I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for summer – not the sweat, which I’m already feeling, and not so much the imagery of Beach Boys’ songs, which is only so attainable as a middle-aged guy in my part of the country, but fresh tomatoes and hot peppers, baseball’s dog days of summer, and my wife and kids being done with school and having more time to relax and be in a good mood when I get home from work. I’m also looking forward to some vacation time and a little more time to read. I’m just beginning to read The World in Six Songs, by Daniel Levitan, with Bulgakov’s A Dead Man’s Memoir on deck. I expect that these will both pull on my brain power, so I’d also like to have some summer rock reads in my back pocket, for those hot days on the beach, when all I can handle are previously unheard tales of creativity and debauchery. I’m sure we could all use some suggestions for summer rock books. What would you suggest?
Great idea for a post!
– I’m still making my way through Simon Reynold’s “Rip It Up And Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984.” Really good. I keep the laptop with me while I’m reading because I need to keep referencing the music.
– I read Jonathan Lethem’s “Chronic City” which has to do a lot with music and culture, and includes the amazing observation that all rock critics have Asperger’s. See you all in the DSM-IV! But I found it a very complex and confusing read and would love to discuss it with you other spectrumites.
– And will probably read Arthur Phillip’s “The Song is You” as Mr. Royale read it and enjoyed it.
I’m still working my way through John “Drumbo” French’s Beefheart book. It’s 800+ pages long, and I’m in the Mirror Man/Strictly Personal phase right now. It’s got a lot of illuminating detail about the music, but the tone of the book is kind of a bummer. French is very negative about pretty much everything, and it’s getting kind of wearing. And I haven’t even gotten to the Trout Mask concentration camp part yet.
For a book with a rock & roll sensibility, I’d recommend Pynchon’s latest novel, Inherent Vice. Set in a very druggy, noirish 60s L.A., it was quite a trip. And not too long.
I almost picked up that Pynchon book the day I bought the Bulgakov one. I’ll keep that one in mind for a future purchase.
The Reynolds book is one I’ve heard a lot about, and one more recommendation can’t hurt. Thanks.
On my list:
“Motley Crue: the Dirt” — recommended to me by good friends *and* some otherwise super-brainy author on NPR. Haven’t started this one yet, am somewhat afraid to.
“Little Labels, Big Sound” — already occupying a prestigious spot in the throne room. Highly recommended, and likely winner of The Gergley Award for Excellence in Music History and Animality.
“Hit Me, Fred” — an enjoyable memoir by Fred Wesley of the JBs, P-Funk and more. Another book I’m enjoying in bits and pieces.
Read Inherent Vice last summer. My favorite part is when Doc Sportello, stoned, looks at a black velvet painting at his house and thinks it’s a window into another world.
Rip It Up And Start Again is fantastic book. I really enjoyed the Radio City volume in the 33 1/3 series, and I’m currently reading (among five or six other non-rock books) Fred and Judy Vermorel’s Sex Pistols: The Inside Story
I read the Tommy James autobiography. Not as good as any review I’ve read would have you believe but it’s enjoyable enough. And it’s the anti-Drumbo. A light 200 pages or so that can be managed in an afternoon at the beach.
Thanks for reminding me about the Tommy James book. I heard him interviewed, and that book sounds perfect.
i know i keep on harping on this, but Heroes and Villains will blow your mind if you haven’t already read it.
I know you said you weren’t really lookin for that Beach Boy imagery and here I am pushin this book again, but you won’t believe what a bunch of sick fucks these guys were!
I tried to read The Master & Margerita because Jagger said he based the lyrics to Sympathy on it, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of that thing. A few years later, i took my wife to a play of it done with puppets. I couldn’t figure out what the hell was goin on at the play either, so I felt didn’t feel as bad about not getting the book. I think there were historical, cultural, and literary references i don’t know about, as well as some absurdism.
I burned through the Drumbo book. I take his tone for what it is, he feels that he suffered a lot under the Magic Band moniker unnecessarily, but his attention to detail, particularly in the creation of the music is unprecedented. I was really looking forward to this book based on shorter things I had read by Frensc a few years back that dealt with putting together Trout Mask. I had started to really wonder how much Beefheart had to do with putting the music together, but the book on the whole credits him with plenty. There are some pretty startling revelations, for example the level of input that Winged Eel Fingerling had in putting together the concept for the stage show in the Decals era as well as coming up with the tableau for the notorious Decals TV commercial was pretty unexpected. Despite it’s heaviosity, I think it would please Jim who is always looking for a window into the creative life of his rock superheroes.
I picked up a copy of Norman’s Lennon bio a while back, but I haven’t waded into those waters as it looks like heavy reading. Anyone read it?
I’m still (still) (even still) reading that damn Guralnick bio on Sam Cooke. I should have finished it years ago, but I only read it very small portions. It’s not bad, I just read it during breaks at work. I guess I’m just not as riveted by Sam as I wouldbe someone like Dylan or Lennon.
I reccomend Stanley Booth’s Rhythm Oil. It’s a collection of essays (most written pre-Stones) written during Stanley’s time in Memphis. Good stuff on a variety of subjects, from Furry Lewis to ZZ Top (no cattle).
TB
With the recent expanded release of the Stones ‘Exile on Main Street’ I picked up a book by Robert Greenfield titled – strangely enough – ‘Exile on Main Street – A season in Hell with the Rolling Stones’. Basically detailing the recording of the title album on the French Riviera down in the basement of Keefs rented chateau.
It’s about what you’d expect – many villains, no real heroes. The writer’s tone is a little snarky and bloggish. Don’t know if I’ll finish it…one can only take so many stories of needles and lines and the usual aftermath…
For my money the best summer reading is Billy Gibbons ‘Rock and Roll Gearhead’ which I just recently returnt to the liberry, Some old stories from the beardy one (by cracky), some good quotes, but mostly great photos of Billy’s awe inspiring collections of custom cars and guitars. Spectacular twangporn and awful nice of him to share…