News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Many of our staff are keen music listeners, and we’ve rounded up their favourite music discoveries of April. There’s plenty of variety, reflecting the diversity of our CD collection here at Wellington City Libraries & a myriad of different tastes. We hope you find something you haven’t come across before!

II.
The sudden overnight success, via a single Bandcamp upload, of the Unknown Mortal Orchestra must have surprised ex Mint-Chick, Ruban Nielson. However, the second album from this NZ/US three piece confidently shows that they are definitely not an overnight sensation. ‘II’ is a captivating and highly enjoyable listen that manages to take influences as disparate as 70’s stoner rock, 60’s psychedelia and 80’s lo-fi indie to create a fresh, innovative and strangely appealing future pop. (John)

The show must go on.
Considered one of the great lost soul albums of the 70’s, as it’s master tapes were long tied up in an ownership dispute, Sam Dees’ ‘The Show Must Go On’ finally gets a CD reissue. Dee’s heartfelt vocals tear into a set of raw ballads & funky social commentary that almost equals the heights of Marvin Gaye’s classic What’s Going On? Dees, who has previously cut sides for Chess, would release a few more singles in the 70s, but would find most of his fame as a songwriter – penning hits for the likes of Gladys Knight, Loleatta Holloway, George Benson, Aretha Franklin, Atlantic Starr, and many others – before reviving his own solo career briefly in the 90’s, where he became a cult favourite on the UK northern-soul circuit. A great listen for anyone who’s a fan of classic 70’s soul. (Mark)

A wrenched viril lore.
‘A Wrenched Virile Lore’ (the record’s title is anagrammatic) is a remix project that finds a range of producers re-interpreting tracks from Mogwai’s 2012 release Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. Those willing to sit back and let the sounds wash over them will be treated to an intriguing glimpse into an exercise in post-rock genre overlapping across a CD so stylistically varied that it shouldn’t hold together…..but somehow it does. Mogwai’s majestic tunes shine brightly across a range of electronic and analogue re-contextualisations that, at times, eclipse the original versions in beauty and complex splendour. (John)

Pedestrian verse.
After a barrelling rock ‘n’ roll moniker? Glasgow based Scots ‘Frightened Rabbit’ just used the one Scott Hutchison’s mum gave him as a kid. The singer’s pet name evokes a dimly lit picture of bluntly descriptive observations from a melancholic wall-flower. Characteristic of these indie folkster’s work. ‘Pedestrian Verse’ is number four in the bands full-length set, following on from last year’s ‘State Hospital’ EP and 2010’s playlist lingerer The Winter Of Mixed Drinks. Theatrically precise to the drum beat and string pluck they can warm you with soft spirit or Hutchison, for all his introversion, can roar at you with Scottish fervour amongst impassioned acoustic explosions. ‘Frightened Rabbit’ paint disturbingly vivid masterpieces with noise. Must listen’s: ambling key’s scene setter ‘Act’s Of Man’, the golden last EP’s title ‘State Hospital’ , “The Woodpile’, & ‘Late March, Death March’. Or the whole thing. It’ll be a folk classic. (Justin)

Hardcourage.
Falty DL, the electronic project of New York electronic producer Drew Lustman, has released a string of 12”s and one album over the past few years that encompass styles ranging across dubstep, house, garage, idm and downbeat. With ‘Hardcourage’, his first release for the London based Ninja Tunes label, he has delivered his most confident and focused release to date with an album of beautifully crafted, funky, relaxed and very cool downbeat electronica. (John)

The next day.
I’ve only listened to Bowie’s latest a few times and the first was underwhelming, sounding immediately similar to the Heathen/Reality albums of the early 2000’s, slightly plodding, whiney guitars, no real changes in tempo. BUT, being an old Bowie fan I didn’t want to dismiss it so easily and gave it another go, and I’m pleased I did because the songs are really growing on me. I’d heard the sombre single ‘Where are we now’ and seen the dour video, which didn’t instil me with excitement, but having listened a few times, it is quite lovely. The stand-out at the moment is The Stars (are out tonight) so uplifting and Valentine’s Day is sort of ‘John I’m only Dancing’ vibrant single material. But each song is quite different and individual so there is much to get your teeth into and I’d recommend giving it a good few goes if you don’t feel it’s got you first time because if not you will be missing out. After all this is not Gangnam Style, this is David Bowie. (Martin)

Silent hour/Golden mile.
Grizzly Bear fan alert! This five track EP from guitarist/ songwriter Daniel Rossen was released last year with little fanfare. Despite the fact that Rossen plays everything himself this could be a Grizzly Bear record – which illustrates just how much he contributes to the band’s sound. The distinctive guitar playing is here, the sweeping arrangements and the poignant vocals. “A lot of this music comes from exiling myself,” he said in a recent interview, and we should be thankful that artist’s such as Rossen can share their solitude with the rest of the world with such meticulous style. (John)

Bad as me.
His melodic growls and lyrical genius have been compressed into song lengths to rival the Kinks. Each song takes you by the hand, spins you around. until your mind is blown. Then, with alarming charm, you’re abandoned on a highway with a sensation in your gut that you’ve travelled well and far. For those who know his work it’s like the handsome baby of the Swordfishtrombone and Mule Variations albums – that kind of mixed pleasure. Highly recommended for a stomping dance and a nostalgic relaxation time. (Alisha)

Motor : nighttime world 3.
Robert Hood is one of the legendary techno pioneers from Detroit and here presents an aural homage to the post-industrial collapse of his home town. The promise of the original techno vision is fulfilled here within these soundscapes that depict both stark alien beauty and the unexpected sensuality of the technologically generated world. There are funky repetitive beats and there is sad sweeping ambience in this masterful, painfully human machine music. Great cover art too. (John)

Bloodsports.
Following rapturous reviews after re-uniting to play a charity gig at the Royal Albert Hall in London, as part of the 2010 Teenage Cancer Trust, it seemed inevitable that UK alt-rock band Suede would at some point release another studio album. It was less certain, though, if it would actually be any good as their last original album, 2002’s A New Morning was a patchy end to the band. However, the resulting new album ‘Bloodsports’ is far stronger than seemed possible. While it’s unlikely to convert any new fans at this stage, ‘Bloodsports’ plays to all of Suede’s strengths with a tight set of 10 tracks that balance mature guitar driven anthems with fresh approaches like the spooky ballad ‘What Are You Not Telling Me?’. Definitely worth a listen if you were a fan of the band in their 90’s heyday. (Mark)

Live!
Elizabeth Cotten was the author of the folk classic “Freight Train,” at age 12. Her finger picking guitar style (left handed, and upside down) has been imitated by thousands of folk guitar players and her songs have been performed and recorded by a variety of artists including: the Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal, and Maria Muldaur. Recorded in 1984 at the age of 85, she won a Grammy for Best Folk Album with this live recording of her singing, playing and telling stories of her life. Apart from hearing her astonishing finger picking guitar style, this recording is a valuable documentation of her stories, which give listeners an idea of what it had been like to grow up as a poor, black, female musician born at the dawn of the 20th century in America. (John)

Tornado.
Not a fan of Country Music, however since discovering this band in a friends CD collection ‘Little Big Town’ have become my new best friend. Released late last year this is their fifth studio album, track 2 ‘Pontoon’ is the albums lead single, and became their first number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart, their highest placing to date, and first single to receive a Platinum certification. I think I’d describe this album as Country/Pop with a bit of rock, their four part vocal harmonies ‘classic’, and each member alternating as lead singers. (Ethel)

Exai.
The ‘Warp’ in Sheffield’s Warp Records is an acronym for Weird And Radical Projects and no Warp releases satisfy that definition more so than Rob Brown and Sean Booth’s 20 year old Autechre project. Steven Spielberg’s movie ‘AI’ contains a scene that features escaped feral robots in the wilderness at night gathered around a campfire and I think that the music contained within Exai’s two discs would be the music these feral robots would be listening to. However, ‘fireside music for robots’ is not meant as a negative observation, ‘Exai’ contains some of the strangest and most challenging electronic music you will ever hear, but be brave enough to dive in and there are unexpected rewards to be uncovered. (John)

Don’t be a stranger.
Modest but iconic singer-song writer Mark Eitzel has enjoyed a stellar 30 year career. He has made more than 15 albums as a solo artist and with his legendary indie band American Music Club, and this new album should be top-shelf among them. Working with the masterful producer Sheldon Gomberg, who worked with the likes of Rickie Lee Jones, Ben Harper, Ron Sexsmith etc., he seems to be gentler and more lenient in this album. It may be due to the heart attack he suffered in 2011, but he sounds more accessible and his ‘sad clown’ songs are well crafted on the subtle sound palette Sheldon presents. Having a wonderful support by The Attractions’ Pete Thomas and the accomplished pianist Larry Goldings, it’s a small masterpiece. (Shinji)

Amok.
Thom Yorke’s latest side project has received a lot of press – there are even posters up around town about it – but those coming to this expecting the indie rock thrill of Radiohead are bound for disappointment. ‘Amok’ is a far more subtle and surprisingly unassuming affair. Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich spent a year tweaking, looping, sampling and programming the original recordings which featured Red Hot Chili Peppers bass player, Flea, and Beck & REM drummer, Joey Waronker, to create a captivating album of atmospheric electronic/analogue driven songs. (John)

Mt. Zion : music from & inspired by the motion picture.
‘We all got our dreams to chase and we all got our mountains to climb, eke panuku, eke hiona!’ Featuring Stan Walker’s recently released chart topping hit single ‘Take it easy’, this album debuted at number one on the ‘Top 40 charts’. Featuring original tracks from Stan who plays Turei in the movie, and his band ‘Small Axe’ with a uniquely Maori flavour on Bob Marley’s reggae vibe. With a mix of songs from the late 70’s era, the likes of 10CC, Third world, Toots & the Maytals, Johnny Nash, Herbs and ‘Golden Harvest’ grace this album with ease, so if you enjoyed music from the late 70’s, and you enjoyed the ‘movie’ which also topped the NZ Box Office, then you reggae lovers out there will love this soundtrack as well. (Ethel)

All hell.
The alt country world has only just recently opened up to electronic tinkering which makes ‘All Hell’ a difficult record to categorise. Like Dirty Beaches, the spirits of Elvis Presley and Lee Hazlewood hang over the sound but only as wispy ghosts. Daughn Gibson croons his wryly observational songs in a confident baritone over instrumentation, loops and samples from a dusty dreamworld somewhere down a long desert highway. This is an intriguing, varied and highly original record that, I suspect, may signal more to come from a new electronic/country sub-genre. (John)

Dream logic.
Jazz guitarist Eivand Aaset is one of the most talented and innovative artists from Norway, which abounds with musical talents. His guitar play was essential for the hugely successful Nils Petter Molvaer band, and he has constantly issued fantastic electronica jazz and progressive rock-ish jazz albums as a leader. This, his ECM debut album, finds him in a dark, ruminative mood. Working with a countryman, sampling/programming master Jan Bang (both artists were invited by David Sylvian for his European tour which was unfortunately cancelled due to Sylvian’s health), he takes a unique sonic approach, and creates still yet astute, imaginative ethereal soundscape. It doesn’t sound like the music by the guitarist, but is an alluring, inventive ambient music. Although it’s produced by Jan Bang, not by the ECM label owner Manfred Eicher, it has an ECM-ish, subtle and profound beauty. A quiet triumph. (Shinji)

Deep water.
Sarah Hawker and Debra Clifford aka, The Lonesome Sisters, were voted Best Acoustic Duo of 2006 by Gibson Guitars. The sparse arrangements, using instruments including clawhammer banjo, tenor guitar and harmonium, which underpin their beautiful vocal harmonies, bring a traditional Appalachian feel into the 21st century. This is not hoedown music, however – this collection of traditional and original songs of loneliness, sorrow and the human spirit is slow and mournful and transcends both time and genre which means it can be enjoyed whether or not you are a fan of mountain music. (John)

MBV.
After 22 years, rumours of a new My Bloody Valentine album had become akin to an urban myth, then with little fanfare a new album arrived a year after the remastering campaign of their classic 90’s albums Isn’t Anything & Loveless. Musically it’s a bit of a grab bag. Some tracks follow on naturally from the sound evoked on ‘Loveless’, some offer a more abstract experimental sound while others have a pop-ier feel, sounding at times like Saint Etienne remixes. Endless back & forth will no doubt occur as to whether it is as good as their previous 2 albums & EP’s and if it was worth such a long wait, but still any new music from such an iconic band is a good thing…(Mark)

The four seasons/ Vivaldi ; recomposed by Max Richter.
The most recent release in German classical label Deutsche Gramophone’s ‘Recomposed’ series is Max Richter’s take on Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’. Previous releases have seen Carl Craig & Moritz Von Oswald’s electronically re-composing Ravel & Mussorgsky and Matthew Herbert electronically re-sampling Mahler. According to the cover notes, Max Richter began by re-sampling but found that he could not get down to the notes level of the work, so he has edited, rewritten and recorded the work, featuring Daniel Hope on solo violin, and discarded about three quarters of the original in the process. Purists will be horrified but Richter’s re-composition, but with its subtle addition of electronic bass and atmospheres and deep engagement with the original, brings a beautiful work refreshed and sparkling into the new millennium. (John)

A variety of new books on poplar music this month includes biographies of Eminem and Tracy Thorne, intriguing studies on punk rock and boogie-woogie. What is more, fantastic books on Broadway Musicals! Enjoy!!

Whatever you say I am : the life and times of Eminem / Anthony Bozza.Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem
“As his celebrity rises from infamy to superstar proportions, this is the definitive profile of Eminem as a rap artist and a key figure in the current American cultural landscape. 50 photos.” (Syndetics summary)

Bedsit disco queen : how I grew up and tried to be a pop star / Tracey Thorn.
“Tracey Thorn was one half of internationally successful group Everything But the Girl and collaborated with Paul Weller, Massive Attack and dance legend Todd Terry. This is the funny, perceptive and candid story of her 30-year pop career. There are thrills and wonders to be experienced, yes, but also moments of doubt, mistakes, violent lifestyle changes from luxury to squalor and back again, sometimes within minutes.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Mary Wells : the tumultuous life of Motown’s first superstar / Peter Benjaminson.
“Benjaminson (The Lost Supreme) delivers another excellent and fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the artists who made Motown Records a massive success in the 1960s. He sympathetically recounts the tumultuous life of singer Mary Wells, who gave the company its first #1 hit in 1964-”My Guy,” which Mary Wilson of the Supremes called “the epitome of the Motown Sound.” Relying heavily on four hours of interviews with Wells done by author Steve Bergsman between 1990 and 1992, as well as his own numerous interviews with friends, lovers, and business associates, Benjaminson describes how Wells became “a Motown goddess.” (adapted from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

Punk rock : an oral history / John Robb ; edited by Oliver Craske.
“Longtime music journalist and founding member of The Membranes Robb (Death to Trad Rock) has collected the stories of over 100 eyewitnesses to the birth of British punk. From icons like John Lydon (Sex Pistols) and Mick Jones (The Clash) to lesser-known but no less outspoken musicians, managers, promoters, and fans, the interviewees bring a wide range of viewpoints to their tales of the scene’s development. With its brilliant balance of in-depth information and accessibility, this will be equally at home on academic, public, and personal library shelves. Essential for punk fans and highly recommended for readers interested in firsthand accounts of the growth of new cultural movements.” (Adapted from Library Journal,courtesy of Syndetics )

Rock chronicles : a visual history of the world’s greatest 250 rock acts / general editor, David Roberts ; foreword by Alice Cooper.
“Comprehensive, encyclopedia-style guide to 250 rock bands, including line-up history, labels, genre listings, album sales, and more.” (Syndetics summary)

The story of boogie-woogie : a left hand like God / Peter J. Silvester.
“One of the best known American musical styles, boogie woogie has a history that goes back to barrelhouses in the U.S. South at turn of the twentieth century. Silvester traces the evolution of the style from these early days, through its peak during the Second World War, and up to its current revival. Along the way, he introduces the pianists who made boogie woogie famous around the world, and discusses the influence of boogie woogie on big band swing, blues, and R&B. This authoritative volume will interest both boogie woogie aficionados and historians of U.S. popular music.” (Syndetics summary)

The book of Mormon : the testament of a Broadway musical / book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone ; text, new interviews, and annotations by Steven Suskin ; principal photography by Joan Marcus ; design by BLT Communications.
“In celebration of the making of The Book of Mormon, the authors, production team, and entire original cast recount their experiences as they grew their show from the initial idea to opening night on Broadway. With the complete book and lyrics annotated by the full creative team and cast, along with more than 700 photographs and illustrations, they share the journey that began one night in a Manhattan bar and culminated seven years later in the achievement that is The Book of Mormon.” (Syndetics summary)

Broadway musicals : show by show / by Stanley Green ; revised and updated by Kay Green.
“Kay Green, wife of the late Stanley Green, offers a long overdue update of this important title, previously authored by her and her husband. The volume features entries for newer musicals, such as The Lion King (1997) and Spamalot (2005), as well as important revivals of classic musicals, such as Annie Get Your Gun (1999). Entries focus on the New York run of each musical, listing specific information for that production including cast members, producers, opening dates, number of performances, composers, lyricists, book authors, synopsis, major songs, and other historical details. The book also includes useful indexes of directors, lyricists, major cast members, and show titles.” (Adapted from Booklist, courtesy of Syndetics)

The selection of new books on popular music this month are all rock legends’ biographies. They include a much-missed Whitney Houston, John Lennon and Marc Bolan. Have a browse!!

Remembering Whitney : my story of love, loss, and the night the music stopped / Cissy Houston with Lisa Dickey ; with a foreword by Dionne Warwick.
“”The world lost one of the most beautiful voices and an extraordinarily beautiful and charitable woman,” says Houston of daughter Whitney’s death in February 2012. Cissy offers a forthright account of her daughter’s life and death.” (Library Journal)

50 licks : myths and stories from half a century of the Rolling Stones / Pete Fornatale with Bernard M. Corbett and Peter Thomas Fornatale.
“Fornatale, the noted disc jockey, radio host, and musical historian who died in 2012, opened the first program of his brand-new radio show in 1969 with a Rolling Stones song. By then the Stones were worldwide superstars, but, as Fornatale recounts in this profusely illustrated oral history of the band, there were some rocky times in the early days. Then back-to-back singles of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction and Get Off of My Cloud catapulted them into international stardom. That was 47 years ago. The book features interviews with not only the Stones but also fellow musicians, film directors, music-industry execs, journalists, and does a good job of covering the band’s half-century history in broad strokes, giving us a nice look at the Stones as musicians, celebrities, and young men growing to maturity in the public eye.” (adapted from Booklist)

Mötley Crüe : the dirt / [Tommy Lee ... et al. ; with Neil Strauss].
“In the beginning there was the Motley House, crawling with cockroaches and rats, beer cans piled on the porch so high they threatened to spill into the house every time you opened the door. “That place gave birth to Motley Crue,” the band recalls in The Dirt: The Autobiography of Motley Crue. Crue members Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx also team up with New York Times music writer Neil Strauss to tell the story of their band’s rise to phenomenal success.” (adapted from Publisher Weekly)

Untouchable : the strange life and tragic death of Michael Jackson / Randall Sullivan.
“Dogged by scandal for over fifteen years and undone by his own tendency to trust the wrong people, Michael Jackson had become untouchable in many quarters, a fact that wounded him deeply. Now, drawing on unprecedented access to friends, enemies, employees, and associates of Jackson, Randall Sullivan delivers an intimate, unflinching, and deeply human portrait of a man who was never quite understood by the media, his fans, or even those closest to him. Traces the story of Michael Jackson’s life from his famous childhood through his final four years, drawing on interviews with his friends, enemies, and other associates to cover his international travels, business acumen, and parenting decisions”.(Syndetics summary)

Prince / Matt Thorne.
“Legendarily reticent, perverse and misleading, Prince is one of the few remaining 80s superstars who still, perhaps, remains unexplained. Now a firm fixture in the pop canon, where such classics as “Purple Rain”, “Sign o’ the Times” and “Parade” regularly feature in Best Ever Album polls, Prince is still, as he ever was, an enigma. Matt Thorne’s “Prince”, through years of research and interviews with ex-Revolution members such as Wendy and Lisa, is an account of a pop maverick whose experiments with rock, funk, techno and jazz revolutionized pop. With reference to every song, released and unreleased, over 35 years of recording, Prince will stand for years to come as the go-to book on the Great Man”.(Syndetics summary)

Joni : the creative odyssey of Joni Mitchell / Katherine Monk.
“Biographies of Joni Mitchell are attempted every few years, but the definitive one will have to wait until the singer-songwriter tells her own story. In the meantime, Monk’s is the closest thing to essential reading. She describes her book as a “rambling adventure into the creative soul,” and it follows Mitchell’s path to popular and critical success as well as her self-imposed exile from that success, while frankly addressing the highs and lows of her career and personal life. One intriguing aspect of the book is Monk’s pursuit of a kind of Mitchell-approved reading list (because of her subject’s own interest in philosophy). Monk uses Martin Heidegger, Joseph Campbell, and especially Friedrich Nietzsche to tell Mitchell’s story and shape the narrative of her creative odyssey.” (adapted from Library Journal)

Days that I’ll remember : spending time with John Lennon and Yoko Ono / Jonathan Cott.
“A contributing editor to Rolling Stone since its inception, Jonathan Cott met myriad musicians, but few-if any-made as deep an impression on him as John Lennon. Cott’s many discussions and interviews (including one conducted just three days before Lennon’s assassination, reproduced here in its entirety) reveal the two rhapsodically rapping about the meaning of “Strawberry Fields,” dealing with fame, Yoko’s alleged role in the breakup of the Beatles (”I think that each of the Beatles was too strong and tough an individual to have been influenced by me in any way” is her response), and the impact of psychologist Arthur Janov’s primal therapy treatment on the duo’s relationship and work together. Cott does a solid job of creating intimacy between Lennon and the reader, something fans of the much-missed musician will likely relish.” (adapted from Publisher Weekly)

Ride a white swan : the lives and death of Marc Bolan / Lesley-Ann Jones.
“From mod folk artist to flower power pixie elfin to the king of glam rockers, Marc Bolan was the ultimate chameleon. His far reaching musical and stylistic influence is more relevant today than ever with hits such as ‘Ride A White Swan’, ‘Children Of The Revolution’, ‘Get It On’ and ‘Hot Love’ as fresh and exhilarating as when first released. At last, in the 35th anniversary year of his tragic death, Marc Bolan represents the definite biography. Here rock biographer, Lesley-Ann Jones, paints a meticulous portrait of the T-Rex front man. From his childhood growing up in Hackney to his untimely death at the age of 29, Bolan’s life was one of relentless experimentation and metamorphoses.”(adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

New books on popular music this month include Madonna’s new book which features fantastic photos and the comprehensive biography of Freddie Mercury. Also, we have two new books from very popular Dummies ‘how to play’ series.

Madonna style / by Carol Clerk ; with Stacey Appel.
“This updated edition now includes details of Madonna’s new 2012 album and subsequent World Tour, her advertising campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana, her clothing lines for H&M and her own Material Girl label as well as her Hard Candy album and videos for Celebration, Four Minutes and Beat Goes On.Here is a dazzling exploration of a unique pop-culture goddess. How does she do it? The answer comes in the form of this sumptuous collection of Madonna’s style effects. Every visual aspect of Madonna is shown including her wildly inventive catalogue of personae that she and her style army have conjured over the years. The result is an absolutely stunning one-woman fashion show that spans nearly half a century.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)

Stone alone : the story of a rock ‘n’ roll band / with Ray Coleman.
“YA– Wyman, bass player for the Rolling Stones, leaves no word unturned in this comprehensive, readable, witty account of the group from its beginnings as a struggling rhythm-and-blues band in 1962 to its superstar status and the death of founder and lead guitarist Brian Jones in 1969. With the help of veteran rock journalist Coleman, Wyman turns his exhaustive diary and other files into this well-written tome on the band and the London music scene of the ’60s. While the book contains a wealth of material and information, it offers few startling insights into the Stones as a group or individually. However, Stone Alone will certainly gather no moss on most library shelves”(School Library Journal)

A light that never goes out : the enduring saga of the Smiths / Tony Fletcher.
“Indie cult heavyweights the Smiths never charted a single higher than number 10, but they are widely considered to be an important musical component of British pop music of the 1980s. Their enigmatic vocalist and lyricist, Morrissey, is a bit of a hero to the disaffected, which only adds to his and the band’s angsty cachet. Of course, they broke up in 1987, but with rumored reunions that never materialized and the individual members’ post-Smiths activities (as a solo), Morrissey has cracked Top 10 lists), their self-conscious legend lives on. In relating the story of the band, Fletcher centers on Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, digging deep in terms of the details of the band’s creative process and progress but with plenty of time for conjecture about the comprehensively enigmatic Morrissey.” (Booklist)

Freddie Mercury : the great pretender : a life in pictures / [text, Sean O'Hagan ; captions, Greg Brooks and Phil Symes ; art direction, Richard Gray].
“Iconic Queen front man, Freddie Mercury (1946-91) had always been a flamboyant, larger-than-life figure. This lavish, oversized book of photographs is a fitting tribute to his life and work. The book includes images from every stage of Mercury’s life, from his childhood in Zanzibar and India to his early musical career in England and his rise to international fame fronting Queen. Although filled with many images of Mercury striking his trademark dramatic stage poses, the book also reveals the singer’s more personal, vulnerable side-a distinct and fascinating contrast.” (Library Journal)

Blues harmonica for dummies / by Winslow Yerxa.
“Blues harmonica is the most popular and influential style of harmonica playing, and it forms the basis for playing harmonica in other styles such as rock and country. Blues Harmonica for Dummies gives you a wealth of content devoted to the blues approach—specific techniques and applications, including bending and making your notes sound richer and fuller with tongue-blocked enhancements; use of amplification to develop a blues sound; blues licks and riffs; constructing a blues harmonica solo; accompanying singers; historical development of blues styles; and important blues players and recordings.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)

Guitar for dummies / by Mark Phillips and Jon Chappell.
“The music guides in the popular “For Dummies” series all follow the same basic format, which includes much of the same information found in the other self-instruction resources reviewed here, but in more detail-getting started with the instrument, chords and melodies, playing technique, stylistic characteristics, and choosing instruments. Unlike most of the other series, the details of some techniques, such as fingerpicking, are covered in the chapters on style instead of getting chapters or sections of their own. These volumes also don’t cover reading music, though scored examples are included: players who don’t read are advised to pick up chords and melodies by ear from the accompanying CD. Best for teens and adults with some musical background, not necessarily with the guitar.”(Library Journal)

New books on popular music this month include stories about hit songs here in NZ and UK. Also, there are fantastic biographies of Noel Gallagher and Peter Criss from KISS. Have a browse.

OnSong : stories behind New Zealand’s pop classics / Simon Sweetman.
“On Song is a lively journey through New Zealand’s diverse pop landscape. Prolific music journalist Simon Sweetman has interviewed the writers and performers of beloved Kiwi classics, presenting ‘in conversation’ text that illuminates the fascinating stories behind the pop songs we all know and love, all complemented with a plethora of artists’ personal imagery and archival photography” (Publisher information)

The million sellers / contributors, Tim Brock … [et al.].
“Published to mark the 60th anniversary of the launch of the Official Singles Charts in 1952, The Million Sellers tells the story of every million-selling single in the history of the UK music industry. An analysis of the 123 singles which have passed the magical million sales threshold in the UK in the past 60 years, from Bill Haley & The Comets very first UK million-seller right through to more recent singles by Lady Gaga, Rihanna and the Black Eyed Peas. Interviews with some of the artists reflecting on their memories of their million sellers and what they remember of the success at the time At a-glance facts and data outlining the songwriters, producers, albums and total sales figures for the million selling track.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust : off the record with the Beatles, Bowie, Elton & so much more / Ken Scott and Bobby Owsinski.
“Ken Scott holds a unique place in music history as one of only five engineers to have recorded the Beatles, but his experiences as a producer may be just as profound. Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust shares the intimate memories of Ken Scott’s days working with some of the most important artists of the 20th century while crafting a sound that has influenced several generations of music makers. Funny, poignant, and oh, so honest, Ken pulls no punches as he tells it as he saw it, as corroborated by a host of famous and not-so famous guests who were there as well.” (adapted from Publisher’s description)

Make up to breakup : my life in and out of Kiss / Peter Criss with Larry “Ratso” Sloman.
“Criss, the original drummer of Kiss and the third member of the band to pen a memoir, delivers an entertaining autobiography written with Sloman, who coauthored Scar Tissue, the memoir by Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis. But while bass player Gene Simmons (KISS and Make Up) focused on the sex and lead guitarist Ace Frehley (No Regrets) detailed the drugs, the appealing part of Criss’s account is that he keeps the focus on the rock and roll, which results in the best-and most honest-account of Kiss craziness during the band’s heyday in the 1970s. The book’s most interesting section explores Criss’s early life as a street punk turned hardcore jazz fan in the 1960s; this may be the first time the name Thelonious Monk has appeared in a book on Kiss.” (adapted from Publisher Weekly)

The future is the beginning : the words and wisdom of Bob Marley / Bob Marley ; introduction by Cedella Marley ; edited by Gerald Hausman.
“Taken from interviews and edited by Marley/Rastafarianism expert Gerald Hausman, this book highlights the famed reggae musician’s personal and spiritual beliefs.” (adapted from Library Journal)

Noel Gallagher : the biography / Lucian Randall.
“Noel Gallagher is a well-known for his singer-songwriter talent as he is for his controversial, outspoken statements and his tempestuous relationships. With the renowned Britpop band, Oasis, Noel found worldwide acclaim and influenced and musical style of a generation. But what is the truth about the boy from Manchester? This book maps out Noel’s story from the beginning. It takes you from his dysfunctional upbringing in Manchester to the man we know now.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

Roll me up and smoke me when I die : musings from the road / Willie Nelson ; foreword by Kinky Friedman ; illustrations by Micah Nelson.
“The latest in a collection of anecdotes and essays from singer-songwriter Nelson (The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes) serves to reinforce his image as a sentimental country veteran who isn’t averse to firing up the occasional joint or two. Peppered with the occasional dirty joke, the book makes for an irreverent, entertaining read. Humble, optimistic, and quick to give credit to those around him for contributing to his success, Nelson is a charming narrator, lurching from subject to subject, but always with a point in mind.” (adapted from Publisher Weekly)

Many of our staff are keen music listeners, and we’ve rounded up their favourite music discoveries of November and December. There’s plenty of variety, reflecting the diversity of our CD collection here at Wellington City Libraries & a myriad of different tastes. We hope you find something you haven’t come across before!

Beams.
Mathew Dear is a multi instrumentalist, DJ and electronic producer who records under different aliases. In 2003, he released ‘Leave Luck To Heaven’, on which he sang, under his own name, and the four ‘Mathew Dear’ releases since have seen his gradual development as a kind of skewed, synth-pop, dance floor crooner. To imagine a stream of alternative pop that could have grown from David Bowie’s Low period gives some indication of what this music is like. He performs his surreal songs using a solemn vocal style that has been described as “a cross between a sexed-up Stephin Merritt and a modulated Leonard Cohen” with the whole thing propelled by 80’s influenced dark synth grooves that could have been made for the first disco on Venus. His last release Black City also comes highly recommended. (John)

Desert etiquette.
Desert Etiquette is the follow up to Floating Action’s self-titled album. Like that record, Desert Etiquette was written, performed and recorded by Seth Kauffman. This time however, all the songs were written during a two day period of flu-induced fever, and then recorded in a further 48 hours. There are less catchy hooks than its predecessor, but it is a much more focused, unified-sounding album. It has a more stripped-back sound – save for a few droning sitars and other Eastern instruments – and lyrics that probably made far more sense mid-fever. (Jeremy)

Shields.
Anyone fortunate enough to have seen Grizzly Bear live at Wellington Opera House recently will need no enticement to listen to this wonderful record. The Brooklyn band, indie icons for very good reasons, are currently going from strength to strength and ‘Shields’ does the seemingly impossible and matches 2009’s Veckatimest for inventiveness, song quality and musicianship. One of the best things about this band is that the music demands, and rewards, close attention. It takes a few listens before the sound starts to sink in – and what reveals itself is music impassioned and wide-screen that defies categorization. No-one else is making music quite like this band. (John)

Fetch.
Ex-percussionist of the new wave band, Moritz Von Oswald has been a driving force of the German techno / electronic music scene and is one of the most influential artists in the field. Since 2009, he teamed up with fellow techno giants (Vladislav Delay and Max Loderbauer) and they have been very active as a trio. Their third release ‘Fetch’ finds them in a dark, driving mood. They and three additional jazz musicians present a long-formed, abstract but elaborate ensemble. It’s the music of techno, minimal and dub, but their music develops spontaneously and the groove and mood somehow resembles modal jazz or one-chord funk. In the 80s, Miles Davis often played long-formed, medium-tempo jam and their music seems to be an extension of that. This is a supple, astute music, and this kind of approach may expand jazz’s horizon in the future. (Shinji)

Nocturne.
Last year’s Gemini was a surprise hit – a beautifully rounded collection of indie pop gems that were like a love letter to the 80’s appearing fully formed and seemingly coming out of nowhere. Consequentially, ‘Nocturne’, Jack Tatum’s “difficult second album”, is released under heavy scrutiny and nicely proves that ‘Gemini’ was no fluke. With ‘Nocturne’ he ups the production values (‘Gemini’ was recorded in his dorm room) and maintains the high standard of musicianship and songwriting. What results is an excellent and remarkably mature dream pop record full of glistening guitar hooks, sweet vocals and power pop rhythms – gauzy, vaporous and shamelessly lovely. (John)

Not bleeding red.
Former ‘Front 242′ members return with a new project, far removed from their industrial past. This is one for fans of seventies analogue synthesizers – a warm, sprawling double album of lengthy, hypnotic electronica perfect for that late night trip to the twilight zone. (Neil)

Silencio.
With ‘Stereolab’ on indefinite hiatus, fans of that band’s particular take on post rock can find some comfort in Laetitia Sadier’s releases. Singer and lyricist for the band over their 20 year history it becomes apparent from her solo releases just how much of the band’s “Marxist background music” she was responsible for. On ‘Silencio’ the politically orientated lyric quotient is ramped up a bit and the actual sound, employing elements such as vibraphones, samba rhythms, kooky horns and cool lounge vibes, leans closer to Air than Stereolab. Long term fans may miss the motorik jams and the post rock edges of her old band but Ms Sadier confidently explores a musical trajectory both unique and rewarding. (John)

Rising tide.
A young Zimbabwean band from the Victoria Falls area of the country, Mokoomba have produced a joyous debut album that encompasses local grooves as well as funky rap, reggae, pop and even Latin rhythms, to create an irresistible Afro-fusion beat. (Neil)

‘Allelujah! Don’t bend! Ascend!
It is always a great thing when a band emerges after 10 years to deliver a record that sits perfectly alongside their best work. With little warning and no hype, Montreal’s nine member post rock collective, ‘Godspeed You Black Emperor’, announced a new record and a world tour. The indie press went into raptures offering quotes such as “immeasurable breadth and depth”, “a truly unforgettable experience”, “a modestly magnificent record that entirely validates the band reforming”, while Mark Richardson of Pitchfork Media finished his review by calling this “an album of music that is both new and old from a band that we thought we might never hear from again, one we should appreciate while we can.” PS. They play Wellington one show only in February 2013. (John)

This month our picks of the popular music new books are all about rock legends, such as Neil Young, Pete Townshend and Bruce Springsteen. Enjoy the incredible stories!!

Waging heavy peace : a hippie dream / Neil Young.
“An iconic figure in the history of rock and pop culture (inducted not once but twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), Neil Young has written his eagerly awaited memoir.” (Syndetics summary)

Who I am / Pete Townshend.
“He is one of the greatest musical talents Britain has ever produced. But even as the principle songwriter and lead guitarist for The Who, it would be unjust to define Pete Townshend’s life simply through his achievements with bandmates Daltrey, Moon and Entwistle. Now, in one of the most eagerly awaited autobiographies of recent times, this icon tells about his incredible life and elaborates on the turbulences of time spent as one of the world’s most respected musicians – being in one of rock’s greatest ever bands, and wanting to give it all up. Incredibly, as a man who has achieved so much, this truly unique story of ambition, relentless perfectionism and rock and roll excess will be regarded as one of his greatest achievements. (adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

Bruce / Peter Ames Carlin.
“After 3 decades of groundbreaking music Bruce Springsteen still manages to amaze audiences around the world. Highly acclaimed music critic Peter Carlin tracks the Boss’s dazzling ascent to fame, whilst painting a vivid portrait of the real Springsteen: an insistently private man who nevertheless would do anything for his fans. Recently, in response to his mother’s failing health, Springsteen decided he wanted to tell his story, and that he wanted Carlin to tell it. With unprecedented access to Springsteen, his family, friends and management, Carlin presents a riveting and highly personal account of Springsteen’s life.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

Jagger / Philip Norman.
“Bestselling biographer Philip Norman offers an unparalleled account of the life of a living legend, Mick Jagger. From Home Counties schoolboy, to rebel without a cause to Sixties rock sensation and global idol, Norman unravels with astonishing intimacy the myth of the inimitable frontman of The Rolling Stones. MICK JAGGER charts his extraordinary journey through scandal-ridden conspiracy, infamous prison spell, hordes of female admirers and a knighthood while stripping away the colossal fame, wealth and idolatry to reveal a story of talent and promise unfulfilled.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

Elvis in Vegas / Paul Lichter.
“If Elvis Presley had been a painter, his canvas would have been Las Vegas. From his first appearance there at the age of twenty-one, to his marriage to Priscilla in 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel, to the annual “Elvis Festivals” of the 1970s, Las Vegas witnessed the triumphs and tragedies of his life. With hundreds of never-before-seen photographs of Elvis’s Vegas years, this book is the key volume in any Elvis aficionado’s collection. In addition to the images published here for the first time, noted expert Paul Lichter has compiled setlists, news clippings, and interviews to fully tell the story of when the King came to Vegas.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

Luck or something like it / Kenny Rogers.
“The country music legend shares the story behind his meteoric rise to fame, including the highs and lows, and the secrets behind his biggest hits.” (Syndetics summary)

Led Zeppelin : the oral history of the world’s greatest rock band / Barney Hoskyns.
“With Robert Plant on lead vocal and Jimmy Page on guitar, Led Zeppelin is one of the most iconic, legendary, and influential rock bands in musical history. Tales of their indulgence in sex, drugs, and excess have swirled for decades. In this definitive oral history of the band, Barney Hoskyns finally reveals the truth about Led Zeppelin, paring away the myths and describing what life was really like for four young men on top of the world. Through fresh new interviews with the surviving band members, close friends, their tour manager, and scores of other fascinating characters, Hoskyns provides deep insights into the personalities of the band members and chronicles the group’s dramatic rise, fall, and legacy.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)

New music this month features new releases from Bat For Lashes, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and the unique new talent, Alt-J. Enjoy!!

“The third album by Bat For Lashes–the moniker for singer-songwriter Natasha Khan–is titled The Haunted Man. It features the singles “Laura” and “All Your Gold”. Speaking about the album, Khan said: “I really wanted to strip things back in honour of women like Patti Smith; just these raw, honest women. I had no make-up on, it’s just me and my haunted man!” (adapted from amazon.co.uk)

“Psychedelic Pill sees Neil Young and Crazy Horse follow up their previous release Americana, with another new album that was recorded around the same time as its predecessor. Produced by Young, John Hanlon and Mark Humphreys, the album features eight tracks and a bonus track across two discs. The format is largely due to the length of some tracks, including “Driftin’ Back”, which lasts for almost a full half hour, or “Ramada Inn” and “Walk Like a Giant”, both longer than 16 minutes.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk)

“It’s hard to place Alt-J. Originally from Leeds, they spend their time in a Cambridgeshire basement making their own brand of uniquely dubbed “folk-step”. However, the noises that An Awesome Wave emits far escape the dull, dark depths such a creative location suggests. Instead, it’s a stunning and encompassing affair of both innovative and electrifying musicianship and exemplary song writing. This album spans every workable idea, genre, and influence that can be crammed under the guitar music umbrella, yet it never feels disorientating. Instead, what swoons gracefully through speakers is an entirely comprehendible and accessible collection of beautiful pop songs. Movement is key on this album. Samples and sounds cascade and cross with elegance, but it’s Joe Newman’s lead vocal that acts as the cement, pulling everything together and guiding it seamlessly into making sense.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk)

“The remastered version is even better than the original. You can hear more. But the original mastered rock story-telling. Opera is a big word. Ask Mozart if this is an opera. I don’t know. But it is fantastic rock music. They nailed it. I missed this album so much for so many years, so glad to have it back and even better. The photos are priceless, and the notes confirm that these guys were enjoying this experience. The press have always focussed on the aggression and destruction. This album is just so creative. You want to travel back in the Tardis and just hang around in the background watching them do it. Like Sgt. Pepper only rockier and twice as long. The Who are a magnificent rock band. If there’s a negative to these kind of classic albums it’s that you really need to go out and buy some really good stereo gear which you can’t afford.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk customer review)

“In addition to 12 of Clark’s original compositions, Blak and Blu also features a 13th song – a blistering cover of Little Johnny Taylor’s (popularized by Albert Collins), “If You Love Me Like You Say / Third Stone From The Sun” (Jimi Hendrix) is actually a complete reworking of the song utilizing the Hendrix riff reinterpreted by Clark. The result is an extraordinary hybrid of the two ideas that breathes new fire to an old favorite.” (adapted from amazon.com)

“It could be argued that Robbie Williams’ star had waned before his reunion with Take That; making the appropriation of his Rudebox template for the boys-to-men-band’s successful return with Progress somewhat ironic. But Take the Crown, Robbie’s first solo set since 2009’s Reality Killed the Video Star, aims to reclaim his position as one of pop’s foremost solo artists. It features the hit lead single “Candy”, which was penned with former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow, and his collaboration with singer-songwriter Lissie, “Losers”.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk)

Many of our staff are keen music listeners, and we’ve rounded up their favourite music discoveries of September & October. There’s plenty of variety, reflecting the diversity of our CD collection here at Wellington City Libraries & a myriad of different tastes. We hope you find something you haven’t come across before!

Algiers.
After 20 years Calexico are by now a fully established musical force, performing their unique version of Tex-Mex music worldwide to dedicated fans. ‘Algiers’ is their first release since 2008’s Carried To Dust, and in that time they have provided soundtracks for two films – the film festival documentary ‘Circo’ and the popular comedy The Guard. ‘Algiers’ is named after the area of New Orleans in which this recording took place and this is classic Calexico with smoky bar-room ballads, Tijuana trumpets and widescreen Morricone style instrumentals, the New Orleans influence serving to broaden and deepen their sound. (John)

Light years.
Holding the #1 spot on the NZ Charts into it’s third week since it’s release, and four years in the making since their last album self titled Kora, we have ‘Light years’. Aptly named I think, the tracks take us on a galactic adventure, light years away. I love these guys; they have the most amazing falsetto voices, the four part harmonies of brothers Laughton, Francis, Stu and Brad Kora, are totally off this planet, and their funky mix of RnB, Reggae, Rock, Electronica and electro funk (if there is such a genre) and anything in between remains the same like the Kora we’ve come to know and respect – thankfully no surprises there. Pictures of planets and galaxies on the studio walls to visually stimulate where they wanted to go with this album, took their music to the next level beyond the atmosphere and out of this world, keeping with the theme, ‘Space is the place’. My favourite tracks ‘Little star’ ‘Galaxy express’ and ‘Story ain’t over’. Can say that again. (Ethel)

In motion #1.
Ninja Tune’s Cinematic Orchestra have forged a sound pretty much of their own that incorporates elements of jazz, electronica and film soundtracks. Group leader, J. Swinscoe has an ongoing interest in the link between sound and vision and for this project he invited some of his favourite musicians and producers to provide soundtracks to or musical re-imaginings of works by great avant-garde film-makers. The Cinematic Orchestra provide three of the tracks, with four other artists each contributing one track each. The results are a submersive and engrossing journey through dreamscapes that incorporate elements of chamber music, modern classical, jazz and electronica. (John)

Floating Action.
Floating Action is the recording project of Seth Kauffman from Black Mountain, North Carolina. He combines sixties pop, soul, folk, world music and catchy hooks to create songs that manage to sound simultaneously familiar and new. Every note is played and produced by Kauffman in his home studio and piped through his vintage “Full Tone Tube Tape Echoplex,” and the result is a collection of warm, lo-fi, intimate-sounding recordings full of rich harmonies, melodic bass-lines and memorable choruses. (Jeremy)

Until the quiet comes.
Steven Ellison aka ‘Flying Lotus’ is jazz harp player Alice Coltrane’s nephew. Avant-garde jazz sensibilities must rub off because ‘Flying Lotus’ has pursued a singular vision through the world of downbeat instrumental music taking it closer to the extremes of abstract jazz than anyone else. He pretty much worked himself into a corner with 2010’s Cosmogramma, a groundbreaking release that packed beats, rhythms, samples and melodies into dense and challenging blocks of sound. With this, his follow up, he has returned to a more user friendly, stripped back approach, reminiscent of early abstract trip hop, the emphasis is on mood, simplicity and accessibility which he manages without sacrificing any of his impeccable credentials. (John)

Let it roll.
I love this CD as it shows his poetry in the lyrics ‘Something’ and ‘My Sweet Lord’ are classics but I also like all those years ago. He was a lovely human being too. (Max)

Rispah / The Invisible.
From London, ‘The Invisible’ were nominated for a Mercury Prize for their debut album and this, three years later, is their follow up released on the esteemed Ninja Tune label. This is a stately and atmospheric record that lead singer Dave Okumu describes as a “love letter to grief” following the death of his mother while the album was being recorded and the album is largely inspired by the traditional Nigerian spirituals sung at her funeral, some of which are sampled. This trio of vocals/guitar, bass/synthesizer and drums create a captivating sound – bold, meditative and serious. The musicians are all jazz trained but these are songs that come close to Radiohead in their chin stroking mode and that find an excellent balance of musical poise and emotional force. (John)

Bouger le monde!
There is a back story about this band. The band members suffered from polio in their youth and four of them are paraplegic. They lived and played together, using hand-made instruments, on the grounds of the Kinshasa zoo in Congo. These disabled street musicians’ lives were featured in an award-winning documentary, and their first album Tres Tres Fort (2009) amazed the world with its freshness and funkiness. They became a world phenomenon and one of the most successful bands from Africa. Their music is rooted in Congo rumba (Cuban influenced Afro music) like their mentor Franco & le TPOK Jazz, and abounds in modern African blues feeling. This sophomore album (the title means ‘Make the World Shake’) was recorded in the studio and has much better sound quality (the first one was a field recording). Their skills also seem to have improved, and create a colourful, feel good groove. The highlight of this listen is an incredible one-string-tin-can-guitar solo by Roger Landu. It may blow Derek Trucks away. (Shinji)

The ghost in daylight.
Bristol’s Nick Talbot, the only “singer/songwriter” on the roster of Sheffield’s electronic music label Warp Records, remains criminally under recognized and continues to release one quality record after another. For this, his follow up to 2007’s excellent The Western Lands, he moves slightly away from his loosely psych folk influences to frame his songs within a more haunting and hallucinatory sound. Not for parties, Talbot’s unique blend of icy chill and soothing balm, creates music for solitary listening deep into the night. (John)

Greatest hits.
James Gang are a long-lost power trio from the early seventies, notable for being the first band of Joe Walsh, later of the Eagles. They only made three albums before Joe left, taking his guitar, coke habit and trusty chainsaw with him and this compilation covers this period of their history, demonstrating their mastery of a range of musical styles, from hard rock to boogie to country-rock. The album is worth a listen for the epic multi-part “The Bomber” alone. (Neil)

The inner flame : a tribute to Rainer Ptacek.
Originally released in 1997 following the sad early death of the Arizona based guitarist/songwriter, this tribute features contributions from renowned artists including Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, PJ Harvey, Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams plus Ptacek himself on six tracks. Rainer Ptacek’s distinctive guitar technique which incorporated slide, finger picking and tape manipulation, earned him the reputation of a “musician’s musician”. He formed the original Giant Sand with Howe Gelb and went on to record several solo albums, never achieving popular recognition outside of his Arizona homeland. This excellent tribute makes good that omission, if a little late. (John)

Hipology.
A harking back to the golden age of hip hop, this is Marc Mac paying tribute to the funk, jazz and soul-enriched sound of the late 80s and early 90s, when sampling was young and fresh and anything and everything was permissible. No bling, no limousines, but joyous summer sounds through the hazy lens of nostalgia. Oh, and a Stereolab cover. (Neil)

Tinsel and lights.
Few Christmas albums manage to stand on their own, but Tracey Thorn’s ‘Tinsel & Lights’ is definitely one of the exceptions. The ex-Everything But the Girl vocalist has crafted a charming album of original songs & offbeat covers, with a variety of instrumentation so it never sounds samey backed up, of course, by that golden voice. A nice one to m mellow out with as the crazy Christmas season quickly approaches. (Mark)

Jack White’s blues : the original versions of 15 classic songs covered by Jack White.
An Uncut magazine compilation that features the original versions of 15 predominantly blues songs that Jack White has covered over his career by artists such as Son House, Howlin’ Wolf, Hank Williams and even Marlene Dietrich. Going back to the roots is usually a good thing to do, the original versions of songs offering not only perspectives on where a current artist is coming from, but also insight into eras long gone. This collection is worth listening to if only to hear Son House’s ‘Death Letter Blues’, just one standout from a great collection of songs from the deep underbelly of the American dream. (John)

This month’s selection includes the very popular David Byrne’s ‘How Music Works’ and the inside stories behind Radiohead’s songs. Also ‘Acoustic guitar making’ is for DIY lovers.

How music works / David Byrne.
The Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of Talking Heads presents a celebration of music that offers insight into the roles of time, place and recording technology, discussing how evolutionary patterns of adaptations and responses to cultural and physical contexts have influenced music expression throughout history and culminated in the 20th century’s transformative practices.(Syndetics summary)

Radiohead : the stories behind every song / James Doheny. “With complex, haunting soundscapes and raw, soul-searching lyrics, Radiohead has blazed an uncompromising trail to become one of the most critically acclaimed, socially aware, and perennially popular rock acts in the world. Like such predecessors as Pink Floyd, U2, and REM, the band has maintained its underground cred even while residing at the heart of the popular mainstream. Now writer and musicologist James Doheny reveals the inside story behind every Radiohead song in a comprehensive and insightful book no true fan will want to be without.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)

Stairway to heaven : Led Zeppelin uncensored / Richard Cole with Richard Trubo.
“Whether onstage, on the road, at home, or in luxurious hotels, no one was closer to Led Zeppelin than Richard Cole, the band’s road manager for 12 years. He now gives a down-and-dirty, no-holds-barred account of living with the band–great reading by both biography buffs and Zeppelin fans alike. Two 16-page photo inserts.” (Syndetics summary)

The John Lennon letters / edited and with an introduction by Hunter Davies.
“Published together for the first time, this collection of letters to family, friends, lovers and complete strangers from the beloved Beatle offers an intimate look into the true personality and mind of one of popular music’s most prolific and revered artists.” (Syndetics summary)

The Gershwins and me : a personal history in twelve songs / Michael Feinstein ; with Ian Jackman.
“From celebrated entertainer Michael Feinstein comes a beautifully illustrated account of the lives and legacies of the Gershwins—told through stories of twelve of their greatest songs and accompanied by an original CD of those songs, performed by the author.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)

The record players : the story of dance music told by history’s greatest DJs / Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton.
“Collects firsthand accounts in a vibrant oral history of the rise of the DJ culture and includes songs lists, discographies, and photos.” (Syndetics summary)

Broadway musicals : show by show / by Stanley Green. “This updated edition of one of the best-selling and comprehensive Broadway reference books, first published in 1985, has been expanded to include many of the most important and memorable productions of the American musical theater, including revivals. Chronologically arranged beginning with The Black Crook in 1866, the seventh edition adds new entries and photos on numerous musicals from recent years, Show by Show features a wealth of statistics and inside information, plus critical reception, cast lists, pithy commentary about each show, and numerous detailed indexes that no Broadway fan will want to be without.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)

Acoustic guitar making : the steel string guitar / Nick Blishen. “Many people are frustrated by the mass-produced guitar and dream of something more unique. This practical book will help readers achieve that dream, and will inform and enlighten them along the way. Drawing on a range of ideas and techniques, it explains the process in a clear and logical way, thereby demystifying the task and making the guitar a joy to build and then to play. It covers tools, techniques, and selection of materials; how to avoid pitfalls and make faster progress; and how to achieve a professional finish and set up the guitar.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)