If you’re like me, you’ve always got a stack of books you’ve been meaning to read. This might be a good week to pull one out of the pile — or to add these four titles to the heap. Read all about ’em:
All Things Must Pass Away: Harrison, Clapton, and Other Assorted Love Songs
By Kenneth Womack and Jason Kruppa
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “George Harrison and Eric Clapton embarked upon a singular personal and creative friendship that impacted rock’s unfolding future in resounding and far-reaching ways. All Things Must Pass Away: Harrison, Clapton, and Other Assorted Love Songs traces the emergence of their relationship from 1968 though the early 1970s and the making of their career-defining albums, both released in November 1970. Authors Womack and Kruppa devote close attention to the climax of Harrison and Clapton’s shared musicianship — the creation of All Things Must Pass, Harrison’s powerful emancipatory statement in the wake of The Beatles, and Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, Clapton’s impassioned reimagining of his art via Derek and the Dominos — two records that advanced rock ’n’ roll from a windswept 1960s idealism into the wild and expansive new reality of the 1970s. All Things Must Pass Away reveals the foundations of Harrison and Clapton’s friendship, focusing on the ways their encouragement and support of each other drove them to produce works that would cast long shadows over the evolving world of rock music.”
Judas Priest: Turbo ’til Now
By Martin Popoff
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In the followup to his Judas Priest: Decade of Domination book, which looked at the band’s career from inception through the Defenders Of The Faith album of 1984, Martin Popoff tackles the band’s incendiary “hair metal” years through to the triumphant return to form of 2018’s Firepower. Includes extensive colour commentary from Popoff’s many chats over the decades with those who were there, including Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing, Ian Hill, Scott Travis, Ripper Owens and Richie Faulkner.”
Name Dropping: Seeking Creative Truth through Trendy Altruism & Punk Rock
By Jameson Ketchum
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “A coming-of-faith story detailing Ketchum’s time touring with Christian heavy metal bands and trendy non-profits, this is a fly-on-the-wall perspective of trends in “hip” Christian culture told through the eyes of a self-doubting rock journalist begging to belong. Witnessing healings, demonic possession, and the ever-present rock-star ego, Ketchum’s stories are hilarious and heartfelt, exploring artistic doubts while pursuing truth in all aspects of his professional life. Name Dropping is one part memoir and one part self-help. It’s Saved! meets Almost Famous sprinkled with a healthy dose of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
Sing With Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla
By Diana López & Teresa Martinez
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: ‘An exuberant picture book celebrating the life and legacy of Selena Quintanilla, beloved Queen of Tejano music. From an early age, young Selena knew how to connect with people and bring them together with music. Sing With Me follows her rise to stardom, from fronting her family’s band at rodeos and quinceañeras to performing at the Houston Astrodome. For ages 4-8.”
