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How Music Works | [David Byrne]
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How Music Works

  • UNABRIDGED
  • by David Byrne
  • Narrated by Andrew Garman
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  • Regular Price :$31.49
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  • Average Customer Rating
  • Overall
    (14)
    Performance
    (13)
    Story
    (13)
 
  • LENGTH
    13 hrs and 11 mins
  • RELEASE DATE
    10-25-12
  • AUDIO FORMATS
    About Audio Formats
    2 3 4 Enhanced Audio
 

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Publisher's Summary

Best known as a founding member and principal songwriter of the iconic band Talking Heads, David Byrne has received Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Globe awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the insightful How Music Works, Byrne offers his unique perspective on music - including how music is shaped by time, how recording technologies transform the listening experience, the evolution of the industry, and much more.

©2012 David Byrne (P)2012 Recorded Books

What the Critics Say

"Anyone at all interested in music will learn a lot from this book." (Kirkus Reviews)

What Members Say

Average Customer Rating

4.3 (14 ratings)
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4.3 (13 ratings)
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4.0 (13 ratings)
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Performance
  •  
    Daniel Los Angeles, CA, United States 12-16-12
    Daniel Los Angeles, CA, United States 12-16-12 Member Since 2011
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    ""David Byrne is a Human" by a Talking Heads fan"
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    Byrne writes like a Malcom Gladwell in the music world. To me, that was interesting enough to keep me hooked because I didn't realize David Byrne was so smart and normal. I would recommend this book if you are trying to "figure out" music. Not that he claims to understand music completely. He tries to keep a balanced view and show the realm of possibilities of "how music works." Sometimes he goes on long tangents, talking about his projects after Talking Heads (which was sometimes interesting).

    It was a great book to have in the car on the way to and from work.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of How Music Works?

    His section on music writing collaboration. For me, as someone in a band, I really took away some great communication techniques.


    What do you think the narrator could have done better?

    The narrator was OK. I felt he seemed to miss Byrne's connotation sometimes. He also doesn't know how to pronounce "timbre." I feel like Byrne definitely didn't listen to this audiobook and OK everything.


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    Nothing too extreme. There were parts that were very exciting, like when he related to exactly what my band is going through right now.


    Any additional comments?

    I would say that if you are still enchanted with The Talking Heads sound, don't read this book. I haven't listened to them since reading it, but I suspect some of the magic may be gone when I do. This is ok for me, because one day I hope to reach levels that David Byrne reached. Or if you are a music fan, and want to see behind the scenes, it will be a fun read. You may want to skip through some parts, but overall it's worth it.

    It's very unfortunate that the only other review on here was from some conservative person. Yes, Byrne goes on a few little rants in favor of liberalism, but i wouldn't say that's his main objective.

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Brett INCLINE VILLAGE, NV, United States 01-21-13
    Brett INCLINE VILLAGE, NV, United States 01-21-13 Member Since 2011
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    "If you like Music you will like this book."
    Would you consider the audio edition of How Music Works to be better than the print version?

    I did not read the print version


    What was one of the most memorable moments of How Music Works?

    Learning about the no Child Left behind act. I have started researching this further. Only to become really grossed out.


    What does Andrew Garman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    He does a swell job keeping the reader's attention


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    Yes but it is 13hrs long so I broke it up into a couple of days.


    Any additional comments?

    Thank you David Byrne. I have been a violinist for 21 years, and only now do I feel Like I can become a musician/ artist. Thank you for a very interesting look at music. :)

    Bravo

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    ariel Matawan, NJ, United States 12-11-12
    ariel Matawan, NJ, United States 12-11-12 Member Since 2012
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    "SOUND ADVICE"
    Would you consider the audio edition of How Music Works to be better than the print version?

    HMW is full of plain spoken advice on the how's and why's of making and selling music.
    It's perfect for anybody interested in the art on any level.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of How Music Works?

    AlDavid Byrne touches upon enough of his experiences as lead singer of Talking Heads to keep the material personal and not so academic.


    Which character – as performed by Andrew Garman – was your favorite?

    Garmans narration flows easily. At times, I felt as if this was Byrne speaking to the reader.


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    For the aspiring musicioan therre are many nuggets of inspiring information.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Thomas Stuart, United States Minor Outlying Islands 11-06-12
    Thomas Stuart, United States Minor Outlying Islands 11-06-12 Member Since 2006
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    "Another Know-It-All Liberal Slanders the US"
    This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

    The 99% of course, which I imagine isn't 99% but just a few pot-heads here and there in Manhattan and Paris.


    What could David Byrne have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

    He could have just foregone the expansive liberal thesis about the big bad masters of the universe keeping the heel to the neck of all the genius unknown garage bands of the world.


    How could the performance have been better?

    David could have read it himself. That would have been something. An audiobook as performance art.


    You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

    He began brilliantly with a discussion/theory about how recorded music and performance are so very different. That's what I expected - not some rehashing about the abusive 1%.


    Any additional comments?

    David. Stay away from the politics - all that is so temporal. Do the big picture and the deep thought in the future.

    6 of 34 people found this review helpful
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