2 brand new books from
2 of our long-time contributors
The Gretsch Hollow-Body Field Guide: Setup, Tone and Stability by David Lewis
You’ve bought one of the most iconic guitars ever made. Now learn how to actually make it work. Most players approach a Gretsch hollow-body like a Fender or Gibson – and quickly become frustrated. This book explains why that doesn’t work, and what to do instead.
What makes this book different? This is not a generic guitar manual. It’s a player’s field guide – built from real-world experience – designed to help you understand how a Gretsch actually behaves in your hands. As the book explains, a Gretsch is “a guitar that plays honesty” – it reveals your touch, your timing, and your choices…
Persisting in the Truth: Peter Finnerty and the Birth of Activist Journalism by Andrew Shields
Peter Finnerty (c.1774-1822) was one of the most combative and consequential journalists of the Age of Revolutions. Despite this, historians have long overlooked his key role in helping to shape radical politics in England and Ireland in this period. The book delineates Finnerty’s role as a crucial link between the Irish radical movement of the late eighteenth century and its counterpart in Britain in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. It evaluates his ideas, his public life in both England and Ireland, and the legacy he left behind for those radical journalists who followed in his footsteps.
Finnerty’s turbulent career involved him in two notorious libel trials in 1797 and 1810. The first of which left him with little choice but to leave Ireland and essentially forced him to pursue a new career in England. During his years as a courageous and crusading journalist there, he frequently exposed corruption in high places…
Annie Dressner is a singer-songwriter, originally from New York City but now living in Cambridge in the UK. Brimming with razor sharp wit, emotional poignancy and glorious melodies, Annie’s straightforward lyrical style, smart wordplay and lilting vocals offer listeners a front row seat to her captivating stories. She has released four studio albums and her music has been played extensively across UK national radio, including a live session for Gideon Coe on BBC 6 Music.
The new single, Dumb Boy, is an anthem for all who have ever had to deal with someone who’s messed them around without any regard for their feelings. Its lyrics tell the story of the reality of the chase and pull of the potential someone shows you, only to realize that even though they were not worth your time, you still like something about them – holding on to that little glimmer that made your heart flutter. When it ends, you’re left with the bittersweet taste of what once was or what could have been. It’s a song that makes you think about your own self-worth and how much you should put up with – learn to love yourself before some ‘dumb boy in a band’. It’s very relatable if you’ve ever been stung. Dumb Boy is the first release off Dressner’s upcoming 5th album produced by Peter Bruntnell (title & release details to follow).
“Annie is a breath of fresh air. LOVE HER WORK!” – Marc Riley
