I have 12 other books on Miles Davis and related subjects in my library, so I didn't expect much new stuff from this one. But I was wrong. Kaplan has I have 12 other books on Miles Davis and related subjects in my library, so I didn't expect much new stuff from this one. But I was wrong. Kaplan has dug up all kinds of useful new information, interviews, and a uniquely fresh perspective on the Dark Magus and his circle of magicians. Very engagingly written, too.
Recommended to jazz fans and newbies alike!...more
I'm not sure I'll finish. I enjoyed reading about the punk+experimental scene in NYC.I'm not sure I'll finish. I enjoyed reading about the punk+experimental scene in NYC....more
Easy to read, story-packed life by and of Henry Threadgill, a great American composer and instrumentalist and bandleader. (He starts bands about once Easy to read, story-packed life by and of Henry Threadgill, a great American composer and instrumentalist and bandleader. (He starts bands about once a year it seems.) Deep insights into living the artist's life, being Black in America (and Vietnam), keeping yourself sane.
Exhaustive detail about Bach's choral works, not much about his other music. Worth plowing through all that stuff about cantatas just to glean tidbitsExhaustive detail about Bach's choral works, not much about his other music. Worth plowing through all that stuff about cantatas just to glean tidbits about his life and times, as the author takes a lot of pains to paint a complete socio-historic picture of the man (about whom there is very little direct evidence beyond the scores) and his times. The details about Bach's copyists, for instance, are fascinating, sometimes humorous....more
I should've perused this one in the bookshop more thoroughly, because it's mostly the kind of self-referential over-the-top gonzo rock journalism writI should've perused this one in the bookshop more thoroughly, because it's mostly the kind of self-referential over-the-top gonzo rock journalism writing that I don't have much love for. Only Lester Bangs could really do it, and even he phoned it in sometimes.
*Never finished. Put it away and forgot about it until Goodreads reminded me I'd started it....more
This is an odd book. Crouch's approach to chronicling the early life of Charlie Parker attempts to infuse his narrative with Black American storytelliThis is an odd book. Crouch's approach to chronicling the early life of Charlie Parker attempts to infuse his narrative with Black American storytelling style and language, which leaves this reader intrigued at times, entertained at others, distrustful often. I guess I was hoping for something more like Robin Kelley's bio of Thelonious Monk, more scholarly and trustworthy while blasting wide open all the myths and mysteries about that singular musician, all from a deep/wide cultural background.
Parker, Crouch's subject, is perhaps more mysterious at this further chronological remove, and more mythologized than even Monk. I'm about halfway through it, and finding myself less and less interested in the nearly nursery-rhyme passages concerning his love life, and wanting more musical grounding.
(Update July 11 2023) I'm almost to the end, and Crouch just keeps layering on the strange. I never heard of this character Biddy Fleet that Crouch introduces in the last act, but I suspect it's to lend the book some "discovery" points, as if Biddy Fleet's new testimony is somehow really revelatory and profound. It's not. Also towards the end is more soap opera stuff about Parker's mother and ex-wife, which I was more than done with in the earlier chapters. Not interesting.
I downgraded my rating to just two stars. I would not recommend this book to anybody except Stanley Crouch fans.
Note: I find it difficult to trust, not to mention like the author in any situation, having once witnessed some evil public behavior on his part. The kind of stuff you can't forget, or forgive....more
Partly read at a friend's house while traveling, so I wasn't able to finish it. Ratliff's approach is interesting; he disclaims his book as a true bioPartly read at a friend's house while traveling, so I wasn't able to finish it. Ratliff's approach is interesting; he disclaims his book as a true biography. (Pay attention to the title, gentle reader.) I can't say I agree with all of his opinions and conclusions, but certainly generous servings of food for thought are served up in admirable, sometimes well-seasoned phrases....more
On page 85 at the moment. At this point, words are inadequate to express my admiration for You Nakai's achievement with this book, and the depth of itOn page 85 at the moment. At this point, words are inadequate to express my admiration for You Nakai's achievement with this book, and the depth of its effect on my understanding of not just its subject (Tudor) but the entire world of postwar avant-gardeism. The cost of the book is a bit of a barrier, and I feared another letdown such as Martin Iddon's dreadful "New Music At Darmstadt" (which is really so bad as to deserve mention here). I'm glad I went through with it. About every 15 pages I have to put the book down and try to assimilate the revelations that "Reminded..." dishes out, and then get out other books on Cage and Stockhausen, and recordings, and dig the new perspectives Nakai's research and insight have bestowed upon them. And this is still chapter one I'm talking about!
ONE YEAR UPDATE: I put it on the shelf soon after writing the above, having ground to a halt around page 115. It's not easy to say exactly why. ...more
As an interview-based book, "Always In Trouble" is hamstrung by the fact that it came into being when so many of the primary witnesses were deIt's ok.
As an interview-based book, "Always In Trouble" is hamstrung by the fact that it came into being when so many of the primary witnesses were dead or on their way out. And a few of those who make it into the book are wobbly.
Sadness, therefore, takes a larger share of one's emotional reactions. But I'm glad I read it....more
Gift from a friend. Add to list of "Great-musician books that are really not great." Dan Plonsey's review gives this massive splat of self-indulgence Gift from a friend. Add to list of "Great-musician books that are really not great." Dan Plonsey's review gives this massive splat of self-indulgence more serious consideration than I care to. Chadbourne was writing great stuff for magazines in the 80s and 90s; who knows what happened. I guess I read about ten pages, skipping around, trying to find a way in....more
I found this highly-recommended book a disappointment. I understand and acknowledge its importance. But Art Taylor's skills as an interviewer are so lI found this highly-recommended book a disappointment. I understand and acknowledge its importance. But Art Taylor's skills as an interviewer are so limited as to stifle the conversations with the African American jazz greats of the day. Just not much depth or insight....more
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