Musicians, singers, bands and groups Books

Book SynopsisTicket to the World is a joyous, nostalgic celebration of 80s culture from one man at the centre of it all. New Year's Eve, 1979. My family and I stand arm in arm around our Formica kitchen table, counting down to the new decade with each televised chime of Big Ben. We have no idea what is about to hit us, no idea of the seismic waves of change approaching.The 80s transformed life as we knew it. Music, style and culture exploded in a haze of dayglo colour. There were hardships, but there were opportunities too. And I lived through and helped to shape Britain's last real youth movement.Ticket to the World is my time-warp trip down memory lane, reliving that truly unforgettable decade. Join me as I recall what it was like to lead the New Romantics, stay up all night at the Blitz with Sade and Boy George, travel the world with Spandau Ballet and contribute to the era-defining Live Aid.So, grab that glass of Babycham and let's toast the very best of the 80s: the creativity and the culture, the fashion and the FUN!Trade Review‘A brilliant storyteller’ – James O’Brien ‘Celebrates the 80s as the decade that made him’ – Guardian

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Book SynopsisRecognizing one of the most-honored performers of all time, A Celebration of Dolly Parton: The Activity Book is 2021's follow-up to A Celebration of David Attenborough: The Activity Book and The Unofficial Michelle Obama Activity Book.Spanning Dolly's long and illustrious career, TheActivity Book includes:Illustrations and graphics to color-in dedicated to Dolly's Greatest HitsAnagrams of our favorite Dolly songsA solution for when the daily 9 to 5 grind is transported to the working-from-home environmentA tour of Dollywood: try to spot Dolly among the throngs of visitors and maze your way around to reunite her with her missing guitarInspirational word clouds, quizzes, puzzles, games, drawings, facts, emotional rollercoaster graphs and much, much moreNot just a musician, Dolly has used her vast fame and fortune for good: setting up The Dollywood Foundation, the My People Fund and, perhaps most famously, The Imagination Library which provides free books to children throughout their chil

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"With a keen ear attuned to both musical and historical salience, Kinderman reveals the animating presence of the political in almost every aspect of Beethoven's life, his work, and his legacy. In doing so, he illuminates the crucial context from which to assess Beethoven's astonishing achievement of a moral ideal that has resounded from the Age of Revolution to our own times."--Scott Burnham, City University of New York "Kinderman has written a fresh and fascinating book packed with intriguing thoughts and unexpected alignments about how Beethoven's politics translated themselves into Beethoven's music. This is a book that awakens the reader not only with its content, but with the love and enthusiasm of its author."--Patrick Summers, artistic and music director, Houston Grand Opera "This book is a timely contribution to the current trend towards interpreting art primarily in political terms. Placing his aesthetic commentary in a well-grounded biographical and historical context, Kinderman illuminates the political aspects of Beethoven's life and outlook. He goes on to discuss the ways in which a number of Beethoven's important works reflect the composer's lifelong belief in freedom and progress as both personal and universal values."--Lewis Lockwood, author of 'Beethoven: The Music and the Life'Table of ContentsPreface I. A Tale of Two Cities: Bonn to Vienna II. The Sublime and Inverted Sublime III. Beethoven in Heiligenstadt IV. Path to the Eroica V. Leonore as “Angel of Freedom” VI. From Grätz to Wagram and Leipzig VII. A Double Chill: Beethoven in Metternich’s Vienna VIII. Then and Now: The Ninth Symphony Acknowledgments List of Illustrations and Examples Note about Abbreviations Sources and Documents Index

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Book SynopsisMinistry is a memoir both ugly and captivating, revealing Al Jourgensen as a man who lived a hard life his own way without making compromises. He survived prolonged drug addiction -- twenty-two years of chronic heroin, cocaine, and alcohol abuse, to be more precise -- before cleaning up, straightening out, and finding new reasons to live. During his career, Jourgensen has engaged in all of the rock ''n'' roll clich''s regarding decadence and debauchery and invented new forms of previously unachieved nihilism. Despite this and his addictions, he created seven seminal albums, including the bonafide, hugely influential classic The Land of Rape and Honey, 1989''s The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste, and 1992''s blockbuster Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed.Ministry imparts the epic life of Al Jourgensen, a survivor who tempted fate, beat the odds, persevered, and put the pieces back together after unraveling completely.Trade ReviewUnder the Radar, Spring 2013 "In the colorful and often highly amusing anecdotes recounting his years as a musician, Jourgensen covers his time with Ministry and Revolting Cocks in high-flying detail." Revolver, June/July 2013 "A tale of outlandish debauchery and mayhem...Like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas crossed with The Dirt, it's both insanely compelling and compellingly insane." Texas Monthly, July 2013 "Jourgensen [is] poised to forever raise the bar on tales of rock star excess with a new memoir, Ministry...The book offers a laundry list of degenerate behavior and near-death experiences. But where most rock and roll biographies and memoirs end in the subject's demise or redemption, the arc of this one is a lot murkier." Examiner.com, 7/1/13 "One needn't be intimately familiar with Ministry's musical mayhem to enjoy Ministry...Entertaining, enlightening--even inspirational...A riotously revealing retrospective that cements Jourgensen's place in the modern rock lexicon while chronicling the decades-long descent into drug addiction that nearly cost the Ministry maverick his life." RollingStone.com, 7/8/13 "Ministry is charming and offputting all at once...Proof, if more was needed, that being a rock star, like playing professional contact sports, takes a permanent toll on its most dedicated practitioners." TheGauntlet.com, 7/19/13 "The book is both riveting and horrifying at the same time...No gory detail is left out as Al recounts the debauchery and extreme drug use that fueled his life. What sets Al's autobiography apart from others is he admits to every last bit of the shocking tragedy almost as if it were his final confession to a priest and he was trying to sneak into Heaven. Nobody said rock n' roll wasn't ugly." Dallas Observer, 7/16/13 "[A] harrowing tale of drugs, sex and, of course, rock 'n' roll, inspired by the artist who influenced a generation of musical pioneers like Nine Inch Nails to take metal to the next level." "Rock Star Radio Show," KCLB Radio (Palm Springs, CA), 7/18/13 "One of the best music based pieces of literature, or any literature, that I have set my eyes on. Read the book. You're going to love it." Intravenous Magazine (UK), 7/3/13 "A compelling read...Al is amusing and wry throughout and this is a real warts and all tale that has a jaw dropping fact or story on virtually every page...Even if you are not a fan of the music this is still a compulsive read...This really is not far off from the sort of biographical great American novels told by the likes of them, Jack Kerouac and Charles Bukowski...An absolute gem and a real treat of a book." Caught in the Carousel, 7/10/13 "What Ministry brings to light is Al's sense of humor and his rollicking way of spinning a yarn. In other words, the guy's hilarious--and Ministry provides a brilliant, dark comedic take on the very stuff that inspired Ministry's greatest albums...Al's book reads like a more accessible version of Burroughs' Junkie, Naked Lunch, and the 'Nova Trilogy'...His deadpan humor and smart philosophical and political insights (he's one of the most politically aware and truly progressive musicians on the planet) save the book from being a downer...Al's Ministry is so good that you'll just have to read it for yourself to have your side split and your thoughts provoked. Just go out and grab a copy!" The National (United Arab Emirates), 7/6/13 "A warts and all picture of life as one of the godfathers of the industrial rock scene...Where memoirs like Marilyn Manson's Long Hard Road Out Of Hell and Motley Crue's The Dirt pull their punches and gloss over the more graphic scenes, Jourgensen goes into heavy and often uncomfortable detail...Compulsive reading. Jourgensen is a great storyteller and the sheer insanity of his stories will no doubt keep people turning the pages. It is definitely up there with the likes of Iggy Pop's I Need More, Motley Crue's The Dirt and even William Burroughs' Junkie." The Weeklings, 7/20/13 "The most over-the-top, full-on decadent, absolute gonzo rock & roll biography ever." GenerationGBooks, 7/14/13 "I've said for many years now that I would find it difficult to find a music biography that would top Motley Crue's The Dirt. Consider it done." Billboard.com, 8/6/13 "[A] frank and revealing tome." HollywoodReporter.com, 8/16/13 "Al gives you all of the sleaze you could hope for and more in this harshly real book...they should pass this book out to kids instead of a 'D.A.R.E.' pamphlet or 'Just Say No' crap...The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen is ANOTHER homerun from the publishers Da Capo Press. They are becoming by far my favorite publishers of all books music! Too many of these autobiographies are nothing more than cash grabs filled with major errors, flawed editing and worse, it's great to see a publisher care as much about the reader as it does about their own wallets." Side-Line, 9/16/13 "An absolutely must-have for the fans of Ministry." Phoenix New Times, 9/23/13 "Any page you open up to ensures entertainment." CaughtintheCarousel.com, 9/20/13 "Quite simply one of the best rock autobiographies ever written." Washington Times, 9/5/13 "In the book, Jourgensen is brutally honest regarding his drug-fueled lifestyle, one that would make even Keith Richards cringe. His tale is as much shocking as it is cautionary." HighWireDaze.com, 10/5/13 "Al Jourgensen's story is a testament to the strangeness and beauty of the universe as well as an example of the human condition." "Few musicians have indulged in the sex, drugs and rock & roll lifestyle with such death-defying fervor--and over such a long period of time--as longtime Ministry leader Al Jourgensen. Now, his tale is on display for the whole world to read...A roller-coaster read. In addition to going behind the scenes for the creation of such industrial-metal classics as The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste and Psalm 69, Jourgensen dishes dirt on many renowned names whom he's crossed paths with throughout his career." MTV Hive, 7/10/13 "Just open the book and throw your finger on any given page, and you're liable to hit a sentence that makes you thank god you lived long enough on this planet to read something this batshit crazy...The most entertaining rock memoir I've ever read." Loudwire.com, 7/11/13 "The 'back-asswards' life of Ministry mastermind Al Jourgensen has finally been documented with incredible detail." USA Today (website), 7/8/13 "When it comes to sex, drugs and rock and roll, you just can't have too much of them, at least if you're reading about it. To live that lifestyle, a long one, is quite a feat, one that begs for a memoir, Ministry, in stores now." Examiner.com, 7/6/13 "It is a stark retelling of the musician's life, and no rock is left unturned...You will be appalled, shocked and disturbed, but you won't put this down until the last page." New Noise, 8/29/2013 "Horrific and nauseatingly awesome." BackstageAxxess.com, 8/25/13 "Al takes us on an exciting journey through his career in the music industry as he truly tells it all; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Jourgensen's tale is funny, frightening, and oftentimes disturbing as he offers frank accounts of the business side of the industry, his wild life on the road, and his personal battles with drug and alcohol abuse...You don't have to be a Ministry fan to enjoy this book...A very interesting read." Classic Rock (UK), October 2013 "[A] roaringly entertaining read." HeavyMetalICU.com, 9/13/13 "The man who refers to himself as 'Alien Jourgensen' is a really funny guy and this comes out in his recently released autobiography...He's a danger-level genius and whatever his demons may be, or may have been, he remains wonderfully entertaining as ever...His book has the makings of a great biopic." Record Collector, September 2013 "An intelligent take on the filthy rock underbelly...[It] pulls no punches...A brilliant read." MediaMikes.com, 8/19/13 "Take[s] you on a roller coaster ride of sex, drugs, drugs and even more drugs mixed with a sprinkling of rock and roll...This is not your typical tell all memoir as Al Jourgensen gives you that and then some...The book consisted of stories that were so far out there that they had to be true due to the fact that it would be hard for someone to make up some of these experiences and, be able tell them with the in-depth conviction Jourgensen does. The book keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you want more." South China Morning Post, 8/18/13 "You'll care if you're at all interested in first-hand encounters with a who's who of pop culture." Curled Up with a Good Book, 8/29/2013 "[An] unflinching account of his life and career...For someone who has lived his life as an open book, free of pretense and with complete apathy as to others' opinions of him, Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen still manages to surprise...Ministry's lone constant member tells it like he sees it with all the gory details dripping throughout...No stone unturned and no vein left untapped, Jourgensen recites events of a life lived (and ended a few times) to its unconscionable excesses in a funny, wildly entertaining, and gleefully repulsive memoir." Blogcritics.org, 7/9/13 "A rock and roll tale that is dirtier than that of Motley Crue's The Dirt...Open and honest...Fans of Ministry will undoubtedly snap this right up." The Front Row Report, 7/9/13 "[He] doesn't hold back one bit...Jourgensen digs down into the deepest, darkest crevices of his memory and presents us with a very blunt, honest and revealing trip through his life and career...The epitomic picture of the life of a rocker and artist and Jourgensen at his best. Any Ministry or metal fan will be captivated for hours and hours...and anyone who isn't familiar with Ministry or Jourgensen will find everything they need to know in this book." Ave Noctum, 7/8/13 John Shelton Ivany Top 21, Issue 432 "A memoir both ugly and captivating, revealing Al Jourgensen as a man who lived a hard life his own way without making compromises." WomanAroundTown.com, 10/26/13 "Not for the faint of heart...The producer/songwriter/ vocalist and guitarist tells his story unflinchingly; this may be difficult for more sensitive readers to stomach, but it is pure Al Jourgensen." Chicago Sun-Times, 12/26/2013 "It's almost impossible to believe this is a work of non-fiction. As Jourgensen's first official biography, the Ministry singer's torrid life is recapped in colorful and uncensored anecdotes of Timothy Leary experiments, near-death experiences, FBI raids and alien encounters, many of which are set against the background of Chicago in the glory days of the Wax Trax! industrial machine." BookNews.com, December 2013 "A unique memoir...Uncompromising gritty, sometimes brutal--this is an unflinching self-portrait of a 'cranky and rough' individual, full of anecdotes of drug abuse and touring life and meetings with iconic individuals like William S. Burroughs and Timothy Leary...Jourgensen's health battles, political involvement, personal rants, it's all here."

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Book SynopsisLed Zeppelin All the Songs takes a deep dive into the innovative recording history of the one of the most influential rock bands of all time—covering every album and every track that Led Zeppelin has ever produced. More than fifty years after their first practice session in a London basement, Led Zeppelin continues to fascinate new generations of listeners. While their legendary backstage antics have been written about extensively in other books, Led Zeppelin All the Songs focuses on the music, detailing the musicianship and lyrical inspiration that helped each of the band's nine albums go platinum, including Led Zeppelin IV, which has been certified platinum 23 times and has sold more than 37 million copies worldwide. This book is filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of life on the road and inside the recording studio. Fans will learn the meaning behind some of the band's classic lyrics, as well as the inspiration for all of their album covers, which instruments were used on every track, and the importance of contributions from engineers, sound technicians, producers, and other behind-the-scenes professionals who helped Led Zeppelin become one of the most popular bands of all time.

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Book SynopsisTom Fletcher (Author) Tom Fletcher is a number-one bestseller and one of the UK's most popular children's authors. The Christmasaurus was the biggest debut middle-grade novel of 2016 and was shortlisted for a British Book Award. Since then, Tom has published several more chart-topping children's novels including The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch, The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List, The Creakers and the instant number-one bestseller The Danger Gang. Tom also writes the incredibly successful Who's in Your Book? picture-book series and is one half of the author duo behind the Dinosaur that Pooped picture-book series too, which has sold over 1.5 million copies. For older readers, Tom co-authors the Eve of Man series with his wife Giovanna Fletcher. Tom's books have been translated into 40 languages and to date he has sold over 5 million copies of his books in the UK alone. As well as

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Book SynopsisArguably the most gifted artist of her generation, Amy Winehouse died tragically young, aged just 27. Packed with exclusive material, such as extracts from Amy's teenage diaries, photos and notes, this book offers a new and intimate perspective on the life and death of the phenomenon that is Amy Winehouse.Trade ReviewAn authentic, poignant and gut-wrenchingly sad tale... An insightful, honest and often uplifting account of a life cut tragically short -- Isabelle Broom * Heat *Deeply personal... Insightful, offering rare glimpses behind the maelstrom of Amy's public life -- Charlotte Oliver * Jewish Chronicle *Poignant * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisA Times, Spectator, TLS and BBC Music Magazine Book of the YearFascinating.' GuardianSuperlative.' The TimesDefinitive.' ObserverAs an icon of India, Ravi Shankar ranks not far below Gandhi or the Taj Mahal. He was one of the twentieth century's most important musicians, the breadth of his impact reflected in those he influenced: George Harrison, John Coltrane, Philip Glass and Yehudi Menuhin, to name a few. In this first biography of Ravi Shankar, Oliver Craske presents a full portrait of the man and the artist, painting a vivid picture of the public and private faces of a captivating, restless workaholic who lived an intense and extraordinary life across ninety-two years. A masterly chronicle of a life teeming with all-too-human incident but heavenly inspiration.' The Times

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction by Galen Ayers; Foreword by John Payne; A Note on Kevin Ayers by Robert Wyatt; Joy of a Toy; Shooting at the Moon; Whatevershebringswesing; Bananamour; The Confessions of Dr. Dream and other Stories; Sweet Deceiver; Yes We Have No Mañanas (So Get Your Mañanas Today); Takeaway; That’s What You Get Babe; Diamond Jack and The Queen of Pain; Dejà… Vu; As Close As You Think; Falling Up; Still Life with Guitar; The Unfairground; Index of First Lines; Index of Songs; Credits; Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisPublished to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Elvis' death. With exclusive interviews with fellow musicians, promoters and those who knew them, and with much unique material, this is one of the most comprehensive accounts of Elvis Presley and his career.

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Book Synopsis''A passionate, pacey tome you should do anything for a copy of'' - Kerrang! I never wanted to be a big star. I just wanted to be the biggest at what I do! Powerful, unstoppable, heavy - when that word still meant something good! - Meat Loaf, as told to Mick Wall Everything in the story of Meat Loaf is big. From the place he was born (Texas); to the family he was born into (his father weighed 22 stone, his uncle weighed over 40 stone, while Meat Loaf himself weighed 17 stone before he was even in his teens); to the sound he made (a colossal collision between Richard Wagner, Phil Spector and Bruce Springsteen); and of course the records he sold - nearly 50 million in Britain and America alone.From a tumultuous childhood with an alcoholic father to the relentless abusive bullying he endured, nobody could have predicted Meat Loaf''s meteoric rise to fame. But when the messianic rock opera Bat Out of Hell was released Trade ReviewA passionate, pacey tome you should do anything for a copy of. * KERRANG! *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of music books from David Hepworth, Pete Paphides, Bob Stanley and Craig Brown, as well as thought-provoking human interest stories like Moondust by Andrew Smith, and books by Jon Ronson, Louis Theroux and Stuart Maconie. Nick Duerden has spent many years interviewing the most famous musicians on the planet. Without exception, they are at their most interesting when they've  peaked, and when they are on their way down. In many ways, this is when  these former idols are at their most heroic, too, because they reveal  themselves not only to be humane and sensitive, but also still driven to  create, to fulfill their lingering dreams, to refuse to live quietly. Some sustain themselves on the nostalgia  circuit. Others continue to beaver away in the studio, no longer Abbey  Road so much as the garden shed. The desire for adulation is a light that never goes out. We live  in a culture obsessed by the notion of faTrade ReviewIncredibly moving * Guardian *Told with warmth and compassion . . . engrossing. * The Independent *Fascinating layers of humanity, pathos and wisdom. * Frank Turner *Entertaining. * The Telegraph *Brilliant. * David Quantick *The pop-star's bittersweet lot is represented with flair and empathy. * Pete Paphides *A poignant exploration of the aftermath of adulation. * Mojo *Today's stars might do well to read Exit Stage Left and plan for the second acts of their careers. * The Economist *

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Book Synopsis''For all these years I''ve told stories. Sometimes these days I also tell them on the radio. I''ve met some amazing people and their stories need told too. The first time Deacon Blue ever played Wembley Arena I started to introduce a song only to hear, Get on with it shouted from Row Z. We proceeded with the song, but I often thought I''d quite like to finish that story.''In 1986, Ricky Ross started a full-time career in music, which has lasted for over 35 years. His earlier working life was spent in youth work and teaching in his home city of Dundee, and his adopted home of Glasgow. It was in these two cities where he spent his formative years learning how to write and play songs. Having always written about the people and places who''ve made an impact on his life, it''s no surprise that this is how he has approached Walking Back Home, his first ever memoir, which takes the reader on a journey from Ricky''s childhood to the rollercoaster

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Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids Selected as Book of the Year by the Daily Telegraph, i paper, Metro and Harper's Bazaar ‘Magical’ GUARDIAN 'A gripping tale of the search for meaning in times of turbulence - expressed with Smith’s signature poetic flair' VOGUE 'Extraordinary ... A tense, teasing mix of reality and dream' Sunday Times 'A melancholy mood and poetic language distinguish Smith’s third memoir' BBC ‘Her willingness to look closely at life’s closing chapters makes for a magical book' WASHINGTON POST, 'The 10 books to read in September' Following a run of New Year’s concerts at San Francisco’s legendary Fillmore, Patti Smith finds herself tramping the coast of Santa Cruz, about to embark on a year of solitary wandering. Unfettered by logic or time, she draws us into her private wonderland, with no design yet heeding signs, including a talking sign that looms above her, prodding and sparring like the Cheshire Cat. In February, a surreal lunar year begins, bringing with it unexpected turns, heightened mischief, and inescapable sorrow. In a stranger’s words, “Anything is possible: after all, it’s the year of the monkey.” For Patti Smith - inveterately curious, always exploring, tracking thoughts, writing the year evolves as one of reckoning with the changes in life’s gyre: with loss, aging, and a dramatic shift in the political landscape of America. Smith melds the Western landscape with her own dreamscape. Taking us from Southern California to the Arizona desert; to a Kentucky farm as the amanuensis of a friend in crisis; to the hospital room of a valued mentor; and by turns to remembered and imagined places - this haunting memoir blends fact and fiction with poetic mastery. The unexpected happens; grief and disillusionment. But as Patti Smith heads toward a new decade in her own life, she offers this balm to the reader: her wisdom, wit, gimlet eye, and above all, a rugged hope of a better world. Riveting, elegant, often humorous, illustrated by Smith’s signature Polaroids, Year of the Monkey is a moving and original work, a touchstone for our turbulent times.Trade ReviewBoth mundane and magical … Moves constantly between reverie and memory … Portents and symbols lurk in unexpected places, and everyday objects become freighted with meaning … A reflection both on mortality and of the times in which Smith finds herself, but rich in detail * Guardian *A gripping tale of the search for meaning in times of turbulence - expressed with Smith’s signature poetic flair * Vogue *An engaging musing on mortality and defiance of age * i *A moving account of the emotional stumbles, physical and intellectual wanderings and deep losses Smith experienced in her 70th year * Independent *Some rock stars shut themselves away from life, but Smith’s engagement with the world only deepens, as this dreamy memoir shows * Daily Telegraph *Extraordinary … A tense, teasing mix of reality and dream … It’s a drifter’s book, in time, space and the imagination * Sunday Times *A picaresque voyage through her dreams and life as she faced 70, dealing with flashes of “sorrow’s vertigo” as she remembers all the loves and rock contemporaries who are gone, with a kaleidoscope of references from “Mr. Robot” to Marcus Aurelius to Martin Beck mysteries to Maria Callas’s Medea -- Maureen Dowd * International New York Times *A profoundly beautiful book, poetic in its prose and metaphysical in its meaning, it’s quite a stunning read * Financial Times *The narrating voice is the voice of Smith's music, twisting between the incantations of a priestess and laconic poetry … There is plenty of wonderful in this small, sly, mystic book * Spectator *A beatnik Alice in Wonderland, measured out in black coffee and Polaroids, it’s full of quiet puzzles, small epiphanies, more little clues how to live * Q Magazine *Arresting … Diverting and often unexpected, fresh and diverting * Literary Review *In the twilight of her career, punk’s original princess is reinventing herself as a memoirist of some distinction … It sings strong with her singular, itinerant, coffee-guzzling beat spirit. Essential reading for diehard fans -- Claire Allfree * Metro *A profoundly lyrical, digressive mapping of her fame-and-family decades … This third memoir finds Smith unhomed, at times almost unhinged, as she does her utmost to ward off those Beaten Generation blues * Mojo *Elegiac … A strikingly intimate portrait of a woman growing older and missing those who are no longer with us but remaining wide awake to the world and hopeful for its future * Sunday Express *A melancholy mood and poetic language distinguish Smith’s third memoir * BBC *Poet and performer Smith’s latest memoir zooms in tight ... Her willingness to look closely at life’s closing chapters makes for a magical book * Washington Post, 'The 10 books to read in September' *Lovely ... a slim volume [with a] minor-key melancholy * Entertainment Weekly *Patti Smith’s brilliant new memoir about love, loss and growing older … I’m already captivated by her poetic prose * Daily Mirror *Smith’s grace and erudite philosophy is a welcome balm in these times * Town & Country *Smith’s reflections on a wrenching yet grace-filled year are elegiac, vital, and magical. … Smith’s large, loyal following will seek out this spellbinding memoir, just as they embraced Just Kids (2010) and M Train (2015) * Booklist *Luminous ... Smith casts a mesmerizing spell with exquisite prose * Publishers Weekly *This is the modern-day Patti Smith: older, wiser, seeing the world, and reporting it all back to us in only the way she can. You can’t read this and not feel inspired after you put it down * Inside Hook *An incantatory, ambulatory travelogue * New Statesman *Captivating ... Redemptive * Kirkus *She weaves the threads of her thoughts and past relationships together, creating a dreamy memoir on the passage of time and our changing world * Wanderlust *One of the great diarists of her, or any other time, with an exquisite voice which manages to somehow transform even the most ordinary event into something otherworldly … An enchanting hitchhike through 2016 … Every occurrence sears into the reader’s psyche in vivid detail … Time spent in the company of Patti is always a pleasure * Classic Pop *A rock-star prophetess … Meditative, messy, poignant, deeply personal, allusive, occasionally bombastic and, crucially, still defiant, Year of the Monkey is a mercurial fusion of the mundane and visionary that only an unconquerable spirit like Patti Smith could write * Herald *She can find artistic endeavour in the mundane; or bone-deep comfort in a cup of black coffee and a cinnamon doughnut … Incredibly moving … As much a glimpse of a troubled year in Patti’s life, as a portal into our own * Record Collector *

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Book SynopsisSince the release of her first, career-defining solo album Little Earthquakes, Tori Amos has been one of the music industry's most enduring and ingenious artists. From her unnerving depiction of sexual assault in "Me and a Gun" to her post-9/11 album Scarlet's Walk to her latest album Native Invader, her work has never shied away from intermingling the personal with the political. Amos began playing piano as a teenager for the politically powerful at hotel bars in Washington, D.C., during the formative years of the post-Goldwater and then Koch-led Libertarian and Reaganite movements. The story continues to her time as a hungry artist in L.A. to the subsequent three decades of her formidable music career. Amos explains how she managed to create meaningful, politically resonant work against patriarchal power structures and how her proud declarations of feminism and her fight for the marginalized always proved to be her guiding light. She teaches readers to engage with intention in this tumultuous global climate and speaks directly to supporters of #MeToo and #TimesUp, as well as young people fighting for their rights and visibility in the world. Filled with compassionate guidance and actionable advice-and using some of the most powerful, political songs in Amos's canon-this book is for readers determined to steer the world back in the right direction.

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Book SynopsisIn 1996 Tupac Shakur, one of the most talented artists of his time, was murdered by an unknown gunman. Fred L. Johnson and Tayannah Lee McQuillar examine the theories surrounding his death and the story of Tupac's lost legacy in this definitive biography. For millions, Shakur gave voice to their stories, but there was also another side to him, revealed as his life spun out of control, as the whispered warnings from friends went unheeded and the denunciations of critics grew louder. Disturbingly, he sang and wrote about his impending death. When it came, it brought the music industry to its knees and ended an era when American rappers were leaders in using their art to speak the truth to corporate, government, and judicial power.Trade ReviewBooklist, 2/15/2010 "The Shakur who emerges here is no illiterate gangster-turned-gangsta but, rather, a bright, artistic, driven man whose life and career continue to inspire many people." Library Journal, 1/29/10 "Original...As much a biography of Shakur as a history of racial struggle in America...Those looking for a compelling, no-holds-barred biography and an education regarding significant historical events should seek out this book." Buffalo News, 1/31/10 "Fine writing and deft analysis." PublishersWeekly.com, 2/22/10 "Exhaustively researched and contextualized...Insightful, enjoyable and expansive...This undeniably solid biography will deepen anyone's appreciation of the hip-hop legend." The Source, March 2010 "An in-depth and chilling analysis of the rap icon."

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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

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive study of the piano music of award-winning American composer Samuel Adler will interest pianists, teachers, and anyone interested in the musical art of our day. American composer Samuel Adler has composed a huge and multi-faceted body of works ranging from symphonies, concertos, and oratorios to solos for every standard Western instrument, to a rich trove of vocal and choral music, to pieces for students. Among them, encompassing his compositional life of some seventy years, is an array of works for the piano: three concertos; fifteen solo pieces and sets of pieces; a sonata for two pianos; and four volumes of music for beginning and intermediate players. Bradford Gowen writes about each of these works with the knowledge of one who has studied, performed, and recorded Adler's piano music and has previously written about it. He begins with an overview of stylistic and pianistic traits found throughout these pieces and then examines each work chronologically according to genre, in a two-part format. The first part is an essay on the work's style, emotional content, and unique features, which at the same time places the work in the context of other music by Adler and by additional composers from the present and past eras. The second part, informal and practical, is directed to a pianist interested in getting to know this music. As a "lesson" on the piece, it offers specific suggestions for practicing and interpretation and many solutions to technical challenges. Rounding out the book are an in-depth interview with the composer plus six invaluable appendices.Trade ReviewA practical and useful book for all levels of pianists, from students to seasoned performers. Gowen's engaging prose and clear enthusiasm for Adler's music make reading about the works enjoyable as well as instructive. This book will be especially useful to institutions with strong piano and music education programs. -- Carol Lubkowski * MUSIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NOTES *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments A Note to the User of This Book Samuel Adler: A Biographical Sketch Interview with Samuel Adler Introduction 1. Pedagogical Volumes Gradus Books I and II (1971) Gradus Book III (1981) The Sense of Touch (1982) 2. Solo Works through 2000 Capriccio (1954) Sonata Breve (1963) Canto VIII (1973) Sonatina (1979) "Thy Song Expands My Spirit" (1980) The Road to Terpsichore: A Suite of Dances (1989) Three Piano Preludes (1999-2000) 3. Solo Works since 2001 Four Composer Portraits (2001) Festschrift (2007) Fantasy for Piano (2013) Four Choreographies (2017) Five Short Occasional Pieces (2018) "Bagatelle for Jürgen" (2020) Variation on "America the Beautiful" (2020) Music for the Young and the Young at Heart (2021) 4. For Two Pianos Duo Sonata for Two Pianos (1983) 5. For Piano and Orchestra Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (no. 1) (1983) Second Piano Concerto (1996) Piano Concerto no. 3 for Piano and String Orchestra (2003) Appendix 1: Piano Music Graded Approximately according to Technical Difficulty Appendix 2: Chamber Works with Piano Appendix 3: Partial List of Works for Voice and Piano, Selected by the Composer Appendix 4: Works for Other Keyboard Instruments Appendix 5: Chronological Representative Selection of Adler Works for Other Instruments and Ensembles Selected Bibliography Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisSince his untimely death in 1974 at the age of twenty six, Nick Drake has not only gained a huge international audience, which eluded him during his lifetime, but has also come to represent the epitome of English romanticism. Drake's small but much-loved body of work has evoked comparisons with Blake, Keats, Vaughan Williams and Delius, placing him within a long line of English mystical romanticism. Yet upon closer inspection Drake's work betrays a myriad of international, cosmopolitan influences and approaches that seem to confound his status as archetypal English troubadour. Nathan Wiseman-Trowse unravels the myths surrounding Nick Drake's music to show how audiences have come to think of his work as representing the very idea of Englishness itself. The music itself provides clues, hinting at a specific English landscape that Drake would have wandered through during his lifetime. Yet Drake's interest in blues, jazz, and eastern mysticism hint at a broader conception of English national identity in the late 1960s, far removed from mere parochial nostalgia. Similarly, the framing of Drake's music after his death has done much to situate him as a particular kind of English artist, integrating American counterculture, the English class system and a nostalgic re-imagining of the hippy era for contemporary audiences. Nick Drake: Dreaming England explores how ideas of Englishness have come to be so intimately associated with the cult singer songwriter. Essential reading for any fan of Nick Drake, the book will also appeal to those interested in folk music or English national identity.Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 1 DREAMING ENGLAND 2 LISTENING TO THE LAND 3 THE COUNTRY AND THE CITY 4 MELANCHOLIA AND LOSS 5 DRAKE'S LEGACY Chronology References Select Bibliography Discography Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisFan, musician and writer Roland Link has compiled a wealth of images of the legendary Belfast band through the 1970s and 80s. It includes many previously unseen photographs of the members on the road, on stage, in candid moments and in promotional out-takes. These are supported by a myriad of contemporary memorabilia (tour posters, tickets, passes and badges) and accompanied by comments from band members and a number of the photographers. The book also contains a Rare Vinyl Guide covering the band's original singles and albums. "When people ask me about Stiff Little Fingers I'm going to point them towards two books; Kicking Up A Racket and What You See Is What You Get ...job done." Jim Reilly

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Book SynopsisThroughout most of the twelve years between their formation and disbanding after the death of drummer John Bonham, Led Zeppelin were regarded as arguably the most influential group in popular music since The Beatles. While seen as pioneers of British heavy rock, their sound also embraced blues, psychedelia and folk music. Earlier in his career Jimmy Page had been one of the most highly sought-after session guitarists, while John Paul Jones was a versatile multi-instrumentalist and experienced arranger, and Robert Plant was one of the most individual vocalists of the era. A deal signed with Atlantic Records allowed them total musical control, and a deliberate policy of not allowing any tracks to be released as singles in Britain helped to ensure maximum demand for their albums as well as huge ticket sales every time they toured. Initially unpopular with critics, they were much loved by fans on both sides of the Atlantic and indeed throughout much of the world. This book provides a thorough examination of each track on all the group's studio albums, additional songs on official live releases and compilations of BBC sessions material.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Acknowledgements; 1 Led Zeppelin; 2 Led Zeppelin II; 3 Led Zeppelin III; 4 [Led Zeppelin IV]; 5 Houses of the Holy; 6 Presence; 7 In Through the Out Door; 8 Coda; 9 Led Zeppelin Boxed Set; 10 Led Zeppelin Boxed Set 2; 11 The Complete Studio Recordings; 12 The Song Remains the Same; 13 How the West Was Won; 14 Celebration Day; 15 BBC Sessions; 16 The Complete BBC Sessions; Endnotes.

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Book SynopsisTake the stage with the Christopher NortonStunning music for solo flute and piano for intermediate to advanced-level players, from the creator of Microjazz15 entertaining and inventive pieces based on well-known American folk tunes, Christmas carols and nursery rhymesSpectacular performance and accompaniment tracks available onlineInstrumentation:Flute and piano

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Book SynopsisThe full range of traditional fiddle repertoire is now at your fingertips! Using these generous collections, you can create your own ceilidh, barn dance, jazz club or Sarajevo street-café. Some of this music is familiar, some more exotic, but all of it is absolutely authentic, faithfully arranged and, above all, hugely enjoyable.Each title in the series is available in two formats: the Violin Edition (with an optional easy violin part and guitar chords); or the Complete Edition, which also includes both keyboard and violin accompaniments. Either format is hugely flexible, which means the music can be played as solos, duets or trios as well as with larger ensembles.Edward Huws Jones has travelled extensively researching fiddle-playing traditions. In each book he explains the background of the particular musical style, giving his own suggestions for a lively performance.Instrumentation:violin (2 violins) and piano, guitar ad libitum

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Book Synopsis The latest book in the bestselling All the Songs series, this is the most in-depth exploration of Springsteen's songs ever written.Spanning nearly 50 years of albums, EPs, B-sides, and more, read the full story behind every single song that The Boss has ever released. Moving chronologically through Springsteen's long career, expert authors Margotin and Guesdon explore everything there is to know about every single song. No stone is left unturned across 670 pages, 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 Springsteen fan.

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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.

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Book SynopsisThe hidden history of the women who dared to write music in a man’s world. ‘Lucid, engaging and exuberant... [Sounds and Sweet Airs] is terrifically enjoyable and accessible, and leaves one hankering for a second volume.’ The Sunday Times Francesca Caccini. Barbara Strozzi. Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. Marianna Martines. Fanny Hensel. Clara Schumann. Lili Boulanger. Elizabeth Maconchy. Since the birth of classical music, women who dared compose have faced a bitter struggle to be heard. In spite of this, female composers continued to create, inspire and challenge. Yet even today so much of their work languishes unheard. Anna Beer reveals the highs and lows experienced by eight composers across the centuries, from Renaissance Florence to twentieth-century London, restoring to their rightful place exceptional women whom history has forgotten.Trade Review‘Beer’s writing is lucid, engaging and exuberant, strongly evoking the cultures and atmospheres that surrounded her subjects…the book in general is terrifically enjoyable and accessible, and leaves one hankering for a second volume.’ * Sunday Times *‘A meticulously researched, engrossing read, vividly bringing its eight subjects to life. It should appeal not only to music connoisseurs but to anyone interested in social and cultural history – and women’s place in it.’ * Financial Times *‘Such traits, as Beer laments, are still with us…All the more important, then, for excellent books like this one to remind us of what we are all missing’. * Catholic Herald *'Offers vivid, colourful context on a situation that is echoed back through the centuries…Readable and wide-ranging, Beer's deft sketches are an elegant introduction to their subjects'. * Spectator *'Never less than highly readable'. * Classical Music *‘Rewarding…insightful…Beer conveys the sexism and lifelong frustrations some immensely gifted creative artists encountered.’ * New York Times *'Beer's meticulously researched book is a vital step in the battle to overturn that ultimate injustice'. * Observer *'Beer has an eye for detail, and gives us a vivid sense of the stratagems these gifted, determined women had to employ'. * Sunday Telegraph *'In this riveting book Anna Beer wades through centuries of prejudice from the fear of women composing at all…to the persistent unwillingness to perform, discuss or distribute their music'. * BBC Music Magazine *''[A] stimulating and engaging book, written with passionate enthusiasm and a light touch'. * Literary Review *‘I am constantly in search of books that explore the lives of women who have been dismissed or overlooked by history, and this is what makes Anna Beer's latest book a total godsend. Sounds and Sweet Airs is an intoxicating historical examination of the way gender has shaped what we consider to be canonical... Beer’s impassioned overview delves into the hopes, motivations, and struggles each woman faced as she attempted to pursue her vocation while coping with the “boys club” mentality of their respective music communities.’ Lenny Letter’s Lit Thursday * Lenny Letter’s Lit Thursday *‘Books could be written about composers denied a place in the classical canon because of ethnicity or class or religion, but that doesn’t negate the truth and importance of Sounds and Sweet Airs’. * Gramophone *‘Beer’s snapshot lives of women composers are savvy, sympathetic... [an] essential and insightful study of a woman’s unsung place in the closed world of classical music.’ * Wall Street Journal *‘An engaging read and…contains a powerful and timely message’. * History Today *‘This is a truly inspiring and fascinating book... Female composers today no longer need to feel there is anything to stop them creating music and forging a career as a composer – if there is still any doubt, then just read Sounds and Sweet Airs.’ -- Debbie Wiseman MBE – Classic FM’s Composer in Residence‘A rich, revealing study of the lives of eight outstanding female composers...Long overdue, this book includes a list of recommended listening for each composer, a glossary of musical terms, and suggestions for further reading.This important work furthers cultural understanding of the history of female composers.’ * CHOICE magazine *‘A fascinating and refreshing rescue of a few well-chosen exemplars from the worthy but dull hands of musicologists... Thrilling.’ -- Natalie Wheen, former presenter on BBC Radio and Classic FM‘Both feminist analyst and fluent biographer, Beer makes engrossing and cogent cases for her subjects. She concludes that the proof of their art lies in the hearing and recommends recent recordings.’ * Booklist *‘This book is a delight. Eight striking composers are reinstated in musical history, thanks to Anna Beer’s energetic research and lively writing.’ -- Nicola LeFanu, composer and Professor Emeritus, University of York‘A fascinating glimpse into the world of the women whose music we should know and be hearing in the canon.’ -- Charlotte Bray, winner of the Lili Boulanger Memorial Prize 2014 and composer of At the Speed of Stillness‘Elegantly written, Sounds and Sweet Airs offers compelling evidence of the prejudices against women composers’ aspirations across the centuries.’ -- Rhian Samuel, Composer and Professor Emeritus, City University London‘An important book... groundbreaking and entertaining... This book should be required reading not just for those interested in cultural history, but for anyone wishing to understand the perception of women in the modern era.’ -- Professor Steven Parissien – Director, Compton Verney‘Anna Beer’s eloquent and passionately argued narrative builds on the most up-to-date scholarship and makes an irresistible case for listening again to the work of women who were among the most admired musicians of their age. Much more than simply an attempt to balance the historical record, Sounds and Sweet Airs is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand music’s power and the politics of gender and sexuality that promoted, shaped and silenced women’s compositional careers from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.’ -- Professor Daniel Grimley, Merton College, Oxford‘Absorbing ... [Beer] writes with rich detail and sympathetic insight about [these women's] ambitious, adventurous battles to overcome barriers to creativity.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Serious students of music and women's history will want to add this title to their required reading lists.’ * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisThe Little Book of the Beatles is a superb book of quotations by, and about, the band that revolutionised popular music the world over. A perfect companion for Beatles fans everywhere, this collection of bite-sized quips helps capture exactly what made the Fab Four so special. From insightful quotes by fellow artists, collaborators and friends, to words of wit and wisdom from John, Paul, George and Ringo themselves, you'll find more than 170 amusing and inspiring soundbites inside. 'I'd like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition.' John Lennon, 1970. Table of ContentsIntroduction. Hello Goodbye. Beatlemania. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. John, Paul, George and Ringo. Twist and Shout. And in the End.

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Book SynopsisThe lyrics to the songs of the Beatles read like poetry. This book treats them as such, and illustrates each track artistically, paying careful attention to detail and high design standards. The stories, themes and ideas behind nearly 200 songs are explored in this beautiful book that includes photographs, artwork and illustration to bring the Fab Four's lyrics to life as never before. Table of ContentsNearly 200 Beatles songs are carefully illustrated in this beautiful book. With an emphasis on superb design, the lyrics to the most popular songs in the world are decorated on the page with photography, illustration and artwork.

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Book Synopsis'Daniel Rachel imagines what the next Beatles album might have been like, with painstaking detail and great stories' - David Hepworth, The Guardian'A fantastical journey through what might have been... Exciting and compelling.' - Chris Hawkins, BBC 6 Music'Daniel Rachel's forensic investigation makes a strong case for looking afresh at the evidence... a fascinating detailed read' - Mojo'In this meticulously crafted book, Rachel offers an extraordinary peek behind the curtain of one of the most celebrated music groups in history...a must-read for any music aficionado' - Music Devotee'A detailed researcher and writer... Ingenious.' - Record Collector'Full of enthralling details about the highs and lows of the band's last year... it's like the DNA in a crime scene.' - David Hepworth, Word in Your Ear'A book that is religiously detailed and yet manages to create tantalising glimpses of what might have been' - Louder Than War***This is the story of the great lost Beatles album.The end of the Beatles wasn't inevitable. It came through miscommunication, misunderstandings and missed opportunities to reconcile.But what if it didn't end? What if just one of those chances was taken, and the Beatles carried on? What if they made one last, great album?In The Lost Album of The Beatles, Daniel Rachel - winner of the prestigious Penderyn Music Book Prize - looks at what could have been. Drawing on impeccable research, Rachel examines the the Fab Four's untimely demise - and from the ashes compiles a track list for an imagined final album, pulling together unfinished demos, forgotten B-sides, hit solo songs, and arguing that together they form the basis of a lost Beatles masterpiece.Compelling and convincing, The Lost Album of The Beatles is a daring re-write of the group's history, and a tantalising glimpse of what might have been.Trade ReviewDaniel Rachel imagines what the next Beatles album might have been like, with painstaking detail and great stories -- David Hepworth * The Guardian *A book that is religiously detailed and yet manages to create tantalising glimpses of what might have been -- Craig Campbell * Louder Than War *Daniel Rachel's forensic investigation makes a strong case for looking afresh at the evidence... a fascinating detailed read * Mojo *

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Book SynopsisA Times Book of the Year 'Most underrated group? World of Twist.' - LIAM GALLAGHER'They're a top band. No one could do what World of Twist do, except World of Twist.' - NOEL GALLAGHER'They were such a special band, such a moment in time, and Gordon has written such a special book.' - JON RONSONWorld of Twist: the greatest lost band of all time.While fame, glory and untold riches seemed like an inevitability for World of Twist at the turn of the '90s, the universe was simply not ready for a group of retro futurists, psychedelic adventurers and cosmic tunesmiths.Too late for Madchester, too early for Britpop and too much fun to pigeonhole, the band went on to face a demoralising string of near-misses and 'what could have been's, ultimately falling apart in a medley of incompatible drugs, musical contretemps, sartorial differences and all-round shoulder-shrugging apathy.But they burned bright and left an indelible mark on everyone who looked deep into their light...Now, in When Does the Mind-Bending Start?, co-founder, guitarist and principal songwriter Gordon King tells the incredible inside story of his time with World of Twist, revealing the jealousy, anguish and personal demons experienced by the clashing personalities of King and the band's late singer, Tony Ogden.This is a memoir of tragedy and triumph, comedy and drama, demise and recovery.Trade Review'They were such a special band, such a moment in time, and Gordon has written such a special book.' -- Jon Ronson'Amazingly good: moving, funny and about everything - music, friendship, success, failure, loss, place and 1,000 other things. You won't regret buying it and reading it.' -- John Harris'The engaging narrative is rich in comedy, mundanity, fantasy, hubris and poignancy. 4/5' -- Mojo'One of the most vivid, celebratory and honest books ever published about love for music. 4/5' -- Record Collector

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Book SynopsisTHE POWERFUL AND UPLIFTING NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERIn March 2022, much-loved pop star, father and son Tom Parker died from incurable brain cancer. This story is his legacy, in his own words.A proud working-class lad from Bolton, he rose to chart-topping fame with The Wanted and even took America by storm. A loving father to Aurelia and Bodhi and a devoted husband to Kelsey, his life after pop superstardom was all about family, friends and finding new purpose.After his diagnosis in 2020, he become a prominent campaigner for brain cancer research, appearing in the House of Commons as well as holding a massively successful concert in aid of Stand Up to Cancer in the Royal Albert Hall.Throughout it all, Tom had hope. This inspirational memoir shows how far hope and daring to dream can carry you, no matter what cards you're dealt.

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Book SynopsisThis in-depth biography details Harry's life so far. From his childhood and his journey to fame on the X-Factor to releasing incredibly successful solo music and becoming a fashion icon, this book gets you closer to Harry than ever before.From the start of his career we follow the roller coaster of emotions as One Direction broke up, and we learn how Harry reinvented himself. Free from the shackles of being in a boyband he was able to be the rock star he had always dreamed of being and conquer the US by himself.Not content with being one of the world's biggest popstars, Harry has also cultivated a career as a film star, kicking off with a starring role in box-office hits like Dunkirk before going on to become a member of the iconic Marvel universe and, in 2022, taking the lead in My Policeman and Don’t Worry Darling. Now, as universally acknowledged fashion royalty, he has hosted the Met Gala with Serena Williams and Lady Gaga and regularly models for Gucci. In 2021 he released his beauty brand, Pleasing, and he has even partnered with the meditation app Calm to record a story designed to help listeners drift off. His new album Harry’s House soared to the top of the charts in both the UK and the US, and his 2022 tour 'Love on Tour' has sold out globally. In short, his phenomenal success shows no signs of slowing down. Get to know the iconic singer in greater depth with this book that gets you to the heart of a very modern pop star – a must read for all of Harry's fans.Also available:Ariana: The Biography (9781782439745)Adele: To 30 and Beyond: The Unauthorized Biography (9781789294361)Britney: The Unauthorized Biography (9781789294590)

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No period of Bob Dylan's six-decade career confounds fans more than the 1980s. The singer began the decade with Saved, the second in a trio of explicitly religious records, and a tour in which he declined to play his older songs because of concern they were anti-god. Dylan's ambivalence about the songs that made him an icon was mirrored by fans, many of whom found his post-conversion messages strident and judgmental. This made Saved his worst selling album in years and set a pattern for the next several years. Despite being a prolific time, in which the singer released seven studio albums, the decade was defined by inconsistency. Throughout the 1980s, some of his most profound work alternated with lackluster compositions and indifferent performances - sometimes on the same album. However, even as Dylan struggled artistically, all of his albums contained reminders of why he continued to be celebrated. By the end of the decade, his perseverance - both on stage and in the studio - and a spontaneous collaboration with some of his peers coalesced into his best received releases since the 1970s. Rather than closing a book, the combination of Oh Mercy and the first Traveling Wilburys record pointed to new chapters. The 1990s began a remarkable run of success that few popular artists have managed at any stage of their careers.

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Book SynopsisThey pulled on their platform boots and slapped on the makeup when everybody else was discarding theirs. Their albums were subject to poor production, scathing reviews, and commercial indifference. Other bands refused to have them as their opening act. Their record company was up against the wall. By all reasoning, they should have become one of the 'lost' bands of the 1970s, like the Harlots of 42nd Street or the Hollywood Stars. Yet in 1975 Kiss unexpectedly came Alive! and by the following year, they were the biggest rock and roll band - and brand - in America. This is a journey through Kiss's first and most storied decade. It is the story of the four men behind the masks, and the music they made, the studio albums, the legendary live albums, and of one of the greatest rock follies in music history, the four simultaneously released solo album. Along the way, it tells of the costumes and the concerts, the merchandise and the Marvel comic books, the television appearances and the disastrous 1978 movie, Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. And having bestrode the 1970s like an unstoppable colossus, it ends with Kiss under siege, beset by changing public taste without, and combustible personalities within.

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Book SynopsisGreen Day are one of rock history's greatest and most successful bands. Singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool have been together creating rock music with a punk heart for over three decades. The trio has reigned supreme, shattering previously conceived notions of how commercially successful a punk rock band can be. They helped extend the boundaries of the genre by adding excellent pop/rock song writing. Green Day harnessed alternative music's creativity with a passion and fire that ignited two of rock's best albums, the influential Dookie, which sold 20 million, and the culturally important rock opera American Idiot, which sold 16 million and went on to become a Broadway show. In their 30-plus years, Green Day revolutionized rock musically and lyrically, inspiring countless bands. During the 1990s, they lead the pop-punk charge, and in the 2000s, they inspired a second generation of fans and bands through a lyrically intelligent and musically complex style of hard rock. Green Day: On Track takes a journey through the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame band's career, analysing every album and song in their storied catalogue

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Book SynopsisTraversing power metal, acoustic introspect and finally settling on their breakthrough cinematic sound, Finnish heavyweights Nightwish are the leading name in the sumptuous world of symphonic metal. Having tackled numerous high-profile line-up changes, each threatening to derail the grand vehicle of spirit curated by founder Tuomas Holopainen, their every turn has been documented across nine studio records. Whilst the surface presents the Nightwish discography as a feast of metaphor and imagination, it's in the undercurrent that the vulnerability of the compositions are revealed; the fury of 'Master Passion Greed' detailing the acrimonious split with vocalist Tarja Turunen, the melancholia permeating Century Child and the awe-inspiring ode to evolution of Endless Forms Most Beautiful. This book analyses every song released by the group, from their Angels Fall First debut to 2020's Human. : : Nature., discussing inimitable singles 'Nemo' and the begrudgingly composed 'Sleeping Sun' as well as patriotic sport soundtracks, impromptu live outings and curious cover versions. Nightwish On Track also discusses the abundant live releases and compilations from their career to date and gathers together an exhaustive list of the band's B-sides and rarities.

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The White Stripes were one of the breakout bands of the early 2000s 'rock revival'. They produced some of the most indelible songs of the 21st Century and reintroduced a sense of mystery and panache to the staid indie rock scene of the era. But that was only the beginning for singer-guitarist Jack White. From his humble origins in the fabled Detroit garage rock scene, via The White Stripes and his other bands, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, to his ongoing solo career, Jack White has forged an extensive and eclectic body of work. Now, as the head of his own record label, he has achieved what most musicians dream of: the freedom to follow his idiosyncratic muse where it takes him, regardless of the whims of the record industry or popular taste. His music takes in all styles, from psychedelic power pop, to gothic swamp rock, to futuristic synth-funk, but he remains connected to the traditions of American roots music. He is always eager to cite his influences, and his collaborations and production work are an important part of his musical development. This is the first book that takes in the entire scope of Jack White's career: his bands, his solo work, and his work with other artists. By going through his discography track-by-track, this book will argue that Jack White is one of the great artists of the modern age. Perhaps, in fact, the last great rock star.

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Book Synopsis'All I can do is be me, whoever that is.' The many ides of Bob Dylan are revealed in this collection of the artist's words and lyrics.Having celebrated his 80th birthday in May 2021, with plaudits given around the globe, this influential and enigmatic troubadour-poet has been a-changing with the times since the 1960s, when he was the 'voice of a generation'. Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winner, musician, artist, author and actor, the living legend's words have inspired, enthralled, provoked and puzzled generations of fans, literary buffs, musicians and songwriters – and have been mulled over by academics and artists alike. This collection of quotes – humorous, grave, desperate, passionate, fearless, surreal – includes a rich tapestry of confessions, admonitions, laments, prophecies and existential meanderings.Interspersed with fascinating facts, The Little Guide to Bob Dylan sheds light on the deep inner workings of this taciturn man and his music.SAMPLE FACT: Many of Dylan's songs were hits for other artists, including the No.1s 'Mr Tambourine Man' for the Byrds, 'All Along the Watchtower' for Jimi Hendrix and 'Blowin' in the Wind' for Peter Paul & Mary.Table of ContentsFolk Beginnings: Exploring his early days, his words chart the influences on his road from being Robert Zimmerman to being Bob Dylan • Protest & Freedom: Music as a form of protest has long been one of Dylan's leitmotifs; here are his music and musings on civil rights, social injustice, politics and personal freedom • Love & Women: He covers love from every angle - also here are his thoughts on muses Suze Rotolo, Joan Baez and Sara Lownds • A-Changing: Taking responsibility for one's actions, or not, existential free will and personal identity are all themes in this chapter. Does anyone really know exactly Bob Dylan who is? • The Music & the Meaning: His views on his art and its meaning, as well as the purpose of life and the existence of god, success and failure, stage fright and life on the road • Death, Loss & Longing: Nostalgia, loss, death and the slipperiness of time are the key Dylan themes explored here.

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Book SynopsisWithout a doubt one of the most important, influential and acclaimed artists since the 1960s, Leonard Cohen is admired by fans, musicians and composers the world over. His death in 2016 at the age of 82 was front-page news globally. The deeply personal nature of his work, and its profound insight into humans and human nature see him revered as a lyrical genius, and for good reason. His ongoing themes of depression, love, religion and relationships struck a chord with fans all over the world and his albums (as well as his books of poetry) sold accordingly.The Little Guide to Leonard Cohen features quotes from the man himself, as well as contributions from many great artists and commentators. Cohen had many celebrity fans, including Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, Judy Collins and more. This book contains many insightful, witty and meaningful quotes by and about Leonard Cohen, as well as fascinating facts, song lists and more.SAMPLE QUOTE: 'My reputation as a ladies' man was a joke. It caused me to laugh bitterly through the 10,000 nights I spent alone.' - Leonard CohenSAMPLE FACT: 'Hallelujah' has been recorded by more than 200 artists, in many languages. Many of the cover versions have outsold Cohen's original.Table of ContentsThe Stranger Song: The early years of Leonard Cohen. Famous Blue Raincoat: Cohen's first album is released in 1967 and he gains a small, cult following. Quotes and facts from this era. Everybody Knows: Records keep coming and Cohen continues to write, in his own style and on his own terms. Quotes from celebrity fans as well as the man himself. Hallelujah: Continuing themes are evident in Cohen's musical works. Quotes and facts on the oft-visited subjects of love, depression, religion and politics. I'm Your Man: An enduring subject of Leonard Cohen's work was his relationships with women. This chapter features many quotes on just that subject. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye: A list of Cohen's album releases, from 1967's Songs of Leonard Cohen to the posthumous release Thanks for the Dance.

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Book SynopsisOn the fiftieth anniversary of David Bowie's magical album, Aladdin Sane 50 is the ultimate celebration of a musical masterpiece – and the most famous photograph in pop history.This landmark book contains hundreds of photographs, including dozens of David from the Aladdin Sane session that have never been seen until now, fifty years since they were taken.Aladdin Sane 50 also features essays by renowned experts and authors Paul Morley, Charles Shaar Murray, Nicholas Pegg, Kevin Cann, Jérôme Soligny and Geoffrey Marsh on Bowie's remarkable album and the story behind the famous cover.In a breathtaking package designed by long-time Bowie collaborators Barnbrook creative studio, Aladdin Sane 50 pays tribute to a seminal album and an iconic image, one that will live forever more in rock 'n' roll history.

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Book SynopsisA breathtaking, never-before-seen glimpse into life on tour with David Bowie, by the late singer's official tour photographerIn 1983 David Bowie set out on the Serious Moonlight Tour, his biggest ever. On the road with him was his official photographer, Denis O'Regan. Few artists and photographers have had such a close touring relationship. This book is the result: a never-before-seen photographic portrait of a year with Bowie, from the theatre of performance to his most unguarded moments. Introduced by O'Regan and with every single image personally approved by Bowie, this is an intimate view of an icon at the height of his fame.Trade ReviewThese are relaxed, intimate pictures, many showing Bowie off-stage, Bowie himself, even. * The Evening Standard *A stunning collection of over 300 personal pictures, with many published for the first time. Visually, it is a handsome book that is beautifully produced, with first-rate graphics and splendid reproduction . . . Ricochet is a remarkable photo essay about an artist at his inflection point, capturing Bowie's story as well as that of the culture surrounding him. * All About Jazz magazine *

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Book SynopsisNo life in popular music touched on as many major musical milestones as that of The Beach Boys' Carl Wilson. While he is often unjustly overlooked as a mere adjunct to his more famous brothers Brian and Dennis, Carl was a major international rock star from his early teens. The proud owner of one of the greatest voices in popular music-one that graced some of the most important records of the pop era, including 'God Only Knows' and 'Good Vibrations'-Wilson was also one of the first musicians to bring the electric guitar to the forefront of rock'n'roll. His musical skills provided The Beach Boys' entree into the music business, from which he then stewarded their onstage journey through the ups and downs of the 60s to their comeback in the 70s and into the role of 'America's band' in the 80s. Along the way, Carl quietly endured his own battles with obesity, divorce, substance abuse, and ultimately terminal cancer, all the while working to protect his family's business and legacy. This major new biography reveals the true story of modern rock'n'roll, lived from the centre of the most important decades of popular music.

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Book SynopsisThe Beach Boys: All The Songs is a detailed look at the recorded output of this most unique and influential popular music group. From the 1962 debut Surfin' Safari through to 2012's That's Why God Made the Radio - the first record Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys had made together in sixteen years. This book covers all the material released by the major labels. To qualify, a song must have been issued commercially and released under the name "Beach Boys." Some of the truly obscure are included, such as `Howdy from Maui', a collaboration with Jeff Foxworthy from 1996. As well as covering the highest UK and US chart placings, each album is dissected with explanations on each song including songwriting credits and also includes background information to the making of each album. Documented in chronological order, each album release is given its own chapter and "orphaned" tracks such as B-sides and outtakes are also included within the appropriate time line. Author Rick Swan also provides bios for the key band members as well as the supporting musicians and the book is capped off with a full song title index for easy reference. Whether you are just starting out on your discovery of The Beach Boys or a longstanding fan, this detailed tome provides great insight into this most enduring band.

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