NEW MUSIC BOOKS

 

It's interesting when three music books such as these appear in one's hands at the same time. 

'Rock 'N' Roll London' presents itself as a guide to the city's musical heritage.  

The author of the book  is Tony Barrell who describes himself as pop historian, journalist, editor and Londoner who has spent much  of his life interviewing musicians. 

He writes that 'several genres of music are represented in the book but we are using the term rock 'n ' roll in its modern, overarching sense to include all the popular music of this century and the latter half of the 20th century'.

The books is divided into five main areas: Central, North, West, East and South and four themes: Life and Death, Meetings and Happenings, Performances,  Recordings. The bulk of the book is made up of short entries for each of the 100 musicians covered and their link to a building and/or place.

I was  interested to  discover that in 1974 Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas died in Harry Nilsen's Mayfair flat at 9 Curzon Place W1. In 1978 The Who's Keith Moon died in the same apartment. Both were aged 32.

The book is very well designed and is packed with excellent single and double-page photos. Three of the ones I really liked are: a black and white  of the Beatles watching a topless dancer at the Raymond Revue Bar in 1967; A beautiful colour shot of Bob Marley playing football in Battersea Park by Adrian Boot; A fabulous shot of The Clash at the  Rainbow Theatre, a gig that I attended with Chrissie Hynde and Chris Salewicz.

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UNDERGROUND: The Illustrated Bible of Cursed Rockers And High Priestesses of Sound.

Written by Arnaud Le Gouëfflec / Artist Nicolas Moog. Published by Titan Comics. 36 profiles.

'They don't do it for fame, they do it for the music - these rock legends and priestesses of sound  are the outsiders, the trail blazers, artists who changed the face of music  forever. From Captain Beefheart to Patti Smith, this odyssey through the rock hinterlands is perfect for fans of outsider artists, rock history aficionados and those modern vinyl lovers who want to discover the saga that got music to where it is today.'

Michael Moorcock writes an eloquent Preface which in part says: 'Having been closely associated with various  "underground" bands over the years, including  my own, I do know the fierce loyalty they command and the idealism, even love, they engender in their audiences.'

Each of the 36  profiles are brilliantly illustrated in black and white comic style. The ones I know of including the Captain and Patti are Moondog, Sun Ra, John Fahey, Nico, Billie Childish, Kim Fowley, Townes Van Zandt. Lots of others to discover, to learn and enjoy. ITS SUPERB!

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A remarkable book by the  American music writer who is considered  the greatest cultural critic on rock 'n' roll to add to his 15 books already published which include several on Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley with others on Van Morrison and The Doors, the history of punk in pop music.

The flyleaf of this book explains its purpose and stylistic approach. 'He selects ten songs between 1956 and 2008 then proceeds to dramatize how each embodies rock 'n' roll as a thing in itself, in the story it tells, inhabits and acts out - a new language, something new under the sun. In his hands the songs he investigates tell the  story of music which is, at bottom, the story of the desire for freedom in all its unruly and liberating glory.