{"title":"Folk Music Books: Biographies, Americana, and Songwriting History","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to \u003cb\u003eSonic Music Bookshop's\u003c\/b\u003e comprehensive collection of \u003cb\u003eBooks about Folk Music\u003c\/b\u003e. This definitive selection delves into the rich traditions, influential artists, and enduring cultural impact of the genre and its related forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the deep roots of \u003cb\u003eBritish Folk\u003c\/b\u003e and the evolution of the \u003cb\u003eBritish Folk Rock Revival\u003c\/b\u003e (including bands like Fairport Convention), while also charting the development of \u003cb\u003eAmericana\u003c\/b\u003e and the \u003cb\u003eAmerican Folk\u003c\/b\u003e tradition. Our collection features essential \u003cb\u003ebiographies\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003ememoirs\u003c\/b\u003e dedicated to the great \u003cb\u003esinger-songwriters\u003c\/b\u003e who defined the genre, including detailed studies on \u003cb\u003eBob Dylan\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eJoni Mitchell\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eLeonard Cohen\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003eNick Drake\u003c\/b\u003e, as well as icons like \u003cb\u003eWoody Guthrie\u003c\/b\u003e and Cat Stevens. Discover books on everything from ancient \u003cb\u003eballads\u003c\/b\u003e and political \u003cb\u003eprotest songs\u003c\/b\u003e to the vibrant \u003cb\u003ePsychedelic Folk\u003c\/b\u003e scene. Whether you are interested in the history of the \u003cb\u003efolk revival\u003c\/b\u003e, the storytelling tradition, or the artists who used music to change the world, this is your essential reading list for acoustic and roots music culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"dylan-goes-electric-newport-seeger-dylan-and-the-night-that-split-the-sixties","title":"Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_82b7743c760410ff\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:451\"\u003eElijah Wald, a pre-eminent voice in music criticism, revisits a seismic moment in music history with \u003cem\u003eDylan Goes Electric!\u003c\/em\u003e, timed perfectly for the fiftieth anniversary of Bob Dylan's controversial electric set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. For those who think they know the story – the booing purists, Dylan's defiant rock 'n' roll declaration – Wald offers a nuanced and insightful re-examination that goes far beyond the simplistic narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:643\"\u003eWald meticulously unpacks the cultural, political, and historical backdrop of the sixties folk revival and the burgeoning rock scene, revealing the deep-seated tensions between tradition and innovation that made Dylan's electric foray so incendiary. He delves into Dylan's own artistic evolution, highlighting his long-standing connection to the blues and his complex, often fraught, relationship with the folk establishment, including his one-time mentor Pete Seeger. This isn't just about a band going electric; it's about artistic independence, the shifting sands of musical identity, and the very definition of what popular music could be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:452\"\u003eWhat makes \u003cem\u003eDylan Goes Electric!\u003c\/em\u003e so compelling is Wald's refusal to take the well-trodden path. He challenges conventional wisdom, offering fresh perspectives on the audience's reaction and the broader significance of that pivotal evening. He illuminates the nuances of the folk revival's ideals and the burgeoning power of rock, showing how Dylan's move wasn't simply a betrayal for some, but a logical, albeit shocking, step in his artistic journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:499\"\u003eFar from being a mere historical recounting, Wald's analysis is sharp and thought-provoking, making a compelling case for why this seemingly singular event continues to resonate. \u003cem\u003eDylan Goes Electric!\u003c\/em\u003e is a vital read for anyone interested in Dylan, the history of popular music, and the ever-present tension between artistic integrity and audience expectation. It's a book that encourages you to reconsider a legendary moment and understand its profound and lasting impact on the musical landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Dey Street Books, an imprint of HarperCollins US","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54175561777420,"sku":"9780062366696","price":10.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780062366696.jpg?v=1742943593"},{"product_id":"talkin-greenwich-village-the-heady-rise-and-slow-fall-of-americas-bohemian-music-capital","title":"Talkin' Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America's Bohemian Music Capital","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_6ad8fd0eb56d7f30\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:422\"\u003eDavid Browne's \u003cem\u003eTalkin' Greenwich Village\u003c\/em\u003e offers a compelling journey into the heart of a genuine cultural eruption, meticulously charting the history of a revolutionary music scene. This isn't a superficial overview; it's a deeply researched and vividly rendered account of how a compact area of New York City fostered an astonishing array of iconic musicians and genres, all while fiercely protecting its unique spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:412\"\u003eBrowne portrays Greenwich Village as more than a mere geographical location; it emerges as a vital sanctuary for artistic innovation. He illuminates how groundbreaking talents such as Billie Holiday, The Weavers, Sonny Rollins, Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Herbie Hancock, The Blues Project, and Suzanne Vega discovered in its unassuming spaces the freedom to forge their identities and redefine musical boundaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:639\"\u003eWhat distinguishes this history is Browne's dedication to uncovering the deeper narratives. Drawing upon fresh interviews with those who experienced the scene firsthand, alongside previously unseen archival material, the book possesses an undeniable authority and intimacy. He grants this pivotal saga the expansive scope it truly deserves, guiding readers from the informal gatherings in Washington Square Park to the legendary stages of the Gaslight and the Village Vanguard. The narrative also explores the scene's more freewheeling Seventies (via National Lampoon's \u003cem\u003eLemmings\u003c\/em\u003e) and Dylan's transformative arrival and enduring presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:671\"\u003eSignificantly, Browne brings into focus the often-unsung figures who were integral to this cultural tapestry. He highlights the contributions of the people of colour who performed alongside Dylan and his contemporaries, providing a richer and more accurate understanding of the scene's formative years. Furthermore, he reveals unsettling details about the persistent surveillance by authorities on artists like Van Ronk, unearths new perspectives on the \"beatnik riot\" in Washington Square Park, and shares the previously untold stories of the unexpected community hub formed around a falafel restaurant in the Eighties, as well as the influential sister band The Roches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:666\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTalkin' Greenwich Village\u003c\/em\u003e transcends a simple recounting of musical events. By meticulously detailing the racial tensions, the ongoing pressures from authorities, and the broader societal shifts that impacted the neighbourhood, Browne crafts a poignant narrative about the rise and decline of bohemian culture in America. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of some of the most enduring lyrics, folk melodies, and jazz improvisations in music history. This is an essential exploration of a pivotal cultural moment, brought to life with meticulous research, insightful analysis, and a profound appreciation for the artists and the environment that shaped them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54188272189708,"sku":"9780306827631","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780306827631.jpg?v=1743116308"},{"product_id":"if-nick-drake-came-to-my-house","title":"If Nick Drake Came to My House","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_7b2ec96139542f7b\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:410\"\u003eMackenzie Crook, the creative force behind the beloved \u003cem\u003eDetectorists\u003c\/em\u003e and the recent reimagining of \u003cem\u003eWorzel Gummidge\u003c\/em\u003e, offers a tender and imaginative exploration of fandom and the profound impact of art in \u003cem\u003eIf Nick Drake Came to My House\u003c\/em\u003e. This, Crook's first book aimed at adults, takes its gentle inspiration from Joan Gale Thomas's classic, reimagining the simple joy of a longed-for encounter with a hero.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:374\"\u003eThrough both verse and his own charming illustrations, Crook crafts a poignant scenario: what if the enigmatic and much-missed singer-songwriter Nick Drake were to unexpectedly arrive at his door? The accompanying poem, short yet resonant, beautifully captures the quiet elation and deep personal connection many feel towards artists who have profoundly touched their lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:431\"\u003eInfused with Crook's characteristic warm humour, both the brief but powerful narrative and his delicate artwork create a sense of gentle wonder. The illustrations, in particular, possess a touching simplicity that perfectly complements the wistful tone of the text. It's a book that speaks directly to anyone who has ever cherished an artist from afar, who has longed for the opportunity to express the depth of their appreciation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:578\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIf Nick Drake Came to My House\u003c\/em\u003e is more than just a fanciful what-if; it's a heartfelt meditation on the enduring power of music and the unique bond that forms between an artist and their listener. It's a small but perfectly formed tribute, not just to Nick Drake, but to the universal experience of finding solace and inspiration in art, and the quiet joy of imagining a moment of connection with those who have shaped our inner worlds. This is a lovely, unassuming book that will resonate with anyone who understands the quiet power of a song and the artists who create them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ebury Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54188275761420,"sku":"9781529943979","price":15.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781529943979.jpg?v=1743116392"},{"product_id":"the-double-life-of-bob-dylan-volume-2-1966-2021-far-away-from-myself","title":"The Double Life of Bob Dylan Volume 2: 1966-2021: `Far away from Myself'","description":"\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:387\"\u003eIn 2016, it was announced that Bob Dylan had sold his personal archive to the George Kaiser Foundation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, reportedly for $22 million. As the boxes began to arrive, the Foundation asked Clinton Heylin—author of the acclaimed \u003cem\u003eBob Dylan: Behind the Shades\u003c\/em\u003e and 'perhaps the world's authority on all things Dylan' (\u003cem\u003eRolling Stone\u003c\/em\u003e)—to assess the material they had received.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:430\"\u003eWhat he discovered in Tulsa, alongside insights gleaned from other papers recently made accessible by Sony and the Dylan office, so profoundly altered his understanding of the artist, particularly his creative process, that he became convinced a completely new biography was essential. It transpires that much of what previous biographers—including Dylan himself—have stated is incorrect; often, it's a case of 'Print the Legend.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:512\"\u003eThis volume marks the second instalment of the definitive biography (following \u003cem\u003eA Restless Hungry Feeling\u003c\/em\u003e) of one of contemporary culture's most iconic and mysterious figures: a musical revolutionary, Nobel Prize-winner, and chart-topping recording artist. Clinton Heylin's meticulously researched, all-encompassing, and consistently revelatory account of these fascinating early years is the closest we will ever get to a definitive life of an artist who has been a lodestar of popular culture for six decades.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54188281135372,"sku":"9781529923797","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781529923797.jpg?v=1743116538"},{"product_id":"the-byrds-1964-1967-deluxe-edition-signed-edition","title":"The Byrds: 1964-1967 Deluxe Edition: Signed Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eA large-format 400-page collectible art book curated by Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and David Crosby, and hand-signed by McGuinn and Hillman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exclusive Deluxe Edition is hand signed by Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman. Additionally, it's hand-numbered and limited to 1600 copies worldwide. It is the only edition of the book signed by two of the three authors and housed in a deluxe slipcase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with the other editions of the book, it's printed in Italy on 200gsm premium art paper, and features quality thread-sew binding and quarter-bound casing. When the Byrds released \"Mr. Tambourine Man\" in 1965, they introduced Bob Dylan's songs to a new audience and launched a career that would make them among the most influential rock bands of all time. With their unmistakable harmonies and Roger McGuinn's innovative 12-string Rickenbacker guitar, the Byrds never stopped experimenting. They incorporated folk, country, and jazz, influences into a fresh blend that helped define an era. \"And not to be too shallow,\" Tom Petty once wrote, \"but they also were just the best-dressed band around. They had those great clothes and hairdos.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2022 the band's three surviving founding members - Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and David Crosby - came together to present The Byrds: 1964-1967, a large format tabletop book that offers a unique visual history of the group. Featuring more than 500 images from legendary photographers such as Henry Diltz, Barry Feinstein, Curt Gunther, Jim Marshall, Linda McCartney, Tom Gundelfinger O'Neal, and Guy Webster, the book also includes restored images from the Columbia Records archives and the personal archives of the band's original manager. Accompanied by a running commentary of their memories of the group, the era, one another, and their late compatriots Gene Clark and Michael Clarke, this carefully crafted volume is a truly unique collector's item for Byrds fans.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Music Sales Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54188282216716,"sku":"9781787592773","price":257.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781787592773.jpg?v=1743116565"},{"product_id":"cropredy-capers-another-peoples-history-of-fairport-convention","title":"Cropredy Capers: Another People's History of Fairport Convention","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_d054b38ef90faa63\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:556\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCropredy Capers - Another People's History of Fairport Convention\u003c\/em\u003e compiles the cherished memories of over 250 devoted fans of the pioneers of British Folk-Rock, offering a unique collection of stories told from the perspective of that coveted front-row seat. Fairport Convention, formed in 1967, now boasts a rich history spanning more than 57 years. Their annual festival, Fairport's Cropredy Convention, held in a field in the Oxfordshire village of Cropredy, regularly draws over 12,000 festival-goers and has been a beloved fixture for over 45 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:440\"\u003eFollowing on from the highly regarded \u003cem\u003eGonna See All My Friends\u003c\/em\u003e in 2022, \u003cem\u003eCropredy Capers\u003c\/em\u003e presents another slice of Fairport history, this time entirely through the heartfelt words of their fans, sharing anecdotes of seeing and meeting the band in its many incarnations throughout the years. The collection features tales stretching right back to Fairport's very beginnings, alongside more recent stories from the band's 2024 Winter tour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:338\"\u003ePacked with personal fan photographs and hundreds of fascinating items from the extensive archive of Fairport archivist Ian Burgess, this book truly is a treasure trove of memories for any Fairport Convention enthusiast to savour and enjoy. It offers a deeply personal and celebratory look at a band that has touched the lives of so many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Spenwood Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54188284084492,"sku":"9781915858160","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781915858160.jpg?v=1743116617"},{"product_id":"nick-drake-the-life","title":"Nick Drake: The Life","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_f32b1f4f35cc3409\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:417\"\u003e\"This is the book we've been waiting for . . . It is a biography to be treasured,\" declares Joe Boyd, and indeed, Richard Morton Jack's \u003cem\u003eNick Drake: The Life\u003c\/em\u003e feels like the definitive word on this enigmatic and increasingly revered singer-songwriter. The Daily Telegraph asserts that \"The Drake completist could ask for nothing else,\" while the Observer rightly calls it \"Illuminating. The definitive word on Drake.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:567\"\u003eIn 1968, Nick Drake seemingly had the world at his feet. The product of a supportive and artistic family, blessed with a privileged background, he was not only a handsome and well-liked Cambridge undergraduate but also a promising new signing to Island, the UK's coolest record label. Yet, just three years later, after releasing three critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful albums, Drake was tragically overwhelmed by a mysterious mental illness. He returned to his family home in rural Warwickshire in 1971 and died in obscurity in 1974, aged a mere 26.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:387\"\u003eHowever, in the decades since his passing, Nick Drake has become a figure of ever-growing fascination and intense speculation. Combined sales of his records now reach into the millions, his hauntingly beautiful songs frequently grace television and film soundtracks, and he has solidified his place as one of the most widely known and deeply admired singer-songwriters of his generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:584\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNick Drake: The Life\u003c\/em\u003e stands apart as the only biography written with the full blessing and active involvement of his sister and Estate. Drawing upon a wealth of original research and fresh interviews with his family, close friends, and musical collaborators, as well as deeply personal archive material previously inaccessible to other writers – including his father's poignant diaries, his insightful essays, and private correspondence – this is unequivocally the most comprehensive and authoritative account possible of Nick Drake's tragically short and profoundly enigmatic life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"11:1-11:446\"\u003eFeaturing a heartfelt foreword by Gabrielle Drake and including over 75 photographs, many of which are rare or have never been seen before, \u003cem\u003eNick Drake: The Life\u003c\/em\u003e offers an unparalleled and deeply moving portrait of a singular talent. Richard Morton Jack has crafted a biography that is both meticulously researched and beautifully written, finally offering the definitive and treasured account that Nick Drake's devoted fanbase has long awaited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Murray Publishers Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193571397900,"sku":"9781529308105","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781529308105.jpg?v=1743350094"},{"product_id":"my-mama-cass-a-memoir","title":"My Mama, Cass: A Memoir","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_d15aac447f294854\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:525\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-0 recitation\"\u003eOwen Elliot-Kugell's long-awaited memoir, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-0 recitation\"\u003eMy Mama, Cass\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-0 recitation citation-end-0\"\u003e, is a deeply affecting and necessary corrective to the swirling rumours and myths that have shrouded the life of her legendary mother, \"Mama\" Cass Elliot, for nearly half a century.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e To the world, Cass Elliot was a charismatic, quick-witted singer, a defining voice of the 1960s counterculture as part of the Rock \u0026amp; Roll Hall of Fame inducted band, The Mamas \u0026amp; The Papas, and a Laurel Canyon icon in her signature Muumuus and glittering jewellery.\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:612\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-1 recitation citation-end-1\"\u003eIn this groundbreaking story, told with the unique intimacy and perspective only a daughter can offer, Owen Elliot-Kugell pulls back the velvet curtains on her mother's life, venturing beyond the sold-out theatres and into the private world of her infamous California home.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"2\"\u003e2\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-2 recitation citation-end-2\"\u003eBorn Ellen Naomi Cohen, the woman the world knew as Cass Elliot emerges as a figure decades ahead of her time: an independently minded and outspoken woman who shattered barriers in a male-dominated industry, a forward-thinking feminist, and a fiercely devoted single parent from the moment Owen entered her life.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"3\"\u003e3\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:443\"\u003eFrom the closely guarded secret surrounding Owen's paternity to Cass's lifelong battles with self-esteem and weight, and addressing the persistent rumours surrounding her untimely death at the age of 32, Owen illuminates the complex truths of her mother's existence. She weaves in interviews with the high-profile figures who populated Cass's orbit, alongside never-before-heard tales of her mother and this pivotal period in American history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:384\"\u003eFeaturing intimate family and archival photographs, as well as poignant interviews and memories from famous friends, devoted fans, and respected colleagues who loved and admired Cass, \u003cem\u003eMy Mama, Cass\u003c\/em\u003e is both a tender love story and a compelling mystery. It's a daughter's journey of self-discovery intertwined with a profound devotion to understanding her mother's extraordinary life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"11:1-11:342\"\u003eAt its heart, \u003cem\u003eMy Mama, Cass\u003c\/em\u003e is a beautifully crafted testament befitting Cass Elliot's enduring cultural impact and legacy, written with love, honesty, and a deep sense of personal truth by the person who knew and loved her best. This memoir promises to finally offer the definitive and deeply human portrait of the woman behind the legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Omnibus Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193572577548,"sku":"9781915841001","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781915841001.jpg?v=1743350157"},{"product_id":"leonard-cohen-the-mystical-roots-of-genius","title":"Leonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_9aaa343622b39630\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:203\"\u003e'Leonard Cohen taught us that even in the midst of darkness there is light, in the midst of hatred there is love, with our dying breath we can still sing Hallelujah.' - The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:179\"\u003e'Among the finest volumes on Cohen's life and lyrics ... An exploration which would have intrigued and engaged Leonard himself.' - John McKenna, writer and friend of Leonard Cohen\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:511\"\u003eHarry Freedman uncovers the spiritual traditions that lie behind Leonard Cohen's profound and unmistakable lyrics. The singer and poet Leonard Cohen was deeply learned in Judaism and Christianity, the spiritual traditions that underpinned his self-identity and the way he made sense of the world. In this book, Harry Freedman, a leading author of cultural and religious history, explores the mystical and spiritual sources Cohen drew upon, discusses their original context and the stories and ideas behind them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:392\"\u003eCohen's music is studded with allusions to Jewish and Christian tradition, to stories and ideas drawn from the Bible, Talmud, and Kabbalah. From his 1967 classic 'Suzanne', through masterpieces like 'Hallelujah' and 'Who by Fire', to his final challenge to the divinity, 'You Want It Darker', he drew on spirituality for inspiration and as a tool to create understanding, clarity, and beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:484\"\u003eBorn into a prominent and scholarly Jewish family in Montreal, Canada, Cohen originally aspired to become a poet, before turning to songwriting and eventually recording his own compositions. Later, he became immersed in Zen Buddhism, moving in 1990 to a Zen monastery on Mount Baldy, California where he remained for some years. He died, with immaculate timing, on the day before Donald Trump was elected in 2016, leaving behind him a legacy that will be felt for generations to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"11:1-11:590\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLeonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius\u003c\/em\u003e looks deeply into the imagination of one of the greatest singers and lyricists of our time, providing a window on the landscape of his soul. Departing from traditional biographical approaches, Freedman explores song by song how Cohen reworked myths and prayers, legends and allegories, with an index of songs at the end of the book for readers to search by their favourites. By the end, the reader will be left with a powerful understanding of Cohen's story, together with a far broader insight into the mystical origins of his inimitable work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Continuum","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193573069068,"sku":"9781399416498","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781399416498.jpg?v=1743350178"},{"product_id":"small-hours-the-long-night-of-john-martyn","title":"Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_ee0c8127062cd05a\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:801\"\u003eImmerse yourself in the turbulent yet brilliant world of John Martyn with \"Small Hours,\" an intimate and unflinching biography of a true musical maverick. This gripping account explores the soaring highs and sometimes devastating lows of an artist whose extraordinary voice, groundbreaking guitar work, and profoundly soulful songs secured his legendary status, despite never chasing mainstream success. Discover the man revered by icons like Eric Clapton and Lee \"Scratch\" Perry, and produced by Phil Collins, whose influence continues to inspire generations of musicians. \"Small Hours\" pulls back the curtain on the complicated and volatile personality that fueled Martyn's improvisational approach to both life and music, revealing the brilliance, beauty, rage, and destruction he left in his wake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:552\"\u003eDrawing on nearly 100 new interviews, \"Small Hours\" paints a raw and utterly compelling portrait of sixty years of daredevil creativity. Journey through Martyn's innovative musical landscape and the intense personal life that intertwined with it. This biography offers a profound understanding of the man behind the music, celebrating his pioneering spirit while unflinchingly exploring his complexities. If you're captivated by artists who defied convention and poured their soul into their craft, \"Small Hours\" is an essential and unforgettable read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Omnibus Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193574510860,"sku":"9781913172657","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781913172657.jpg?v=1743350257"},{"product_id":"wayward-just-another-life-to-live","title":"Wayward: Just Another Life to Live","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_7024f704a378436c\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:436\"\u003e\"Magical and transporting... \u003cem\u003eWayward\u003c\/em\u003e proves that Bunyan has lived the best possible life, on her own idiosyncratic terms,\" notes Maggie O'Farrell. Sinéad Gleeson calls it \"A gorgeous account of outsiderness and survival: a map of how to live outside the boundaries and and striving for an authentic artistic life. A quietly defiant and moving work.\" Benjamin Myers adds, \"An epic in miniature... I loved - and lived - every sentence.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:657\"\u003eIn 1968, Vashti Bunyan abandoned everything and everyone she knew in London to embark on a journey with a horse, wagon, dog, guitar, and her then-partner. They undertook the lengthy trip to the Outer Hebrides in an odyssey of discovery and heartache, filled with the elation of freedom and the grind of everyday reality, sleeping in woods and battling freezing winters and homelessness. Along the way, Vashti composed the songs that would lead to the recording of her 1970 album, \u003cem\u003eJust Another Diamond Day\u003c\/em\u003e. Its lilting lyrics and guitar work conveyed an innocent wonder at the world around her, while subtly concealing a deeper turmoil beneath the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:780\"\u003eFrom an unconventional childhood in post-war London to a nascent career in mid-sixties pop — which included recording a single penned by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards — to the despair of failing to gain traction with her own songs, she ultimately rejected the music world entirely and left it behind. After receding into musical obscurity for thirty years, the rediscovery of her recordings in 2000 offered Vashti a second chance to write, record, and perform once more. \u003cem\u003eWayward, Just Another Life to Live\u003c\/em\u003e, one of the great hippie myths of the 1960s, reworks the narrative of a barefoot girl on the road, detailing a life lived at full throttle from the very beginning, revealing what it means to alter one's course and her emotional struggle to regain control of her own life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"White Rabbit","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193579917580,"sku":"9781474621953","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781474621953.jpg?v=1743350461"},{"product_id":"woody-guthrie-a-life-a-really-great-book-bruce-springsteen","title":"Woody Guthrie: A Life","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_7148c94ecd1d4f49\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:193\"\u003eWith a foreword by Billy Bragg, this is the classic biography of the hugely influential American folk singer who inspired a generation of songwriters, including Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:446\"\u003eFew artists have captured the American experience of their time as wholly as folk legend Woody Guthrie. Singer, songwriter, and political activist, Guthrie drew a lifetime of inspiration from his roots on the Oklahoma frontier in the years before the Great Depression. His music – scathingly funny songs and poignant folk ballads – made heard the unsung life of field hands, migrant workers, and union organisers, and showed it worthy of tribute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:449\"\u003eThough his career was tragically cut short by the onset of a degenerative disease that ravaged his mind and body, the legacy of his life and music had already made him an American cultural icon, and has resonated with every generation of musician and music lover since. In this definitive biography, renowned journalist Joe Klein creates an unforgettable portrait of a man as gifted, restless, and complicated as the American landscape he came from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Faber \u0026 Faber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193582833932,"sku":"9780571384297","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780571384297.jpg?v=1743350532"},{"product_id":"joni-mitchell-both-sides-now-conversations-with-malka-marom","title":"Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now: Conversations with Malka Marom","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_a9336d9bf18775aa\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:505\"\u003eWhen singer, musician, and broadcast journalist Malka Marom was invited to interview Joni Mitchell in 1973, she eagerly embraced the chance to converse with the performer she'd first encountered late one night in 1966 at an open mic in Yorkville. Further conversations unfolded over the subsequent four decades of their friendship, and it wasn't until Joni and Malka completed their final recorded interview in 2012 that Malka discerned the central theme of their discussions: the creative process itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:569\"\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eJoni Mitchell: Both Sides Now\u003c\/em\u003e, Joni and Malka trace this thread through seven decades of life and art, exploring the profound influence of Joni's childhood, the impact of love and loss, experiences playing in small venues and at huge festivals, navigating acclaim and criticism, the realities of both poverty and affluence, and the spectrum of glamorous triumphs and tragic mistakes. This captivating narrative, woven together through interviews, lyrics, paintings, and photographs, is shared with the aspiration of inspiring others on their own creative journeys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Omnibus Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193583128844,"sku":"9781915841018","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781915841018.jpg?v=1743350545"},{"product_id":"ivor-cutler-a-life-outside-the-sitting-room","title":"Ivor Cutler: A Life Outside the Sitting Room","description":"\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:370\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIvor Cutler: A Life Outside the Sitting Room\u003c\/em\u003e marks the first biography of one of post-war Britain's most distinctive authors, poets, and performers. Mr. Cutler, as he preferred to be known, wrote and recorded some of the most unusual and memorable songs and poems in British popular culture, including the hilariously unsettling 'Life in a Scotch Sitting Room' series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:513\"\u003eOften described by fans and commentators as an outsider due to his eccentric behaviour both on and off stage, in many respects he was an insider. He spent thirty years working as a primary school teacher, garnered a dedicated fanbase from the heart of the cultural and social establishment, and frequently appeared on mainstream media. He was one of the first—if not \u003cem\u003ethe\u003c\/em\u003e first—performers to appear on BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, and 4, and notably recorded more John Peel sessions than any other act apart from The Fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:366\"\u003eThis book draws on evidence from official documents, print and broadcast media; archive interviews with Ivor Cutler, his close friends and family, fans and collaborators; and new interviews with fans, friends, and fellow performers. Contributors include musical and acting collaborators who have never before been interviewed about their experiences with Mr. Cutler.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Equinox Publishing Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193586405644,"sku":"9781800502949","price":24.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781800502949.jpg?v=1743350622"},{"product_id":"song-noir-tom-waits-and-the-spirit-of-los-angeles","title":"Song Noir: Tom Waits and the Spirit of Los Angeles","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_f22764c14f0c9545\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_36f9381fc0c375d9\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:307\"\u003eSong Noir offers a compelling examination of Tom Waits' formative first decade. This pivotal period saw him living, writing, and recording nine albums in Los Angeles, charting his evolution from the gentle, folk-tinged debut, Closing Time (1973), to the abrasive, surreal sound of Swordfishtrombones (1983).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:650\"\u003eStarting his songwriting career in the 70s, Waits expertly absorbed LA's rich tapestry of cultural influences. He fused the spoken idioms of writers like Kerouac and Bukowski with jazz-blues rhythms, delving into the city's literary and film noir traditions to craft truly hallucinatory dreamscapes. Waits masterfully mined the city's seam of low-life locations and characters, allowing the place to fuel his dark imagination. Blending the everyday with the mythic, he transformed quotidian, autobiographical details into something far more disturbing and emblematic – a vivid vision of LA as the warped, narcotic heart of his nocturnal explorations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Reaktion Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193591582988,"sku":"9781789146639","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781789146639.jpg?v=1743350754"},{"product_id":"beeswing-fairport-folk-rock-and-finding-my-voice-1967-75","title":"Beeswing: Fairport, Folk Rock and Finding My Voice, 1967-75","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_74c15a9c0810a909\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"4:1-4:121\"\u003eThe memoir of international music icon Richard Thompson, co-founder of the legendary folk rock group Fairport Convention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"6:1-6:68\"\u003e'I encourage everyone to read this wonderful book.' - ELVIS COSTELLO\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"8:1-8:106\"\u003e'Thompson could be said to be an English Dylan - only in some ways he's even better than that.' - GUARDIAN\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"10:1-10:394\"\u003eRichard Thompson came of age during an extraordinary moment in 1960s Britain – as music began to reflect a great cultural awakening, the guitarist and songwriter co-founded Fairport Convention, ushering in the era of folk rock. An intimate memoir of personal discovery and creative intensity, \u003cem\u003eBeeswing\u003c\/em\u003e vividly captures the life of an international music icon in a world on the cusp of change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"12:1-12:52\"\u003e'Gripping . . . A quiet joy of a memoir.' - GUARDIAN\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"14:1-14:136\"\u003e'Thompson writes exceptionally well . . . If you love music in all its myriad forms, you'll love this book.' - NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"16:1-16:119\"\u003e'An intimate, revealing tome, \u003cem\u003eBeeswing\u003c\/em\u003e is the voice of a figure at the heart of the British counter-culture.' - CLASH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"18:1-18:101\"\u003e'Perceptive, lyrical, amiable and seemingly effortless . . . required reading.' - CAUGHT BY THE RIVER\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"20:1-20:97\"\u003eRichard Thompson's book \u003cem\u003eBeeswing\u003c\/em\u003e was a Sunday Times Bestseller week commencing 17th April 2021.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Faber \u0026 Faber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193593057548,"sku":"9780571348176","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780571348176.jpg?v=1743350842"},{"product_id":"you-lose-yourself-you-reappear-the-many-voices-of-bob-dylan","title":"You Lose Yourself You Reappear: The Many Voices of Bob Dylan","description":"\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_b9c88d841edab241\" class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_6bae49980f923ba3\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:111\"\u003eAn insightful biography of one of the world's greatest musicians, Bob Dylan, by bestselling author Paul Morley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:676\"\u003eAs one of the world's greatest musicians, Bob Dylan has enriched the American song tradition for over 50 years. With a talent that has been proven in the worlds of music, radio, art and poetry, Dylan is a man of many personas. From defying pop music conventions with protest songs such as \"The Times They Are a-Changin'\" to releasing three of the most influential rock albums of the sixties, he has not only extended the parameters of music genres but has also showed us the fluidity of his craft. To mark Bob Dylan's 80th birthday and 60 illustrious years in the arts, this insightful biography by bestselling author Paul Morley will explore the many voices of the folk icon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193593254156,"sku":"9781471195174","price":10.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781471195174.jpg?v=1743350856"},{"product_id":"joni-mitchell-lady-of-the-canyon","title":"Joni Mitchell: Lady of the Canyon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the story of one of the most important female recording artists of the last 50 years. Joni Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan before busking in the streets and nightclubs of Toronto, Ontario. In 1965, she moved to the U.S. and began touring. Settling in Southern California, Mitchell, with popular songs like Big Yellow Taxi and Woodstock, helped define an era and a generation. Mitchell's fifth album,For the Roses, was released in 1972. She then switched labels and began exploring more jazz-influenced melodic ideas, by way of lush pop textures, on 1974's Court and Spark, which featured the radio hits Help Me and Free Man in Paris and became her best-selling album. With roots in visual art, Mitchell has designed most of her own album covers. She describes herself as a painter derailed by circumstance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sona Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193600037132,"sku":"9781912918249","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781912918249.jpg?v=1743351080"},{"product_id":"crosby-stills-nash-young-the-definitive-biography","title":"Crosby, Stills, Nash \u0026 Young: The definitive biography","description":"\u003cp\u003eRead the definitive biography of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, whose music and career illuminate the legacy of 1960s counterculture.   Between 1969 and 1974, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young were the most successful, influential and politically potent rock band in America. More than any of their peers, they channelled and broadcast all the radical anger, romantic idealism and generational angst of their era. The vast emotional range of their music, from delicate acoustic confessionals to raucous counter-culture anthems, was mirrored in the turbulence of their personal lives.   Crosby, Stills, Nash \u0026amp; Young is the first major biography of a band whose first two albums are undisputed rock classics, and which continues to attract a large and loyal following to their sporadic reunions. At the same time, Peter Doggett illuminates the pivotal years of 1960s counterculture through the story of four of its key protagonists, whose music, beliefs and relationships with each other chronicle both its trajectory and its legacy.   'A fascinating, rip-roaring and timely re-telling of a corner of music history' Frank Turner\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193600856332,"sku":"9781784707620","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781784707620.jpg?v=1743351110"},{"product_id":"bob-dylan-outlaw-blues","title":"Bob Dylan: Outlaw Blues","description":"\u003cp\u003eBob Dylan: Outlaw Blues by Spencer Leigh is a fresh take on this famous yet elusive personality, a one-man hall of mirrors who continues to intrigue his followers worldwide. It is an in-depth account with new information and fascinating opinions, both from the author and his interviewees. Whether you are a Dylan fan or not, you will be gripped by this remarkable tale.   Most performers create their work for public approval, but at the centre of this book is a mercurial man who doesn't trust his own audience. If he feels he is getting too much acclaim, he tends to veer off in another direction.   Despite his age, Bob Dylan still tours extensively. Famously known for not looking happy, the author looks at what motivates him. `Journalists are very fond of saying Bob Dylan is an enigma,' says Spencer Leigh, `but that word is flawed. It's as good as saying you don't know...  I have not called Bob Dylan an enigma at any point in the book as I have tried to find answers.' Spencer Leigh has spoken to over 300 musicians, friends and acquaintances of Bob Dylan in his research for this book.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McNidder \u0026 Grace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193600889100,"sku":"9780857162052","price":20.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780857162052.jpg?v=1743351114"},{"product_id":"crosby-stills-nash-and-young-the-wild-definitive-saga-of-rocks-greatest-supergroup","title":"Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock's Greatest Supergroup","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_ce4fede2cc553726\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:203\"\u003eIn what stands as the most comprehensive biography of the group to date, Browne has compiled an enjoyable and fast-paced musical history, which \u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e hailed as 'an authoritative chronicle.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:561\"\u003eThis book by acclaimed music journalist and \u003cem\u003eRolling Stone\u003c\/em\u003e senior writer David Browne offers the first and most complete narrative biography of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Even within the larger-than-life world of rock and roll, it was difficult to imagine four more disparate men: David Crosby, the opinionated hippie guru; Stephen Stills, the perpetually driven musician; Graham Nash, the tactful pop craftsman; and Neil Young, the creatively restless loner. Yet, together, few groups were as in tune with their times as Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:544\"\u003eBeginning with the original trio's landmark 1969 debut album, the group embodied much of their era: communal music-making, protest songs that challenged the establishment and Richard Nixon, and liberal attitudes towards partners and lifestyles. Their collective and individual songs—'Wooden Ships,' 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,' 'After the Gold Rush,' 'For What It's Worth' (with Stills and Young's Buffalo Springfield), 'Love the One You're With,' 'Long Time Gone,' 'Just a Song Before I Go,' 'Southern Cross'—became the soundtrack of a generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:398\"\u003eHowever, their story would rarely be as harmonious as their legendary and influential vocal blend. In the years that followed, these four volatile men would continually break up, reunite, and disband again—all against a backdrop of social and musical change, recurring disagreements and jealousies, and self-destructive tendencies that threatened to cripple them both as a group and as individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:885\"\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eCrosby, Stills, Nash and Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock's Greatest Supergroup\u003c\/em\u003e, seasoned music journalist and \u003cem\u003eRolling Stone\u003c\/em\u003e writer David Browne presents the ultimate deep dive into rock and roll's most musical and turbulent brotherhood, coinciding with its 50th anniversary. Featuring exclusive interviews with David Crosby and Graham Nash, alongside band members, colleagues, fellow superstars, former managers, employees, and lovers—and with access to unreleased music and documents—Browne takes readers backstage and onstage, into the musicians' homes, recording studios, and psyches. He chronicles the creative and psychological ties that have bound these men together, and at times, torn them apart. This is the sweeping story of rock's longest-running, most dysfunctional, yet pre-eminent musical family, delivered with the epic feel their story rightly deserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Da Capo Press Inc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193601052940,"sku":"9780306922633","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780306922633.jpg?v=1743351129"},{"product_id":"paul-simon-the-life","title":"Paul Simon: The Life","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_36a82baece40aabc\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:26\"\u003eThe Times Book of the Year\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:276\"\u003e'There's no tougher a mind, no more tender a voice than Paul Simon, and there's no better man than Robert Hilburn to decipher the hardwiring of this hyperintellect...great songs can never be fully explained, but the great man on his way to find those songs surely can.' - Bono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:689\"\u003eThrough such hits as \"The Sound of Silence,\" \"Bridge Over Troubled Water,\" \"Still Crazy After All These Years,\" and \"Graceland,\" Paul Simon has spoken to us in songs for half a century about alienation, doubt, survival, and faith. His distinctive voice has established him as one of the most honoured and beloved songwriters in American pop music history. Yet, Simon has historically refused to talk to potential biographers and urged those close to him to also remain silent. Remarkably, for this book, Simon not only agreed to talk to biographer Robert Hilburn for what amounted to more than sixty hours, but he also encouraged his family and friends to sit down for in-depth interviews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:737\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Simon\u003c\/em\u003e is a revealing account of the challenges and sacrifices involved in achieving artistry at the highest level. Simon has also lived a rollercoaster life of extreme ups and downs. We not only learn about Paul's unrelenting drive to achieve artistry but also the subsequent struggles to protect that artistry against distractions – fame, wealth, marriage, divorce, drugs, complacency, public rejection, and self-doubt – each of which he encountered and which have frequently derailed other pop stars. From dominating the charts with Art Garfunkel and a successful reinvention as a solo artist, to his multiple marriages and highly publicised second divorce from Carrie Fisher, this book covers all aspects of this American icon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:191\"\u003e'When it comes to writing songs, no one does it better than Paul Simon. Robert Hilburn's is a wise and winning account of our most nimble, nuanced, and numinous poet-musician.' - Paul Muldoon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"11:1-11:250\"\u003e'A tantalising look into the mind and writing process of the man who is arguably the finest craftsman of the American popular song since the Gershwin brothers, this book will delight any Paul Simon fan or student of popular culture.' - Linda Ronstadt\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193602756876,"sku":"9781471174209","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781471174209.jpg?v=1743351244"},{"product_id":"testimony","title":"Testimony: Robbie Robertson","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_bbb5da2cd7c793cb\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:561\"\u003eRobbie Robertson's unique contributions to popular music have established him as one of the most cherished songwriters and guitarists of his era. With songs such as 'The Weight', 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down', and 'Up on Cripple Creek', he and his bandmates in The Band crafted music that has resonated for decades, influencing countless musicians. In this compelling memoir, penned over five years of reflection, Robbie uses his distinctive storyteller's voice to intertwine the journey that led him to some of the most crucial events in music history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:698\"\u003eHe recounts the adventures of his upbringing, part Jewish, part Mohawk, on the Six Nations Indian Reserve and the gritty streets of Toronto; his odyssey at sixteen to the Mississippi Delta, the wellspring of American music; the wild, formative years on the road with rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks; his unexpected connections to the Cosa Nostra underworld; the gripping trial-by-fire of 'going electric' with Bob Dylan on his 1966 world tour and their subsequent celebrated collaborations; the formation of The Band and the forging of their singular sound, culminating in history's most renowned farewell concert, immortalised in Martin Scorsese's magnificent film \u003cem\u003eThe Last Waltz\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:687\"\u003eThis is the narrative of a time and place — the moment when rock 'n' roll became a way of life, when legends like Buddy Holly and Bo Diddley crisscrossed the circuit of clubs and roadhouses from Texas to Toronto, when The Beatles, Hendrix, The Stones, and Warhol moved through the same streets and hotel rooms. It's the tale of exhilarating change as the world tumbled through the sixties and early seventies, and a generation came of age, built on music, love, and freedom. Above all, it's the moving story of the deep friendship among five young men who together created a new genre of popular music. \u003cem\u003eTestimony\u003c\/em\u003e is Robbie Robertson's story, lyrical and true, as only he could tell it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Windmill Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193605148940,"sku":"9780099510956","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780099510956.jpg?v=1743351403"},{"product_id":"homeward-bound-the-life-of-paul-simon","title":"Homeward Bound: The Life of Paul Simon","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_1059c750bb099769\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:670\"\u003eTo have lived through the past six decades is to have lived alongside the music of Paul Simon. The lad from Queens scored his first hit record in 1957, just a few months after Elvis Presley ignited the rock era. As the songwriting half of Simon \u0026amp; Garfunkel, his work became integral to defining the youth movement of the 1960s. Venturing solo in the 1970s, Simon crafted numerous radio-dominating hits. He ushered in the 1980s by reuniting with Garfunkel to perform for half a million New Yorkers in Central Park. Five years later, Simon's album \u003cem\u003eGraceland\u003c\/em\u003e achieved multi-million sales and sparked an international political debate. And his story doesn't end there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:598\"\u003eThe grandson of Jewish immigrants from Hungary, the near 75-year-old singer-songwriter has not only sold over 100 million records, won 15 Grammy awards, and been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame twice, but has also illuminated the meaning and adaptability of personal and cultural identity in an increasingly interconnected world. Simon has also lived a life of remarkable vibrancy, a narrative rich with anecdotes involving Carrie Fisher, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Dylan, Woody Allen, Shelley Duvall, Nelson Mandela, the Grateful Dead, drugs, depression, marriage, divorce, and much more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:290\"\u003eA life story possessing the scope and power of an epic novel, Peter Ames Carlin's \u003cem\u003eHomeward Bound\u003c\/em\u003e stands as the first major biography of one of the most influential popular artists in American history. It promises a comprehensive and insightful exploration of a remarkable life and career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Constable","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193605312780,"sku":"9781472125873","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781472125873.jpg?v=1743351412"},{"product_id":"white-bicycles-making-music-in-the-1960s","title":"White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_94b14dff4eb44c8f\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:494\"\u003eFrom a man who stood squarely at the genesis of modern rock, Joe Boyd – also the author of the acclaimed \u003cem\u003eAnd the Roots of Rhythm Remain\u003c\/em\u003e – delivers a memoir, \u003cem\u003eWhite Bicycles\u003c\/em\u003e, that offers an unparalleled and intimate glimpse into a transformative decade. Praised by luminaries like Robert Plant and Brian Eno, Boyd's recollections are a genuine treasure trove for music aficionados. As the \u003cem\u003eDaily Express\u003c\/em\u003e succinctly puts it, \"From Dylan to Pink Floyd, Boyd was there and can remember it all.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:553\"\u003eBoyd's credentials as a first-hand witness are impeccable. When Muddy Waters graced London in the early sixties, Boyd was his tour manager. When Dylan famously went electric at the Newport Festival, Boyd was the one connecting the guitar. During the hazy summer of love, Boyd was running London's hippest club, the UFO. And when a group of UFO regulars calling themselves Pink Floyd recorded their debut single, it was Boyd behind the mixing desk. Even the famously elusive Nick Drake, when seeking someone to entrust with his demo tape, chose Joe Boyd.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:386\"\u003eMore than any previous autobiography chronicling the sixties music scene, \u003cem\u003eWhite Bicycles\u003c\/em\u003e provides the authentic, on-the-ground story of what it was truly like to be present at that pivotal time. While the book undoubtedly features the era's heavyweights, Boyd also paints wonderfully vivid portraits of a diverse array of other musicians who contributed to the decade's rich tapestry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:502\"\u003ePerhaps Boyd's greatest achievement lies in bringing to life the enigmatic figure of Nick Drake. This is a rare and invaluable insight, being the first time Drake has been written about in such detail by someone who knew him well. Robert Plant's assessment is spot on: it's \"profound ... and beyond.\" \u003cem\u003eWhite Bicycles\u003c\/em\u003e is an essential read for anyone seeking a genuine and insightful journey into the heart of the 1960s music revolution, told by a man who wasn't just a spectator, but a key participant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Serpent's Tail","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193605902604,"sku":"9781781257944","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781781257944.jpg?v=1743351438"},{"product_id":"reckless-daughter-a-joni-mitchell-anthology","title":"Reckless Daughter: A Joni Mitchell Anthology","description":"\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_60adf84a9de203ed\" class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoni Mitchell has only visited the U.S. Top 40 singles chart four times in her long recording career - and the Top 20 just once. So much for \"stoking the starmaker machinery behind the popular song\", as she sang in her 1974 song 'Free Man in Paris'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat Joni\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ehas\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003edone, on the other hand, is record a handful of masterful albums -\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBlue\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eCourt And Spark\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Hissing Of Summer Lawns\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor starters - that prove she is right up there with the big boys: with Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder. Few women can hold a candle to her oeuvre: maybe Aretha Franklin, maybe Kate Bush, Bjork, Joanna Newsom. Airs and graces she may have, but airs and graces backed up by 'Woodstock', 'The Arrangement', 'A Case Of You', 'Help Me', 'Dog Eat Dog' and 'The Magdalene Laundries' are forgivable. Some of Mitchell's songs are great art. Almost all are emotionally complex and musically gripping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eReckless Daughter\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecollects some of the most incisive commentary on Joni's music - and some of the most candid conversations she has had with journalists through her long career. From a review of her first performance at L.A.'s legendary Troubadour in 1968 to a career-sweeping 1998 interview by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eMOJO\u003c\/i\u003e's Dave DiMartino, this anthology of almost 60 articles charts every stage of Joni's extraordinary journey as a singer, songwriter and artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Constable","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193607082252,"sku":"9781472123527","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781472123527.jpg?v=1743351520"},{"product_id":"simon-garfunkel-together-alone","title":"Simon \u0026 Garfunkel: Together Alone","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_c4f2ec13b252e31c\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:350\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSIMON \u0026amp; GARFUNKEL\u003c\/em\u003e offers a definitive account of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's extraordinary career together. Drawing upon \u003cspan class=\"citation-32 citation-end-32\"\u003eunique material and exclusive interviews with fellow musicians, promoters, and friends, acclaimed author Spencer Leigh has\u003c\/span\u003e crafted a truly compelling biography of some of the world's biggest musical stars.\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:660\"\u003eWith remarkable stories about the duo gracing every page, the book does more than just chart their meteoric rise to success and the decades of their fame. It also incisively analyses the complex personalities of the two men, delving into the intricate dynamics and often fraught ups and downs of their relationship. From their early folk beginnings to their stadium-filling reunion tours, Leigh explores the creative tensions and personal conflicts that defined their partnership, offering readers an unparalleled insight into how two distinct individuals came together to create such timeless and beloved music, despite their enduring interpersonal struggles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"McNidder \u0026 Grace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193607377164,"sku":"9780857161505","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780857161505.jpg?v=1743351540"},{"product_id":"wild-tales","title":"Wild Tales: Graham Nash","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_88dbc2098f791567\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:136\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWild Tales\u003c\/em\u003e by Graham Nash is a classic rock memoir from the legendary Hollies frontman and member of Crosby, Stills, Nash \u0026amp; Young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:678\"\u003eIn this frank and captivating autobiography, Graham Nash lays bare everything: the love, the sex, the jealousy, the drugs, and the magic of music-making. This is truly one of the great rock and roll stories, chronicling his impoverished upbringing in post-war Manchester, where Nash co-founded The Hollies with school friend Allan Clarke, and the incredible success that followed. He recounts friendships with all the major British bands of the sixties, including The Beatles, The Stones, and The Kinks, before his move to America to become the lover of Joni Mitchell (for whom he penned 'Our House') and achieving superstardom with David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:223\"\u003eThis book will be cherished by Graham Nash's fans and rightfully takes its place among the pantheon of classic music memoirs alongside Bob Dylan's \u003cem\u003eChronicles\u003c\/em\u003e, Keith Richards' \u003cem\u003eLife\u003c\/em\u003e, and Neil Young's \u003cem\u003eWaging Heavy Peace\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:771\"\u003eGraham Nash was born in Blackpool in 1942 and raised in Salford. He co-founded The Hollies with his school friend Allan Clarke, and they became one of the most successful British pop groups of the 1960s, with Nash as lead singer and one of the principal songwriters. In 1968, he left the UK to live in California, where he became part of the supergroup Crosby, Stills \u0026amp; Nash (later, with the addition of Neil Young, Crosby, Stills, Nash \u0026amp; Young). Unusually, he has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for both The Hollies and CSNY, and in 2010, he received the OBE. He is renowned for his political and charity work (he notably performed at Occupy Wall Street in 2011), is a serious photographer, and maintains homes in California and Hawaii.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193609441548,"sku":"9780241968048","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780241968048.jpg?v=1743351679"},{"product_id":"im-your-man-the-life-of-leonard-cohen","title":"I'm Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_993862a0d6f65d02\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:500\"\u003eWith a new afterword by the author, this is the definitive biography of the late Leonard Cohen – singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and novelist. The genius behind such classic songs as 'Suzanne', 'So Long, Marianne', 'Bird on the Wire', and 'Hallelujah', Leonard Cohen has been one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time. He was a man of spirituality, emotion, and intelligence whose work explored the fundamental issues of human life: sex, religion, power, meaning, and love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:389\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eI'm Your Man\u003c\/em\u003e delves into the many facets of Cohen's life. Renowned music journalist Sylvie Simmons draws on Cohen's private archives and a wealth of interviews with many of his closest associates, colleagues, and other artists whose work he has inspired. Containing exclusive material and interviews, this is unequivocally the biography to acquire for anyone interested in Leonard Cohen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193610195212,"sku":"9780099549321","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780099549321.jpg?v=1743351733"},{"product_id":"here-comes-everybody-the-story-of-the-pogues","title":"Here Comes Everybody: The Story of the Pogues","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_a912c5fa5198ee3b\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:646\"\u003eIn October 1982, as ABC, Culture Club, Shalamar, and Survivor dominated the top twenty, The Pogues burst forth from the backstreets of King's Cross. Their sound was a furious, pioneering blend of punk energy, traditional melodies, and the powerfully poetic songwriting of Shane MacGowan. Often reviled by traditionalists for their frequently fast and riotous interpretations of Irish folk songs, The Pogues ascended from the sweaty chaos of backroom gigs in Camden pubs to world tours alongside acts like Elvis Costello, U2, and Bob Dylan. They also achieved huge commercial success with 'Fairytale of New York', a Christmas song beloved by many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:676\"\u003eHowever, the exuberance of their live performances combined with relentless touring escalated into years of heavy drinking and excess, which eventually took its toll – most famously on Shane, but also on the rest of the band. This led to their parting ways seven years later. Here, their story is recounted with beauty, lyricism, and great candour by James Fearnley, a founding member and their accordion player. He vividly brings to life the youthful friendships, the bust-ups, the amazing gigs, the terrible gigs, the fantastic highs, and the dramatic lows in a hugely compelling, humorous, moving, and honest account of life in one of our most treasured and original bands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Faber \u0026 Faber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193610686732,"sku":"9780571253975","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780571253975.jpg?v=1743351750"},{"product_id":"electric-eden-unearthing-britains-visionary-music","title":"Electric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_83b241b365d6682d\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:224\"\u003eRob Young's \u003cem\u003eElectric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music\u003c\/em\u003e is a seminal book on British music and cultural heritage, spanning the visionary classical and folk traditions from the nineteenth century to the present day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:727\"\u003eThe book has garnered widespread acclaim, with the \u003cem\u003eGuardian\u003c\/em\u003e calling it \"a thoroughly enjoyable read and likely to remain the best-written overview for a long time.\" The \u003cem\u003eNew Statesman\u003c\/em\u003e describes it as \"a perfectly timed, perfectly pitched alternative history of English folk music... wide-ranging, insightful, authoritative, thoroughly entertaining.\" Simon Reynolds hails it as \"a stunning achievement,\" and \u003cem\u003eCaught By The River\u003c\/em\u003e simply states, \"A masterpiece.\" Further praise includes \"Excellent... blissfully quotable\" from the \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e, \"An authoritative account\" from \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e, \"Consistently absorbing\" from the \u003cem\u003eIndependent\u003c\/em\u003e, and \"An impassioned and infectious rallying cry of a book\" from the \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:361\"\u003eIn this groundbreaking survey of over a century of music-making in the British Isles, Rob Young investigates how the idea of folk has been handed down and transformed by successive generations – including song collectors, composers, Marxist revivalists, folk-rockers, psychedelic voyagers, free festival-goers, experimental pop stars, and electronic innovators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:830\"\u003eIn a sweeping panorama of Albion's soundscape, the book takes in the pioneering spirit of Cecil Sharp; the pastoral classicism of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Peter Warlock; the industrial folk revival of Ewan MacColl and A. L. Lloyd; the folk-rock of Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake, Shirley Collins, John Martyn, and Pentangle; the bucolic psychedelia of The Incredible String Band, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd; the acid folk of Comus, Forest, Mr Fox, and Trees; the influence of \u003cem\u003eThe Wicker Man\u003c\/em\u003e and occult folklore; the early Glastonbury and Stonehenge festivals; and the visionary pop of Kate Bush, Julian Cope, and Talk Talk. \u003cem\u003eElectric Eden\u003c\/em\u003e meticulously maps out a native British musical voice that reflects the complex relationships between town and country, progress and nostalgia, radicalism and conservatism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:538\"\u003eAn attempt to isolate the 'Britishness' of British music – a wild combination of pagan echoes, spiritual quest, imaginative time-travel, pastoral innocence, and electrified creativity – \u003cem\u003eElectric Eden\u003c\/em\u003e will be treasured by anyone interested in the tangled story of Britain's folk music and Arcadian dreams. \u003cem\u003eTime Out\u003c\/em\u003e calls it \"a treat,\" \u003cem\u003eMojo\u003c\/em\u003e notes Young is \"a fine writer,\" \u003cem\u003eUncut\u003c\/em\u003e finds his \"immense narrative is both educative and gripping,\" and the \u003cem\u003eTLS\u003c\/em\u003e praises it as \"a multitudinous, fascinating and beautifully written account.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Faber \u0026 Faber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193612095756,"sku":"9780571237531","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780571237531.jpg?v=1743351816"},{"product_id":"darker-than-the-deepest-sea-the-search-for-nick-drake","title":"Darker Than The Deepest Sea: The Search for Nick Drake","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_809a5bdf1357f2e1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:337\"\u003eWhen singer-songwriter Nick Drake tragically died in the autumn of 1974, he left behind a mere three well-received but commercially modest albums. Today, however, he is rightly recognised as one of the true geniuses of English folk music, boasting millions of fans across the globe and a consistent presence in all-time best album lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:609\"\u003eDrawing upon a wealth of newly discovered documents and featuring entirely new interviews with the singer's close friends and associates, Trevor Dann's book unveils more intricate detail about Nick Drake's life than has ever been previously published. From his formative years in Tanworth-in-Arden and Cambridge, to the missed opportunities and mismanagement that sadly defined his recording career, and finally to the remarkable 'Drake cult' that has steadily grown since the singer's untimely death at the age of 26, this biography offers an unflinching portrait of a reclusive yet profoundly gifted artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:257\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDarker Than the Deepest Sea\u003c\/em\u003e is presented as essential reading for any serious music aficionado seeking to understand the enigmatic life and enduring legacy of Nick Drake, a singular talent whose music continues to resonate deeply with listeners worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Piatkus Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193614389516,"sku":"9780749951337","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780749951337.jpg?v=1743351957"},{"product_id":"dazzling-stranger-bert-jansch-and-the-british-folk-and-blues-revival","title":"Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues Revival","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_5f8e8025f6cdf8c4\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:472\"\u003eThe guitarist's guitarist and the songwriter's songwriter, the legendary Bert Jansch has influenced stars as diverse as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Paul Simon, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake, Donovan, Pete Townshend, Neil Young, Bernard Butler, Beth Orton, and Devendra Banhart. Unassuming, enigmatic, and completely focused on his music, he has remained singularly resilient to the vagaries of fashion, being rediscovered and revered by new generations of artists every few years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:544\"\u003eBorn in Edinburgh in 1943, Jansch became an inspirational and pioneering figure during Britain's 'folk revival' of the 1960s. In 1967 he formed the folk\/jazz fusion band Pentangle with John Renbourn and enjoyed international success until they split in 1973, when he returned to a solo career. Surviving alcoholism and heart surgery, Jansch has more recently enjoyed a significant career renaissance – delivering a series of acclaimed albums from 1995 onwards which have truly secured his standing as one of the true originals of British music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:544\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e`A feast for anyone interested in Jansch or the 1960s' \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eScotsman\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e`A work of considerable importance ... intuitive and informed' \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eQ Magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e`An excellent biography of one of folk's cult figures ... Harper's narrative is first-rate' \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eIndependent on Sunday\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e`Compulsive reading' \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eFolk Roots\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193614487820,"sku":"9780747587255","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780747587255.jpg?v=1743351969"},{"product_id":"like-a-rolling-stone-bob-dylan-at-the-crossroads","title":"Like a Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan at the Crossroads","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_ad103bf137c3b893\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:278\"\u003eSardonic, bitter, threatening, compassionate, gleeful, and above all, loud – \u003cstrong\u003e'Like a Rolling Stone'\u003c\/strong\u003e is much more than simply a song. Six minutes and six seconds in length, it was released by Dylan despite the prevailing wisdom of the day regarding what constituted a single.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:591\"\u003eOriginally published on the 40th anniversary of its release and recording, Greil Marcus's extraordinary book reconstructs the context in which the song first appeared. This includes examining Dylan's own career (specifically his controversial transformation from folk singer into rock 'n' roll icon) and the wider world (Vietnam, the Watts Riots, and the burgeoning counter-culture of the time). This meticulously set stage then allows Marcus to recreate the song on the page – detailing its emergence from fragments, its potent words, its distinctive sound, and its ultimate self-discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:223\"\u003eAs an analysis and critique of an artist at the zenith of his creative powers, it offers a unique insight into the mistakes, inspirations, and sheer bloody-mindedness that converge only in the very highest cultural moments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Faber \u0026 Faber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193614684428,"sku":"9780571223862","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780571223862.jpg?v=1743351986"},{"product_id":"the-hurdy-gurdy-man","title":"The Hurdy Gurdy Man","description":"\u003cp\u003eDonovan's autobiography charts his life from a post-war, Glaswegian childhood to the height of an international career as one of the leading figures of the 1960's music scene. Always feeling like an outsider he found relief through music and poetry. The book reveals how he came to be influenced by Buddhist teachings and the music of Woody Guthrie and Joan Baez. The book explores the significance of falling deeply in love with the woman who was to become his muse, and the profound sense of loss he felt when their relationship came to an end, and how the loss affected him both personally and creatively. A leader of the folk revival in both Britain and America, the book recounts how he rose to be an international star, releasing songs such as Mellow Yellow and Catch the Wind, and his most successful album, Sunshine Superman. Donovan is acknowledged as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 1960's. The book provides a frank account of his early experiments with drugs and his search for self. He reveals the story of how he developed friendships with Baez, Dylan and the Beatles, with whom he a shared spiritual sojourn to meditate with the Maharishi in India. Donovan's autobiography offers first-hand insights into his music and poetry, recollects his rise to fame and the way in which destiny was to play a hand by re-uniting him with the lost love of his life through a chance meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arrow Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193614815500,"sku":"9780099487036","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780099487036.jpg?v=1743351995"},{"product_id":"mr-tambourine-man-the-life-and-legacy-of-the-byrds-gene-clark","title":"Mr. Tambourine Man: The Life and Legacy of The Byrds' Gene Clark","description":"\u003cp\u003eGene Clark soared to fame as a founding member and frontman of The Byrds  one of the most important and influential groups of the '60s. His songwriting with The Byrds and subsequent work as a solo artist and with Dillard \u0026amp; Clark mark him as one of rock's key innovators and a pioneer of folk-rock  psychedelia  and alt-country. Yet Clark's personal demons shadowed him throughout his life  and until now his legacy has been clouded in mystery. Told through the personal recollections of those closest to Clark  EMr. Tambourine ManE offers a rare glimpse into his life and work  a revealing portrait of one of rock's greatest bands  and a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of fame. Endorsed by the Gene Clark estate  the book also features rare and previously unseen photos from family and friends.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Backbeat Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193616060684,"sku":"9780879307936","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780879307936.jpg?v=1743352052"},{"product_id":"bound-for-glory","title":"Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_e68772d9251bb39a\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:393\"\u003eForget polite memoirs; Woody Guthrie’s \u003cem\u003eBound for Glory\u003c\/em\u003e is a raw, rollicking, and utterly distinctive blast of Americana straight from the dust-caked heart of the man himself. This isn’t just an autobiography; it’s a boisterous, funny, cynical, and profoundly earthy testament from the father of American folk, a voice forged in the crucible of hardship and the vast expanse of the open road.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:429\"\u003eGuthrie throws us headfirst into his wild-eyed Oklahoma childhood, a chaotic landscape shaped by the frenetic energy of an oil-boom town and the sharp sting of family tragedy. But the true grit of this tale emerges as he recounts his life on the rails during the Great Depression, a hell-raising, brawling existence spent hopping boxcars, his guitar his constant companion, his songs traded for a meagre dime to stave off hunger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:450\"\u003eYet, \u003cem\u003eBound for Glory\u003c\/em\u003e transcends mere survival. It's a vibrant, heartfelt song for the America Woody witnessed from the lonesome highway, a panoramic view stretching from one coast to the other, his legendary tunes – the very soul of a nation – drifting out over the parched earth of the Dust Bowl. This isn't a romanticised portrayal of hardship; it’s a visceral, first-hand account imbued with Guthrie’s sharp wit and unwavering social conscience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:464\"\u003eThrough his eyes, we see the resilience and the spirit of a nation tested, the camaraderie found in shared struggle, and the enduring power of music to give voice to the voiceless. \u003cem\u003eBound for Glory\u003c\/em\u003e is more than a memoir; it's a vital piece of American history, a testament to the power of folk song, and an unforgettable journey in the company of a true American original. Prepare to be moved, amused, and utterly captivated by the earthy anthem of Woody Guthrie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Classics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193616355596,"sku":"9780141187228","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780141187228.jpg?v=1743352074"},{"product_id":"nick-drake-the-biography","title":"Nick Drake: The Biography","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_51f503b233e4f1cb\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"1:1-3:3\"\u003e'An exquisite portrait' - MOJO 'A riveting account of the golden-boy genius' - EVENING STANDARD\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"4:1-4:441\"\u003eNick Drake was barely twenty-six years old when he died in 1974, yet in his short lifetime he recorded three albums that are now widely recognised as classics: \u003cem\u003eFive Leaves Left\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBryter Layter\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003ePink Moon\u003c\/em\u003e. Several decades after his death, he has amassed a huge following; his haunting songs cast a pervasive influence over the contemporary music scene, and many of today's most successful songwriters cite him as a major inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"6:1-6:301\"\u003eIn this unrivalled biography, Patrick Humphries offers real insight into the man behind the legend, through extensive interviews with family, friends, and the musicians who knew and worked alongside him. This portrait of Nick Drake is an essential and uniquely personal account of his life and career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-sourcepos=\"8:1-8:273\"\u003e'A rich, moving account of a troubled spirit, a mature biography of a briefly flickering talent unable to come to terms with the adult world... The writing is zestful and intelligent and the text illuminating... A literary memorial fit to stand alongside the songs' - UNCUT\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193617142028,"sku":"9780747535034","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780747535034.jpg?v=1743352140"},{"product_id":"decade-of-dissent-how-1960s-bob-dylan-changed-the-world","title":"Decade Of Dissent: How 1960s Bob Dylan Changed The World","description":"\u003cp\u003eDuring the 1960s - a juncture in history when music was the meeting place for the ideas of the young and questioning - Bob Dylan stood head and shoulders in influence above all others. In telling the story of his first calendar decade as a recording artist, \u003ci\u003eDecade Of Dissent\u003c\/i\u003e provides a unique angle on an endlessly fascinating and truly peerless career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDylan's 60s recordings constitute a dizzying run that includes such landmark albums as \u003ci\u003eThe Freewheelin' Bob Dylan\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHighway 61 Revisited\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBlonde On Blonde\u003c\/i\u003e, the so-called \u003ci\u003eBasement Tapes\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eJohn Wesley Harding\u003c\/i\u003e, and such classic songs as 'Blowin' In The Wind', 'The Times They Are A-Changin'', 'Mr. Tambourine Man', 'Like A Rolling Stone', 'Just Like A Woman', 'Quinn The Eskimo', 'All Along The Watchtower', and 'Lay Lady Lay'. They set the template for his genius and encompass the bulk of his greatest work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe career arc they collectively describe saw Dylan effortlessly and repeatedly instigate revolution, by turns reinvigorating folk music, turning protest song mainstream, bringing the intellectualism and social conscience of folk to rock and pop, reasserting roots music over the excesses of psychedelia, and making country music respectable. Through each of his new identities, Dylan's dazzling lyrics established him as the poet laureate of the counterculture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll during this time he was engaged in a personal voyage that saw him first embrace the blandishments of fame and then emphatically reject them. His journey during this era from ambitious nobody to cultural icon back to willing background figure makes for one of the most extraordinary narratives in the history of recorded music. It features a fascinating supporting cast of collaborators and peers, from Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield to The Beatles and The Byrds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDylan now occupies an unparalleled role as venerated elder statesman of music, but through the twists and turns of his long career he has never quite regained the position he held during his insurrectionary first decade, when he was the most important artist in popular music - and, by extension, one of the most crucial figures in Western society. Drawing on exclusive interviews and packed full of fresh insights, \u003ci\u003eDecade Of Dissent\u003c\/i\u003e brings to life Dylan and his milieu at the point when he was making music that was not merely aesthetically magnificent but sociologically earthshaking.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jawbone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54430410408204,"sku":"9781916829206","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9781916829206.jpg?v=1754850178"},{"product_id":"first-time-ever-a-memoir","title":"Peggy Seeger: First Time Ever A Memoir","description":"\u003cp\u003eA SUNDAY TIMES AND TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR THE PENDERYN MUSIC BOOK PRIZE THE BOOKSELLER'S Most Picked Book in General Non-Fiction Round Ups of 2017\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeggy Seeger is one of folk music's most influential artists and songwriters. Born in New York City in 1935, she enjoyed a childhood steeped in music and left-wing politics - they remain her lifeblood. After college, she travelled to Russia and China - against US advice - before arriving in London, where she met the man with whom she would raise three children and share the next thirty-three years: Ewan MacColl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, they helped lay the foundations of the British folk revival, through the influential Critics Group and the landmark BBC Radio Ballads series. And as Ewan's muse, she inspired one of the twentieth century's most popular love songs, 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a clear eye and generous spirit, Peggy writes of a rollercoaster life - of birth and abortion, sex and infidelity, devotion and betrayal - in a luminous, beautifully realised account.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Faber \u0026 Faber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54430410506508,"sku":"9780571336807","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780571336807.jpg?v=1754850184"},{"product_id":"the-new-penguin-book-of-english-folk-songs","title":"The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe definitive collection of folk music - one of the great English popular art forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the great English popular art forms, the folk song can be painful, satirical, erotic, dramatic, rueful or funny. This magical new collection brings together all the classic folk songs as well as many lesser-known discoveries, complete with music and annotations on their original sources and meaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished in cooperation with the English Folk Dance and Song Society, it is a worthy successor to Ralph Vaughan Williams and A. L. Lloyd's original Penguin Book of English Folk Songs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRefreshing ... beautiful ... academic but lively ... the book offers the experience of immersion into the strange, romantic and occasionally frightening world these songs were, and are, a part of ... A triumphant addition to the English folk canon, both as a source of reference and as an endlessly enjoyable collection to dip into  - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eThe Times\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eThe New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecouldn't be better timed ... an utterly indispensable collection of music for murder, wooing and wanton abandon - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eRecord Collector\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompelling ... fascinating and refreshingly objective ... Free of any cloying romanticism ... An impressive and nourishing book, with an appeal far beyond the folk aficionado. Roud and Bishop have created something vital - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eTelegraph\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA wonderful resource of knowledge and scholarship - Tim Cumming -I \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003endependent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Classics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54430412505356,"sku":"9780141194622","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780141194622.jpg?v=1754850270"},{"product_id":"the-wichita-lineman-searching-in-the-sun-for-the-worlds-greatest-unfinished-song","title":"The Wichita Lineman Searching in the Sun for the World's Greatest Unfinished Song","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe sound of 'Wichita Lineman' was the sound of ecstatic solitude, its hero the quintessential loner. A man who needed a woman more than he actually wanted her, he was the perfect metaphor for a song that would become a heartbreaking torch ballad. Written in 1968 by Jimmy Webb, 'Wichita Lineman' is the first philosophical country song, still celebrated for its songwriting genius fifty years later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecorded by Glen Campbell in LA with a legendary group of musicians known as 'the Wrecking Crew', something about the song's enigmatic mood seemed to capture the tensions in America at a moment of crisis. Fusing a dribble of bass, searing strings, tremolo guitar and Campbell's plaintive vocals, Webb's paean to the American West describes a telephone lineman's longing for an absent lover, who he hears 'singing in the wire'. Like all good love songs, it’s an SOS from the heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Dylan Jones mixes close-listening, interviews and travelogue to explore the legacy of a record that has entertained and haunted millions for over half a century. He asks what it is about this song that continues to seduce listeners, and how the parallel stories of Campbell and Webb—songwriters and recording artists from different ends of the spectrum—unfolded in the decades that followed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart biography, part work of musicological archaeology, The Wichita Lineman opens a window on to late-twentieth-century America through the prism of a single song. It has been called 'Americana in the truest sense: evocative and real' by Bob Stanley and 'just a great song' by Paul Weller. It is a stunning look at a record that is a vital part of our cultural history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Faber \u0026 Faber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54430412669196,"sku":"9780571353415","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/4105\/4988\/files\/9780571353415.jpg?v=1754850277"},{"product_id":"reckless-daughter-a-portrait-of-joni-mitchell","title":"Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"She was like a storm.\" -Leonard Cohen\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003ci\u003eReckless Daughter \u003c\/i\u003eis the story of an artist and an era that have left an indelible mark on American music.  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJoni Mitchell may be the most influential female recording artist and composer of the late twentieth century. 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As an artist whose work deftly balances narrative and musical complexity, she has been admired by such legendary lyricists as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen and beloved by such groundbreaking jazz musicians as Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter, and Herbie Hancock. 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