On the new Fufkin .com page, I have a piece on Nick Hornby's SONGBOOK, where 
he discusses some of his favorite songs of all time.  From this simple 
premise, written in his typical digressive style, he makes some of the most 
interesting observations about music I've ever read.  It is a great piece of 
rock criticism, and one of the best books about music I have ever read.

Going back a few years, I'd recommend (and may have done so before on this 
list) LONE STAR SWING by Duncan Mclean (sp.?).  This Scotsman won a literary 
award and used the proceeds to take a trip to Texas.  He was a burgeoning 
fan of Western Swing music.  His ultimate destination is a festival in honor 
of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, with some of the original Playboys 
doing a show.  As he drives around from small town to small town, talking to 
folks who were there at the beginning of the Western Swing scene (though I 
don't think they called them scenes back then), you learn about small town 
life, Swing music (both from the first person accounts and Mclean's 
extensive research) and get caught up in his quest to learn more.  Even if 
you aren't a fan of the Western Swing per se, most Auditeers can relate to 
Mclean's absolute love of music.  The end of the book is just splendid -- 
highly recommended.

Mike Bennett

NP:  Aerosmith -- ROCKS



Record reviews and more at http://fufkin.com
>At 03:20 PM 2/3/2003 -0800, Tim Leonard wrote:
> >Now that I have the top 20 list to use as a shopping guide,
> >what is everyone digin as far as decent reads.
> >
> >Music or otherwise.


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