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lovegriefandgender's review
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
5.0
When literature evokes such a giddy and captivating glee so quickly and compellingly it not only draws metaphysical significance to the most thoughtless piece of refuse, but reminds you to read for joy as well as for education and reflection. That's it: joy.
eavans's review
2.75
*3.5
This is a difficult book to review as I do not usually read music biographies (despite my love of music) as this is an ARC read. I liked the energy of Ellis—I’d love to sit and hang out with him, to hear more about his youth. I appreciate that he was able to write this as a artistic mark in his career, and I understand that insanity surrounding the musicians you love. He seems like a gentle soul. I also have a new love of listening to Arleta.
My main issue was precisely the music elbow rubbing music autobiographies tend to be. It felt like it was written for a cohort of friends and acquaintances that I am not a part of. If I went and saw this exhibit I’d buy a copy and probably rate it higher. I also have a big discontent with spirituality, and I’d probably appreciate it more if I like, believed in God still. It’s not a bad book, or story—it can actually be quite beautiful—but it just wasn’t for me, a random 21-year old with no knowledge of the people in it beside Simone.
Would pay $20 to see Nina Simone’s reaction to this though. I can’t believe she’d be the nicest about it.
This is a difficult book to review as I do not usually read music biographies (despite my love of music) as this is an ARC read. I liked the energy of Ellis—I’d love to sit and hang out with him, to hear more about his youth. I appreciate that he was able to write this as a artistic mark in his career, and I understand that insanity surrounding the musicians you love. He seems like a gentle soul. I also have a new love of listening to Arleta.
My main issue was precisely the music elbow rubbing music autobiographies tend to be. It felt like it was written for a cohort of friends and acquaintances that I am not a part of. If I went and saw this exhibit I’d buy a copy and probably rate it higher. I also have a big discontent with spirituality, and I’d probably appreciate it more if I like, believed in God still. It’s not a bad book, or story—it can actually be quite beautiful—but it just wasn’t for me, a random 21-year old with no knowledge of the people in it beside Simone.
Would pay $20 to see Nina Simone’s reaction to this though. I can’t believe she’d be the nicest about it.
fletchorama's review
5.0
I've often thought that nonfiction can tell you about a person, place or thing, while fiction is more about the relationships between persons, places and things. This is the rare book that does both.
What could be a rather off footnote of a bearded violin player stealing a piece of gum transforms into an incredible meditation on humanity, collecting things, memory, and so much more.
I'm reminded of when I saw Stone Temple Pilots from the front row. Scott Weiland heard me ask for his sweat rag but alas, didn't see the security guards pointing at me and instead threw it into the audience. I lost all connection to it at that moment, and let's face it, it would have gotten washed/used probably, knowing my luck. But sometimes I wonder about the power of talismans and I wonder what it would have been like to own Scott Weiland's sweat rag, r.i.p.
What could be a rather off footnote of a bearded violin player stealing a piece of gum transforms into an incredible meditation on humanity, collecting things, memory, and so much more.
I'm reminded of when I saw Stone Temple Pilots from the front row. Scott Weiland heard me ask for his sweat rag but alas, didn't see the security guards pointing at me and instead threw it into the audience. I lost all connection to it at that moment, and let's face it, it would have gotten washed/used probably, knowing my luck. But sometimes I wonder about the power of talismans and I wonder what it would have been like to own Scott Weiland's sweat rag, r.i.p.
sarahmoran27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0