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lindsayb's review against another edition
3.0
Boy...I got to the end of this thinking, "I don't think I really wanted to know that much about Robbie Robertson." There were entertaining parts (like the whole mafia family thing), and I did (mostly) get what I came for in learning more about the creative process within The Band, a group whose output makes me highly nostalgic, which is why I'm bumping this to 3 stars...though not without feeling highly suspect about it all. It's a memoir, so to say that it felt one-sided is perhaps moot, but it definitely felt a bit too self-aggrandizing, especially in light of what other band members had reported over the years. It was also silly of me to not remember, going into this, how anything connected to Bob Dylan is just one big Boys' Club, and it really wore me down to hear Robertson talk about women. That's great he has a photographic memory, but I don't really need to hear about all the special women he bagged while on tour with The Hawks. It's rock'n'roll; I get it...I know it's happening regardless of what you say. But to reveal as much as he did also lets on to the misogyny and abuse going on. He couldn't even talk about women artists as peers--in nearly every instance, he talks about their appearance before their talent. It really bummed me out.
So...I guess I got a lot from this memoir, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting, and it wasn't flattering.
So...I guess I got a lot from this memoir, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting, and it wasn't flattering.
toddlleopold's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating at times, but ponderous too many other times.
nateyells's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
amyjoy's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I loved this. I love The Band, and I enjoyed learning more about them and their experiences through Robertson's narrative. I really enjoyed his enthusiasm for his musical inspirations, mentors, and colleagues. I liked that he was nothing but complimentary about his bandmates, even if it was mainly a reaction to complaints made by them in the years since The Last Waltz.
offbalance80's review against another edition
4.0
There's no question that Robertson knows how to tell a great story. Testimony is full of great moments, and the author is no question aware that the people want to hear stories about Bob Dylan and the Band, and he delivers. Also impressive is the amount of spin at work here. Years ago, Robertson got blasted by his former Band-mates for breaking up the group and other post-breakup sins. In Testimony Robertson insists he was trying to act as savior, and out of genuine concern for a group spiraling into addiction even before they were blowing up the charts. On the one hand, you want to have sympathy for the one sane man in the company of maniacs trying to hold the company together, but on the other, you have to wonder if it was really all as cut and dried as Robertson makes it out to be. What's more, he stops right after the Last Waltz, and there's still road to cover (his absence at Richard Manuel's funeral, where he was asked to do the eulogy but failed to appear would have been a start).
Even though he speaks of his great love and admiration of his bandmates, and their talent, especially for Levon Helm, you do get the feeling that Robertson is a man very much on the defensive, even from the title of the book. That said, this is a terrific music memoir, full of great anecdotes and pictures of a time gone by.
Even though he speaks of his great love and admiration of his bandmates, and their talent, especially for Levon Helm, you do get the feeling that Robertson is a man very much on the defensive, even from the title of the book. That said, this is a terrific music memoir, full of great anecdotes and pictures of a time gone by.
bondo_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Robbie Robertson reflects on his life's journey growing up on a Canadian reserve, the struggles of complicated family relationships, and of course mostly focusing on the beginning of his music career up until the most iconic farewell concert, The Last Waltz.
Robertson's songwriting skills translate into his storytelling throughout this book while he takes us through pivotal moments in music history; and Robertson's contributions to popular music are greater than I knew.
One of the greatest music partnerships of all-time could arguably be Robbie Robertson and Levon Helms, which was more of a brotherhood than friendship. It's also one of the saddest falling-outs of all time too. I only wish Helms was around to give his side of the story because this book could be considered pretty self-serving.
Robertson keeps this biography interesting the whole way through writing about friendships, the success and self-destruction of The Band, substance abuse, and how The Last Waltz almost didn't happen. You'll never watch that concert the same way again.
Robertson's songwriting skills translate into his storytelling throughout this book while he takes us through pivotal moments in music history; and Robertson's contributions to popular music are greater than I knew.
One of the greatest music partnerships of all-time could arguably be Robbie Robertson and Levon Helms, which was more of a brotherhood than friendship. It's also one of the saddest falling-outs of all time too. I only wish Helms was around to give his side of the story because this book could be considered pretty self-serving.
Robertson keeps this biography interesting the whole way through writing about friendships, the success and self-destruction of The Band, substance abuse, and how The Last Waltz almost didn't happen. You'll never watch that concert the same way again.
thuglibrarian's review against another edition
2.0
I loved The Band and still listen to them. Some say Robbie is an ego driven star who took most of the credit for the accomplishments of The Band. Others say he is a musical genius and deserves all the credit he's been given and more. Good read if you want to read about Robbie and his journey, which is fair as it's his book. Not a book solely about The Band, which I would have preferred. Oh, and he does have a big ego.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
visionsofjulia's review against another edition
5.0
this robbie guy is a decent writer! hope he makes it