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Post by kalisa2 on Dec 18, 2005 19:02:39 GMT -5
Has anybody read the new-ish book on Sam, "Dream Boogie, the Triumph of Sam Cooke" by Peter Guralnick? I just got it, but haven't had a chance to read. The reviews made it sound like a good one. Any pre-views for me ?
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nish
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by nish on Dec 19, 2005 22:01:47 GMT -5
Hi Kalisa. I finished the book about two weeks ago. Do NOT read this book if you prefer your legends bleached and sanitized. Do not read this book if you want sordid conspiracy theories. However, if you want to see an author with an uncanny ability to capture the voices of the people about whom he writes, if you want to see a multifaceted portrait - the good and the bad - of this legendary pioneer, this is the book for you. I particularly found Sam's relationship with Barbara to be the most astounding part of the book. In addition to being a comprehensive bio of Sam Cooke, it also offers an excellent narrative of the gospel scene and early R&B scene that was just taking hold in the 1950s. It also offers great insight into the music business during that era. As a Clyde McPhatter fan, I also appreciated the glimpses into his character that the book offered.
Overall, I think this has to be the most well done musical biography I've ever read. Guralnick delivered a masterpiece, and Sam Cooke got the deluxe treatment an artist of his stature deserves.
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Post by kalisa2 on Dec 19, 2005 22:15:46 GMT -5
Hi Kalisa. I finished the book about two weeks ago. Do NOT read this book if you prefer your legends bleached and sanitized. Do not read this book if you want sordid conspiracy theories. However, if you want to see an author with an uncanny ability to capture the voices of the people about whom he writes, if you want to see a multifaceted portrait - the good and the bad - of this legendary pioneer, this is the book for you. I particularly found Sam's relationship with Barbara to be the most astounding part of the book. In addition to being a comprehensive bio of Sam Cooke, it also offers an excellent narrative of the gospel scene and early R&B scene that was just taking hold in the 1950s. It also offers great insight into the music business during that era. As a Clyde McPhatter fan, I also appreciated the glimpses into his character that the book offered. Overall, I think this has to be the most well done musical biography I've ever read. Guralnick delivered a masterpiece, and Sam Cooke got the deluxe treatment an artist of his stature deserves. THANKS, Nish...coming from you, that review is high praise indeed! I can't wait until all the holiday hustle and bustle is over so I can delve into this... it sounds like it really deserves my full attention. Sam was such a multifaceted talent and person, I can't wait to read the "deluxe treatment"!!!
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Post by Weak4Weeks on Dec 20, 2005 1:33:13 GMT -5
I am a new Sam Cooke fan, I listened to his music over my uncle's house as a child, but recently got a few CDs and I am definitely interested in purchasing this book, especially after THAT review Nish.
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