|
The Arts Beat is a weekly deep-dive into Memphis arts, music, dance, theater, fashion, film and events. Keep scrolling for a roundup of the best arts and culture stories from the week. Have a story idea? Send it to eperry@dailymemphian.com.
Each month, The Daily Memphian offers local booksellers and book event hosts a chance to recommend four books to Arts Beat subscribers.
The books can be fiction or nonfiction, but they should be recently published and have ties to Memphis.
Click here to read Novel bookstore’s picks from June.
For July, your book recommendations come from Jim Thompson, board chair of the Memphis Listening Lab.
The lab hosts book signings, cultural events and listening parties at its Crosstown Concourse library, described as “a curated collection of music and music history.”
(Responses have been lightly edited for style.)
‘Down on the Corner’ by Cary Baker
Thompson says: “This is a great book that delves into the significance of Beale Street in Memphis, a historic hub for blues music and street performances. Beale Street has been home to numerous influential musicians and played a pivotal role in the development of the Memphis blues style.”
‘Before Elvis’ by Preston Lauterbach
Thompson says: “‘Before Elvis’ tells the story of the Black musicians who created the sound and style that Elvis Presley later popularized. It highlights artists like Big Mama Thornton and Arthur Crudup, showing how their groundbreaking work shaped rock ‘n' roll while they remained largely unrecognized.”
Book recommendations continue below.
Top arts and culture stories
‘How Sweet the Sound’ by Kwame Alexander
Thompson says: “(This children’s book) highlights the significance of Memphis as a cultural hub, showcasing its contributions to genres such as blues, soul and gospel. The inclusion of Memphis artists and the city’s musical legacy underscores its pivotal role in shaping American music history.”
‘Last Bridge to Memphis’ by Jim Condelles
Thompson says: “What if Elvis didn’t die? This an alternate-history thriller set in 1980s Memphis, where Elvis Presley is alive but a shadow of his former self. The story follows TV reporter Tom Cirone, who, while grappling with personal demons and a dangerous love affair, uncovers a deadly police cover-up. His relentless pursuit of the truth leads him to an unexpected ally: a middle-aged Elvis, seeking redemption in a world that has largely forgotten him.”
Thompson notes, “The Baker and Alexander books are not solely about Memphis, but it is definitely a big part of the story.”
..... |