We talk a lot about live music here in Sounds Local. But since it is January and cold out and gets dark early, you might be interested in staying in the comfort of your home.

Of course that is understandable, and fortunately there are some reading and listening suggestions to keep you entertained as you settle in on your couch.

Let’s start by looking at a couple of books that you might find interesting. You might be familiar with Steve Waksman from his frequent segments on WRSI 93.9 FM, The River, where he is known as the Doctor of Rock. This title is an apt one as Waksman is a professor of music at Smith College and has written extensively on popular music. He is also a musician in the hard rock band, The Electric Eyes.

Waksman’s recent book “Live Music in America: A History from Jenny Lind to Beyoncé” (Oxford University Press) was released in the fall. The book is a deep dive into all aspects of live music, including the role that gender and race play in the complex world of musical performers.

The book starts by discussing the 1850 U.S. tour of opera singer Jenny Lind and her promoter, the one and only P.T. Barnum.

This tour was important because Lind was in many ways the first pop star performer and Barnum laid the groundwork for the modern-day concert promoter.

The book concludes with a look at Beyonce’s headlining performance at the 2018 Coachella music festival. Her groundbreaking appearance was the first time a woman had headlined the popular California music festival.

When we think of live music, we often think of rock music and that genre certainly figures heavily into the discussion here. Waksman, however, investigates other genres, exploring topics such as the advent of vaudeville and where it fits into the evolution of live music.

Some chapters are devoted to genres (such as the beginnings of jazz), and others focus on specific performances (like the Fisk Jubilee Singers paving the way for African American performers). Waksman presents the various topics as pieces of a large, complex puzzle and explores how they all fit together to create the world of live music we know today.

From the rise of music festivals in America to arena shows, promoters, audience members and more, Waksman spent 12 years working on this book, using archival material to chronicle this vast history. At more than 600 pages, “Live Music in America” is an exhaustive study that will entertain and educate you on the subject.

If you feel like venturing out, Waksman will discuss the book on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. in the Flex Space at 33 Hawley St. in Northampton. This talk, presented by the Northampton Center for the Arts and Historic Northampton, will feature photos, videos and music.

Registration is required at historicnorthampton.org and admission is on a sliding scale of $5 to $20. Students are admitted for free. The book can be purchased at amazon.com.

‘Sun on the Muddy’ by Jim Armenti

Musician Jim Armenti, who is involved in various musical projects but is perhaps best known as a member of the Lonesome Brothers, has now released a book of poems called “Sun on the Muddy” after a song he wrote years ago.

Photos by Dave Madeloni accompany the poems, and the book was edited by Dan Lombardo.

The book was released right before Christmas and according to his publisher, the poems here are Armenti’s views on the objects and people that make a life: a shell from the Everglades, a cowboy wallet, his mother’s colander, his father’s mandolin and more.

Madeloni’s photos are of puddles and the beautiful reflections he finds in them.

Armenti recorded a new version of the song “Sun on the Muddy” which can be heard at https://bit.ly/3WMYlyS.

The book “Sun on the Muddy” is available at amazon.com and through the publishing house levellerspress.com.

‘The Journey of a 1960s Garage Band: The Bold’ by R. Brewster Harding

If you are interested in the history of the local music scene, you might enjoy “The Journey of a 1960s Garage Band: The Bold” written by the The Bold’s bass player, R. Brewster Harding. The Bold (originally the Esquires) formed in the early 1960s when they were students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The book traces their journey as they attempted to make it in the music world.

Harding gives us some insight into the early days of the local rock scene and provides some glimpses into the difficulties of a band trying to break into the music business. He tells of the group’s relationship with fellow student TajMahal and opening for Jimi Hendrix at the Bushnell in Hartford and Janis Joplin at the Big E.

From stories about the band Clean Living to references to playing the Rusty Nail, this book is full of stories about our local music scene. The Bold did land a record deal, but never made it to the big time and ultimately broke up. However, their song “Gotta Get Some” that they recorded as a 45RPM is now considered a garage rock classic.

This is a slim book at fewer than 100 pages and loaded with great photos.

To purchase a copy, send $15 check or money order (includes shipping) to Brewster Harding, 1168 Westbrook St., Portland, Maine 04102.

New additions to the Essential Western New England Songbook

Last year the New Music Alliance, an organization that supports local music, released a streaming playlist called the Essential Western New England Songbook. The songbook is a juried anthology of 200 of the best songs ever written by artists who’ve lived in western New England and whose careers have a significant connection to the area.

In December, 49 additional songs were inducted to the Songbook to join the 151 previously accepted in 2021. Some new additions from our area include “Everything I Like” by The Suitcase Junket, “Heartache Town” by Eric Lee and “Come Back July” by Colorway. These tunes join selections by Ray LaMontagne, Dinosaur Jr., Chris Smither, The Stone Coyotes and others.

If you are looking for some music to get you through these long winter nights, the Essential Western New England Songbook is the perfect choice.

You can hear the Songbook on YouTube.com or at NewMusicAlliance.org.

Get Down with your Hometown returns

Some of us became oversaturated with the whole virtual concert experience when it was our only option to experience live music. Now that it’s no longer the case, you must admit that watching an online show is an excellent way to spend an evening at home.

There are plenty to choose from, but there’s a big one coming up that you need to make a note of on your brand new 2023 calendar. The Get Down with your Hometown festival returns on Saturday, Jan. 28, and Sunday, Jan. 29. Now in its third year, this is a virtual music festival presented by three Valley organizations: the Shea Theater Arts Center, the Institute for the Musical Arts and NorthStar.

The performers will be a mix of local talent and nationally known acts.

All the performances will be shown for free, but the event is ultimately a benefit for the three organizations that are putting on the event. Viewers will be able to donate via a virtual tip jar. The list of performers will be announced soon, so keep checking at getdownhometown.com.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.

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