The Beatles 1962-1966
Other than 'I Me Mine' and some minor overdubs, The Beatles' entire EMI/Apple catalogue was recorded in fewer than seven years: from 4 September 1962 through to 20 August 1969. Twelve albums, twenty-two singles, two standalone EPs, 213 songs. That in itself is remarkable enough. But the quality of the music, the rapid development of musical complexity and the innovations in studio production lifted The Beatles above every other band. The Fab Four were not always fab. But that some writers take the time and expend energy to point this out and purposefully diss perfect songs such as 'Yesterday' merely serves to remind us that, most of the time, The Beatles were unarguably brilliant. Authors Andrew Wild and Alberto Bravin have listened to, digested and discussed the entire Beatles back catalogue to remind them why they love their music. How do they affect us today? Answer: they were bloody good. They still are. This first volume covers the period 1962 to 1966 - from 'Love Me Do' to 'Tomorrow Never Knows', and the early albums - that were different in the Uk and the USA, to Rubber Soul and Revolver. Four years of outstanding music.
From the Bronx to the Bosphorus
Discover the vibrant journey of music from New York's melting pot to the mystical shores of the Bosphorus From the Bronx to the Bosphorus explores the vibrant, yet largely concealed, musical culture of New York, tracing its origins to a period when the city served as a crucible for immigrants and their diverse musical expressions. Walter Zev Feldman chronicles his journey through the musical landscapes of post-WWII New York--from the declining world of East European immigrant klezmorim to the dynamic environments of Greek, Armenian, and Caucasian musicians. These experiences culminate in the klezmer revitalization movement of the late 1970s. Feldman, whose father emigrated from Bessarabia--a region known for its rich interactions among Jewish, Roma, and Greek musicians--connects various musical worlds. From the local Turkish Sephardi synagogue and the Greek Orthodox cathedral in Washington Heights to the lively Armenian and Greek nightclubs of Manhattan, his interactions with a diverse group of musicians, including an Armenian virtuoso who once performed for Stalin and the Shah of Iran, enhance his understanding and appreciation of these interconnected cultures. Finally, at age twenty-five, in a sense he returned to his father's shtetl and studied with Dave Tarras, the greatest living klezmer in America, who had learned his key musical lessons in that very same Bessarabian town following World War I. From the Bronx to the Bosphorus is not just a chronicle of music but a poignant examination of the power of music to connect cultures, transcend borders, and preserve the echoes of a nearly vanished world.
The Politics and Power of Bob Dylan's Live Performances
This collection focuses on Bob Dylan's setlists from the 1960s to the 2020s. These multidisciplinary essays examine how the concert setlist can be used as a source to explore many aspects of Dylan's public life. Unique in its approach and wide-ranging scholarly methodology, this book deepens our understanding of Bob Dylan, the performer.
Contemporary Musical Virtuosities
This edited collection explores recent insights into the experience and role of virtuosity in different contexts, via contributions from an intergenerational group of artists, academics, and artist-academics and offers a vision for the future that prioritises inclusive and overlapping practices and processes in music.
Afrikaans Art Song Literature
Afrikaans art song literature is a fascinating but neglected genre, largely inaccessible to non-native speakers outside South Africa. For the first time, this translation and pronunciation guide makes Afrikaans art songs available to an English-speaking audience. Compiled by two music scholars and professional performers, it provides original International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions and word-for-word translations in English. The selection represents some of the most beloved and beautiful Afrikaans poems from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, set by highly respected composers. As well as the poems themselves, the authors give a brief history of Afrikaans art song literature, information on influential composers and poets, and useful footnotes about the unique geography, culture, landscapes, and peoples of South Africa. The book concludes with a pedagogical lyric diction guide and lists of resources for obtaining sheet music. Afrikaans Art Song Literature is an invaluable book for all musicians who want to perform or teach this little-known repertoire worthy of inclusion among the greats of the art song literature canon.
Choreomusicology
The Routledge Companion to Choreomusicology: Dialogues in Music and Dance is a distinguished collection of essays by leading scholars presenting research that redefines and rethinks the question of what dance and music are, together and apart, and which promotes new ideas and voices in the discipline.Focusing on matters historical, critical, and conceptual, and defining dance-music interactions from the era of aristocratic court dance to the present, the book covers a wide range of topics, including dance and music performance practice, queer studies, colonialism and exoticism, disability studies, the "reparative" humanities, and film. The volume is organized into two sections: Part 1 examines theoretical and conceptual issues, including theories of embodiment, musicality, and dance aesthetics, with examples including contemporary ballet, the role of the conductor, and even fountains in Las Vegas. In Part 2, contributors consider choreomusicology as a historical discipline and tackle the problem of musical and choreographic reconstruction, from medieval dance to reimagining lost music in early experiment in dance film, as well as choreomusical analyses of twentieth century works.Capturing the breadth of studies and approaches that are encompassed in choreomusicology, this book will be of interest to students and scholars in in the fields of dance and media studies, musicology, and ethnomusicology, as well as appealing to dancers, choreographers, musicians, and composers looking for new approaches to thinking about music and dance.
Taylor Swift Songs Decoded
Taylor Swift Songs Decoded: The Untold Stories and Hidden Meanings Behind Her Famous Hits takes you on a thrilling deep dive into the creative heart of one of the world's most influential singer-songwriters. Each chapter reveals intriguing insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes that shaped the lyrics and melodies fans have come to adore. From the country-inspired beginnings that catapulted Taylor to stardom, to her groundbreaking pop anthems and introspective storytelling, this book uncovers how personal experiences, friendships, and even heartbreak inform every note. Whether you're curious about the subtle references tucked away in fan-favorite songs or eager to revisit memorable eras through a fresh lens, this definitive guide offers an illuminating perspective on Taylor's artistry. Complete with fascinating trivia and meticulous research, Taylor Swift Songs Decoded is your key to unlocking the secret messages and symbolic details woven throughout her discography. Prepare to rediscover Taylor's music in a whole new light!
Boyz II Men 40th Anniversary Celebration
A must-have for every Boyz II Men fan, this handsome volume traces forty years of the groundbreaking group through stunning photography, fascinating facts, and interviews with fans and industry pros. Philly's own Boyz II Men is an iconic boy band that jumped to the top of the charts (and into the hearts of millions of global fans) in the 1980s. Though the band came to prominence in a time when acts like New Kids On The Block, Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC were surging in popularity, Boyz II Men was truly a transitional group, with a unique sound that took cues from both pop and R&B and brought together audiences across the world. Today, Boyz II Men is the bestselling R&B group of all time, having sold over 60 million albums worldwide, with a highly anticipated biopic in the works. In Boyz II Men 40th Anniversary Celebration, music journalist John Morrison delves into the band's origins--from their beginning in high school and their earliest influences--to their biggest successes in the '80s and '90s, to their continued achievements today and the lasting legacy they've left in the boy-band canon. Along the way, readers will also explore the creation of Boyz II Men's biggest hits, such as "End of the Road" and "Motownphilly"; the fan culture that built up around the band, from the small gigs and mall tours of their earliest years to their national anthem performance in 2022 and tour and album plans for their anniversary year in 2025; Boyz II Men's influences, from R&B to a cappella, and their place in a boy-band history that begins with the Jackson 5 and continues in the modern day with bands like One Direction and BTS; and the lasting legacy of a band proudly celebrating their fortieth anniversary. The book features interviews with icons of the music world and leading music historians and journalists, including: Singer-songwriter and record producer Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsSinger-songwriter Loren Davis-StroudMusic journalist Michael Gonzales Music producer Joe "The Butcher" NicoloMusician and studio manager Daria Marmaluk-HajioannouAudio engineer George HajioannouBassist Reggie HamiltonAuthor and historian Dart AdamsLongtime music journalist and entertainment industry professional Karas LambWith stunning photographs and recollections from fans throughout, fans can relive their most precious memories of their favorite crossover band and learn about hidden gems and new tidbits from famous friends and collaborators. This is far from the end of the road for this groundbreaking group, and this book is the perfect companion to your everlasting love for "Nate, Mike, Shawn, and Wan"!
Fundamentals of Instrumental and Choral Conducting
Providing a thorough introduction to both choral and instrumental conducting, this textbook offers a complete package of teaching, study, and assessment materials to support a single-semester foundational conducting course.The book is designed to address the needs of students and instructors in mixed-discipline classrooms, giving equal weight to the conducting skills and repertoire of instrumental and choral ensembles. The 22 chapters are intended to fit comfortably into a single semester course with two weekly classes. The authors cover key topics including conducting body alignment, breathing, the conducting box, baton use, cutoffs, left-hand use, conducting patterns, conducting styles, conducting subdivisions, accents, syncopation, score preparation and score reading, transpositions and clef reading, ensemble familiarity, error detection, rehearsal planning, and rehearsal techniques.This textbook and its accompanying supplemental materials are uniquely designed for the instructor to achieve an efficient and readily organized class, and for the students to receive essential fundamental conducting skills on both instrumental--including orchestral and band instruments--and choral ensembles. Addressing the conductor's role, basic conducting skills, makeup of instrumental and choral ensembles, and solutions to common issues, the text prepares all students to engage in higher-level conducting courses.
Fieldwork: Essays on the Cultural History of Music in Ireland
An absorbing study of the development and reception of musical culture in Ireland by a pioneering and deservedly renowned author. This volume is a collection of fourteen essays on the history and reception of Irish music and music in Ireland. It addresses three prevailing themes: the historiography of Irish music, the influence of music on Irish writing (and vice versa), and the cultural identity and reception of Irish music both domestically and in the world at large. Its principal protagonists include Thomas Moore, W. H. Grattan Flood, George Moore, Edward Martyn, Charles Villiers Stanford, James Joyce, Dora Pejačevic, Ina Boyle, Aloys Fleischmann and Jennifer Walshe. These essays also identify and interrogate key questions underpinning a general crisis of reception in relation to Irish music, and particularly art music, within the domain of Irish studies. Fieldwork examines this crisis in the aftermath of The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland (published in 2013) and a major retrospective of Irish art music, Composing the Island (curated and presented in 2016). It thereby engages closely with contemporary Irish art music and the challenges which this music has faced in the early decades of the twenty-first century. This well-conceived and beautifully written work testifies to Harry White's central place in the shaping of the discourse surrounding the cultural history of Irish music over the last 40 years. White's gift for expression and memorably poetic turns of phrase allows the complexity of ideas and range of historical and literary knowledge examined in these essays to be deftly excavated and evaluated. Curiosity, provocativeness, imagination and literature are threaded through his exploration of how Irish history and experience have been imagined musically.
From Born to Be Wild to Dazed and Confused
Emerging from a period of protest and social unrest, 1968 was the year that ushered in gut-punching sounds that would define classic and hard rock--the formation of bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath rolled away the light sounds of psychedelic music and Flower Power. Celebrated music journalist & author John Einarson provides the first detailed account of this crucial period. Einarson begins by examining the birth of psychedelic music and experimentation beginning in 1965 and the resultant Summer of Love, showing how The Who and The Jimi Hendrix Experience planted the seeds for the harder rock sounds at The Monterey Pop Festival. Music and popular culture always reflect prevailing social and political conditions, and 1968 was no exception. Events like the Tet Offensive, student protests around the world, the My Lai massacre, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy, the Chicago Democratic National Convention protests, and the election of Richard Nixon set the stage for a more visceral music that reflected the sense of alienation, frustration, and violence among young people who rejected the vacuous platitudes of Flower Power. Einarson traces the evolution of a harder rock sound throughout the year as well as the formation of pivotal hard rock and heavy metal bands in 1968, including Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin who would provide the all-important foundation for what we know today as classic rock.
100 Years of Grand OLE Opry
The official book celebrating 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry--an intimate, gorgeously illustrated behind-the-scenes look at the American institution and world-renowned stage for country music Since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry has left an undeniable mark on American culture. What began as an impromptu performance of old-time fiddle tunes has transformed into the longest-running radio broadcast in US history, as well as a live performance for millions of country music fans each year. Widely regarded as the show that made country music famous, the Opry has played an important role in the careers of country music's biggest stars--including Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, and countless others--popularizing and preserving some of the most beloved forms of American music. As country music has broadened and its audience continues to grow, the Grand Ole Opry has evolved alongside the genre itself. This centennial celebration showcases the venerable institution's history through lively never-before-seen photography and ephemera from years past, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from those who have paced backstage before career-defining performances, and those who have come to know the Opry as a second home. Replete with gorgeous illustrations and tributes from country music's biggest names, 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry is a glorious, one-of-a-kind celebration, and a must-have for any country music fan.
Play This Book Loud
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.
