Book description
The mysterious true story of Connie Converse--a mid-century New York City songwriter, singer, and composer whose haunting music never found broad recognition--and one writer's quest to understand her life This is the mesmerizing story of an enigmatic life. When musician and New Yorker contributor Howard Fishman first heard Connie Converse's voice on a recording, he was convinced she could not be real. Her recordings were too good not to know, and too out of place for the 1950s to make sense--a singer who seemed to bridge the gap between traditional Americana (country, blues, folk, jazz, and gospel), the Great American Songbook, and the singer-songwriter movement that exploded a decade later with Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. And then there was the bizarre legend about Connie Converse that had become the prevailing narrative of her life: that in 1974, at the age of fifty, she simply drove off one day and was never heard from again. Could this have been true? Who was Connie Converse, really? Supported by a dozen years of research, travel to everywhere she lived, and hundreds of extensive interviews, Fishman approaches Converse's story as both a fan and a journalist, and expertly weaves a narrative of her life and music, and of how it has come to speak to him as both an artist and a person. Ultimately, he places her in the canon as a significant outsider artist, a missing link between a now old-fashioned kind of American music and the reflective, complex, arresting music that transformed the 1960s and music forever. But this is also a story of deeply secretive New England traditions, of a woman who fiercely strove for independence and success when the odds were against her; a story that includes suicide, mental illness, statistics, siblings, oil paintings, acoustic guitars, cross-country road trips, 1950s Greenwich Village, an America marching into the Cold War, questions about sexuality, and visionary, forward thinking about race, class, and conflict. It's a story and subject that is by turn hopeful, inspiring, melancholy, and chilling.
Shimmy Shammy
As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Scuffs
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Sienna Princess
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Wonder Lady
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Are Ess Tee
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
Dr. Cocktail
Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Dredd
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Moxie
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Cross Thread
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch.
RiddleRover
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Avenge Paws
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream.
MindfulMingle
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Eight Patrol
π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer.
Babe
π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
RiddleRanger
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Sass Burst
π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers.
BuzzMouse
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Blister
π§ββοΈ Finding zen in the art of listening β this app takes mindfulness to a new level! π§ββοΈπ§ Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
General Finish
I'm amazed by ListenBook's versatility in handling different formats β it truly supports all my audio needs. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. πΌ Making every minute count β this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. π±π
Granola
Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience