The literature of music…
Composer, musician, writer and raconteur, Ben Sidran republishes his classic There Was A Jew, which catalogues the impressive influence that the 12 Tribes have brought to American culture (and we’re not just talking about Ruebens and knishes). In the 400 pages, Sidran wittily weaves stories of cultural icons like Benny Goodman, Bob Dylan, George Gershwin and how the family, religious and musical traditions of Judaism have been a major influence on pop music, jazz and the blues. A fascinating tale that can be summed up in the old advertisement “always trust your car to the man who wears the star”.
Did anyone know that Mick Jagger had a younger brother? I’m sure some doubted he had a mother, I’m sure, but this recent book and disc by Chris Jagger is going to grab your attention if you’ve been conscious during some part of 1965-2000.
The book is a fly-on-the-wall collection of observations of growing up in Post-War England, taking part in the Counter Culture and having first had experience with bands and artists ranging from Buddy Guy to Small Faces, going on spiritual pilgrimages to India, and keeping a diary of the whole series of events. The mix of diary entrees and current reflections make for intriguing intake. Her personal journey is one worth reading about, and as Socrates said, the unexamined life is one not worth living.
The album, likewise, is worth hearing. It’s got a hip and eclectic team of Charlie Hart, Olly Blanchflower, John Etheridge, Dylan Howe and Neil Hubbard, to name a few, along with his older brother crashing the party. Most of the tunes are by the non-glimmer twins of Jagger and Hart, ranging from a cajuny honky tonker “Too Many Cockerals” and boogie-ing “A Love Like This” to a swampy “Loves’ Horn”. There’s an easy R&B feel to “Anyone Seen My Heart” and a fun calypso’d NO groove on a funky “Merry Go Round” . Quietly impressive, as most younger brothers are.