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Crooner
Singing from the Heart from Sinatra to Nas
Series: Reverb
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See moreAn exploration of the crooner in popular music from the 1950s to the present.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Crooners sing close to the mic in a soft, intimate style. In this book, Alex Coles explores the crooner in popular music from the 1950s to the present.
Each chapter focuses on one song and one singer—Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, Barry White, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Tom Waits, Grace Jones, Ian McCulloch, Nick Cave, and Nas—and examines in detail how each contributes to the crooner image.
The book describes how crooners traverse era, gender, geography, and genre—where Barry White developed out of disco, Nick Cave sprung from alternative rock; where Grace Jones was born from reggae and funk, Nas originated from hip-hop.
Ultimately, Coles shows how the crooner continues to be a figure that enables listeners to reflect on and communicate their emotions.
Series: Reverb
View all-
Crooner
Crooners sing close to the mic in a soft, intimate style. In this book, Alex Coles explores the crooner in popular music from the 1950s to the present. Each chapter focuses on one song and one singer—Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, Barry White, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Tom Waits, Grace Jones, Ian McCulloch, Nick Cave, and Nas—and examines in detail how...PaperbackSold Out -
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Iceland punches well above its weight in the world of music, producing global icons like Björk, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, and Laufey, while at the same time nurturing a vibrant local scene. Icelandic Pop explores how Iceland's unique social habits, institutions, and everyday practices contribute to its thriving music culture. Tracing the development of Icelandic popular music since...Paperback$5200Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
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Sting
Sting: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold is the first book to examine the relationship between Sting's working-class background in Newcastle and the creativity and inspiration behind his music. Born in a mainly working-class area of North Tyneside in 1951, Gordon Sumner would become one of the world's best-selling music artists. Known professionally as Sting, he was the lead...PaperbackSold Out -
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Reviews of Crooner by Alex Coles praise its imaginative approach and thorough exploration of the crooner persona within broader historical and cultural contexts. The book is noted for striking a balance between passion for the subject and insightful narrative, offering both casual music fans and academics a rich exploration of this music style. Coles's focus on less-known tracks for analysis adds depth and showcases the multifaceted nature of crooning, contributing significantly to the literature on popular music.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781789147667
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 August 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Illustration: 40 illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 148.0mm
Height: 210.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 208
Collections
About the Author
Alex Coles is professor of arts and humanities at the University of Huddersfield. He is the author of several books, including Tainted Love: Twisted Romantic Ballads (2023).
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