While many of us missed hearing live music this year, artists both current and classic took their talents from stage to page.
This year saw the release of a number of eclectic and insightful music memoirs, biographies and studies that pulled back the curtain on all aspects of the industry, from cynical manoeuvres that explore the creation of a mega-boyband to the organic song-writing process itself.
Here are 10 of the best music books released in 2020:
1. ‘Bring That Beat Back: How Sampling Built Hip-Hop’ by Nate Patrin
US music journalist Nate Patrin does a fine job of explaining the convoluted and precise art of hip-hop sampling. He explores the art form, in which hooks or melodic lines from disparate songs are taken and sonically reconstituted into another track, across four decades.
From New York's Grandmaster Flash and Prince Paul to Los Angeles's Dr Dre, Patrin breaks down seminal works and how a freewheeling approach shaped the mentality of future stars and hip-hop moguls to come.
2.‘Can’t Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop’s Blockbuster Year’ by Michaelangelo Matos
If you scan the charts in 1984, you would find the usual suspects at the top: Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen and Huey Lewis and The News.
But as seasoned music critic Michaelangelo Matos explains in his acclaimed book, there was something deeper at play. On the music front, the promise of technology started to fulfil, with the hip-hop and dance scenes bubbling underground, while production of CDs also skyrocketed. More than a time capsule, Matos's infectious book offers a fascinating insight into how music arrived to where it is today.
3. 'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics’ by Dolly Parton with Robert K Oermann
As comprehensive as it is laidback, Parton's memoir is more than your standard chronological trip through her six-decade career.
Parton talks of weaving her life story through 175 songs, and provides wonderful insights on the writing of classic hits Jolene and I Will Always Love You. While a pleasant read and full of archival photos, it really comes to life in the audio version, in which a giggling Parton regales us with a seemingly endless catalogue of fantastic stories.
4.‘Indian Sun: The Life and Music of Ravi Shankar' by Oliver Craske
Written with the cooperation of his estate, this is as close as you will get to an official biography of the Indian maestro's life.
Craske delves into Shankar's astonishing eight-decade career that saw him straddling western pop culture, the serious business of being a classical music composer and the pseudo representation of not only his homeland, but South East Asia's rich music tradition. Fortunately, Craske's approach is not all rose tinted. As well as Shankar's famed Woodstock performance, he paints a picture of Shankar as an intense workaholic whose successes was laced with deep self-doubt born from a traumatic and lonely childhood. This is a great entry point into one of the 21st century's most influential music figures.
5. 'Larger Than Life: A History of Boy Bands from NKOTB to BTS' by Maria Sherman
If we can learn anything from the blockbuster success of K-pop act BTS over the last two years, it's that boybands are serious business. This is the message behind Sherman’s debut book.
Picking off from the South Korean music juggernaut's present success, she winds back the years to explore six decades of boybands and some of the industry lessons that remain prescient today. From the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block to The Jackson 5 and The Beatles, Sherman digs into the brilliant marketing campaigns and well calibrated songs, as well as their ability to tap into the obsessive world of fandom.
6. 'Music by Max Steiner: The Epic Life of Hollywood’s Most Influential Composer' by Steven Smith
You may not initially know the name, but you would have heard his work or effect.
It is hard to imagine modern film music without the Austrian American composer Max Steiner, who is credited as one of the architects of the art form. Steven Smith traces his six-decade career in film and some of the unforgettable musical backdrops to classic films like Casablanca, Gone with The Wind and King Kong. The book features interviews with film score maestros John Williams (Star Wars and Indiana Jones films) and Danny Elfman (Batman and The Simpsons) who credit Steiner for inventing a musical language for film.
7. ‘Nobody Ever Asked Me About The Girls: Women, Music and Fame’ by Lisa Robinson
Sick of friends wanting to hear stories about male musicians she interviewed, veteran music journalist Lisa Robinson writes about the great female artists she met over the decades.
Thankfully, the book is more than just name dropping anecdotes. She looks at how fame, both instant and delayed, affected the lives of generations of female stars from Tina Turner and Sade to Rihanna and Adele.
8. ‘One Last Song: Conversations on Life, Death and Music' by Mike Ayers
Not so much a book but a collection of poignant conversations with musicians on the question: what is the last song you would like to hear before you die?
Ayers selects 30 deep thinking artists, all of which belong to the indie and alternative rock genre, to provide their ultimate tracks and reasoning. From Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips and Lucinda Williams, to Sam Beam of Iron and Wine, the conversations not only provide insights into the art of song writing, but are, at times, life affirming as well.
9. ‘Nick Cave: Stranger Than Kindness’ by Nick Cave
The Australian singer's latest collection of essays, lyrics and personal memoirs centre on the creative process. Curated by Cave, this hodgepodge collection is at once brilliantly descriptive and hazy.
This is a good thing: it shows Cave's literary journey was not a straight road to excellence, but rather, one full of creative potholes and cul-de-sacs. That said, even when Cave's muse is sputtering, it remains a joy to behold.
10. ‘The Meaning of Mariah Carey', Mariah Carey with Michaela Angela Davis
Pop music diva Mariah Carey shattered expectations with a memoir delving into the cynical machinations of the music industry and her rags-to-riches journey.
In the process, she provides insight into her well publicised rivalry with Jennifer Lopez (she doesn’t rate her as a singer) and her secret recording of an unreleased grunge album in the 1990s as a reaction to the confectionary pop music she producing at the time.
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Read more:
Lights, camera, no action: how the pandemic brought film industry to its knees
Covid Conversations: UAE artists explore emotions ignited by pandemic in new show
12 celebrity biopics coming in 2021: from Pamela Anderson and Elvis Presley to Whitney Houston and Madonna
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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