Music Books

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Book SynopsisLiving in Toronto has its challenges, especially when duct tape-wielding landlords and ever-encroaching developers are involved. For Lenny, the antidote to the chaos at home is the realization of a dream: opening a used record store with a carefully curated selection. He works hard, sneaking bites of cold noodles between customers, and politely tolerating even the most ridiculous requests. Unfortunately, Lenny's store isn't much more stable than his home life. Rent is sky-high, and sales are sporadic. Some days, he's run off his feet while other days, smashing unwanted records is the only way to pass the time. Hope arrives in the form of an old press release tucked away in the sleeve of a record. The discovery launches Lenny into his next quest: to track down the long-lost record collection of Hot Walter, an elusive and aging disco DJ. But will it be enough to save Lenny's Vinyl Boutique? On Vinyl is a love letter to vinyl and an exploration of the role nostalgia plays in the decisions we make.

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Book SynopsisBrother and sister Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn enjoyed a rare bond: they were intimate companions and theirs was one of the most significant musical relationships of the 19th century. They shared and commented on each other’s compositions, each highly appreciative of the other but also offering frank, critical advice. Their travels produced some great music – Felix’s best loved works, the Hebrides Overture and the Scottish Symphony, were inspired by his 1829 visit to Scotland, whilst Fanny’s innovative piano cycle Das Jahr was a musical response to the tour of Italy she made in 1839–40. Combining letters and sketches with an accompanying narrative describing their journeys, this is a wonderful celebration of the two Mendelssohns and a portrait of Scotland and Italy of the time as seen through the eyes of two of the Romantic movement’s most acclaimed composers.Trade Review'. . . engagingly written and handsomely illustrated. The Soul of the Journey reminds us that two of the seminal German composers of the 1830s and 1840s were “serious" tourists, who brought back from their travels in Scotland and Italy not only visual reminiscences but inspiration for several of their most significant composition' -- Professor R. Larry Todd, Duke University, author of Mendelssohn: A Life in Music and Fanny Hensel: The Other Mendelssohn'A beautifully produced book, lavishly illustrated, carefully researched and written: a perfect gift for music lovers' * Blackwell's Bookshop Edinburgh *'This account of Felix and Fanny Mendelssoh’s travels around Europe sheds fascinating new light on some of their greatest works' -- Scotland on Sunday * Stuart Kelly *'Ambache's writing is clear and well honed… beautifully produced and lavishly illustrated' -- Jessica Duchen * BBC Music Magazine *

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Book SynopsisPrehistoric drummers used natural acoustics to recreate natural sound. In classical Europe, orators turned the human voice into a lyrical instrument. In Buddhist temples, the icons' ears were exaggerated to represent their spiritual power. And in modern metropolises we are battered by the roar of sound that surrounds us. In the first narrative history of the subject which puts humans at its centre, and following the author's major BBC Radio 4 series Noise, acclaimed historian David Hendy describes the history of noise - which is also the history of listening. As he puts it: 'By thinking about sound and listening, I want to get closer to what it felt like to live in the past.' This unusual book reveals fascinating changes in how we have understood our fellow human beings and the world around us. For although we might see ourselves inhabiting a visual world, our lives are shaped by our need to hear and be heard.Trade ReviewAs social history it's hard to beat * Independent *David Hendy reconstructs the acoustic environments of our ancestors and contemporaries in words, conjuring them to life for the mind's ear. Brilliant and thought-provoking - curl up somewhere noisy and enjoy! * Nigel Warburton *Fascinating. Noise is something to shout about -- Emily Cockayne * Hubbub *Praise for the radio series: 'A strange and lovely series ... Hendy found the roots of human language in the sounds and rhythms of bodies, our heartbeats, breathing, walking' -- Gillian Reynolds * Daily Telegraph *Highly enjoyable and thought-provoking ... Hendy does a great job of reconstructing a whole range of long-gone sound worlds - and, importantly, he makes clear what is assumption, what is fact and what is guesswork, while still presenting his descriptions in an evocative way. -- Mike Goldsmith * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis'Fascinating ... Composer Andrew Gant is a masterful guide, introducing readers to the major players and key themes of an entrancing topic.' BBC History Magazine Whether you prefer Baroque or pop, Theremins or violins, the music you love and listen to shapes your world. But what shaped the music? Ranging across time and space, this book takes us on a grand musical tour from music's origins in prehistory right up to the twenty-first century. Charting the leaps in technology, thought and practice that led to extraordinary revolutions of music in each age, the book takes us through medieval Europe, Renaissance Italy and Jazz era America to reveal the rich history of music we still listen to today. From Mozart to McCartney, Schubert to Schoenberg, Professor Andrew Gant brings to life the people who made the music, their techniques and instruments, as well as the places their music was played, from sombre churches to rowdy taverns, stately courts to our very own homes.Trade ReviewWhat an enjoyable read this is. ... Andrew Gant quite rightly goes back into the distant past (before anything was written down) and comes right up to date, even speculating in an epilogue what the next million years might bring. ... The joy of this history is the extra bits of information which he includes. ... An entertaining history * Church Times *A genial, approachable narrator, with a welcome glint in his eye ... I came away charmed by Gant's clever turn of phrase, grateful for his distilled clarity of thought * Spectator *Praise for O Sing Unto the Lord 'Excellent ... This authoritative and engaging history brings ... light and warmth to the subject * Sunday Times *An indispensable guide to a great tradition - and a very good read. -- Catherine Bott, Presenter, Classic FMAn illuminating and entertaining history ... without recourse to pedantry or jargon. * Literary Review *I would urge everybody interested in English history to buy this book at once -- Nico Muhly * New York Times *An enjoyable read ... Entertaining history * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisDrone and Apocalypse is an exhibit catalog for a retrospective of twenty-first-century art. Its narrator, Cynthia Wey, is a failed artist convinced that apocalypse is imminent. She writes critical essays delineating apocalyptic tendencies in drone music and contemporary art. Interspersed amid these essays are "speculative artworks", Wey's term for descriptions of artworks she never constructs that center around the extinction of humanity. Wey's favorite musicians are drone artists like William Basinski, Celer, Thomas Koner, Les Rallizes Denudes, and Eliane Radigue, and her essays relate their works to moments of ineffability in Herodotus, Aristotle, Plato, Pliny the Elder, Isidore of Seville, Robert Burton, Hegel, and Dostoyevsky. Well after Wey's demise, the apocalypse never arrives, but Wey's journal is discovered. Curators fascinated with twenty-first-century culture use her writings as the basis for their exhibit "Commentaries on the Apocalypse", which realizes Wey's speculative artworks as photographs, collages, and sound/video installations.

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Book SynopsisThe Boosey & Hawkes Easy String Music series by Katherine & Hugh Colledge contains four volumes of repertoire for new and developing string players. Popular with teachers and students alike, each title steadily introduces and consolidates new techniques, fingerings, notes and rhythms to build firm foundations for future learning.Demonstration and accompaniment audio resources are available online for all volumes in the series. Each title is available in two editions a standalone string book for students or an expanded edition with additional piano accompaniment.Fast Forward, the third volume within the series, is a collection of twenty-one pieces that explore 01234 and 01234 finger patterns. New rhythms and compound time are introduced, along with a wider range of expression marks and some varied bowings.Instrumentation:cello and piano

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Book SynopsisThe Boosey & Hawkes Easy String Music series by Katherine & Hugh Colledge contains four volumes of repertoire for new and developing string players. Popular with teachers and students alike, each title steadily introduces and consolidates new techniques, fingerings, notes and rhythms to build firm foundations for future learning.Demonstration and accompaniment audio resources are available online for all volumes in the series. Each title is available in two editions a standalone string book for students or an expanded edition with additional piano accompaniment.Stepping Stones is the first volume within the series. The book offers a collection of twenty-six simple pieces for beginners. Open strings, first finger notes and simple rhythms are introduced.Instrumentation:viola

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Book SynopsisWHEN legendary music journalist Billy Sloan was fifteen years old he saw The Who play an incendiary live show at Green's Playhouse in Glasgow. It was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with music. Just a few years later he was backstage interviewing the likes of Keith Richards and David Bowie, at the height of Ziggy-mania, and it has been a life and career full of extraordinary moments.In ONE LOVE, ONE LIFE, Billy now tells his stories from the stars, from skipping Christmas dinner to see The Sex Pistols at the peak of their notoriety to friendships and adventures with some of music's biggest names and scoops that have hit the headlines. As well as legendary music and gigs, there's Grace Jones in the bath, candid conversations with Rod Stewart, football in Brazil with Simple Minds, a tour of the White House with Paolo Nutini, close encounters with U2 and so much more. Plus, the interviews that definitely didn't go as planned.Brilliantly entertaining and searingly honest, ONE LOVE, ONE LIFE is an incredible insight into the music industry, the stars we love and an unmissable backstage pass for music fans everywhere.

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Book SynopsisMusic is shaped by the science of sound. How can music - an artform - have anything to do with science? Yet there are myriad ways in which the two are intertwined, from the basics of music theory and the design of instruments to hi-fi systems and how the brain processes music.Science writer Andrew May traces the surprising connections between science and music, from the theory of sound waves to the way musicians use mathematical algorithms to create music.The most obvious impact of science on music can be seen in the way electronic technology has revolutionised how we create, record and listen to music. Technology has also provided new insights into the effects that different music has on the brain, to the extent that some algorithms can now predict our reactions with uncanny accuracy, which raises a worrying question: how long will it be before AI can create music on a par with humans?

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Book SynopsisThis combined book of scales, arpeggios and sight-reading contains valuable practice material for candidates preparing for ABRSM's Saxophone exams at Grades 1-5. Key features: All the new scales and arpeggios from 2018, arranged in grade order Sample sight-reading tests for the new requirements from 2018, written in attractive and approachable styles

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Book SynopsisThis book contains valuable practice material for candidates preparing for ABRSM's Singing for Musical Theatre Practical exams at Grades 4 & 5. It features sample tests for the sight-singing requirements from 2021, written in attractive and accessible styles relevant to Musical Theatre singers.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains fifteen pieces from ABRSM's Grade 2 Percussion syllabus from 2020, with five pieces from the repertoire lists for snare drum, timpani and tuned percussion. Every piece has been specially commissioned for this syllabus and provides players with an innovative and varied range of repertoire that spans solos, duets and accompanied pieces. For those preparing for the technical element of the Percussion exams, bespoke studies for timpani and snare drum have been included. Along with the tuned percussion scales and arpeggios (available separately), these studies fulfil the technical element of the Grade 2 Percussion syllabus. Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies is suitable for candidates taking ABRSM's Snare Drum, Timpani, Tuned Percussion and Percussion (Combined) exams.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains fifteen pieces from ABRSM's Grade 3 Percussion syllabus from 2020, with five pieces from the repertoire lists for snare drum, timpani and tuned percussion. Every piece has been specially commissioned for this syllabus and provides players with an innovative and varied range of repertoire that spans solos, duets and accompanied pieces. For those preparing for the technical element of the Percussion exams, bespoke studies for timpani and snare drum have been included. Along with the tuned percussion scales and arpeggios (available separately), these studies fulfil the technical element of the Grade 3 Percussion syllabus. Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies is suitable for candidates taking ABRSM's Snare Drum, Timpani, Tuned Percussion and Percussion (Combined) exams.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains fifteen pieces from ABRSM's Grade 4 Percussion syllabus from 2020, with five pieces from the repertoire lists for snare drum, timpani and tuned percussion. Every piece has been specially commissioned for this syllabus and provides players with an innovative and varied range of repertoire that spans solos, duets and accompanied pieces. For those preparing for the technical element of the Percussion exams, bespoke studies for timpani and snare drum have been included. Along with the tuned percussion scales and arpeggios (available separately), these studies fulfil the technical element of the Grade 4 Percussion syllabus. Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies is suitable for candidates taking ABRSM's Snare Drum, Timpani, Tuned Percussion and Percussion (Combined) exams.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains fifteen pieces from ABRSM's Grade 5 Percussion syllabus from 2020, with five pieces from the repertoire lists for snare drum, timpani and tuned percussion. Every piece has been specially commissioned for this syllabus and provides players with an innovative and varied range of repertoire that spans solos, duets and accompanied pieces. For those preparing for the technical element of the Percussion exams, bespoke studies for timpani and snare drum have been included. Along with the tuned percussion scales and arpeggios (available separately), these studies fulfil the technical element of the Grade 5 Percussion syllabus. Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies is suitable for candidates taking ABRSM's Snare Drum, Timpani, Tuned Percussion and Percussion (Combined) exams.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains all the scales and arpeggios required for ABRSM's Tuned Percussion and Percussion (Combined) exams at Grades 6-8, arranged in grade order.

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Book SynopsisViola Mix is an original series of new arrangements for viola. Book 1 offers attractive repertoire at Grades Initial to 1 in a wide variety of styles. Well-known music includes 'Autumn' from The Four Seasons and 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' from Mary Poppins. There are also lots of new tunes to be explored, such as 'Gavotta' by Ignatius Sancho and the traditional American song 'Let us chase the squirrel'. The series has been compiled by string specialists Kathy and David Blackwell and covers the musical and technical elements of the early grades in three progressive volumes. Many of the arrangements are featured on the ABRSM Viola syllabus from 2024 and, in addition, all are ideal choices for Performance Grade exams. There are piano accompaniments for every piece, and viola accompaniments and guitar chords for many pieces, providing useful flexibility for students and teachers. Key features of the series -new arrangements of repertoire spanning many cultures and styles, in three progressive volumes at Grades Initial to 3 -accompaniments for piano, viola and guitar -a rich source of repertoire for a concert or exam - many of the pieces are featured on the ABRSM Viola syllabus from 2024 -an interesting footnote and fun fact for every piece Kathy and David Blackwell both studied music at the University of Edinburgh. Kathy continued with studies at the University of Oxford before following a career in string teaching and writing educational music. David has worked in music publishing and has composed and arranged a wide range of music from choral and organ compositions to educational music for strings, piano and a variety of other instruments. Together they have written the award-winning String Time series published by Oxford University Press. They have twice won the UK's Music Industries Association award for Best Education Publication and in 2017 they received an ESTA UK award in recognition of exceptional services to string teaching

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Book SynopsisViola Mix is an original series of new arrangements for viola. Book 2 offers attractive repertoire at Grades 1 to 2 in a wide variety of styles. Well-known music includes 'La donna e` mobile' from Rigoletto and 'The Hippopotamus' by Flanders and Swann. There are also lots of new tunes to be explored, such as 'Pierrot and Pierrette' by Amy Beach and the traditional Ghanaian song 'Senwa dedende'. The series has been compiled by string specialists Kathy and David Blackwell and covers the musical and technical elements of the early grades in three progressive volumes. Many of the arrangements are featured on the ABRSM Viola syllabus from 2024 and, in addition, all are ideal choices for Performance Grade exams. There are piano accompaniments for every piece, and viola accompaniments and guitar chords for many pieces, providing useful flexibility for students and teachers. Key features of the series -new arrangements of repertoire spanning many cultures and styles, in three progressive volumes at Grades Initial to 3 -accompaniments for piano, viola and guitar -a rich source of repertoire for a concert or exam -many of the pieces are featured on the ABRSM Viola syllabus from 2024 -an interesting footnote and fun fact for every piece Kathy and David Blackwell both studied music at the University of Edinburgh. Kathy continued with studies at the University of Oxford before following a career in string teaching and writing educational music. David has worked in music publishing and has composed and arranged a wide range of music from choral and organ compositions to educational music for strings, piano and a variety of other instruments. Together they have written the award-winning String Time series published by Oxford University Press. They have twice won the UK's Music Industries Association award for Best Education Publication and in 2017 they received an ESTA UK award in recognition of exceptional services to string teaching.

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Viola Mix is an original series of new arrangements for viola. Book 3 offers attractive repertoire at Grade 3 in a wide variety of styles. Well-known music includes 'Jupiter' from The Planets and the African-American spiritual 'Deep River'. There are also lots of new tunes to be explored, such as 'Rabbit Foot' by Florence Price and the traditional Ukrainian song 'Halya carries water'. The series has been compiled by string specialists Kathy and David Blackwell and covers the musical and technical elements of the early grades in three progressive volumes. Many of the arrangements are featured on the ABRSM Viola syllabus from 2024 and, in addition, all are ideal choices for Performance Grade exams. There are piano accompaniments for every piece, and viola accompaniments and guitar chords for many pieces, providing useful flexibility for students and teachers. Key features of the series -new arrangements of repertoire spanning many cultures and styles, in three progressive volumes at Grades Initial to 3 -accompaniments for piano, viola and guitar -a rich source of repertoire for a concert or exam -many of the pieces are featured on the ABRSM Viola syllabus from 2024 -an interesting footnote and fun fact for every piece Kathy and David Blackwell both studied music at the University of Edinburgh. Kathy continued with studies at the University of Oxford before following a career in string teaching and writing educational music. David has worked in music publishing and has composed and arranged a wide range of music from choral and organ compositions to educational music for strings, piano and a variety of other instruments. Together they have written the award-winning String Time series published by Oxford University Press. They have twice won the UK's Music Industries Association award for Best Education Publication and in 2017 they received an ESTA UK award in recognition of exceptional services to string teaching.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains nine pieces for ABRSM''s Grade Initial Drum Kit syllabus from 2024, providing drummers with everything they need to take ABRSM''s Performance Grade exam. The music spans a wide range of styles and includes an inspirational mix of new and existing tracks, as well as original pieces for solo drum kit. An ideal collection for exam candidates as well as any drummer seeking sensational new music suited to their technical ability. -Includes audio recordings for all nine tracks -Features ''Stressed Out'' (Twenty One Pilots) and ''We Will Rock You'' (Queen) -Spans a range of styles including pop, hip-hop, rock and soul

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Book SynopsisThis book contains nine pieces for ABRSM''s Grade 1 Drum Kit syllabus from 2024, providing drummers with everything they need to take ABRSM''s Performance Grade exam. The music spans a wide range of styles and includes an inspirational mix of new and existing tracks, as well as original pieces for solo drum kit. An ideal collection for exam candidates as well as any drummer seeking sensational new music suited to their technical ability. -Includes audio recordings for all nine tracks -Features ''Ball And Biscuit'' (The White Stripes), ''Hard To Say I''m Sorry'' (Chicago) and ''Something Just Like This'' (The Chainsmokers and Coldplay) -Spans a range of styles including pop, funk, rock and hip-hop

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Book SynopsisThis book contains nine pieces for ABRSM''s Grade 4 Drum Kit syllabus from 2024, providing drummers with everything they need to take ABRSM''s Performance Grade exam. The music spans a wide range of styles and includes an inspirational mix of new and existing tracks, as well as original pieces for solo drum kit. An ideal collection for exam candidates as well as any drummer seeking sensational new music suited to their technical ability. -Includes audio recordings for all nine tracks -Features ''Don''t Look Back In Anger'' (Oasis), ''Give It Away'' (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and an original work by renowned drummer Steve White and Chris Hague -Spans a range of styles including metal, jazz, rock pop and funk

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Book SynopsisThis Exam Pack is the ideal resource to help you prepare for your exam.

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Book SynopsisThis Exam Pack is the ideal resource to help you prepare for your exam.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains nine pieces in a range of styles, from Lists A, B and C of the syllabus.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains nine pieces in a range of styles, from Lists A, B and C of the syllabus.

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Book SynopsisModel answers for practice papers for ABRSM's Grade 1 Theory exams

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Book SynopsisModel answers for practice papers for ABRSM's Grade 4 Theory exams

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Book SynopsisFour separate papers from ABRSM's 2024 Music Theory exams for Grade 7 * Essential practice material for all ABRSM Music Theory exam candidates *Model answers also available

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Book SynopsisFour separate papers from ABRSM's 2024 Music Theory exams for Grade 8 * Essential practice material for all ABRSM Music Theory exam candidates *Model answers also available

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Book SynopsisModel answers for four practice papers from ABRSM's 2024 Music Theory exams for Grade 6

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Book SynopsisModel answers for four practice papers from ABRSM's 2024 Music Theory exams for Grade 7

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Book SynopsisModel answers for four practice papers from ABRSM's 2024 Music Theory exams for Grade 8

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Book SynopsisCelebrating 30 years of broadcasting, Classic FM returns with a new collection of mindful puzzles to de-stress and unwind with.Blending together basic trivia, complex wordplay and a range of visual teasers, the book will engross all lovers of the finest music and provide hours of meditative music-themed puzzling.With 150 challenges over three difficulty levels for classical novices, lovers, and experts to choose from, The Classic FM Puzzle Book: Relax will entertain and delight you from the first bar until the very last note.

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Book SynopsisThe latest book in the best-selling All The Songs series, this definitive tome uncovers the full story behind every track that Abba released. The definitive recording history of pop megastars, ABBA, told song-by-song and track-by-track. Filled with fascinating photography (some rarely seen), and sensational behind-the-scenes details. A loving and thorough dissection of every album and song released by Swedish superstars, ABBA. From their first single in 1972, when they weren't yet even called ABBA, all the way up to their Grammy-nominated studio album, Voyage, and their revolutionary virtual tour, expert author Benoît Clerc analyzes everything there is to know about each song and session. This one-of-a-kind book uncovers the stories behind all their greatest hits, including 'Waterloo', 'Mamma Mia', 'Fernando' and 'Dancing Queen', as well as lesser-known gems. In over 500 pages, no stone is left unturne

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Book SynopsisAn Uncut Magazine Book of the Year A Telegraph Book of the Year A Financial Times Book of the Year'An adventurer, an entrepreneur, a buccaneer, a visionary' - BONOAs the founder of Island Records, renowned music producer Chris Blackwell has discovered and worked with some of the most legendary artists of the second half of the twentieth century - from Steve Winwood to Cat Stevens, Bob Marley to Grace Jones, U2 to Roxy Music, via Nick Drake, the B-52's and Robert Palmer. A maverick free spirit himself, Blackwell turned Island into a home for groundbreaking musicians and their wildly divergent music styles, playing an instrumental role in bringing reggae to the world stage.Now, as he turns eighty-five, the great raconteur takes us back to the island where it all began: Jamaica - the paradise where his family once partied with the likes of Noël Coward, Ian Fleming and Errol Flynn and where, as local Jamaican sounds began to adopt contemporary American trends, Blackwell's burgeoning musical instincts flourished. It was also the birthplace of the cutting-edge Island Records, founded by Blackwell in 1959. But that was just the start of a truly remarkable career...Winding through the music industry, this fascinating memoir makes for a giddy ride, encountering Island's many esteemed collaborators over the years and unpacking the initiatives, decisions and risks that ultimately brought such enduring success to Blackwell, both in music and beyond.Trade Review'As you're about to find out through the pages in this book, Chris Blackwell - who looms large in U2's life and was in fact our lifeline into the music world - is an adventurer, an entrepreneur, a buccaneer, a visionary and a gentleman. I'm proud to know him.' -- Bono'C.B. had this way of throwing me in the deep end knowing that I would thrive on being challenged. As you'll read in The Islander, he knows how to get the very best out of people - he's a mover and a shaker and a mischief-maker.' -- Grace Jones'I read Chris Blackwell's autobiography in one sitting, unable to tear myself away. From "My Boy Lollipop" and Bob Marley, via Swinging London and punk, all the way to Talking Heads and U2, I felt like I was reading the inside story of the music of my life.' -- Salman Rushdie'A thoroughly quotable autobiography, a book that's hard to put down. 4/5' -- Mojo'Fascinating. 8/10' -- Uncut'Highly readable.' -- The Guardian'A compelling autobiography.' -- The Observer'A story told with disciplined coherence that plunges deep beneath the surface.' -- Daily Telegraph'Highly recommended.' -- Kirkus'If you're even a minor fan of music books ... buy this autobiography. Fascinating.' -- Variety'A page-turner of an autobiography.' -- Record Collector'Fascinating autobiography of the Island Records founder. The Islander is a treasure.' -- Prog'A rip-roaring yarn, the ultimate behind-the-scenes insider look at the coolest label ever on the planet.' -- The Quietus'A compelling, juicy book.' -- Irish Times'An absorbing read.' -- Echoes'An extraordinary story and a wonderful book. It couldn't be more enthusiastically recommended.' -- Mark Ellen'Highly entertaining, rapid-fire, hard-to-put-down memoir.' -- Air Mail'There are amazing insights. If you want to know how it was ... read The Islander.' -- Bob Lefsetz

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Book SynopsisFew composers have enjoyed such critical acclaim – or longevity – as Jean Sibelius, who died in 1957 aged 91. Always more than simply a Finnish national figure, an ‘apparition from the woods’ as he ironically described himself, Sibelius’s life spanned turbulent and tumultuous events, and his work is central to the story of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century music. This book situates Sibelius within a rich interdisciplinary environment, paying attention to his relationship with architecture, literature, politics and the visual arts. Drawing on the latest developments in Sibelius research, it is intended as an accessible and rewarding introduction for the general reader, and also offers a fresh and provocative interpretation for those more familiar with his music.Trade Review"With a new spring in his step across already familiar ground, Grimley reinvigorates the life-and-works format by vividly placing Sibelius within the ever-shifting artistic and geopolitical landscape of his time, and that of existing scholarship. Grimley’s elegant fusion of 'audible' musicological detail and warm human insight will enrich the academic and general reader alike." -- Hilary Finch, former music critic,Times (UK)"Grimley’s Jean Sibelius: Life, Music, Silence is a concise, balanced, and reader-friendly volume that combines successful biographical study with cultural-historical cross-section and discussion about up-to-date topics in the literature, such as the debate on Sibelius’s political orientation. Extending the examination beyond the standard Sibelius repertoire, the author’s perspective on the composer’s music is fresh and inventive." -- Timo Virtanen, lecturer at Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, editor-in-chief of the Jean Sibelius Works

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Book SynopsisSome 22 years after its creation, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is still held in high critical regard as one of the finest examples of the video game medium. The same is true of the game’s music, whose superlative reception continues to be evident, whether in the context of the game or in orchestral concerts and recordings of the game’s music. Given music’s well-established significance for the video game form, it is no coincidence that music is placed at the forefront of this most lauded and loved of games. In Ocarina of Time, music connects and unifies all aspects of the game, from the narrative conceit to the interactive mechanics, from the characters to the virtual worlds, and even into the activity of legions of fans and gamers, who play, replay and reconfigure the music in an enduring cultural site that has Ocarina of Time at its centre. As video game music studies begins to mature into a coherent field, it is now possible to take the theoretical apparatus and critical approaches that have been developed in antecedent scholarship and put these into practice in the context of an extended concrete game example. The most extensive investigation into the music of a single game yet undertaken, this book serves three important primary purposes: first, it provides a historical-critical account of the music of an important video game text; second, it uses this investigation to explore wider issues in music and media studies (including interactivity, fan cultures, and music and technology); and third, it serves as a model for future in-depth studies of video game music.Trade Review'Summers does an excellent job of describing the soundscape of a video game within the confines of print, employing a variety of visual representations to support his prose arguments. [...] The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: A Game Music Companion offers many things to many people: it is an in-depth analysis of a beloved game, a primer on ludomusicological terminology and concepts, a model analysis, a demonstration of the different things video game music can do, and an explication of how it does them. Summers’s attention to detail, wide-ranging knowledge, and affection and respect for the subject matter are evident throughout, resulting in a superb book.' -- Sarah Pozderac-Chenevey, Journal of Sound and Music in GamesTable of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The music of Ocarina of Time in context Nintendo’s game franchises The Legend of Zelda Kondo’s approach to music in The Legend of Zelda Music on the Nintendo 64 Music in Ocarina of Time Chapter 3. The ocarina and Link’s musical performances The ocarina Why an ocarina? Playing Link’s ocarina Beyond the four notes Learning the ocarina songs The songs Plot-advancing and assistance melodies Warp songs The Scarecrow’s song and other performances The Fabulous Five froggish tenors The Skull Kids Musical performance in Ocarina of Time The function of musical performance in games Chapter 4. Location cues Part I. Hyrule Field A familiar tune Introduction Day tags Reflective tags Battle tags Music, the player and geography Part II. Location cues featuring ocarina songs Epona’s song and Lon Lon Ranch – Associations of ranch life The Temple of Time and the Song of Time – Cathedral soundscape Windmill and the Song of Storms – Strange circularity Saria’s song and the Lost Woods – Jolly repetition and misdirection Part III. Dungeon cues Inside the Deku Tree – Organic timbres Dodongo’s Cavern – Audio textures of metal and stone Inside Jabu-Jabu’s belly – Fishy rumblings Forest Temple – Sounds of the forest Fire Temple – Voices heard and unheard Ice Cavern – Crystalline chimes Water Temple – A dungeon on the Danube? Shadow Temple and the bottom of the well – Voices and drums from the depths Spirit Temple Ganon’s Castle Part IV. Towns Kokiri Forest – Optimism and ornamentation Castle Town market – Evoking European traditions Kakariko Village – A wistful safe haven Goron City – Sounding the materials of the mountain Zora’s domain Gerudo Valley – Hispanic traditions in the desert Part V. Recurring types of location Shops – Hyrule’s consumer soundtrack Sideshow minigames – The fairground connection Houses – A musical starting point Potion shops, ghost shops and lakeside laboratory – Little shops of horrors? Fairy Fountain/start menu – Angelic harps Music for locations Chapter 5. Character themes and cutscenes Part I. Character themes Zelda’s theme – Lilting lullaby Ganondorf’s theme – Alarming chords and brooding sequences Sheik – Atypical warrior’s theme Kaepora Gaebora (the great wise owl) – Authority and levity Great Deku Tree – Ancient uncertainty Koume and Kotake A noticeable omission Part II. Other cutscenes Opening – An unexpected start Flying – Musical sequences for beating wings Legends, spirits and goddesses Rewards and milestones End credits – Finale ultimo Ocarina of Time 3D Music for cutscenes Chapter 6. Ludic cues Part I. Combat music Musical features of combat cues Implementation in the game Boss victory cue Part II. Cues for treasure and challenges Acquisition cues Music for puzzles Music for losing – Game over Minigames – Frivolous fun Special sequences Aestheticizing the Ludic Chapter 7: Interfaces and sound effects Earcons for interfaces Menus and dialogue Targeting system Musical sound for interfaces and information Musicality and magic Sound and motion Enemy sound effects Conclusions Chapter 8. Ocarina afterlives Later games Parallel world – Majora’s mask Selective franchise continuity Decontextualizing sound A multi-valent musical medium

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Book SynopsisFOREWORD BY RADIOHEAD''S ED O''BRIENExplore the story of Radiohead - perhaps the finest band of a generation - through the lens of legendary Melody Maker chief photographer Tom Sheehan.Through more than 200 photographs and Sheehan''s first-hand memories and stories, journey into the eye of a musical storm. From their earliest days as indie upstarts, through the wild, all-conquering years of OK Computer and into the experimental soundscapes beyond, Tom Sheehan captured Radiohead''s world in breathtaking detail.Covering recording sessions, live performances, studio portraits and moments snatched on tour around the world, these photographs - many of which have never been published before - paint an intimate picture of a band pushing the boundaries of music.Accompanied by a biography of Radiohead from Craig McLean (Associate Editor, The Face) drawing on his personal interviews with the band, this book - bea

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Book Synopsis an instant classic and a required part of the library of anyone fascinated with the record business.' Danny Goldberg, bestselling author of Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt CobainChess Records tested their acquisitions out on people waiting at a nearby bus stop: if the crowd were bopping, they had a hit.Sub Pop rejection letters start with the harsh, yet funny, Dear Loser'.Atlantic Records signed Led Zeppelin on Dusty Springfield's recommendation.Labelled with Love is an odyssey through your record collection and the world beyond it, from the Jazz Age to punk, the civil rights movement to Thatcherism, the Beatles to Britpop, and Ella Fitzgerald to The Ramones. Long-time music obsessive Andy Bollen tracks popular music through the influential labels that have shaped the last eighty years, chronicling each company with the passion of a fan but the eye of a satirist.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents key findings from a 4-year project that sought to understand Ethno Gatherings, an organized residential folk, world, and traditional music programme for young people aged 18-30. In response to three lines of enquiry, pedagogy and professional development, participant experience, and the impact it had upon those who attended, the authors examine the complexity of an Ethno music experience. By considering its history and current practices, the following themes are explored: non-formal music making, personal authenticity, holistic praxis, musical possible selves, intercultural music exchange, sustainability, social media engagement, song sharing, and future practices. Constructed through data drawn from participant observations, interviews, online social media analysis, onsite and video observations, surveys, and questionnaires the authors ask critical questions concerning Ethno's history, ethos, pedagogy, and philosophical ideals. First held in Sweden in 1990, Ethno Ga

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