The May 2025 Spin Challenge - Music, Music, Read All About It!

This month's challenge combines two physical media hobbies - books and records.
I'm an avid reader and a bit of a book collector. So, although I have purged a lot over the last couple years, I keep every music related that I enjoyed reading, and even a few I didn't enjoy.

Each day there will be a book about music posted. I'll provide a couple ways to satisfy each prompt.
The usual "rules" apply. Try to post for each prompt, try not to repeat a posted album. I won't be posting these in any order, it's random.

At the end of the month, I'll do a drawing and send a $20 B&N E-gift card to anyone that played at least one day....maybe you can purchase one of the books featured here.

Happy spinning, happy reading!

May 1st through 7th

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden

I really enjoyed this book. I read most of it while waiting for my wife at physical therapy after one of her knee surgeries, so it'll always remind me of that particular waiting room.

Play something that reminds you of a specific point in your life
OR
Play something by the Black Crowes or Black Crowes related


Day 2 - Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd - Nick Mason

I found this a little tame and polite. But as a Pink Floyd fan I loved reading the history, even without any gossip or crazy stories of drug use or infighting.

Play something nice, polite or unaggressive
OR
Play something by Pink Floyd or maybe some psych rock.



Day 3 - 33 1/3 Series: Horses - Philip Shaw

Early in the book the author refers to Patti's style of lyric delivery as 'speak-singing.'

Play something poetic or that employs speak-singing
OR
Play some Patti Smith



Day 4 - Beastie Boys Book - Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz

Fantastic. It was so good that after I already read it, my wife and I listened to the audiobook over the span of a few road trips. And of course it has a sadness about it...they dearly miss Yauch, as does the world.

Play a band that lost a beloved member
OR
Play some Beasties or some hip-hop



Day 5 - No One Here Gets Out Alive - Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman
This was the first rock bio that I ever read. I remember passing this copy around with all my friends in middle school. Morrison was such a mysterious figure to me back then, and I couldn't get enough.
For further reading, Wonderland Avenue by Danny Sugerman is really good too.

Play something from your middle school or adolescent years.
OR
Play the Doors or any side project from the members.


Day 6 - Beneath the Underdog - Charles Mingus

I was stunned at the information this autobiography contained, and what it revealed about Mingus, in his own words even. And I was also a bit confused at why it didn't cover much about his music or writing process.

Play an artist that has a side hustle
OR
Play some Mingus or a favorite jazz record



Day 7 - Strange Things Happen - Stewart Copeland

I didn't love this book, I found myself getting irritated with Stewie throughout. Maybe it was his writing style. Even the cover pic bugs me.

Play something by an artist whose writing style or lyrics you don't really like, even though you may like the overall body of work.
OR
Play some Police, or a Copeland project.

May 8th through 15th

Day 8 - Miles: The Autobiography - Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe

Wow, don't meet your heroes. Miles really tells us a lot in this book, and it ain't all pretty.

Play an artist that you look beyond their shortcomings or bad deeds and can still enjoy
OR
Play some Miles or more jazz!


Day 9 - How Music Works - David Byrne
I'll be honest, this was a DNF. I kept meaning to get back to it and still haven't.

Play something you have a hard time playing in its entirety
OR
Play some Talking Heads or a David Byrne project



Day 10 - The Real Frank Zappa Book - Frank Zappa with Peter Occhiogrosso

Here's a quote:
“A drug is not bad. A drug is a chemical compound. The problem comes in when people who take drugs treat them like a license to behave like an asshole.”

FZ didn't do drugs, didn't really like his touring band to do them either.

Play a straightedge or sober band or artist
OR
Play some Zappa or anything by someone who played with him.


Day 11 - 33 1/3 Series: Court & Spark - Sean Nelson

I love the album but didn't love this book. The author interpreted the lyrics for every song and it was just like, his opinion man.

Play something that the lyrics speak to you
OR
Play some Joni or something Joni-related



Day 12 - The Low Side of the Road: A Life of Tom Waits - Barney Hoskyns

This was really good. There aren't many notable and authorized bios of Tom; this one is widely considered the best.

Play something hard to find
OR
Play some Tom Waits or another artist that has changed/reinvented their sound over the years



Day 13 - This is What it Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You - Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas

This was an easy and fun read. I can't say I got much out of it, like, I'm not sure what my taste in music says about me, but her stories about working with Prince were fun to read.

Play something that exemplifies your taste in music
OR
Play some Prince or something Prince related



Day 14 - Robert Fripp: From King Crimson to Guitar Craft - Eric Tamm

This was published in 1990, so a bit before one of my favorite eras of KC.
Anyway, in the book, the author mentions Fripp's 'permanent sabbatical' in the 70s, but Eno and Bowie coaxed him out of it to work on the Berlin sessions. Glad they did,

Play an artist that came out of retirement
OR
Play any Robert Fripp-related project



Day 15 - Under a Hoodoo Moon: The Life of the Night Tripper - Dr John with Jack Rummel
This is on my summer reading list, it was given to me by a coworker a few years ago who was his second cousin. I kind of forgot I had it on my shelf.

Play a band or artist that you have a six degrees of Kevin Bacon with.
OR
Play some Dr John or another New Orleans based artist.

May 16th through 23rd

Day 16 - 33 1/3 Series: Chocolate and Cheese - Hank Shteamer

I love reading about Ween. I find them to be eclectic, creative, fun, edgy and brilliant.

Play something you find eclectic and/or really creative
OR
Play some Ween!


Day 17 - Chairman at the Board: Recording the Soundtrack of a Generation - Bill Schnee

Super fun book. The man has worked with dozens of legends.

Play something with excellent production
OR
Play something from the 70s



Day 18 - Bill Evans: How My Heart Sings - Peter Pettinger

This was a tough one...long stretches of Wikipedia type writing. But I love the artist and enjoyed reading about the gigs and all the amazing players he performed with.

Play an album with an all-star cast.
OR
Play some Bill Evans or a favorite pianist.



Day 19 - Remain in Love - Chris Frantz

This was an ok read. Chris definitely has an axe to grind regarding David Byrne, at one point complaining about his high screechy voice.
It's definitely a love letter to Tina as well, which is nice I suppose.

Play an artist who isn't known for having a pure singing voice
OR
Play some Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club or someone that played at CBGBs



Day 20 - 33 1/3 Series: The Moon and Antarctica

This was fantastic. I read it in two sittings, only because I wanted to savor it longer than one sitting.

Early on there's a story about how Jeremiah Green was told by an instructor that he was not any good on the drums and to maybe consider another instrument. Instead, he ignored the advice, got a kit and became part of one of my all time favorite bands.

Play something by an artist who has an untrained or unorthodox approach
OR
Play some Modest Mouse or another Pacific Northwest band



Day 21 - Janis: Her Life and Music - Holly George-Warren

I already knew a lot of what was on these pages, but learned a lot more as well. I love Janis; she seemed to be a singular, exceptional woman albeit with some troubles.

Play something by an artist that can belt out some vocals
OR
Play some Janis



Day 22 - Let's Go (So We Can Get Back) - Jeff Tweedy

Jeff is a funny guy, it comes out in his writing pretty well.
“I’ve heard people complain about my guitar when I play solo shows. “Why does he insist on playing that guitar? It sounds like it’s strung with rubber bands.” To which I say, Um . . . Shut the fuck up, get your own guitar and ring like a silver bell for all I care. I need a guitar with strings that don’t sound like a twenty-year-old who wakes up at five a.m. and has a venti iced Americano and is ready to seize the day! I need strings that sound like me, a doom-dabbling, fifty-year-old, borderline misanthrope, nap enthusiast.”

Play something fifty years old, or something with some doom-dabbling, or something nap inducing
OR
Play some Wilco, Jeff Tweedy or anything related

(pic to be uploaded)

Day 23 - 33 1/3 Series: Donuts - Jordan Ferguson

This was my second favorite of the series so far. (I've only read seven of them)

I wasn't very familiar with J Dilla until the last few years when I started paying attention, and I'm amazed at his influence and reach.

Play something with a beat you love (machine, sampled, organic, whatever)
OR
Play some J Dilla or someone you discovered way later than everyone else

This thread is musician approved.

Sting being extra-Stingy and Bowie doing his best Back to the Future while reading Dostoyevsky might be my favorites.

ranbalam said:

This month's challenge combines two physical media hobbies - books and records.
I'm an avid reader and a bit of a book collector. So, although I have purged a lot over the last couple years, I keep every music related that I enjoyed reading, and even a few I didn't enjoy.

Each day there will be a book about music posted. I'll provide a couple ways to satisfy each prompt.
The usual "rules" apply. Try to post for each prompt, try not to repeat a posted album. I won't be posting these in any order, it's random.

At the end of the month, I'll do a drawing and send a $20 B&N E-gift card to anyone that played at least one day....maybe you can purchase one of the books featured here.

Happy spinning, happy reading!

May 1st through 7th

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden

I really enjoyed this book. I read most of it while waiting for my wife at physical therapy after one of her knee surgeries, so it'll always remind me of that particular waiting room.

Play something that reminds you of a specific point in your life
OR
Play something by the Black Crowes or Black Crowes related

View attachment 232935
Day 2 - Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd - Nick Mason

I found this a little tame and polite. But as a Pink Floyd fan I loved reading the history, even without any gossip or crazy stories of drug use or infighting.

Play something nice, polite or unaggressive
OR
Play something by Pink Floyd or maybe some psych rock.

View attachment 232934

Day 3 - 33 1/3 Series: Horses - Philip Shaw

Early in the book the author refers to Patti's style of lyric delivery as 'speak-singing.'

Play something poetic or that employs speak-singing
OR
Play some Patti Smith

View attachment 232936

Day 4 - Beastie Boys Book - Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz

Fantastic. It was so good that after I already read it, my wife and I listened to the audiobook over the span of a few road trips. And of course it has a sadness about it...they dearly miss Yauch, as does the world.

Play a band that lost a beloved member
OR
Play some Beasties or some hip-hop

View attachment 232937

Day 5 - No One Here Gets Out Alive - Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman
This was the first rock bio that I ever read. I remember passing this copy around with all my friends in middle school. Morrison was such a mysterious figure to me back then, and I couldn't get enough.
For further reading, Wonderland Avenue by Danny Sugerman is really good too.

Play something from your middle school or adolescent years.
OR
Play the Doors or any side project from the members.
View attachment 232938

Day 6 - Beneath the Underdog - Charles Mingus

I was stunned at the information this autobiography contained, and what it revealed about Mingus, in his own words even. And I was also a bit confused at why it didn't cover much about his music or writing process.

Play an artist that has a side hustle
OR
Play some Mingus or a favorite jazz record

View attachment 232939

Day 7 - Strange Things Happen - Stewart Copeland

I didn't love this book, I found myself getting irritated with Stewie throughout. Maybe it was his writing style. Even the cover pic bugs me.

Play something by an artist whose writing style or lyrics you don't really like, even though you may like the overall body of work.
OR
Play some Police, or a Copeland project.

View attachment 232940

Click to expand...

I've read three of these!

avecigrec said:

I've read three of these!

Click to expand...

Pink Floyd, Beasties and Mingus?

ranbalam said:

Pink Floyd, Beasties and Mingus?

Click to expand...

Close! Switch out Floyd for Morrison.

Nice!

I am in it for the free personal pan pizza!!

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden
I really enjoyed this book. I read most of it while waiting for my wife at physical therapy after one of her knee surgeries, so it'll always remind me of that particular waiting room.
Play something that reminds you of a specific point in your life
OR
Play something by the Black Crowes or Black Crowes related

I'll cover both bases. Steve and I had conversed a lot over the years, more about sports during his Steve Gorman Sports days than music, but never met face to face. A Trigger Hippy tour coincided with his book release. He scheduled a book Q & A / signing at a little subterranean Irish bar in Asheville before their show. Such a good time and we finally met in person.

An example of Steve's great sense of humor...



This is a really great book whether you give a crap about The Crowes or not. So entertaining. I highly recommend the audiobook with Steve reading. He's a really good storyteller...



Some primo Steve Gorman. He did pretty well as a guy who talked himself into a band before he really knew how to play drums. The brothers haven't been able to sufficiently fill his seat since the falling out. So sad. If you read the book, you'll understand the pettiness that got us here.



One just for @ranbalam. He'll appreciate this seamless broken stick switch as a drummer. For the uninitiated, you may not even notice it. Hint - :34.



The Black Crowes - The Tall Sessions

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden

Black Crows - Amorica

I enjoy the Black Crowes though only nominally compared to some on here, I have a couple of their albums, the Shake Your Money Maker box set that I picked up for cheap via an amazon sale and this one that I received from @Viking Dan via a PIF. I enjoy them both and might pick up an album or two more if the price is right.

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden
I really enjoyed this book. I read most of it while waiting for my wife at physical therapy after one of her knee surgeries, so it'll always remind me of that particular waiting room.

Play something that reminds you of a specific point in your life
OR
Play something by the Black Crowes or Black Crowes related

Gonna go with Black Crowes related here. Not the best video of Pigpen doing this song, but its the version on the album and pretty amazing to see.

Grateful Dead ~ History of the Grateful Dead, Vol 1. (Bears Choice)

Yer Ol' Uncle D said:

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden
I really enjoyed this book. I read most of it while waiting for my wife at physical therapy after one of her knee surgeries, so it'll always remind me of that particular waiting room.
Play something that reminds you of a specific point in your life
OR
Play something by the Black Crowes or Black Crowes related

I'll cover both bases. Steve and I had conversed a lot over the years, more about sports during his Steve Gorman Sports days than music, but never met face to face. A Trigger Hippy tour coincided with his book release. He scheduled a book Q & A / signing at a little subterranean Irish bar in Asheville before their show. Such a good time and we finally met in person.

An example of Steve's great sense of humor...

View attachment 233062

This is a really great book whether you give a crap about The Crowes or not. So entertaining. I highly recommend the audiobook with Steve reading. He's a really good storyteller...

View attachment 233063

Some primo Steve Gorman. He did pretty well as a guy who talked himself into a band before he really knew how to play drums. The brothers haven't been able to sufficiently fill his seat since the falling out. So sad. If you read the book, you'll understand the pettiness that got us here.



One just for @ranbalam. He'll appreciate this seamless broken stick switch as a drummer. For the uninitiated, you may not even notice it. Hint - :34.



The Black Crowes - The Tall Sessions

View attachment 233064

Click to expand...

TenderLovingKiller® said:

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden

Black Crows - Amorica
View attachment 233092
I enjoy the Black Crowes though only nominally compared to some on here, I have a couple of their albums, the Shake Your Money Maker box set that I picked up for cheap via an amazon sale and this one that I received from @Viking Dan via a PIF. I enjoy them both and might pick up an album or two more if the price is right.

Click to expand...

Amorica is on my Top 5 stranded on a desert island records.
Descending, the album's closer, has one of the All Time Great piano denouements.

Another Roadside Tragedy form the Tall Sessions is *chefs kiss*.
Sunny day, windows down, +10mph over the Speed Limit and ART at 11 on the speakers is about as good a 5mintues and 29 seconds you can have in life.

If you haven't listened to the the Crowes/Page - Check out the Jam (Soundcheck) Track 11 on Disc 3.
Steve cooks around the 2min mark and then they are off to the races with Page.

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden

I really enjoyed this book. I read most of it while waiting for my wife at physical therapy after one of her knee surgeries, so it'll always remind me of that particular waiting room.

Play something that reminds you of a specific point in your life

Led Zeppelin I was my first non-hand-me-down Zeppelin album. It was a cassette, and I'll always remember sitting around with my best friend at the time listening to it on my new jambox. It was heaven. I was already familiar with Zep but something about the full listen of their first album stuck with me.
Plus there's the Jimmy Page/Black Crowes connection.

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden

Otis Redding - Dock of the Bay Sessions



The Black Crowes recorded “Hard to Handle” for their debut album and it was one of their first big hits.

avecigrec said:

Close! Switch out Floyd for Morrison.

Click to expand...

I read the Morrison book in junior high school!

Day 1 - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of The Black Crowes - Steve Gorman w/ Stephen Hyden

Play something that reminds you of a specific point in your life
And
Play something by the Black Crowes or Black Crowes related

The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker



Sorry to start this month off with kind of a downer of a story, but I had made a CD of Black Crowes songs for my dad one year and he really liked it, particularly loving “She Talks To Angels.” The night he died unexpectedly, my mom called telling me something had happened to him and I needed to come home but wouldn’t tell me anything else. As I drove back in the middle of the night, “She Talks To Angels” came on the radio and I knew he was gone. I don’t think I’ve actually listened through the whole song again until now.

PS: holy smokes this tape actually sounds great! Think I remember why I remember why I never bought it on vinyl now

Day 2 - Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd - Nick Mason

I found this a little tame and polite. But as a Pink Floyd fan I loved reading the history, even without any gossip or crazy stories of drug use or infighting.

Play something nice, polite or unaggressive
OR
Play something by Pink Floyd or maybe some psych rock.

I know this one has its detractors, but I do enjoy it. Especially One Slip / On The Turning Away.

Come to think of it, this album can be described as nice, polite, and (mostly) unaggressive. So a twofer.

Pink Floyd ~ A Momentary Lapse of Reason

Day 2 - Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd - Nick Mason
Pink Floyd - Meddle

Pink Floyd was a core classic rock band for me when I first started listening to older music in high school. It’s really hard for me to get up the desire to spin Pink Floyd, The Doors, and Led Zeppelin records at this point because I listened to the A LOT as a teenager. That being said, every time I find a reason to pull out one of these albums for a listen, I am always asking myself why I don’t spin these more often. It’s pretty spectacular music.