MusicHound

Last updated

MusicHound (often stylized as musicHound) was a compiler of genre-specific music guides published in the United States by Visible Ink Press between 1996 and 2002. After publishing eleven album guides, the MusicHound series was sold to London-based Music Sales Group, [1] whose company Omnibus Press had originally distributed the books outside America. The series' founding editor was Gary Graff, [2] formerly a music critic with the Detroit Free Press . [1]

Contents

Subtitled "The Essential Album Guide", each publication typically contained entries providing an overview of an artist's career and dividing their work into categories such as "what to buy", "what's next", "what to avoid" and "worth searching for". [3] Among the MusicHound album guides were titles dedicated to rock, blues, classical, jazz, world music, swing, and soundtrack recordings. Further to the canine analogy in the series title, albums were graded according to a "bone" rating system: five bones constituting the highest score, down to a bold-rendered "woof!", signifying "dog food". [4]

Graff has said that he had envisioned the books as buyer's guides, specifically: "something akin to a good record store clerk or that fellow shopper you meet while you're looking through the racks and with whom you strike up a spontaneous conversation". [1] Gale-owned Visible Ink also published a series of VideoHound film guides, beginning with 1991's Golden Movie Retriever. [5]


MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide

Edited by Gary Graff and published in 1996, MusicHound Rock was the first guide in the series. [1] A revised edition appeared in 1999, co-edited by Graff and Daniel Durchholz. [6] Among the guide's reviewers were US music critics Joel Selvin ( San Francisco Chronicle ), Mark J. Petracca ( Creem ), Greg Kot ( Chicago Tribune , Rolling Stone ), Brian Mansfield ( USA Today ), Thor Christensen ( Dallas Morning News , Spin ), and Roger Catlin ( Hartford Courant ). [7] Other contributors included: Gary Pig Gold, who went on to work on six subsequent MusicHound guides; [8] Grant Alden and Peter Blackstock, co-founding editors of No Depression magazine; The Big Takeover publisher Jack Rabid, who had previously written for Trouser Press 's record guide; [9] Guitar World editor Alan Paul; and Anders Wright, [7] news editor of the music website Wall of Sound. [10] In 1996, the book contained entries for some 2500 artists; in this first edition, the reviewers deemed that 541 albums were worthy of a five-bone rating. [11]

The 1999 edition came with a CD, supplied by Capitol Records, [12] and included "What album changed your life?" sidebars written by celebrity musicians. Among the latter contributors were the following: Joan Baez, Peter Buck, Adam Clayton, Phil Collins, Jakob Dylan, Ben Harper, Mickey Hart, Lenny Kravitz, Simon Le Bon, Stevie Nicks, Lou Reed, Robbie Robertson, Gene Simmons, Patti Smith, Paul Stanley, Sting and Pete Townshend. [13] The book's foreword was written by Doug Fieger, [14] singer and guitarist with the Knack. [15] Writing in The Riverfront Times in July 1999, Jason Toon noted "some unique elements" that the guide offered – such as details on each artist's main influences and who they in turn influenced – while comparing MusicHound Rock with reference works by Penguin, Rough Guide and AllMusic. [16]

Other publications

MusicHound Classical: The Essential Album Guide (1996)
MusicHound Country: The Essential Album Guide (1997)
MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide (1998)
MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide (1998)
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide (1998) [19]
MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide (1998) [20]
MusicHound Lounge: The Essential Album Guide to Martini Music and Easy Listening (1998)
MusicHound Swing!: The Essential Album Guide (1999) [21]
MusicHound Soundtracks: The Essential Album Guide to Film, Television and Stage Music (1999)
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide (2000)

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ward, Steven. "Losin' His Mind in Detroit Rock City: An Interview with Gary Graff". rockcritics.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  2. ↑ Weingarten, Emily (October 17, 2006). "Interview Record (Gary Graff)". University of Michigan School of Music. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  3. ↑ Jordan, Miles (July–August 1999). "Jazz Reviews: MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide". JazzTimes . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ Graff and Durchholz, p. xiii.
  5. ↑ Gale, Thomson (1991). VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever 1991. ISBN   978-0-8103-9404-9 . Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  6. ↑ "MusicHound rock: the essential album guide / edited by Gary Graff and Daniel Durchholz". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives. Archived from the original on November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Graff and Durchholz, pp. xvi–xxii.
  8. ↑ "Gary Pig Gold". Rock's Backpages . Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  9. ↑ Toon, Jason (July 21, 1999). "Rock Stock: A book report on the best tomes to consult before buying tunes [continued]". Riverfront Times . Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  10. ↑ Hiatt, Brian (February 25, 2000). "Academy Restricted L.A. Times' Grammys Coverage, Paper Says". mtv.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Gary Graff – MusicHound". rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  12. ↑ Henkle, Douglas H. (July 31, 2014). "MusicHound / VideoHound (books) Discography". FolkLib. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  13. ↑ Graff and Durchholz, pp. vii–viii.
  14. ↑ "Alibris listing". Alibris. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  15. ↑ The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, p. 552.
  16. ↑ Toon, Jason (July 21, 1999). "Rock Stock: A book report on the best tomes to consult before buying tunes". Riverfront Times . Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  17. ↑ Terry, Peter (June 15, 1998). "Book Review: MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide". forewordreviews.com. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  18. ↑ Mabus, Joel (October 1998). "MusicHound Folk". Folk Alliance Newsletter. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Blues Books: Listing and reviews of the blues in literature". Mojohand.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  20. ↑ Terry, Peter (December 16, 1998). "Book Review: MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide". forewordreviews.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  21. ↑ Wood, Joe (1999). "MusicHound's Swing!". RetroSpective. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  22. ↑ Wheeler, Jeffrey (December 1999). "December 1999 Film Music CD Reviews: MusicHound Soundtracks". Film Music on the Web. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  23. ↑ PSF staff (November 1999). "MusicHound World". Perfect Sound Forever . Retrieved November 14, 2014.

Sources

Related Research Articles

<i>Magic Bus: The Who on Tour</i> 1968 compilation album by the Who

Magic Bus: The Who on Tour is a compilation album by English rock band the Who. It was released as the band's fourth album in the United States by Decca in September 1968 to capitalize on the success of their single of the same name. It is a compilation album of previously released material, and was not issued in the UK, although the album was also released at approximately the same time in Canada. It peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Cant Buy a Thrill</i> 1972 studio album by Steely Dan

Can't Buy a Thrill is the debut studio album by American rock band Steely Dan, released by ABC Records in November 1972. It was written by band members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and recorded in August 1972 at the Village Recorder in Los Angeles with producer Gary Katz. The album is one of Steely Dan's most stylistically eclectic, encompassing the sounds of soft rock, folk rock, jazz-rock and pop, alongside philosophical, elliptical lyrics.

<i>Takin My Time</i> 1973 studio album by Bonnie Raitt

Takin' My Time is the third studio album by American musician Bonnie Raitt. It was released in 1973 by Warner Bros. Records. The album is an amalgamation of several different genres, including blues, folk, jazz, New Orleans rhythm and blues, and calypso. The 10 tracks on the album are covers, ranging from soft sentimental ballads to upbeat, rhythmic-heavy tracks. Lowell George was originally hired to handle the production, but was ultimately replaced by John Hall when Raitt became unhappy with his production.

<i>The Best of the Band</i> 1976 greatest hits album by the Band

The Best of the Band is the first greatest hits package by Canadian-American rock group the Band. Featuring ten tracks taken from six of their first seven albums, it featured two tracks from the first, second, third and seventh albums, one each from the fourth and fifth, rounded out by the 1976 single "Twilight".

<i>Olé ELO</i> 1976 greatest hits album by Electric Light Orchestra

Olé ELO is a compilation album by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) covering their early years. Released in 1976, this LP was originally compiled by United Artists Records as a promotional album for American radio stations, but when copies of the LP started selling to fans "underground" United Artists decided to release it in the US to capitalize on the band's growing popularity.

<i>The Beach Boys in Concert</i> 1973 live album by the Beach Boys

The Beach Boys in Concert is the third live album by American rock band the Beach Boys, released in November 1973. It was their first live album since Live in London (1970), as well as the only live album and the final album on which Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar appeared as official members.

<i>Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970</i> (The Who album) 1996 live album by The Who

Live at the Isle of Wight Festival is a double live album by The Who, recorded at the Isle of Wight Festival on 29 August 1970, and released in 1996. A DVD of the concert was also released for the first time in 1996.

<i>Looking Back with Love</i> 1981 studio album by Mike Love

Looking Back with Love is the debut album by American musician Mike Love of the Beach Boys, released in 1981 by Boardwalk Records. Produced by Curt Boettcher, the album includes a mix of covers and originals.

<i>Whos Greatest Hits</i> 1983 album

Who's Greatest Hits is a 1983 greatest hits compilation album from the Who released in the US. It includes the rare track "Relay", presented here in its original full length. An earlier appearance on Hooligans has shortened it by almost 30 seconds. The vinyl LP also includes the original single version of "Won't Get Fooled Again." On the CD it's the full-length album version. Who's Greatest Hits has sold over 2 million copies and was certified 2× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<i>Lyle Lovett</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Lyle Lovett

Lyle Lovett is the 1986 debut album by American singer Lyle Lovett. By the mid-1980s, Lovett had already distinguished himself in the burgeoning Texas singer-songwriter scene. He had performed in the New Folk competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 1980 and returned to win in 1982. In 1984, he recorded a four-song demo with the help of the Phoenix band J. David Sloan and the Rogues and his music had begun to be distributed by the Fast Folk Musical Magazine

<i>Indianola Mississippi Seeds</i> 1970 studio album by B. B. King

Indianola Mississippi Seeds is B. B. King's eighteenth studio album. It was released in October 1970 on ABC Records on LP and May 1989 on MCA Records on CD. On this album B. B. King mixed elements of blues and rock music. Producer Bill Szymczyk decided to follow up on the success of the hit "The Thrill Is Gone" by matching King with a musical all-star cast. The result was one of King's most critically acclaimed albums and one of the most highly regarded blues crossover albums of all time.

<i>Guns in the Ghetto</i> 1997 studio album by UB40

Guns in the Ghetto is a studio album by UB40. It was released in 1997 on the DEP International label.

<i>Whos Better, Whos Best</i> 1988 compilation album by the Who

Who's Better, Who's Best: This Is the Very Best of the Who is a 1988 compilation album by the Who. A compilation of videos also titled Who's Better, Who's Best was released in 1988 as well.

<i>Gabba Gabba Hey: A Tribute to the Ramones</i> 1991 compilation album by Various artists

Gabba Gabba Hey: A Tribute to the Ramones is a Ramones tribute album. While many recorded tributes to the Ramones would be recorded subsequently, this was the first such effort. It was released in 1991 on the Triple X label. The record is named after the band's famous slogan Gabba Gabba Hey, from the song "Pinhead" on their album Leave Home.

<i>Twos Missing</i> 1987 album

Two's Missing is a compilation album by English rock band The Who.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Graff</span> American music journalist and author (born 1960)

Gary Graff is an American music journalist and author.

<i>Spooky Two</i> 1969 studio album by Spooky Tooth

Spooky Two is the second studio album by the English rock band Spooky Tooth. It was originally released in March 1969, on the label Island Records.

<i>Supersnazz</i> 1969 studio album by The Flamin Groovies

Supersnazz is the debut studio album by the rock band the Flamin' Groovies. It was released in 1969 on the Epic label. The release was their only album recorded expressly for a major record label, although all of their next five albums were distributed by major labels. Supersnazz was later released in compact disc format in 2000 on Sundazed Records with four edits of songs from the album included as bonus tracks.

<i>The Best of A Flock of Seagulls</i> 1986 compilation album by A Flock of Seagulls

The Best of A Flock of Seagulls is a compilation album by new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released in October 1986 by Jive Records. It is the first official compilation album released by the band.

Wall of Sound was an American music website that provided news, reviews, and information on musical artists. The site was launched and developed in the mid-1990s by Paul Allen's software and website company, Starwave, in Seattle, Washington. In April 1997, Starwave entered into a joint venture partnership with ABC News, which expanded the coverage of the company's internet services into the ABC domain. A year later, Wall of Sound – along with Starwave sites such as Mr. Showbiz, NBA.com and NASCAR Online – was part of a joint e-commerce initiative between ABC and ESPN.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.