Sound System: The Political Power of Music (Left Book Club)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.93 (836 Votes) |
| Asin | : | B06XS1ZR3G |
| Format Type | : | |
| Number of Pages | : | 522 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2015-03-20 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Music has been used to unsettle the most fundamental political and social conventions – and to prop up the status-quo. Rulers recognise it too. He finds remarkable examples of music as a force for social change as well as something that has been used to keep people in their place throughout history. From the Glastonbury Festival to the Arab Spring, Pop Idol to Trinidadian Carnival, Randall finds political inspiration across the musical spectrum and poses the question: how can we make music serve the interests of the many, rather than the few?. This is a book of raves, riots and revolution. From underground grime artists to pop icons, many have believed in the political power of music. Sound System is the story of one musician’s journey to discover what makes music so powerful. Musicians have often wanted to change the world. Years of touring, playing and protesting have given Dave Randall a unique insider’s view of the music industry, enabling him to shed light on the secrets of celebrity, commodification and culture
"Randall delves deeply and engagingly, citing and expanding upon many historical precedents as support for his overarching thesis that yes, music can and should elicit worldwide progress. His in-depth accounts, in conjunction with his amicable voice and spread-out focus, make it a fascinating and crucial read for music fans, historians, and cultural activists alike. Sound System is ceaselessly fascinating and incredibly well researched, with a narrative voice that’s simultaneously highly educated and humbly inviting. In a way, Randall writes like the hip history professor everyone wishes they had, and while his anecdotes regarding his own participations, as well as those of popular artists like Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell, are intriguing, it’s the level of depth he goes into about much older and lesser known activists that truly makes the book a must-read for anyone interested in music, culture, and/or politi