 "Incomparable Analysis of Hendrix's Influence on Music and Society" | 2005-08-04 |
| - Reviewed By jhookallstar |
This is not your typical chronological biography of an influential figure. In this outstanding piece of literary work, Charles Murray delves far beyond the superficial facts into far more profound terrritory. The author sets the standard by which all books dealing with the subject matter of Hendrix and era surrounding his meteorical ascension to the pinnacle of the fledging American rock culture should be judged. Thoroughly researched, the book is annotated with richly descriptive language that sheds new light on the role the cultural, social and political dynamics played in shaping Hendrix's life and the opposing impact he had on these dynamics. Paraphrasing an observation made by a prior reviewer, Murray transcends the almost inexplicable emotion evoked by Hendrix's art into eloquent, thought provoking prose. I found myself rereading many of the passages because I was so struck by the author's incisive and beautifully written statements.
The chapter's are as follows (possibly out of order and an omission or two as I recently lent my copy to a friend):
Chapter 1: The 60's, or the "We Decade". Murray delves into factors that engender the policitical, social, and musical climate of the late 60's within Britain and the United States. He astutely examines the contradictions, successes, failures, and outcomes from one of the most compelling eras of the last century. Hendrix's role as an iconic figure is also discussed in detail. The themes established here reemerge at various stages throughout the remaining chapters of the book.
Chapter 2: The Facts about Hendrix. The author reviews all the pubically known facts in a very straight forward fashion.
Chapter 3: Hendrix and women. Murray explores the background of women as the subject matter in rock and blues music and Jimi's volatile relationship with the female form. He analyzes how the influence of Jimi's "muse" manifested herself in various forms within his lyrics.
Chapter 4: Hendrix's role as a racial figure. Murray closely investigates all the elements encompassing the paradox of Jimi's cultural status: A black man playing to a white audience playing music popularized by whites rooted in the black musical tradition of blues.
Chapter 5: A critical comparison of his career with Robert Johnson's and Charlie Christian's; two fellow African American guitarists who similarily rose quickly to prominence, gained legendary status, and left a profound impact on Western Musical tradition.
Chapter 6: Hendrix and the Blues. An inciteful history (although brief by comparison since their are entire books on the subject) of the blues within the context of American and British culture as well as an exploration into how the african american muscial form influenced Hendrix and his place in history as one of its most important purveyor of the blues.
Chapter 7: Hendrix and Soul music. Describes the birth and growth of soul music, its influence on Henrdrix, and his corresponding influence upon the genre.
Chapter 8: Hendrix and Jazz music. Similiar to the previous chapter in its framework, it also explores what Hendrix might have done had been granted an opportunity to fulfill his musical potential and desires. Murray also establishes Hendrix as a seminal influence to the fusion movement.
Chapter 9: Categorizing Hendrix. A short but necessary acknowledgement using Hendrix as the definitive example of how it is impossible to categorize music without performing somewhat of a disservice to the artist.
Each chapter is carefully interwoven with quotes from Hendrix's comtemporary musicians, modern day artists (at the time of publication), other seminal literary works on music, as well as Hendrix's own lyrics and interview quotes. They provide an effective framework to buttress Murray's analysis and to serve as a transitional device between tangential arguements.
The size and depth of Murray's bibliography is as impressive as writing. It is another example of the level of scholarship at which he operates at. Also included is an exhaustive list of albums by other artists seperated by genre that either had an influence on Hendrix or were influenced by Hendrix.
Echoeing Robert Palmer's comments on the book jacket, "The artistry of this book is equal to that of its subject matter". If you want a traditional biography, this might not be exactly what you are searching for. However, if you seek to go beneath the surface of the iconoclastic Hendrix, his music, and the times he lived in, there is no better source. A truly illuminating experience and arguably the greatest book on rock'n'roll ever written. |
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| "Superb Analysis" | 2004-05-03 |
| - Reviewed By bouzoukia |
| Although most fans will be content with the 'Electric Gypsy' bio (which is equally good), "Crosstown Traffic" is more than a mere biography, and as such, invaluable for all Jimi fanatics. The book is 1/4 bio, 1/4 Jimi's influences (as well as those subsequently influenced by him), 1/4 comparisons between peers and other black artists, and 1/4 conjecture based on his final days. They've included a list of bootlegs (obviously out of date, but still pretty comprehensive) as well as all legitimate Hendrix material, and a guide to Jimiphiles on what artists to check out that might catch their interest. |
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| "An Excellent Book" | 2003-03-01 |
| - Reviewed By premature |
| This is my favorite book about not only Jimi Hendrix, but Robert Johnson and Charlie Christian too. Occasionally Charles Shaar Murray gets a little carried away during his wordy descriptions, but it doesn't matter. If you want to learn about the evolution of African American guitarists, this is the place to start. |
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| "Life R&R and the whole damn thing" | 2000-06-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: A15ZPEDPQX6YUT |
| Perhaps the best book written on rock music. |
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| "The Most Insightful On Jimi Thus Far" | 2000-04-28 |
| - Reviewed By takfam |
| Unlike the usual gossip-laden rock bios (which I sometimes relish too, I'll admit), Murray's book is a serious piece of work. I've yet to come across a rock author as capable as Murray in analyzing the most important aspect of our Jimi-worship-- the MUSIC. Murray's book delves into the sociocultural groundwork of Jimi's musical style, and makes very astute leaps in connecting Jimi's music to various influences. Murray is perhaps the most intelligent rock biographer I've ever read (and I've read most of the major ones). At certain times, it's as though Murray's descriptive skill nearly matches his subject's musical genius. In any event, this book certainly does Jimi justice. Murray's descriptions of some of Jimi's well-known material are awesome. He describes an instance of Jimi's tight playing as (sorry if I slightly misquote) a "propulsive ball of rhythm, densely packed with ideas," and so forth. Murray is singularly able to verbally express what we deeply feel about Jimi's music, but have a hard time explaining to others. You know how tough it is to convince non-believers why you KNOW that Jimi is a genius, when they think that he was merely a hyped-up, noisy, wildman-clown, right? Well, read Charles Murray's book. I think it'll sooth your soul, and you'll come away with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of his subject. Hats off to Murray! |
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| "An excellent read - about Jimi and everything else" | 2000-03-10 |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
| What an excellent book! Although there is ample info on Jimi, this book really shines in its discussions of Hendrix' music within the social/political context of the 60's. I feel like I gained lots of great insight into how the era really was, and it all makes more sense now. Racism, sexism, mythology, the blues, jazz, and soul, and influences/influencees are all discussed in depth. Very pertinent to understanding today's issues as well. An example: There's an excellent chapter which discusses the varying views of success among different socio-economic groups. In it, there is a description of a meeting between the Beatles and the Supremes, and their different attitudes towards fame. The Beatles are laying around smoking dope, expecting these wild ladies to show up and anticipating the ensuing orgy. The Supremes show up with a chaperon, dressed immaculately with elbow length gloves, and are horrified by these English slobs. This anecdote goes a long way towards explaining grunge apathy from spoiled trust-fund kids vs. flamboyant stage shows from the likes of Ricky Martin,etc. To youth who have eveything, success is disdained; to those who had nothing, success is relished. Every chapter is well-written and packed full of social insights like this. Murray does not under-estimate the intelligence of his readers when he tosses off an early chapter containing just the documented facts about Jimi Hendrix. We all know the basic facts, they've already been repeated endlessly in hundreds of books and magazines. This book goes much further. |
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| "Life R&R and the whole damn thing" | |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
| Perhaps the best book written on rock music. |
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