Lennon, Coltrane, and a ’90s alt-rock romp: Three new music picture books to take a look at

If you get pleasure from music criticism — or get pleasure from dismissing it — you’ve possible heard the outdated adage that “writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” Elvis Costello made the quip throughout a 1983 interview, though through the years it’s been attributed to everybody from Thelonious Monk to Frank Zappa. Whoever stated it first, I’d like to know their ideas on this triple-intersection of artwork kinds: writing about music picture books.

The first week of September will see a notable trio of picture ebook releases from vastly totally different eras: John Coltrane’s life from 1950-67, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s return to the recording studio in 1980, and the dirty, superb alt-rock increase of the Nineties, captured by former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur. School’s again in session — let’s hit the books.

In August 1980, Boston photographer Roger Farrington snapped an image of John Lennon and Yoko Ono nonchalantly strolling hand-in-hand outdoors of the Hit Factory in New York City. Paparazzo picture it was not; the couple wanted somebody to discreetly seize a picture worthy of asserting their long-awaited return to the recording studio, and Farrington was tapped to doc their first day again in motion.

“That shot went around the world,” says Farrington on a latest cellphone name.

But what concerning the different 30 photographs on Farrington’s contact sheet? Lennon and Ono purchased solely the one picture for a press launch, leaving the then-27-year-old photographer with a wealth of historic materials and the possibility to disclose the entire story.

It took 46 years, however that’s what Farrington does in splendid element with “Starting Over with John and Yoko: The Photographs,” his full assortment of photos from the couple’s first day of labor on their 1980 LP, “Double Fantasy.”

Complemented by a written recap of Aug. 7, 1980, and the times bookending the go to, the ebook presents a later — and sadly, last — model of Lennon, who was on the cusp of turning 40. Just 4 months later, he’d be assassinated outdoors of the Dakota, 20-odd blocks away from the Hit Factory.

“I wanted people to see who John Lennon was in 1980, not 1964,” Farrington says. “The Beatles were long, long gone.”

He notes that the megastar is sporting a tan from a latest journey to Bermuda (not precisely a typical incidence for the gent from Liverpool) and a scar on his chin from a 1969 automobile crash in Scotland. But essentially the most notable high quality of this late-stage Lennon is his obvious pleasure.

Tension manifests in Ono’s often-steely expression, whether or not she’s juggling a cellphone and a espresso cup or coolly exhaling a drag of her cigarette, however Farrington counters her temper with John’s pleasure. In one notably memorable snap, Lennon tosses his palms within the air, sporting a large, open-mouth smile and an oddball Sardonyx guitar as he greets off-camera musician Earl Slick.

“I wanted every photo — the good, bad, and the ugly — in there,” Farrington concludes, “so I think you really see the story.”

By Roger Farrington and Kenneth Womack. 164 pages, $49.95 ($19.95 paperback), out there Sept. 8 through Rutgers University Press.

“I believe, in many ways, John Coltrane’s legend is wrapped up in equal parts sight and sound,” writes Ravi Coltrane, son of the saxophonist, within the foreword of “Coltrane: The Definitive Visual Celebration of the Legend.” The assertion seems once more in massive textual content on the finish of the ebook, preceded by over 200 photos and a sampling of essays from the likes of Patti Smith and Carlos Santana.

Ravi’s sentiment feels notably highly effective within the 12 months of Coltrane’s centennial; the brand new photographic retrospective captures intimate sides of the large’s life that may’t be parsed out from 2026’s wealth of stay music tributes. The simple stay photographs are a deal with — like a snap of Coltrane at Boston’s Jazz Workshop in 1963, captured by Lee Tanner — however so are the extra private inclusions, like Coltrane’s Naval Reserve enlistment picture, or Coltrane hunched over the shoulders of his spouse, Alice, who’s sitting at a piano onstage on the 1966 Newport Jazz Festival. To piggyback on Ravi’s remark, the ebook is a key part of making a sentimental temper for 2026’s centennial celebrations.

Edited by Ravi Coltrane. 288 pages, $60, out there now through 10 Speed Press.

Melissa Auf der Maur revealed a large slice of her life earlier this 12 months together with her memoir, “Even the Good Girls Will Cry,” and her new ebook of pictures ensures that no occasion of Nineties rock shenanigans is left untold (or undeveloped). Rehashing her time because the bassist for the important alt-rock bands Hole and the Smashing Pumpkins, Auf der Maur’s new ebook enriches the tales from “the end of analogue” days that she took nice pains to explain in “Even the Good Girls Will Cry.”

You can’t assist however simmer with a little bit of envy upon seeing close-ups of Courtney Love’s smeared make-up, photographs from the stage at Lollapalooza in 1995, and a backseat limo portrait of Drew Barrymore. (Not to say the truth that Auf der Maur’s self-portrait from the set of Hole’s “Celebrity Skin” album cowl shoot appears to be like downright angelic.) If you didn’t stay by way of this period, “My ’90s Rock Photographs” will make you would like you had.

By Melissa Auf der Maur. 240 pages, $49.95, out there Sept. 8 through DelMonico Books.

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GIG GUIDE

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame caught some flak earlier this 12 months when the group introduced that Joy Division and New Order had been nominated — and finally chosen — for induction as a mixed entry. No matter how you are feeling concerning the two teams being lumped collectively, bassist Peter Hook’s slinging tunes from each of the bands he cofounded on the House of Blues Friday.

Earlier this 12 months, lippy British pop singer Lily Allen handled followers on the Orpheum to the connection drama of her 2025 album, “West End Girl”; the identical tour loops again to Boston Friday at MGM Music Hall at Fenway. James Taylor continues his custom of headlining the venue round Labor Day with reveals Saturday and Sunday, then piano-pop favourite Sara Bareilles hosts her personal twofer Wednesday and Thursday.

Allen’s not the one musician who’s shortly retracing her steps. Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty honored the discharge of his album “Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years” with a tour that stopped at MGM Music Hall at Fenway final November, and he’s again at Leader Bank Pavilion (with Steve Winwood) Tuesday. Saturday at TD Garden, Houston rapper Don Toliver promotes his January album “OCTANE” simply months after his final headlining efficiency on the area. (Iron Maiden, alternatively, haven’t carried out in Boston correct in 20 years, and maintain a slightly-belated fiftieth anniversary celebration at TD Garden Wednesday.)

As outside live performance season begins to wind down, Bruno Mars involves Gillette Stadium Saturday and Sunday together with his catalog of serenades, from “Marry You” to the more moderen Lady Gaga collab (and swoon fest), “Die With a Smile.” In Mansfield, the Xfinity Center welcomes again edgy hip-hop duo $uicideboy$ (Tuesday) and hosts Japanese kawaii metallic group BABYMETAL for the primary time (Thursday).

Star Berklee alumna esperanza spalding returns to city for City Winery reveals Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The jazz bassist and singer isn’t at present selling a brand new album — her newest LP was a 2024 collaboration with Brazilian artist Milton Nascimento — however the trio of reveals will preview materials from her subsequent challenge and in addition embrace picks from her eight solo albums.

Finally, in case you missed Gary Clark Jr. on the Newport Jazz Festival final month, catch the Texas blues-rock hero in a much more intimate setting on the Paradise Rock Club Thursday.

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BONUS TRACK

Another Campfire Festival, one more reason to remain on the town on Labor Day. Passim’s biannual music pageant returns Friday by way of Monday, packing the Harvard Square membership with 100-plus performers over the course of the vacation weekend. It’s onerous to choose highlights when the lineup is within the triple digits, however hold a watch out for Pioneer Valley folks artist Hazel Basil (Saturday), Chilean-born multi-instrumentalist and composer Nicolás Emden (Sunday), and soulful New York genre-blender Luzmila Taylor (Monday).

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Victoria Wasylak will be reached at victoria.wasylak@globe.com.