Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 408
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9½
978-1-5381-1329-5 • Hardback • February 2019 • $40.00 • (£30.00)
978-1-5381-1330-1 • eBook • February 2019 • $38.00 • (£30.00)
Tim Newby is the author of Bluegrass in Baltimore: The Hard Drivin’ Sound and its Legacy as well as a contributor to publications such as Relix, Paste Magazine, Honest Tune, Glide Magazine, B’More Live, and Music Monthly. His broad knowledge and personal experiences with the emerging jam scene and Leftover Salmon provide him with an especially deep background and skill-set with which to write this book.
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 – Drew
Chapter 2 – Vince
Chapter 3 – Mark
Chapter 4 – Michael
Chapter 5 – Tye
Chapter 6 – Jeff
Chapter 7 – Greg
Chapter 8 – John
Chapter 9 – Noam
Chapter 10 – Andy
Chapter 11 – Alwyn
Chapter 12 – Erik
Chapter 13 (Encore) – Leftover Salmon
Bibliography
After interviewing dozens of Leftover Salmon’s members, family, and friends, as well as other musicians, music writer Newby expertly and lovingly details the 30-year history of the group, which mixes bluegrass and rock with traces of Cajun, country, and jazz in a jubilant Americana gumbo, and sheds some light on the Grateful Dead–inspired jam band scene. Arranging the book chronologically, the author begins with the formation of the outfit in Boulder, CO, by core members Drew Emmitt (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Mark Vann (banjo), and Vince Herman (guitar, vocals) in 1989. Newby charts the group’s gradual rise from local heroes to national prominence with Euphoria (1997) and describes the musical impact of personnel changes. He ends by dealing with the death of Vann in 2002 and the band’s breakup in 2004, its reunion three years later, recent albums and tours, and tributes by other musicians who tout the group’s importance. The author locates Leftover Salmon within the improvisational, fan-centered, tour-based, musical mashup of the Nineties jam band craze.
VERDICT This affectionate work will be manna for jam band fans and interest general readers.—David P. Szatmary, formerly with Univ. of Washington, Seattle
— Library Journal
The book is a meticulous piece of reporting — undergirded by interviews with current and former band members — and a well-argued piece of long-form music criticism that delineates the band's widespread influence on a generation of bluegrass, acoustic and jam bands.
— The Aspen Times
The magic of this book is seeing how every person truly played a role within this musical family. . . . [a] fantastic collection of Leftover Salmon’s treasured past.
— Grateful Web
A fascinating ride into the world of Progressive Bluegrass.
— AmericanaUK
History is made by those who write it, not the musicians who can’t remember it. Tim Newby knows our history and now it’s up to him to teach us what happened!
— Vince Herman, Leftover Salmon
The gift of Tim Newby’s book is its depth and honesty, a thorough guide covering a thirty-year journey of a truly remarkable band. In addition to their story of friendships and losses, musical discoveries and Wild West adventures, it is a tale of the brethren they surround themselves with who fortify Salmon’s unique voice.
— Bill Payne, Little Feat
Tim Newby has somehow managed to capture the unique combination of personalities that is Leftover Salmon, a feat that I would have thought fairly impossible. Tim weaves his story through the sensibilities of the individual players which creates a wonderful kaleidoscope resulting in the definitive biography of a band that is still constantly changing and growing into their fourth decade.
— Steve Berlin, Los Lobos
So great (and surprising!) to learn the history and origins of Leftover Salmon. There's so much more to these guys then I thought I knew, and I met Vince and Drew twenty years ago. True pioneers in music. If you're a fan, definitely worth the read!
— Adam Aijala, Yonder Mountain String Band
Tim Newby’s books lead music fans deeper into the world of the artists he writes about. Even after more than 40 years of studying the music, I learned so much from his book.
— Tim O'Brien, Hot Rize
This detailed account of a loving group of musicians who dared be themselves is a testimony to the power of music to bring the world together through love of the creative originals that we all are meant to be.
— Jeff "Apt. Q-258" Sipe