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Showtime at the Apollo: The Epic Tale of Harlem's Legendary Theater by Ted Fox, James Otis Smith
fionak's review against another edition
The artwork really leaves something to be desired and the narrative is confusing. DNF because I have a stack of less annoying books to read and this just isn't interesting enough. (Irrelevant side note: the blurbs on the back cover all relate to the Apollo itself and not the book onto which they have been emblazoned.)
ljrinaldi's review
3.0
This is a review of the galley that is provided. Normally, I don't bring that up in a review, but this graphic novel about the history of the Apollo has been sent out for reviews as a work in progress. Some of the images are well detailed, and drawn, such as the one below.
Others are just sketches, showing where people will be, and what will be drawn.
This throws me off. But, the story itself, is very thorough. The whole history, with all the good, the bad and the ugly, so to speak. As the author said, when he started doing research for writing this history, it was before people could google what they wanted, so he spent a lot of time in the library, and it shows.
This is going to be a great book for people who want to know about what Harlem and the Apollo were like, through the 20th century, this will be a good go to book. However, if you are only slightly interested, you might skip around to find the artist that you want to know about.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Others are just sketches, showing where people will be, and what will be drawn.
This throws me off. But, the story itself, is very thorough. The whole history, with all the good, the bad and the ugly, so to speak. As the author said, when he started doing research for writing this history, it was before people could google what they wanted, so he spent a lot of time in the library, and it shows.
This is going to be a great book for people who want to know about what Harlem and the Apollo were like, through the 20th century, this will be a good go to book. However, if you are only slightly interested, you might skip around to find the artist that you want to know about.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
liesljrowe's review
4.0
At the beginning of the book, Ted Fox says how he set out to tell the story of the Apollo, "the good and the bad", and this biography definitely delivers. There were places where it got a bit confusing for me, as someone who is less well-versed in the history of R&B, but overall the book does a pretty good job of conveying a lot of history in a very small number of pages. The art helps a lot with that too: I really liked the small portraits, showing whose recollections Fox was quoting from. And what a history! The Apollo really was at the heart of a lot of musical development and it definitely deserves to be better known about.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
mjspice's review
3.0
The artwork is something left to be desired. But overall it's an interesting look at a long standing establishment that paved the way for the greats.
uncommonlybound's review
4.0
The Apollo Theatre in Harlem has been a hotbed of musical innovations since it opened in the early decades of the 1900s. Musical Greats from Ella Fitzgerald to Michael Jackson got their start there and it was the ambition of countless other musicians to play there someday. From the stage lights, to the Tree of Hope, to the tough-to-impress audience, to the camaraderie of the performers behind-the-scenes, the Apollo Theatre became a sort of home for many.
Ted Fox's original history of the theatre, "Showtime at the Apollo" was published almost thirty years ago in the 1980s. This updated and illustrated edition literally shows the ever-changing faces and musical styles that graced its halls over the years. Whether you know nothing about the theatre or you are well-acquainted with it, this is a great look into an important piece of American history.
Ted Fox's original history of the theatre, "Showtime at the Apollo" was published almost thirty years ago in the 1980s. This updated and illustrated edition literally shows the ever-changing faces and musical styles that graced its halls over the years. Whether you know nothing about the theatre or you are well-acquainted with it, this is a great look into an important piece of American history.
theyalibrarian's review
5.0
Beautiful graphic novel/adaptation of "Showtime at the Apollo: The Epic Tale of Harlem's Legendary Theater". Read it once for the story/info. Then reopen and read a few more times to just absorb the incredible art. Beautiful.
teabooksart's review
4.0
Received free copy of unfinished draft from. netGalley. Looks very promising (coming from someone without much knowledge of music and history) and I enjoyed it quite a lot! I look forward to getting a finished copy in my hands.
realbooks4ever's review
4.0
4 stars for history
3 stars for execution
For my entire life the Apollo was this mystical place, far away on the eastern edge of the U.S. It’s where all the best rhythm ‘n blues and soul singers performed. All I could do was listen to their songs on my tiny transistor radio when I was a kid living in California.
Ted Fox, along with illustrator James Otis Smith, have pulled back the curtain and created a comprehensive history of the Apollo in graphic novel form. Through intensive research and actual interviews with many of the stars and people who worked in the background, this has to be one of the best compilations of historic insights on the subject. Originally published in 1983, the book has gone through several revisions with this edition being published in 2018.
The Apollo opened in 1934. It saw good times and bad times. The performers themselves had good times and bad. Some became superstars and some didn’t live long enough to find that fame. All their stories are here.
Now for the artwork. I’ve read many graphic novels and I know that layout is important. The story needs to flow along the page and naturally lead the reader’s eye to the next panel. This book fails in that respect. Although Smith’s unburdened portraits of the performers are spot-on, it was at times frustrating trying to figure out where I was supposed to read next.
The Apollo is no longer an enigma for me. I know it’s secrets. It’s historical value is great. This story is one not to miss!
3 stars for execution
For my entire life the Apollo was this mystical place, far away on the eastern edge of the U.S. It’s where all the best rhythm ‘n blues and soul singers performed. All I could do was listen to their songs on my tiny transistor radio when I was a kid living in California.
Ted Fox, along with illustrator James Otis Smith, have pulled back the curtain and created a comprehensive history of the Apollo in graphic novel form. Through intensive research and actual interviews with many of the stars and people who worked in the background, this has to be one of the best compilations of historic insights on the subject. Originally published in 1983, the book has gone through several revisions with this edition being published in 2018.
The Apollo opened in 1934. It saw good times and bad times. The performers themselves had good times and bad. Some became superstars and some didn’t live long enough to find that fame. All their stories are here.
Now for the artwork. I’ve read many graphic novels and I know that layout is important. The story needs to flow along the page and naturally lead the reader’s eye to the next panel. This book fails in that respect. Although Smith’s unburdened portraits of the performers are spot-on, it was at times frustrating trying to figure out where I was supposed to read next.
The Apollo is no longer an enigma for me. I know it’s secrets. It’s historical value is great. This story is one not to miss!