Reading the 20th Century discussion

Like many a person in his mid 50s I am music obsessed. It all started with Top of the Pops in the 60s and 70s as a kid, then the arrival of Glam Rock, then punk came along when I was a young teenager, and onwards and upwards through the decades. I still enjoy going to see live music, now often with my own teenage kids in tow, and I still listen to a ridiculous amount of music that spans pretty much all genres.

After that short intro it might not come as a surprise to discover I also love nothing better than a good book about music. So this thread is for us to celebrate the great music books - they could be memoirs by people in a group, books by journalists, anything really, just tell us about those books about music that you really enjoyed and would recommend, and what you liked about them.

Here's one I read earlier this year to get the ball rolling. and which I commend to you...




'The Rhythm Method: Sex, Drums and Rock'n'Roll' by Nicky Forbes

Nicky Forbes is also known as Rocky Rhythm and was the drummer of The Revillos. The Revillos being the second incarnation of punk originals The Rezillos.

It reminds me of 'Here Comes Everybody' by James Fearnley, which is also an incredibly insightful, well written insight into life in a rock n roll band written by one of the lesser known band members. James Fearnley being the accordionist of The Pogues.

Both books shine a bright and unabashed light on the less salubrious part of being in a group. The tedium, the squabbles, the punch ups, the casual sex, the record company rip offs etc.

For all the great stories, the only response of any sane person is to wonder why anyone would embark on a "career" in rock n roll? Still, thank goodness they do, so the rest of us get to read compelling books like 'The Rhythm Method: Sex, Drums and Rock'n'Roll'.

Click here to read my review

Highly recommended.

Too many to mention, I think, Nigeyb! I recently read, and loved,
Roots, Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed the World

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

There are a lot of books about early blues, etc. but I think this was a really good investigation of how important skiffle was to British rock music.

Nigeyb wrote: "Here's one I read earlier this year to get the ball rolling. and which I commend to you...

'The Rhythm Method: Sex, Drums and Rock'n'Roll' by Nicky Forbes



Is that picture from a late Friday night at The Midnight Bell?

Well spotted. Five points to Haaze.

Susan wrote: "Too many to mention, I think, Nigeyb! I recently read, and loved,
Roots, Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed the World"

Yes indeed Susan - you and me both. In fact I think you tipped me the wink about it.

Roots, Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed the World by Billy Bragg

Roots, Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed the World is the first book to explore this phenomenon in depth - a meticulously researched and joyous account that explains how skiffle sparked a revolution that shaped pop music as we have come to know it.

It's a story of jazz pilgrims and blues blowers, Teddy Boys and beatnik girls, coffee-bar bohemians and refugees from the McCarthyite witch-hunts. Billy traces how the guitar came to the forefront of music in the UK and led directly to the British Invasion of the US charts in the 1960s.

Emerging from the trad-jazz clubs of the early '50s, skiffle was adopted by kids who growing up during the dreary, post-war rationing years. These were Britain's first teenagers, looking for a music of their own in a pop culture dominated by crooners and mediated by a stuffy BBC. Lonnie Donegan hit the charts in 1956 with a version of 'Rock Island Line' and soon sales of guitars rocketed from 5,000 to 250,000 a year.

Like punk rock that would flourish two decades later, skiffle was a do-it-yourself music. All you needed were three guitar chords and you could form a group, with mates playing tea-chest bass and washboard as a rhythm section.

Very, very enjoyable

My review here...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here's one I read before I habitually started to review every book I read....


'Chronicles, Vol. 1' was a memoir written by Bob Dylan hisself which attracted a lot of hoopla when it was published back in 2004. And rightly so. It's great.

A slim 304 page volume that covers three selected era from Bob's career: 1961, 1970, and 1989. Chronicles is, supposedly, the first part of a three volume collection but the wait suggests he might have lost interest.

I really liked Dylan's book but I'm not counting on the other 2 volumes turning up any time soon!

I've never read Dylan's biography and must get to it soon. I really want to read this new Beatles book, but perhaps I will save it for the Christmas holidays:

The Beatles on the Roof

At lunchtime on a bitterly cold January day in 1969, the strains of guitar chords could be heard in the streets surrounding London’s Savile Row. Crowds gathered – At ground level and above. People climbed onto roofs and postboxes, skipped lunch to gather and listen: For the first time in more than two years, The Beatles were playing live.

Ringing from the rooftops, disturbing the well-to-do ears of the tailors below, they upset the establishment and bewildered the police. It was filmed by director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who hoped the footage would act as the finale to a celebratory TV special. When it finally surfaced, it was in the bleak, tumultuous documentary Let It Be. And The Beatles would never play live again.

Tony Barrell examines the concert within the context of its time. He speaks to those who were there: the fans, film-makers, roadies, Apple Corps staff and police. He explores the politics of 1968, when peace gave way to protest, and how music promotion began to collide with cinéma vérité and reality TV. The Beatles on the Roof makes essential reading for anyone interested in the band’s reinventions and relationships, revealing why the rooftop concert happened at all, why it happened the way that it did, and why it would never happen again.

That looks very interesting. The Beatles have certainly inspired some amazing books, not least the wonderful...


Revolution In The Head: The Beatles Records and the Sixties by Ian Macdonald

...which must rank as one of the greatest books about music ever written

The best Beatles book, without doubt, is Tune In particularly the extended two volume version: and

I am hopeing Mark Lewisohn completes the trilogy in my lifetime!

Susan wrote: "I've never read Dylan's biography and must get to it soon. I really want to read this new Beatles book, but perhaps I will save it for the Christmas holidays:

[book:The Beatles on the Roof|3647823..."

Sounds great, Susan. A shame that the film Let It Be isn't available on Blu-ray (and looks like there are only import DVDs) - about time it got the full treatment.

Thanks for the Tune In tip Susan


And yep, Judy, I agree that the film should be out there.

Nigeyb wrote: "Like many a person in his mid 50s I am music obsessed. It all started with Top of the Pops in the 60s and 70s as a kid, then the arrival of Glam Rock, then punk came along when I was a young teenag..."

It's funny, Nigeyb, I am of a similar vintage and also started off with Top of the Pops and glam rock, but then worked backwards, so to speak - I became interested in folk music, and fell under the spell of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Melanie etc.. I still love all of those now. And The Beatles and Stones too of course!

I wasn't interested in punk at the time though I do like a few of the records now - it was all hippies for me!

Since then I've worked further back still and now listen to Sinatra and Dietrich a lot, and other singers from the 30s onwards...

I can completely understand that Judy.


I also made a similar journey. I certainly have fully embraced a lot of swing, and was delighted to catch Frank Sinatra at the Albert Hall before he died. I have a friend who saw Dietrich at the Brighton Dome and never tire of hearing him talk about it.

There is so much wonderful music out there.

I must confess that whilst I still keep in touch with modern music it feels that it's far less interesting and vital now, and we were fortunate to live through some of the most interesting musical eras.

I think the remaining Beatles are blocking the release of Let It Be as they hated it so much. It will be re-released at some point, I am sure, but only when Paul, in particular, doesn't have to sit through it again...

Judy, I also love Frank Sinatra. I actually had tickets to see Elvis in 1977, when I was 11 (having promised to accompany my mother), but sadly he died before we left the UK!

I recently read, and loved, Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul – Features the story of DETROIT, now a major motion picture

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I want to read the next in the trilogy (lurking on my kindle, awaiting its turn): Memphis 68: The Tragedy of Southern Soul

A little different from the other books listed in the thread as it focuses on classical music. However, I have always enjoyed it as a survey/gateway type of book.
Harold C. Schonberg's The Lives of the Great Composers. It provides vivid biographies of the more well-known composers as well as some of their major works. :)
Yes, I'm a classical music geek! Go JSB!!

One I really loved was Oliver Sacks's Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain.

I recently finished Bowie: A Biography which I really liked. I loved Bad Vibes: Britpop and My Part in Its Downfall by Luke Haines who was the singer in The Auteurs. You don't need to know anything about either subject to enjoy his (slightly skewed)version of events or his wickedly funny writing.
The Cramps: A Short History of Rock 'n' Roll Psychosis was fun, but just because they are so fun to read about. No new info here.
Next I want to read Rip it Up and Start Again about Post Punk (Joy Division, Siousxie, PIL etc). I remember Simon Reynolds from Melody Maker back in the day and enjoyed his writing.

Haaze wrote: "A little different from the other books listed in the thread as it focuses on classical music. However, I have always enjoyed it as a survey/gateway type of book.
[author:Harold C. Schonberg|218143..." Haaze, I see from your profile that you like the lute---are you a lutenist? I'm a harpsichordist myself. I think we live in the same town. Maybe we should get together!

Haaze, I see from the message above you like the Lute. Do you like John Dowland, and if so, is there a Recording that you would recommend? Getting it wrong can ruin the music, I think. (sorry, I realise we are getting a bit (lot) too early for this thread).

Barbara wrote: "One I really loved was Oliver Sacks's Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain."

Hmm, I need to read more of Sacks' books. So kind of a neurological/musical journey?

Barbara wrote: "Haaze, I see from your profile that you like the lute---are you a lutenist? I'm a harpsichordist myself. I think we live in the same town. Maybe we should get together! ."

I'm very lute fan, but, alas, I do not play the lute (*I wish, I wish*). I discovered Weiss years ago and became a great fan of his suites. Robert Barto recorded many of his works and these recordings are stellar. E.g. https://smile.amazon.com/Weiss-Lute-S...

Here is the actual music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDGcp...



So, the harpsichord is something I'm still getting used to. Obviously lots of variation depending on the individual instrument. E.g. with JSB's WTC but I generally gravitate back to the piano transcriptions (especially Tureck's rendition). Hmm, have you listened to Peter Watchorn's JSB recordings? Such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnsbq...
What kind of harpsichord music do you play (or listen to)? :)

Tania wrote: "Haaze, I see from the message above you like the Lute. Do you like John Dowland, and if so, is there a Recording that you would recommend? Getting it wrong can ruin the music, I think. (sorry, I re..."

Yes, yes, and yes! :) I love Dowland's works (but Weiss is on the top of my pedestal). I tend to almost always listen to Jakob Lindberg as I enjoy his playing as well as "personality" of the instrument (and the ambience of the recording). There is an affordable (3rd party vendor $10+ S&H) Brilliant Classics compilation. Here: https://smile.amazon.com/Complete-Lut...
and here: https://smile.amazon.com/Dowland-Comp...



However, a lot of people prefer Nigel North's performances. I like them too, but prefer Lindberg. Also affordable from a 3rd party: https://smile.amazon.com/Dowland-Comp...



What type of lute music do you enjoy? Any favorite Dowland pieces or performers? :)

Btw - Add Emma Kirkby's angelic voice to the tune of a lute and one has a stellar combination!

I know next to nothing about it, which is why I was asking you. I come across things which pique my interest, and heard 'I Saw my Lady Weepe' but as I mentioned, I think with this it's important to get a good recording or it can ruin the music, then I lose interest, which is a shame because I can miss out on some great stuff. I have the Nigel North one on my Amazon wishlist so maybe that is a good place to start and I'll check out Weiss. Thank you.

Of course! Both Weiss' and Dowland's music is very soothing and meditative in its form. Very relaxing and thoughtful. However, I always wonder how the performer can remember the music when they play the lute....?

Tania wrote: "I recently finished Bowie: A Biography which I really liked. I loved Bad Vibes: Britpop and My Part in Its Downfall by Luke Haines who was the singer in The Auteurs. Y..."

I've read all of the books you cite there Tania and must commend your wonderful taste.

Thanks. I also added The Rhythm Method: Sex, Drums and Rock'n'Roll to my ever expanding Amazon Wishlist. Looks like a great read

Great news Tania - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did


I've just started reading...


I'm Not with the Band: A Writer's Life Lost in Music by Sylvia Patterson

...which has started very strongly. A 2014 telephone interview with Lily Allen, in which she is manically self censoring having been burned too often, makes Sylvia question how pop music went from carefree nonsense to modern bland celebrity culture. Part of this book's agenda. We then rewind to a 60s/70s childhood in Perth, Scotland and the hell that is an alcoholic mother. Incredibly compelling start.

This is a three-decade survivor's tale ... a scenic search for elusive human happiness through music, magazines, silly jokes, stupid shoes, useless blokes, hopeless homes, booze, drugs, love, loss, A&E, death, disillusion and hope - while trying to make Prince laugh, startle Beyoncé, cheer Eminem up, annoy Madonna, drink with Shaun Ryder and finish off Westlife forever (with varying degrees of success).

In 1986, Sylvia Patterson boarded a train to London armed with a tea-chest full of vinyl records, a peroxide quiff and a dream: to write about music, for ever. She got her wish.

Escaping a troubled home, Sylvia embarks on a lifelong quest to discover The Meaning of It All. The problem is she's mostly hanging out with flaky pop stars, rock 'n' roll heroes and unreliable hip-hop legends. As she encounters music's biggest names, she is confronted by glamour and tragedy; wisdom and lunacy; drink, drugs and disaster. And Bros.

Here is Madonna in her Earth Mother phase, flinging her hands up in horror at one of Sylv's Very Stupid Questions. Prince compliments her shoes while Eminem threatens to kill her. She shares fruit with Johnny Cash, make-up with Amy Winehouse and several pints with the Manics' lost soul-man Richey Edwards. She finds the Beckhams fragrant in LA, a Gallagher madferrit in her living room and Shaun Ryder and Bez as you'd expect, in Jamaica.

From the 80s to the present day, I'm Not with the Band is a funny, barmy, utterly gripping chronicle of the last thirty years in music and beyond. It is also the story of one woman's wayward search for love, peace and a wonderful life. And whether, or not, she found them.

This book and box set of CDs is too expensive for me, but I thought I would include a link to it anyway; http://black-europe.com/

That Black Europe set looks beautiful. Thanks Val. 44 CDs though. Just to listen through once would take an age. Who has that much time?

I used to read more music books than I do now. I loved Electric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music, because it is a labour of love covering a fascinating subject. Most of the others I have read have been biographies of specific writers, and very few of these have much literary merit.

Hugh wrote: "I loved Electric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music"

You and me both Hugh. It's a stunning read. I must give it another read sometime soon.

Not British and not that much of a focus on music itself, but I'd like to mention the memoirs of Patti Smith.

I really loved The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross. It's got a primary focus in the continent but a lot of English composers are mentioned.

Natalie wrote: "I'd like to mention the memoirs of Patti Smith."

I really enjoyed Just Kids, and really must get to the follow up before much longer. Thanks for the prompt Natalie.

I have M Train on my library list, (along with about 200 other books), perhaps I'll move it up the list and try to get to it this year.

Natalie wrote: "I really loved The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross. It's got a primary focus in the continent but a lot of English composers are mentioned."
Thanks for reminding me of that one Natalie. I have been meaning to read it.

So Here It Is: How the Boy From Wolverhampton Rocked the World With Slade is available for request on NetGalley if anyone is interested.

Deffo. Thanks Susan.


I really enjoyed Look Wot I Dun: My Life In Slade by Don Powell, Slade's drummer

Slade, at their peak, were a remarkable band, and Don’s eye witness account of this period is superb and if you're a fan of the band, or enjoy music memoirs, then Look Wot I Dun: My Life In Slade is well worth reading.

Click here to read my review

I'm therefore curious to read Dave Hill's take on the same events. Off to request it now.

I am planning on reading Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad this month. I got this as a free audiobook through the SYNC program last year but didn't know until the other day that this was nonfiction. I am also posting this on the Russian history thread so apologies for the duplication.

I read Leningrad: Siege and Symphony: The Story of the Great City Terrorized by Stalin, Starved by Hitler, Immortalized by Shostakovich, which was similar, although by another author, Leslie. Will be very interested to hear what you think about the title you have.

Nigeyb wrote: "I really enjoyed Look Wot I Dun: My Life In Slade by Don Powell, Slade's drummer"

Thanks again Susan.

Unbound via Netgalley have given me a review copy of...



So Here It Is: How the Boy From Wolverhampton Rocked the World With Slade

Good to hear you were approved, Nigeyb :)

Thanks to Susan for notifying me about Butterfly on a Wheel: The Great Rolling Stones Drugs Bust by Simon Wells which I got a review copy of from Netgalley

I loved it

Butterfly on a Wheel: The Great Rolling Stones Drugs Bust is a five star read, and anyone interested in The Rolling Stones, the 1960s more generally, pop culture, and British social history will find this account engrossing and illuminating.

Review here...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Can't Stand Up For Falling Down: Rock'n'Roll War Stories is in the Audible 2-for-1 sale. Has anyone read it?

Not yet, but hope to soon

That said, I find those 2 for 1 sales on Audible incredibly hard to navigate. Have you spotted anything else worth including as the second book?

I think you need to do into the right page, or you don't get the discount. But yes, there are a few titles that I like the look of - mostly in crime and non fiction. The Thrill of It All is a novel I really enjoyed and that is in there, as well as 1947: Where Now Begins .

Thanks Susan - v helpful

I am sure there are lots more - those are just two I think you might like.