Book Musik now on Substack

 

BOOK MUSIK is back and has a new home at Substack. 58 shows so far and still counting. Please subscribe to Book Musik here:

Book Musik on Substack

Book Musik: No. 55 - Marianne Faithfull

 

Book Musik 055 – Why Marianne Faithfull Matters by Tanya Pearson

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Why Marianne Faithfull Matters by Tanya Pearson. Marianne Faithfull is now entering her sixth decade of pushing creative boundaries. She started in the 1960s as an icon of the swinging London scene both as a singer and an actress. In 1979 in her early 30s (when that was considered over-the-hill), she released her album Broken English which is a visceral masterpiece. And she’s continued to push herself creatively ever since with eclectic collaborations from Metallica to Hal Willner to Jarvis Cocker and just this year releasing an album of recited poetry with music by Warren Ellis. Never one to rest on her laurels, we know she’ll be breaking rules to the very end.

Spotify playlist | Apple playlist

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik · Book Musik 055

Book Musik No. 52 - The Lyrics of Syd Barrett

Book Musik 052 – The Lyrics of Syd Barrett

Posted on August 15, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss The Lyrics of Syd Barrett with a foreword by Peter Jenner and an introduction by Rob Chapman. Barrett was not only a founding member of Pink Floyd but was also the lead singer and primary songwriter for the band. After their first album, his presence in the band quickly diminished and their creative trajectory completely changed. He went on to put out two solo albums which are still highly regarded and very unique in the pop world. And then he disappeared from the pop-rock world entirely perhaps due to mental health issues, drug issues or a giant fuck-you to the rock ‘n’ roll machinery that he just couldn’t abide. The crazy diamond, rock ‘n’ roll mythology surrounding Syd is fun to explore but his lyrics make it abundantly clear that he was a true artist in every sense of the word.

Book Musik · Book Musik 052 – THE LYRICS OF SYD BARRETT

Book Musik (No. 50) Excavate! The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall with guest Dave Ehrlich

 

Book Musik 050 – Excavate! The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall with guest Dave Ehrlich

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Excavate! The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall (ed. by Tessa Norton & Bob Stanley) with special guest, number one fan of The Fall, Dave Ehrlich. We are neophytes to the forbidding and frankly overwhelming world of The Fall, so we’ve enlisted Dave to be our Sherpa. Dave’s been a super fan since the 80s and guides us through The Fall’s mysterious landscape. This is not a band for the faint of heart and their prodigious output means there’s some work to be done to explore their universe, but we’ve found that the rewards are more than worth it. We’re quickly becoming super fans as well.

Playlist for Jack Skelley's "Dennis Wilson and Charlie Manson" (Book Musik)

 

Jack Skelley's magnificent little book "Dennis Wilson and Charllie Manson" is the subject matter for the recent episode of BOOK MUSIK, with Jack as a guest. We also put together a playlist of deep (really deep) cuts from Dennis and his Beach Boys, as well as some Charlie/Terry Melcher/Bruce Johnson into the mix. You can hear it here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6TZZfHGNKgrPg8LZhpJnDI?si=b4faf91a9731423f&nd=1

Apple Music: Dennis Wilson/Beach Boys/Charlie Manson Playlist

Playlist for Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music world from Book Musik

 

One of my favorite music people for the last 49 years is Bryan Ferry. Both in Roxy Music as well as a solo artist. Eno is brilliant, but Ferry is a genius. A great songwriter, he is also a great artist when he approaches other people's songs. For example, I have always preferred his version of Dylan songs than other singers. I think there is a deep connection between Bryan and Bob. For Book Musik, we put together a playlist of music from the world of Roxy, as well as some solo material, including works by Eno, Andy, and Phil. Enjoy!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5S0tx45myBIZN6CR6Yk1eR?si=3b4f62be9e5143ac&nd=1

Apple Music: Apple Music Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry playlist

Book Musik No. 47 "You Lose Yourself, You Reappear: Bob Dylan and the Voices of a Lifetime" Discussion with author Paul Morley

 

Book Musik 047 – You Lose Yourself, You Reappear: Bob Dylan and the Voices of a Lifetime – discussion with author Paul Morley

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Paul Morley to discuss his new book You Lose Yourself, You Reappear: Bob Dylan and the Voices of a Lifetime.Morley explores Dylan’s development as an artist via his numerous “voices” both sonically and metaphorically from his early beginnings in the late 50s/early 60s to his astonishing release last year of Rough and Rowdy Ways.Dylan is notoriously known as someone who is loath to be pinned down and stay in the same place creatively. Those who are willing to go on the ride with him are more than happy, are in fact grateful, for every twist and turn, and every high and low.

Spotify playlist

Apple playlist

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

BOOK MUSIK No. 46 Liner Notes for the Revolution: The Intellectual Life of Black Feminist Sound - Discussion with author Daphne A. Brooks

 

Book Musik 046 – Liner Notes for the Revolution: The Intellectual Life of Black Feminist Sound – discussion with author Daphne A. Brooks

Posted on May 15, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Daphne A. Brooks to discuss her new book Liner Notes for the Revolution: The Intellectual Life of Black Feminist Sound. Brooks asks: “Who gets to tell the story of Black women who were both performing and producing thought about popular music culture, and how will this story be told?” The vital and influential work of Black female performers, writers, critics, intellectuals and cultural historians has long been neglected, marginalized or lost altogether. Brooks has taken it upon herself to fill in the archives and gift us with this rich history long in the making that will undoubtedly send you down many a rabbit hole to discover even more.

https://www.daphneabrooks.com

Daphne shared this playlist for her book: Spotify playlist

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik No. 44 - Carole King's Tapestry (33 1/3) Discussion with Loren Glass

 

Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Loren Glass to discuss his new book CAROLE KING'S TAPESTRY (33 1/3). Carole King is one of the most successful songwriters of the 20th century. From her early Brill Building days writing hits with her first husband Gerry Goffin to this iconic solo album that broke sales and chart records as well as glass ceilings. Glass makes the case that TAPESTRY was not only the soundtrack to but also part of the engine for the women’s movement. Whether or not you’re a fan of TAPESTRY, you inevitably love many of her other hits as sung by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, The Beatles and many of the early girl groups. Her back catalogue is still being mined regularly by more recent artists solidifying her legacy for many years to come.

Listen to it here:

Book Musik: Carole King's Tapestry discussion with Loren Glass

Book Musik 044 – Carole King’s Tapestry (33 1/3) – discussion with author Loren Glass

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Loren Glass to discuss his new book Carole King’s Tapestry (33 1/3). Carole King is one of the most successful songwriters of the 20th century. From her early Brill Building days writing hits with her first husband Gerry Goffin to this iconic solo album that broke sales and chart records as well as glass ceilings. Glass makes the case that Tapestry was not only the soundtrack to but also part of the engine for the women’s movement. Whether or not you’re a fan of Tapestry, you inevitably love many of her other hits as sung by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, The Beatles and many of the early girl groups. Her back catalogue is still being mined regularly by more recent artists solidifying her legacy for many years to come.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

 

Tosh, Kimley, and Jeremy discuss Serge Gainsbourg

BOOK MUSIK: "From Elvis in Memphis (331/3)" - discussion with author ERIC WOLFSON

Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Eric Wolfson to discuss his new book Elvis Presley’s From Elvis in Memphis (33 1/3). Elvis is a paradox who became the mold for all rock stars to follow. He was the King of Rock in the 50s and then the king of schlock in the 60s but made an impressive comeback with the release of this album in 1969 that reinforced his place in the rock ‘n’ roll pantheon. Going back to Memphis where he started and working at the gritty, down-to-earth American Sound Studio helped him create what is considered by many to be his best studio album.

Links to Eric’s social media:
www.fromelvisinmemphis.com
Twitter: @FromElvisIn333
Instagram: @PresleyDayByDay

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

 

BOOK MUSIK: Playlist for "She Bop" by Lucy O'Brien

 

Spotify: She Bop Playlist for Spotify

Apple Music: She Bop Playlist for Apple Music

BOOK MUSIK - "She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music" by Lucy O'Brien (Jawbone)

 

Book Musik 039 – She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music by Lucy O’Brien

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music (Revised and Updated 25th Anniversary Edition) by Lucy O’Brien. Respect! Women have been fighting the pop music establishment since the beginning for just a little bit… Rock ‘n’ rollers like to think they live by their own rules, outside the establishment, but women know that it’s an ol’ boys club on par with cliques of politicians and financiers. So, sisters are doing it for themselves and finding unique ways to assert their creative voices. O’Brien gives us an exhaustive look at the struggles and triumphs of women in the music biz since recorded music started.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik · Book Musik 039 – SHE BOP: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music b

BOOK MUSIK - "Maybe The People Would Be The Times" by Luc Sante

 

Book Musik 037 – Maybe the People Would Be the Times by Luc Sante

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Maybe the People Would Be the Times by Luc Sante. This collection of Sante’s essays, mostly from the last 15-20 years, covers a wide spectrum of his obsessive interests which include a heavy dose of music, photography, writers, filmmakers, New York City life and an assortment of oddities. While it’s a seemingly divergent field of topics, there is an aesthetic thread that connects them all. His writing pulses with life and pulls the reader into his world — dreamy, romantic, personal and always compelling.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik · Book Musik 037 – "Maybe the People Would Be the

Book Musik - "Side by Side: Selected Lyrics by Robert Wyatt & Alfie Benge (Faber & Faber)

 

Book Musik 036 – Side by Side: Selected Lyrics by Robert Wyatt & Alfie Benge

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Side by Side: Selected Lyrics by Robert Wyatt and Alfie Benge. Wyatt started his music career as a founding member of The Soft Machine in the 1960s and released his first solo album in the early 70s. Alfie, his wife, manager, and creative partner is an artist who has done all of his cover art as well as writing many of his lyrics. Robert and Alfie are former card-carrying members of the Communist Party of Great Britain and avid followers of ‘pataphysics – the science of imaginary solutions. The tension between serious and playful, political and dreamy is a key feature in their work. This collection of lyrics and artwork is a beautiful testament to their inspiring collaboration.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik · Book Musik 036 – "Side by Side: Selected Lyrics" by

BOOK MUSIK: Interview with Paul Morley on his book "A Sound Mind" (Bloomsbury)

 

Book Musik 035 – A Sound Mind discussion with author Paul Morley

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley are joined by writer Paul Morley to discuss his latest book A Sound Mind: How I Fell in Love with Classical Music (and Decided to Rewrite Its Entire History). Paul is a man after our own heart with wildly eclectic taste in music, an insatiable curiosity and a willingness to challenge his own assumptions. He is a well-established and highly respected pop/rock writer who’s been covering the scene since the 70s. In his 50s he realized that pop music wasn’t giving him the jolt it once did and decided to explore classical music. He discovered that its newness to himself made it as exciting if not more so than the latest pop phenomenon. It’s a fascinating adventure and the book is a passionate call to never stop expanding one’s horizons.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik · Book Musik 035

BOOK MUSIK (No. 34) "I'm Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen" by Ray Padgett (33 1/3)

 

Book Musik 034 – I’m Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (33 1/3) by Ray Padgett

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss I’m Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (33 1/3)by Ray Padgett. Tribute albums are often derided and tend to elicit a love/hate reaction. When done right, they can illuminate a song and boost an artist’s career as did this one for Leonard Cohen. Padgett looks into not only the specifics of this Leonard Cohen tribute album but the history of the genre in general and some of the key players like producer Hal Willner and frequent contributor Juliana Hatfield. When one great artist covers another great artist it can be sublime. Or it could make your ears bleed. Art is always a gamble…

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik · Book Musik 034 – "I'm Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen" by Ray Padgett

BOOK MUSIK - "Recombo DNA: The Story of DEVO" by Kevin C. Smith

 

Book Musik 033 – Recombo DNA-The Story of Devo or How the 60s Became the 80s by Kevin C. Smith

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Recombo DNA-The Story of Devo or How the 60s Became the 80s by Kevin C. Smith. Smith takes a deep dive examining just what made Devo tick and twitch. From 1970 to 1979, he takes us through the background and influences of this Ohio band who experienced the Kent State shootings, discovered Dada, enjoyed manipulating the ideas of de-evolution, experimented with film and multimedia shows and ultimately became a band with top 40 appeal. They managed to find themselves in the company of the people best suited to further their cause from Toni Basil to Brian Eno to Neil Young. Talent and timing is everything.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik - "Sweet Dreams: From Club Culture to Style Culture, the Story of the New Romantics" by Dylan Jones (Faber & Faber)

 

Book Musik 032 – Sweet Dreams: From Club Culture to Style Culture, the Story of the New Romantics by Dylan Jones

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Sweet Dreams: From Club Culture to Style Culture, the Story of the New Romantics by Dylan Jones. The 80s are back! Whether or not this makes you cringe, it was nevertheless an interesting era of Thatcherism, gender fluidity, rampant consumerism, and a hugely creative group of young people looking to conquer the world. This book goes well beyond the superficial veneer of the big hair, the big shoulder pads, and the hyper-stylized MTV videos. Jones gives us a seriously in-depth look at the nucleus of the scene in England as well as contextualizing it in the broader social and political sphere, not just in England but throughout the world. No haircut is left unexamined!

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik · Book Musik 032 – "Sweet Dreams: The Story of the New Romantics" by Dylan Jones