Reading List: November 2022

Words by András Goldinger, Edited by Brandon Wetherbee

Reading about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll tends to be a safer way to enjoy sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. We asked Politics and Prose Music Buyer András Goldinger for some musical books to add to our reading list. His picks range from modern histories to children’s books and everything in between.

New Histories

“Music Is History”
The last 50 years of music (and history) from a very personal perspective. Written by Questlove.

“Major Labels: A History of Music in Seven Genres”
Rock, R&B, country, punk, hip-hop, dance and pop. Written by Kelefa Sanneh.

“The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century”
A classic meditation, from Stravinski to Björk, Monk and Reich. Written by Alex Ross.

“Musical Revolutions: How the Sounds of the Western World Changed”
From the beginnings of notation in the 11th century to contemporary leaps in classical and jazz. Written by Stuart Isacoff.

New Critical Lenses

“This Woman’s Work: Essays on Music”
Novelists, critics, poets, and musicians redress the balance. Edited by Sinead Gleeson + Kim Gordon.

“Liner Notes for the Revolution: The Intellectual Life of Black Feminist Sound”
From early blueswomen to Janelle Monáe, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Beyoncé. Written by Daphne Brooks.

Music + the Brain

“This is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You”
Susan Rogers is a cognitive neuroscientist (and was Prince’s engineer!). Written by Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas.

D.C. Music

“DC Jazz”
Great essays on Ellington, 7th Street’s jazz clubs, Howard and UDC, D.C.’s jazz radio and concert scene and more. Edited by Maurice Jackson and Blair A. Ruble.

“Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation’s Capital”
Another classic work documenting punk in words and pictures. Written by Mark Andersen and Mark Jenkins.

“Go-Go Live: The Musical Life and Death of a Chocolate City”
The two complimentary works on D.C.’s go-go. Written by Natalie Hopkinson.

For Young Readers

“Before Music: Where Instruments Come From”
A colorful, large-format inventive book that takes a global look at natural materials and the musical impulses which transformed them into instruments, and the way they are played. Written by Annette Bay Pimentel and illustrated by Madison Safer.

“Still This Love Goes On”
Musicians themselves have also transformed their songs into picture books. Written by Buffy Sainte-Marie and illustrated by Julie Flett.

Musicians on Music

“How Music Works”
The ever-curious Byrne on history, philosophy plus tips on producing, performing and surviving the business. Written by David Byrne.

“The Philosophy of Modern Song”  
Sixty-plus essays, each riffing on a favorite song. Written by Bob Dylan.

Wildcard Pick!

The 33 1/3 Series
Starting with “Dusty in Memphis” (published in 2003) to the latest title, each of the 168 volumes (and counting) of the 33 1/3 series is devoted to one iconic album. There’s something for everyone!

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Brandon Wetherbee