Texas Music - Softcover

Koster, Rick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312254253 ISBN 13: 9780312254254

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, 2000

Synopsis

The definitive history of Texas music from the 1920's to the present.

About this title

About the Author:

Rick Koster spent fifteen years as a working rock musician before his hair turned gray and he became a writer. A native of Texas, he now lives in New London, Connecticut, with his wife, where he covers music and books for The Day. He also writes a monthly book column for the Dallas Morning News, and his pieces have appeared in the Dallas Observer, Houston Press, Offbeat, and American Way.

From Kirkus Reviews:

Veteran music journalist Koster surveys music from the state with the most to offer. In addition to well-researched and historically savvy sections on country, rock 'n' roll, and blues, Koster tackles folk, ethnic music, a variety of black musical styles, easy listening, classical, and jazz. While some formats are inevitably relegated to, at best, a passing treatment, Koster is able to apply his amazing expertise about these forms and combine this knowledge with a smart and funny writing style. His special genius is his ability to link famous names with well-known songs where the relationship has previously been unknown. For instance, how many readers will already know that the Champs, who recorded ``Tequila'' in 1958, had Texans Jim Seals and Dash Crofts as guitarists--the same Seals and Crofts who went on become easy- listening stars in the '70s? His principal weakness is his seeming desire to cast everyone as a Texan. Jimi Hendrix, he points out, was not born, never lived, and did not die in Texas, but he did, Koster notes, once buy a guitar from bluesman Jimmy Vaughan. Robert Johnson is included because he made all his extant recordings in Texas, although he is most often associated with the Mississippi Delta players he inspired. On the other hand, Koster gives proper attention to ground-breaking Texas acts like the indescribable Butthole Surfers and Austin folkster Meredith Louise Miller. Koster also intersperses his text with boxed profiles of ``Criminally Overlooked Musicians,'' to bring attention to some truly influential artists who have gone unnoticed. A lively and affectionate study for music lovers of all stripes. (100 b&w photos, 7 maps, not seen) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0312254253
• ISBN 13: 9780312254254
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352