In a narrative that captures all the tumult and liberating energy of a country in division and transition, Sweet Soul Music is the story of the birth of modern rhythm-and-blues. Guralnick records the rise and fall of Stax Records - the Memphis powerhouse label that produced a string of classics from the likes of Otis Redding and Booker T. and the MGs - and other labels such as Atlantic, as well as profiling such major artists as Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Solomon Burke and Al Green. A fascinating tale of a decade that produced some of the finest music ever.
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About the Author
Peter Guralnick has written extensively on American music and musicians. His books include the prize-winning two-volume Elvis Presley biography, Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love; the acclaimed trilogy on American roots music, Sweet Soul Music, Lost Highway and Feel Like Going Home; the biographical inquiry Searching for Robert Johnson; and the novel Nighthawk Blues.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Cies
Format:Paperback
Guralnick's book is one of the best books written about music ever. He is not only a fan of the music, but he is also a gifted writer who does more than just worshipping his heroes on paper. In his reasearch for writing this book he has spoken with almost everyone who has contributed something to Southern Soul and was still alive at the time of his research. While reading this book I always had to stop after a few pages, just to play some music of the artist he was writing about. Of some of the artist Guralnick is writing about I did not have records, but the excellent discography you will find at the end of the book I am currently using as some kind of shopping guide. It is not allowed otherwise I would have given this book six stars. The sixth star being for the discography. Or as Elvis Costello says (being quated on the backside of the cover)"Buy this book! In years to come it will seem like a bargain compared with alll the wonderful records which you will have to buy after reading the vivid accounts of Sweet Soul Music".
For once Elvis Costello is right. The way Guralnick writes about his subject makes me appetite for more and more Sweet Southern Soul Music only greater and greater. I have to stop now. Time to buy some more Sweet Soul Music.
For once Elvis Costello is right. The way Guralnick writes about his subject makes me appetite for more and more Sweet Southern Soul Music only greater and greater. I have to stop now. Time to buy some more Sweet Soul Music.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Peter Guralnick is a writer of some of the finest books on American popular Anything he writes is worthy of consideration (including his homage to Elvis, "Last Train To Memphis"). "Sweet Soul Music" is elegantly written, displaying a real passion for the music on every page. It is also about the business and music industry as well as the music itself and it offers fascinating insights into the creation of Atlantic, Stax and the development of the highly influential Muscle Shoals Sound.
It is also painstakingly researched and it was apparently five years in preparation - the research paid dividends and the end product offers a richly detailed history and numerous first person accounts from the people who made it happen. Music and the written word rarely gel as well as this but then writing rarely gets this good! (Excellent archive photos as well! )..
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Cies
Format:Paperback
...I have read books on muscic genres/artists before, and had seldom the urge ti buy more of the artists dealt in the book, because of what I had written. But this time it is different. In Guralnick we have the ideal combination of writing skills, knowledge about the subject he is writing about, and he loves Southern Soul. His writing style is a combination of oral history and autobiographical experiences as a fan of Soul music.
The research Guralnick has done is immense, without making his book into an unreadable academic thesis or a synyhesis of old newsclipings and old interviews. And one of the most important things is that Guralnick himself is a lover of Southern Soul.
The research Guralnick has done is immense, without making his book into an unreadable academic thesis or a synyhesis of old newsclipings and old interviews. And one of the most important things is that Guralnick himself is a lover of Southern Soul.
To finish this off, Guralnick has provided a extensive discography of relevant/interesting/essential records. And it is this combination of very good writing and extensive discography that will cost you lots and lots of money, but will give you lots and lots of pleasure in listening to all this great music, while rereading Guralnick's book.
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4.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb account of the origins of R&B
wanna know the story when Gospel met blues and consequently shaped just about everything we know as popular music today?
Look no further.
Stax, Mussel Shoals, Chess... Read more
Look no further.
Stax, Mussel Shoals, Chess... Read more
Published 4 months ago by MR J N CARRINGTON
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stax of Facts
Having read several other books by Peter Guralnick I certainly wasn't disappointed with the thoroughness with which he tackled this subject On the whole it is a very well... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Geffers
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some major artists missing
I bought this book, having a long interest in soul music from the southern states, but I was disappointed with some artists not mentioned at all. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Christopher Coates
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thorough look at the creation of southern soul
When I read this book, I could not put it down. It was truly an engrossing read. From the early beginnings of southern R&B through Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke,... Read more
Published on 5 May 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost as good as Guralnick's Elvis book.
And that's about as good as books on music get. The stories of minor and supporting character's are given air in Mr. Guralnick's books and that is what sets them apart. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential reading in social history
A thoroughly delightful book...glad to see it coming back into print. The STAX records story here is every bit as facinating as the earlier Memphis tale of Sun Records. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 1998
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