Soul Reading Material Suggestions

[Supercorsa]

I was just sitting here pondering if any of you could recommend any fanzines or books.

I've only got copies of the following books: The In Crowd - Mike Ritson & Stuart Russell , Casino - Dave Shaw , Soul Survivors - Russ Winstanley (didn't know any better at the time!).

As for fanzines last month I got a copy of Mr Rimmers - Soulful Kinda Music. The one time I attended Scenesville, I bought a copy of Derek Pearsons - Shades of Soul (actually bought Majestic - Send My Baby Back after reading this). I even have a copy of Togetherness somewhere.

Being the tight git that I am, when at a do I think shall I buy a mag or another drink or two? Unfortunately the drink always wins.

Anyway, before all the Authors get on here plugging their mags & books, can anyone who actually reads them point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

[Guest Chris Waterman]

I was just sitting here pondering if any of you could recommend any fanzines or books.

I've only got copies of the following books: The In Crowd - Mike Ritson & Stuart Russell , Casino - Dave Shaw  , Soul Survivors - Russ Winstanley    (didn't know any better at the time!).

As for fanzines last month I got a copy of Mr Rimmers - Soulful Kinda Music.  The one time I attended Scenesville, I bought a copy of Derek Pearsons - Shades of Soul (actually bought Majestic - Send My Baby Back after reading this). I even have a copy of Togetherness somewhere.

Being the tight git that I am, when at a do I think shall I buy a mag or another drink or two?  Unfortunately the drink always wins. 

Anyway, before all the Authors get on here plugging their mags & books, can anyone who actually reads them point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

link

I think promoters should put out a slection of reading material at venues, say in the record bar on a coffee table and if you liked any you could buy them

What do you think Soultown Andy could we trust them?

[Guest]

The following books are a few which i enjoyed.

Sweet Soul Music - Peter Guralnick (Mojo Books)

Calling Out Around The World (A Motown Reader) - edited by Kingsley Abbott (Helter Skelter)

Soulsville USA (The Story of Stax Records) - Rob Newman ( Schirmer Trade)

The Story of Chess Records - John Collis (Bloomsbury)

All Music Guide To Soul - (Backbeat Books)

The Rare Soul Bible - Dave Rimmer (Bee Cool)

Quite a few others to that are deleted try the WWW.

Brett

[Chalky]

Chicago Soul by Robert Pruter one of the best books I've read.

[Guest]

Chicago Soul by Robert Pruter one of the best books I've read.

link

Must agree here, picked a few things up blind after reading Mr Pruters superb work.

[Guest Byrney]

Berry, Motown and Me by Miss Ray (Raynoma Gordy Singleton) is an interesting read. You'll get it on Amazon

[Iancsloft]

Berry, Motown and Me by Miss Ray (Raynoma Gordy Singleton) is an interesting read. You'll get it on Amazon

link

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Got to agree top class read that one, when I bought a copy several years ago

I started to read it and did,nt put it down till the end, all day of a job but well

worth it......

[Guest garv]

Troubled man-about Marvin gaye, not sure of the author as i lent it out & aint seen it for a while. A great read .

Garv.

[Guest]

Second that Garv, amazing read. A life truly wasted just like mine.

If you'd like to waste the prime of your life, get down to Lightwater on 26.3.05

& i'll show you some interesting writing on the toilet walls

[jazzyjas]

My two favorite music books are:

1. Last Night a DJ Saved My Life-I absolutely loved this book! It covered damn near every scene that ever had a DJ involved, even dating back to the first public assembly of people to dance to recorded music around 1910 in the UK. Has whole chapters devoted to northern soul, reggae, disco, hip hop, house, etc. It's a British book, too-so it's very comprehensive and covers absolutely everything I think. I'm a difficult person to impress when it comes to books about music, but this book was mindblowing!

2. Spinning Blues Into Gold: The Story of the Chess Brothers and the Legendary Chess Records. This is another amazing book for people like us. It literally gives a blow by blow account of the goings on at Chess records since day one. It was jam-packed with information producers, arrangers, pressing plants, etc., so it kept me riveted the whole time.

I reccomend both of these books because they both help get your head around every cool thing that has ever happened with the culture of black music and dance music, in general. Between these two books, it will help you get everything into a time line in your head of what went on and when, plus who was involved. Can't reccomend these books enough.

KTF

Jas

[Guest garv]

My two favorite music books are:

1. Last Night a DJ Saved My Life-I absolutely loved this book! It covered damn near every scene that ever had a DJ involved, even dating back to the first public assembly of people to dance to recorded music around 1910 in the UK. Has whole chapters devoted to northern soul, reggae, disco, hip hop, house, etc. It's a British book, too-so it's very comprehensive and covers absolutely everything I think. I'm a difficult person to impress when it comes to books about music, but this book was mindblowing!

2. Spinning Blues Into Gold: The Story of the Chess Brothers and the Legendary Chess Records. This is another amazing book for people like us. It literally gives a blow by blow account of the goings on at Chess records since day one. It was jam-packed with information producers, arrangers, pressing plants, etc., so it kept me riveted the whole time.

I reccomend both of these books because they both help get your head around every cool thing that has ever happened with the culture of black music and dance music, in general. Between these two books, it will help you get everything into a time line in your head of what went on and when, plus who was involved. Can't reccomend these books enough.

KTF

Jas

link

Hi Jas,

Last night a dj saved my life..........this is the dog`s of a book

Love the stuff about Larry levine, a real genius.

Garv.

Edited February 4, 2005 by garv

[Guest]

Completely agree with Brett on "Callin out around the world- a Motown Reader"...Kolla bought it for me for Xmas and it's amazing. Makes you angry that you were'nt around during what must have been an amazing era......

[Guest Dan]

It's very hard to convey the excitement and adrenalin rush music gives you in words. This isn't just a soul problem - there are, notoriously, very few really good books about any kind of music (though lots of good magazine articles and extended features). Being a book bore as well as a common or garden bore I buy all the soul books I can get my hand on but I always find them hard going (even the Robert Pruter book which contains lots of info but also misses a lot of stuff).

In my view the best journalism (which all non-fiction is) about soul music is contained in Shades of Soul, Soul Up North and other fanzines (and also this and other soul-related forums). Books are very hard to recommend on the whole.

Edited February 3, 2005 by Dan

[Guest Soultown andy]

Dont know about that Mr Waterman,are you thinking of supplying me with the material on sale or return[thought not].Highly recomend,A touch of classic soul,soul singers of the early 70s,Marc Taylor.Nowhere to run ,Gerri Hershi 2 very good reads.

[Guest 71TRSC]

Divided Soul by Mike Ritz a biography of Marvin Gaye and Where did our love go by Nelson George a history of Motown both worth reading.

[Guest in town Mikey]

I was given - Ray Charles - Man and Music, by Michael Lydon as a Xmas pressie 14 months ago.

Its a real tome, but every page keeps you wanting more. No issues are shirked, it deals with his womanising, drug addictions, his notorious foul temper and all his foibles, so it isnt a kissy arsey waste of time.

It covers all the changes in Ray's musical directions, both succesful and less so.

I cant say I was particularly a fan, but I am now. I have even bored Kev from Burnley about the members of The Raelets singing on a single he sold me.

I now cant wait to see if the film deals with his life in just such a way. I'm expecting the usual American glossing over of facts. I hope I am pleasantly surprised.

[Guest rachel]

I was given - Ray Charles - Man and Music, by Michael Lydon as a Xmas pressie 14 months ago.

Its a real tome, but every page keeps you wanting more. No issues are shirked, it deals with his womanising, drug addictions, his notorious foul temper and all his foibles, so it isnt a kissy arsey waste of time.

It covers all the changes in Ray's musical directions, both succesful and less so.

I cant say I was particularly a fan, but I am now. I have even bored Kev from Burnley about the members of The Raelets singing on a single he sold me.

I now cant wait to see if the film deals with his life in just such a way. I'm expecting the usual American glossing over of facts. I hope I am pleasantly surprised.

link

I haven't read the book but saw the film last weekend and while I don't suppose it goes into the same level of detail, it definitely doesn't gloss over the darker aspects of his life, particularly his relationships, drug-taking and flashbacks to his childhood. I knew bits and pieces of his life story beforehand but I found it gripping... how troubled he was, and how determined and downright awkward he could be! Bit disappointed by the 'detox' scene that reminded me of Trainspotting, and the end which fast-forwards through the later part of his life in a bit of a cheesy documentary style, but in the main I was very impressed.

Rachel

[Guest in town Mikey]

I haven't read the book but saw the film last weekend and while I don't suppose it goes into the same level of detail, it definitely doesn't gloss over the darker aspects of his life, particularly his relationships, drug-taking and flashbacks to his childhood. I knew bits and pieces of his life story beforehand but I found it gripping... how troubled he was, and how determined and downright awkward he could be! Bit disappointed by the 'detox' scene that reminded me of Trainspotting, and the end which fast-forwards through the later part of his life in a bit of a cheesy documentary style, but in the main I was very impressed.

Rachel

link

Cool. The detox bit in the book is pretty graphic, but like Dan says its difficult to get emotions into words. In the book it says Ray really rebelled against it most of the time, and resented any help he was given. His addiction to alcohol and coffee seemed to be because he needed a crutch, and this was a 'legal' alternative to the heroin, and meant he could consume enough without ending up back in jail.

Hope to get to the film next week.

[Guest]

I was just sitting here pondering if any of you could recommend any fanzines or books.

the beano , the bunty, and the bare arse monthly[ stompers wives]

[Guest alison]

I'm re-reading an excellent book called The Hitmen at the moment - about payola and the shady business practises of the major labels. There's quite a lot of soul references, and specific insight into why some of the fantastic records we listen to never had a hope in hell of being a commercial success.

Other old faves, as previously mentioned - Nowhere to Run, and Last Night a DJ saved my life; and the dogs dangly bits of all dance, disco and music scene books - Love Saves the Day by Tim Lawrence...no book has touched club culture quite so well IMO.

[Guest waynec]

couple of others

women of motown by dave marsh

a change is gonna come by craig werner which is about black music from all eras in the usa.

sure i read mr gordy,s autobiography as well but cant find it at the mo.

garv youre marvin gaye books being well looked after

[Guest]

I'd strongly recommend Tony Douglas book on Jackie Wilson.......The Man, The Music, The Mob

Brilliant read!!!!!

John

[davidwapples]

i have lots of manifesto, togetherness and in the basement magazines which once i have completed reading i will probably sell on cheap

i will put an advert in the sales column when i do so probably in a months time

[slimharpo]

Some more Soul reads

Clyde McPhatter - Colin Escott - Short but sweet

Nowhere To Run - Gerri Hershey - A nice general read about soul music

The Sound Of The City - Charlie Gillett - The transition from R&R/R&B to Soul

Honkers & Shouters - Arnold Shaw - Mostly R&B oriented and good chapters on OKEH/Old Town/ Groove/Herald record labels

The Sound Of Philadelphia - Tony Cummings - From the 50s to the 70s - A great read from one of the UK soul writing pioneers

And last but not least - Last Train To Memphis - Peter Guralnick - It's not about R&R per se in fact It's a great read, hard to put down and Guralnick gets you to understand and feel how Elvis came to be so big. Lots of R&B references too

SLIM

[Guest garv]

couple of others

women of motown   by   dave marsh

a change is gonna come  by  craig werner  which is about black music from all eras in the usa.

sure i read mr gordy,s autobiography as well but cant find it at the mo.

garv youre marvin gaye books being well looked after

link

Wayne,

I come round your gaff, drink coffee ( tell Mr Gillard to sort his catering out) & you dont even tell me its you that has the book, ive been giving big Dave a rollocking about it!

its made me laugh though , i was sure Dave had it.

One word for for you Mr Clark..................... Slippery

Garv.

Edited February 4, 2005 by garv

[Steve Edgar]

I was just sitting here pondering if any of you could recommend any fanzines or books.

Thanks.

link

"Off The Record Motown By Master Number 1959-1989" Reginald J Bartlette, I find this essential reading for insomnia! Only 500 and odd pages... but boy are they big!

(it's a Tome!!!)

Steve

[Guest Rich]

Some more Soul reads

And last but not least - Last Train To Memphis - Peter Guralnick - It's not about R&R per se in fact It's a great read, hard to put down and Guralnick gets you to understand and feel how Elvis came to be so big. Lots of R&B references too 

SLIM

link

This is a great book - and so is the rest of Guralnicks work. Sweet Soul Music has already been mentioned, but 'Lost Highway' and 'Feel like going home' are well worth chasing up.

Also check out 'Dancing in the Street' by Suzanne E. Smith - not just about the music but the role music played in the 60s civil rights movement.

Also, its worth chasing up back issues of 'Voices'

[Guest]

A couple of years ago when Betty Lavette appeared at the Blackpool Winter Gardens she appeared on R Searlings show along with a guy named David Freeland.He was promoting his book called Ladies of Soul,it chronicles the lives of Maxine Brown,Ruby Johnson,Timi Yuro,Denise Lasalle,Barbara Mason,Carla Thomas and Betty Lavette.Its written in a type of interview style and makes fascinating reading about their struggles to get started in the music industry.

Would definitly recommend it.The index alone is like a whos who of soul.Might be being a bit naive but couldn't believe how many artists got f*cked up by drink & drugs.

Stamford