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Music biography, Music
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
Acclaimed composer, sought-after conductor, esteemed educator, tireless advocate for the arts--Tania León’s achievements encompass but also stretch far beyond contemporary…
classical music. Alejandro L. Madrid draws on oral history, archival work, and ethnography to offer the first in-depth biography of the artist. Breaking from a chronological account, Madrid looks at León through the issues that have informed and defined moments in her life and her professional works. León’s words become a starting ground--but also a counterpoint--to the accounts of the people in her orbit. What emerges is more than an extraordinary portrait of an artist's journey. It is a story of how a human being reacts to the challenges thrown at her by history itself, be it the Cuban revolution or the struggle for civil and individual rights. Nuanced and multifaceted, Tania León's Stride looks at the life, legacy, and milieu that created and sustained one of the most important figures in American classical music.
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Music biography, Music
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
The definitive biography of country legend Merle Haggard by the New York Times bestselling biographer of Clint Eastwood, Cary Grant,…
The Eagles, and more.Merle Haggard was one of the most important country music musicians who ever lived. His astonishing musical career stretched across the second half of the 20th Century and into the first two decades of the next, during which he released an extraordinary 63 albums, 38 that made it on to Billboard's Country Top Ten, 13 that went to #1, and 37 #1 hit singles. With his ample songbook, unique singing voice and brilliant phrasing that illuminated his uncompromising commitment to individual freedom, cut with the monkey of personal despair on his back and a chip the size of Monument Valley on his shoulder, Merle's music and his extraordinary charisma helped change the look, the sound, and the fury of American music.The Hag tells, without compromise, the extraordinary life of Merle Haggard, augmented by deep secondary research, sharp detail and ample anecdotal material that biographer Marc Eliot is known for, and enriched and deepened by over 100 new and far-ranging interviews. It explores the uniquely American life of an angry rebellious boy from the wrong side of the tracks bound for a life of crime and a permanent home in a penitentiary, who found redemption through the music of "the common man."Merle Haggard's story is a great American saga of a man who lifted himself out of poverty, oppression, loss and wanderlust, to catapult himself into the pantheon of American artists admired around the world. Eliot has interviewed more than 100 people who knew Haggard, worked with him, were influenced by him, loved him or hated him. The book celebrates the accomplishments and explore the singer's infamous dark side: the self-created turmoil that expressed itself through drugs, women, booze, and betrayal. The Hag offers a richly anecdotal narrative that will elevate the life and work of Merle Haggard to where both properly belong, in the pantheon of American music and letters.The Hag is the definitive account of this unique American original, and will speak to readers of country music and rock biographies alike.
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Music biography, United States history, Music
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
An inspiring, revelatory exploration of the genesis and impact of the fabled Elephant 6 collective and the baffling exodus of…
its larger-than-life luminary, Neutral Milk Hotel frontman Jeff Mangum Years after its release, Neutral Milk Hotel&’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea remains one of the most beloved and best-selling albums in all of indie music, hailed as a classic so influential as to be almost synonymous with the ongoing vinyl revival. But despite its outsized impact, a question looms even larger: why did frontman Jeff Mangum, just as the record propelled him to the brink of music superstardom, choose instead to disappear entirely? The mystery has perplexed listeners for decades—until now. In barely two years, Neutral Milk Hotel rose from house show obscurity in Athens, Georgia, to widespread hype and critical acclaim, selling out rock clubs across the country and gracing the tops of numerous year-end best-of lists. But just as his band was reaching the escape velocity necessary to ascend from indie rock success to mainstream superstar, Mangum hit the eject button. After the 1998 release of Aeroplane and a worldwide tour to support it, Mangum stopped playing shows, releasing new music, or even doing interviews. He never explained why, not even to his friends or colleagues, but thanks to both the strength of Aeroplane and his vexing decision to walk away from rock stardom, Neutral Milk Hotel&’s impact only grew from there. In Endless Endless, Adam Clair finds the answer to indie rock&’s biggest mystery, which turns out to be much more complicated and fascinating than the myths or popular speculation would have you believe.To understand Mangum and Neutral Milk Hotel and Aeroplane requires a deep dive into the unconventional inner workings of the mercurial collective from which they emerged, the legendary Elephant 6 Recording Company. Endless Endless details the rise and fall of this radical music scene, the lives and relationships of the artists involved and the colossal influence that still radiates from it, centered around the collective&’s accidental figurehead, one of the most idolized and misunderstood artists in the world, presenting Mangum and his collaborators in vividly human detail and shining a light into the secret world of these extraordinary and aggressively bizarre artists. Endless Endless offers unprecedented access to this notoriously mysterious collective, featuring more than 100 new interviews and dozens of forgotten old ones, along with never-before-seen photos, answering questions that have persisted for decades while also provoking new ones. In this deeply researched account, Endless Endless examines not just how the Elephant 6 came to be so much more than the sum of its parts, but how community can foster art—and how art can build community.
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Music biography, Music, Bestsellers (Non-fiction), Actors biography
Human-narrated audio
Rhythm guitarist for KISS details his childhood in a dysfunctional family and describes the congenital defect that left him partially…
deaf and without a right ear, driving him to immerse himself in music and stagecraft. Recalls the influences in his personal and professional lives. Strong language. Bestseller. 2014
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Music biography, Music
Human-narrated audio
Journalist reflects on musician and songwriter Leonard Cohen (born 1934). Using Cohen's personal papers, Leibovitz explores the artist's career, his…
thoughts on spirituality, his involvement in world events, and how all of those combined in his growth as a human being. 2014
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Music biography, Music
Human-narrated audio
Biography of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) by University of Michigan professor. Discusses Tchaikovsky's personal life--his sexuality, marriage, and…
death--and examines his musical works in chronological order. Analyzes such familiar compositions as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Eugene Onegin, and the 1812 Overture. 2009
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Music biography, Music
Human-narrated audio
Award-winning entertainment journalist deconstructs the life of the iconic folk singer who--despite a dark period in his career--he believes is…
"the undisputed poet laureate of our time." He interviewed the musician's family, friends, handlers, and fans about the man born Robert Zimmerman in 1941 northern Minnesota. Strong language. 2014
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Music, Actors biography, Lifestyle, Music biography
Human-narrated audio
Author of The Big One (DB 69884) investigates the world of Bob Dylan aficionados. Examines his own obsession with the…
singer and how it eventually led him to other fans. Discusses various tributes created to analyze Dylan and his work, including fan zines, blogs, bootlegs of concerts, and more. 2014
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Music biography, Music, Actors biography
Human-narrated audio
Memoir by Grammy Award winner Braxton (born 1967), detailing her early life in Maryland, her music career, bankruptcies, illness, and…
comeback through reality television with her sisters. Discusses challenges faced and the hope she has for the future. 2014
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Music biography, Music
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
A stunning, in-depth look at the power and poetry of one of the most consequential rappers of our time.Kendrick Lamar…
is one of the most influential rappers, songwriters and record producers of his generation. Widely known for his incredible lyrics and powerful music, he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. In Promise That You Will Sing About Me, pop culture critic and music journalist Miles Marshall Lewis explores Kendrick Lamar’s life, his roots, his music, his lyrics, and how he has shaped the musical landscape. With incredible graphic design, quotes, lyrics and commentary from Ta-Nehisi Coates, Alicia Garza and more, this book provides an in-depth look at how Kendrick came to be the powerhouse he is today and how he has revolutionized the industry from the inside.
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Music biography, Journals and memoirs, Music
Human-narrated audio
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
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Music, Business and economics, Music biography
Human-narrated audio
Journalist chronicles the career of Michael Jackson (1958-2009) as a business enterprise, from his childhood as a member of the…
Jackson 5 to his solo success, and the empire left behind after his death. Examines influences on his decisions, deals made, and his lasting legacy. 2014
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Actors biography, Arts and entertainment, Journals and memoirs, Music biography
Human-narrated audio
Actress and singer Lopez (born 1969) reflects on a two-year span of her life that included the upheaval of a…
world tour and divorce from her husband, Marc Anthony. Recognizes the need to love yourself. Spanish language. 2014
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Music biography, Actors biography, Music
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
A group biography of '90s punk rock told through the prism of Green Day, The Offspring, NOFX, Rancid, Bad Religion,…
Social Distortion, and moreTwo decades after the Sex Pistols and the Ramones birthed punk music into the world, their artistic heirs burst onto the scene and changed the genre forever. While the punk originators remained underground favorites and were slow burns commercially, their heirs shattered commercial expectations for the genre. In 1994, Green Day and The Offspring each released their third albums, and the results were astounding. Green Day's Dookie went on to sell more than 15 million copies and The Offspring's Smash remains the all-time bestselling album released on an independent label. The times had changed, and so had the music.While many books, articles, and documentaries focus on the rise of punk in the '70s, few spend any substantial time on its resurgence in the '90s. Smash! is the first to do so, detailing the circumstances surrounding the shift in '90s music culture away from grunge and legitimizing what many first-generation punks regard as post-punk, new wave, and generally anything but true punk music.With astounding access to all the key players of the time, including members of Green Day, The Offspring, NOFX, Rancid, Bad Religion, Social Distortion, and many others, renowned music writer Ian Winwood at last gives this significant, substantive, and compelling story its due. Punk rock bands were never truly successful or indeed truly famous, and that was that--until it wasn't. Smash! is the story of how the underdogs finally won and forever altered the landscape of mainstream music.
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Music biography, Music
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
“We have performed side-by-side on the global stage through half a century…. In Lightning Striking, Lenny Kaye has illuminated ten facets of…
the jewel called rock and roll from a uniquely personal and knowledgeable perspective.” –Patti SmithAn insider’s take on the evolution and enduring legacy of the music that rocked the twentieth centuryMemphis, 1954. New Orleans 1957. Philadelphia 1959. Liverpool, 1962. San Francisco 1967. Detroit 1969. New York, 1975. London 1977. Los Angeles 1984 / Norway 1993. Seattle 1991.Rock and roll was birthed in basements and garages, radio stations and dance halls, in cities where unexpected gatherings of artists and audience changed and charged the way music is heard and celebrated, capturing lightning in a bottle. Musician and writer Lenny Kaye explores ten crossroads of time and place that define rock and roll, its unforgettable flashpoints, characters and visionaries, how each generation came to be, how it was discovered by the world. Whether describing Elvis Presley’s Memphis, the Beatles’ Liverpool, Patti Smith’s New York or Kurt Cobain’s Seattle, Lightning Striking reveals the communal energy that creates a scene, a guided tour inside style and performance, to see who’s on stage, along with the movers and shakers, the hustlers and hangers-on, and why everybody is listening. Grandly sweeping and minutely detailed, informed by Kaye’s acclaimed knowledge and experience as a working musician, Lightning Striking is an ear-opening insight into our shared musical and cultural history, a carpet ride of rock and roll’s most influential movements and moments.
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Music biography, Biography, Journals and memoirs, Music
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
From the streets of Baltimore to the halls of the New Mexico Philharmonic, a musician shares his remarkable story in…
I'm Possible, an inspiring memoir of perseverance and possibility.Young Richard Antoine White and his mother don't have a key to a room or a house. Sometimes they have shelter, but they never have a place to call home. Still, they have each other, and Richard believes he can look after his mother, even as she struggles with alcoholism and sometimes disappears, sending Richard into loops of visiting familiar spots until he finds her again. And he always does—until one night, when he almost dies searching for her in the snow and is taken in by his adoptive grandparents.Living with his grandparents is an adjustment with rules and routines, but when Richard joins band for something to do, he unexpectedly discovers a talent and a sense of purpose. Taking up the tuba feels like something he can do that belongs to him, and playing music is like a light going on in the dark. Soon Richard gains acceptance to the prestigious Baltimore School for the Arts, and he continues thriving in his musical studies at the Peabody Conservatory and beyond, even as he navigates racial and socioeconomic disparities as one of few Black students in his programs.With fierce determination, Richard pushes forward on his remarkable path, eventually securing a coveted spot in a symphony orchestra and becoming the first African American to earn a doctorate in music for tuba performance. A professor, mentor, and motivational speaker, Richard now shares his extraordinary story—of dreaming big, impossible dreams and making them come true.
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Music biography, Arts and entertainment, Actors biography, Biography
Human-narrated audio
Author of Man of Letters (DB 63163) chronicles the life of English actor and director Laurence Olivier (1907-1989). Describes his…
childhood as the son of minor gentry, his career in the theater, the rocky time he had when first starting in Hollywood, and his personal and professional relationships. 2013
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Music biography, Music, Biography
Human-narrated audio
Perry (born 1950), cofounder of and lead guitarist for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Aerosmith, reflects on his…
early life growing up in Massachusetts, discovering his love of music, his work with Aerosmith, and his personal projects and relationships. Strong language. 2014
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Music biography, Music, Journals and memoirs
Human-narrated audio
Musician and friend of Ol' Dirty Bastard, Monk--with English professor Hess--details the life of the cofounder of the Wu-Tang Clan.…
Details ODB's childhood in Brooklyn, his work with Wu-Tang Clan, his solo musical efforts, and the challenges he faced before his early death by drug overdose. Some strong language. 2014
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Bestsellers (Non-fiction), Actors biography, Arts and entertainment, Addiction and substance abuse, Journals and memoirs, Biography, Music biography, Family and relationships, Parenting
Human-narrated audio
Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actor reflects on growing up with an abusive father, his years in show business, and the…
family secrets and stories that were revealed when he agreed to be on an episode of the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are?. Strong language. Bestseller. 2014