Librarians can rock with the rest of us, despite their reputation. To wit: They used the following words, in a recent Library Journal issue, to describe Red Rock: The Long, Strange March of Chinese Rock & Roll:
“Indepth“, “Thoughtful“, “Well-written“, “an especially welcome addition”
The full review (which is from their website):
One does not usually associate rock ‘n’ roll with China, but a passion for this music has been growing there since the post-Mao era, when yaogun (Chinese rock) began to emerge, speaking to the confusion and frustration of the younger generation. From certain defining events, including a landmark 1986 performance by Cui Jian, to the latest Midi Music Festival, musician/promoter and journalist Campbell traces the history of this phenomenon. He discusses the behind-the-scenes workings of groups that molded music from a different culture into something uniquely theirs that they can, in turn, introduce to the world. Drawing from a wealth of sources and personal experiences, Campbell explores the individuals and their philosophies, the cultural conflicts, and the singular challenges inherent in this musical movement—from the artistic to the political—and raises provocative questions about how far yaogun has come and where it is going. VERDICT This in-depth, thoughtful, and well-written book will appeal to those with an interest in rock ‘n’ roll and related genres of contemporary music on an international level. An especially welcome addition to world music collections.—Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ