The presence of the past 4: Music 2.0 5: Music in a global world References Further Reading Index
£9.49
WW Norton & Co Revolutions in American Music
Book SynopsisThe story of how three tumultuous decades changed American music
£25.64
Faber & Faber Mystery Train
Book Synopsis
£17.00
Running Press,U.S. Queen All the Songs The Story Behind Every Track
Book Synopsis Filled with fascinating photographs and juicy behind-the-scenes details, Queen All the Songs illuminates the unique recording history of a mega-bestselling and hugely influential rock band—album-by-album and track-by-track. A lovingly thorough dissection of every album and every song ever released by the beloved rock group, Queen All the Songs follows Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John from their self-titled debut album in 1973 through the untimely passing of Freddie, all the way up to their latest releases and the Oscar-winning film, Bohemian Rhapsody. The writing and recording process of each track is discussed and analyzed by author Benoît Clerc, and page-after-page features captivating and sometimes rarely seen images of the band. Queen All the Songs delves deep into the history and origins of the band and their music. This one-of-a-kind book draws upon decades of resear
£40.50
Headline Publishing Group Journal of Wonder
Book Synopsis''Clemmie writes about each piece of music with such energy and passion that you can''t help but immediately want to stop what you''re doing and seek it out'' Eddie Redmayne''The only requirements for enjoying classical music are open ears and an open mind.'' Clemency Burton-HillAn inspirational journal that will guide you through a year of music, from award-winning broadcaster Clemency Burton-Hill. The musical pieces included in this journal have been extracted from her previous books, Year of Wonder and Another Year of Wonder.From the author of the bestselling Year of Wonder series, this day-by-day journal will take you from January to December with classical music every day. Each piece, from medieval masterpieces to contemporary works, arrives with a brief introduction to the content and composer, along with plenty of space for you to listen, reflect and journal your thoughts. You''ll find 52 prompts, one for each week, encouraging you to set goals for your year, and integrate your reflections and experiences on your journey of self-discovery. With beauty and inspiration on every page, this is another enlightening celebration of classical music by an author who wants to share its diverse wonders with others, whether complete novices or lifetime enthusiasts.Trade ReviewPraise for the Year of Wonder series: * . *A magnificent treasury . . . a fascinating tour de force. * Observer *Clemency Burton-Hill makes classical music absolutely accessible, magical and medicinal. * Dolly Alderton, broadcaster, writer and bestselling author *Clemmie's recommendations have broadened my mind, sharpened my imagination, tugged on my heartstrings and given me a song for every mood. Read this book and let yourself float away for a moment or two. What a gift. * Emma Gannon, bestselling author and host of the Ctrl Alt Delete podcast *Clemmie writes about each piece of music with such energy and passion that you can't help but immediately want to stop what you're doing and seek it out * Eddie Redmayne *The extraordinary gift of the Year of Wonder series is that there is something in these pages for everyone. However you're feeling, at whatever time of year, you will be able to find what you need. * Elizabeth Day *
£13.49
Little, Brown Book Group 1967
Book SynopsisThe great eccentric of British psychedelia and unsung national treasure - beloved of everyone from Led Zeppelin, R.E.M. to Stewart Lee and the late Jonathan Demme (who directed Storefront Hitchcock, a 1998 concert film conceived as 'a document not a documentary') - pens an idiosyncratic childhood memoir . . .
£11.69
Faber Piano Adventures PreTime Piano Disney: Primer Level - 8 Favorites
Book Synopsis
£8.92
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Background Noise, Second Edition: Perspectives on
Book SynopsisBackground Noise follows the development of sound as an artistic medium and illustrates how sound is put to use within modes of composition, installation, and performance. While chronological in its structure, Brandon LaBelle's book is informed by spatial thinking - weaving architecture, environments, and the specifics of location into the work of sound, with the aim of formulating an expansive history and understanding of sound art. At its center the book presupposes an intrinsic relation between sound and its location, galvanizing acoustics, sound phenomena, and the environmental with the tensions inherent in what LaBelle identifies as sound's relational dynamic. For the author, this is embedded within sound's tendency to become public expressed in its ability to travel distances, foster cultural expression, and define spaces while being radically flexible. This second expanded edition includes a new chapter on the non-human and subnatural tendencies in sound art, revisions to the text as well as a new preface by the author. Intersecting material analysis with theoretical frameworks spanning art and architectural theory, performance studies and media theory, Background Noise makes the case that sound and sound art are central to understandings of contemporary culture.Trade ReviewThe rise of a prominent auditory culture, as seen in the recent plethora of art exhibitions on sound art, in conjunction with academic programs dedicated to "aural culture", sonic art, and auditory issues now emerging, reveals the degree to which sound art is lending definition to the 21st Century. And yet sound art still lacks related literature to compliment, and expand, the realm of practice. Written by The Wire's contributor Brandon Labelle, Background Noise sets out an historical overview, while at the same time shaping that history according to what sound art reveals—the dynamics of art to operate spatially, through media of reproduction and broadcast, and in relation to the intensities of communication and its contextual framework. * The Wire 2010 *Background Noise follows the development of sound as an artistic medium and illustrates how sound is put to use within modes of composition, installation, and performance. While chronological in its structure, Brandon LaBelle's book is informed by spatial thinking - weaving architecture, environments, and the specifics of location into the work of sound, with the aim of formulating an expansive history and understanding of sound art. * Dailywatch.com *Reading Background Noise for the first time introduced me to the world of sound art, to its rich history, its incredible variety of concrete works, its overview of artists working in the field, and its discourses. It taught me how to think about sound in relation to space instead of time. Now, some seven years later, Background Noise is still one of my most important sources. It is a must-read for anyone interested in auditory culture and sound art. * Marcel Cobussen is editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sonic Studies and co-editor of The Routledge Sounding Art Companion (2015) *There are stones here. Stones gathered with great shrewdness by Brandon LaBelle from the broad shore of relational artistic practice; each carries the weight of its own historical significance; each is perfectly shaped to deliver its conceptual impact; each is thrown outwards in just the right sequence and with just the right trajectory to set the ripples running, producing patterns that continue to inspire the reader long, long after the momentum of the book has come to rest. Background Noise is the very best of books: as reverberant as the phenomena it so beautifully articulates. * Angus Carlyle, Professor of Sound and Landscape, University of the Arts London, UK *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface to the Second Edition Introduction: Auditory Relations Fade In Part 1: 4'33": Sound and Points of Origin Introduction to Part 1 Chapter 1 Sociality of Sound: John Cage and Musical Concepts Chapter 2 Exposing the Sound Object:Musique Concrète's Sonic Research Chapter 3 Automatic Music: Group Ongaku's Performative Labors Part 2: Box with the Sound of Its Own Making: From Gags to Sculptural Form Introduction to Part 2 Chapter 4 Rhythms of Chaos: Happenings, Environments, and Fluxus Chapter 5 Minimalist Treatments: La Monte Young and Robert Morris Chapter 6 Conceptualizations:Michael Asher and the Subject of Space Part 3: I Am Sitting in a Room: Vocal Intensities Introduction to Part 3 Chapter 7 Performing Desire/ Performing Fear: Vito Acconci and the Power Plays of Voice Chapter 8 Finding Oneself: Alvin Lucier and the Phenomenal Voice Chapter 9 Word of Mouth: Christof Migone's Little Manias Part 4: Public Supply: Buildings, Constructions, and Locational Listening Introduction to Part 4 Chapter 10 Tuning Space:Max Neuhaus and Site-Specific Sound Chapter 11 Other Architectures:Michael Brewster, Maryanne Amacher, and Bernhard Leitner Chapter 12 Composing Intensities: Iannis Xenakis's Multimedia Architectures Part 5: Soundmarks: Environments and Aural Geography Introduction to Part 5 Chapter 13 Seeking Ursound: Hildegard Westerkamp, Steve Peters, and the Soundscape Chapter 14 Language Games: Yasunao Tone and the Mechanics of Information Chapter 15 Complicating Place: Bill Fontana and Networking the Soundscape Part 6: Global Strings: Interpersonal and Network Space Introduction to Part 6 Chapter 16 Interactions: Achim Wollscheid's Production of the Local Chapter 17 Global Events: Atau Tanaka and Network as Instrument Chapter 18 Live Streams: Apo33 and Multiplying Place Fade Out Conclusion: Auditive Pivot Appendix: Peripheries – subnature, phantom memory, and dirty listening List of Works Cited Index
£31.34
Sonicbond Publishing The Making Of Abba
Book SynopsisSwedish quartet ABBA released their third, self-titled album in 1975. It was a record that led the group to their international breakthrough and eventual domination of the 1970s pop music world.This is the story of the album, from its inception to its triumphant commercial breakthrough and all in between.
£13.49
Sonicbond Publishing Apple Of My Eye
Book SynopsisThe Beatles pioneered so much in the recording studio during their short time together that it's easy to forget that they formed their own record company in April 1968. Their business plan: to find and fund new musical talent.
£15.29
Headline Publishing Group Ready Steady Go: My Unstoppable Journey in Dance
Book Synopsis"A wild ride of a life... Oakenfold's story is extraordinary" - The Times Follow Paul Oakenfold – world-renowned DJ and dance music pioneer – as he tells his incredible story of a phenomenal career at the beating heart of dance.Paul's journey takes him from a musical baptism in 1980s New York and underground club nights in London to running a seminal dance record label and a legendary trip to Ibiza that introduced him to trance and changed the face of dance music forever.A breathless adventure through music, Ready Steady Go is a story of dance, trance, excess and success.
£17.00
Intellect DJing in New York
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£80.96
Omnibus Press Leaving the Building: The Lucrative Afterlife of
Book SynopsisWhen a musician dies, it is rarely the end of their story. While death can propel megastars to even further success, artists overlooked in their lifetime might also find a new type of fame. But a badly timed move or the wrong deal can see the artist die all over again. Colonel Tom Parker, the former carnival huckster, understood this high-wire act implicitly and the posthumous career of Elvis Presley has provided a template for everyone else. Estates have two jobs: keeping the artist's name alive and ensuring they continue to make money. These can sometimes be compatible goals, but often they spark a tension that is unique in the music business. Drawing on interviews with those running music estates as well as music lawyers, record company executives and archivists, Leaving the Building reveals how the music industry is constantly striving to perfect the business of death.
£17.00
Omnibus Press 1999
Book SynopsisAn account of the fall of the traditional record business around the turn of the millennium.
£24.00
Danann Media Publishing Limited Beyonce Icon of Our Times
Book SynopsisThis is Beyoncé, as the unrivalled queen of excellence and empowerment. What better way to celebrate the legend, the music, and the message of Beyoncé thanthrough this visual journey spanning the course of her stardoman icon whose impact istruly unmatched.
£11.69
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc ACDC at 50
Book SynopsisAuthored by acclaimed rock writer Martin Popoff, AC/DC at 50 provides a visually stunning and authoritative celebration of the legendary Aussie rockers on their 50th anniversary.Trade Review"Aesthetically stunning and expertly written, this book will spend years in your library only to be opened again and again. The best books are those we revisit: for reference, for nostalgia, for uncomplicated beauty. Martin Popoff and Motorbooks have laid plain the colossal musical history of AC/DC—and all under 200 pages. Now, that is a colossal accomplishment." * Screamer Magazine *"Through his compelling narrative, along with a vast collection of images, AC/DC At 50 is an enjoyable reading experience for super and casual fans alike. Popoff allows for AC/DC’s achievements and downfalls tell their story to great effect...has created a strong companion for truly understanding the legacy and cultural importance of AC/DC." * Spill Magazine *"...this book examines 50 career milestones...the best parts are lesser-known markers like an impromptu '77 set at NYC punk mecca CBGB's or discussing 1978's Powerage - Keith Richards' favorite AC/DC album!" * Vintage Guitar *"For those about to rock, er, read, here's a must-have book for AC/DC fans. Each of the 50 chapters is accompanied by photos and pictures of ephemera (posters, ticket stubs, backstage passes) from the era and a short essay from Popoff, whose eloquent commentary is not only informative but also often amusing." * antimusic.com *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTIONPART 1 BONFIRE 01 PROBLEM CHILD - AC/DC forms in Sydney 02 LOVE AT FIRST FEEL - Debut single, “Can I Sit Next to You, Girl” 03 ROCK ’N’ ROLL SINGER - Bon Scott joins 04 SHOW BUSINESS - Debut album, High Voltage 05 WAITING ROUND TO BE A MILLIONAIRE - The second album, T.N.T. 06 LONG WAY TO THE TOP - The international compilation version of High Voltage 07 LIVE WIRE - First dates outside Australia 08 GONNA BE SOME ROCKIN’ - The third Australian album, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap 09 BAD BOY BOOGIE - The fourth album, Let There Be Rock 10 GIMME A BULLET - Cliff Williams replaces Mark Evans on bass 11 FIRST BLOOD - The first U.S. shows 12 SAFE IN NEW YORK CITY - AC/DC play CBGB 13 DECIBEL - AC/DC issue Powerage 14 LET THERE BE ROCK - First live album, If You Want Blood You’ve Got It 15 RISING POWER - The Mutt Lange–produced Highway to Hell 16 HAVE A DRINK ON ME - First RIAA certificationPART 2 GEORDIE 17 MISS ADVENTURE - Bon Scott dies 18 SEND FOR THE MAN - Malcolm offers Brian Johnson a job 19 BACK IN BUSINESS - AC/DC issue Back in Black 20 ALL SCREWED UP - Atlantic issues Dirty Deeds in North America 21 STAND UP - Headlining the second annual Monsters of Rock 22 FIRE YOUR GUNS - The eighth album, For Those About to Rock 23 BREAKING THE RULES - The self-produced Flick of the Switch 24 THIS HOUSE IS ON FIRE - First band to headline Monsters of Rock twice 25 GO DOWN - Headlining Rock in Rio 26 SHAKE YOUR FOUNDATIONS - AC/DC issue Fly on the Wall 27 WAR MACHINE - The soundtrack/hits release, Who Made Who 28 SYSTEMS DOWN - AC/DC issue Blow Up Your Video 29 TOUCH TOO MUCH - Malcolm enters rehab 30 THUNDERSTRUCK - The comeback album, The Razors EdgePART 3 LEGACY 31 MONEY MADE - Back in Black certified 10x platinum 32 GO ZONE - Headlining Russia’s first-ever open-air rock festival 33 KICKED IN THE TEETH - A second live album, simply called Live 34 RUFF STUFF - AC/DC issue Ballbreaker 35 UP TO MY NECK IN YOU - The Bonfire box set 36 ROCK THE BLUES AWAY - Fourteenth album, Stiff Upper Lip 37 SHOOT TO THRILL - AC/DC perform on SNL 38 SCHOOL DAYS - AC/DC play club shows and support The Rolling Stones 39 ROCK THE HOUSE - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction 40 SKIES ON FIRE - Performing at the Toronto Rocks benefit 41 ROCK ’N’ ROLL AIN’T NOISE POLLUTION - Fifteenth studio album, Black Ice 42 BOOGIE MAN - Columbia issues Backtracks box set 43 JAILBREAK - A third live album, Live at River PlatePART 4 MALCOLM 44 REALIZE - Ill health forces Malcolm aside; Phil Rudd gets fired 45 PLAY BALL - AC/DC issue Rock or Bust, their first album without Malcolm 46 NICK OF TIME - Performing at the Grammys 47 HELLS BELLS - Brian plays his last AC/DC show... to date 48 GUNS FOR HIRE - Twenty-three dates with Axl Rose as front man 49 THROUGH THE MISTS OF TIME - Rest in Peace, George and Malcolm Young 50 FLICK OF THE SWITCH - Seventeenth album, Power Up DISCOGRAPHY INDEX IMAGE CREDITS
£28.00
Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) 20th Century Ambient
Book SynopsisDusty Henry is a writer and editor based out of Seattle, Washington. He currently works at KEXP, a non-profit radio station and arts organization, where he oversees the station's editorial work. He is a frequent contributor to the station's Sound & Vision radio show and helped produce, script, and conceptualize the award-winning podcast Fresh off the Spaceship: The Story of the Black Constellation and regularly contributes to KEXP's 50 Years of Hip-Hop podcast. His work has also appeared in Stereogum, NPR Music, and Consequence of Sound, as well as featured at the Pop Conference.
£14.24
Omnibus Press My Mama Cass
Book SynopsisA long-awaited, myth-busting, and deeply affecting memoir by the daughter of legendary rock star Mama Cass Elliot.
£21.25
Sonicbond Publishing The Cure On Track
Book SynopsisFew bands can claim anything like the longevity, sincerity, and sheer creative breadth of The Cure. From their beginnings as literate punks through their early bleak masterpieces that ended with Pornography (1982), to the pop years that followed and their worldwide success with the mercurial Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987) and the monolithic Disintegration (1989), they have built a reputation as idealistic iconoclasts and sustained a dearly devoted audience that hangs on Robert Smith?s every impassioned word. Their epic live sets regularly include deep cuts from every era and run the gamut from unabashed romanticism to harrowing sorrow, from dance to dirge and back again. As prolific in the studio as they are on stage, their history is littered with remarkable B-sides, rare tracks, live records, remixes, and more. This book examines the entirety of The Cure?s quixotic catalogue, from the surly departures of Three Imaginary Boys (1979) to the triumphant return of Songs Of S Lost World (2024) and all days in between. For every mood, there?s a Cure song to match, and you?ll find it here.
£15.29
Pan Macmillan Me: Elton John Official Autobiography
Book SynopsisIn his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life. Me is the joyously funny, honest and moving story of the most enduringly successful singer/songwriter of all time.The Sunday Times bestseller with a new chapter bringing the story up to date. 'The rock memoir of the decade' – Daily Mail'The rock star's gloriously entertaining and candid memoir is a gift to the reader' – Sunday Times______________Christened Reginald Dwight was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was performing his first gig in America, facing an astonished audience in his bright yellow dungarees, a star-spangled T-shirt and boots with wings. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.In Me Elton also writes powerfully about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father. In a voice that is warm, humble and open, this is Elton on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes. This is a story that will stay with you, by a living legend.______________'Self-deprecating, funny . . . You cannot help but enjoy his company throughout, temper tantrums and all' – The Times'Racy, pacy and crammed with scurrilous anecdotes - what more could you ask from the rocket man' – Guardian (Book of the Week)'Chatty, gossipy, amusing and at times brutally candid' – TelegraphTrade ReviewBlazingly honest . . . From sex and drugs and dancing with the Queen to sobriety and finally fatherhood, the rock star's gloriously entertaining and candid memoir is a gift to the reader * Sunday Times *The rock memoir of the decade * Daily Mail *Self-deprecating, funny . . . You cannot help but enjoy his company throughout, temper tantrums and all * The Times *All the sex, drugs and showbiz gossip you could want . . . A chatty, gossipy, amusing and at times brutally candid account * Telegraph *Outrageously enjoyable . . . racy, pacy and crammed with scurrilous anecdotes – what more could you ask from the rocket man? * Guardian *Bracingly open and spectacularly funny . . . practically everyone who is anyone in rock jumps briefly but revealingly into view * New Statesman *Full of warmth and candour . . . John's enthusiasm for music continues to shine through, as does the rebellious streak that made him the groundbreaking artist he continues to be today * Independent *A fitting testament to Elton’s life . . . unrelentingly enjoyable * GQ *Me is a riveting, laugh-til-you-cry, heartfelt page-turner . . . it is the earnest, sweet, damaged “music mad” kid at the heart of Me that will stick with you. * EW *The perfect pop memoir . . . the world's most successful singer-songwriter is thin-skinned, opinionated, mischievous a, prone to excess - and funny * The I *
£11.69
Little, Brown Book Group So Tell Me What You Want
Book Synopsis1987. Armed with a Filofax, a brick of a mobile phone and steely determination, 20-year-old Nicki Chapman is walking through the seedy streets of Soho towards her first job in the music biz.But how did Nicki go from being a looked-over assistant running promo packages over to BBC Radio 1 to a judge on Pop Idol with 15 million viewers tuning in for the nail-biting moment Will Young triumphed over Gareth Gates?Everyone knows there were the kingmakers in the heady days of 90s British pop music, but this is a queen''s side of the story; a down-to-earth, no-nonsense team player who fought to make it in an industry that was very much a man''s world.Empowering, entertaining and sprinkled with stardust, Nicki''s inspirational behind-the-scenes story takes in the rocketing highs and heart-breaking lows of promoting, managing and touring with the Spice Girls, Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, Take That, Billie Piper, Phil Collins and S Club 7, all whilst confro
£18.70
Faber & Faber The Bach Cello Suites
Book SynopsisA unique Companion to J S Bach''s iconic Cello Suites from internationally-renowned cellist Steven Isserlis.The very model of how to write about music.' Philip PullmanAn essential companion.' Jeremy Denk, New York TimesIlluminating, accessible and detailed.' ObserverBach's six cello suites for solo cello are among the most cherished works in musical literature. Little-known for some two hundred years after their composition, they have acquired an aura that enthrals audiences worldwide.Internationally renowned cellist Steven Isserlis goes deep into the history and the emotional journey of the suites, bringing to bear all his experience of performance to offer a rewarding companion for everyone, from the casual listener to the performing musician.Trade Review'In his writing, as in his playing, Steven makes hard work seem effort-less. He's the master of the material, yet always able to make it accessible. In The Bach Cello Suites he explains often difficult technical detail with great joy and humour. For someone like me, who doesn't know their gavotte from their elbow, it is an absolute treat to be led to this sublime music by such an enthusiastic expert.'- Michael Palin'The book I've always wanted: an accessible, eloquent guide to the world's greatest - and maybe most elusive - pieces of music. And written by the man I'd want to tell me about it. This is such a delight.'- Derren Brown
£10.44
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street
Book SynopsisThe band to introduce the blues to the British mainstream and who continue to sell millions of records 40 years on. This bleak album is now regarded as their finest hour. Includes Rocks Off.Trade Review"'A brilliant idea' The Times; 'Neat' Nick Hornby; 'Pocket-size books about favourite albums is a nice idea, akin to TV's Classic Albums and with an equal amount of care and attention.' The Guardian (Friday Review)"
£9.49
Hachette Books Before Elvis
Book Synopsis
£22.50
Faber & Faber Side by Side Selected Lyrics
Book SynopsisThe life's work of two of British music's most unique and timeless artists, with an introduction by Jarvis Cocker.Whenever an aspiring musician asks me about songwriting I point them towards Robert and Alfie. Their work is so unusual, so perceptive, so playful and so grown-up. I don't think there''s anyone to compare. If you want songs that touch your mind as well as your heart, these are the best. Wide distribution of this book could improve the state of music dramatically. - Brian Eno***Selected and arranged by the authors themselves, and featuring an introduction by Jarvis Cocker, Side by Side presents the lyrics, poems, writings and drawings of innovative musician Robert Wyatt and his creative partner, English painter and songwriter Alfie Benge.As a founding member of influential English rock bands Soft Machine and Matching Mole, and with a solo career which has lasted for over forty years and seen him collaborate with a diver
£13.49
Novello & Co Ltd Dido and Aeneas Vocal Score
Book Synopsis
£10.92
Austin Macauley Publishers Its Only Words
Book Synopsis
£13.49
TokyoPop Emma Capucine Volume 2
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Little, Brown & Company Ladies First: Hip-Hop Ladies Who Changed the Game
Book SynopsisFIRST THINGS FIRST reframes the history of hip-hop but, this time, women are given credit for all their trailblazing achievements that have left an undeniable impact on music.FIRST THINGS FIRST takes readers on a journey through some of the most notable firsts by women in hip-hop history and their importance. Factual firsts like Queen Latifah becoming the first rapper to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Lauryn Hill making history as the first rapper to win the coveted Album of the Year Award at the GRAMMYs, April Walker being the first woman to dominate in the hip-hop fashion game, and Da Brat being the first solo woman rapper to have an album go platinum, not to forget metaphorical firsts like Missy Elliott being the first woman rapper to go to the future. Legends like Nicki Minaj, Lil' Kim and Mary J. Blige are in here too. FIRST THINGS FIRST is a celebration of the achievements of women in hip-hop who broke down barriers and broke the mould.
£19.80
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Grateful Dead's Workingman's Dead
Book SynopsisReleased in 1970, Workingman’s Dead was the breakthrough album for the Grateful Dead, a cold-water-shock departure from the Acid Test madness of the late ‘60s. It was the band’s most commercially and critically successful release to date. More importantly, these songs established the blueprint for how the Dead would maintain and build upon a community held together by the core motivation of rejecting the status quo – the “straight life” – in order to live and work on their own terms. As a unified whole, the album’s eight songs serve as points of entry into a fully-rendered portrait of the Grateful Dead within the context of late twentieth-century American history. These songs speak to the attendant cultural and political anxieties that resulted from the idealism of the ‘60s giving way to the uncomfortable realities of the ‘70s, and the band’s evolving perspective on these changes. Based on research, interviews, and personal experience, this book probes the paradox at the heart of the band’s appeal: the Grateful Dead were about much more than music, though they were really just about the music.Trade ReviewIn 1969 the Grateful Dead executed an extraordinary pivot. While playing brilliant, deeply improvisational psychedelic music, they simultaneously began to create a series of traditionally-styled new American folk songs that would be collected in Workingman’s Dead. It is perhaps the key moment in their storied history, and Buzz Poole explores this evolution with insight and a profound understanding of how these songs fit into American cultural history. * Dennis McNally, author of A Long Strange Trip (2003) and On Highway 61 (2014) *Buzz Poole nails his take on Workingman's Dead, with the song-by-song conceit proving surprisingly agile for the Dead. Poole unpacks and links the mythos attached to the album's eight songs and their histories in the Dead's songbook. Like the Dead, Poole sweeps through the American territories, from the American folklore of 'Casey Jones' to the Manson murders. Good stuff, fun read. * Jesse Jarnow, author of Heads: A Biography of Psychedelic America (2016) *Poole provides a thoughtful, detailed, and passionate look at this seminal album that frames its achievement and demonstrates why it still rewards close listening. It's great to see the Dead represented in this series! -- Nicholas Meriwether, Grateful Dead ArchivistBuzz Poole brings us back to the time before capitalism consumed the counterculture; the musical and cultural moment when the Grateful Dead reluctantly accepted the mantle as the horse pulling the wagon full of hippies, freaks, outlaws and others through the darkness of the world of power, war, and greed…Poole does an excellent job in pulling together the diverse and multiple musical, folk and literary influences apparent in the songs on Workingman’s Dead (and most other Dead albums, too.) * Counterpunch *[A] little beauty ... [and] the only Dead book I know of devoted to a single album ... No matter how extensive your Dead library, you should make room for this wee addition. * Shindig! *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Background, Historical and Personal Chapter 2: “Uncle John’s Band” Chapter 3: “High Time” Chapter 4: “Dire Wolf” Chapter 5: “New Speedway Boogie” Chapter 6: “Cumberland Blues” Chapter 7: “Black Peter” Chapter 8: “Easy Wind” Chapter 9: “Casey Jones” Notes
£9.49
Hal Leonard Corporation Favorite Disney Songs: Instrumental Play-Along -
Book Synopsis
£16.14
This Day in Music Books Howard Jones – We’re In This Together
Book Synopsis
£31.99
Oneworld Publications Jazz: A Beginner's Guide
Book SynopsisThis definitive guide includes a unique chapter-by-chapter playlist for the reader. Jazz: A Beginner’s Guide is a lively and highly accessible introduction to a global musical phenomenon. Award-winning music journalist and author Stuart Nicholson takes the reader on an entertaining journey from jazz's early stirrings in America’s south through to the present day, when almost every country in the world has its own vibrant jazz scene. En route we meet a host of jazz heroes past and present, from Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Miles Davis, to Keith Jarrett and Kamasi Washington. Each chapter is accompanied by a playlist designed to provide a stimulating and enjoyable entry point to what has been described as the most exciting art form of all. Trade Review"An important contribution to jazz history by one of our leading writers, whose scholarly and artful evolutional guide navigates the listener boldly through the world of jazz. It is marked by formidable research and a passionate commitment to distilling the styles and major moments in this century of jazz, that open the door and your ears to a truly beautiful journey." -- Professor Tommy Smith - Artistic Director of Jazz, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Scottish National Jazz Orchestra"Stuart Nicholson leads the reader on a step-by-step journey to unlock the mysteries of jazz. Though geared towards neophytes, the most seasoned jazz fan will learn much in these pages." -- Randy Sandke - American jazz trumpeter and guitarist"Far more than a beginner's guide, this book is Stuart Nicholson's enlightened and enlightening view of jazz – enough so to make even experienced jazz fans listen with fresh ears." -- Bill Kirchner – Musician, producer and educator
£9.49
Octopus Publishing Group Prince: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every
Book Synopsis"Prince: All the Songs is a major achievement...[It] may be the definitive single-volume book about Prince for both its breadth and the way it views his life through the songs that were the true essence of his being." - PsychobabbleSpanning nearly 50 years of albums, EPs, B-sides, and more, read the full story behind all of the songs that Prince ever released. Moving chronologically through his epic back catalogue, expert author Benoît Clerc analyses everything there is to know about each song and session.No stone is left unturned across more than 600 pages, illustrated with incredible photography throughout. From the inspiration behind the lyrics and melody to the recording process and even the musicians and producers who worked on each track, uncover the stories behind the music in this truly definitive book - a must-have for every Prince fan.
£40.00
Headline Publishing Group D. O. DOUBLE G The Little Guide to Snoop Dogg
Book SynopsisAmerica''s Original Gangsta. Snoop Doggy Dogg fired up the burgeoning U.S. rap scene in 1993 with his outstanding debut, Doggystyle. It not only revolutionised a genre, it also put West Coast ganstas at the top of the charts for the first time ever. With producer Dr Dre, Snoop lit the spark for many other famous rappers to find fame and built a global apparel empire and brand that now branches out into multiple bestselling products, all available on his online ''Snoopermarket''.This little guide is the pick-me-up every Snoop fan deserves. With more than 175 whip smart wisecracks from America''s highest pop culture power, The Little Guide to Snoop Dogg is the best way to celebrate 30 years of Doggystyle without putting your back out.''I felt like I was out of pocket. I apologised to him, and let him know and I''m just bettering myself. I make mistakes. I ain''t perfect. I''m Snoop Dogg.''
£6.99
Headline Publishing Group Ready Steady Go: My Unstoppable Journey in Dance
Book Synopsis"A wild ride of a life... Oakenfold's story is extraordinary" - The Times Follow Paul Oakenfold – world-renowned DJ and dance music pioneer – as he tells his incredible story of a phenomenal career at the beating heart of dance.Paul's journey takes him from a musical baptism in 1980s New York and underground club nights in London to running a seminal dance record label and a legendary trip to Ibiza that introduced him to trance and changed the face of dance music forever.A breathless adventure through music, Ready Steady Go is a story of dance, trance, excess and success.
£9.49
Canongate Books Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven
Book SynopsisFrom his allegiance to punk rock in his adolescence to becoming an essential voice on music and culture, Kelefa Sanneh makes a deep study of how popular music unites and divides us. Distilling a career's worth of knowledge, he explores the tribes music forms, and how its genres, shape-shifting across the years, give us a way to track larger forces and concerns.This is a book to shock and awe the deepest music nerd, and at the same time to work as a heady gateway drug for the uninitiated.Trade ReviewThe most elegant history of popular music ever written . . . Sanneh not only delivers a coolly dazzling overview of the battlefields of genre but also revels open-heartedly in the music itself, his taste unbound by dogma or prejudice. The operative word is keen: zealous in spirit, exact in execution, ferociously acute from the first sentence to the last -- ALEX ROSS * * author of The Rest is Noise * *Kelefa Sanneh has achieved the impossible. Major Labels somehow manages to unspool everything you need to know about 50 years of music, but more impressively, he makes you care about all of it. Even the stuff you don't care about. It's funny, it's personal, and as a piece of writing the book borders on poetry -- DAVID LETTERMANAn intellectually rigorous retelling of rock and pop history * * The Times, Best Books of the Year * *The most wide-ranging music book of the year . . . elegantly written * * Herald, Music Books of the Year * *Intriguing, controversial, personal . . . a unique and absorbing read * * Guardian * *The book is immensely readable, and full of rich detail * * Independent * *This is a long-haul read, yet charmingly conducted in that languid, laconic New Yorker style that makes such a mammoth undertaking even possible. Its kick is to sew into the stories some near hidden gems - and socking ones too -- ANNIE NIGHTINGALESanneh's hospitable prose makes understanding this labyrinthine history feel like an adventure * * Guardian * *Entertaining, diligent . . . His observations are always fresh and thought-provoking, and presented with clarity and wit * * MOJO * *Inside this big, ambitious hybrid book was a smaller, more personal and altogether more compelling exploration of belonging and identity through music * * Observer * *
£13.49
