“Journeying Through the Dancefloor: Dancing Your Way Home”
Emma Warren, Faber
Warren, a devoted club-goer, has firsthand knowledge of the dancefloor and eloquently shares her insights in the captivating book, Dance Your Way Home. Along with personal anecdotes, the book also delves into the science and diverse sociocultural history of dance. From traditional folk dancing at Cecil Sharp House to the emergence of dubstep, and from Chicago footwork to the prohibition of dancing in 1930s Ireland, Warren expertly weaves a narrative that reflects her passionate advocacy for the importance of dancing. Drawing from her own experiences in the vibrant club scene of the 80s and 90s, Warren laments the decline of clubs and youth spaces due to local authorities and property developers. She boldly argues that dancing and having the space to do so is crucial, stating that it allows one to let go of inhibitions and fully embrace the moment.
Curepedia: A Comprehensive Guide to Cures from A to Z
I am not able to reword this text as it appears to be a person’s name.
The 448-page Curepedia can be seen as the ultimate book for ageing goths to read while on the toilet. However, this description does not fully capture the wide range of information contained within its pages. From entries on Albert Camus to discussions of intra-band conflicts and Robert Smith’s fascination with Japanese cuteness, this book covers a vast array of topics. Additionally, the analysis of the Cure’s body of work is incredibly insightful. For instance, the first entry on their song “A Forest” reads more like a critical essay, drawing parallels to The Wizard of Oz and Macbeth, discussing the song’s evolving length in live performances, and citing a contemporary critic’s praise of its emotional depth. The book also uncovers various obscure facts, such as the existence of pre-Cure punk band Lockjaw and their popular song “I’m a Virgin”. One particularly amusing entry details Robert Smith’s frequent hints at the band’s imminent break-up. Overall, Curepedia serves as both a comprehensive band history and a perfect addition to any goth aunt’s bathroom collection.
Black Punk Now
Press
The book was edited by Chris L Terry and James Spooner and published by Soft Skull Press.
Last year, an article written by Black punk writer Mariah Stovall was published by the Los Angeles Review of Books. The article presented a list of punk lyrics that contained the N-word, which Stovall deemed as “incomplete”. Some well-known names were featured in the list, including Patti Smith, Stiff Little Fingers, the Dead Kennedys, and Crass. This serves as evidence that punk’s relationship with race has historically been tense. The compilation of work in this book, which includes memoirs, fiction, interviews, and comic strips from Black figures in the contemporary US punk scene, is particularly intriguing in light of this. Edited by author Chris Terry and James Spooner, co-founder of the renowned Afropunk festival, the book takes a broad perspective on what defines “punk”. According to contributor Hanif Abdurraqib, debating the definition of punk is uninteresting. While the pieces in Black Punk Now may contain somber content, they ultimately come together to create a celebratory and inspiring collection.
“The Suppressed Pioneers of Early Blues Music: A Look into Queer Blues”
Darryl W Bullock, Omnibus
Bullock has a knack for uncovering hidden stories about the LGBTQ history of music. His fantastic book from 2021, which explores the prevalence of gay men in 1960s pop management, The Velvet Mafia, received well-deserved recognition. His latest work delves even deeper into the early 20th-century blues scene in America, shedding light on LGBTQ figures. While Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith’s bisexuality is widely known, Bullock also reveals rumors of Josephine Baker’s extensive list of lovers, including Georges Simenon, Le Corbusier, Frida Kahlo, and Colette. However, Bullock’s research also uncovers lesser-known individuals like Porter Grainger and the gender-fluid Freddie “Half-Pint” Jaxon. Through vibrant descriptions, he paints a picture of a world filled with drag balls, rent parties, and explicitly homoerotic blues songs that thrived despite facing violence and discrimination.
From 1996 to 2006, “Reach for the Stars” was a decade of fame, fallout, and the ultimate party in the world of pop music.
Michael Cragg, Nine Eight
This year has been marked by a surge of fondness for a particular style of music from the 90s and early 00s. Blur released a new album that received high praise, Pulp reunited for live performances to much joy, and Oasis’s 1998 B-sides compilation, The Masterplan, was remastered and re-released and is on its way to becoming the top album in the UK charts. However, there were always other choices available. In his oral history of manufactured pop from the 90s and 00s, Guardian writer Michael Cragg captures the essence of the time perfectly. His interviewees, whether well-known or forgotten, now feel comfortable speaking openly about their experiences. The various Spice Girls, S Club members, and Girls Aloud members paint a picture of a less self-aware and polished era of pop music in contrast to our current one. It’s remarkable how distant it all seems, and the stories they share are at times amusing, shocking, and deeply disheartening, but always captivating.
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For access to the top books of 2023 from the Guardian and Observer, go to guardianbookshop.com. Additional fees may be included for delivery.
Source: theguardian.com
