Revised and Updated-How Music Works is David Byrnes's buoyant celebration of a subject he has spent a lifetime thinking about. Drawing on his work over the years with Talking Heads, Brian Eno, and myriad collaborators along with journeys to Wagnerian opera houses, African villages, and anywhere music exists borne shows how music emerges from cultural circumstance as much as individual creativity. It is his magnum opus, and an impassioned argument about music's liberating, life-affirming power.
Revised and Updated-How Music Works is David Byrnes's buoyant celebration of a subject he has spent a lifetime thinking about. Drawing on his work over the years with Talking Heads, Brian Eno, and myriad collaborators along with journeys to Wagnerian opera houses, African villages, and anywhere music exists borne shows how music emerges from cultural circumstance as much as individual creativity. It is his magnum opus, and an impassioned argument about music's liberating, life-affirming power.
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How Music Works by David Byrne
Revised and Updated-How Music Works is David Byrnes's buoyant celebration of a subject he has spent a lifetime thinking about. Drawing on his work over the years with Talking Heads, Brian Eno, and myriad collaborators along with journeys to Wagnerian opera houses, African villages, and anywhere music exists borne shows how music emerges from cultural circumstance as much as individual creativity. It is his magnum opus, and an impassioned argument about music's liberating, life-affirming power.
Revised and Updated-How Music Works is David Byrnes's buoyant celebration of a subject he has spent a lifetime thinking about. Drawing on his work over the years with Talking Heads, Brian Eno, and myriad collaborators along with journeys to Wagnerian opera houses, African villages, and anywhere music exists borne shows how music emerges from cultural circumstance as much as individual creativity. It is his magnum opus, and an impassioned argument about music's liberating, life-affirming power.
Last updated at 09/05/2026 00:41:52
How Music Works Byrne, David [Used - Good] [Hardcover]
Delivery $9.35
How Music Works | By David Byrne
Free delivery
How Music Works by David Byrne
originally posted on audiobookstore.com
Great book! Sort of a scattershot approach to musing on various aspects of the music industry/production/consumption in this country 9and elsehwer), esp over the past 30 years. Byrne is a capable guide through these topics, and his personal experience adds much weight to his ideas. You don't have to be a Talking Heads fan to enjoy this book, but it helps. Many of his examples are drawn from his personal life and career, naturally enough. Well worth a read IMO.
originally posted on audiobookstore.com
Can any book explain how music works? This is a decent effort by David Byrne. However, just put on "Naive Melody" and you will realize that, in the end, nothing has been explained. The mystery remains, thank goodness!
originally posted on audiobookstore.com
David Byrne obviously has a great deal of knowledge about the music industry and imparts some of his learnings. IMO, this book would have been better as a memoir about the different aspects of music that he covers (performing, recording, collaborating, business earnings, making a scene) . When he speaks from his part, his voice is better and its a much more engaging book. When he gives the history of recorded music, he slips into a prosaic, book report tone. Granted, he claims he has a little bit of Asperger's (which could account for some of the tone), but he actually is much more engaging when speaking from his own experience. And frankly, that what makes him interesting in the first place!
| Binding | Hardcover |
How Music Works Byrne, David [Used - Good] [Hardcover]
Delivery $9.35
How Music Works | By David Byrne
Free delivery
How Music Works by David Byrne
Great book! Sort of a scattershot approach to musing on various aspects of the music industry/production/consumption in this country 9and elsehwer), esp over the past 30 years. Byrne is a capable guide through these topics, and his personal experience adds much weight to his ideas. You don't have to be a Talking Heads fan to enjoy this book, but it helps. Many of his examples are drawn from his personal life and career, naturally enough. Well worth a read IMO.
Can any book explain how music works? This is a decent effort by David Byrne. However, just put on "Naive Melody" and you will realize that, in the end, nothing has been explained. The mystery remains, thank goodness!
David Byrne obviously has a great deal of knowledge about the music industry and imparts some of his learnings. IMO, this book would have been better as a memoir about the different aspects of music that he covers (performing, recording, collaborating, business earnings, making a scene) . When he speaks from his part, his voice is better and its a much more engaging book. When he gives the history of recorded music, he slips into a prosaic, book report tone. Granted, he claims he has a little bit of Asperger's (which could account for some of the tone), but he actually is much more engaging when speaking from his own experience. And frankly, that what makes him interesting in the first place!
Among other things, this is interesting wandering narrative showing how the physical constraints of the world (architecture, technology, instruments...) shapes music as we know it. Good mix of how much the author talks about his own music compared to how much he talks about other people's music and music in general.
a rambling, sprawling book. this is what happens when musos think they're musicologists or ethnomusicologists and a book devolves into a this-is-how-i-made-music-work-for-me. the title is misleading and the content is just skin-deep. very disappointed.
I really enjoyed this. Some chapters do go on a bit in detail and these are probably more relevant for musicians but overall it was fascinating to understand just how music developed through history, how elite artists become stars and how they create their music. The illustrations and photos in the book are extremely well placed and relevant. David Byrne is not at all pretentious; he just loves what he does and wanted to tell the world how he did it.
From the horses mouth. A very interesting and insightful read.
This book was absolutely fascinating. I enjoyed nearly every moment reading it.It gives an interesting, insightful glimpse into the world of music. Lots of great facts and figures delivered in an easy manner which keeps you truly engaged.The only con if this book was really a slightly self promotion section in the middle. I was reading it itching to get back to 'the good stuff' but the good well and truly out ways what I found to be a negative aspect. However for a fan of the man rather than the music industry and music in general, I think they would be delighted and this section.Very much recommended! I plan on rereading soon.
David Byrne is a genius, very knowledgeable about the inner workings of the music industry and everything music.
Three chapters in, it's well written and interesting. David Byrne's insight into writing and performing music is based on his experience and musical philosophy... an interesting departure from the tried and true.
| Binding | Hardcover |
