Michael Connelly’s series of crime thrillers featuring LA detective Harry Bosch are amongst my favourite reads of all time, rubbing shoulders with the creations of Chuck Palahniuk, Douglas Adams, Douglas Coupland and Jo Nesbo. The books are flavoured with references to the music Harry unwinds to and it was through these references that I was introduced, ashamedly late in life, to the likes of Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Art Pepper and more.
There’s a handy page over at Michael Connelly’s site listing the artists, albums and tracks mentioned in all his books (including the non-Bosch books), and a link to a short Spotify playlist but that only has a dozen or so tracks so I thought I’d put together a fuller version using Connelly’s list.
I’m an Rdio subscriber so I’ve done one for both Rdio and Spotify:
The Music of Harry Bosch on Rdio
The Music of Harry Bosch on Spotify
Where only artists are mentioned I’ve left them out for now until I can research the best tracks to add. There’s also some gaps due to unavailability (the elusive Tomasz Stanko, please stand up) and I’ve elected not to include a few things (sorry Rod Stewart, you’re just not my bag, baby), but with around 50 tracks there’s plenty to get your ears around.
Enjoy – and if you’d like to suggest some additions feel free to get in touch in the comments.
