HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL IN TEN SONGS

'His descriptions of songs, especially, unfold like thrillers or romantic rhapsodies, sucking you in and revealing aspects of each beat or vocal trill that you'd never have noticed on your own. As the most esteemed music writer of his generation, Marcus has made a career of challenging conventional wisdom...' This man can write beautifully and deeply about songs and singing and although these ten songs may not be your choices, they will certainly get you rushing to YouTube to check them all out before compiling your own top ten list and giving them the same intimate treatment. Marcus has selected 10 songs recorded between 1956 and 2008. They include 'Transmission' by Joy Division, 'All I Could Do Was Cry' by Etta James, Beyoncé and 'To Know Him Is to Love Him', first recorded by the Teddy Bears and almost half a century later by Amy Winehouse. Marcus tells the story of the music, the desire for freedom in all its unruly and liberating glory, braiding together past and present. The chapters on Joy Division, on Buddy Holly and on the two 'Money' songs are tours de force. We will never listen to music in the same way again after reading this meticulous, surprising and inspirational book. Bang a gong! Get it on! 306 page large softback.