Skip to main content

How Music Works by David Byrne



Review: How Music Works
David Byrne
2017
Three Rivers Press

The back cover lists several adjectives---brilliantly original, fascinating, extraordinary, dazzling, essential, and absorbing---to describe this book.   I think that pretty well covers most of the endorsements and reviews that are out there already. 
 
How Music WorksI liked the cover and that’s pretty much why I picked the book, that and I am interested in music.  The author’s name rang no bells for me.  As I read through the endorsements I discovered that I probably had seen or heard some of his music.  My kids both knew not only his name, but some of his music.  I must’ve been listening to another sort of music at the time.  However, all that has been corrected now.

I read the book as presented, but as the author mentioned early on, it could be read in any order.  Each chapter is a unique entity of its own.  There’s some of Byrne’s personal history interspersed with some topical essays that intertwined with information and comment.  I think the only chapters I skimmed were the compensation discussion and the last chapter that felt like something written trying to tie it all together.  Or maybe I was just tired that day.  The narrative is dense and I discovered that it was more enjoyable to read a little and then come back for more later.  I found myself thinking about what I’d read and talking to others about it.  I’d say this book lived up to its back cover.  His comments were well stated, insightful, and just down right intelligent.  Doesn’t get much better.  I liked this book and particularly enjoyed his sharing his creative processes. 

I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to think more deeply about music.

I received this book from the publisher in return for a review.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: When God’s Ways Make No Sense by Dr. Larry Crabb

Review: When God’s Ways Make No Sense Dr. Larry Crabb Baker Books 2018 I chose this book because the title intrigued me.   When God’s Ways Make No Sense.    There have been plenty of times when that seemed truer than I’d like to admit.   Are we even allowed to say something like that?   Even if we think it.   So, an author willing to take on that topic had my attention. And mostly because I wanted his take on what to do about it? As it turns out Crabb pretty much gave away his case very early on in his book with a single scripture quote.   The basic idea is God is GOD and we are not.   His motives and actions are incomprehensible to mankind and He owes no explanation for them either.   Crabb admits near the end of his book that he is not a theologian which I knew going into this book, but his arguments are theology.   Or at least I think so.   I found his repeated circling the topic a bit frustrating. ...
1 comment
Read more

Buntings and Books

Time to blog says the calendar. So OK let's blog. What about? Oil spills? Court nominees? Euro problems? Weather? The last one is the easiest to go with it looks like. Cold and windy again. What is this about? Not more than a week ago it looked like summer. Even needed fans to cool the place. Well, the fans are off now. Nature has provided some pre-cooled forced air for a few days now, complete with humidity adjustments ie rain. Keeps the ground cold and the urge to garden at bay. Protection for those of us who aren't in the best physical condition. The weather has the birds on the feeder more often and that included a new one in the area. We've decided to call it an indigo bunting. Matches the picture in the book so that's got to be who he is. Pretty little guy, all decked out in his breeding plumage. Haven't seen those colors since the last peacock came around. Just read that cowbirds like to use them to raise their chicks. Yet another reason t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Jesus Manifesto

Jesus Manifesto Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola Thomas Nelson 2010 A manifesto? Yikes! Some of us may remember a few other manifestos from the past and the idea of another one doesn’t sound very friendly at all. So right from the start I’ve got a problem. But, the title did get my attention, so the authors and publishers succeeded in their effort. Then the vast array of praise within in the first few pages makes me wonder why bother with a review. I discovered that there is a website connected to the book as well that may shock or offend some who dare to visit it. Check it out for yourself sometime. Now all the pieces are in place for a really scathing review, as some might say. That’s not to be the case though. Not scathing, at least. The basic idea of returning to Jesus in His fullness is a great idea. Sweet and Viola make the point that somewhere the church has become sidetracked is right on target. “Youniverse” is on...
Post a Comment
Read more