Other books that might interest you

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  Why Mariah Carey Matters

  Andrew Chan

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  The first book to critically examine the legacy of pop superstar Mariah Carey. 
   
  When it comes to Mariah Carey, star power is never in doubt. She has sold hundreds of millions of albums and cut more chart-topping hits than any other solo artist—ever. And she has that extraordinary five-octave vocal range. But there is more to her legacy than eye-popping numbers. 
   
  Why Mariah Carey Matters examines the creative evolution and complicated biography of a true diva, making the case that, despite her celebrity, Carey’s musicianship and influence are insufficiently appreciated. A pioneering songwriter and producer, Carey pairs her vocal gifts with intimate lyrics and richly layered sonic details. In the mid-1990s, she perfected a blend of pop, hip-hop, and R&B with songs such as “Fantasy” and “Honey” and drew from her turbulent life to create the introspective masterpiece Butterfly. Andrew Chan looks beyond Carey’s glamorous persona to explore her experience as a mixed-race woman in show business, her adventurous forays into house music and gospel, and her appeal to multiple generations of queer audiences. He also reckons with the transcendent ideal of the voice that Carey represents, showing how this international icon taught artists around the world to sing with soul-shaking intensity and a spirit of innovation.

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  Art & Love - My Life Illuminated...

  Lora Arbrador

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  "A gorgeous heartfelt examination and celebration." - Editor's Pick, Booklife Review of Publisher's Weekly 
  Art & Love is the memoir of a woman’s quest to master the ancient art of egg tempera painting, gain confidence as an artist and find lasting love. 
  It’s 1966 and unaware that a counterculture tsunami is brewing, Lora Arbrador arrives in Berkeley, California where she is introduced to egg tempera, a painting technique that combines colorful pigments with egg yolk. Lora falls in love with this luminous medium but cannot find a teacher to unravel its mysteries. Her love life is similarly marked with many failures. 
  Art and love converge when she falls for a tender, charismatic artist, but after their eight-month immersion in the great museums of Europe, Lora follows him into a commune that she later realizes has become a cult. 
  Set against a backdrop of huge cultural changes – from the counterculture of the 1960s and back-to-the-land movement of the 1970s, to the AIDS epidemic and sex underground of the 1980s – Art & Love is a journey of creative and emotional fulfillment that captivates, educates and entertains the reader. 
  Arbrador’s stunning artwork enhances the narrative, inspiring those grappling with their own artistic expression and longing for love. 
  Includes her bonus essay “Which Came First? A Taste of Egg Tempera History.”

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  The Time of My Life - Dirty Dancing

  Andrea Warner

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  An engaging exploration into the enduring popularity of Dirty Dancing and its lasting themes of feminism, activism, and reproductive rights
  		 
  When Dirty Dancing was released in 1987, it had already been rejected by producers and distributors several times over, and expectations for the summer romance were low. But then the film, written by former dancer Eleanor Bergstein and starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze as a couple from two different worlds, exploded. Since then, Dirty Dancing’s popularity has never waned. The truth has always been that Dirty Dancing was never just a teen romance or a dance movie — it also explored abortion rights, class, and political activism, with a smattering of light crime-solving.
  		 
  In The Time of My Life, celebrated music journalist Andrea Warner excavates the layers of Dirty Dancing, from its anachronistic, chart-topping soundtrack, to Baby and Johnny’s chemistry, to Bergstein’s political intentions, to the abortion subplot that is more relevant today than ever. The film’s remarkable longevity would never have been possible if it was just a throwaway summer fling story. It is precisely because of its themes — deeply feminist, sensitively written — that we, over 30 years later, are still holding our breath during that last, exhilarating lift.
  		 
  About the Pop Classics Series
  		 
  Short books that pack a big punch, Pop Classics offer intelligent, fun, and accessible arguments about why a particular pop phenomenon matters.

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  AI in Creative Workflows - How...

  Sam Miley

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  Artificial Intelligence is no longer confined to data science and automation—it’s now a powerful ally in the creative process. AI in Creative Workflows explores how cutting-edge AI tools are reshaping the way artists, designers, writers, and content creators conceptualize, produce, and refine their work. 
  This book dives deep into real-world applications where AI complements human ingenuity, from generative art and AI-assisted writing to music composition, video editing, and UX design. You'll discover how creatives are using machine learning to ideate faster, personalize experiences at scale, and push the boundaries of what’s visually and emotionally possible. 
  This guide provides practical insights, tools, and ethical considerations for thriving in the new age of augmented creativity.

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  La La Land - Oxford Guides to...

  Hannah Lewis

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  In this Oxford Guide to Film Musicals, author Hannah Lewis gives listeners fascinating new insights into the development, style, and reception of the 2016 film musical La La Land. Directed by Damien Chazelle with music by Justin Hurwitz, the film tells the story of a romance between an aspiring actress and jazz pianist as the two pursue their dreams in Los Angeles. It uses a vintage form to tell a modern story and its blend of nostalgia and realism made it an instant classic even as it prompted a range of critical and audience responses. Drawing on extensive personal interviews with director Damien Chazelle, composer Justin Hurwitz, choreographer Mandy Moore, and lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the book explores La La Land's aesthetic approach to the film musical genre, particularly its engagement with and subversion of the classic Hollywood musical's stylistic and narrative expectations. 
   
   
   
  Lewis offers audiences ways of listening to the film's depiction of jazz, focusing especially on how race and genre intersect in its narrative. She also reveals new insights into the film's reception, showing how the critical response from its premiere to its place at the Academy Awards reflected broader cultural expectations and understandings of the film musical and its continued appeal for twenty-first century audiences.

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  Everything You Need to Know...

  Emily Sorrel

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  "Everything You Need to Know About Rock Music" by Emily Sorrel is your ultimate guide to the history, evolution, and future of rock music. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering the genre, this book takes you on a thrilling journey through rock’s most iconic moments, from its rebellious roots in the 1950s to its role in shaping modern pop culture. 
  With expert insight, Sorrel explores the legends who defined the genre, the groundbreaking albums that changed music forever, and the powerful role rock has played in social movements. Dive into the stories behind the music, from the rise of rock ‘n’ roll to the evolution of subgenres, the impact of technology, and the future of the genre in the digital age. 
  Packed with fascinating history, behind-the-scenes stories, and fresh perspectives on the artists and soundtracks that defined an era, "Everything You Need to Know About Rock Music" is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the heart and soul of rock.

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