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A lively introduction to opera, from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century There are few art forms as visceral and…
emotional as opera—and few that are as daunting for newcomers. A Mad Love offers a spirited and indispensable tour of opera's eclectic past and present, beginning with Monteverdi's L'Orfeo in 1607, generally considered the first successful opera, through classics like Carmen and La Boheme , and spanning to Brokeback Mountain and The Death of Klinghoffer in recent years. Musician and critic Vivien Schweitzer acquaints readers with the genre's most important composers and some of its most influential performers, recounts its long-standing debates, and explains its essential terminology. Today, opera is everywhere, from the historic houses of major opera companies to movie theaters and public parks to offbeat performance spaces and our earbuds. A Mad Love is an essential book for anyone who wants to appreciate this living, evolving art form in all its richness
Legendary wordsmith Raekwon the Chef opens up about his journey from the staircases of Park Hill in Staten Island to…
sold-out stadiums around the world with the Wu-Tang Clan in this revealing memoir— perfect for fans of The Autobiography of Gucci Mane and Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter . There are rappers that everyone loves and there are rappers that every rapper loves, and Corey Woods, a.k.a. Raekwon the Chef, is one of the few who is both. His versatile flow, natural storytelling, and evocative imagery has inspired legions of fans and a new generation of rappers. As one of the founding members of Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon's voice and cadence is synonymous with the inimitable sound that has made the group iconic since 1991. Now, for the first time, Raekwon tells his full story, from struggling through poverty to make ends meet to turning a hobby into a legacy. The Wu-Tang story is dense, complex, and full of drama, and here nothing is off limits: the group's underground origins, secrets behind songs like "C.R.E.A.M." and "Protect Ya Neck," and what it took to be one of the first hip-hop groups to break into the mainstream. Raekwon also dives deep into the making of his meticulous solo albums—particularly the classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx —and talks about how spirituality and fatherhood continue to inspire his unstoppable creative process. A celebration of perseverance and the power of music, From Staircase to Stage is a master storyteller's lifelong journey to stay true to himself and his roots
Aerosmith lead singer and American Idol judge, born in 1948, reminisces about his childhood in the Bronx as the son…
of a classical pianist, early musical career, and the rise and fall of the band that made him a rock star. Strong language. Bestseller. 2011
Author of How the Beatles Destroyed Rock 'n' Roll (DB 71861) researches the origins of Mississippi Delta blues. Recaps the…
life of African American singer Robert Johnson (1911-1938) and his influence on white performers who revived the genre in the 1960s. Debunks stereotypes and myths surrounding the music. 2004
Susan Boyle details being catapulted into fame in 2009 at age forty-eight on television's Britain's Got Talent. Describes her audition…
and elimination, debut album, international tour, and life in her small Scottish village before and after her new career. Addresses media speculation about her appearance, mental capacity, and lifestyle. 2010
Autobiography of Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Crowell (born 1950) evokes his hardscrabble Texas upbringing by volatile parents. Details the relationship between…
his epileptic, Pentecostal mother and alcoholic, honky-tonk father. Recounts the start of his own career and discusses his marriage to Rosanne Cash. Strong language and some violence. 2011
Biography of Janis Joplin (1943-1970) chronicles her successful music career and provides insight into her personal life and emotional vulnerabilities.…
Discusses Joplin's drug and alcohol addictions and death of an overdose at age twenty-seven. For junior and senior high and older readers. YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction. 2010
Journalist interviews twenty notable opera professionals--singers, conductors, and directors--who discuss their careers and offer their views on the future of…
opera. Interviewees include sopranos Natalie Dessay and Renée Fleming, tenor Plácido Domingo, director Patrice Chéreau, and conductors Kent Nagano and Esa-Pekka Salonen. 2010
Journalist examines Washington, D.C., during the second half of the twentieth century through the lens of go-go music, which celebrated…
the capital's black culture. Recounts the rise of stars such as Chuck Brown, the role of political and religious leaders, and the economic impact of the genre. Strong language. 2012
Presents fifty-seven interviews with Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) from news articles and radio transcripts, conducted from December 1966 to just before…
his death in September 1970. Also includes court testimony excerpts. Hendrix discusses his musical influences, the social issues of the day, and his drug use. 2012
Fleisher explains that his love of classical music launched his first career as a concert pianist and that the same…
passion kept him alive when his right hand failed him at age thirty-six. Discusses becoming a conductor and teacher. Covers his marriages and the people who influenced him. 2010
Country and folk music superstar reflects on the influences of his career. Discusses growing up in Texas, moving to Nashville,…
loving his family, and more. Memories and commentary contributed by friends and relatives are sprinkled throughout. Includes foreword by Kinky Friedman. Strong language. Bestseller. 2012
Autobiography of Grammy Award-winning music producer Davis (born 1932), who took a job with Columbia Records in 1960 and launched…
Arista Records in 1974. Highlights the dozens of musicians he worked with, including Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, and the Grateful Dead. Bestseller. 2012
Memoir by the only child of country-western singer/songwriters Tammy Wynette and George Jones. Georgette, born in 1970, chronicles her parent's…
relationship, including their careers, divorce, and subsequent remarriages. Recalls Tammy's death in 1998 and discusses her own path and pursuit of a singing career. 2011
Journalist chronicles the development of jazz music from the early 1900s to the twenty-first century. Discusses the art and social…
environment that led to the rise of jazz. Details its influences on later genres and the movements it affected, including labor and civil rights. Profiles notable personalities. 2013
Biography of blind Grammy Award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and singer Arthel "Doc" Watson (1923-2012) from Appalachian North Carolina. Explores his training…
at the Raleigh School for the Blind, rise during the 1960s folk revival, partnership with his son Merle, and the development of his flatpicking style of guitar playing. 2010
Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Cissy Houston recalls the life of her daughter, singer/actress Whitney (1963-2012). Discusses Whitney's career and family…
relationships, including her tumultuous marriage to fellow entertainer Bobby Brown. Speculates on Whitney's drug use and the pitfalls of fame. Foreword by Dionne Warwick. 2013
Using a third-person narrative, opera singer Bocelli, who as a young boy lost his vision to congenital bilateral glaucoma, describes…
his childhood in Italy and his interest, education, and career in music. Relates challenges he faced and overcame. Originally published in Italian. 2011
Author of Catch a Wave (DB 63773) examines the life of rock-and-roll legend Bruce Springsteen (born 1949). Discusses Springsteen's family…
roots and his friendships, musical influences, and romantic relationships. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2012
Winner of seventeen Grammy Awards, singer Bennett (born 1926) reminisces about growing up in New York City, his sixty years…
in the entertainment industry, and his friendships with musicians. Forward by Mitch Albom, author of The Time Keeper (DB 75616). 2012