The Big Book of Country Music: A Biographical Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Richard Carlin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995

Modelled after Bob Santelli's "Big Book of Blues", Carlin's book provides a comprehensive biographical encyclopedia of country music, from its rural roots and pioneers to the talented young newcomers. The book contains over 600 entries, each giving the musician's biography, contributions to the music, and concluding with the "essential listening" of records and CDs one should go to to hear an artist's best work.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Carlin (Classical Music, LJ 9/15/92) has written a matchless encyclopedic roundup of artists and personnel, musical instruments, and musical forms related to the indigenous American music we call country. The 600 entries offer an overview of the evolution of country music that can be appreciated by novices and devotees alike. The impressive depth of detail will be valuable to those interested in the crossing of artists' careers or the overlapping of "country" kin such as honky-tonk, bluegrass, Western swing, rockabilly, old-timey, "Nashville Sound," countrypolitan, country rock, and new roots music. While this work is sufficiently complete for most readers, the usual complaints about occassional exclusions can be leveled against it. (Where are singer-songwriter Mac MacAnally and songwriter Don Schlitz, for instance?) In addition, the highly subjective entries may ruffle a few feathers, and those looking for a far-reaching discography will have to turn to The Blackwell Guide to Recorded Country Music (LJ 8/94). Still, this will be a hit at small public as well as large academic libraries.
Cynthia Ann Cordes, Onondaga Cty. P.L., Syracuse, N.Y.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140235094
• ISBN-13: 978-0140235098
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,881,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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