Book Musik 055 – Why Marianne Faithfull Matters by Tanya Pearson

Posted on October 1, 2021August 4, 2022 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.

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

Book Musik 052 – The Lyrics of Syd Barrett

Posted on August 15, 2021August 4, 2022 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.

Spotify playlist | Apple playlist

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

Book Musik 045 – A Band With Built-In Hate: The Who From Pop Art to Punk – discussion with author Peter Stanfield

Posted on May 1, 2021August 4, 2022 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Peter Stanfield to discuss his new book A Band With Built-In Hate: The Who from Pop Art to Punk. The Who is a band rife with contradictions and easily one of the most acutely self-aware bands to come out of the British music scene of the 1960s. From recording ads on The Who Sell Out to the rock opera Tommy, The Who explored the vast continuum of what popular music could be. They were anti-intellectual intellectuals who embraced constant change and who weren’t afraid to smash a few guitars along the way.

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

Book Musik 027 – Remain in Love: Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Tina by Chris Frantz

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

Tosh and Kimley discuss Remain in Love: Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Tina by Chris Frantz. Frantz is a founding member of Talking Heads and as the drummer he was half of the rhythm section along with his wife Tina Weymouth on bass. They were at the epicenter of the infamous CBGB scene in 1970s New York along with The Ramones, Television, Blondie, and Patti Smith to name just a few. They broke fresh creative ground on what a rock band could be – quirky, geeky, arty, possibly too smart for their own good and oddly clean-cut but with a twist. Lester Bangs famously said they were so uncool that they were cool. Frantz adds his firsthand perspective on a time in rock ‘n’ roll history of which we can never get enough.

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 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