Книги о музыке

The visualization of sound presented in book form and accompanied by a CD-ROM by Ryoji Ikeda and Carsten Nicolai

Ryoji Ikeda and Carsten Nicolai both work at the cutting-edge of contemporary electronic music and sound art. In 1999, the two artists initiated the joint project cyclo., which is devoted to the visualization of sound. In their shared work, they generate new hybrid forms of audiovisual art and expand the possibilities of digital technology.

The project's first publication is cyclo. id, a book and included CD-ROM that offer a multimedia and interactive documentation of the audiovisual material that Nicolai and Ikeda have collected, researched, and created since they began working together. The featured images are formed by the metering of sound bits that have been selected by the artists with meticulous care according to their acoustic and illustrative potential.

Loving the Alien. Behind the scenes of Nic Roeg’s 1976 sci-fi masterpiece starring David Bowie

Haunting, hallucinatory, and with a mesmerizing lead role performance from David Bowie, Nic Roeg’s The Man Who Fell to Earth is a cult piece of science fiction. This book gathers a bumper collection of stills and behind-the-scenes images by unit photographer David James, including stunning shots of Bowie as humanoid alien Thomas Jerome Newton.

First advertised as a “mind-stretching experience,” Nicolas Roeg’s 1976 The Man Who Fell to Earth stunned the cinema world. A tour-de-force of science fiction as art form, the movie brought not only hallucinatory visuals and haunting exploration of contemporary alienation, but also glam-rock legend David Bowie in his lead role debut as paranoid alien Newton.

Based on Walter Tevis’s 1963 sci-fi fable of the same title, The Man Who Fell to Earth follows alien Newton from his arrival on earth in search of water; his transition to wealthy entrepreneur, leveraging the advanced technologies of his native planet; his sexual awakening with the young Mary-Lou; and then the discovery of his alien identity, his imprisonment, abandonment, and descent into alcoholism. Throughout, Roeg coaxed a beguiling performance from his cast, presenting not only Bowie in ethereal space-traveller glory, but also pitch-perfect supporting performances from Candy Clark, Rip Torn, and Buck Henry.

TASCHEN’s The Man Who Fell to Earth presents a plenitude of stills and behind-the-scenes images by unit photographer David James, including numerous shots of Bowie at his playful and ambiguous best. A fresh introductory essay explores the shooting of the film and its lasting impact, drawing upon an exclusive interview with David James, who brings first-hand insights into the making of this sci-fi masterwork.

The editor:

Paul Duncan is a film historian whose TASCHEN books include The James Bond Archives, The Charlie Chaplin Archives, The Godfather Family Album, Taxi Driver, Film Noir, and Horror Cinema, as well as publications on film directors, film genres, movie stars, and film posters.

About the series:

Bibliotheca Universalis — Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe at an unbeatable, democratic price!

Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible, open-minded publishing. Bibliotheca Universalis brings together more than 100 of our all-time favourite titles in a neat new format so you can curate your own affordable library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia.

Bookworm’s delight — never bore, always excite!

A set of a book and four CDs. Lifestyle, fashion and sightseeing in New York - a day in pictures and music in one of the world`s most impressive cities. The day ends where it began, with a view of the night skyline in the most exciting city in the world. The CDs feature music, which accompanies us through the day.

The book: Emerged from the chants of the slaves in the Southern States, blues became one of the most important elements of popular music genres like jazz, rock’n’roll and soul. The earBOOK „Deep South – The Story of the Blues“ tells the story of this moving music genre from its beginnings until today. The author illuminates the most significant forms of blues, its most influential artists and connections to other musical styles. Structured in four chapters with compact information as well as fascinating images, and four related music CDs, „Deep South – The Story of the Blues“ is an entertaining and informative overview of the development of this musical genre.

The music: Featuring Lead Belly, Son House, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Bessie Smith, Meade Lux Lewis and John Mayal.

Show You the World In My Eyes. The official illustrated history of Depeche Mode by Dutch artist Anton Corbijn

In November 2020, Depeche Mode were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Dave Gahan, accepting the honour, said: “I’d like to thank Anton Corbijn who thank God came in at the right time and actually made us look cool.” Also in the fall of 2020, TASCHEN released the limited edition Depeche Mode by Anton Corbijn (81–18) signed by Depeche Mode and Anton Corbijn, and it became one of the fastest-selling collector’s editions in the publishing company’s history. This equally epic, but more wallet-friendly XL edition, is a testament to Corbijn’s unique vision, and indeed “cool” as Gahan acknowledged so movingly in his speech; a detailed illustrated history of how Corbijn, who became in 1986 the band’s de facto creative director, and helped cement Depeche Mode’s reputation as the biggest cult band in the world.

Featuring over 500 photographs from Corbijn’s extensive archives, some never seen before, including formal and informal portraits from places such as Madrid, Hamburg, the California desert, Prague and Marrakech (some taken during the making of iconic videos such as “Enjoy the Silence” and “Personal Jesus”); a multitude of off-the-cuff, candid images; and stunning live shots from all their tours since 1988. In addition to the photographs, there are sketches and designs for stage sets and album covers, Corbijn’s handwritten captions throughout the book, placing the reader right in the middle of the shoots, and an extended interview with the Dutch master.

Created with the full collaboration of the band, who share some insights on working with Corbijn, Depeche Mode by Anton Corbijn (81–18) trumpets how one man’s original aesthetic, that has encompassed all of their photography, most of their music videos, album graphics and set designs, helped shape the band’s enduring popularity. Reflecting on his role in Depeche, Corbijn recalls in the book’s introduction: “A lot of it came down to me, and I wanted it to be right for them. I wanted to think for them. To be great for them.” This book is a tribute to the depth and breadth of that greatness, a celebration of one of the most creative and enduring collaborations in rock history.

The photographer:

Dutch photographer, videographer, designer and film director Anton Corbijn is best known for his black-and-white photography of artists, which from the beginning included musicians, painters and actors. His approach to this work has been hailed as defining a new way of portrait photography with the emphasis on his guiding principle that imperfection is closer to life than perfection. From his humble beginnings as a music fan, he developed into an important globally heard voice in the photography world. For decades he has been a collaborator with many musicians such as Tom Waits, U2, Nick Cave, Metallica, Herbert Grönemeyer, R.E.M. and in this case Depeche Mode! Even after making films with the likes of George Clooney, Robert Pattinson or Philip Seymour Hofmann, he always returned to his first love, photography. He has had many museum shows over the years and resides in Amsterdam.

The editor:

Reuel Golden is the former editor of the British Journal of Photography and the Photography editor at TASCHEN. His TASCHEN titles include: Mick Rock: The Rise of David Bowie, both London and New York Portrait of a City books, Andy Warhol. Polaroids, The Rolling Stones, Her Majesty, Football in the 1970s, the National Geographic editions, and The David Bailey SUMO.

A photographic look into the world of vinyl record collectors — including Questlove — in the most intimate of environments — their record rooms.

Compelling photographic essays from photographer Eilon Paz are paired with in-depth and insightful interviews to illustrate what motivates these collectors to keep digging for more records. The reader gets an up close and personal look at a variety of well-known vinyl champions, including Gilles Peterson and King Britt, as well as a glimpse into the collections of known and unknown DJs, producers, record dealers, and everyday enthusiasts. Driven by his love for vinyl records, Paz takes us on a five-year journey unearthing the very soul of the vinyl community.

From gigs in tiny church halls in the mid-sixties to multi-million selling albums and spectacular stadium shows all around the world, the Pink Floyd story in a rock legend.

This remarkable book is a celebration of Pink Floyd's entire career - 2007 marks the official 40th anniversary since they started recording. It contains a biographical account of the band's collective and individual careers from their pre-Floyd origins in 1962 right through to the present day.

Echoes also combines, for the very first time, a meticulously researched chronological listing of every single Pink Floyd and solo concert, set list, TV and radio appearance plus a UK and US discography.

Illustrated throughout with a wealth of rare and previously unpublished photographs as well as rare graphic memorabilia, including posters, advertisements, handbills and tickets from every era of the band's remarkable history, it is, quite simply, the most comprehensive account of Pink Floyd in print.

About the Author
Glenn Povey was the founder of the highly regarded Pink Floyd fan-magazine Brain Damage which he edited between 1985 and 1993. He was responsible for launching the career of the Australian Pink Floyd Show, a band he subsequently managed for two years following their debut UK show at the first International Pink Floyd Fan-Convention, an event he  organised at Wembley Stadium Conference Centre in 1993.

Since then Glenn has worked in the music industry as a booking agent and promoter for a variety of artists including The Electric Prunes, Caravan, Hawkwind, Hugh Cornwell, Gong, Magma, Ozric Tentacles, Porcupine Tree, The Pretty Things and The Seeds. He also promoted the Canterbury Fayre rock festival, headlined in its fourth and final year by Roy Harper and Robert Plant.

In 2002 he successfully re-launched the career of the legendary rock icon Arthur Lee and, acting in a management capacity, toured with his band Love across the world for three years.

An incurable Pink Floyd fan this is now his second book on the subject, having written, compiled and co-researched Pink Floyd: In The Flesh in 1997. He has also written extensively on the band for a variety of music magazines including Mojo and Record Collector.

At more than 120 bpm, electronic music sets the tempo on dancefloors around the globe. Accompanying the exhibition Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers, this book offers an insight into the visual culture of electronic music, and how technology, design, art and fashion have contributed to its power. With its roots in Detroit and Chicago in the early 1980s, electronic dance music was popularised across Europe through underground rave parties. Its impact on contemporary culture is still unfolding today. Containing interviews with early pioneers such as techno legend Jeff Mills, The Designers Republic’s Ian Anderson, and those pushing the political dimension of electronic music, such as ballroom dancer and DJ Kiddy Smile, Electronic bears witness to the shifting nature of the genre.

Illustrated with over 300 images, some published here for the first time, Electronic features Jean-Michel Jarre’s virtual studio; work by pioneer Daphne Oram of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop; audiovisual performances by musicians like Bicep and the Chemical Brothers; fashion collections by Raf Simons and Charles Jeffrey of Loverboy; iconic photography by Jacob Khrist and Tina Paul; artwork by Christian Marclay; club graphics from Peter Saville and Mark Farrow; and iconic venues such as the Haçienda, Gatecrasher, Fabric, Berghain and the Warehouse Project. Reflecting the shifts in society over the past thirty years, electronic music has generated distinct visual languages as well as its own political and cultural ideals.

This original collection features the most remarkable vinyl artifacts ever produced: a connoisseur's selection of records in a plethora of colors, shapes, and forms, imprinted with extraordinary effects and images. Produced in collaboration with Colors magazine, this book showcases over 500 of the most exceptional records owned by leading collectors Alessandro Benedetti and Peter Bastine. Featuring the recordings of Pink Floyd, Queen, the Beatles, Prince, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Bon Jovi and many others, these are rare and valuable records in countless designs and colors - gold, transparent, photo-printed - in a dazzling variety of shapes: butterfly, heart, star, and even a tree-shaped disc.

The visual of vinyls. The most daring of record designs

This kaleidoscopic catalogue brings new meaning to the idea of “album art.” Celebrate vinyl not only for the integrity of its sound but also for its artistic potential as a material form. Spanning over 500 show-stopping records — from The Beatles to Bon Jovi, glow-in-the-dark effects to butterfly-shaped discs — discover how daring shapes, colours, and designs fashioned the identities of era-defining records and artists.

Now available as part of TASCHEN’s Bibliotheca Universalis series, this dazzling catalogue of vinyl brings new meaning to the “album art.” Produced in collaboration with Colors magazine, it brings together over 500 remarkable records from the collection of Alessandro Benedetti and Peter Bastine.

The book forms a junction between photography, music, and design, celebrating vinyl not only for the integrity of sound recording but also for its artistic potential as a material form. With featured artists including Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Prince, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi and beyond, it offers compelling insight into the most intricate details of a performer’s visual identity, from a flamboyant colour to a futuristic mirror effect.

The discs are arranged thematically to span monochrome vinyl; unusual vinyl (including silver, gold or mirror vinyl as well as extremely rare glow-in-the-dark vinyl); multicoloured vinyl; etched vinyl (where music is pressed onto only one side); shaped vinyl (cut into forms that are different from the classic round disc); and picture discs (where a photograph or design is stamped onto the surface of the record). Page after page, this kaleidoscopic encyclopedia of game-changing vinyls is a colourful journey through era-defining records and artists.

The authors:

Italian producer and songwriter Giorgio Moroder helped create electronic dance music, and has worked with Donna Summer, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, Barbra Streisand, and many others. He also founded Musicland Studios in Munich, once used by legendary acts like Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Elton John.

Alessandro Benedetti began collecting coloured and unusual records in 1981, and now has 8,000 discs, including 1,200 coloured vinyl discs. In 1998 his collection won recognition in The Guinness Book of Records. His dream is to open a record museum so he can share his collection with the public.

The contributor:

Peter Bastine has been a DJ, record seller, and concert organizer. From 1977 until 1998 he collected every kind of picture disc; since then, mostly historical 78rpm records. Today his collection comprises around 8,000 picture discs, and has been the subject of several European exhibitions.

About the series:

Bibliotheca Universalis — Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe at an unbeatable, democratic price!

Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible, open-minded publishing. Bibliotheca Universalis brings together more than 100 of our all-time favourite titles in a neat new format so you can curate your own affordable library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia.

Bookworm’s delight — never bore, always excite!

Following the success of Jazz Covers, this volume features over 500 legendary covers from the golden era in black music that have conquered the world. From Marvin Gaye to Michael Jackson, the Temptations to Earth, Wind & Fire, and James Brown to Prince, Funk & Soul Covers portrays the often breathtaking album art that helped make these essentially African-American musical forms both world famous and massively influential, and an essential part of 20th century music history. Featuring interviews with key industry figures - including performers, producers, and writers - Funk & Soul Covers also provides cultural context and design analysis for many of the record covers.

The author:
Joaquim Paulo is as a consultant for major labels and directs a number of radio stations in Portugal. He started collecting vinyl at 15, and flies to London, Paris, New York and São Paulo to enrich his collection of over 25,000 LPs. He lives and works in Lisbon and dedicates his free time to recovering old and rare recordings.

The editor:
Julius Wiedemann was born in Brazil, studied graphic design and marketing, and was an art editor for digital and design magazines in Tokyo. His many TASCHEN digital and media titles include Illustration Now!, Advertising Now, Logo Design, and Brand Identity Now!

Original covers. The golden age of African-American music

Following the success of Jazz Covers, this epic volume of groove assembles over 500 legendary covers from a golden era in African-American music. Psychedelia meets Black Power, sexual liberation meets social conscience and street portraiture meets fantastical cartoon in this dazzling anthology of visualized funk and soul.

Gathering both classic and rare covers, the collection celebrates each artwork's ability to capture not only a buyer's interest but an entire musical mood. Browse through and discover the brilliant, the bold, the outlandish and the sheer beautiful designs that fans rushed to get their hands on as the likes of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Michael Jackson and Prince changed the world with their unique and unforgettable sounds.

Featuring interviews with key industry figures, Funk & Soul Covers also provides cultural context and design analysis for many of the chosen record covers.

About the series:

Bibliotheca Universalis — Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe at an unbeatable, democratic price!

Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible, open-minded publishing. Bibliotheca Universalis brings together more than 100 of our all-time favourite titles in a neat new format so you can curate your own affordable library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia.

Bookworm’s delight — never bore, always excite!

Drawing on George Harrison’s personal archive of photographs, letters, diaries, and memorabilia, Olivia Harrison reveals the arc of his life, from his guitar-obsessed boyhood in Liverpool, to the astonishment of the Beatles years, to his days as an independent musician and bohemian squire. Here too is the record of Harrison’s lifelong commitment to Indian music, and his adventures as a movie producer, Traveling Wilbury, and Formula One racing fan. The book is filled with stories and reminiscences from Harrison’s friends, including Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and many, many others. Among its previously unpublished riches are photographs taken by Harrison himself beginning in the mid-1960s. It is a rich tribute to a man who died far too young, but who touched the lives of millions.

More than a decade after his death, alienated, awkward, heavily eye-lined Kurt Cobain continues to sit front and center in the arena of popular culture, as the subject of books, music, fashion, gossip, and inspiration for major motion pictures and documentaries. Together with flannelsporting, music-obsessed communities emerging (in the late 1980s and early 1990s) from the chilly Pacific Northwest, Nirvana, Sound Garden, and Pearl Jam changed the scene with wild aggressive sounds and truly alternative records.
Author Thurston Moore (of Sonic Youth) - who introduced Kurt Cobain t David Geffen (Geffen Records), a meeting that resulted in Nirvana’s first major debut, Nevermind, in September 1991, which by December was selling 400,000 copies a week - writes about the discovery of Seattle punk youth, the seminal bands that defined the movement, the exploitation of the subculture, and the backlash of grunge, as well as the death of his longtime collaborator and intimate Cobain.

Maybe I’m Amazed. A personal portrait of Paul McCartney by Harry Benson

Harry Benson began photographing the young Paul McCartney in 1964, a pivotal year for the Beatles when they took America by storm, toured the world, and made their movie debut with A Hard Day’s Night—all documented by the affable Scotsman. And when the Fab Four called it quits, it was Benson who was afforded intimate access to Paul and wife Linda, as Paul forged a new path creatively and personally.

Through Benson’s lens, Paul traces the evolution of its namesake as an icon, performer, and a devoted family man. We follow the musician at the height of his fame with the Beatles; in the recording studio with Linda and their band, Wings; with the family; behind the scenes and on stage during the 1975–76 “Wings Over America” tour; dancing the night away at a star-studded party on the Queen Mary to celebrate the band’s newest album; and with Linda on the couple’s farm in the U.K. in the early 1990s—a fittingly soft landing after so many years of flying high.

Featuring more than 100 color and black-and-white images by the legendary photojournalist, many never seen before, this collection is a window onto a one-of-a-kind artist, one who has remained somewhat enigmatic despite nearly a lifetime of being in the limelight.

Collector’s Edition of 600 copies (No. 101–700), each numbered and signed by Harry Benson

The photographer:

Glasgow-born Harry Benson has photographed every US President since Eisenhower, the Civil Rights movement, and was next to Robert Kennedy when he was assassinated. As well as The Beatles, he has shot some of the biggest personalities of the last 50 years, including Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Her Majesty The Queen. In 2009, he was made Commander of the British Empire (CBE).

The editor:

Reuel Golden is the former editor of the British Journal of Photography and the Photography editor at TASCHEN. His TASCHEN titles include: Mick Rock: The Rise of David Bowie, both London and New York Portrait of a City books, Andy Warhol. Polaroids, The Rolling Stones, Her Majesty, Football in the 1970s, the National Geographic editions, and The David Bailey SUMO.