Music

"I don't care much about music. What I like is sounds." — Dizzy Gillespie

Wait for It: On Michael Robbins and Refrains
Michael Devine reflects on poetry, pop culture, and the art of the refrain.
M.I. DevineNov 16, 2017
- Music
- Poetry
Zeitgeist to Obsolete: Rewinding the Walkman’s Inverted Cinderella Story
The Walkman revolutionized music listening, creating personal experiences in public spaces.
Carissa StoltingNov 12, 2017
“I’ll Take You to a Place Called Italian Hall”: On Daniel Wolff’s “Grown-Up Anger” and the Calumet Massacre of 1913
Darryl Holter reflects on “Grown-Up Anger” by Daniel Wolff.
Darryl HolterNov 12, 2017
Who Sings the Revolution?: On Julia Balén’s “A Queerly Joyful Noise: Choral Musicking for Social Justice”
Morgan Woolsey wrangles with the political potential of queer singing in Julia Balén’s “A Queerly Joyful Noise: Choral Musicking for Social Justice.”
Morgan WoolseyNov 10, 2017
- Gender & Sexuality
- Music
Wiry Minstrels and Bloodletting Monster: William McKeen’s “Everybody Had an Ocean: Music and Mayhem in 1960s Los Angeles”
Anthony Mostrom breezes through “Everybody Had an Ocean: Music and Mayhem in 1960s Los Angeles” by William McKeen.
Anthony MostromOct 29, 2017
- History
- Music
Sing, Muse: Three New Books on Literature and Pop Music
Three books on the links between poetry and pop music.
Franz NicolayOct 22, 2017
- Literary Criticism
- Music
Nights of the Mu-Tron III: On Peter Conners’s “Cornell ’77” and the Mystique of the Grateful Dead
Eric Gudas on “Cornell ’77” by Peter Conners and the Grateful Dead’s live acts and recorded legacy.
Eric GudasOct 20, 2017
- History
- Music
A Magnetic and Complicated Personality
A review of Harvey Sachs’s new biography of Arturo Toscanini.
Simon WilliamsOct 19, 2017
- Biography & Autobiography
- Music
“Still No Master Plan”: The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu’s “2023: A Trilogy”
Ron Hogan on The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu’s long-awaited, heavily collaged novel “2023: A Trilogy.”
Ron HoganOct 15, 2017
- Music
- SF
How Skiffle Changed the World: A Conversation with Billy Bragg
Scott Timberg interviews singer-songwriter Billy Bragg about his new book, “Roots, Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed the World.”
Scott TimbergOct 8, 2017
- History
- Music
I Am Something That You’ll Never Comprehend: Remembering Prince
Sara Scribner considers three books that try to get at the essence of Prince.
Sara ScribnerOct 6, 2017
All the Poets (Musicians on Writing): Patti Smith
In this monthly series, Scott Timberg interviews musicians on the literary work that has inspired and informed their music.
Scott TimbergSep 29, 2017
- Music