Best Books About Soul?

[Ljblanken]

I am relatively new to soul and have only used the internet (like this forum and soulfulkindamusic.net, etc) to investigate stuff.

i would like to do a bit more methodical research - on both the history of the music and record collecting.

can folks recommend the best books out there? also books that are in print! every time someone recommends a book - i can't find a copy anymore! (which is also the case with most records people recommend!)

ok, thanks!

Edited December 18, 2009 by ljblanken

[Philippe]

can folks recommend the best books out there? also books that are in print!

On the history you can begin with Peter Guralnick Sweet Soul Music

[Ulrich Leitl]

I am relatively new to soul and have only used the internet (like this forum and soulfulkindamusic.net, etc) to investigate stuff.

i would like to do a bit more methodical research - on both the history of the music and record collecting.

can folks recommend the best books out there? also books that are in print! every time someone recommends a book - i can't find a copy anymore! (which is also the case with most records people recommend!)

ok, thanks!

check out eddy edmondsons recommandations here My link

[Dave Rimmer]

check out eddy edmondsons recommandations here My link

Or go Soulful Kinda Music Book Reviews

[Guest soulboy]

Im reading a good book at the moment called CHICAGO SOUL by

Robert Pruter me mate Mark lent it to me so dont know where it came from, very good and it dont get much better than Chicago soul at the end of the day !

[Chalky]

Im reading a good book at the moment called CHICAGO SOUL by

Robert Pruter me mate Mark lent it to me so dont know where it came from, very good and it dont get much better than Chicago soul at the end of the day !

one of the best reads on soul music out there!!!

Looking forward to Keith Rylatt's new Detroit book.

Currently (still) reading the biography of Phylis Hyman, great insight!

Edited December 18, 2009 by chalky

[Baz Atkinson]

THERES SO MANY TO BE HONEST ALL THE ABOVE MENTIONED ALSO TRY THESE FOR SIZE

ULTIMATE SOUL MUSIC TRIVIA BOOK-BOBBY BENNET /SARAH SMITH

ALL PRATCHET BOOKS ARE WORTH A READ -ALSO TRUELY BLESSED THE BIOGRAPHY OF TEDDY PENDERGRASS IS BRILLIANT [TOPS ON HIS GOSPEL AND SOUTHERN ROOTS]

PRUTERS BOOK IS EXCELLENT BUT THE PICK OF THE BUNCH REALLY IS SWEET SOUL MUSIC -SOUTHERN DREAM OF FREEDOM -ITS REALY WELL WRITTEN IMHO.

BAZ A

[Baz Atkinson]

THIS REALLY IS A TOP READ IMHO !!!

BAZ A

On the history you can begin with Peter Guralnick Sweet Soul Music

[Baz Atkinson]

FEW MORE ALSO FOR CONSIDERATION ARE

LOST SUPREME -LIFE OF FLORENCE BALLARD -PETER BENJAIMENSON

THE LIFE OF MARVIN GAYE DIVIDED SOUL BY DAVID RITZ

STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN -JAMES JEFFERSON BASSIST

BLACK AND PROUD -JUST ORDERED THIS -LIFE OF JAMES BROWN THIS IS FOR MY HOLS BY GEOFF BROWN.

CHASING THAT DEVIL MUSIC BY GAYLE WARDLOW

[Guest bazabod_downunder]

As you're will be advised there are a fair few out there covering all aspects, these two stand out for me, The In Crowd by Mike Ritson & Stuart Russell, Too Darn Souful by David Nowell, both mighty fine reads, although gotta say both are close to my heart as they have pictures of my girlfriend in both & mention lots of people I know or have known.

There's another one which I'll try & look out, which I thought was also very good.

Hope this helps.

KTF

Baz

I am relatively new to soul and have only used the internet (like this forum and soulfulkindamusic.net, etc) to investigate stuff.

i would like to do a bit more methodical research - on both the history of the music and record collecting.

can folks recommend the best books out there? also books that are in print! every time someone recommends a book - i can't find a copy anymore! (which is also the case with most records people recommend!)

ok, thanks!

[Guest steve64]

For Stax/volt stuff there is Soulsville USA, the story of Stax records by Rob Bowman. It's a bit hard going as it has so much detail, but it's excellent for referance

[Ulrich Leitl]

for the german speaking members i can recommend: My link

[Ljblanken]

awesome! thanks for everyone's input. now i'll have some reading to do over the holidays!

[Guest veep1296]

one of the best reads on soul music out there!!!

Looking forward to Keith Rylatt's new Detroit book.

Currently (still) reading the biography of Phylis Hyman, great insight!

I read Chicago Soul at least once a year & find new connections & info every time!

Met Robert Pruter in March & had a good chat.

As a precursor to that book check out Robert's book Doo Wop The Chicago Scene..

David

Here is the author..

[Baz Atkinson]

YEP TREMENDOUS STUF SO WELL RESEARCHED AND PUT TOGETHER -THE WAR+PEACE OF SOUL BOOKS LOL!!

For Stax/volt stuff there is Soulsville USA, the story of Stax records by Rob Bowman. It's a bit hard going as it has so much detail, but it's excellent for referance

[Chalky]

I read Chicago Soul at least once a year & find new connections & info every time!

Met Robert Pruter in March & had a good chat.

As a precursor to that book check out Robert's book Doo Wop The Chicago Scene..

David

Here is the author..

I'll look the Doo Wop one up David

[Candiman]

can folks recommend the best books out there?

As many have mentioned: Guralnick's "Sweet Soul Music". Essential reading imho.

Also for Philly soul history try "A House On Fire: The Rise & Fall of Philidelphia Soul" (John A Jackson).

And for a slightly different perspective how about "Last Night A DJ saved My Life" (Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton).

[Harry Crosby]

Depends what your after really, was recomended this book and i`m glad i was very intresting read https://www.limestonerecords.com/website/author/author.htm

[Guest Ed B]

Hello. Here's a couple more that are great for history and collecting .

The Rythem & Blues story. - Its actualy the story of Jerry Wexlers life and goes back to the 1920s early recording of black artists (inc muscle shoals, stax, atlantic ect)

Joel Whitburns - Billboard bookof R&B singles- all charted singles from the start of charts and lots of detail on artists inc- real names- where the started- school- family- associations with other artists. Labels and also lots of statistics.

You could also check a site called record research in usa. It has a subscription fee but if they cant give the detail you want Its probebly not out there and accesses the largest MOBO database around>

Cheers n Happy Huntin'

Ed

[Biggordy]

Couple of biographies that are top reads.

"Rage To Survive" - Etta James with David Ritz.

"Only The Strong Survive" - Jerry Butler.

G

[Guest wigantojapan]

anyone got a copy of sweet soul music for sale

great thread

[Philippe]

anyone got a copy of sweet soul music for sale

great thread

You can get it for $4.72 : Sweet Soul Music

[Sebastian]

Jeff Hannusch's books about New Orleans soul/r&b are absolutely essential:

The Soul of New Orleans: A Legacy of Rhythm and Blues

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-New-Orleans-Legacy-Rhythm/dp/0961424583/

I Hear You Knockin: The Sound of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hear-You-Knockin-Orleans-Rhythm/dp/0961424508/

There's a book by Barney Hoskyns about the strong links between southern soul and country music which is superb:

Say it One Time for the Broken Hearted: Country Side of Southern Soul

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Say-One-Time-Broken-Hearted/dp/074754137X/

If you want to take a look at the record industry side of things, I would really recommend this epic book by John Broven:

Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Record-Makers-Breakers-Independent-Pioneers/dp/025203290X/

If you want to find out about the development from 70s soul to disco, it doesn't get any better or more thorough than Vince Alettis's recent:

The Disco Files 1973-1978: New York's Underground, Week by Week

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disco-Files-1973-1978-Yorks-Underground/dp/0956189601/

I'd advise you to avoid all books that are written with the northern soul scene in mind if you want to learn about the history of US r&b/soul music from a scientific point of view.

[Amsterdam Russ]

Making Tracks - The History of Atlantic Records by Charlie Gillett

It came from Memphis by Robert Gordon

Boogaloo by Arthur Kempton

Burn, Baby! Burn - autobiography of Magnificent Montague...

[Guest wigantojapan]

You can get it for $4.72 : Sweet Soul Music

honto really where

[dthedrug]

To name one book is not easy as I have not read that many that have kept me interested in the way a good thriller would and I cant really name you 1, however if I include Reference to the title rather than just book? recommendations would be for MANSHIPS GUIDE TO UK recordings which I do believe could only be achieved by John using the previous catalogues from findgroove and Pete Smiths Booklet on UK prices and all the snippets of info gained from fanzines and record lists plus his own business dealings , also the TOP 500 Northern Soul Records that when I fist got a copy it was a "Blue Blanket", Tony Cummings Philadelphia the sound of _ seems an age ago but cover to cover stuff "it is a shame that his book on the Norther Soul Scene was not published rumor was he had almost finished it? but does anyone know the next chapter"? - Paul Oliver's book the "story of the Blues" was such an undertaking that CBS bought out a Double LP with the same Title both book and LP are a must in any collection? in 1968 I found a copy of the book on hardback and then I got the soft back version over the years I have lost the original Hardback and writing this article realise it would be good to find a copy? but like most things it will be a lot more than the 1/6d I paid for it at Davids Bookshop in Letchworth??

But for me as much as I treasure all my Blues & Souls HBS and all the fanzines the most important and cherished are the series of Pete's Smiths Beating Rhythm as most copies were so informative and opinionated they put a different gloss on my own collection of UK label stuff and also allowed me not to buy unesscerry records and view collecting vinyl for vinyl sake this has saved me a fortune over the years as well as educating me into records that had past me by in particular BEN BROWN "Ask the Lonely" Polydor a classic and Cheap when he wrote about it (I have a Spare in Ex con with FL+PM)

So There Is a bit of a list have omitted out Soul City Island/Sue & PAMA listing booklets as they are of no real interest to the majority of soul fans? Or are they DAVE KIL

[Garswood]

Two books for essential reading

The In Crowd by Mike Ritson & Stuart Russell

Central 1179 (the story of the twisted wheel) by keith rylatt and phil scot.........very hard to find though, expect to pay between £50-£100

[Dde]

Think Neil Rushton's "Northern Soul Stories" will have to be added to this list - just got my copy. Well put together, great artwork and anecdotal story telling. Think it will be up there with "The In Crowd" as essential soulful reading.

Dale

[Pete S]

To name one book is not easy as I have not read that many that have kept me interested in the way a good thriller would and I cant really name you 1, however if I include Reference to the title rather than just book? recommendations would be for MANSHIPS GUIDE TO UK recordings which I do believe could only be achieved by John using the previous catalogues from findgroove and Pete Smiths Booklet on UK prices and all the snippets of info gained from fanzines and record lists plus his own business dealings , also the TOP 500 Northern Soul Records that when I fist got a copy it was a "Blue Blanket", Tony Cummings Philadelphia the sound of _ seems an age ago but cover to cover stuff "it is a shame that his book on the Norther Soul Scene was not published rumor was he had almost finished it? but does anyone know the next chapter"? - Paul Oliver's book the "story of the Blues" was such an undertaking that CBS bought out a Double LP with the same Title both book and LP are a must in any collection? in 1968 I found a copy of the book on hardback and then I got the soft back version over the years I have lost the original Hardback and writing this article realise it would be good to find a copy? but like most things it will be a lot more than the 1/6d I paid for it at Davids Bookshop in Letchworth??

But for me as much as I treasure all my Blues & Souls HBS and all the fanzines the most important and cherished are the series of Pete's Smiths Beating Rhythm as most copies were so informative and opinionated they put a different gloss on my own collection of UK label stuff and also allowed me not to buy unesscerry records and view collecting vinyl for vinyl sake this has saved me a fortune over the years as well as educating me into records that had past me by in particular BEN BROWN "Ask the Lonely" Polydor a classic and Cheap when he wrote about it (I have a Spare in Ex con with FL+PM)

So There Is a bit of a list have omitted out Soul City Island/Sue & PAMA listing booklets as they are of no real interest to the majority of soul fans? Or are they DAVE KIL

Cheers for that Dave, nice to know people appreciated it.

I would also recommend the Northern Soul Top 500 book, well if I had to choose one it would be that, I've never been able to resist looking at pics of record labels (which is why I started my own magazine all those years ago). I also like the Soul Harmony Singles book.

[dean jj]

Dear chaps,

Published in the eighties, so a little dated and possibly out of print, is 'NOWHERE TO RUN' GERRI HERSHEY which is a very good book about soul music of all types. As mentioned before DJ SAVED MY LIFE does well in capturing the essence of DJing but like most books is heavy handed about the british soul scene. If I read another stupid essay which has every one in the home counties listening to funk and everyone else listening to northern i may well spill my drink. Apparently there are no black people in this country living north of chelsea or if there are they stayed in throughout the entire seventies!

cheers

dean

[Guest lifeandsoul]

Race Music: Black Cultures from Bebop to Hip-Hop (Music of the African Diaspora) by Guthrie P. Ramsey Jr

Boogaloo: The Quintessence of American Popular Music by Arthur Kempton

African American Music: An Introduction - ~ Mellonee V. Burnim (Editor), Portia K. Maultsby (Editor)

Honkers and Shouters – Arnold Shaw

Edited December 23, 2009 by lifeandsoul

[Daved]

Dear chaps,

Published in the eighties, so a little dated and possibly out of print, is 'NOWHERE TO RUN' GERRI HERSHEY which is a very good book about soul music of all types.

Agreed. Very good book.

[dthedrug]

Cheers for that Dave, nice to know people appreciated it.

I would also recommend the Northern Soul Top 500 book, well if I had to choose one it would be that, I've never been able to resist looking at pics of record labels (which is why I started my own magazine all those years ago). I also like the Soul Harmony Singles book.

NO Pete the credit goes to yourself, And I thought It was only Mick s,Jim S & Adey C who showed any interest in the goodies that have connection to my latency in particular Cloths from late 6ts Flyer's Badges Posters Books for example I have most of the collectibles NEL Books that matter and it,s not me looking back and buying stuff that was discovered last week year decade and so on? there are some exception around 45s but even then I restrict my collecting that's why I have not got Ray Merrel Sue Lynn Tony Middleton, I would love to own them But until I finish my collection I will maybe put them into the collection? Yes I love looking through picture books about soul or Youth Sub Cultures so here's a few more record collector missing 3 copies How Sad, MOD a very British Phenomenon - Well the 1st half (I hate it when people say the were Mods or Skins and you know they are on about 2tone OI! and The Mod revival??) and even worse people who get there mugs on telly and talk Sh*t Trever Nelson he is one of the When the Casino opened the only Nelson I was aware of was on a column or you smoked them??

Yes the Wheel Book, Spirit of 69 again the 1st bit and so on recommended don't buys are Young Gifted & Black here's another good example of using the word SKINHEAD on every page Ma is the author TWAT, The Paint House is an ex Book, as is the MOTOWN by David Morse 71 I got it when it come out, Albion Albion present from TAFFY when I had HEP non AB back in the 7ts this turned out to be Hep C and so on also must agree that Northern Soul Books are Sh*t but I like Dave Shaw & Glens Books as I can relate to his mantra about where the action was and Glen is a Stalwart of the LIECESTER NORTHHANTON SHIRE BEDFORDSHIRE SOUL SCENES and if we include Adey C you have 2 geezers who have done more for rare soul than any one from the North when put into context Dats Right sugar Momma I did say that as you cant call Cheshire or NOTTS & DARBY North

[Guest MBarrett]

Two books for essential reading

. . . . . . . . .

Central 1179 (the story of the twisted wheel) by keith rylatt and phil scot.........very hard to find though, expect to pay between £50-£100

Really enjoyed this book. As you say secod hand copies are very pricey so ordered one through my local library and photocopied the key bits. Q.E.D.

Just this morning the postie delivered a copy of Berry, Me, and Motown - the untold story by Raynoma Gordy.

I am expecting it to be a bit of a jaundiced tale but still looking forward to reading it. Sometimes you get a feeling about a book. I think this might be one that gets read from cover to cover in one long session!!

MB

[Guest chrislokeh]

Really enjoyed this book. As you say secod hand copies are very pricey so ordered one through my local library and photocopied the key bits. Q.E.D.

Just this morning the postie delivered a copy of Berry, Me, and Motown - the untold story by Raynoma Gordy.

I am expecting it to be a bit of a jaundiced tale but still looking forward to reading it. Sometimes you get a feeling about a book. I think this might be one that gets read from cover to cover in one long session!!

MB

Love the motown related autobiographys read marvin gaye trouble man, mary wilson berry gordy,diana ross [so self centered]dennis cofey.a motown reader its good how they all interwind and contradict each other.Just read Gingers any comments?.Favorite Book Manships price guide its just a dream.

[Philippe]

Motown, Soul & Glamour, available from amazon UK with free shipping :

[Chalky]

Motown, Soul & Glamour, available from amazon UK with free shipping :

what is the text? English or French?

[Philippe]

what is the text? English or French?

It's in French but the pictures have more place than the text. Gilles Petard (former head of Motown France and collector extraordinaire) provided most of them.

You can vew a few pages of the book on this link : https://leserpentaplu...y.fr/motown/#/0

(click on the cross at bottom right).

[Chalky]

It's in French but the pictures have more place than the text. Gilles Petard (former head of Motown France and collector extraordinaire) provided most of them.

You can vew a few pages of the book on this link : https://leserpentaplu...y.fr/motown/#/0

(click on the cross at bottom right).

I already have the Motown Album, its basically book full of photos, fabulous they are too so dunno if it would be worth forking out for something similar.

Edited December 24, 2009 by chalky

[Philippe]

I already have the Motown Album, its basically book full of photos, fabulous they are too so dunno if it would be worth forking out for something similar.

Did you see some pages ? Here's John Lester's comment on amazon France :

"I received a copy of this book today and I can't praise it enough. There is a FABULOUS picture of the Velvelettes with Harvey Fuqua. I am still looking at it now. It's wonderful and I have NEVER seen it before.

Any Motown fan that doesn't get this book is gonna kick themselves in the future. I have spent a whole afternoon just looking through the pictures and I've only gone through it twice and I still need to look again. There are just so many.

I haven't had time to try and read it too - the pictures are just too amazing for words.

There's Temps pic from their Miracle days, a Marvelettes promotional pic that I have simply NOT seen before, the wonderful French EP's....

I am ordering more copies....this is up to the same quality standard as the Motown Coffee Book but it has many more rare pictures of the lesser known groups.

Supremes fans...you've seen most of the pictures but there is a colour one of the ladies apparently taken in Paris, it looks like the same day they were filmed dancing up the Champs Elysees. The colour and clarity of this picture is gonna make this very popular. Simply amazing.

And that's just the pictures...I ain't got 'round to the text yet! "

[Chalky]

Did you see some pages ? Here's John Lester's comment on amazon France :

"I received a copy of this book today and I can't praise it enough. There is a FABULOUS picture of the Velvelettes with Harvey Fuqua. I am still looking at it now. It's wonderful and I have NEVER seen it before.

Any Motown fan that doesn't get this book is gonna kick themselves in the future. I have spent a whole afternoon just looking through the pictures and I've only gone through it twice and I still need to look again. There are just so many.

I haven't had time to try and read it too - the pictures are just too amazing for words.

There's Temps pic from their Miracle days, a Marvelettes promotional pic that I have simply NOT seen before, the wonderful French EP's....

I am ordering more copies....this is up to the same quality standard as the Motown Coffee Book but it has many more rare pictures of the lesser known groups.

Supremes fans...you've seen most of the pictures but there is a colour one of the ladies apparently taken in Paris, it looks like the same day they were filmed dancing up the Champs Elysees. The colour and clarity of this picture is gonna make this very popular. Simply amazing.

And that's just the pictures...I ain't got 'round to the text yet! "

Hi, yes I did look at the pictures. I can't read French but I might invest in one though.

The Motown Album I have can be seen HERE cheap at the price offered for the quality of some of the photos. I paid a fiver form a book shop in Bakewell for mine, was a US import that should have been $65!

[jocko]

Hi, yes I did look at the pictures. I can't read French but I might invest in one though.

The Motown Album I have can be seen HERE cheap at the price offered for the quality of some of the photos. I paid a fiver form a book shop in Bakewell for mine, was a US import that should have been $65!

A very merry Xmas to you and Kerry mate, all the very best for next year, I assume you are sitting with your feet up while Kerry serves you mince pies in her Santa suit......

I have the French book on order mate, think its in the downstairs house from yesterday, don't want to interrupt them today but will get it tomorrow so can give you an update once I get it, might even do a full review here.

Take care matey (and if Kerry sees the message, tell her I was only joking honest )

[jocko]

PS a few books missing so far, will have a look atg shelves tonight and recommend a few more, its hard to tell whether the thread starter wants Northern books or general soul books.

[Chalky]

A very merry Xmas to you and Kerry mate, all the very best for next year, I assume you are sitting with your feet up while Kerry serves you mince pies in her Santa suit......

I have the French book on order mate, think its in the downstairs house from yesterday, don't want to interrupt them today but will get it tomorrow so can give you an update once I get it, might even do a full review here.

Take care matey (and if Kerry sees the message, tell her I was only joking honest )

Merry Christmas to you too mate. Kerry having a little nap right now so feeding myself mince pies

Look forward to the review. I might get the Motown Album out and scan a few. The prices quoted on the link are a steal IMO for such a quality book.

Disappointed as the fourth volume of the R&B Indies hasn't arrived yet!!!

[jocko]

Merry Christmas to you too mate. Kerry having a little nap right now so feeding myself mince pies

Look forward to the review. I might get the Motown Album out and scan a few. The prices quoted on the link are a steal IMO for such a quality book.

Disappointed as the fourth volume of the R&B Indies hasn't arrived yet!!!

Just bought one of those Motown Albums, hadn't seen them before, an extra pressie from Diane, she just doesn't know it yet.

Right off to family for day of staring at telly and saying nothing, Royle Family have nothing on ours.

All the best mate

[Chalky]

Not sure if these have been mentioned but for old photos, scans of sleeves and info you can't go wrong....

Heart and Soul, A Celebration of Black Music Style In America 1930-1975 by Bob Merlis/David Seay

https://search.barnesandnoble.com/Heart-and-Soul/Bob-Merlis/e/9781556705380

and Rubin MolinasOld Barrio Guide To Low Rider Music 1950-1975

https://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?id=hbym7cmp9h

out of stock above but do a search and you might find one.

[Chalky]

Just bought one of those Motown Albums, hadn't seen them before, an extra pressie from Diane, she just doesn't know it yet.

Right off to family for day of staring at telly and saying nothing, Royle Family have nothing on ours.

All the best mate

You (Sorry Diane) won't regret buying the book, some fabulous photos,particularly of the Temptations, Marvin etc. Here's a taster.....sorry bout quality but scanner is awkward to get to, will attempt a better one later

Contours on stage....

Edited December 25, 2009 by chalky

[Chalky]

one of the various photos of the Funk Brothers in the Motown Album, again sorry about quality of scan.....

Top....Jamerson, Hunter, Cosby,

Front...Benny benjamin, Larry Veeder and Mike Terry!!! Not a bad band eh

[Chalky]

as the original post was asking for books on the history of the music here's three off the shelf, again sorry if they've been mentioned...

Souled America.....

https://www.amazon.com/Souled-American-Black-Transformed-Culture/dp/0823084043

California Soul...

https://www.amazon.com/California-Soul-African-Americans-Diaspora/dp/0520206282/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261737795&sr=1-1

and

Savage Lost by Jeff Lemlich which is essentially about Florida Garage Bands from the 60's and Beyond but has plenty of Sou/R&B!!

https://www.limestonerecords.com/website/author/author.htm

Happy reading

[Philippe]

Hi, yes I did look at the pictures. I can't read French but I might invest in one though.

The Motown Album I have can be seen HERE cheap at the price offered for the quality of some of the photos. I paid a fiver form a book shop in Bakewell for mine, was a US import that should have been $65!

Really cheap at this price, I've paid much more for my copy !

Thanks for the info on ""Heart & Soul (A Celebration of Black Music Style in America 1930-1975)"

", it looks very interesting. I just ordered it from amazon at $0.21 euros !