Ian was trolling around the information non-television network (or Internet, for short) for something related to Roxy Music last week when he stumbled across a veritable treasure trove of reading material. Eric Tamm, a UC Berkeley alum who has taught music history, theory and piano at several Bay Area colleges and universities, wrote two excellent books, and both are available for free download! The first book is called Brian Eno: His Music And The Vertical Color Of Sound, and the product description reads: “Musician, composer, producer: Brian Eno is unique in contemporary music. Best known in recent years for producing U2’s sensational albums, Eno began his career as a synthesizer player for Roxy Music. He has since released many solo albums, both rock and ambient, written music for film and television soundtracks, and collaborated with David Bowie, David Byrne, Robert Fripp, and classical and experimental composers. His pioneering ambient sound has been enormously influential, and without him today’s rock would have a decidedly different sound. Drawing on Eno’s own words to examine his influences and ideas, this book — featuring a new afterword and an updated discography and bibliography — will long remain provocative and definitive.”

The book is a rather exhaustive chronicle detailing Eno’s recorded output, his techniques, his audience, his non-audience, and ways which we can better understand the creative impact and ideas he has injected into the music world. I’ve only read the first couple chapters, but I can say that I’m really impressed with Tamm’s writing and all I have learned about the artist. I still think Roxy Music kind of sucks, but I like some of Eno’s solo albums, so at the very least I’m learning more about those records. Personally, I think I’m more intrigued by the second book Tamm wrote, which is also available for free download.

Robert Fripp: From King Crimson To Guitar Craft is a text containing great wealth’s of knowledge about Fripp’s music and ideas. It goes so far as to define and describe all the different modes of guitar playing Fripp has learned and supported through the decades. It is here that Tamm’s own knowledge about theory shine as an author, as he presents a lot of technical information in ways that are easy enough for the casual reader to understand. As with the Eno book, there are no judgments about the artist’s personal life or subjective reviews of albums. Tamm remains staunchly objective throughout the texts, which serves only to strengthen his writing.

Both books are available on the author’s website as free downloads in both HTML and MS Word format. I have taken an extra step (whether or not this is permissible by the author, I suppose I will find out shortly!) and converted those files to .PDF format. It is my belief that this makes them easier to read and print. Of course, it is supremely important that I note both titles are available for purchase from Eric Tamm’s website as well as the Amazon bookstore. (Eno book), (Fripp book).

That said, here are the two PDF files, which will be hosted on my server for one week only. After that, you’ll have to either buy the book or download the slightly lower-fidelity versions from the author’s website.

Brian Eno: His Music And The Vertical Color Of Sound

Robert Fripp: From King Crimson To Guitar Craft

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