A dissection of music perception and creation that starts slowly and inexorably builds to a grand finish. I loved reading that listening to music coordinates more disparate parts of the brain than almost anything else--and playing music uses even more! Despite illuminating a lot of what goes on this book doesn't "spoil" enjoyment- it only deepens the beautiful mystery that is music.

Analysis is like a lobotomy. Who wants to have all their edges shaved off?

The wage for most musicians is a modest amount, and that includes me some of the time.

Body odor is the window to the soul.

Most of our lives aren't that exciting, but the drama is still going on in the small details.

I didn't have any agenda or plan when I started writing stuff.

The world isn't logical, it's a song.