There And Back

[BeBop]

Anyone else read this?

It's an interesting read in a couple of ways. If you're a West Coast bebop hound, the descriptions of the clubs and gigs are pretty interesting, even if they read a little like a memory dump. (Fortunately, Porter had a decent memory).

Some of the musician stories - too few, by my taste - are amusing too. Few are really enlightening.

Drug culture plays a prominent role. In this regard, the book is fairly confessional and sometimes gritty.

Porter's one hit song plays almost endlessly as a theme. (Fortunately, I've been able to put its name out of mind for the moment.)

In there end, there are some similarities to the Hamp Hawes autobio (Raise Up Off Me), but this is a lesser choice. But, if you're like me and you like Porter, it may be worth a read.