This is a selection of books for those who care about music. We have gathered literature dedicated to various genres and eras: from the history of underground punk rock to Western European classics.
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Former lead singer of the rock band Talking Heads, David Byrne, discusses the 'inner workings' of contemporary music. The narrative is built on his personal experiences, supported by research from scientists. This book is not a memoir, yet many chapters are devoted to Byrne's memories and his collaborations with other musicians — for example, British composer and Brazilian performer .
Most of the publication still tells the history of audio formats and the music market. How Music Works will interest those who want to see the music business from the inside and understand the laws that govern this market. And, of course, fans of Talking Heads.
This is a kind of collection of interviews with those who influenced the formation of American punk culture. The story begins with the founding of the Velvet Underground in 1964 and ends with the death of New York Dolls drummer Jerry Nolan in 1992.
In the book, you will find memoirs from the author — Legs McNeil, one of the founders of the magazine , interviews with Iggy Pop, poet Patti Smith, bands Ramones, Sex Pistols, and other punk rock musicians. Interestingly, some materials from Please Kill Me! formed the basis for the movie, which tells the story of the legendary New York club — the birthplace of underground punk.
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The author of the book is journalist and music critic , who discusses the phenomenon of 'retromania' — according to Reynolds, pop culture is obsessed with its own past. The author notes that since the early 2000s, no fresh genres or ideas have emerged in music. Everything that Western pop musicians do is reinterpret previous experiences. He supports his viewpoint by analyzing social phenomena and historical events.
This book will be interesting to those who want to explore the history of music and pop culture in particular. It includes many references to music and video platforms. Therefore, it is recommended to read the book twice: the first time just for enjoyment, and the second time alongside YouTube.
This material is for those who have not yet learned to love classical music. Its author, Lya Kandaurova, is a violinist and music promoter: she conducts several author's music courses and contributes a column to the magazine Seasons of Life. Each chapter of the book is a story about a specific classical work or composer. The list includes Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Schubert, and many others. Overall, the author has managed to systematize 600 years of Western European music history. The text includes QR codes that allow readers to listen to the pieces being discussed.
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If you want to learn more about digital music piracy, the book by American journalist Stephen Witt is perfect for you. It tells a dramatic story of how technology has impacted the music market. The author begins with the emergence of the MP3 format and then transports readers to a CD manufacturing plant in North Carolina, where an employee 'leaked' over 2,000 albums. Witt also delves into the lives of pirate groups in the darknet. How Music Became Free is written in a simple, engaging style, resembling a detective novel more than non-fiction.
The book does not have a Russian translation, but it is not necessary. Contact High is a photo book that tells the forty-year history of hip-hop from the perspective of sixty photographers. It features images of musicians from the late seventies to the late zeros.
The project’s author is Vikki Tobak, an American journalist originally from Kazakhstan, who with an Instagram account in 2016. But within a year of his work, it was featured at the Photoville exhibition in Brooklyn and published as a book. Inside the cover, you can find photographs of Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, and other well-known performers. The book in Time magazine's '25 Best Photo Books of 2018.'
Other collections from our blog "World Hi-Fi":
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Source: habr.com
