Other books that might interest you

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  A Rare Recording of Film Icon...

  Sharon Tate

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  Sharon Marie Tate Polanski (January 24, 1943 - August 9, 1969) was an American actress and model who appeared in advertisements and small television and film roles. After receiving positive reviews for her comedic and dramatic acting performances, Tate was hailed as one of Hollywood's most promising newcomers, being compared favorably with the late Marilyn Monroe. Her first major role was as Jennifer North in the 1967 American drama film Valley of the Dolls, which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. On August 9, 1969, Tate and four others were murdered by members of the Manson Family in the home she shared with Polanski, while he was away. She was eight-and-a-half months pregnant. The following audio clips are from 1966 and 1967.

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  Why Modern Music Sounds So...

  John Harpoon

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  The way we experience music has changed dramatically over the past century. From the rich, warm tones of analog recordings to the compressed and often lifeless sound of digital streaming, audio quality has taken a significant hit. While technology has made music more accessible than ever, it has also introduced trade-offs that have diminished the overall listening experience. Many listeners may not even realize how much sound quality has suffered, as modern production techniques prioritize loudness and convenience over depth and detail.  
    
  One of the most significant shifts in music recording came with the transition from analog to digital. Vinyl records and magnetic tape once captured the full range of a performance, preserving the natural dynamics and imperfections that made music feel alive. However, as CDs, MP3s, and streaming services took over, music was compressed to fit digital formats, stripping away much of its warmth and depth. While digital audio offers clarity and convenience, it often sacrifices the organic richness that older formats provided. This shift set the stage for an industry-wide decline in sound quality, where efficiency and portability took precedence over artistic integrity.  
    
  Another major factor in this decline is the so-called "loudness war." Over the past few decades, record labels and producers have increasingly pushed for louder music to grab listeners’ attention, especially in an era of short attention spans and endless competition. This practice involves compressing audio to its maximum volume, reducing the natural highs and lows that give music its emotional impact. The result is a flattened, fatiguing sound that lacks the depth and nuance found in older recordings. While louder tracks may stand out on first listen, they quickly become tiring and fail to leave a lasting impression. 

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  Taste in Music - Eating on Tour...

  Luke Pyenson, Alex Bleeker

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  Through original essays and engaging conversations with dozens of indie musicians representing several subgenres, scenes, and eras, food takes center stage in stories about being on tour and eating on tour and how this basic human necessity can create a sense of community and interconnectedness in one of the most mobile industries in the world. Based broadly on the subject of eating on tour, these entries each spin off into their own focused and exciting behind-the-scenes story, but all confirm what Pyenson and Bleeker suspected all along—food looms large in the lives of touring musicians, and it can be used as a gateway into understanding what going on tour is really like. 
   
   
   
  Stories that deal with the best parts of touring: meaningful cultural exchange, hospitality-induced euphoria, and the opportunity to build relationships around the world. And the worst: loneliness, exhaustion, estrangement from family and friends, struggles with disordered eating, and unsteady access to medical care. 
   
   
   
  So the question isn't, "How was tour?" It's, "What do you eat on tour?" Like the best songs or meals, these conversations and essays evoke something central about the human experience. They show us all the ways that music and food bring us together, break us down, lift us up, and add color to our lives.

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  Hip Hop for Our Future - Modern...

  Jihad Nabawi

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  Dive into the heartbeat of a cultural revolution with "Hip Hop for Our Future," an audiobook that explores the transformative power of hip hop music and its profound impact on generations past, present, and future. From its roots in the Bronx to its global influence today, this audiobook takes listeners on a rhythmic journey through the evolution of hip hop, highlighting its role as a voice for social justice, empowerment, and artistic expression. 
  Join us as we celebrate the pioneers, innovators, and storytellers who shaped hip hop into a cultural force that resonates across borders and bridges divides. Through insightful interviews, captivating narratives, and iconic tracks, "Hip Hop for Our Future" offers a dynamic narrative that educates, inspires, and connects listeners to the essence of a movement that continues to shape our world.

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  Stone Mad

  Seamus Murphy

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  50th Anniversary Edition. Paperback.
  'In the sharply formal conversations of the stonemen, the bittersweet flavour of provincial Ireland is presented with neither sentiment nor adornment.' —William Trevor, The Guardian
  'The men who have gone before us have left us a heritage to be proud of; and we feel our own contribution has been for the good.' —Seamus Murphy, from the preface to Stone Mad.
  In 'Stone Mad' Seamus Murphy tells the story of his seven years spent as an apprentice to the stone carving trade, the growing knowledge of the challenges and joys of stone – and of the men who worked it. His artistic feeling for the quality responded to his workmates' reverence for 'the well made thing'. The result is a book of surpassing beauty, full of warmth, humour and profound perception.

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  Tiberius Bound

  Walter Signorelli

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  This is the story of Tiberius Claudius Nero, the step-son of Augustus Caesar, who, despite obstacles and his own reluctance, became the second emperor of Rome. His public life spanned the tumultuous period of transition from the Roman Republic to the Emperorship, and his private life took a series of unusual and surprising turns. He proved himself to be Rome’s greatest general of the day, but he had been forced into an unhappy marriage to Augustus’ recalcitrant daughter Julia, and he abandoned his duties and moved to the Island of Rhodes, where he studied Greek art and philosophy. Eventually, he had to return to Rome to lead the legions, and when Augustus died, Tiberius became emperor. Again, he left Rome and ruled it from the Island of Capri.

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