Reviews for Music for Ear Training: Workbook

The average rating for Music for Ear Training: Workbook based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-12-13 00:00:00 Leigh Shepherd Even though I had little recognition of many of the performers in this collection Leibovitz’s portraits are, as always, stunning. I fully expected this book to house examples of the photographer’s range of music-themed portraits and concert photography, but I was surprised upon reading the introduction to discover that this collection is actually a re-exploration of the theme after she stepped away from the music scene many years ago. Instead of containing images from her days at the helm of Rolling Stone magazine’s photography department, she explores folk music, the Deep South, and the roots of American music. This unfortunately didn’t give me much context for the images, since I don’t really connect with that genre of music (or it’s players, besides maybe some basic name recognition), but I still enjoyed perusing this highly personal project.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-07-15 00:00:00 Vito Mapp A fascinating journey through the paths of American music and those carrying on its traditions and creating their own. From country through blues to modern rock, rap, R&B, gospel and folk, Leibovitz gathers a wide scope of musicians into this oeuvre and, as always, some of these images are quite arresting. Willie Nelson in black-and-white profile, looking as monumental as a face on a mountain. The Roots giving an impromptu gig on the streets of Philadelphia in 2000. Brian Wilson alone, poolside, clad in bathrobe and beach shorts, a storm brewing in the distance. DJ Shadow in the process of splicing together unearthly beats from his massive hoard of records. Meg White strapped to a rotating target as Jack White prepares to throw the knife. The empty Preservation Hall in New Orleans, its namesake Jazz Band's instruments lying unclaimed in the dim morning light. Eartha Kitt from the waist down, her elegant legs draped dramatically over the cushions of a couch in lurid hotel light. The added essays from musicians inside range from the fascinating (Beck & Steve Earle) to the lyrical (Mos Def & Patti Smith) to the really ill-advised and creepy in hindsight (Ryan Adams).