Paul Simon is commonly acknowledged to be one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the pop-rock era. His work has flourished in the context of Simon and Garfunkel as well as in his own solo career. Starting with the folk-rock style that marked his earliest significant success, he has drawn on a wide variety of influences, including many American traditions and, later, many international ones as well. He has won multiple Grammy awards in both the duo and the solo phases of his career. His songwriting has also provided the impetus for brief forays into film and musical theatre. After...

Few singer-songwriters have been as influential as Joni Mitchell. Her song "Both Sides, Now" has been recorded over 640 times, while Bill and Hillary Clinton credit her "Chelsea Morning" as the inspiration for their daughter's name. "The Words and Music of Joni Mitchell" surveys the entire output of this legendary artist, from her 1968 debut album "Song to a SeagulI" to her 2007 album "Shine."

After a brief overview of Mitchell's career and a chapter that explains some of the important technical features of the guitar styles upon which she draws, the book offers an in-depth discussion...