Stephen Sondheim: Finishing the Hat - Collected Lyrics (1954-1981), With Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes (Alfred A. Knopf; 445 pages; $39.95). The great lyricist dissects his work with humor and candor in this must-have collection, graced by photos and handwritten music and lyrics.
Life, by Keith Richards (Little, Brown; 564 pages; $29.99). If the guitarist ever decides to stop writing songs, he could take up a career as a razor-sharp critic. His thoroughly entertaining memoir shows he has it in him.
A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers, by Will Friedwald (Pantheon; 811 pages; $45). An impressive collection whose scope and opinionated voice do for jazz what David Thomson has perfected for film.
The Anthology of Rap, edited by Adam Bradley and Andrew DuBois (Yale University Press; 867 pages; $35). Yes, you read right: A Yale University Press anthology of rap. To quote Kanye West (Page 707), "It seem we living the American Dream."
