Reading Jazz (Robert Gottlieb)

[slide_advantage_redoux]

I just picked up a hardback copy of the R.Gottlieb edited book entitled "Reading Jazz . a gathering of autobiography, reportage and criticism from 1919 to now" (publ. 1996)

Great book. Sure, the articles are drawn from other sources, and not in their entirety, but it is great reading.

Any other opinions on this book?

[BruceH]

There's some great stuff in it, but I don't recommend trying to read in all in one sitting.

[tonym]

Had this for a few years now and it's a great jumping off point from which to explore the complete books. Well put together and well represented by the new and the old(er).

[Brownian Motion]

Gottlieb was editor of New Yorker Magazine for a few years, and in that capacity he came under the influence of Whitney Balliet, who encouraged him to do the book.

Edited April 2, 2006 by Brownian Motion

[ghost of miles]

Bobby Scott's "The House in the Heart" memoir about Lester Young (found in this book) is probably one of the most moving pieces of writing about a jazz musician that I've ever read.

[Simon Weil]

There's loads of good stuff in this book. At the same time it seems to lack a (moral?) centre and be overblown. Like it makes up in weight of articles what it lacks in organising intelligence.

Like if this is what matters about Jazz........

Simon Weil

[md655321]

I picked this one up at a Border's Outlet a few years ago for 3.99. Definitely well worth the price!

Alot of the articles seem a little conservative for my taste, with most articles dealing with free jazz or electric jazz doing so derisively. Other than that, some beautiful stuff, especially the Braxton interview and the bill Evans piece.

[andybleaden]

Yeh

I bought and instantly regretted it until I actually read it. It looked like a pile of do do but it was really interesting mix of articles , mostly about the types of jazz I do not listen to which was informative.

A worthwhile collection of different pieces

Andy