Wednesday, May 26 2010
R&B’s Paterfamilias Johnny Otis: ‘Black by Persuasion’
Not long after Pete Seeger galvanized American progressives with folk music, and years before Bob Dylan brought social issues to the forefront of rock music, Johnny Otis was a "drum major for justice".
Tuesday, September 22 2009
The Protest Singer: An Intimate Portrait of Pete Seeger by Alec Wilkinson
Alec Wilkinson paints a simple picture of a combatant for social justice, an anti-materialist, a woodsman, a patriot, an environmentalist, a near 90-year-old with a fierce regard for even-handedness.
Wednesday, May 27 2009
Cat Power: A Good Woman by Elizabeth Goodman
Even at her worst, Cat Power is worthy of attention, a fact she has learned to respect. But it doesn't mean she wanted this book to be written.
Friday, May 1 2009
Ultimate Hendrix by John McDermott
As engineer Eddie Kramer laments, too many Hendrix recording sessions ended up as parties, with hangers-on, groupies, and various other revelers packed into the studio to witness the Hendrix magic.
Tuesday, April 21 2009
Hot Burritos: The True Story of the Flying Burrito Brothers by John Einarson with Chris Hillman
It seems like Einarson was more eager to include multiple perspectives, no matter how much they overlapped, than he was to craft a flowing narrative.
Sunday, April 5 2009
Coltrane: The Story of a Sound by Ben Ratliff
Ratliff eschews the typical trappings of routine biography to plumb more profound ideas of musical language, identity, and influence.
Wednesday, March 11 2009
I Want to Take You Higher by Jeff Kaliss
Although the Viscaynes had disbanded by the time their music hit the airwaves, Stone had solidified his decision to continue pursuing a career in the music industry.
Tuesday, December 2 2008
Dusty! Queen of the Postmods by Annie J. Randall
As Randall thoroughly explores, Dusty Springfield's physical transfiguration and visual impact were only the tip of her transformation.
Friday, November 7 2008
Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend by Mark Wilkerson
There is a significant amount of information about the Who, but it doesn’t tell an obsessive fan anything she doesn’t already know.
Wednesday, October 22 2008
Things the Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett
"To all the crazy girls I loved before: thank you, but I'm just too tired now."
