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The Art of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 19 ratings




THE ART OF NOISE offers an unprecedented collection of insightful, of-the-moment conversations with twenty-seven great British songwriters and composers. They discuss everything from their individual approaches to writing, to the inspiration behind their most successful songs, to the techniques and methods they have independently developed to foster their creativity.

Contributors include:

Sting * Ray Davies * Robin Gibb * Jimmy Page * Joan Armatrading * Noel Gallagher * Lily Allen * Annie Lennox * Damon Albarn * Noel Gallagher * Laura Marling * Paul Weller * Johnny Marr * and many more

Musician-turned-author Daniel Rachel approaches each interview with an impressive depth of understanding—of the practice of songwriting, but also of each musician's catalog. The result is a collection of conversations that's probing, informed, and altogether entertaining—what contributor Noel Gallagher called "without doubt the finest book I've ever read about songwriters and the songs they write."

The collected experience of these songwriters makes this book the essential word of songwriting—as spoken by the songwriters themselves.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Rachel's brilliant tome is as far from the snotty, gossipy stereotype of music journalism as it's possible to get....His style is respectful (he writes generously about parts of the careers of Sting and Oasis that many would consider best forgotten) but never bland. Instead, the introductions and the questions that follow reveal real insight....It's one hell of a look back.” ―The Guardian

“Uniformly interesting...A splendid treat for music aficionados.” ―
Kirkus Reviews

“These are fans notes that will appeal to those obsessive about the details of songwriting.” ―
Publishers Weekly

“This is without doubt the finest book I've ever read about songwriters and the songs they write. Fantastic, insightful interviews. I remember being interviewed for it at the time and thinking, 'I wish all interviews were like this.' ” ―
Noel Gallagher

“A great set of questions. I'm proud to be a part of this project.” ―
Ray Davies

“Rachel is a really intelligent, clued-up, and musically astute interviewer and his book is worth more than its hefty weight.” ―
Daily Sport (UK)

“Impeccably researched, thoughtful, and well-angled…ART OF NOISE is an insightful read. Rachel gains the confidence of his subject and, in doing so, hundreds of engaging thoughts on individual process emerge, amounting to the essential word on classic British songwriting.” ―
Mouth Magazine

“Daniel Rachel's ART OF NOISE (St. Martin's Griffin) is made for sipping slowly…Rachel has an insider's advantage and his shrewd questions draw fascinating insights from reliably analytical characters.” ―
Dorian Lynskey, The Guardian

“Rachel's interviews are enthralling and vivid. Our senses are excited, our consciousness heightened and our mind's utterly captivated…Rachel has delivered a true moment of glory with this Bible for music fans.” ―
J. Rodger, Balthazar Review

“Rachel's questioning is sharp and well informed…It's a fascinating read that any musician or songwriter would find both helpful and thought-provoking, as would anyone with an interest in pop culture. After reading the interviews I guarantee you will listen to these artists with fresh ears, renewed interest and fresh appreciation. A remarkable achievement.” ―
Duncan Fletcher, Subba Cultcha

“The interviews…are as in-depth as you could possibly hope for…ART OF NOISE is an outstanding book that will appeal to all kinds of discerning music lovers – and to songwriters of all persuasions.” ―
Russell Deeks, Songwriting

“A superb new book…Rachel has managed to bring together a truly impressive ensemble of British tunesmiths…The results are hugely enjoyable.” ―
Thomas McGrath, Dangerous Minds

“Documenting fifty years of British songwriting through unique personal insights and an impressive wealth of knowledge, this is a beautiful book.” ―
Emma Parlons, Life of Yablon

“Rarely has this thought-provoking subject been tackled in such an engaging and insightful way.” ―
Jocks and Nerds Review

“ART OF NOISE offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a songwriter.” ―
Campbell Miller, The List

“What a collection…it's absolutely fantastic.” ―
Janice Long, BBC RADIO 2

“A fascinating book.” ―
Miranda Sawyer, LOOSE ENDS BBC RADIO 4

“Never less than illuminating.” ―
Belfast Telegraph

“It's a fascinating insight into songwriting.” ―
Robert Elms, BBC LONDON

About the Author

Daniel Rachel was born in England the summer before The Beatles announced their break-up. He wrote his first song when he was sixteen and was the lead-singer of Rachels Basement, which he formed in his early twenties. In 2001, he released his debut solo album, A Simple Twist Of Folk, on Dust Records, followed in 2006 by A Taste Of Money. Daniel is a specialist in Forum Theatre direction and lives in north London with his partner and three children. The Art of Noise is his first book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00IQNYUOK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin (October 7, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 7, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 835 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

About the author

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Daniel Rachel
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Musician-turned-award-winning-author, Daniel Rachel wrote his first song when he was sixteen and was the lead-singer in Rachels Basement.

Daniel is the author of Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters – a Guardian and NME Book of the Year

Walls Come Tumbling Down: the music and politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge - WINNER OF the Penderyn Music Book prize.

Don't Look Back in Anger: The rise and Fall of Cool Britannia - an Evenign Standard and Metro Book of the Year

Like Some Forgotten Dream:What If The Beatles hadn't split up?

Daniel has also co-authored:

I Just Can't Stop It: My Life in the Beat with Ranking Roger - Vive Le Rock Book of the Year

When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O'Neill

David Bowie: Icon

Oasis At Knebworth with Jill Furmanovsky (A Sunday Times bestseller)

One For The Road: The Life & Lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene

www.danielrachel.com

www.facebook.com/danielrachelbooks

@danielrachel

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
19 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2014
    Great book on songwriters and their methods and writing techniques. If you need some inspiration there's plenty here to read and draw from each interviewee. Good going Daniel.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2018
    Fun read. Clean/no damage
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2015
    At first I thought Daniel Rachel had written a book all about the avant-garde synthpop group big in the 1980s. While that would no doubt be interesting, this is much more substantial.

    Essentially, it is a collection of interviews of songwriters as the title implies.

    Rachel begins each chapter with an essay leading into the interview.

    Who is interviewed? Mick Jones from the Clash, Annie Lennox, Jimmy Page, Sting, Ian Dury, Robin Gibb, Ray Davies and so on. Each is around 20 pages, give or take, with each Q/A a paragraph or two. In other words, each writer is given an opportunity to explain his or her process.

    I enjoyed the ones for Jimmy Page and Robin Gibb most. This might be because I know their catalog so much better than the rest, or because maybe that's how I'd like to approach song writing.

    Not all are disciplined writers and, instead, draw ideas from random places at random times. Others are extremely disciplined, with careful notes regarding chords and harmonies. That's all part of the story.

    Rachel did his homework and obviously has an educated curiosity about how great song writing happens. He refers frequently to the rest of the canon throughout, and asks intelligent questions.

    This is a good book done well, insightful in both its content and the musical history it presents. I fully recommend, "The Art of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters" by Daniel Rachel.

    Anthony Trendl
    anthonytrendl.com
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2017
    I happen to know this bloke. He’s a mild mannered gentleman at the least, and I was thoroughly delighted to discover he carried that demeanour into the room when interviewing some of Britain’s biggest musical fish. I was particularly impressed with the Sting interview; a giant of a man, who doesn’t suffer fools lightly, seems to genuinely enjoy being interviewed by the humble and curious character that Daniel is. This book is a must for songwriters, and fans curious of the maths behind the magic.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2015
    Great book. I teach songwriting and music production and I got a lot out of it.

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • タマキソ・スカイウォーカー
    5.0 out of 5 stars UKロック・ポップスのソングライターに対する作曲のインタビュー
    Reviewed in Japan on March 20, 2019
    海外のミュージシャンのアルバムに対するインタビューだったり、生い立ちに関しての話は Wikipedia なんかを読めば大丈夫でしょう。
    しかし、作曲に対するインタビューはなかなかありません。
    本書はこの項目をカバーしてくれます。

    なんといってもメンバーが凄い。

    ・スティング
    ・ノエル・ギャラガー
    ・デーモン・アルバーン
    ・ジョニー・マー
    ...

    これでも一部なので、ファン垂涎の一冊です。
    全編英語ですが、そこまで難しくないのでゆっくり読めば十分理解できます。
  • Sir Paul
    4.0 out of 5 stars SO THIS HOW THEY WROTE HITS !
    Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2015
    Great book..a must for all songwriters looking to write a hit!

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