Backstage Pass: Interviews With Women in Music [Paperback]

Laura Post (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997

A comprehensive collection of interviews by Laura Post, with forty women musicians, such as Ani DiFranco, Joan Osborne, Holly Near, Alix Dobkin, Cris Williamson, Janis Ian, Joan Osborne, Marianne Faithful, Ronnie Gilbert Sweet Honey in the Rock and Kay Gardner. Includes forty black and white photographs of the womyn musicians and a forward by Dar Williams.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Reading the table of contents of this collection of 40 interviews with female musicians is like, as the song says, a trip down memory lane. About half the subjects--Cris Williamson, June Millington, Linda Tillery, and Robin Flower among them--were part of the Olivia Records scene; they explain why they needed to invent "women's music" in the 1970s. Other musicians, such as Phranc, Ani DiFranco, and Laura Love, acknowledge their debt to their feminist foremothers, while women who rock with men, such as Moe Tucker, former Velvet Underground drummer, and Kristin Hersh, the front woman for Throwing Muses, discuss how mainstream music has been affected by increased numbers of women in the industry.

From Booklist

Women in pop music are a hot book topic these days. Post's book surveys a broader range than others, from 1940s folkie Ronnie Gilbert to 1960s stars Marianne Faithfull and Janis Ian to lesbian stalwart Phranc to sassy contemporary blues band Saffire. Throw in brief discographies for each artist or band covered, and the result will most likely either fill a hole or provide a starting point on women in rock for pop culture collections. Alas, the broad coverage comes at the expense of probing analysis, but at least there is enough information to give readers an idea of what particular performers and their music are about. Far lighter and happier than Angry Women in Rock but a sister in spirit, Post's book is enjoyable and light, more for casual fans than mavens. One caution: most of Post's subjects are on the "second rung" of commercial acceptance; Madonna, Grace Slick, and the rest of the usual suspects aren't here. Mike Tribby

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Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: New Victoria Publishers (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0934678847
• ISBN-13: 978-0934678841
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #686,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars buy this book, July 12, 2000

By 

Jessica Mazur - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backstage Pass: Interviews With Women in Music (Paperback)

i bought this book in addition to my collection of works that mention my favorite artist-ANI DIFRANCO. some of the books i own offer the author's opinion on why ani is who she is--but this book presents all of the info from a true perspective. the entire book is decorated with valuable info and valid ideas. i suggest this book for any one who holds true admiration for those women who make music so beautiful.