Book OF SONGS

In this original musical biography Belgian-born Carl Cleves, author, songwriter and musicologist, lets 55 of his poetic song lyrics prompt a rollicking road story, a confession, a personal history,  musical insight, philosophical musing, a brief essay or a spirited escapade. Whether at a reburial ceremony in Madagascar, a murder in Bethlehem, on the road in the back country of Brazil, busking in Barcelona, at a press conference in Madagascar, lost in Leipzig or seeking oblivion in the Pacific islands, Book of Songs will enchant lovers of music, travel and whoever believes that dreams can be made real. 

This edition provides over a hundred photos and illustrations, while hyperlinks refer to audio files of songs and live video clips. 


His first book, ‘Tarab: Travels with My Guitar’ (Transit Lounge), an epic, mesmerizing tale of high adventure and the search for meaning, has become a travel adventure classic. Now Book of Songs reveals the sound track behind the adventures, the stories behind the songs. It is the perfect accompaniment to ‘Tarab’.


Of ‘Tarab: Travels with My Guitar’ Bruce Elder (Sydney Morning Herald) writes:
“Cleves is a rarity. He is a true traveller in an age of holidaymakers and gawpers. Cleves reminds his readers that true travel is about sinking deeply into cultures and allowing unique experiences to change your life. By any measure Cleves deserves to be mentioned in the same breath and Thesiger, Burton and Newby.”

Cleves’ memoir is at its most enjoyable when the sheer adventure of his experiences, from the hair raising, sublime and serendipitous takes hold. Belgian born Cleves has done what many travelers only dream of, spent years on the road sharing his love of (arguably) the world’s only common language– music. Romantic love is won and lost along the way but it is Cleves’ passion for music that encourages people to open their hearts and homes to him across the globe.
– Sally Keighery, Readings Monthly

http://www.carlcleves.com