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How to Listen to Jazz
by Ted Gioia • 2016
You don't need music theory. Catch swing, blue notes, and the personality inside every jazz solo.
4.07
3k+
How to Listen to Jazz Summary
How to Listen to Jazz 88%
You don't need music theory. Catch swing, blue notes, and the personality inside every jazz solo.
by Ted Gioia 2016
4.07
3k+ ratings
Herbie Hancock
by Herbie Hancock • 2014
A five-dollar piano, Miles Davis at 23, a crack addiction hidden from everyone.
4.23
2k+
Herbie Hancock Summary
Herbie Hancock 86%
A five-dollar piano, Miles Davis at 23, a crack addiction hidden from everyone.
by Herbie Hancock 2014
4.23
2k+ ratings
Sinatra's Century
by David Lehman • 2015
A hundred glimpses of a singer who mapped an American century: mob, movies, music.
3.97
169
Sinatra's Century Summary
Sinatra's Century 86%
A hundred glimpses of a singer who mapped an American century: mob, movies, music.
by David Lehman 2015
3.97
169 ratings
Eminent Hipsters
by Donald Fagen • 2013
Jazz clubs, sci-fi, late-night radio: a suburban misfit hunting his sound in the 60s margins.
3.58
2k+
Eminent Hipsters Summary
Eminent Hipsters 86%
Jazz clubs, sci-fi, late-night radio: a suburban misfit hunting his sound in the 60s margins.
by Donald Fagen 2013
3.58
2k+ ratings
101 Montunos
by Rebeca Mauleón • 2005
Master Afro-Caribbean piano through 101 patterns, grounded in clave and built for the bandstand.
4.47
17
101 Montunos Summary
101 Montunos 85%
Master Afro-Caribbean piano through 101 patterns, grounded in clave and built for the bandstand.
by Rebeca Mauleón 2005
4.47
17 ratings
Sound Within Sound
by Kate Molleson • 2022
A microtonal Mexican, an Ethiopian nun, and eight more composers the classical canon erased.
4.34
181
Sound Within Sound Summary
Sound Within Sound 85%
A microtonal Mexican, an Ethiopian nun, and eight more composers the classical canon erased.
by Kate Molleson 2022
4.34
181 ratings
Wouldn't it Be Nice
by Charles L. Granata • 2003
Brian Wilson quit the road, made an album America ignored, and Britain crowned it a masterpiece.
3.93
513
Wouldn't it Be Nice Summary
Wouldn't it Be Nice 85%
Brian Wilson quit the road, made an album America ignored, and Britain crowned it a masterpiece.
by Charles L. Granata 2003
3.93
513 ratings
Elvis in Vegas
by Richard Zoglin • 2019
His 1969 Vegas comeback was meant to save a career. It rewired an entire city instead.
3.83
545
Elvis in Vegas Summary
Elvis in Vegas 85%
His 1969 Vegas comeback was meant to save a career. It rewired an entire city instead.
by Richard Zoglin 2019
3.83
545 ratings
Josephine Baker
by Jean-Claude Baker • 1993
Paris star, French spy, mother of twelve. Her adopted son uncovers the bill for her utopias.
3.78
351
Josephine Baker Summary
Josephine Baker 85%
Paris star, French spy, mother of twelve. Her adopted son uncovers the bill for her utopias.
by Jean-Claude Baker 1993
3.78
351 ratings
On the Shoulders of Giants
by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar • 2007
Jazz, poetry, and the Rens: a basketball legend traces his roots to the Harlem Renaissance.
4.02
309
On the Shoulders of Giants Summary
On the Shoulders of Giants 84%
Jazz, poetry, and the Rens: a basketball legend traces his roots to the Harlem Renaissance.
by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2007
4.02
309 ratings
SMiLE
by Domenic Priore • 2005
His band buried his pop symphony. Bootleggers kept it alive. It took 37 years to finally premiere.
3.80
145
SMiLE Summary
SMiLE 84%
His band buried his pop symphony. Bootleggers kept it alive. It took 37 years to finally premiere.
by Domenic Priore 2005
3.80
145 ratings
Bruce Lee
by Bruce Lee • 2001
A basement jersey gave a boy superpowers. His mission: vaporize every adult who ruined the fun.
4.21
1k+
Bruce Lee Summary
Bruce Lee 84%
A basement jersey gave a boy superpowers. His mission: vaporize every adult who ruined the fun.
by Bruce Lee 2001
4.21
1k+ ratings
Perfecting Sound Forever
by Greg Milner • 2009
A century of recording breakthroughs produced one thing: new illusions our ears accepted as real.
4.17
1k+
Perfecting Sound Forever Summary
Perfecting Sound Forever 84%
A century of recording breakthroughs produced one thing: new illusions our ears accepted as real.
by Greg Milner 2009
4.17
1k+ ratings
Faking It
by Hugh Barker • 2007
Elvis was an imitator, punk was theater, and disco was realer than anyone admitted.
3.67
243
Faking It Summary
Faking It 84%
Elvis was an imitator, punk was theater, and disco was realer than anyone admitted.
by Hugh Barker 2007
3.67
243 ratings
Another Country
by James Baldwin • 1962
When a Black drummer leaps from a bridge, his bohemian circle fractures along the color line.
4.30
35k+
Another Country Summary
Another Country 84%
When a Black drummer leaps from a bridge, his bohemian circle fractures along the color line.
by James Baldwin 1962
4.30
35k+ ratings
Classical Music for Dummies
by David Pogue • 1997
From plainchant to Stravinsky: how classical music works, what to listen for, and when to clap.
3.95
650
Classical Music for Dummies Summary
Classical Music for Dummies 84%
From plainchant to Stravinsky: how classical music works, what to listen for, and when to clap.
by David Pogue 1997
3.95
650 ratings
A Freewheelin' Time
by Suze Rotolo • 2008
The girl on Dylan's Freewheelin' cover reclaims her life from the image that buried it.
3.85
4k+
A Freewheelin' Time Summary
A Freewheelin' Time 84%
The girl on Dylan's Freewheelin' cover reclaims her life from the image that buried it.
by Suze Rotolo 2008
3.85
4k+ ratings
How Music Works
by David Byrne • 2014
Cathedrals demanded chant. Car stereos demanded bass. The spaces we build write the music we hear.
4.00
29k+
How Music Works Summary
How Music Works 84%
Cathedrals demanded chant. Car stereos demanded bass. The spaces we build write the music we hear.
by David Byrne 2014
4.00
29k+ ratings
Every Song Ever
by Ben Ratliff • 2016
Genre is a filing system, not a listening guide. Twenty perceptual filters for the streaming age.
3.29
910
Every Song Ever Summary
Every Song Ever 84%
Genre is a filing system, not a listening guide. Twenty perceptual filters for the streaming age.
by Ben Ratliff 2016
3.29
910 ratings
Effortless Mastery
by Kenny Werner • 1996
Your brain blocks what your fingers already know. A method for playing music without thinking.
4.22
3k+
Effortless Mastery Summary
Effortless Mastery 84%
Your brain blocks what your fingers already know. A method for playing music without thinking.
by Kenny Werner 1996
4.22
3k+ ratings
Rick Rubin
by Jake Brown • 2009
A dorm-room label, Slayer, Johnny Cash: one producer's philosophy of removal over addition.
3.53
282
Rick Rubin Summary
Rick Rubin 84%
A dorm-room label, Slayer, Johnny Cash: one producer's philosophy of removal over addition.
by Jake Brown 2009
3.53
282 ratings
How to Listen to and Understand Great Music
by Robert Greenberg • 1998
How ideas, power, and faith shaped every era of Western music, and what to listen for.
4.56
1k+
How to Listen to and Understand Great Music Summary
How to Listen to and Understand Great Music 84%
How ideas, power, and faith shaped every era of Western music, and what to listen for.
by Robert Greenberg 1998
4.56
1k+ ratings
The Longing for Less
by Kyle Chayka • 2020
The clean lines of minimalism hide a messy history: Zen monks, art rebels, and $8,200 stereos.
3.45
1k+
The Longing for Less Summary
The Longing for Less 84%
The clean lines of minimalism hide a messy history: Zen monks, art rebels, and $8,200 stereos.
by Kyle Chayka 2020
3.45
1k+ ratings
How to DJ Right
by Frank Broughton • 2002
The mix is the easy part. The art is building a set that tells a story.
4.06
454
How to DJ Right Summary
How to DJ Right 84%
The mix is the easy part. The art is building a set that tells a story.
by Frank Broughton 2002
4.06
454 ratings
Here, There and Everywhere
by Geoff Emerick • 2006
The Beatles' most radical sounds were built by a teenager breaking every rule at Abbey Road.
4.29
7k+
Here, There and Everywhere Summary
Here, There and Everywhere 84%
The Beatles' most radical sounds were built by a teenager breaking every rule at Abbey Road.
by Geoff Emerick 2006
4.29
7k+ ratings
Efficient Music Production
by Ashley Hewitt • 2020
Why your home studio sabotages your output, and the optimization playbook for finishing more music.
2.90
10
Efficient Music Production Summary
Efficient Music Production 84%
Why your home studio sabotages your output, and the optimization playbook for finishing more music.
by Ashley Hewitt 2020
2.90
10 ratings
The Sound of the Machine
by Karl Bartos • 2022
From inside Kraftwerk: the drummer who programmed the beats, then walked away to find his own.
4.28
178
The Sound of the Machine Summary
The Sound of the Machine 84%
From inside Kraftwerk: the drummer who programmed the beats, then walked away to find his own.
by Karl Bartos 2022
4.28
178 ratings
Architectural Digest at 100
by Architectural Digest • 2019
One magazine's hundred-year archive reveals how the world lives, decorates, and dreams at home.
4.19
326
Architectural Digest at 100 Summary
Architectural Digest at 100 84%
One magazine's hundred-year archive reveals how the world lives, decorates, and dreams at home.
by Architectural Digest 2019
4.19
326 ratings
Elvis '68 Comeback
by Steve Binder • 2022
The Colonel wanted a Christmas show. The director fought for leather, sweat, and a comeback.
4.72
165
Elvis '68 Comeback Summary
Elvis '68 Comeback 84%
The Colonel wanted a Christmas show. The director fought for leather, sweat, and a comeback.
by Steve Binder 2022
4.72
165 ratings
Piano & Keyboard Made Easy
by Christopher Lavery • 2018
Three chords, a few patterns, and five minutes a day unlock the piano at any age.
4.00
1
Piano & Keyboard Made Easy Summary
Piano & Keyboard Made Easy 84%
Three chords, a few patterns, and five minutes a day unlock the piano at any age.
by Christopher Lavery 2018
4.00
1 ratings
Fifty Sides of the Beach Boys
by Mark Dillon • 2012
Fifty songs that built and nearly destroyed a California garage band turned icon.
3.92
128
Fifty Sides of the Beach Boys Summary
Fifty Sides of the Beach Boys 84%
Fifty songs that built and nearly destroyed a California garage band turned icon.
by Mark Dillon 2012
3.92
128 ratings
The Girl in the Green Dress
by Mariah Fredericks • 2025
A reporter in Jazz Age New York stalks a locked-room murder and the girl in green.
3.51
2k+
The Girl in the Green Dress Summary
The Girl in the Green Dress 83%
A reporter in Jazz Age New York stalks a locked-room murder and the girl in green.
by Mariah Fredericks 2025
3.51
2k+ ratings
Music
by Ted Gioia • 2019
Why music's most forbidden elements are what actually make it change and survive.
4.00
817
Music Summary
Music 83%
Why music's most forbidden elements are what actually make it change and survive.
by Ted Gioia 2019
4.00
817 ratings
Glory Days
by Dave Marsh • 1987
The contract was signed on a car hood. The battle to control his music nearly broke him.
3.78
387
Glory Days Summary
Glory Days 83%
The contract was signed on a car hood. The battle to control his music nearly broke him.
by Dave Marsh 1987
3.78
387 ratings
Mood Machine
by Liz Pelly • 2025
Your favorite playlist runs on anonymous musicians and ad-tech logic; it was never a music company.
3.83
5k+
Mood Machine Summary
Mood Machine 83%
Your favorite playlist runs on anonymous musicians and ad-tech logic; it was never a music company.
by Liz Pelly 2025
3.83
5k+ ratings
Piano Playing
by Josef Hofmann • 1976
A virtuoso's manual: how slow practice, legato, and a trained ear build the complete pianist.
3.71
141
Piano Playing Summary
Piano Playing 83%
A virtuoso's manual: how slow practice, legato, and a trained ear build the complete pianist.
by Josef Hofmann 1976
3.71
141 ratings
Tune In
by Mark Lewisohn • 2013
Before Beatlemania, there was a songwriting rivalry, a visionary manager, and six-hour Hamburg sets.
4.72
4k+
Tune In Summary
Tune In 83%
Before Beatlemania, there was a songwriting rivalry, a visionary manager, and six-hour Hamburg sets.
by Mark Lewisohn 2013
4.72
4k+ ratings
I Used to Be Charming
by Eve Babitz • 2019
Eve Babitz captured 1960s LA. These late essays show what happened when the charm wore off.
4.13
2k+
I Used to Be Charming Summary
I Used to Be Charming 83%
Eve Babitz captured 1960s LA. These late essays show what happened when the charm wore off.
by Eve Babitz 2019
4.13
2k+ ratings
The Black History of the White House
by Clarence Lusane • 2011
Enslaved laborers built the White House. The racial reckoning inside its walls has never stopped.
4.15
434
The Black History of the White House Summary
The Black History of the White House 83%
Enslaved laborers built the White House. The racial reckoning inside its walls has never stopped.
by Clarence Lusane 2011
4.15
434 ratings
Playing the Piano for Pleasure
by Charles Cooke • 1941
Amateur piano method: one daily hour, turn weak spots into strengths, keep every piece.
4.19
363
Playing the Piano for Pleasure Summary
Playing the Piano for Pleasure 83%
Amateur piano method: one daily hour, turn weak spots into strengths, keep every piece.
by Charles Cooke 1941
4.19
363 ratings
I'll Never Write My Memoirs
by Grace Jones • 2015
How a girl from a repressive Jamaican church became the mirror-faced androgynous icon of disco.
3.76
2k+
I'll Never Write My Memoirs Summary
I'll Never Write My Memoirs 83%
How a girl from a repressive Jamaican church became the mirror-faced androgynous icon of disco.
by Grace Jones 2015
3.76
2k+ ratings
Listen
by Michel Faber • 2023
Your music taste isn't universal. It's a tribal signal, a traded commodity, and a social weapon.
3.30
374
Listen Summary
Listen 83%
Your music taste isn't universal. It's a tribal signal, a traded commodity, and a social weapon.
by Michel Faber 2023
3.30
374 ratings
Scandal in Babylon
by Barbara Hambly • 2021
A British scholar in 1920s Hollywood must find the killer who framed her movie-star sister-in-law.
3.77
469
Scandal in Babylon Summary
Scandal in Babylon 83%
A British scholar in 1920s Hollywood must find the killer who framed her movie-star sister-in-law.
by Barbara Hambly 2021
3.77
469 ratings
Hit Men
by Fredric Dannen • 1990
Payola never died. It just got a commission, a territory, and a threat of violence.
3.96
975
Hit Men Summary
Hit Men 83%
Payola never died. It just got a commission, a territory, and a threat of violence.
by Fredric Dannen 1990
3.96
975 ratings
Our Noise
by John Cook • 2009
When the majors came knocking, Merge Records bet everything on handshakes and artistic freedom.
4.05
1k+
Our Noise Summary
Our Noise 83%
When the majors came knocking, Merge Records bet everything on handshakes and artistic freedom.
by John Cook 2009
4.05
1k+ ratings
This Is What It Sounds Like
by Susan Rogers • 2022
A former Prince engineer turned neuroscientist decodes your music taste.
3.82
4k+
This Is What It Sounds Like Summary
This Is What It Sounds Like 83%
A former Prince engineer turned neuroscientist decodes your music taste.
by Susan Rogers 2022
3.82
4k+ ratings
Stephen Fry's Incomplete & Utter History of Classical Music
by Stephen Fry • 2004
13,500 years of classical music made funny: from Pythagorean hammers to Stravinsky's riot.
3.70
849
Stephen Fry's Incomplete & Utter History of Classical Music Summary
Stephen Fry's Incomplete & Utter History of Classical Music 83%
13,500 years of classical music made funny: from Pythagorean hammers to Stravinsky's riot.
by Stephen Fry 2004
3.70
849 ratings
Shout, Sister, Shout!
by Gayle Wald • 2007
The godmother of rock and roll played gospel guitar. Her grave stayed unmarked for decades.
4.05
356
Shout, Sister, Shout! Summary
Shout, Sister, Shout! 83%
The godmother of rock and roll played gospel guitar. Her grave stayed unmarked for decades.
by Gayle Wald 2007
4.05
356 ratings
On the Road
by Jack Kerouac • 1957
A writer chases America with a drifter whose wild joy devours everyone close to him.
3.61
452k+
On the Road Summary
On the Road 83%
A writer chases America with a drifter whose wild joy devours everyone close to him.
by Jack Kerouac 1957
3.61
452k+ ratings
Classical Recording
by Caroline Haigh • 2020
The Decca method: why the room matters more than the microphones, and spill is the glue.
4.59
17
Classical Recording Summary
Classical Recording 83%
The Decca method: why the room matters more than the microphones, and spill is the glue.
by Caroline Haigh 2020
4.59
17 ratings
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