Wow, Sheila Weller is an amazing storyteller and she has done her homework. A lot of research has gone into this book which is about the lives of a geWow, Sheila Weller is an amazing storyteller and she has done her homework. A lot of research has gone into this book which is about the lives of a generation of women as seen through the lives of 3 female singers of the era. I knew much of the Carole King story having read her memoir and listened to her music. I knew a lot less of Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon. Weller fills her book with details of the lives of the three women but also the people who joined them on their journey. I would recommend the book to anyone who grew up listening to Carole, Joni and Carly as well as anyone interested in the music of the era and the lives of the artists....more
The first and only Miles Davis album that I ever bought was Bitches Brew in 1970. I later used the music on the album to jar students in a training clThe first and only Miles Davis album that I ever bought was Bitches Brew in 1970. I later used the music on the album to jar students in a training class to think creativity, but have not listened to the album in years. So I did not know what to expect when I decided to listen to the autobiography of Miles Davis. The original book came out in 1989. The audio recording that I listened to came out in 2012. I have since listened to the Kind of Blue which many consider his magnum opus. I loved it.
Miles Davis was born in southern Illinois in 1926 the year after my father was born in central Illinois. They grew up in two very different worlds. He died a year after my father in 1991. So he was clearly of my father's generation. Miles was the son of a dentist and even considered going into medicine himself, but soon found that jazz was his true love. My father was the son of a farmer and spent his life building houses for people.
Miles Davis tells his story in his own words and in his own way. Quincy Troupe interviewed and recorded Miles and transcribed and organized the powerful story. I must warn anyone who is offended by swear words not to even consider reading the book. Almost every paragraph has language that will be offensive to some.
Miles began playing with some of the great jazz players when he was seventeen. He played with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker and was a member of Parker's band for several years. He enrolled in Juilliard but later dropped out. One of the things that surprised me was how often musicians moved in and out of bands. Bands did not stay together very long and would substitute players. John Coltrane played in Miles band from 1955 - 1960. Later in the 1960s, Herbie Hancock was a member of his band. Miles mentored and influenced many younger musicians.
Miles Davis was continually changing and innovating his music. He did not sit still and play the same songs. He was always on the cutting edge, looking for something new. He was a creative genius, adapting and changing with the times. Once he finished with one style of music, he did not like to go back and play it again. In the late 60's he was influenced and inspired by the music of Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and Sly Stone, which led to Davis using electric instruments in his band. Davis and Hendrix wanted to record an album together but Hendrix's death derailed the idea. Davis in the 1980's was inspired by the music of Prince.
Like Charlie Parker and other musicians, Davis became addicted to heroin. He was eventually able to kick the habit, but found other drugs like cocaine and sex to take its place.
In 1955, Davis had an operation to remove polyps from his larynx. He was not supposed to speak for 10 days but had an argument with someone and permanently damaged his voice, resulting in a raspy, whispery tone to his voice. The actor, Dion Graham, who read the book for the recording, did a phenomenal job imitating Miles' whispery voice. I had the feeling that I was actually listening to Miles Davis tell his story.
This book is not for everyone. You will need an open mind and a willingness to listen to a the opinions of a creative genius. You will need to be willing to step into his world view and if you do you will be richly rewarded. I would recommend the book to jazz lovers and those interested in understanding the world of music. I also recommend that you listen to the Dion Graham recording rather than reading the book. I think you will find it a lot more entertaining....more
For the record, this is the first ebook that I have read on my Kindle Fire which has been a different experience in and of itself. I heard an intervieFor the record, this is the first ebook that I have read on my Kindle Fire which has been a different experience in and of itself. I heard an interview with Rosanne Cash and decided to read the book. When I was young I was a fan of Johnny Cash (Ring of Fire) and when I became a hippie I put him aside. A few years ago, I began to listen to his music again. I also bought an album of Rosanne's music as a result of the interview.
Rosanne views herself as more of a songwriter than a performer. She loves words. The book was easy to read and jumped back and forth in time as she shared her experiences and thoughts. The book is about Rosanne's life, not her father's....more
I read this book after reading "Dean and Me" by Jerry Lewis and was disappointed. Hale simply recounts each year of the Dean Martin Show and basicallyI read this book after reading "Dean and Me" by Jerry Lewis and was disappointed. Hale simply recounts each year of the Dean Martin Show and basically talks about the guests and their behavior. He does confirm much of what Jerry Lewis says about Dean. Dean Martin was not interested in the behind the scenes aspect of show business. He wanted to show up, do his thing and leave. His contract for the Dean Martin show had a clause that he only had to work one day a week and that was Sunday. So the guests and crew would rehearse all week and Dean would show up without rehearsing. They would tape the show and it would air the following week. And it worked. Dean Martin worked best when the acting was spontaneous without rehearsal. Hale agrees with Lewis that Martin was a comic genius....more
If you are not a Bob Dylan fan and did not grow up in the sixties, this may not be the book for you. I grew up in the sixties but I was never a big DyIf you are not a Bob Dylan fan and did not grow up in the sixties, this may not be the book for you. I grew up in the sixties but I was never a big Dylan fan. I loved his music better when other people sang it.
This book is not in chronological order and tends to skip back and forth. The book starts when Dylan first arrives in New York in the late fifties and the first section ends when he is about to cut his first record.
The second section skips ahead about ten years to the period when he attempts to withdraw from the world and spend time with his family. Dylan still seems very angry during this period. He does not want to be known as the voice of a generation. He does not want to be seen as an icon.
The third section jumps another ten years to when he is recording an album in New Orleans. This is a fascinating look at how a record is made. He shows up at the recording session with the lyrics but no music. The band creates the music as they record. I found it a fascinating look at creativity.
The fourth section jumps back to his parents and his childhood in Minnesota and follows him into Minneapolis where he taught himself the music of Woody Guthrie. Guthrie is Dylan's hero and mentor. When Dylan was in New York he would visit Woody in the hospital on a regular basis. The book ends almost where it starts: back in New York when he receives his first record contract.
I listened to this book on CD and found it easy to follow. Dylan is very poetic and metaphoric. Also the language is very colloquial. One thing I think the publisher should have added to the CD is some of the songs that Dylan referred to. It would have been great to hear the songs as Dylan talked about them....more