Music

Told by the legend herself through songs she has written, Dolly Parton, Songteller gives us a peek into the life of Dolly. Including full-color pictures from the very beginning of her fascinating story, this book is a must-have for any fan of Parton or her work. This season is great for Dolly fans, as She Come By It Natural, a more narrative-form biography by Sarah Smarsh, has also been released, which gives a more in-depth look into the trials and triumphs of this musical powerhouse. — MJ

As the primary songwriter for the band Wilco, Tweedy is known for his poetically off-kilter lyrics and unusual melodies. Hot on the heels of his bestselling memoir Let’s Go So We Can Get Back (which I loved), Tweedy offers a meditation on his unique writing process, including suggestions for finding inspiration, his approach to melody and how and when he decides a song is “done.” A small, gift-sized hardback, the book is perfect for the songwriter or other creative types in your life. And of course it’s a must for all Wilco fans. — Rico

Legendary music journalist Lisa Robinson, with her more than 40 years’ of experience in the industry, has sifted through thousands of hours of her own interviews to assemble this new compendium. Organized by topics that range from appearance and romance to fame and abuse, Robinson has crafted an indispensable archive of women’s experiences in American popular music while also providing illuminating perspectives from some of pop music’s most beloved icons. Candid, courageous, and sincere, this book takes the challenges and injustices that women in music face head on. — Travis

Don’t let the title fool you. Leila Cobo’s rich oral history of Latin music in the United States goes far beyond the 2017 hit song, covering the past 50 years of progress and influence in the global music market. Cobo, the Latin music lead at Billboard, uses her knowledge and access to select 19 landmark songs for which she interviews the artists, musicians, and players, allowing them to tell the story of the song’s moment. Decoding “Despacito” is a triumph and a celebration—one that should be read with each song playing in the background. — Melinda

David Byrne is a quixotic and irrepressible creator, not limited by convention but not afraid to draw inspiration from it. Such leads to Broadway’s American Utopia, originally a kind of live concert album with a curtain by Maira Kalman, now a documentary by Spike Lee, and here a book of Kalman’s mobile illustrations, themselves illustrated by fragments of Byrne’s lines and lyrics. Like the show-concert-documentary, the book evokes feeling versus story and is meant to be experienced more than read. It is a bright spark within a darker year. — Jocelyn
 

Highly readable, hilarious, and at times even philosophical, Tweedy's memoir of discovering his passion for writing music and his rise to super-stardom is an excellent read. Like any good rock 'n roll memoir, sex and drugs make their appearance, but his wholesome stories about growing up in a small town, making a family and band-drama are what really make this book a memorable read. - Ashley

Though Prince has shed his mortal coil, I am utterly convinced he will never die. I’ve been a huge fan since the ’80s, when his unique voice, ridiculously witty lyrics, and irresistible dance grooves started taking over the airwaves. In addition to being a great songwriter, producer, singer, performer, dancer…the list goes on…he was also one of the best rock guitarists of all time. If you’re in doubt about this, listen again to “Let’s Go Crazy.” In any case, here, astonishingly, is the scrapbook/lyric sheet/photo collage/memoir-ish book he was working on when he transitioned to his next level of artistic brilliance. Like everything he ever created, it is utterly amazing. - Rico

Music scholar extraordinaire Ted Gioia’s new book is a sweeping history of epic proportions. Ranging from the music of antiquity to the advent of modern streaming services, the book explores music’s dynamic relationship to culture, politics, and power. While the material is vast, Gioia’s sharp wit and astute observations make this a rewarding read. If music plays as important a role in your life as it does in mine, pick this one up. - Travis

Wilmer captures the explosive new energies that defined jazz in the 60s and 70s! Examining the lives and careers of both unknown artists and household names, she paints a vivid picture of what life was like for these members of the jazz vanguard, while also exploring the connections between art, politics, and being black in America. This book is raw and candid! - Travis

In an era where Nashville had a lock on the Country Western sound, Bakersfield became the center of a music revolution. Price tells the story of legends like Merle Maggard and Buck Owens through the venues, events, partnerships, and innovations that created a vivid, pulsing sound. Layering country music with rural folk traditions and electric guitar this music is unforgettable. - Clara