Book Musik 026 – Niche: A Memoir in Pastiche by Momus

Posted on July 15, 2020August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Niche: A Memoir in Pastiche by Momus. Nick Currie who performs under the name Momus (the Greek god of satire and mockery) has enlisted no less than 217 dead narrators of questionable reliability to tell his life story. His selection of an eclectic mix of writers, artists, musicians, philosophers, and assorted ne’er-do-wells probably tells us more about Momus than the actual narration. It seems both his work and his life borrow a little from this and steal a little from that and he makes sure to pilfer from only the best sources to create his own unique pastiche.

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

Book Musik 025 – My British Invasion by Harold Bronson

Posted on July 1, 2020August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss My British Invasion: The Inside Story on The Yardbirds, The Dave Clark Five, Manfred Mann, Herman’s Hermits, The Hollies, The Troggs, The Kinks, The Zombies, and More by Harold Bronson. Bronson is one of the co-founders of the legendary Rhino Records label. This memoir/travel journal is his unique behind-the-scenes take on many of the most influential British Invasion bands. He has worked as a music journalist, a label rep in his college days and, of course, as the guy who just wants to put out some seriously good vinyl on the much-loved Rhino Records. But rock stars and/or their managers don’t always want to cooperate…

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

Book Musik 024 – Along Comes The Association: Beyond Folk Rock and Three-Piece Suits by Russ Giguere and Ashley Wren Collins

Posted on June 15, 2020August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Along Comes the Association: Beyond Folk Rock and Three-Piece Suits by Russ Giguere and Ashley Wren Collins. The Association had several enduring top-40 hits in the 1960s but were a bit of an anomaly. While performing they typically wore suits and they sang lush harmonies on songs like “Cherish,” “Windy” and “Never My Love.” This was during a time when guitar-heavy rock was dominating the music scene and the cool kids had a proclivity for outrageous attire and social upheaval. But as an integral part of the Los Angeles music scene, The Association was in the thick of things, opening the Monterey Pop Festival and hanging out with all those cool kids.

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

Book Musik 023 – Five Years Ahead of My Time: Garage Rock from the 1950s to the Present by Seth Bovey

Posted on June 1, 2020August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Five Years Ahead of My Time: Garage Rock from the 1950s to the Present by Seth Bovey. Guitar, bass, drums, a catchy three chord song and a groovy guitar lick — that’s all you need to rock! The pure, raw sounds of garage rock have been around since the late 50s when people realized they could play music without a huge investment of time or money. Most bands never became more than a regional attraction but a few did rise to the top and many continue to have devoted cult followings. Bovey takes us through the beginnings with the instrumental garage rock bands of the late 50s and early 60s and explores the development of this highly influential genre of music right up to the present including an impressive international scene.

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

Book Musik 022 – The Kinks: Songs of the Semi-Detached by Mark Doyle

Posted on May 15, 2020August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss The Kinks: Songs of the Semi-Detached by Mark Doyle. The Kinks are one of the iconic British Invasion bands whose music has only gotten better with time. They were quintessentially British and proud of their working-class roots which came across in their music. Doyle explores the time and place that nurtured The Kinks’ creative impulse specifically examining their North London neighborhood, the British class structure and the social upheaval of the postwar era. There’s a lot of conflict and tension surrounding this band and “Semi-Detached” is the perfect way to kick this off.

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

Book Musik 021 – Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock by Nik Cohn

Posted on May 1, 2020August 2, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock by Nik Cohn. Initially written in 1968 and revised in 1972, Awopbop… is one of the earliest books to tackle the history of rock ‘n’ roll, both in front of and behind the curtain, and this is back when everyone still thought it was a passing phase. Fifty years later and now this book is essential reading in the music writing cannon. Cohn developed a writing style that was completely in sync with his subject matter – brash, visceral, in your face, with loads of attitude. He doesn’t mince words and will happily tell you that The Beatles sucked. You may not agree with him but you’ll still be smiling as you attempt to muster up a few choice words of your own for the writer.

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

Book Musik 020 – David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs (33 1/3) by Glenn Hendler

Posted on April 15, 2020August 1, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs by Glenn Hendler from the 33 1/3 series. Diamond Dogs is frequently considered one of Bowie’s best albums by critics and fans alike. It’s an album that was stitched together from the detritus of a failed 1984 project and his reading of William Burroughs’ Wild Boys which impelled Bowie to use the cut-up technique in his lyric writing. Bowie’s cryptic lyrics are ripe for the kind of OCD examination that the 33 1/3 series allows. And given our current virus-laden era of social distancing and big brother-like policies emanating from the powers that be worldwide, this feels like an album for our time.

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

Book Musik 019 – It Gets Me Home, This Curving Track by Ian Penman

Posted on April 1, 2020August 1, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss It Gets Me Home, This Curving Track by Ian Penman. Penman is a well-established British music journalist who has been writing since the 70s. This book of some of his more recent longform essays covers the mod music scene of the 1960s and seven additional essays on music icons James Brown, Charlie Parker, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, John Fahey, Steely Dan/Donald Fagen and Prince. Penman digs deep and examines the broader cultural context of each of these amazing musicians. This is the book that every smart music junky craves.

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

Book Musik 018 – William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll by Casey Rae

Posted on March 1, 2020August 1, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll by Casey Rae. William Burroughs has always been a magnet for the music crowd. Icons as diverse as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Jimmy Page, Thurston Moore, Kurt Cobain and so many more have all made a pilgrimage to sit at the feet of the outlaw writer. Steely Dan and Soft Machine cribbed their names from Burroughs and countless others have cited his cut-up technique as an inspirational tool. Now considered classics, books like Naked Lunch, Junky, and Queer were not so gently pushing the boundaries of polite society and challenging obscenity laws. It’s no wonder the rock ‘n’ roll crowd came knocking.

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

Book Musik 16 – Bowie’s Bookshelf: The Hundred Books that Changed David Bowie’s Life by John O’Connell

Posted on February 1, 2020August 1, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley discuss Bowie’s Bookshelf: The Hundred Books that Changed David Bowie’s Life by John O’Connell. Any serious Bowie fan knows that Bowie was a voracious reader and the epitome of an autodidact. In 2013 the Victoria & Albert museum had a David Bowie exhibit and Bowie graced us with an additional memento which was this list of 100 books that changed his life. John O’Connell dissects each of these books and tries to surmise the specifics of influence and import to Bowie. It’s an impossible task but an amusing one that leads to further discussion on one of our favorite topics: David Bowie!

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