Different is good. And there are certainly some different offerings heading for your bookshelf next week — including tomes on Gene Krupa, Quebec free jazz, Daniel Johnston, murder ballads, musical rejects and a glam-rock road trip. Here are the goods:
The Master Of Drums: Gene Krupa And The Music He Gave The World
By Elizabeth J. Rosenthal
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From the early 1930s onward, Gene Krupa was a drum-centric rarity in the jazz world. Never before had a drummer been in the forefront as a solo artist. His galvanizing, unrestrained passion for percussion demanded it. Rocking the rafters, Gene thrilled audiences in ballrooms, nightclubs, and movies. He always knew he would. It was in his blood. Seemingly born jazz-drum crazy in 1909 to a Polish-immigrant working-class family in South Chicago, Gene was a professional by the age of thirteen and soon made his first recordings. By the early 1930s, he was New York City’s most in-demand drummer, and starting in 1934, he joined brilliant clarinetist Benny Goodman’s band, helped inaugurate the Swing Era, and played the first-ever swing concert at Carnegie Hall, which made history. So did Gene, whose celebrity spread with every ride cymbal beat and bass drum bomb drop. He formed his own band, hired such dazzlingly outsized personalities as singer Anita O’Day, and unconditionally shattered racial boundaries by sharing the spotlight with the blistering African-American trumpeter Roy Eldridge. But after a skyrocketing ride to the top, Gene experienced a roller-coaster ride of good and bad luck, emotional highs, and devastating depths. In The Master of Drums, biographer Elizabeth J. Rosenthal crafts a celebratory, honest, and exhaustively researched portrait of a twentieth-century music legend whose acolytes would include such rock-era artists as Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, John Bonham and Apollo 440. When he died, Krupa may have left behind a world of grieving friends, colleagues, fans, students, and progeny, but as The Master of Drums proves, his dynamic musical and cultural influences live on.”
Soundtrack to the Revolution: Free Jazz & Leftist Nationalism in Quebec 1967-1975
By Eric Fillion
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “I am a revolutionary first, a musician second. Instead of a machine gun, I have a trumpet,” explained Yves Charbonneau, co-founder of the Montreal group Jazz Libre, in May of 1969. Upbeat excitement resonated throughout Montreal and across the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec in the wake of the Quiet Revolution and in the immediate aftermath of Expo 67, the highlight of Canada’s centennial celebrations. Yet at the time, the city was also a hub of discordant politics, many of which were about the promises of various types of leftism and their intersection with nationalism. Cultural workers ― individuals, groups, and their networks ― participated actively in these debates, prompting new forms of communication, participation, and organization to catalyze all kinds of evocative solidarities. In telling the story of Jazz Libre, Soundtrack To The Revolution reveals the meaningful role that the art of spontaneity played in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. It traces the path taken by Jazz Libre ― a collective of improvisers who embraced free jazz to help legitimize the efforts of the Quebec left to situate its nationalist aspirations within global anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist movements. Charbonneau and his bandmates strongly believed that collective improvisation could inspire resistance and hope by fostering communication, collaboration, initiative, trust, and self-criticism ― but also a disposition to take risks as well as a willingness to think creatively and make decisions on the spur of the moment. Their many initiatives (concert forums aimed at students and workers, a self-governing arts summer camp north of Montreal, a socialist commune in the Eastern Townships as well as an experimental cultural centre in Old Montreal) were all oriented toward the convergence of protest movements shaking Quebec. Jazz Libre’s fate was, as a result, irreversibly tied to the leftist independence movement ― a hodgepodge of groups in search of possible futures during these pivotal decades.”
Play This Book Loud: Noisy Essays
By Joe Bonomo
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “More than at any time in human history, our daily lives are scored and imprinted by music. We listen while bicycling, while taking walks, on the train to and from work, and at home on stereos or streaming. We’re immersed in music and music making virtually 24/7. Why is music such an essential part of the way we live, and how does it enrich and fasten itself to our very beings? Play This Book Loud tunes in to many voices, from mainstream bands to obscure artists, from Lydia Loveless singing her heart out and DJ Shadow / Cut Chemist endlessly crate digging, from the Detroit Cobras playing for a few dozen to Green Day filling stadiums, from Riot Grrrl punk to the traditional styles of Connie Francis, from The Stooges’ messiness and psychedelic rock to the careful orchestration of anonymous session players and 1960s commercial jingles. In this compelling and exuberant book, song by song, Joe Bonomo moves between zones of listening, turned on while wearing headphones or watching a band in a club. With the heart of a fan and a generous ear, he enthusiastically explores the reasons music, and those who devote themselves to it, matters so deeply. Play This Book Loud explores our urge for sonic existence.”
The Rejects: An Alternative History Of Popular Music
By Jamie Collinson
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Imagine you’ve made it. You and your friends have hit the big time in music and you’re going to be a star. But then, quite suddenly, it’s over. Your best friends don’t want you anymore, and you’re on the outside. Perhaps they’re tired of your bad habits, they think you’re not good enough, or they sense you just don’t want it as much as they do. Whatever the cause, you’re a reject. So, what do you do next? Featuring a player rejected by both Nirvana and Soundgarden who became a decorated special forces soldier, Britpoppers who spiralled into addiction before becoming novelists and missionaries, the terrifying story of Guns N’ Roses’ first drummer, super-rejecting band leaders, self-destroying rappers, troubled hard rock bassists and girl-band burnouts, The Rejects takes an intimate, thoughtful look at people who’ve been kicked out of bands, what they experienced and what came afterwards. Coming from a writer with 20 years’ music industry experience, The Rejects is a sympathetic study of some of music’s most fascinating characters, and what happens when the dream comes crashing to an end.”
Hallowed By Their Name: The Unofficial Iron Maiden Bible
By Martin Popoff
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Embark on a thrilling journey through the superlative recorded canon of one of the world’s most legendary heavy-metal bands. Music journalist Martin Popoff provides an intimate and scholarly look into the life and times of Iron Maiden. From their humble beginnings in the dingy clubs of East London to headlining arenas and festivals worldwide, the band’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and unrelenting dedication to remaining prolific and vital in the present day. Dive deep into their music, stage performances, and the iconic figure of Eddie, their undead mascot. Readers will discover the stories behind all their albums — from Killers, The Number Of The Beast and Powerslave through to their most recent Senjutsu — and all their solo releases. Anchored by the author’s 1995-2024 interviews with all band members, this book is framed most pertinently as an analysis of each Iron Maiden album, one per chapter, every song discussed musically and at the literary end, along with the album covers and the finer points of the recording process. All told, Hallowed By Their Name is the most voluminous and career-spanning reference-level book on Iron Maiden ever written, a tribute to the band’s indomitable spirit, and a celebration of their enduring six-decade legacy in the realm of heavy metal.”
75 Years Of Atlantic Records
By Taschen
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In 1947, when Ahmet Ertegun and two fellow music fans started Atlantic Records in New York City, they never could have known that their passion for discovering artists and making records would shape 75 years of popular culture. The reason for such tremendous global success is simple: Atlantic is a groundbreaking industry model that embraced and championed a wide range of genres: Black music like R&B, soul, jazz, and hip-hop, as well as rock, pop, dance, and more. 75 Years of Atlantic Records is the official and definitive photographic history of this legendary record label; four years in the making, and featuring images from Atlantic’s extensive archives, many of them published here for the first time. Check out soul pioneers like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles; jazz innovators like John Coltrane and Charles Mingus; era-defining pop acts like The Bee Gees and ABBA; rock legends like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones; trailblazing singers like Roberta Flack and Stevie Nicks, and today’s stars like Ed Sheeran and Charli XCX. Presented in formal portraits, live performance shots, decisive moments in the studio, and intimate glimpses behind the scenes are captured by some of the world’s greatest photographers, including Annie Leibovitz, Jim Marshall, Lee Friedlander, Walter Iooss Jr., Anton Corbijn, Chuck Stewart, Albert Watson and David LaChapelle. Fascinating captions by Richie Unterberger and Herb Powell provide context while award-winning writers David Ritz, Ben Ratliff, Elizabeth Nelson, Barney Hoskyns and others examine the label’s various genres, alongside a timeline and profiles of the label’s pioneers. A foreword by Bruno Mars declares that Atlantic revolutionized how records were made and heard. Now this story has been fully and beautifully documented — a must-have for music lovers.”
Rock-O-Rama Records: The Outrageous Story Of The Bizarrest Music Label Emerging From The Punk Movement
By Björn Fischer
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Punk bands with provocative names such as Böhse Onkelz, Cotzbrocken, Oberste Heeresleitung and Stosstrupp caused a great deal of controversy in the media in the early days of what was probably Germany’s most controversial record company: Records were banned, censored or confiscated by the public prosecutor’s office. A few years later, the former punk cult label had transformed itself into a global right-wing rock distributor. As a rock mecca with international bands like Skrewdriver, Brutal Attack and Bound For Glory under contract, Rock-O-Rama had been in the focus of the Domestic Intelligence Agency since the mid-1980s and is still a fertile topic of discussion in youth subcultures, political scenes and the music underground. A conglomeration of obscure anecdotes and grotesque stories surround the constantly media-shy boss Herbert Egoldt: Rumours of “cut-off ears” and the infiltration of the punk scene by the German National Party have made the rounds. In over 700 pages, this book finally sheds light on all the legends, myths and secrets and not only offers music nerds and scene insiders exclusive background information, but also makes an important contribution to the history of Europe’s right-wing rock nucleus.”
Daniel Johnston
By Lee Foster
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “A significant figure in outsider, lo-fi, and alternative scenes, Daniel Johnston inspired musicians and listeners for decades. From his origins in the Austin scene in the mid-1980s, where he performed at local venues while working at McDonald’s, to his appearance on MTV and championing by Kurt Cobain, to eventual world fame, Johnston’s singular compositions and raw lyrics earned him lifelong fans. Predating his interest in music and continuing alongside it, art was Johnston’s longest-running passion. This publication presents drawings spanning four decades of Johnston’s production, including many rare and previously unseen pieces. The artist’s brightly colored illustrations, incorporating figures from pop culture, devils, and heroes, blended with his own original characters, range from his iconic Jeremiah the Innocent Frog to surrealist landscapes. With the support of Johnston’s family and estate, the first comprehensive project since his passing includes remembrances from his brother, musicians, and artists, and benefits the Hi, How Are You Project.”
Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore
By Katy Horan
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In this unique, illustrated collection, Literary Witches co-creator Katy Horan unearths the true and fictional stories behind twenty traditional murder ballads, exploring the beauty and horror of the art form through stories, lyrics, and original illustrations. Murder Ballads is a guide to the origins and cultural impact of murder ballads as a music genre, covering its roots in patriarchal violence and white supremacy, as well as its contemporary relationship to true crime. From Delia’s Gone to The Death of Queen Jane, each of 20 carefully chosen ballads is accompanied by one of Horan’s beautifully macabre illustrations and a thoroughly researched reflection on the song’s history and evolution. At the back of the book, readers can browse a list of essential recordings for each ballad. Mysterious and alluring as the songs themselves, Murder Ballads will delight history enthusiasts, armchair musicologists, true crime fans (and critics), as well as anyone who appreciates the darker side of folk music.”
Hitching To Bowie: A ’70s Road Trip Tale Of Music, Miles, & Discovery
By Howard Lee Kramer
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In the heart of the 1970s, amidst the vibrant tapestry of college life, a young Michigan student named Howard — also known as Midnight — embarks on an unforgettable journey chronicled in Hitching To Bowie. Driven by an unwavering passion for rock music, Midnight hitchhikes five hundred miles round-trip to witness the iconic David Bowie live in concert. Along the way, he encounters a motley crew of characters, each with their own quirks and secrets. A conspiracy theorist nut, a tour bus driver with generation gap issues, a middle-aged businessman yearning for youthful escapades, and a private detective with a personal secret all play a part in Midnight’s wild adventure. This captivating tale, recounted from the perspective of the now older author, transports readers back to a bygone era of bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and the electrifying energy of rock ‘n’ roll. Experience the exhilarating highs and daunting lows of hitchhiking, the magic of a legendary concert, and the profound life lessons learned along the way. Join Midnight on this mesmerizing road trip that blends the innocence of youth with the rebellious spirit of rock music. Hitching To Bowie is a story that will resonate with fans of Forrest Gump, Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone and anyone who has ever chased a dream.”
