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winemum's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, the last half was a drag. I feel like the reason I didn't enjoy it is because I'm not already an expert on the topic.
flufficorn's review against another edition
This author writes as though the reader has read something about Billie before. To me, the book reads more like a comparison essay.
I did not finish this book. I got bored and annoyed with it. I learned very little about Billie. I found myself not interested in reading another page. It just didn't grab me as much as I was hoping to.
I did not finish this book. I got bored and annoyed with it. I learned very little about Billie. I found myself not interested in reading another page. It just didn't grab me as much as I was hoping to.
joehartman's review against another edition
3.0
The concept of "The Musician and the Myth" was very intriguing, as most bios take a rather conventional approach. In the average book focusing on a performer you get a chronological look at their private lives with a a dutiful glance at his or her career, and almost always they use the career as a way to further understand the print self. But what about the public self? What about the persona she created, her unique approach to music? That was something I wanted to read. Unfortunately, some of the challenges inherent to this approach stunted my full appreciation of the concept, and I finished it thinking I would have enjoyed it much more if I was not the mere "appreciator" of Holiday's work that I was, but more of a true fan who already knew the basics of her life and had a comprehensive knowledge of her recording career.
Granted, it is very difficult to communicate fully the impact a singer can have on an audience, and the "how" of their achieving that. It almost demands a poetic, emotional approach, the style of a fiction writer. Szwed's writing, while objective and honest, is overtly scholastic and dispassionate at times. When you are trying to communicate the feel of a song without actually being able to play it for someone, you've got to pull out all the stops. You have to bring the senses into it as if you were tempting someone with a meal they'd never see, let alone taste. Barring that, a guide for the reader on where to access the available recordings of the performances being covered, would have been a great addition.
Also, the structure of the book doesn't allow for a strong sense of a narrative arc. Perhaps if Szwed had bookended the career focused parts with small sections on the beginning and end of her life it might have had a stronger sense of story, which even non-fiction needs to contain. The time-line does get very confusing, and it was difficult for this reader to understand exactly where I was in the story, and in Holiday's career at times.
The introduction, and the chapters on the myth of Billie Holiday, which explore the writing of her memoir, are where this book excels. And it's very illuminating to read later about the world of female singers, black and white, before Holiday arrived on the scene. It allowed me to understand how she was influenced, how she differed from those before her, and how she altered forever, the expectations and understanding of, not just female performers, but of jazz itself.
Granted, it is very difficult to communicate fully the impact a singer can have on an audience, and the "how" of their achieving that. It almost demands a poetic, emotional approach, the style of a fiction writer. Szwed's writing, while objective and honest, is overtly scholastic and dispassionate at times. When you are trying to communicate the feel of a song without actually being able to play it for someone, you've got to pull out all the stops. You have to bring the senses into it as if you were tempting someone with a meal they'd never see, let alone taste. Barring that, a guide for the reader on where to access the available recordings of the performances being covered, would have been a great addition.
Also, the structure of the book doesn't allow for a strong sense of a narrative arc. Perhaps if Szwed had bookended the career focused parts with small sections on the beginning and end of her life it might have had a stronger sense of story, which even non-fiction needs to contain. The time-line does get very confusing, and it was difficult for this reader to understand exactly where I was in the story, and in Holiday's career at times.
The introduction, and the chapters on the myth of Billie Holiday, which explore the writing of her memoir, are where this book excels. And it's very illuminating to read later about the world of female singers, black and white, before Holiday arrived on the scene. It allowed me to understand how she was influenced, how she differed from those before her, and how she altered forever, the expectations and understanding of, not just female performers, but of jazz itself.
bookhero6's review
2.0
This book needs a very extensive soundtrack including all the songs/recordings mentioned to be listened along to while reading.
I liked that it focused more on Billie Holiday's music and artistry, rather than on the drama of her life. That said, I would now like to read a true biography that deals with all the personal details to accompany this reading.
I feel like this works well as part of a library about Billie Holiday rather than as the seminal biography, and I don't think it sets out to be The biography, but rather fill in the cracks left by others and focus more on her craft than the sensationalism of her life and perceived life outside of the studio/clubs. Any library with a collection on Billie should have this book.
I liked that it focused more on Billie Holiday's music and artistry, rather than on the drama of her life. That said, I would now like to read a true biography that deals with all the personal details to accompany this reading.
I feel like this works well as part of a library about Billie Holiday rather than as the seminal biography, and I don't think it sets out to be The biography, but rather fill in the cracks left by others and focus more on her craft than the sensationalism of her life and perceived life outside of the studio/clubs. Any library with a collection on Billie should have this book.
irishannie's review
4.0
Great book; however, I think that readers of this book need to be familiar with Billie Holiday's life. A good start would probably be "Lady Sings the Blues." Much of "Lady Sings the Blues," is hyperbole, but it is the hook for this book.
mpeverhart's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting book but I wouldn't suggest it as an introduction to Billie Holiday or her life and times. The writing assumes you know certain facts about her life and the work of her contemporaries. Lots of name dropping. The chapter order is also nontraditional, which made it confusing at times.
valkyriejmu's review
2.0
So, you know when they say "if you have to explain the joke, it isn't funny?" Well, the same can be said for explaining what makes a singer special.
Szwed makes a good point or two, but he explains so much about what makes Billie Holiday unique and special that you want to throw up you hands and say "OK, we get it already! What is your point?"
Trouble is, I'm not sure he ever remembered to make his point.
I hope he is less indulgent in his book on Sun Ra.
Szwed makes a good point or two, but he explains so much about what makes Billie Holiday unique and special that you want to throw up you hands and say "OK, we get it already! What is your point?"
Trouble is, I'm not sure he ever remembered to make his point.
I hope he is less indulgent in his book on Sun Ra.