Music Interviews

The Day Buddy Guy 'Left Home,' Bound For The Blues

The venerable guitarist is one of the most influential blues musicians in the world. In his memoir, When I Left Home, Guy describes what he calls his second birthday: the day he left his home of Louisiana for Chicago, blues capital of the world.

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New In Paperback

New In Paperback: Nov. 15-21

This week, why not down a shot or two of fiction that runs 25 words? If you're in the mood for something a little deeper, there are biographies of writer Louisa May Alcott and jazzman Thelonious Monk, and memoirs by comic artist R. Crumb and band leader Paul Shaffer.

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New In Paperback

New In Paperback, Sept. 27-Oct. 3

In fiction, Dominick Dunne's posthumous novel skewers the Manhattan elite he covered for Vanity Fair, while Wicked author Gregory Maguire reimagines "The Little Match Girl." In nonfiction, Ron Paul argues we should End the Fed, while a historian shows how Homer's view of war still rings true.

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Books

Cornel West, 'Living And Loving Out Loud'

Philosopher, civil rights activist and professor Cornel West has described himself as a "bluesman in the life of the mind, and a jazzman in the world of ideas." He talks with Neal Conan about his memoir, Living And Loving Out Loud.

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Books

Many Notes, Chords To Musical Sidekick Shaffer's Life

Paul Shaffer is much more than just David Letterman's sidekick, his memoir reveals. We'll Be Here For the Rest of Our Lives details Shaffer's appearances on Saturday Night Live, his extended stint living in a hotel in Manhattan and the surprising place where he got his start in music.

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Music Interviews

Grandmaster Flash Traces Hip Hop's Roots

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five are synonymous with the birth of hip hop. But unknown to many, Flash was not part of the one song most associated with the group — "The Message." He tells Farai Chideya: "That particular record was part of the catalyst of me going into my drug addiction."

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In 'Rickles' Letters', 'Mr. Warmth' Goes Postal

The 1950s insult comic Don Rickles made a name for himself by poking fun of audiences and public figures. His new book, Rickles' Letters, is a collection of imaginary correspondences to a variety of historical and contemporary figures.

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