Frank Lawton

Religion provides the rhythm

From the Gospel journeys of Aretha Franklin to the late-life monasticism of Leonard Cohen, the great musical artists of the 20th century were often quasi-religious figures

Aretha Franklin performing onstage c.1969. [Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images]

  • Holding the Note: Writing on Music

    David Remnick

    Picador, pp. 304, £22

  • Listen: On Music, Sound and Us

    Michel Faber

    Canongate, pp. 368, £20

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