The lyrical life of Bryan, portraits of two troubled teen idols, the good old days of Muscle Shoals, the bad old days of Ice-T, rockin’ at the movies, Iron Maiden‘s in full colour and more of your latest beach-book options. Read all about ’em:
Lyrics
By Bryan Ferry
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Bryan Ferry’s work as a singer and songwriter, both as a solo artist and with Roxy Music, is legendary. Lyrics collects the words written for music across seventeen albums, from the first iconic Roxy Music album of 1972 via the masterpiece of Avalon to 2014’s reflective Avonmore, introduced by the author, and with an insightful essay by James Truman. All the classic anthems are here — Virginia Plain, Do the Strand, Love Is The Drug — songs in which the real and the make-believe blend in a kaleidoscopic mix, shot through with cinematic allure. Also included are the evocative lyrics of romantic longing and lost illusions for which Ferry is rightly revered: Slave to Love, Mother of Pearl, More Than This. As he writes in his preface, ‘The low points in life so often produce the most keenly felt and best-loved songs.’ And, it might be added, some of the best poetry.”
Arrow Through the Heart: The Biography of Andy Gibb
By Matthew Hild
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Andy Gibb was one of the biggest pop stars of the disco era. His first three singles — I Just Want To Be Your Everything, (Love Is) Thicker Than Water, and Shadow Dancing — reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during 1977-78, and he became a fixture on television specials, appearing alongside legends such as Bob Hope, George Burns and Dean Martin. In 1981 he became the co-host of the iconic Solid Gold television series, and a year later he starred in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway. But despite his enormous success, he battled with insecurity, depression, and substance abuse, causing his career to flounder and leaving him bankrupt by 1987. By then, he seemed ready to start anew and launch a comeback, but he died suddenly in 1988, five days after his 30th birthday. Despite the tragic brevity of his career and life, Gibb still has a strong fan base around the world, but his story has never been told — until now. Arrow Through the Heart: The Biography of Andy Gibb draws upon extensive research, rare archival interviews with Gibb and members of his family, and interviews conducted by the author with nearly 50 of Andy’s friends and associates to examine the life and career of this beloved pop idol.”
Being Britney: Pieces Of A Modern Icon
By Jennifer Otter Bickerdike
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Part biography, part social history, Being Britney pieces together a collage of stories, interviews, legends, and fan experiences to construct a definitive portrait of one of the biggest stars in recent history. In her unique narrative, acclaimed music author Jennifer Otter Bickerdike provides a sympathetic yet objective reexamination of Britney’s trajectory from girl next door to woman trapped by fame. Being Britney is the compelling account of a talented, troubled, and much-discussed modern icon whose life, work, and individual significance will be recognized for many decades to come.”
Split Decision: Life Stories
By Ice-T & Spike
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ice-T rose to fame in the late 1980s, earning acclaim for his music before going on to capture television audiences as Odafin “Fin” Tutuola in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But it could have gone much differently. In this gripping and candid memoir, Ice-T and Spike, his former crime partner — collaborating with bestselling author Douglas Century — relate the shocking stories of their shared pasts, and how just a handful of decisions led to their incredibly different lives. Both grew up in violent, gang-controlled Los Angeles neighborhoods and worked together to orchestrate a series of jewelry heists in L.A. and across the U.S. But while Ice-T was discovered rapping in a club and got his first record deal, Spike was caught for a jewel robbery and did three years in prison. As his music career began to take off, Ice made the decision to leave the criminal life; Spike continued to plan increasingly ingenious and risky jewel heists. And in 1992, after one of Spike’s robberies ended tragically, he was sentenced to 35 years to life. While he sat behind bars, he watched his former partner rise to fame in music, movies, and television. Harrowing, timely, and thoughtful, two men with two very different lives reveal how their paths might have very well been reversed if they made different choices. All it took was a Split Decision.”
Music and Mystique in Muscle Shoals
By Christopher M. Reali
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The forceful music that rolled out of Muscle Shoals in the 1960s and 1970s shaped hits by everyone from Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin to The Rolling Stones and Paul Simon. Christopher M. Reali‘s in-depth look at the fabled musical hotbed examines the events and factors that gave the Muscle Shoals sound such a potent cultural power. Many artists trekked to FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound in search of the sound of authentic southern Black music — and at times expressed shock at the mostly white studio musicians waiting to play it for them. Others hoped to draw on the hitmaking production process that defined the scene. Reali also chronicles the overlooked history of Muscle Shoals’ impact on country music and describes the region’s recent transformation into a tourism destination. Multifaceted and informed, Music and Mystique in Muscle Shoals reveals the people, place, and events behind one of the most legendary recording scenes in American history.”
Jazz Uncovered: A Radical Guide to the Music That Changed the World
By Sammy Stein
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jazz isn’t what you think it is. The accepted history is that it originated in New Orleans and was created by poor, oppressed people who had been brought in from all over the world. Different cultures mixed, and the music evolved. People made their own instruments or purchased ones from the Civil War at pawnshops. With its different influences, this music became “jass,” and then “jazz,” and moved north across America with the riverboats. This simplistic view satisfies many. But the story of jazz is much more complex. In Jazz Uncovered, Sammy Stein tells the real story of jazz, and addresses questions such as who was the first jazz musician? What makes a jazz musician great? She also demystifies jazz terms and discusses the fascinating connection between hip-hop and jazz ― from the ways each art form first developed, to how hip-hop and genres like classical and rock ’n’ roll have influenced and been influenced by jazz. She also looks at the powerful social and cultural influences of jazz as well as its bright future. Above all, Stein makes it clear that jazz is a music for all and is as relevant as ever. Ultimately, this book is at once a people’s history and an engaging guide that will educate and delight both hard-core jazz fans and new fans alike. And one thing is certain ― after reading it, you will never see jazz the same way again.”
Rock ’n’ Roll Plays Itself: A Screen History
By John Scanlan
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “When rock ’n’ roll burst into life in the 1950s, the shockwaves echoed around the world, amplified by images of untamed youth projected on cinema screens. But for the performers themselves, corporate showbusiness remained very much in control, contriving a series of cash-in movies to exploit the new musical fad. In this riveting cultural history, John Scanlan explores rock’s relationship with the moving image over seven decades in cinema, television, music videos, advertising, and YouTube. Along the way, he shows how rock was exploited, how it inspired film pioneers, and, not least, the film transformations it caused over more than half a century. From Elvis Presley to David Bowie, and from Scorpio Rising to the films of Scorsese and DIY documentarists like Don Letts, this is a unique retelling of the story of rock — from birth to old age — through its onscreen life.”
Female Force: Stevie Nicks
By Michael Frizell & Ramon Salas
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Rolling Stone named her the ‘reigning queen of rock and roll’ and named her one of the 100 greatest songwriters of all time. She’s been honored by the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame — twice, received eight Grammy nominations, and won two as a solo artist and one with her band, Fleetwood Mac. Stevie Nicks’ passion and unrelenting drive to succeed as an artist are explored in this new comic book. After reading it, we think you’ll agree that Nicks is a female force.”
Iron Maiden: The Official Coloring Book
By David Calcano, Lindsay Lee, Samuel Blanco
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “With over 2,000 live performances, 100 million record sales, millions of fans around the globe and 17 monumental studio albums, Iron Maiden is rightfully heralded as one of the most significant rock bands in the world. Alongside their incredible riffs, Iron Maiden’s vast catalog of music paints a collage of mesmerizing imagery and weaves unforgettable and haunting tales. Created by artists of the award-winning animation studio (and huge fans of the band) Fantoons, this official Iron Maiden Coloring Book showcases artwork inspired by the band’s exhilarating sound, gripping storytelling and humor. Choose your colors, crank the music LOUD and enjoy this unique coloring book from one of the greatest bands of all-time! A must-have for any Iron Maiden fan. Color outside the lines at your own risk…YOU KNOW EDDIE IS WATCHING!”
