In times of darkness and despair, books offer hope and glimpses into world far away from our own. The best books entertain us, inform us, shape us, and transform us. Music books often carry us back to times in our […]
0
“Well, it’s one for the money, two for the show/three to get ready, now go, cat, go.” That’s just what Australian music writer Jeff Apter (Don’t Dream It’s Over), does in his affectionate, straight-ahead biography Carl Perkins: The King […]
Texas historian Joe Nick Patoski sums up the experience of attending one of Willie Nelson’s annual picnics as “living inside a Willie Nelson song every Fourth of July.” As Patoski writes in his foreword to journalist Dave Dalton Thomas’ Picnic: […]
In 1969, Creedence Clearwater Revival celebrated the lives and music of a group of fictional street singers Willy and the Poor Boys in their hit song “Down on the Corner.” As the four boys gather on the corner near […]
There is a sense in which this book should not need to be written. Bessie Smith, Nina Simone, Mahalia Jackson, Mother Maybelle Carter, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, among others, are the fount of the blues, jazz, gospel, country, and rock. […]
For millions of fans who bought their eponymous 1975 album and their 1977 Rumours, the only Fleetwood Mac they’ll ever know was the band that churned out light rock hits. They’ll know it was fronted by guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and […]
When Nanci Griffith died just a little over three years ago — on August 13, 2021 — many hearts were broken. We knew we had lost a woman who loved fiercely, sang tenderly, told stories of women embracing their power, […]
Most musicians recognize the transformative power of music and the ways it can stir up listeners’ emotions. During a concert, a band might play a defiant anthem that has the crowd jeering angrily about the song’s subject; at another moment, […]
Inspiring soul and gospel singer, civil rights activist, Bob Dylan’s crush: Mavis Staples can now add children’s book author to her resume. Partnering with award-winning children’s book author Carolyn Boston Weatherford (Unspeakable; Moses) and illustrator Steffi Walthall (Ain’t Gonna Let […]
So far in 2024, mediocrity reigns supreme in music book publishing. Only a few memorable books (many of them on jazz) have risen far above the remainder of the stacks. The standouts display eloquent prose, thorough research, and lucid insights […]
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
SUBSCRIBE NOW
SUBSCRIBE NOW
