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Music History and Criticism Resources
1
Daily classical music selections for every day.
Engaging introductions to contextualize each piece.
Showcases diverse composers and musical styles.
Accessible approach to classical music appreciation.
Written by award-winning violinist and broadcaster.
Inspires and enriches lives through music.
Perfect for newcomers and seasoned listeners alike.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $19.99
2
Exclusive music piece by Van Halen brothers
Intimate memoir by drummer Alex Van Halen
Tribute to beloved brother Edward Van Halen
Heartfelt stories of family and friendship
Candid insights into rock-and-roll life
Reflections on shared experiences and struggles
Accurate account of the band's journey
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $22.04
3
Epic history of the electric guitar revolution.
Explores cultural and musical significance of guitars.
Highlights 12 landmark guitars as artistic milestones.
Features interviews with legendary guitar players.
Connects guitar history to social movements and change.
Captivating narrative for music fans and historians alike.
Inspiration for the Play It Loud exhibition.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $17.72
4
Definitive oral history of Lollapalooza festival.
Includes interviews with iconic musicians and industry insiders.
Explores alternative rock's rise in the 1990s.
Highlights cultural impact on music and society.
Features a foreword by Kim Thayil of Soundgarden.
Captures the festival's groundbreaking origins and evolution.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $17.71
5
Explores the Beatles' transformative year of 1966.
Analyzes their shift from pop stars to musical sages.
Covers their last concert and album, Revolver.
Details John’s controversial “more popular than Jesus” claim.
Examines cultural impact and historical events of 1966.
Features insights from interviews with key figures.
Offers a compelling account of their groundbreaking legacy.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $2.99
6
Award-winning exploration of music and memory.
Insights on composers during the Holocaust era.
Reveals music’s power to carry historical meaning.
Includes key locations from music’s creation.
Combines history, culture, and personal narratives.
Deepens understanding of war's legacy through art.
Encourages new ways to listen to history.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $17.72
7
Explores Dylan's groundbreaking Newport concert in 1965.
Analyzes cultural shifts in music during the sixties.
Discusses the clash between folk and rock genres.
Highlights Dylan's artistic evolution and influences.
Examines his relationship with Pete Seeger.
Insights into the birth of modern rock music.
Captures a pivotal moment in 20th-century music history.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $15.04
8
Comprehensive biography of Paul McCartney's post-Beatles life.
Covers 1974 to 1980 in detail.
Includes thousands of never-before-seen documents.
Features exclusive interviews with Wings members.
Explores McCartney's diverse musical evolution.
Delves into personal and professional challenges faced.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $15.99
9
A poignant memoir about love and loss.
Explores the power of music in life.
Mix tapes evoke memories and emotions.
Humorous yet deeply touching storytelling.
Celebrates rock ‘n’ roll's emotional impact.
Beautifully written with heartfelt reflections.
Perfect for music lovers and memoir fans.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $9.27
10
NATIONAL BESTSELLER in music journalism
Unprecedented reporting on Spotify's origins and influence
Insights from over one hundred industry insider interviews
Explores streaming's impact on artists and listeners
Reveals hidden practices in the music business
Encourages a collective fight for better models
Transforms your understanding of music consumption
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $22.10
11
Explores hard bop and soul jazz evolution.
By renowned jazz journalist Kenny Mathieson.
Details contributions of Art Blakey and Horace Silver.
Includes a new chapter on Jackie McLean.
Readable and engaging for jazz enthusiasts.
Comprehensive history of modern jazz styles.
Connects bebop, blues, gospel, and R&B influences.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $11.99
12
In-depth exploration of McCartney's life after Beatles.
Based on hundreds of interviews and extensive research.
Documents McCartney's journey as a solo artist.
Covers pivotal years from 1969 to 1973.
Chronicles formation of the band Wings.
Includes details on five influential albums.
First comprehensive biography of McCartney's solo career.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $29.74
13
Comprehensive guide to 240 classical composers.
Covers music from medieval to modern eras.
Supports listeners in navigating classical music.
Features lesser-known works alongside famous pieces.
Encourages development of master listeners.
Opinionated insights from music expert David Dubal.
Fosters cultural literacy in classical music appreciation.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $2.99
14
Comprehensive history of Pink Floyd's recording sessions.
Covers nearly 200 songs released by the band.
Includes details on instruments and studio techniques.
Chronologically organized by album for easy navigation.
Packed with over 500 rare and iconic photos.
Highlights behind-the-scenes stories from band tensions.
Explores the band's influence on rock music history.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $27.50
Color: 20 positive
15
Comprehensive biography of Paul McCartney's post-Beatles career.
Covers 1974 to 1980, an intensely creative period.
Includes detailed analysis of Wings' albums and singles.
Features exclusive interviews with surviving Wings members.
Explores McCartney's diverse musical experiments and collaborations.
First thorough exploration of McCartney's life after Beatles.
Includes thousands of never-before-seen documents and insights.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $24.36
16
Explores music's evolution and diverse influences.
Incorporates insights from Byrne's musical career.
Examines acoustical, social, and economic aspects of music.
Includes a new chapter on digital curation.
Combines history, philosophy, and personal anecdotes.
Highlights music's role in shaping human experience.
Celebrates the liberating power of music.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $13.37
17
Immersive oral history of Paul McCartney and Wings.
Features over 500,000 words of interviews.
Chronicles the band’s journey from 1971 to 1981.
Includes contributions from key players and family members.
Organized around nine iconic Wings albums.
Contains 150 black-and-white and color photographs.
Highlights significant events and unforgettable moments.
Price Range: $40.00
18
Explores the science behind musical enjoyment.
Written by a legendary record producer turned neuroscientist.
Helps identify your unique listener profile.
Guides you to recognize your musical personality.
Incorporates insights from iconic artists and records.
Offers engaging and inclusive storytelling style.
Enhances your connection to music and artists.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $15.60
19
Daily classical music inspiration throughout the year.
Curated by award-winning violinist and broadcaster.
Accessible and enjoyable for all music lovers.
Explores diverse composers and genres each day.
Short introductions contextualize each musical piece.
Transforms classical music into a welcoming experience.
Enriches life with unexpected musical discoveries.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $16.82
20
Accessible exploration of conducting's art and craft.
Written by celebrated conductor John Mauceri.
Rich anecdotes from decades in the music world.
Blends legacy, tradition, and musical magic.
Insight into communicating through gesture with orchestras.
Details the challenges of an itinerant conductor's life.
Mauceri's experiences with music legends enhance the narrative.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $15.75
21
Celebrate 100 years of Grand Ole Opry.
Gorgeous illustrations and behind-the-scenes stories.
Features tributes from country music legends.
Exclusive unseen photography throughout the decades.
Highlights the Opry's cultural significance since 1925.
A must-have for country music enthusiasts.
Experience the heart of country music history.
Price Range: $38.79
22
Explores Miles Davis's mid-1960s music evolution.
Analyzes the development of post bop style.
Details the formation of the Second Quintet.
Highlights the impact of Miles Smiles album.
Examines personal and musical challenges faced by Davis.
Illustrates Davis's influence on American jazz history.
Provides in-depth analysis by Jeremy Yudkin.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $9.99
23
Explores the lives of jazz legends.
Focuses on Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans.
Covers the iconic album Kind of Blue.
Analyzes jazz's impact on American culture.
Discusses creativity in challenging environments.
Offers insights into race and music history.
A masterful narrative by acclaimed biographer James Kaplan.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $17.72
24
Vivid oral history of emo's rise.
Covers 1999 to 2008 music scene.
Features iconic bands like My Chemical Romance.
Insights from over 150 interviews.
Explores emo’s cultural impact and evolution.
Written by experienced music journalist Chris Payne.
Details the age of influencers and MySpace.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $1.99
25
Pioneering producer John Hammond's extraordinary life story.
Discovered legends like Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan.
Championed jazz as America's indigenous music form.
Advocated for racial equality in the music industry.
Engaging narrative backed by solid research.
A biography praised by major publications.
Explores music's role in bridging cultural divides.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $2.99
26
Explores global music's rich history and influences.
Illuminates artists, controversies, and collaborations shaping music.
Authored by legendary producer Joe Boyd.
Covers diverse genres spanning across decades and continents.
Highlights connections between cultures and musical evolution.
A compelling narrative from extensive research and travel.
Celebrates the roots of popular music today.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $25.00
27
Definitive oral history of punk music's rise.
Features voices of iconic punk figures.
Includes new photos and authors' afterword.
Lurid, authentic tales of sex and rebellion.
Celebrated by major publications like Rolling Stone.
Captures the chaotic spirit of punk culture.
A must-read for rock & roll enthusiasts.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $13.52
28
Explores important rap songs from 1979 to present.
Engaging discussions and debates by Shea Serrano.
Highlights cultural and historical significance of rap.
Includes infographics and lyric maps for clarity.
Features essays from prominent music writers.
Recognized as a New York Times Best Seller.
Documentary adaptation airing on AMC in 2018.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $17.07
29
Explosive oral history of emo's mainstream explosion.
Features iconic bands like My Chemical Romance.
Details the rise of emo culture, 1999-2008.
Interviews with over 150 influential figures.
Insights from fans, producers, and band members.
Captures the essence of a pivotal music era.
Accompanies audiobook with a supplemental enhancement PDF.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $7.99
30
Explores the making of Springsteen's iconic album, Nebraska.
Details the album's impact on Springsteen's career.
Features interviews with key figures and artists.
Highlights cultural influences on Springsteen's songwriting.
Reveals Springsteen's personal struggles during recording.
Offers insight into a pivotal musical moment.
Acclaimed by critics as a must-read for fans.
Average Rating out of 5:
Price Range: $15.75
