Dive into the Melodic Magic of Cinema's Past and Present! Ever found yourself humming a song from a classic film, or marveling at the intricate dance sequences that defined eras of cinematic history? Tunes of the Times is your passport to an enthralling journey through the transformative world of musical films. Unearth the origins, celebrate the golden eras, and embrace the innovative present of this beautiful blend of visuals and vocals. The silent beginnings were more than just muted movies. They were the canvas on which the foundation of musical cinema was laid. Discover how the early 'talkies' paved the way for a genre that would captivate audiences for generations. From the initial whispers of sound to the mesmerizing musicals that graced the silver screen, this book meticulously captures each pivotal moment. Relive the Golden Age of Hollywood, where musicals became a symbol of hope, joy, and sometimes, escapist dreams. The 1930s introduced us to new cinematic possibilities, the 1940s anchored us during wartime with uplifting tunes, and the 1950s painted our screens with the vivacious colors of Technicolor dreams. Each era, with its unique flavor, changed the way we perceived musical films. But what's a story without its twists and turns? The transitional years of the 1960s and 1970s saw experimentation and rock operas, challenging traditional norms and ushering in new narratives. And as we approached contemporary times, the evolution didn't stop. The influence of pop culture, the Disney renaissance, and the push for innovation and diversity in the 2000s reshaped the landscape of musical cinema. Delve deeper into the themes that make musicals resonate with us--love, romance, social commentary, fantasy. Understand the meticulous effort behind direction, choreography, set design, and the magic of sound and score that binds the narrative. Celebrate the iconic performers, directors, composers, and lyricists who became legends in their own right. And for those with a global palate, the book offers a special treat--a look into Bollywood's melodious masterpieces, European innovations, and musicals from every corner of the world. As we trace the profound impact and legacy of musical films, Tunes of the Times allows us to reflect on cultural mirrors, accolades, and the promising future of this beloved genre. Whether you're a film student, a musical enthusiast, or someone who simply loves the allure of cinema, this book is a treasure trove of insights, anecdotes, and pure passion. Join us on this melodious journey and understand why, through the ages, musical films have remained an enduring, enchanting, and essential part of our cultural tapestry.

"First published in a slight different form in Great Britain in 2019 by Profile Books Ltd."--Title page verso.

The author of the New York Times bestseller This Is Your Brain on Music reveals music’s role in the evolution of human culture in this thought-provoking book that “will leave you awestruck” (The New York Times). Daniel J. Levitin's astounding debut bestseller, This Is Your Brain on Music, enthralled and delighted readers as it transformed our understanding of how music gets in our heads and stays there. Now in his second New York Times bestseller, his genius for combining science and art reveals how music shaped humanity across cultures and throughout history. Here he identifies six fundamental song functions or types—friendship, joy, comfort, religion, knowledge, and love—then shows how each in its own way has enabled the social bonding necessary for human culture and society to evolve. He shows, in effect, how these “six songs” work in our brains to preserve the emotional history of our lives and species. Dr. Levitin combines cutting-edge scientific research from his music cognition lab at McGill University and work in an array of related fields; his own sometimes hilarious experiences in the music business; and illuminating interviews with musicians such as Sting and David Byrne, as well as conductors, anthropologists, and evolutionary biologists. The World in Six Songs is, ultimately, a revolution in our understanding of how human nature evolved—right up to the iPod.

33 Revolutions Per Minute tracks the turbulent relationship between popular music and politics, through 33 pivotal songs that span seven decades and four continents, from Billie Holiday singing 'Strange Fruit' to Green Day raging against the Iraq war. Dorian Lynskey explores the individuals, ideas and events behind each song, showing how protest music has soundtracked and informed social change since the 1930s. Through the work of such artists as Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti, The Clash, Public Enemy and Gil Scott Heron, Lynskey examines how music has engaged with racial unrest, nuclear paranoia, apartheid, war, poverty and oppression, offering hope, stirring anger, inciting action and producing songs which continue to resonate years down the line.

Sometimes, after lunchtime, after a family cook-out, or after playing, babies and toddlers need some quiet time to rest, relax and have some quality time with their parents. This book will be the perfect tool to allow children and their parents to have a calmer moment. Listen to the quiet music as you follow a band of little animals going down a river on a raft playing classics like Pachelbel's canon and other famous soothing music.

"A dauntingly ambitious, obsessively researched" (Los Angeles Times) global history of music that reveals how songs have shifted societies and sparked revolutions. Histories of music overwhelmingly suppress stories of the outsiders and rebels who created musical revolutions and instead celebrate the mainstream assimilators who borrowed innovations, diluted their impact, and disguised their sources. In Music: A Subversive History, Ted Gioia reclaims the story of music for the riffraff, insurgents, and provocateurs. Gioia tells a four-thousand-year history of music as a global source of power, change, and upheaval. He shows how outcasts, immigrants, slaves, and others at the margins of society have repeatedly served as trailblazers of musical expression, reinventing our most cherished songs from ancient times all the way to the jazz, reggae, and hip-hop sounds of the current day. Music: A Subversive History is essential reading for anyone interested in the meaning of music, from Sappho to the Sex Pistols to Spotify.