Two books dive into the musical histories of The Police and Joni Mitchell

Stewart Copeland gives fans an intimate portrayal of the band's early life and its evolution in his memoir "Stuart Copeland's Police Diaries."

Copeland's memoir provides a behind-the-scenes look at the early specifically days and rise of The Police

Copeland provides an in-depth look at the band's formative years, shedding light on their transformation from "fake punks" into a legendary group.

Copeland details the band's humble beginnings as "fake punks" with little musical credibility, and how they eventually found their signature sound

In his book, Stewart Copeland recalls when The Police were struggling to find their place in the punk sphere and how they were regarded as "fake punks" due to their age and professional backgrounds, which contrasted with the straightforward, "naive charm" of the punk movement. The group, including Copeland, Sting, and Andy Summers, faced criticism from London critics, dubbing them carpetbaggers and deeming them musically uncredible with their unmemorable music and attempts to blend into the punk scene.

However, everything changed with their trip to Germany for a session with Eberhard Schöner, where they were free from London's critical pressure and could explore their musicality, ultimately leading to the discovery of their unique sound.

Copeland describes the creative tensions and compromises within the band, which ultimately enhanced their musical output

Copeland reveals the internal creative tensions within the band, particularly between his desire to "burn down the house" with aggressive music and Sting's quest for serene and poignant lyrics. These differences required Copeland to adjust his style, bringing tact and gracefulness to his playing in order to complement Sting's songwriting.

Copeland's solo project "Clark Kent" initially seemed more promising than The Police

Stewart Copeland also reflects on the early success of his solo act, which at one point a ...

Mitchell's unconventional musical and personal choices challenged societal expectations for female artists

Joni Mitchell's career was marked not only by groundbreaking music but also by her defiance of societal expectations for female artists.

Mitchell frequently code-switched between feminine and masculine identities, both in her music and in her public persona

Ann Powers speaks to how Joni Mitchell negotiated her place within the music community, which involved adapting her identity. She code-switched between feminine and masculine roles in both her personal life and her music—a skill that enabled her to form creative, and at times romantic, alliances with male artists.

Mitchell faced unfair scrutiny and objectification from music critics who focused more on her physical appearance than her musical talents

Powers and Robin Young address the unfair scrutiny and objectification of Mitchell from music critics who often underscored her physical attributes, like her cheekbones and blonde hair, rather than focusing on the depth of her musical talents.

Mitchell's artistic evolution and experimentation pushed the boundaries of her folk/pop roots

Mitchell's later career showed her exploring new musical territories beyond her folk/pop beginnings.

Mitchell transitioned into jazz and orchestral styles later in her career, showcasing her versatility and artistic growth

Mitchell's engagement with jazz in the late '70s and '80s evidenced her artistic versatility. She worked with jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Charles Mingus, and Jaco Pastorius. This period marked a notable evolution from her earlier work.

Mitchell's albums "Both Sides Now" and "Travelogue" featured her mature, weathered voice in new settings

Although not expressly mentioned in the original outline, it can be concluded that given her propensity for experimentation across musical styles, albums like "Both Sides Now" and "Travelogue" likely exemplify her continued evolution, placing her mature, weathered voice into new and sophisticated musical contexts.

Mitchell's personal life and relationships informed her acclaimed songwriting

Mitchell's life experiences profoundly shaped her music, making her songwriting deeply personal and resonant.

Mitchell's songs like "Little Green" and "A Case of You" reflected intimate ...

Artistic collaboration can serve as a driving force for innovation and evolution in the music industry, as seen in the dynamics between band members and artists from diverse backgrounds.

The creative tensions within The Police ultimately enhanced their music

Collaborative Synergy and Clashing Personalities

Stewart Copeland's memoir touches on the intricacies of working with Sting, referring to their collaboration as a "dream rhythm section," despite an initial lack of noteworthy material. Their work together, alongside the addition of Andy Summers, marked a turning point in their music. It was the collective effort of the three members that led to the band's creative growth and an identifiable sound.

Productive Compromises Pushing the Signature Sound

The musical direction taken by The Police was shaped by the differing musical sensibilities and goals of Sting and Copeland. This creative tension forced compromises which, albeit challenging, proved to be fruitful—though the specifics of their collaboration on hits like "Every Breath You Take" remain unmentioned in the discussion provided.

Mitchell's collaborations with black musicians were both influential and controversial

Embracement and Controversy in Artistic Expression

Joni Mitchell's artistic expression through her embrace of black musical styles and the controversial portrayal of her alter-ego Claude—a black man—has been seen by some as an act of cultural appropriation. Nevertheless, Mitchell believed in her artistic freedom to perform such a transgressive a ...