Rock. Pop. Classical. Jazz. Rap. Country. Over forty brand new music biographies, histories, studies and appreciations have been added to our collection and are ready for check out. Take a look at the following selections and enjoy the wide-ranging assortment of tuneful titles to take home.
One of the strongest voices in the 1950s and 1960s folk revival scene during the Civil Rights Movement was Odetta Holmes, or just Odetta as she was known. Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1930, this influential singer songwriter brought to light the folk songs, plantation work songs, and chain gang songs that depicted racial inequality and struggle through her music and political activism. She was a major inspiration to many well-known artists including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Harry Belafonte. “Odetta: A Life in Music and Protest” by Ian Zack examines her musical beginnings, introduction into the world of folk music while on tour in San Francisco, and rise from coffeehouse to Carnegie Hall. Her political involvement included marches alongside Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. While the white folk musicians around her received the recognition which eluded her, she stood with integrity and conveyed a vital message to educate and advocate for social change through her powerful vocals and guitar. When you get a chance, listen to her music. You’ll be glad you did.
With fifteen Grammy wins to her credit, there is no doubt that Alicia Keys is an extremely talented musician with
an amazing voice and pianistic prowess. In her honest biography “More Myself: A Journey” she invites you into her life: her childhood, family, and musical career. Born in 1981, in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan, she was determined to rise above the tough way of life, drugs, and prostitution she saw around her. Keys’ mother, whose guidance was steadfast, introduced her to music at an early age through jazz records by Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and Ella Fitzgerald. Classical and jazz piano lessons starting in first grade and Professional Performing Arts School at twelve followed, allowing her creativity to flourish and instilling in her a lifelong love of music. She takes you through the evolution of her music, discusses celebrity friendships and life with husband Swizz Beatz. Social activism is an important part of her life and she fights injustice through song, as well as action, as exemplified in her charity work and nonprofit organizations. Join her on her journey as she learns the great importance of being true to herself.
With the variety of new music books we have on hand, I’m sure there will be something that will pique your interest. Here are just a few more popular titles we have available for your consideration:
Familiar Faces:
“Acid for the Children: A Memoir” by Flea; “Beethoven: the Relentless Revolutionary” by John Clubbe; “Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: the Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup” by David Browne; “Dave Brubeck: A Life in Time” by Philip Clark; “Face It” by Debbie Harry; “Janis: Her Life and Music” by Holly George-Warren; “Jay-Z: Made in America” by Michael Eric Dyson; “Me” by Elton John; “Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust: My Friendship with Patsy Cline” by Loretta Lynn; “Summertime: George Gershwin’s Life in Music” by Richard Crawford; “Texas Flood: the Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan” by Alan Paul and Andy Aledort.
Illustrated Offerings:
“Bruce Springsteen: the Stories Behind the Songs” by Brian Hiatt; “Carpenters: An Illustrated Discography” by Randy Schmidt; “Country Music” by Dayton Duncan, based on a documentary film by Ken Burns; “Women Who Rock: Bessie to Beyonce. Girl Groups to Riot Grrrl” edited by Evelyn McDonnell; “Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music” by Michael Lang.
Musical Musings:
“Decoding Dylan: Making Sense of the Songs that Changed Modern Culture” by James M. Curtis; “For the Love of Music: A Conductor’s Guide to the Art of Listening” by John Mauceri; “Music: A Subversive History” by Ted Gioia; “Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music that Made a Nation” by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw; “William S. Burroughs & the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Casey Rae.
These titles may be checked out through our Books-to-Go program. Give us a call at 909 798-7565 or visit our website at www.akspl.org for more information.