Throughout the life of America Roots Radio, Taupin would recommend books that he believed allowed the listener to delve more deeply into subject matter discussed on the show. Here are those recommendations, posted latest entry to earliest.
THE RECORD MEN: THE CHESS BROTHERS AND THE BIRTH OF ROCK & ROLL BY RICK COHEN
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R&B & Blues: A small book about the great Chicago label and its founders. Forget the awful “Cadillac Records” movie this is how it really happened.
DEEP BLUES BY ROBERT PALMER
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Blues: For my money the definitive book on the history of the blues from the Congo to Chicago. Classic and uncluttered Palmer maintains the readers interest offering a concise account of the evolution of this art form. No intimidating tome but 300 pages of sheer enjoyment, want to learn about the blues this it!
FAITH IN TIME: THE LIFE OF JIMMY SCOTT BY DAVID RITZ
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Jazz Vocals: With adversity at every turn and many a bad luck streak Jimmy Scott has managed to survive on the sheer awesome beauty of one of the most unique and God given voices of all time. Written with obvious love and compassion for his subject David Ritz tell Jimmy’s story with absolute accessibility to his subject.
W. C. HANDY BY DAVID ROBERTSON
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Jazz & Blues: While I would dispute his title as “The Father Of The Blues” this is a solid portrait of the man who reconfigured the genre and bought it to the masses. A hugely influential name in American music.
MEETING JIMMIE RODGERS: HOW AMERICA’S ORIGINAL ROOTS MUSIC HERO CHANGED THE POP SOUND OF THE CENTURY BY BARRY MAZOR
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Country: Not a biography but a new take on the Rodgers legacy and a fascinating overview of how his music has infiltrated 20th century music on almost every level. Rodgers was one of the first American artists to achieve international popularity, a truly gifted artist, musician and songwriter.
COUNTRY: THE TWISTED ROOTS OF ROCK 'N' ROLL BY NICK TOSCHES
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Country: Nick Tosches acerbic wit is the perfect compliment to these twisted tales from the dark underbelly of country’s coming of age. Just read up on Spade Cooley and you may not ever listen to him the same way again.
DEEP IN A DREAM – THE LONG NIGHT OF CHET BAKER BY JOHN GAVIN
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Jazz: An excellent portrait of a tortured genius and his life long commitment to drug addiction. Harrowing but John Gavin’s ability to weave the light of his music through the darkness of his excesses is commendable.
LINTHEAD STOMP: THE CREATION OF COUNTRY MUSIC IN THE PIEDMONT SOUTH BY PATRICK HUBER
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Early Country Music: The first book-length study of southern millhands musical culture. Contrary to popular belief American country music did not have it’s roots solely on southern farms and mountain hollows. Huber offers vivid and colorful portraits of Piedmont textile worker musicians including many ARR favorites like Charlie Poole, The Dixon Brothers, Dave McCarn and Fiddlin’ John Carson. A unique and one of a kind book.
REALLY THE BLUES BY MEZZ MEZZROW & BERNARD WOLFE
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The Jazz Age: A bohemian manifesto and one of the best music books ever written. The story of a Jewish jazzman who fell in love with black culture (he demanded to be classified as a “Negro” when arrested for marijuana possession.) Mezz Mezzrow writes of his life and times in a jazz lingo that’s impossible to resist. Evokes the era authentically it’s pages populated by the characters that defined it. Even if jazz ain’t your bag you still need to read this book, essential.
LITTLE RICHARD - THE BIRTH OF ROCK & ROLL BY DAVID KIRBY
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Rock & Roll: Less a straight forward biography than a meditation on art, music, and culture through a lens lined heavily with kohl and ‘Pancake 31’ makeup. A real fun read!