Music fans can often be the trickiest to shop for, especially as experiencing variable sights and sounds continues to become increasingly personal — and personalized. You’ll buy them a CD you they’ll enjoy, only to be exhausted by their argument to the opposite. The latest concert DVD? Do people even buy those anymore? iTunes or other streaming-service gift card? You might as well admit you had no idea what to purchase and figured they’d be better suited to do it themselves.
But fear not!
We have put together a collection of gifts that any music fan will be happy to unwrap this holiday season — from tech that’ll make audiophiles’ ears perk up to reads that’ll turn them into even more of a know-it-all to accessories for the listener who knows it’s still all about the vinyl.
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KOHLER NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET SCOSCHE
A wireless, waterproof speaker with built-in subwoofer and magnetic mount for your mobile device that can also be used to crack open a cold one? With the BoomBottle MM (yes, complete with bottle opener) from Scosche, you’ll be able to turn anywhere into a party — and keep it going all night long (or 12 hours, at least). Fits perfectly into water bottle cages and cup holders. Available in black and camo for $129.99, www.scosche.com Chris Bell, who with Alex Chilton co-founded the Memphis band Big Star, died 40 years ago, before his accomplishments as a singer, songwriter and musical visionary could be widely acknowledged. Rich Tupica sets the record straight in “There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star” (HoZac Books). The 400-page oral history covers everything from Bell’s beginnings in the Memphis garage-rock scene of the ’60s to the completion of what would be his posthumously released solo debut, the brilliant “I Am the Cosmos.” $37.99 at www.hozacrecords.com
Do you have people on your shopping list who love to sing in the shower? Are they always listening to music, unable to completely unplug? Hook them up with this Moxie showerhead that comes complete with a wireless Bluetooth speaker. The speaker is also easy to charge and replace. Sync your iPhone or other Bluetoothcompatible music player, and belt one out! $199, www.us.kohler.comLooking to get something for the music lover who has everything? Not on the High Street may just have the solution: an artistic sound wave print of your loved one’s favorite song. Simply choose the size and framing options frame, and provide the name of the song and the name of the artist who sings it. You can also personalize it and choose the color and orientation of the print. Shipping is a bit pricey. Prints start at $34 at www.notonthehighstreet.com
E. JASON WAMBSGANS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Who better to give us a sweeping, up-to-the-moment history of the Crescent City than Jason Berry, the eminent New Orleans writerdocumentarian? Berry gives us a lyrical and, at times, personal view of a place unique in America: "City of a Million Dreams: A History of New Orleans at Year 300." $35, www.uncpress.org
COLUMBIA LEGACY