Following, please find a list of books about music and music-related subjects in my collection. I have learned much from these books. This list is being constantly expanded, so please come back and check out the new additions.

This book, written by British experimental musician Hugh Davies, presents his insights about working as an artist, a musician, a composer, a performer, an instrument inventor, en educator and a researcher. A true pioneer, Davis reveals his unique universe and suggests ways to communicate via music, especially with children, who are more open to "new" sounds than grown-up listeners.

This fascinating book attempts the perhaps impossible task of explaining verbally the intricacies of Free Jazz and Improvised Music, as experienced by an experienced and educated listener, attempting to enlighten other listeners and share his experiences. Considering the difficulties involved, the author makes an excellent effort, which is an enjoyable, although not easy, read. Full of facts and references to recordings, this might be used as a guide to exploring the genre and share one´s own experiences with the author. The CD included with the book serves as a collection of sound samples, discussed in detail in the book. Wholeheartedly recommended to the brave hearted music connoisseurs!

As usual with Hanson´s books, this is a meticulously researched history of The Nice, one of the most important early British Prog bands, sadly often underappreciated. Based on interviews with band members Lee Jackson, Brian Davison and Davy O´List (Keith Emerson refused to cooperate), the author tells the fascinating story of the band, their rise to stardom and the eminent downfall. Full of anecdotes, behind the scenes info about the music scene in the late 1960s and the Music Industry at the time, this is a great read, as well as being highly informative.

As usual with Hanson´s books, this is a meticulously researched history of The Groundhogs, one of the most important British Blues and Blues-Rock bands, sadly often underappreciated. Based on interviews with the band´s founder and leader, guitarist / singer / songwriter Tony McPhee, and other members of the band, the author tells the fascinating story of their career spanning from the mid-1960s through the 1980s. Richly illustrated by many photographs, posters, etc. this book is a great example of how a biography of a band should be presented. Full of facts, stories and anecdotes, this is a most enjoyable read.

A fascinating account of the collapsing music retail business in the UK, written by a man who worked in the field for decades. Jones describes the music business in general and the UK retail music scene in particular based on his personal experience, but also analyzes the reasons that brought both the industry and the retail to its knees. Full of humor and anecdotes, the book nevertheless presents a serious viewpoint and touches upon the core problems of the music industry over the years, presenting an unusual personal angle of dozens of shop owners around the UK. The fact that from about 1000 independent record shops existing in the UK in 2003 the number went down to less than a 100 in 2008 speaks for itself, and the author tries to explain what and why this happened. As someone who worked in the industry even longer than the author, this book is in many respects a mirror of my own experiences. Anybody concerned with the state of the music industry and music scene in general should find this book educational and entertaining.

This book is a brilliant account of the Record Industry form the late 1970s and up to 2008, focusing on the Major (Universal, Sony BMG, Warner & EMI) record labels´ demise in the age of digital media. The book is excellently researched and brings endless quotes from the industry´s leading personalities and experts, backed by facts and figures, all showing how greed, stupidity and narrow-mindedness ruined the goose that laid the golden eggs for decades. Internal wars, personality clashes, scandalous salaries and ego trips are all there, as are many fascinating stories about the invention of the CD, Napster, iTunes and a myriad other terms relevant to the story. Although many of the basic facts are well known, collecting them together in a coherent, step-by-step history / analysis is an eye-opener, even for people well acquainted with the background, like myself. Once I started reading this book I just couldn´t stop, swallowing it page by page in a marathon reading session, something which didn´t happen to me in a long time. I´m not sure I agree with the author about the last chapter of his book, which states that although the Record Industry is dead the Music Industry is alive and kicking. He also doesn´t touch the subject of the influence of the Digital Age upon Music (the Art of) itself, but perhaps that is something another book will cover, although it might be still too early for this. In any case this is a must read for anybody interested in the "behind the scenes" of the Record Industry, Business in general and social implications of change.

This great book collects a series of interviews and essays by writer / photographer and a great enthusiast of British Jazz, Mike Pearson. The names of the musicians included in the book reads like a "Who´s Who" of modern British Jazz and the in-depth interviews are truly excellent. Although not meant like one, this book presents a historical overview of the British Jazz scene, with many insightful observations and a plethora of facts and personal comments by the musicians involved. Beautifully written, this book is a true pleasure to read.

This is the second edition of Renaud´s discography of British Jazz published a decade earlier, expanded and brought up to date. Meticulously researched, this is the best ever publication of its kind and an absolute goldmine of information to any record collector / fan of British Jazz. Although not complete and perfect, since no discography, especially of this scope can ever be, this is as close to perfection as possible and summarizes the author´s lifetime work and love put into the project. This is an essential document!

Second part of Unterberger´s excellent history of the emergence of American Rock from it´s Folk and Folk-Rock roots. Very well written and superbly researched, as always, this is a must for any serious Rock fan, who wishes to understand the genealogy of the genre.

Excellent book by American Rock critic Richie Unterberger, who is definitely the best writer abuot Rock currently active in the US and about the only one with a broader and intelligent view on music. This is the first volume about American Rock in the mid to late 1960s, which covers the shift from Folk to Folk-Rock between 1965 and 1966., starting with Bob Dylan´s first appearence with his electric band at 1965 Newport Festival. Extremely well researched, this is a classic example of how books about Rock should be written.

Superb book about the British Jazz scene scanning the most important and revolutionary period in its history, during which British Jazz emerged as the leading representative of the European Jazz, emancipated from the early limitations intrinsic to the American influences. The author analyses the influences inherited from the earlier periods and the emerging wave of new talent and inspiration, all leading to the formation of a formidable decade of truly magnificent music. The social and political changes that took place at the time are also taken into account, providing the proper background to the evolving story. Meticulously researched and based on numerous interviews with the musicians, the book present a coherent history and an enlightening overview of the period. An absolute must to any serious fan / researcher of this phenomenon and a breathtaking reading experience.