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Henry Carrigan

50 Years into His Career, Books about Van Morrison Are Hard to Find

50 Years into His Career, Books about Van Morrison Are Hard to Find

Van Morrison – you either love him or hate him. Although, just maybe, there's one Van Morrison song that, no matter how people feel about him, brings back memories of a certain time and place in their life whenever it comes on the radio or when someone drops the

Considering the Success of the "33 1/3" Series and "How to Read Music"

Considering the Success of the "33 1/3" Series and "How to Read Music"

It’s no secret that Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 series has, since its beginning 12 years ago, become a critical darling. The series is often highly praised for publishing affectionate fans’ notes on well-known and obscure music, or just unusual takes, such as John Darnielle’s novella about a

In Honor of Andrae Crouch: A Couple of Great Books about Gospel Music

In Honor of Andrae Crouch: A Couple of Great Books about Gospel Music

In early 2015, Andrae Crouch died. There’s room for a good biography of Crouch, and maybe someday we’ll have one (or perhaps one is in the works, unbeknownst to me). He brought gospel music into a new age, and stands at the fount of the genre that eventually

Talking with Elijah Wald about His Book, "Dylan Goes Electric!"

Talking with Elijah Wald about His Book, "Dylan Goes Electric!"

By now, the story is familiar: angry folk music purists were incensed at Bob Dylan, whom they had begun to revere as an eccentric, but ingenious, songwriter. Like a Messianic figure, he had come out of nowhere to New York City, assuming the mantle of a prophet (not that he

Two of a Traveling Kind: Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell's Musical Kinship

Two of a Traveling Kind: Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell's Musical Kinship

During a performance in Chicago last month, Emmylou Harris told Rodney Crowell that he was starting a song in the wrong key. He glided into his response: “She remembers the keys, but I remember all the words.” Indeed, after 40 years of friendship and collaboration, Harris and Crowell have grown

Drumming for the Dead: Bill Kreutzmann's Memoir of His 30 Years with the Grateful Dead

Drumming for the Dead: Bill Kreutzmann's Memoir of His 30 Years with the Grateful Dead

Over three nights in early July, thousands of Deadheads will flock to Soldier Field in Chicago to let the sweet sounds of “Ripple” wash over them, dance to the pungent rhythms of “Sugar Magnolia” and “Uncle John’s Band,” and celebrate the entrancing music that entered their souls 50 years

THE READING ROOM: Talking with Rick Hall: "The Man from Muscle Shoals"

THE READING ROOM: Talking with Rick Hall: "The Man from Muscle Shoals"

In late September 2013, Magnolia Pictures released the documentary Muscle Shoals, which was both a celebration of that recording studio’s funky, gritty soul sound and a glimpse into the life and times of its founder, Rick Hall. While the film was long on conversations with the musicians who recorded