2 new nonfiction books explore the impact of cultural forces in the world of music

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Books, Arts

4.2 • 672 Ratings

🗓️ 6 December 2024

⏱️ 16 minutes

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Summary

Two new nonfiction books explore the impact of cultural forces in the world of music. First, a number of musicians, including B.B. King, Ed Sheeran, Jewel and Tracy Chapman, began their careers as street musicians. Cary Baker's new book Down on the Corner explores the history and influence of busking through interviews with performers of all kinds. In today's episode, he speaks with NPR's A Martinez about some lesser-known musical street legends, like oil drum player Bongo Joe and neo-Dixieland band Tuba Skinny. They also discuss the early historical origins of busking and the way technology has changed the practice. Then, a new book on De La Soul contextualizes the hip-hop group within the modern musical canon. In High and Rising, Marcus Moore discusses how the band created a space for Black alternative culture, appealing to fans of rap, but also of jazz and punk. In today's episode, Moore speaks with Martinez about how De La Soul's popularity has persisted, despite the group's difficult trajectory.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, it's Empire's Book of the Day. I'm Andrew Limbong. Today, we're talking about early
0:06.6	impressions of musicians. In a bit, we'll hear about a cultural biography of the group De La Sol,
0:12.2	how they changed music forever, but also how early perceptions of their image, of their aesthetic,
0:18.9	fundamentally altered their career trajectory. But first, a decent
0:22.4	number of musicians first get their start busking, you know, playing on the street with just a dream
0:27.9	that somebody will hear it and toss you a buck. The new book, Down on the Corner by Carrie Baker,
0:32.7	is a history of busking. And in this interview with Empires A. Martinez, you find out about the
0:37.4	very early roots of busking and also how busking. And in this interview with NPR's A. Martinez, you find out about the very early
0:38.5	roots of busking and also how busking has changed in the 21st century. That's ahead.
0:44.8	In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life. Distant wars, murky conflicts,
0:51.8	diplomacy behind closed doors on our new show, Sources and Methods.
0:56.2	NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people helping you understand why distant
1:01.2	events matter here at home. Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your
1:07.1	podcasts. Here's a pop music pop quiz.
1:12.3	What do these musicians have in common?
1:15.0	Let's a good time row.
1:17.2	Give me one reason to stay here.
1:19.7	I'm in love with your body.
1:23.9	These foolish games.
1:35.0	Bee King, Tracy Chapman, Ed Shearren, and Jewell all began their careers as street musicians, busking for spare change.
1:41.3	A new book explores 100 years of busking history through interviews with musicians both famous and obscure.
1:45.9	It's called Down on the Corner, Adventures in Busking and Street Music,
	...

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