I am currently reading Loud And Clear, Brian Anderson’s exhaustively researched deep dive into the long, strange trip behind the creation of the Grateful Dead’s legendary, towering Wall Of Sound P.A. If you’re going to read just one 400-page book about amplifiers and speakers this fall, well, it would probably have to be this one. But trust me; it’s far more intriguing and informative than you might think. For instance: Did you know the Dead were the first band to hang speakers and play in stereo? And they would have been the first to use monitors if Blue Cheer hadn’t beaten them to the punch. In a nutshell, the band, their fiercely loyal road crew and sound mixers like Owsley (Bear) Stanley pioneered concert sound systems that we take for granted. I can only hope some of these upcoming books are that fascinating:
Night People: How To Be A DJ in ’90s New York City
By Mark Ronson
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Lady Gaga, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Dua Lipa, Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, the Barbie soundtrack — behind some of the biggest musical moments in the past two decades is one man: Mark Ronson. Night People conjures the undeniable magic of the city’s bygone nightlife — a time when clubs were diverse, glamorous, and a little lawless, and each night brought a heady mix of music, ambition, danger, delight, and possibility. It’s about the beauty of what you can create with just two Technics and a mixer, in a golden era before Rudy Giuliani, camera phones, and bottle service upended everything. It’s also about a teenager finding his way — stalking DJ Stretch Armstrong and biting his mixes, crate-digging in every corner of New York, grinding gig after gig through a decade of incredible music — and finding a community of people who, in their own strange, cracked ways, lived for the night. Organized around the venues that defined his experience of the downtown scene, Ronson evokes the specific rush of that decade and those spaces — where fashion folks and rappers on the rise danced alongside club kids and 9-to-5ers — and invites us into the tribe of creatives and partiers who came alive when the sun went down. A heartfelt coming-of-age tale, Night People is the definitive account of ’90s New York nightlife and the making of a musical mastermind.”
Carole King: She Made the Earth Move
By Jane Eisner
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Carole King’s extraordinary career has defined American popular music for more than half a century. Born in New York City in 1942, she shaped the soundtrack of 1960s teen culture with such songs as Will You Love Me Tomorrow, one of many Brill Building classics she wrote with her first husband Gerry Goffin. She was a leading figure in the singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s, with dozens of Billboard Hot 100 hits and music awards — her 1971 album Tapestry won a then-record four Grammys. Yet she struggled to reconcile her fame with her roles as a wife and mother and retreated to the backwoods of Idaho, only to re-emerge as a political activist and the subject of the Tony-winning Broadway show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Journalist and author Jane Eisner places King’s life in historical and cultural context, revealing details of her humble beginnings in Jewish Brooklyn, the roots of her musical genius, her four marriages, and her anguish about public life. Drawing on numerous interviews as well as historical and contemporary sources, this book brings to life King’s professional accomplishments, her personal challenges, and her lasting contributions to the great American songbook.”
Mystery Train, 50th Anniversary Edition: Images Of America In Rock ’N’ Roll Music
By Greil Marcus
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In this special 50th anniversary edition of the beloved staple first released in 1975, Mystery Train’s complex analysis of the relationship between rock ‘n’ roll music and America is given new life with updated discographies and new introductions by Greil Marcus and Dwight Garner. Rather than providing a general overview of influential bands and artists, Marcus’s definitive book focuses on just six: virtually unknown early rock ‘n’ roller Harmonica Frank; the country-blues singer Robert Johnson; and some of the better-known musicians who followed — The Band, Sly Stone, Randy Newman and Elvis Presley.”
A Sound So Very Loud: The Inside Story Of Every Oasis Song Ever Recorded
By Ted Kessler & Hamish MacBain
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The first and definitive book about the music of Oasis, written by two insiders. A Sound So Very Loud is not only a deeply researched tribute to the generational creative talent and star power of the Gallagher brothers, it’s also crammed with unknown detail and the kind of anarchic, brilliantly funny stories that only Oasis could generate. Music journalists Ted Kessler and Hamish MacBain first met Liam and Noel Gallagher in 1994, when they were playing tiny venues, and have interviewed them dozens of times since, tracking the astonishing success of Oasis as they became one of the biggest bands in the world. In this comprehensive telling of the Oasis story through their spectacular back catalogue, Kessler and MacBain focus on the enduring power of the music, exploring the tales behind the lyrics and revealing the background to the writing, recording and impact of all their songs, from mega hits like Live Forever, Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back In Anger and Champagne Supernova to the fan-favourite B-sides and deep cuts such as Acquiesce, The Masterplan and Half The World Away. With their unique perspective on all things Oasis, and numerous encounters over the years, they also bring the story of the band to life in glorious colour. A Sound So Very Loud is a book every Oasis fan will need on their shelves, destined to be as timeless as their music.”
Iron Maiden At 50
By Daniel Bukszpan
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “It’s tough to believe Iron Maiden have been around for a half-century, but author Dan Bukszpan has the receipts. In Iron Maiden at 50, Bukszpan pays tribute to the British metal legends on the occasion of their 50th anniversary by examining 50 of the most significant moments, performances, albums, singles, and personnel decisions from throughout their career. The resulting volume features stunning concert and candid offstage photography; images of memorabilia, including gig posters, 7” picture sleeves, concert T-shirts, backstage passes, and more. Bukszpan covers everything down through the decades: Bassist Steve Harris founding the band in East London; their first independent EP and early success in Japan; personnel changes that resulted in the current stable lineup; groundbreaking tours; the band’s private Boeing 757, piloted by vocalist Bruce Dickinson; the singer’s solo efforts; all the band’s studio albums and much more. In addition, thorough sidebars examine unique aspects of the band’s career, such as the post-Maiden careers of former vocalists Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley, and the 1984 Polish concerts that helped spur the band’s global popularity. The result is an epic tribute to one of the most influential and admired bands in rock history — in a milestone year.”
Black Bear: My Life Story
By Merrill Osmond
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Black Bear offers what fans have waited decades to read: The authentic Merrill Osmond, unfiltered and unforgettable. For the first time, Merrill, the distinctive lead voice on hits like One Bad Apple, Crazy Horses and Love Me For A Reason, shares his complete life story. This intimate memoir takes readers from Utah to the world’s largest stages, revealing what really happened behind the scenes of one of music’s most successful families. Osmond writes about exclusive encounters with Elvis Presley, performing for royalty, and untold stories from six decades in entertainment. He shares the real story behind multiple platinum and gold records and the pressures of unprecedented fame. He reveals personal struggles never before disclosed and the faith that sustained him. He provides behind-the-scenes revelations from the Donny & Marie Show to presidential inaugurations. And he offers a raw, honest account of finding peace after life in show business. Merrill has written and produced No. 1 hit records and earned multiple gold records with his brothers.”
Go Back And Fetch It: Recovering Early Black Music In The Americas For Fiddle And Banjo
By Kristina R. Gaddy & Rhiannon Giddens
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “For the first time, this groundbreaking songbook collaboration by music writer Kristina R. Gaddy and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens makes 19 examples of early Black Atlantic music accessible and playable for today’s musicians, music enthusiasts, and historians. Presenting music from 1687 through the 1860s in modern treble clef and banjo tablature, along with the rich stories behind each song, Gaddy and Giddens take readers on a journey from the Caribbean across the Americas. Immensely readable for amateurs and professionals alike, Go Back And Fetch It explains the significance of early Black Atlantic music and how the patterns of tunings, melodic lines, and lyrics shed light on the impact that Black American music has had on nineteenth-century popular music, early country, old time, and bluegrass. Each tune pairs with an engaging essay on its historical background and how the tune transformed over time, as well as information about the collector. Deeply researched and carefully approached, this essential source restores the roots of Black music to the musical canon.”
The Devil Is In It: A History Of The American Acoustic Guitar
By John Stubbings
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In 2020, guitar expert John Stubbings released a limited-edition book on the American acoustic guitar that sold out in days. Now, The Devil Is In It returns with additional research and subject matter for a new generation of readers. Stubbings traveled the country and met with guitar makers, players, collectors, and historians to unravel the long and rich history of the acoustic guitar, its evolution, and the music it has made over the last hundred years. Starting with the 18th-century European classical guitar, luthiers altered the instrument, changing the way musicians played them, and in turn the music they made. This slow but steady transformation created the iconic American flat-top that became influential across genres and rooted itself in cultural significance. The guitar developed from an obscure instrument into a superstar of the musical world, rivaling then overshadowing its competition. Tied to artists from Gillian Welch and Tracy Chapman to Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, the acoustic guitar maintains its eminence in American music and culture. The story of an alluring instrument that shaped the music of the twentieth century, The Devil Is In It is a must-read for lovers of the acoustic guitar and the music it has made.”
Hallelujah!: The History Of Contemporary Worship In 100 Songs
By Les Moir
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “John Wimber once said that with every new move of the spirit there is new music. And here, industry veteran, Les Moir tells the story of one hundred songs that have provided the soundtrack for the significant moves of God throughout our modern history. Spanning decades and continents, this comprehensive collection holds so much more than music — every song tells of a different time, a different initiative and fresh expressions of God at work. From How Great Though Art to The Blessing, this beautiful gift book invites you to revisit your favourite worship songs — and perhaps discover some new ones in the process — and in doing so marvel at the ordinary songwriters, preachers and prophets that have attempted to glimpse something of the extraordinary nature of God.”
33⅓ | Tangerine Dream’s Phaedra
By Dan Byrne-Smith
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Phaedra was the album that saw Tangerine Dream move from relative obscurity to mainstream success. Championed by broadcaster John Peel, they reached the attention of Richard Branson and signed a deal for five albums with the Virgin label. Phaedra, released in 1974, was the first of these. It still sounds startlingly innovative, fusing what were then the latest synthesizer technologies with instruments including a Mellotron, organ, electric piano, guitar and flute. The use of sequencers to create rhythmic patterns was a new sonic experience for most listeners, while the processing of all the instruments through reverb and delay helped to create a template for ambience and atmosphere that still continues to influence music today. This book explores Phaedra in the context of the wave of experimental creativity in German music in the 1970s and the part the album played in the emergence of kosmiche musik (cosmic music) in 1970s West Germany.”
Beyoncé: The Stories Behind The Songs
By Annie Zaleski
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Discover the full story behind every single song Beyoncé has ever released. From Destiny’s Child to Cowboy Carter, this is the definitive guide to one of music’s greatest ever talents, covering hundreds of songs including hit singles, hidden gems, soundtracks, cover versions, deep cuts and more. Award-winning music writer Annie Zaleski explores and explains the fascinating details of every song, from early group hit Say My Name to solo work such as Crazy In Love and Run The World (Girls) — and including the all-conquering Cowboy Carter. A journey through pop, hip-hop, R&B, gospel and even country, this is Beyoncé’s story told through her incredible music.”
Grateful Dead Tour Logs & Listening Guides: Spring ’71, Fall ’73, 1975
By Jon Spruce
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This series selects different seasons from Grateful Dead’s long history and goes on tour with the band — tracking and logging every concert along the way. Thanks to the online archives, we have a treasure trove of live Dead shows at our fingertips. This series provides a gateway through the vault and helps you find your next favorite show. In this first part of the series, we go on tour with the band during the spring of 1971, the fall of 1973, and for the hiatus year of 1975. Jump on your wagon and take a ride with Jon Spruce and Grateful Dead.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source tinnitist.com ’
