The Blind Boys and Beatles, Miley and Selena, Harry and hip-hop, and more new additions to your reading list. Let’s get on the same page:
Spirit Of The Century: Our Own Story
By The Blind Boys Of Alabama With Preston Lauterbach
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Blind Boys Of Alabama are the quintessential gospel vocal group, and the longest-running musical institution in America. Their story intersects with pivotal moments and issues in American history and is an ideal prism through which to trace music, culture, history, and race in America. Spirit Of The Century invites readers to follow along their eight-decade journey together from a segregated trade school, through the rough-and-tumble indie record game and grinding tour schedule of the golden age of gospel, to starring in an iconic Broadway musical, performing at the White House for three presidents twice, collaborating with Tom Petty, Lou Reed and Ben Harper, among others, singing the theme song for The Wire, and winning five Grammys. More than just a story of the group’s illustrious career, Spirit Of The Century also sheds new light on the larger world of African American gospel music, its origins, and the colorful characters at its center. Though there have been several iterations of the group over the decades, Spirit Of The Century rounds up all surviving members of the group as contributors to the telling of their own story, and a result, the book offers a unique and intimate perspective on the group’s enduring success.”
Truckload Of Art: The Life And Work Of Terry Allen
By Brendan Greaves
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The definitive, authorized, and first-ever biography of Terry Allen, the internationally acclaimed visual artist and iconoclastic songwriter who occupies an utterly unique position straddling the disparate, and usually distant, worlds of conceptual art and country music. “People tell me it’s country music,” Allen has joked, “and I ask, ‘Which country?’” For nearly 60 years, Allen’s inimitable art has explored the borderlands of memory, crossing boundaries between disciplines and audiences by conjuring indelible stories out of the howling West Texas wind. In Truckload Of Art, author Brendan Greaves exhaustively traces the influences that shaped Allen’s extraordinary life, from his childhood in Lubbock, Texas, spent ringside and sidestage at the wrestling matches and concerts his father promoted, to his formative art-school years in incendiary 1960s Los Angeles, and through subsequent decades doggedly pursuing his uncompromising artistic vision. With humor and critical acumen, Greaves deftly recounts how Allen built a career and cult following with pioneering independent records like Lubbock (On Everything) (1979) — widely considered an archetype of alt-country — and multiyear, multimedia bodies of richly narrative, interconnected art and theatrical works, including Juarez (ongoing since 1968). Drawing on revealing interviews with Allen, family members, and many notable friends, colleagues, and collaborators — including musicians like David Byrne and Kurt Vile — Greaves offers a poetic, deeply personal portrait of arguably the most singularly multivalent storyteller of the West.”
Strange Things Are Happening
By Richard Norris
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “ ‘The rainbow reaches right across the sky, for miles and miles, and has landed right in the middle of our field. My mother, Alison, is standing at the beginning. I’m sure it’s a beginning, rather than the end, as there’s no pot of gold in sight. The point where everything forms or, perhaps, is not quite formed as yet. That’s my favourite place. A place alive with possibility.’ Strange Things Are Happening begins with the wonder of that rainbow, and continues with many escapades down the rabbit hole. From punk and the beginnings of the DIY scene, through acid house, psychedelia, the rise of electronic dance music and much more, Richard Norris has been involved in countless countercultural revolutions. From misadventures in Amsterdam with Timothy Leary, with Sun Ra at customs, and Shaun Ryder in Joe Strummer’s beat-up Cadillac in Tijuana, Norris’s story is one of collaboration and community, fuelled by relentless curiosity. Strange Things Are Happening is a record of a life lived in the moment, forever in thrall to discovery, exploration and innovation — the search for what lies at the other end of that rainbow.”
The Next Elvis: Searching For Stardom At Sun Records
By Barbara Barnes Sims
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “An American institution, Sun Records has a history with many chapters — its Memphis origins with visionary Sam Phillips, the breakthrough recordings of Elvis Presley, and the studio’s immense influence on the sound of popular music. But behind the company’s chart toppers and legendary musicians there exists another story, told by Barbara Barnes Sims. In the male-dominated workforce of the 1950s, 24-year-old Sims found herself thriving in the demanding roles of publicist and sales promotion coordinator at Sun Records. Her job placed her in the studio with Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, and other Sun entertainers, as well as the unforgettable Phillips, whose work made the music that defined an era. The Next Elvis: Searching For Stardom At Sun Records chronicles Sims’ career at the studio, a pivotal time at this recording mecca, as she darted from disc jockeys to distributors. Sims not only entertains with personal stories of big personalities, but also brings humor to the challenges of a young woman working in a fast and tough industry. Her disarming narrative ranges from descriptions of a disgraced Lewis to the remarkable impact and tragic fall of DJ Daddy-O Dewey to the frenzied Memphis homecoming of Elvis after his military service. Collectively, these vignettes offer a rare and intimate look at the people, the city, and the studio that permanently shifted the trajectory of rock ‘n’ roll.”
Miley Cyrus: The Biography
By United Library
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This book takes readers on an intimate journey through the extraordinary life and career of one of the most versatile and iconic figures in contemporary pop culture. From her early days as the teen sensation Hannah Montana to her groundbreaking transition into a mature and provocative artist, Cyrus’s story unfolds with passion, resilience, and relentless creativity. As the teen queen of the 2000s, Cyrus captivated audiences with her musical prowess, earning Teen Choice Awards, Billboard Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Guinness World Records. Her trailblazing career is a testament to her ability to continually reinvent herself, from the teen-friendly pop rock of Meet Miley Cyrus to the R&B-infused chart-topper Bangerz and the rock-influenced Plastic Hearts. Beyond the stage, Cyrus’s impact extends to the silver screen with roles in films like The Last Song and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. She also takes on the small screen, leading documentaries, starring in an episode of Black Mirror, and coaching on The Voice. This comprehensive book explores Cyrus’s evolution not only as a music sensation but as a philanthropist, actress, and cultural force.”
Selena Gomez: The Biography
By United Library
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Delve into the captivating journey of Selena Marie Gomez, the multi-talented American singer, actress, businesswoman, and producer, in this comprehensive biography. Born on July 22, 1992, Gomez first captured hearts as a child actress on the popular children’s television series Barney & Friends before skyrocketing to stardom with her iconic role as Alex Russo on Disney Channel‘s Wizards of Waverly Place. Gomez’s influence extends beyond acting, with her successful music career taking center stage. After signing with Hollywood Records in 2008, she formed the pop-rock band Selena Gomez & the Scene, achieving gold and platinum certifications for their albums and singles. Opting for a solo career, Gomez’s solo studio albums consistently debuted at the top of the U.S. Billboard 200, showcasing her versatile talents. Beyond the entertainment industry, Gomez is celebrated for her philanthropic efforts. As a UNICEF ambassador since 2009, she actively raises awareness about mental health, gender, racial, and LGBT equality. In 2020, Gomez launched the cosmetics company Rare Beauty and established the Rare Impact Fund, dedicated to mental health awareness. This biography explores Gomez’s impactful contributions to music, film, and charitable work, showcasing her resilience, talent, and dedication to making a positive impact on the world.”
Three And A Half Minutes Of Fame
By Alex Boucher
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Signing a record deal at the age of 17 is something Alex Boucher didn’t plan for, but it sets him on a path that will bring him tantalizingly close to fame, not once, but three and a half times over the next seven years. Things don’t always go as planned as he ditches school and jumps from U.S. record deals to U.K. TV appearances, even joining a boy band in his epic quest for fame. Alex encounters neo-Nazis and gangsta rappers up close, and experiences tragedy, mental health challenges and sexual abuse, all during the cultural shift of the ’90s meeting the likes of The Fall, Suede, Blur, Patti Boyd, Mansun and PJ & Duncan on the way. Three And A Half Minutes Of Fame is an authentic look back at the ’90s, the last decade before social media, seen from the experiences of an Essex boy with a dream.”
Rare & Unseen Moments Of 90’s Hip Hop: Collector’s Edition
By T Eric Monroe
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “T. Eric Monroe is a visionary cultural curator whose body of work offers a captivating glimpse into the dynamic world of ’90s hip hop, skateboarding, and hardcore culture. Born and raised in Somerset, a small suburban town in central New Jersey, Monroe’s journey into the heart of urban culture began with a passion for skateboarding and photography. During his junior year of high school in 1988, Monroe’s photography work caught the attention of Thrasher, marking the beginning of his illustrious career. By the early 1990s, Monroe had established himself as a sought-after photographer, capturing the raw energy and authenticity of New York City’s burgeoning hip hop scene. His work graced the pages of The Source, where he served as photo editor starting in fall 1995, contributing to the publication’s status as a cultural touchstone within the hip hop community.”
Long Lost Blues: Popular Blues In America, 1850-1920
By Peter C. Muir
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Mamie Smith’s 1920 recording of Crazy Blues is commonly thought to signify the beginning of commercial attention to blues music and culture, but by that year more than 450 other blues titles had already appeared in sheet music and on recordings. In this examination of early popular blues, Peter C. Muir traces the genre’s early history and the highly creative interplay between folk and popular forms, focusing especially on the roles W.C. Handy played in both blues music and the music business. Long Lost Blues exposes for the first time the full scope and importance of early popular blues to mainstream American culture in the early twentieth century. Closely analyzing sheet music and other print sources that have previously gone unexamined, Muir revises our understanding of the evolution and sociology of blues at its inception.”
The Beatles: In Pictures
By Mirrorpix
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Beatles: In Pictures takes a nostalgic look at the world’s most famous pop group, presenting 300 photographs from the Mirrorpix archives. The best-selling band in history, with sales of over a billion, The Beatles — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — have had more No. 1 albums and sold more singles in the U.K. than any other act and they have achieved more sales in the U.S. than any other artist. Also known as The Fab Four, The Beatles have become one of the most critically acclaimed acts in popular music. The Beatles: In Pictures explores the band’s remarkable journey, from their formation in Liverpool and rise to international fame, to their eventual separation. This book celebrates The Beatles’ legacy and lasting impression on the music industry and the world.”
The Little Guide To Harry Styles: The New King Of Pop
By Orange Hippo!
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Harry Styles is the hero we all deserve right now. And judging by the deafening noise he received on his sell-out world tour to support his acclaimed record, Harry’s House, he is the defining icon of our age, no doubt. With more than 80 million record sales (combined with One Direction), Harry is one of the very few modern superstars worthy of all the fuss. According to many, he is set to become the next David Bowie. This tiny tome celebrates the star in the only way we know how — in his own words, and more than 185 bite-size quotes. From his earliest pre-fame interviews right through to his most recent world tour, there’s no part of his life left unturned. As he turns 30 in 2024, and with a career-defining album and world tour about to be put to bed, whatever Harry does next will have the eyes of the world on him. While you wait for his return, The Little Guide To Harry Styles will keep you company — anywhere and anytime you need a little Harry-shaped pick-me-up.”
