There are no definitive histories; writes Elijah Wald; in this provocative reassessment of American popular music; "because the past keeps looking different as the present changes." Earlier musical styles sound different to us today because we hear them through the musical filter of other styles that came after them; all the way through funk and hip hop.As its blasphemous title suggests; How the Beatles Destroyed Rock n Roll rejects the conventional pieties of mainstream jazz and rock history. Rather than concentrating on those traditionally favored styles; the book traces the evolution of popular music through developing tastes; trends and technologies--including the role of records; radio; jukeboxes and television --to give a fuller; more balanced account of the broad variety of music that captivated listeners over the course of the twentieth century. Wald revisits original sources--recordings; period articles; memoirs; and interviews--to highlight how music was actually heard and experienced over the years. And in a refreshing departure from more typical histories; he focuses on the world of working musicians and ordinary listeners rather than stars and specialists. He looks for example at the evolution of jazz as dance music; and rock n roll through the eyes of the screaming; twisting teenage girls who made up the bulk of its early audience. Duke Ellington; Benny Goodman; Frank Sinatra; Elvis Presley; Chuck Berry; and the Beatles are all here; but Wald also discusses less familiar names like Paul Whiteman; Guy Lombardo; Mitch Miller; Jo Stafford; Frankie Avalon; and the Shirelles; who in some cases were far more popular than those bright stars we all know today; and who more accurately represent the mainstream of their times.Written with verve and style; How the Beatles Destroyed Rock n Roll shakes up our staid notions of music history and helps us hear American popular music with new ears.
#614052 in eBooks 2009-10-01 2009-10-01File Name: B0030DFF2W
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Required Reading For Any Aspiring ArtistBy GavrocheWow. A great interview with a real prolific artist and one of the all time modern jazz greats. Richard Niles not only has a knack for asking the right questions on what makes Pat "tick". but also delves a lot deeper into near metaphysical territory. I almost felt like I was reading Platos Republic for the first time as a teen as Pat discussed his ideas. Just wonderful stuff.I really believe this would be a good book not only for musicians but other artists and entrepreneurs as well. Pat describes how early on he knew exactly what he wanted to do and points to the decisions he made along the way to that end.I found this a very enjoyable read. especially the abstract ideas Pat talks about like "the big questions" and "art as hyper-reality". I also believe this would probably fit well in a college music course for its practical content as well as its "out of the box" discussions.The only thing I think could be added is possibly a web link so you could listen in on some of the interviews and Pat playing those riffs notated at the end. I would highly recommend this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Made a huge fan happy!By JJGBought this as s gift for my son-ion-law. a huge Pat Metheny fan. He loved it and wasnt even aware the book existed. He read it on a plane flight and had it finished before the landed. Think it was the best gift I ever gave him!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. fascinating insightBy jimboturboStarting in the 1970s. Pat Metheny took jazz in a new direction - really. a series of new directions. Hes a deep thinker and an incredible talent. and this book provides a fascinating insight into his creative mind. The author is informed and asks great questions - if youre a Pat Metheny fan. youll appreciate this book!
