What are you reading these days? (printed matter only)

arjunmenon · 2009-10-22T09:15:37+00:00

I know we've discussed what everybody is listening etc etc, but i'd like a sneak peek into what everyone is reading these days. This week,I'm on : 1. A lion's legacy - RJ Patterson (very nice book about lion conservation in northern kenya) 2. A player's guide to chords & harmony - Jim Aikin 3. Guitar Player (Al DiMeola on the cover) 4. Creative recording Vol.1 Effects & processors (Can't remember the author's name and slightly outdated book, but still a good read because it details various effects).

Coolcat

@ coynegfsa

Will try to find that book. Thanks for the 'heads-up'.

strataxe

Music wise - recently got Guitarists 100 Guitar Heroes...
THE LATEST Total Guitar Mag...read a bit, play, read a bit play...

Other : Martin Cruz Smith - Red Square
Regulars Popular Mechanics and reader's digest

ftcl

coynegfsa wrote
Clapton: The Autobiography

This is the only "famous musician" autobiography/biography I've finished/enjoyed. I have one on Hendrix (Room Full of Mirrors - Charles R Cross) and one on The Rolling Stones (The Stones - Philip Norman ) waiting, but can't seem to get myself to read them... ???

DrGonzo

Not a music book but reading Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - incredible book so far I can't put it down and when I'm not reading it I am either planning to or thinking about it! Recommend x 1000 ?

Manfred-Klose

i am busy with this book

Guitar family trees, the history and stories of how most guitars and companies developed.

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Family-Trees-History-Guitars/dp/1845434234

Psean

strataxe wrote reader's digest

I heard they went bust

domhatch

Psean wrote I heard they went bust

nah. that was playboy.

coynegfsa

ftcl wrote
coynegfsa wrote
Clapton: The Autobiography

This is the only "famous musician" autobiography/biography I've finished/enjoyed. I have one on Hendrix (Room Full of Mirrors - Charles R Cross) and one on The Rolling Stones (The Stones - Philip Norman ) waiting, but can't seem to get myself to read them... ???

I've read quite a few. Clapton's, for some reason, didn't make as much on an impression on me as some others. Started reading "Life" by Keith Richards a few days ago and finished it earlier today. Definitely one of the best ones I've read to date. It's about more than just his life, it covers some advice / bits for guitarists too along with general life tips. "What Would Keith Richards Do" - a quote book of Keith-isms - is another good one.

Bob-Dubery

I'm currently re-reading two previously enjoyed books

1) Flat Earth News by Nick Davies. This looks at the media, the pressures they are under and how good a job they do (or don't).

2) This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J Levitin. Levitin is a neuro-scientist, a sound engineer, a session player and a record producer and that set of qualifications and experiences has led him to write a most interesting book. It looks at things like how we perceive music, what makes music interesting, why the heck we have music in the first place, and how our tastes are formed. Oh and why a resolution from the dominant 7th chord back to the root is so satisfying.

Psean

X-rated Bob wrote I'm currently re-reading two previously enjoyed books

2) This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J Levitin. Levitin is a neuro-scientist, a sound engineer, a session player and a record producer and that set of qualifications and experiences has led him to write a most interesting book. It looks at things like how we perceive music, what makes music interesting, why the heck we have music in the first place, and how our tastes are formed. Oh and why a resolution from the dominant 7th chord back to the root is so satisfying.

Sounds really interesting. Will check this one out some time for sure.

Shibbibilybob

Psean wrote
X-rated Bob wrote I'm currently re-reading two previously enjoyed books

2) This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J Levitin. Levitin is a neuro-scientist, a sound engineer, a session player and a record producer and that set of qualifications and experiences has led him to write a most interesting book. It looks at things like how we perceive music, what makes music interesting, why the heck we have music in the first place, and how our tastes are formed. Oh and why a resolution from the dominant 7th chord back to the root is so satisfying.
Sounds really interesting. Will check this one out some time for sure.

Hahahah what timing. I was given (loaned) a copy of that last night ?

Bob-Dubery

Nick Kent - Apathy For The Devil.

Kent was one of the stars of a marvellous writing team for the NME in the 70s. His approach was interesting because he didn't want to just get to grips with the music, he wanted to get to grips with the whole rock 'n roll life style. And he did, becoming a minor star in the process. He played guitar in an early incarnation of the Sex Pistols, was Chrissie Hynde's lover, stayed up for days with Keith Richards, hung with Led Zeppelin and mainlined with Iggy Pop. Oh, and he was on the receiving end of a bicycle chain with Sid Vicious at the other end of it.

If nothing else, this book should disabuse the reader of any imaginings that doing hard core drugs might be fun in the long run.

Kent also offers some interesting insights that might go against the grain of commonly perceived wisdom. He thinks that Mick, not Keith is the hero of the Stones and the source of their longevity. Indeed he paints Keith as irresponsible and occasionally villainous. He clearly loves Led Zeppelin's music but not the thuggish team that surrounded them. In telling of his time living the rock'n roll life he shows a dark underside of the dream.

What I remember about NME in that era was what a marvellous read it was even if I thought that Charles Shaar Murray or whoever was getting really too big for his boots and confusing opinion with fact. This is not a pretty book, but it's a great read because Kent's writing keeps it moving and exciting.

Josh-Hayes

Life - Keith Richards (his autobiography)

Quite interesting, scary at times...

arjunmenon

The past week's reading...

Elmore Leonard's Get Shorty (like the movie) and Pagan Babies (about a wayward American priest in Rwanda)
Roberto Saviano's Gomorrah (about the Camorra)
Rusty Young Marching Powder (about drug trafficking in South America)

Bob-Dubery

Ben Goldacre - Bad Science

Prior to that the John Martyn biog Some People Are Crazy About Him and Simon Winchester's Their Noble Lordships: How to tell a Duke from an Earl

lindsmuse

'Wild Ducks Flying backwards' - some of Tom Robbins's essays, opinions and articles. I'm listening to this one - audiobook - skipping parts that seem a bit dated and of things that don't interest me. But master of the cool metaphor does it over and again even when writing about the most mundane things. Worth a read. Also listened to Douglas Adam's 'Salmon of Doubt' - also essays and musings - some of it absolutely hilarious. Was such a funny man.
Now I'm on a South African Fiction writers streak - some goodies. Lauren Beukes 'Zoo City' - good stuff. Not going to elaborate but really worth a read. And discovered a really witty and brilliant writer of chick light fiction - Fiona Snykers. Get these for your wives / girlfriends / sisters etc who like light fiction (South African style) ... Trinity Rising and Trinity on Air. And am now reading JM Coetsee Diary of Bad Year - and I am 4 pages in and it's brilliant (as always)

Psean

X-rated Bob wrote Ben Goldacre - Bad Science

That one sounds cool. I must read it some time. Saw him on QI and made a note to check out his stuff.

Psean

Got a couple of rock biographies for gifts, that I'll be reading over the holiday. Just started Mick Jagger by Philip Norman and got Neil Young's Waging Heavy Peace.

guidothepimmp

For God, country and coca cola.. mark pendergrast

Doomsower

Psean wrote
X-rated Bob wrote Ben Goldacre - Bad Science
That one sounds cool. I must read it some time. Saw him on QI and made a note to check out his stuff.

I can vouch for this one, was a real eye opener.
I have his other book on the shelf … with the 100s of other books I still mean to read. ?

Usually I read at least two books at any time. Typically one fiction and one nonfiction.
Currently I am on book 4 of the Wheel of Time series (only 10 more to go!)
and Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond.

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