The Third Eye

The Third Eye is experimenting with a new series where we’ll round up some interesting new music books. Think of it like a book club for music fans. In addition to being a music junkie, I am a bookworm, after all.

This month, we’ll look at a few books slated for release in March and April 2024, including one about legendary jazz musicians Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans, a biography of Stevie Nicks, and the complicated life and legacy of Sixties cult musician Skip Spence. Let’s get to it.

Weighted Down: The Complicated Life of Skip Spence by Cam Cobb

Weighted Down is the first-ever biography of legendary cult Sixties musician Skip Spence, a member of era-defining bands Moby Grape, Jefferson Airplane, and Quicksilver Messenger Service. Spence played a significant role in setting the agenda and aesthetic for many groups of the late Sixties, and his only solo album, Oar, cemented his reputation. He’s gone on to be celebrated by countless musicians, including Beck, Robert Plant, and Tom Waits.

However, Spence’s life was troubled by erratic behavior, substance abuse, and mental health issues. In this new book, Cam Cobb surveys Spence’s life and legacy, from his visionary recordings to his untimely death at 52. Weighted Down is a first-hand narrative of Spence, told by his friends, bandmates, and family, and it includes a treasure trove of never-before-seen photos. The book is slated for release on April 2nd.

Pre-order Weighted Down by Cam Cobb here.

Mirror in the Sky: The Life and Music of Stevie Nicks by Simon Morrison

Stevie Nicks is a larger-than-life figure in rock history, but a new musical biography of her promises to paint a portrait of an artist, not a superstar or a caricature. Simon Morrison argues in the book that Nicks is one of the finest songwriters of the twentieth century, and the biography examines her as a singer and songwriter before and beyond her career with Fleetwood Mac.

Mirror in the Sky analyzes Nicks’s craft, identifies the folk and country influences of her musical imagination, and draws from oral histories and surprising archival discoveries to connect her story to those of California’s music industries, recording technology innovations, and gendered restrictions.

Fans of Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, and rock ‘n roll history should enjoy this one from Simon Harrison, who has also written some interesting books on Russian ballet and a handbook on Pink Floyd. Mirror in the Sky is slated for release on March 19th.

Pre-order Mirror in the Sky by Simon Harrison here.

3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool by James Kaplan

James Kaplan is the author of the definitive biography of Frank Sinatra. In his new book, he tells the story of how jazz arrived at the pinnacle of American culture through the journey of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans, three towering artists who created the most iconic jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue. 

Kaplan explains how the myth of the Sixties depends on the Fifties being an age of staid conformity, but that doesn’t explain how several Black geniuses like Miles, Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and others created some of America’s best music. 3 Shades of Blue is a book about business, music, race, heroin, and the towns that gave jazz its home, from New Orleans to New York to Chicago to Philadelphia. Above all, the book is about Miles Davis, Coltrane, and Bill Evans and their struggles, tragedies, and greatness.

Fans of jazz will undoubtedly enjoy this one, but so should readers of American history, race relations, and music history. In addition to his Sinatra biography, Kaplan has authored books about Walt Disney, tennis legend John McEnroe, and rock ‘n roll’s infamous 27 Club. 3 Shades of Blue is slated for release on March 5th.

Check out 3 Shades of Blue by James Kaplan here.

That’s a wrap! Let me know about any music books you may be reading right now, and drop suggestions in the comments section. Enjoy!

Note: As an Amazon Associate, The Third Eye earns from qualifying purchases from some of the links in this post.

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