What books about music ARE worth the paper they're printed on?

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The Glamour Chase

VERY good choice. The more time goes on the more I'm frustrated with Mackenzie's death and his obscurity.

Chris Heath's two books about the Pet Shop Boys are excellent too, especially Pet Shop Boy's versus America, which has some fantastic Pennie Smith photos.

Seconded, thirded and fourthed.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 17:59 (twenty-one years ago) link

Anybody willing to recommend Fargo Rock City now that the hype (huh huh) has kinda died down on its paperback release? I've been kind of eyeing it, seeing as how I used to live mere hours from there and can probably relate to it. Well, except for the fact that rural metal meatheads were the ones that were always threatening my life. Anyhow, what's the final verdict?

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:04 (twenty-one years ago) link

Second Beneath the Underdog. A hilarious read, and worth it even if you don't like jazz.

― hstencil, Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:08 (twenty-one years ago) link

joe carducci hehe...

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

Did you ever find that, Julio?

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

no I didn't sean. anyone that has a copy and wants a tape of some avant garde rubbish email me.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:29 (twenty-one years ago) link

There's some really insightful, funny writing in Fargo Rock City, about music and small town life both. I'm somewhat sympathetic to rural metal meatheads these days.

Although he has this strange idea that he's the only rock writer that likes 80s glam metal/non-alternative rock, it bugs the fuck out of me. At least that's the impression I got. But he really knows his stuff!

― Arthur (Arthur), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:30 (twenty-one years ago) link

Sound Effects - Simon Frith
White Christmas - Jody Rosen
Sound Tracks - Michael Jarrett

― Burr, Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:34 (twenty-one years ago) link

chris and ned are so right.
i've read 'literally' by chris heath 7 times
amd 'versus' about 10. fantastic, but more because
of who they're about than the writing.

oh and by the way chris, ned - if you go here :

http://petshopboys.net/default.html

and click 'literallys',
you can read transcripts and see pictures from every
original chris heath-penned psb 'literally' fan magazine,
from the mid 80's to present. they are all wreitten
in the same style as the books and they are ace.

isn't the internet great ?

― piscesboy, Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:46 (twenty-one years ago) link

Although he has this strange idea that he's the only rock writer that likes 80s glam metal/non-alternative rock, it bugs the fuck out of me.

Klostermann's regard of himself as the holder of absolute truth grates, on that point and others. In that respect he's cloned the crimes of those indier-than-thou writers he's trying to set himself up against. Which is a pity, because as noted, he's got the right idea and plenty to say. I find the afterword in the new edition to be something that should have been left off, he ends up shooting himself in the foot when he doesn't need to.

isn't the internet great ?

Yay internet!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:48 (twenty-one years ago) link

internet sucks

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 18:50 (twenty-one years ago) link

internet sucks

You forgot, "you pieces of shit."

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 19:24 (twenty-one years ago) link

but you remembered, you sweet thing you.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 19:29 (twenty-one years ago) link

s: But Beautiful, by Geoff Dyer it's about Jazz
Bright Moments by John Kruth
In the COuntry of Country by some dude

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 20:44 (twenty-one years ago) link

Second Beneath the Underdog. A hilarious read, and worth it even if you don't like jazz
Reccomended if you love Penhouse forum.

Am I the only person who Likes The Trouser Press Guides??

― brg30 (brg30), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 22:58 (twenty-one years ago) link

second (or third or fourth, whatever) the Ben Thompsons. also (thanks for reminding me Tom, must dig it out)Starlust: thats a funny/scary book. esp the Barry manilow fans.

― gaz (gaz), Tuesday, 21 January 2003 23:08 (twenty-one years ago) link

1. STRAIGHT LIFE by Art Pepper
2. UP AND DOWN WITH THE ROLLING STONES
3. WONDERLAND AVENUE by Danny Sugarman
4. GET IN THE VAN by Henry Rollins

― NO TIME FOR SCREAMING, Wednesday, 22 January 2003 00:19 (twenty-one years ago) link

I second Michael Chanan's Repeated Takes and Nick Tosches's Country. The latter is totally factually unreliable, but it is very entertaining and will point you in the direction of many great things (I was surprised that it's not half as patronizing as its cover or subtitle would suggest, either). It's also pretty cheap in paperback.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 01:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

Now that I'm home and can look over what the heck I have, Tainted Life by Marc Almond is a great autobiography, Chris Lendt's Kiss and Sell is an insightful and often hilarious look into Kiss from 1977 or to 1988, and Neal Karlen's Babes in Toyland is now essential history from 1992 and 1993.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 02:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

Is The Ambient Century really so bad? I got it for Christmas a few years back but haven't tacked it yet. Ditto John Cale's What's Welsh For Zen?. Managed to get through Lamacq's Going Deaf For A Living, however, which was, er, mildly diverting.

― Charlie (Charlie), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 02:12 (twenty-one years ago) link

Stairway to Hell!!! Literally changed my life. Hell if I know if it will help you but might.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 02:16 (twenty-one years ago) link

Oh, and Tainted Life heartily seconded, although I left it on the tube before I finished it, bah.

Can't believe nobody's mentioned Jon Savage's England's Dreaming - am I the only person whose whole worldview it changed?

― Charlie (Charlie), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 02:20 (twenty-one years ago) link

I'm still mad at it for making me buy a Subway Sect album, sorry.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 02:23 (twenty-one years ago) link

Give yourself to Vic Godard. He loves you.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 04:06 (twenty-one years ago) link

Vic Godard was like a reverse-gateway discovery for me. I loved Orange Juice, heard that they were inspired by VG and the Slits (and indeed cover one or two VG songs). Picked up VG and the Slits, and was fairly unimpressed (esp. by VG). Then began to wonder what it was I saw in Orange Juice. Who I still like, I guess, but with no great conviction.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 04:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

Loves me or not, he sure as fuck posed no threat to rock'n'roll despite what his song titles or Jon Savage say to the contrary.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 04:14 (twenty-one years ago) link

Charlie: yes it's really that bad. Douglas sums it up pretty nicely:

http://12.11.184.13/boston/music/other_stories/documents/00630909.htm

― charlie va (charlie va), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 04:15 (twenty-one years ago) link

John Cale's autobiog is as dull as dishwater and about as palatable.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 04:18 (twenty-one years ago) link

Goddamn, that's a great review. thanks for the link, Charlie Va. made my night.

“the rise of Nazism brought out a rebellious spirit in him, as in many others.”

yeah, I heard some French guys started some kind of underground movement around that time.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 04:19 (twenty-one years ago) link

Zazou, what you gonna do? A knock, on the door, in the night.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 05:16 (twenty-one years ago) link

Charlie: yes it's really that bad. Douglas sums it up pretty nicely

Fantastic review, cheers! It seems Wolk is irritated by the very same things that'd wind me right up - that is, factual inaccuracy, unattributed generalisation and grammatical chaos - so I think I'll chuck it in the pile marked "sell" as soon as I get home.

Is Cale's tome really as dull as you suggest, ESOJ? It looks so purdy...what's wrong with it? I was looking forward to diving in.

Oh, and Lydon's No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs is a great read.

― Charlie (Charlie), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 06:05 (twenty-one years ago) link

Anthony: if you don't want yr Subway Sect album, can I have it?

Lydon's book is incredibly badly organized and repetitive but still very funny.

Isn't Simon Reynolds supposed to be writing a book about postpunk, or is that just wishful thinking?

― Justyn Dillingham (Justyn Dillingham), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 07:18 (twenty-one years ago) link

yes, he is. I'm not sure its a good idea tho'.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 12:04 (twenty-one years ago) link

he's finished it. not sure when it's coming out though.

as discussed at saturday's FAP, the ben watson book on derek b remains in limbo.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 22 January 2003 12:09 (twenty-one years ago) link

I assume that's feted improv guitarist derek b and not the old school Brit rapper derek b.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 12:47 (twenty-one years ago) link

indeed i refer to mr bailey and not the derek b who was a "bad young brother," ooh, 15 years ago.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 22 January 2003 12:49 (twenty-one years ago) link

Many thanks for the suggestions! I do have or have already read some of the titles you've listed here, but you've given me an impressive reading list. (BTW, I'm amused that no one here has mentioned Dance of Days, about the rise of Dischord Records and Fugazi. That's quite all right, because it's a tedious read, though informative. Fargo Rock City was much better as a portrait of a scene -- I still don't like the music but I appreciate the insight into its fans.)

j.lu, I'll trade you something for that 1st edition of that Eddy book, if it's not already gone (may have missed it somewhere in the thread).

Going...going...gone! To Sean C.! E-mail me.

― j.lu (j.lu), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 15:32 (twenty-one years ago) link

....yep, Marc Almond's 'Tainted Life' is a funny, tragic read.... his story about taking acid before recording the Johnny Carson live chat show in America was terrifying!
I just thought how easy it'd be to sink to the drug depths like he did with all that money and all those hangers-on.

― russ t, Wednesday, 22 January 2003 15:50 (twenty-one years ago) link

Yeah. It would be great, wouldn't it?

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 17:29 (twenty-one years ago) link

Absolutely!

― russ t, Wednesday, 22 January 2003 18:01 (twenty-one years ago) link

sorry, Justyn. I actually don't mind the album, so I ain't giving it up. I'm just flabbergasted that Jon Savage would think this shit was at all revolutionary (maybe he did because the titles were so hhheaavy). Especially in a book that so dimisses bands like the Damned.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 18:42 (twenty-one years ago) link

Screw the 'thoughtful' books - I want some fun, trashy, gossipy stuff. I just finished We got the neutron bomb and The vinyl closet and I read those in one sitting. If anyone has any recommendations along those lines, please let me know.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 21:48 (twenty-one years ago) link

"Please Kill Me" is another dirrrty book like that, Kerry. The local record store was saying "Richard Lloyd...I fucked him." for ages after everybody read it.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 21:51 (twenty-one years ago) link

six months pass...

_Volume: The International Discography of the New Wave_, 1982-83 edition. Invaluable
Bill Brewsters and Frank Broughton's "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life"

― Jens (brighter), Monday, 28 July 2003 12:18 (twenty years ago) link

three weeks pass...

Did anyone mention Simon Napier Bell's book? That is funny, funny, funny.

― m.s (m .s), Monday, 18 August 2003 04:14 (twenty years ago) link

Black Vinyl, White Powder. He has no respect for overinflated musician egos. It's a great read.

― colin s barrow (colin s barrow), Monday, 18 August 2003 05:02 (twenty years ago) link

I'm reading Joachim E. Berendt's "The Jazz Book" right now, it is quite wonderful, the best compendium piece on jazz I've ever read. My copy is a ninth, revised edition from 1982, I'm not sure if there are newer ones.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Monday, 18 August 2003 06:22 (twenty years ago) link

Hey, if anyone wants to see a sample of that Simon Napier Bell book, there's a nice website here that's sort of interactive and has some shocking quotes. I don't remember all this shockingness, I thought he was sweet! What a prudish memory I have. http://www.uim.info/snb/main.htm

― m.s (m .s), Monday, 18 August 2003 07:44 (twenty years ago) link

three months pass...

I've been reading Faces of Salsa, a collection of interviews, which has turned out to be much more interesting and informative than I had expected. Merengue star, Johnny Ventura was the mayor of Santa Domingo? He didn't just run for office: he was actually the mayor at some point. Cachao, who I rather wrongly had pigeon-holed as being "only" Latin jazz, wrote over 2000 danzones with his brother! Some of these people are superhuman. Also, lots of good information in the changes that have occurred in various styles, and the usual arguments about the weight to be assigned to Cuban vs. Puerto Rican/NuYorican contributions.

― Rockist Scientist, Wednesday, 3 December 2003 21:46 (twenty years ago) link

"Read it, motheruckers!"

― Rockist Scientist, Wednesday, 3 December 2003 21:47 (twenty years ago) link

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