The Oxford American Book of Great Music Writing - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1557288879 ISBN 13: 9781557288875

Publisher: University of Arkansas Press, 2008

Synopsis

Not only have a breathtaking array of musical giants come from the South—think Elvis Presley, Robert Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Jimmie Rodgers, to name just obvious examples—but so have a breathtaking array of American music genres. From blues to rock & roll to jazz to country to bluegrass—and areas in between—it all started in the American South. Since its debut in 1996, The Oxford American’s more-or-less annual Southern Music Issue has become legendary for its passionate and wide-ranging approach to music and for working with some of America’s greatest writers. These writers—from Peter Guralnick to Nick Tosches to Susan Straight to William Gay—probe the lives and legacies of Southern musicians you may or may not yet be familiar with, but whom you’ll love being introduced, or reintroduced, to. In one creative, fresh way or another, these writers also uncover the essence of music—and why music has such power over us.
To celebrate ten years of Southern music issues, most of which are sold-out or very hard to find, the fifty-five essays collected in this dynamic, wide-ranging, and vast anthology appeal to both music fans and fans of great writing.

About this title

From the Publisher:

The best music writing from The Oxford American's annual music issue, with a foreword by Van Dyke Parks

From the Back Cover:

The musicians you will encounter in this book come at you from all corners of the musical spectrum: Leadbelly, Bessie Smith, Jimmy Martin, Janis Joplin, Ray Charles, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, R.L. Burnside, Al Green, Elvis Presley's first (and greatest) impersonator, Moondog, Bobbie Gentry, and many, many others.

Plus:

Peter Guralnick reflects on how blues music inspired him to write

Tom Piazza hangs out with irrespressible country musician Jimmy Martin in Nashville

Nick Tosches explores the haunting and controversial appeal of Emmett Miller, the early blackface singer

Cynthia Shearer pursues the hometown roots of the mythic Janis Joplin

Jack Hitt meets the sultry and formidable Eartha Kitt

Kevin Brockmeier considers the Iris Dement's effect on his personal life

Elizabeth Wurtzel deconstructs the career of R.E.M.

Wendy Brenner profiles the most passionate country-music lover she has ever known: her own sister:

R. Crumb hunts for old blues records

Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin) discusses his love affair with the banjo.

Rosanne Cash remembers a harrowing roadside experience

Lucinda Williams talks about life, love, and music

All-time great producer Jerry Wexler recalls Dusty Springfield's Memphis sessions

AUTHORBIO: Marc Smirnoff is the editor and founder of The Oxford American. He has written for the New York Times Book Review, the San Francisco Chronicle Book Review, the Washington Post Book World, and others.

Van Dyke Parks is an arranger, musician, producer, lyricist, and composer. Although he has worked with dozens of essential musicians, including U2, Randy Newman, and Bruce Springsteen, he is best known for collaborating (as lyricist) with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys on the legendary Smile album. His own albums include Song Cycle and Discover America. He has done a number of film soundtracks, including Goin' South and The Two Jakes, and he is the author of three acclaimed children's books: Jump, Jump Again, and Jump on Over.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Arkansas Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1557288879
• ISBN 13: 9781557288875
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 466
• Editor: Smirnoff Marc