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Title: Living With Music: Ralph Ellison's Jazz Writings by Ralph Ellison, Robert G. O'Meally ISBN: 0-375-76023-7 Publisher: Modern Library Pub. Date: 14 May, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Must Have for Those Seeking A Literary Exploration thru Jazz
Comment: Ellison remains one of the finest writers on jazz to have ever taken pen to paper. "Living with Music" is living proof, even though he is no longer with us. This book is ideal for readers seeking a literary exploration through jazz. In addition to Ellison's writings, Robert O'Meally's introduction offers keen insight into the style of jazz culture.
I wouldn't recommend this book to readers looking for an introduction to jazz. For that, I would suggest sticking to liner notes, writings by musicians, and objective writers. However, for those who are looking to explore the whole of jazz culture, that moves beyond the listen, you'll thoroughly enjoy the read. My personal favorite is "Cadillac Flambe." "The Charlie Christian Story" contains some of my favorite quotes on jazz culture.
Rating: 2
Summary: Surprisingly dull and dry
Comment: With a reputation like Ellison has, I would expect his writings on jazz to be full of writerly insight which would bring to life the music as seen through the eyes of someone very perceptive. This is not the case. Instead, the book is a series of difficult, dry, mostly trivial essays culled together by, it seems, an editor with a taste for publishing something that would sell and impress rather than something worth reading.
Many essays in this book are reviews of obscure recordings or ruminations on artists most people haven't heard of. Most of the writings also date from the late 50's, giving the content a lack of perspective to our modern ears. Ellison also comes across as somewhat of a curmudgeon, disdaining "modern" jazz and "so-called rock and roll" (his term), adding yet another layer of unreliability.
Ultimately, I found myself skimming through essays I either didn't understand, or didn't care to. Much more relevant and lively jazz essays can be found in numerous other books.
The ultimate disappointment, I think, is that the book doesn't make me want to listen to jazz. It convinces me I don't understand it.
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Title: The Collected Essays of Ralph Ellison by Ralph Ellison, John F. Callahan ISBN: 0812968263 Publisher: Modern Library Pub. Date: 09 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: The Jazz Cadence of American Culture by Robert O'Meally, Robert G. O'Meally ISBN: 0231104499 Publisher: Columbia University Press Pub. Date: 15 October, 1998 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
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Title:Ralph Ellison: Living With Music ASIN: B0000663Z0 Publisher: Sony Pub. Date: 30 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.98 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $16.98 |
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Title: Stomping the Blues by Albert Murray ISBN: 0306803623 Publisher: Da Capo Press Pub. Date: August, 1989 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Cultural Contexts for Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man: A Bedford Documentary Companion by Eric J. Sundquist ISBN: 0312100817 Publisher: Bedford Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 1995 List Price(USD): $12.10 |
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