Many thanks to David Remnick, the publishers, and NetGalley for this advance reading copy. Holding the Note is a collection of profiles on musicians (and one musicologist), which were originally published in the New Yorker. Featured are luminaries such as Leonard Cohen, Arethea Franklin, Mavis Staples, Bob Dylan, Keith Richards and Luciano Pavarotti. As you can see from the list, the author has interviewed musicians working across a range of genres. Besides their exceptional talents and success, the one thing they all have in common is that they've kept working until late middle age or older. As the author puts it, their 'voices have weathered' but they're still 'holding the note'. So, in addition to looking back over the earlier (and generally most successful) years of their careers, the profiles consider the changes people have made to cope with age and the waning of their powers. Arethea Franklin takes a break in the middle of the set to conserve her voice; Bruce Springsteen prepares for tours like an athlete training for competition; Pavarotti is a "slave to my throat" and doesn't go outside without a scarf (and he's still the object of criticism from one writer that his voice has become "a strangled bleat").

As you might expect from a regular writer for the New Yorker, the profiles are exceptionally well-written, incisive and engaging. I wrote down so many anecdotes from this book. My favourite concerns the writing of Arethea Franklin's hit, '[You make me feel like] a natural woman'. Apparently, Carol King and her then husband were walking down the street when a limousine carrying Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records pulled up. "I'm looking for a really big hit for Arethea. How about writing a song called A Natural Woman?" He drove off. The song was done by the following morning.

If you're at all interested in the history of music over the last fifty or sixty years, I would recommend this book. It would also make an excellent present.

Holding the Note by David Remnick is an absolute gem that celebrates the timeless power of popular songs. It beautifully captures the essence of unforgettable melodies and showcases how they effortlessly etch themselves into our hearts and minds. With each turn of the page, Remnick takes us on a nostalgic journey, transporting us to specific moments, places, and emotions that resurface whenever these iconic songs grace our ears once again.

This book is a testament to Remnick's profound connection to the music that has shaped us all. His writing effortlessly brings these exceptional creative minds to life, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of their genius and their immense impact on our cultural landscape. It is an extraordinary journey that reminds us of the enduring power and beauty of music, and leaves us with a renewed appreciation for the artistry that has enriched our lives.