Holiday songs are in the air and everywhere these days! Some are classics, some are new, some are shiny and some…well. Nevermind. Last year, Other Steve pulled out a classics with Morphine’s “Sexy Christmas Baby Mine. We even got to have a final conversation about it with drummer Billy Conway. We also added a unique mashup of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” to our conversation about that now standard with author Ray Padgett.Once again, Other Steve has played Santa this year, and unearthed a classic medley of John Lennon’s "Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and "Give Peace a Chance" from Melissa Etheridge. He also tells a great tale about what it’s like to dress a stage for Christmas, and record a classic holiday tune. In Ohio. In July.

Today, we’re going to introduce a new angle to the show, and have a look at some of the book reviews on AllMusicBooks.com. Reviews by music fans is the backbone of the community site, and we hope this will be of interest to readers, and provide encouragement for you to weigh in on these, or any music books you’ve read. AllMusicBooks provided the backbone and opportunity for our podcast.So…looking for a unique present for that very special music fan in your life? Or maybe for you to put on your holiday list. Oh. You say you want a Bob Dylan book this Christmas? That’s super popular right now and, in fact, in the news a lot! So you better watch out. Here are a couple of books on Dylan that I’ve read, written a review for on AllMusicBooks.com, and would heartily recommend. And...no auto-pen signatures or vertigo to worry about!

Martin Popoff has written over 100 music books. "Bowie@75" is his first on David Bowie. Timed to tie in with what would have been Bowie’s 75th birthday, Popoff recounts 75 fascinating and significant career achievements and life events for the legendary singer.Illustrated with live concert and candid offstage photography as well as memorabilia including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, and more, this incredible package also includes a gatefold timeline, a gatefold painting depicting "A Party of Bowies," a previously unpublished 8x10 glossy print, and a pullout poster by famed gig poster artist Frank Kozik. It is a stunning tribute to one of the most influential and admired stars in rock history — in a milestone year.

Joe Milliken, author of "Let's Go: Benjamin Orr and The Cars" joins us to chat about the legendary Boston music scene, clubs like The Rat and The Paradise, and more!

Boston is a town known for rock’n’roll; J. Geils Band, Aerosmith, Boston, and, of course The Cars. There were few bands bigger in the late 70s and MTV ‘80s. Benjamin Orr was the co-founder, co lead singer and bassist for the group, and possessed a voice made for radio.Veteran music journalist Joe Milliken joins us to talk about his book “Let’s Go!: Benjamin Orr and The Cars. From Max’s Kansas City to The Rat, from MTV to LiveAid, Joe’s book provides insight into Orr’s life, which ended tragically young, as well as shows, sessions, and the dynamics behind a one-of a-kind band.

Today, we celebrate Tom Petty on his birthday, with some bonus chat with Christopher McKittrick, author of "Somewhere You Feel Free: Tom Petty and Los Angeles." We talk about favorite songs, favorite albums, most underrated albums and more from this iconic songwriter and musician. If you want to know which Tom Petty song Chris feels it's impossible to drive the speed limit to, tune in!

You may not know the musician’s names, but The Wrecking Crew was a group of studio musicians in Los Angeles in the 1960s who played on hits for the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, The Monkees, Mamas and Papas, Herb Alpert and who were Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound."Director Denny Tedesco, son of guitarist Tommy Tedesco, talks to us about these unsung stars who played on so many records that everyone knows by heart. Tune in to hear more about these amazing, funny, and charming men and women who defined rock’n’roll in Los Angeles in the '60s and '70s.

Are we in the "Golden Age" of rock and music documentaries? Chris Epting certainly thinks so! Epting, the author of many music bios and some very entertaining reads on pop and pop music culture, joins us to talk about some of them. Have you seen these?

Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston, the leaders of the Doobie Brothers, offer up a tag-team oral history with writer Chris Epting on the legendary rock band in "Long Train Runnin'." Their five decade journey, the longevity, success, drama and even the biker bars are all here. Chris joins us to recount their history, including the events that shelved Johnston and brought in Michael McDonald for The Doobies second wildly successful lineup.Chris has also worked with a number of musicians on their memoirs, including John Oates, Leif Garret, and members of Tesla and Def Leppard, as well as an upcoming book on and with Dave Mason. If that’s not enough. Epting has also written several great reads on pop culture, and pop music culture. They are the road map to many a great road trip, particularly if you’re curious where many a rocker were born, lived, slept and died, and just where Madonna’s bra currently resides.

Legendary A&R man, author, star of "Who The F**ck Is That Guy?" and fabulous photographer returns to talk who he's digging today, his favorite live bands, the Nina Simone documentary and finds one degree of separation with "the Other Steve!".

METALLICA “Who The Fuck Is That Guy'? The Fabulous Journey Of Michael Alago” tells the astonishing story of a gay Puerto Rican kid growing up in a Hasidic Brooklyn neighborhood, who got on the subway one day and began a musical odyssey that helped shape the musical landscape across N.Y.C. and around the world. From rubbing elbows with NY scene makers at Max's Kansas City and CBGB, to being the19 year-old talent booker at the legendary Ritz, to making history as a 24 year-old A&R exec, signing the biggest metal band in a generation in Metallica, Michael Alago was on fire. Passion and excess would bring Alago crashing into the twin reapers of substance abuse and AIDS, but surviving them both he reinvented himself as an art photographer...healthy, sober, and as passionate as ever. Michael joins us to talk about the early New York City scene, Metallica, Public Image Limited, Nina Simone, and his photography. It’s an incredible journey. Join us!

Brad Schreiber, author of "Music Is Power: Popular Songs, Social Justice, and the Will to Change" returns to talk about his favorite albums, music books and music documentaries!

In the first part of our chat with S. E. Feinberg about his book “Southern Man: Music and Mayhem in the American South,” which he co-authored with Alan Walden, we focused on the legendary work Walden did with R&B artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Percy Sledge.. It wasn’t always peaches and cream: the music business is tough. But after following his passion for R&B and building the careers of many of the legends in the genre, Alan Walden needed a break. In Act Two, author S.E. Feinberg tells us how Alan was renewed by the music of The Allman Brothers Band. Listening to hundreds of bands, he discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Outlaws, amongst others and helped define the sound of what would become known as “Southern Rock.”

Anyone who was alive during the golden age of R&B remembers the music, but Alan Walden and SE Feinberg’s book “Southern Man: Music and Mayhem in the American South” invites the reader to the centre of the story, into the studio and on the road, to backroom deals and backroom brawls.In Act One, S.E. Feinberg talks about Alan, his best friend Otis Redding, his brother, — the legendary producer Phil Walden — the juke joints in Macon, Georgia, The Apollo in New York City’s Harlem, and the tragedies of loss, disappointment, and betrayal in racially turbulent times.

"Nightclubbing" is the first-ever documentary about the renowned New York City nightclub Max's Kansas City, which had a massive impact on the worlds of music, fashion, art, culture and the creation of the city’s punk rock. The famous back room, where Andy Warhol held court and artists, actors, filmmakers, models, writers, assorted criminals and countless musicians — from Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground to David Bowie and the New York Dolls — made an indelible mark on music and the world. Director Danny Garcia joins us from the NYC premiere of his film to talk Max's, CBGBs, New York City in the swinging ’60s and filthy ’70s, the birth of punk rock and making a movie during Covid times. As legendary singer and Max’s veteran Alice Cooper, who is featured in the film , and who signed his contract with Warner Bros. Records at the club, says, "A million ideas were launched in Max's."

Bradley Morgan, author of "U2 Joshua Tree: Planting Roots in Mythic America" comes back for a lightning round of his thoughts and favorite songs from legendary Irish bands.

U2 planted the seeds for "The Joshua Tree" during an existential journey through America. As Irishmen in the 1970s, the band grew up with the belief that America was a place of freedom and prosperity, a symbol of hope and a refuge for all people. However, global politics of the 1980s undermined that impression. Bradley Morgan joins us to explore the political, social, and cultural themes rooted in "The Joshua Tree" when it was originally released in 1987 and how those themes resonated as a response to the election of Donald Trump when U2 toured for the album's 30th anniversary. He juxtaposes the band's journey through America with his own journey by becoming an Irish citizen in the age of Trump and places the album's relevance in context with the current political climate.

Author Doug Brod spends a few more minutes with us, highlighting some of his favorite albums, music books, and music documentaries. Do you have any crossover with the man who wrote"It Just Seems A Little Weird: How KISS, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, and Starz Remade Rock and Roll"? Tune in and find out!

Rock documentaries are everywhere these days and, thankfully, that includes ska music from Jamaica and America. We ask "Ska Boom" author where he thinks fans of the genre should start.

Marc Wasserman is the author of Ska Boom: An American Ska and Reggae Oral History. He’s also played bass in a number of Ska bands, and backed some of the genres legends in the historic1998 Skavoovee tour.Marc joins us with stories, anecdotes, history, gossip, and, most importantly, the feeling of what it was like to be there as groups of young, ska-crazed acolytes spread their passion and ignited a fiercely loyal dedication to a burgeoning culture. Included are interviews with members of some of these seminal bands and fans who witnessed the birth and spread of a uniquely American version of ska and reggae and a forward penned by Horace Panter of The Specials.

Before John Lennon retreated peacefully into private life in 1975,he fought a major legal battle that went under the public radar. Just as his "Rock and Roll" oldies record hit the market, Morris Levy the mob-connected owner of Roulette Records, released "Roots," an unauthorized version of the same record. Levy had used rough mixes of John’s unfinished rock and roll recordings and claimed the former Beatle had verbally agreed to the arrangement. The clash led to a lawsuit and countersuit between Levy and Lennon.Attorney Jay Bergen, a partner in a prestigious New York City law firm, represented John in this epic battle to his own recordings. Millions of dollars were at stake. Jay joins us to tell how he worked closely with John to rebut Levy’s outrageous claims. He also recounts how John explained his recording process in poetic exacting terms to a judge., who know little about The Beatles, and John’s solo career. It also paints a detailed personal picture of John and his world in 1975 and ’76, when he was to have a new son and go into happy seclusion to be a husband and father.

We spend “a few more minutes" talking about the days when album cover graphics were a dominant part of the industry. Now...is it merch?

“The Album” is a documentary on the evolution of the record industry told from the perspective of art directors and photographers who created the most memorable art in music history. Veteran Art Director and director Kevin Hosmann speaks to top creators of their day to discuss the development of the art synonymous with the music you know and love. From “Abbey Road”, “Hotel California,” and “Dark Side of the Moon” to “Breakfast in America” and Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” hear the stories behind the music.Starting in the analog past of the 60's — how rock and roll began catering to the teenagers and their disposable income, to the introduction of the CD through it's digital disruption of file sharing, to online sales, streaming and the dominance of social media--the vehicle of new music discovery has radically changed. And through it all, the love of music has never been stronger because the audience’s desire for that emotional connection to the music they love remains unchanged. Join us and for a fascinating look into a bygone visual era and what has replaced it.