• Published by String Letter Publishing 128 Pages

• Conversations on the Art and Craft of Songwriting by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers Backstage Books

• Composer: Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers

Jeffrey's opening words to each interview are insightful commentaries on where the songwriter has been and where they may be heading. Though the interviews themselves may have happened several years earlier, those commentaries bring the reader to the present so that everything can be put into perspective. And his questions get right to the meat of the matter. These are personal interviews that dig into the why's and the wherefore's. What are the differences between then and now? How has their songwriting changed from the early years? How do they perceive the "industry" as a whole? How do they arrive at their inspiration? How do their

instruments of choice influence their songwriting? That's only a sample. These are the questions I would love to ask if I were in a room with any of these wonderful artists - only I would be too tongue tied. Thankfully, Jeffrey does the work for all of us.

In each interview, there is a section called "What They Play" where the instruments the songwriters use are explained in detail - their preferences, what they used in the past and what they use in the studio compared to what they use in live performance. There is also a selected discography for each songwriter.

I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. Not only did it answer a lot of my own questions concerning these songwriters, but it also inspired me. Deep down, these songwriters, legends though they may be to me (yes, even the Barenaked Ladies - whom I adore and who have a true knack for not taking themselves too seriously), are still human beings with the same problems of time, insecurities, and daily difficulties that I face myself. They have managed to overcome them and create some of the very best music of the 20th century and beyond. Reading about them gives me hope that I can do the same. I highly recommend you pick this one up...

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:


Fantastic!  Dec 27, 2005 By Margaret A. Moore "college student"
For a long-time fan of Ani DiFranco, Dave Matthews, Joni Mitchell, and Paul Simon, this book was a treasure chest of knowledge for me. I delighted in reading about how the artists I love create the music that touches me. A great investment for music lovers.


Don't be Misled  May 13, 2012 By PromoOnlyGuy
"Conversations about the art and craft songwriting?" Hardly.

These dated interviews appear culled from author Jeffrey Pepper Rogers bygone days as an editor for Acoustic Guitar magazine and, at best, glance over the craft of songwriting in favor of guitars and guitar technique.

This is no "Tunesmith" (Jimmy Webb). Nor does it remotely approach the quintessential look at the craft offered in John Braheny's fine "Craft and Business of Songwriting," or the inspired step-by-step approach of song sherpa Robin Frederick's "Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting."

Rock Troubadours is a conversation about songwriting that goes nowhere.


Just what I needed to hear.  May 13, 2007 By Guade
I love this book although I am sure many others will hate it. Itis a book for singer songwriters by singer songwriters. To me it had everything you would want in a book if you play guitar and write songs, simple ideas and insiteful comments make this book a must have.