The Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music

One person’s popular music is another person’s junk. Donald Clarke may not declare his tastes quite this strongly in this music reference book, but it isn’t hard to read between the entries. Of course, he includes the major names — from Bing Crosby to Crosby, Stills & Nash — but his biases show up in the less obvious musicians included. Clarke’s Encyclopedia revels in night-spot musicians like the rockabilly belter Wanda Jackson. This book will serve the general reader well, but those with traditional (that is, square) or hip (that is, rowdy) ears should choose accordingly. A-