Re: Joe Boyd's "And the Roots of Rhythm Remain" (new book)

I should've posted this earlier, but I hadn't looked into the book until I attended Boyd's appearance at Villa Albertine tonight (the last NYC-area promotional event he has scheduled) and it's pretty magnificent. I haven't come close to finishing it yet as it's over 900 pages, but it's quite a read and these promotional appearances play like the college lecture class you really wish you had. He's wonderful to listen to, and even with David Byrne there to add some sharp observations, it was mostly Boyd doing the talking.

If you have any interest in musicology as it relates to cultural history (which unavoidably will mean engaging with the worst and most brutal aspects of humanity, something that profoundly shaped how popular music develops), this is probably an essential read. My hesitation only comes from the fact that I'm no scholar in the field, so I can't say whether there are other books that would stand as mightier accomplishments, but this one is certainly riveting.

He reactivated his Facebook account and is using it to post updates, but otherwise, here are the remaining upcoming appearances:

14 Sep | Washington, DC | Politics and Prose at Union Market - In Conversation with Bob Boilen
16 Sep | Chicago, IL | Old Town School of Folk Music
19 Sep | Murfreesboro, TN | University of Middle Tennessee | Not open to the public
20 Sep | Nashville, TN | Americanafest - In Conversation with Buddy Miller
22 Sep | Tulsa, OK | Bob Dylan Center
24 Sep | Santa Fe, NM | Collected Works
25 Sep | Albuquerque, NM | Bookworks
30 Sep | San Francisco, CA | Book Passage, Corte Madera Store
30 Sep | Berkeley, CA | Mrs. Dalloway’s
03 Oct | Los Angeles, CA | Book Soup
06 Oct | Houston, TX | Contemporary Arts Museum
08 Oct | San Marcos, TX | The Wittliff Collections, Center for Texas Music History, TexasState University - in conversation with Joe Nick Patoski
08 Oct | Austin, TX | Waterloo Records

UK Tour Part II

12 Oct | Cardiff, UK | Llais Festival, Wales Millennium Centre/Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru
14 Oct | Manchester, UK | Manchester Literature Festival, Manchester Central Library
15 Oct | Liverpool, UK | Waterstones
25 Oct | Lancaster, UK | Litfest Autumn Weekend, Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster University
21 Nov | Abergavenny, UK | Conversations at the Chapel, The Art Shop



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/2024 10:55PM by belfast.

Wow I would like to go to this reading on Saturday with Boilen. Will check my calendar (and perhaps drop off my wife and son at Comet Ping Pong next door for pizza).

Ugh - I just got word that the D.C. talk has been cancelled. No reason is given but it's now noted on Politics and Prose's website:

[www.politics-prose.com]

Chicago has been postponed too. Hope it's nothing serious.

[www.oldtownschool.org]

and his appearance isn’t listed on the Book Soup website.

But the previous day, I could meet Robyn Hitchcock:
[www.booksoup.com]

Any updates on Joe Boyd's health and/or tour?

The stories on his Instagram account re-posted info on upcoming tour stops, so I guess everything is still on schedule despite the two cancellations?

[www.instagram.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/2024 12:25AM by belfast.

He just posted an update in his latest Instagram story. He apologized for the two cancellations, which was a result of illness, and he says they're going to try and reschedule the DC and Chicago dates. Otherwise, the tour is back on and the next stop is Nashville.

This week's bonus episode of the History of Rock in 500 Songs by Andrew Hickey covers Nick Drake. Joe Boyd is of course a major character in the narrative and comes across as one of the most decent people to ever work as a music exec. Chris Blackwell also fares well in the story.

In fact, it's a tragedy completely free of any villains beyond Drake's own crippling depression. He had the support of his family, friends and everyone who met him - they all just wanted to help and protect this poor, sad genius, but nothing could get past the pit his own brain chemistry cast him into.

At any rate, well worth a listen. I've recommended the 500 Songs podcast here several times, but I can't say enough good things about it. It's not only the best music podcast I've come across, but one of the best general history podcasts. And for as little as a buck a month on Patreon you get access to bonus episodes like this one on Drake.

In the main podcast, he's currently two episodes in to the story of Charles Manson and the Beach Boys, which has so far been mostly about Leadbelly for some reason, but I'm sure he'll tie it all together. The next topic in the main podcast will be Fairport Convention, so Richard Thompson fans prepare for that.

If anyone likes the sociological slant of the Boyd book [I've read one of his earlier tomes and loved it] then I can not recommend these books strongly enough:

Ted Gioia: Music – A Subversive History

As it seems to be the last word on the subject across human history. And this one to focus like a laser on the 20th century:

Alex Ross: The Rest Is Noise - Listening to the 20th Century

Both are among the best books on music I've read. Add David Bryne's "How Music Works" and you have a tight little bookshelf that will inform all of your listening.

Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

[postpunkmonk.com]
For further rumination on the Fresh New Sound of Yesterday®



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2025 11:48AM by Post-Punk Monk.

He's going back on tour again to promote this book, though the first top in Saugerties, NY is actually to present the Hendrix film he was involved with.

Details here - the Brooklyn stop in April is supposed to be the paperback launch:

[www.joeboyd.co.uk]