I received this book from University North Carolina Press for an honest review.
This book about the history of the music of North Carolina starts with bluegrass and what I would call country music. I read about a man named Charlie Poole whose music from the twenties were still being played by people into the sixties and beyond, I had never heard of this person. Here is when I knew I would learn things that I had never knew before. Just like the man who wrote the dueling banjos that were used later in the movie Deliverance was never paid for his music and would have to sue in order to get any money for that. You will come across a lot of information like that.
I also did not know that Nina Simone was from North Carolina, this was touched on lightly, even though there was a photo of an old house where she grew up. I thought maybe more would have been written about her but not. Though there was a lot of information about bluegrass, country, and blues musicians and a few from the late ’50s and early ’60s. it seemed to fall off once you got into the seventies and beyond. That would be my only complaint. Other than that you do get a lot of information and it seemed to be well researched.

Step It Up and Go: The Story of North Carolina Popular Music, from Blind Boy Fuller and Doc Watson to Nina Simone and Superchunk by David Menconi was a truly enjoyable book. Between the stories of the people and the ways in which these people and their state influenced each other made this both an entertaining and an educational read.

I love music and while I have my favorite genres I don't dismiss any style out-of-hand. My least favorite is opera, mainly because I generally don't understand the words and it is a story, but even opera is appealing when in person and the story plays out for you. So this book is ideal for me since I like knowing about more types of music and more artists. There will be plenty of names you're familiar with here as well as many you might not know. Because even the shortest entries are still narrative at heart you get a feel for the artists as well as their music and the fertile ground in which it was nourished.

Having moved a round a lot I have been fortunate to experience a lot of what many local and regional scenes have to offer. Though somewhat aware of North Carolina's rich past I didn't fully appreciate just what they have given the world, and what they have kept for themselves. In addition to learning about (and if you're smart you'll find music online as you read) these musicians, both known and unknown to you, you will also be rewarded with nostalgic moments. The short section about Squirrel Nut Zippers took me back to the late 90s and a period when I just could not get enough of them. Whalen's voice just swept me off my feet and the band was tight. For you, it might be James Taylor, Nina Simone, or any of the many stars (and near stars).

In addition to the chapters there are short insets that highlight a person, song, event, whatever. These are fun and offer a little break from the general arc of the chapter in which they are located.

I highly recommend this to readers who love music. Not necessarily just a particular style but those who love music, who will take any opportunity to catch a live show even when the genre isn't their favorite. I also suggest that you use whatever online resources you like to catch some of the tunes and/or videos, that will really bring the book to life.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.