Ooo Wee ! ! What a great esoteric book ! Although, putting that label on it understates how good this 584 page gem is. Jam-crammed and fact-filled, this book is really written for the likes of DJZigZag and Sweet Daddy Fonk Wong and the rest of you nutzoid crazies who are into this kind of minutiae. We are talkin' 'bout those picky facts that bring about a dazed look from your spouse or lover when quoted. I'm talkin' wonderful bits of much-coveted New World African Music history. And to make things worse, (from the perspective of those same aforementioned individuals) this book isn't just about the singers and musicians and their music but about the business and the business-people behind the independent record companies who recorded and distributed our heroes music.It does quote recollections like this;
"THE BILL DOGGETT COMBO played regularly in Detroit, especially at the Flame Show Bar, which was a snazzy black-and-tan club where aspiring young writer Roquel "Billy" Davis and Berry Gordy would hang out with the sharp-dressed, racially mixed clientele. "I'd take friends down to see Bill's group," said Jim Wilson, and the whole joint would really be rocking with the songs. Bill could play sweet melodic tunes, or things like "Honky Tonk."
John Broven, the writer, then goes on (for two pages) to tell particulars of how "Honky Tonk Pt. 1 & 2" was recorded and became a huge Pop and R&B hit. When DJZigZag read this section of the book, with never before recounted facts, it seemed to glint from the pages like gold in his eyes - probably 'cause this 1956 instrumental was, and still is to this day, DJZZ's favourite record of all time.
We know you will love "Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of The Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers" - [University of Illinois Press / 2009]
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