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Robert Dimery
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Book
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Publisher | Cassell Illustrated | ||
ISBN | 978-184403624 | ||
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Reviewer
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Gareth
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Synopsis
More than just a list of what contributions were worth the studio hours, "1001 Albums" is packed with insights into why each album is significant, the key tracks, the circumstances of its creation, the critical reception in its day, and why it stands the test of time. The text contains fascinating anecdotes that will amaze even the most dedicated muso. Written by top UK and US music journalists, "1001 Albums" covers the period from the late '50s, when albums began to be considered as an oeuvre, to the early twenty-first century, when inspiration drawn from bands of the '60s once again defined the musical landscape.With albums from Elvis Presley to The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Green Day, Christina Aguilera, The Sex Pistols, ACDC, Ray Price, the Beach Boys, Dr. Dre, Pharcyde, Sonic Youth and the Zutons, "1001 Albums" covers all the works that have formed part of the soundtracks to all our lives, at one point or another. In short, no other publication crams so much endlessly readable information and insight into one volume.
Review
A must-read book if you love music - there is something in there to suit every taste. Covering albums from the late ‘50's to the present day this name-checks some of the most important and groundbreaking albums & artists (think Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon; Queen's Night At The Opera; The Beatles Sgt Peppers) and also some albums that might have passed you by -John Cale's Paris 1919, Television's Marque Moon.
This book is also interesting because it acts as a social document because through the decades you can see how society has shaped the music: how the progressive and hope filled sixties moved to the paranoid and pessimistic seventies & eighties. I don't always like the albums they've chosen -especially with the more modern albums, but quite often I can understand why the albums were important. (of course, with Spotify it's possible now to listen to the majority of the albums that feature in the book)
This is a great book, and well worth a read. There is so much information here that it needs at least a second reading, or constant "dips" to mine it's precious nuggets... Great for someone who's just getting into music (you lucky person, you) or even for the avid collector.
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