Which star had sexual relations with a frozen chook? What did Kurt Cobain say when the DJ played Pearl Jam? How did ACDC Lane in Melbourne get its name?
Which star had sexual relations with a frozen chook? What did Kurt Cobain say when the DJ played Pearl Jam? How did ACDC Lane in Melbourne get its name? Find out in Underneath the Riffs: A Rock Reader, Vol 1 (ed. Jeff Jenkins and Miranda Young, Wilkinson Publishing, October). This book takes you behind the music, with conversational tales from all sorts of people who have floated in the heady atmosphere of rock-backstage, front of stage, or behind the lyrics. The editors want to get this book out not just to readers, but to listeners. They say its appeal is wide and it’s hugely accessible, like having a conversation with a bunch of interesting people who’ve seen and heard some hardcore things! Contributors include Tim Rogers, Dylan Lewis, Ed Nimmervoll, Francis Leach, Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum, Sarah Morgan and Wally Meanie.
Rock on with Radio Days (Peter Sheridan & Ritchie Singer, Bakelite, October), a photographic history of 1930s to 1950s glorious-coloured Bakelite radios, innovative in their time, nostalgic pieces of art in ours. This is apparently the first photographic history of this object. No doubt it will become a reference for collectors, and invoke memories of an era, including the cultural spirit of progress.
Get intimate with the world’s most legendary rock band in Led Zeppelin: When Giants Walked the Earth (Mick Wall, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, October). Wall knew both Page and Plant in their heyday and is a respected rock writer. He blows the cover on backstage excess, band member backgrounds, and musical magnificence.
Black Dog Books Black dog books publishing highlights May 200929 April, 2009
Lit-picking From Nagasaki to Delhi, Pakistan to New York, Kamila Shamsie’s Burnt Shadows (Bloomsbury, May) is a sweeping, powerful look at love, loss, history and conflict in the tradition of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, or The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai.25 March, 2009
Science and nature How much science ‘really’ allows us to understand is explored in 13 Things That Don’t Make Sense (Profile Books, April).25 March, 2009
Crowd pleasers Christian Cameron follows up the epic Tyrant with Tyrant: Storm of Arrows (Orion, April) about an exiled cavalry commander violently reclaiming his freedom.25 March, 2009
Talking point Unmissable for Anzac Day is On the Paths of Ash (Pier 9, April), the diaries of Robert Holman, edited and given historical context by Peter Thomson.25 March, 2009
Artful Persuasion Art at Te Papa (ed. William McAloon, Te Papa Press, April) presents the Te Papa collection, its history closely linked with that of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Over 400 artworks are on show, accompanied by mini essays.25 March, 2009
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