From the Cavern to the Capital of Culture

Liverpool - Wondrous Place

Du Noyer's superb fully updated musical history of the 2008 Capital of Culture

One of the best books ever written about the city

A thrilling virtuoso piece of pop scholarship

Du Noyer's erudition and lightness of touch is a reward in itself... An essential addition to the shelves of every rock fan

Wonderfully thoughtful and entertaining... Thanks to his gentle erudition, his vivid evocation of the ruined grandeur of the streets and, above all, his thoroughly Liverpuddlian sense of humour, Du Noyer is an inspiring guide

Paul Du Noyer was born and raised in Liverpool and has been writing about music for over twenty years. His writing credentials include assistant editor of the NME, editor of Q and founding editor of MOJO. He was on the launch team for Heat and Word magazines and remains associate editor of the latter. His other books include a history of John Lennon's solo years, We All Shine On.

No other city in the world is as well known or loved for its vibrant and definitive musical history as Liverpool. In 2002, Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles voted Liverpool 'World Capital of Pop', recognising that Liverpool's homegrown talent has produced more number one hit singles per capita than anywhere else in the world. In 2008, Liverpool will celebrate its crown as European Capital of Culture. 
 
Paul Du Noyer's acclaimed book takes us on a tour of the rich musical history of his hometown, from the world-famous Cavern Club in Mathew Street, host to the Beatles' debut performance in 1961, to the city's musical future with contemporary bands like The Zutons. Featuring interviews with key figures of the music scene, this book reveals the creative impulse behind Britain's most musical city. 
 
Find out why Liverpool is not just a place where music happens. The city is the reason music happens.

Paul Du Noyer

A dense and colourful account of one of the most vibrant musical centres in the world, In the City almost puts you on that train to London

(An) exhilarating new history of the music that defines the capital

Du Noyer's crowning achievement with In the City, however, is to tie all the strands together ever so neatly without affecting a smug resolution. Its a celebration of the city's music through the centuries, for sure, but its more than just that

Du Noyer digs impressively deep for insight ... it evokes London as a place of converged cultures, found sounds and infinite possibilities

A bit like Peter Ackroyd's work, only you can whistle along

The first book properly to anatomise the popular music of our capital is a mighty achievement - and a cracking read. Du Noyer unravels the threads that link Elizabethan balladry to Britpop, bhangra and beyond, constructing a seamless social history that pays as much heed to Gilbert and Sullivan as Small Faces. Mapping the music halls of the East End, the ballrooms of Mayfair and the basement clubs that housed renegade bands, his book is a hymn to a metropolis whose musical vigour lies in its with, its ruthlessly competitive commercial spirit and passion for riotous fun. An engrossing story, beautifully told by and expat Liverpudlian who doesn't miss a trick.

A Celebration of London Music

'A dense and colourful account of one of the most vibrant musical centres in the world, In the City almost puts you on that train to London' Guardian 
 
In this fascinating history of London's music, which was the 2009 Sunday Times 'Music Book of the Year', Paul Du Noyer, critically-acclaimed music writer and founding editor of MOJO, celebrates the people and places that have made London the most exciting and diverse musical city on earth. The West End musicals, Ronnie Scott's jazz club, Abbey Road, mod culture, the Kinks, the Who and the Rolling Stones are just as much a part of London as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the Routemaster. Du Noyer's captivating book charts the city's music history and landmarks and will appeal to residents, visitors and exiles alike.

In the City

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Praise for In the City

A dense and colourful account of one of the most vibrant musical centres in the world, In the City almost puts you on that train to London

(An) exhilarating new history of the music that defines the capital

Du Noyer's crowning achievement with In the City, however, is to tie all the strands together ever so neatly without affecting a smug resolution. Its a celebration of the city's music through the centuries, f ...

A dense and colourful account of one of the most vibrant musical centres in the world, In the City almost puts you on that train to London

(An) exhilarating new history of the music that defines the capital

Du Noyer's crowning achievement with In the City, however, is to tie all the strands together ever so neatly without affecting a smug resolution. Its a celebration of the city's music through the centuries, f ...

A dense and colourful account of one of the most vibrant musical centres in the world, In the City almost puts you on that train to London

(An) exhilarating new history of the music that defines the capital

Du Noyer's crowning achievement with In the City, however, is to tie all the strands together ever so neatly without affecting a smug resolution. Its a celebration of the city's music through the centuries, f ...

Books by Paul Du Noyer

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