University of Illinois Press

Book Review: To Compromise With the Mystery Tramp — A Vocal Dissection of Bob Dylan

November 2, 2021
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The book’s main contention is clearly correct: Dylan’s lyrics aren’t everything, and his vocal delivery is eminently important. But, according to Larry Starr, every period is a golden one, and the most minor effort deserves major respect.

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Book Review: “I Died a Million Times” — Upwardly Mobile in Film Noir

January 5, 2021
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I Died a Million Times is an enjoyable and informative read for film noir aficionados and casual movie fans alike, offering a cogent analysis of ’50s gangster noir as a cinema of social commentary.

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Book Review: “The Heart of a Woman” — The Life and Music of Florence B. Price, America’s First Important Black Woman Composer

July 13, 2020
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It wasn’t until 2009 that a trove of Florence B. Price scores was discovered in a dilapidated house in down-state Illinois and a revival of interest in this most remarkable of composers began in earnest.

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Book Review: George Szell’s Reign — Behind the Scenes with the Cleveland Orchestra

May 5, 2018
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George Szell’s Reign is ultimately an accessible, often sociable, but sometimes perplexing fan’s history of the Orchestra and its storied music director.

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