Stanley Crouch Parker biography reviewed

[JSngry]

Well yeah. There's a big difference between playing, and then having it naturally become part of something ongoing, and deciding up front that you're participating in American Mythology or some overripe bullshit like that and then going out to play.

Seems to me that once you buy all the way into a theory like that, you're no longer participating directly in it, but are instead becoming an impartial observer. Because this "mythology" (or whatever the hell it is) that everybody wants to love is the result of, not the impetus for. the action. If I spontaneously make love to a woman all night long, it's pure magic. If I pick her up specifically to just do her all night, it's simply stunt-fucking. Ain't no magic nowhere in sight.

It's the lesson of Eden all over again - the way that Evil co-opts Truth & Beauty is to package and sell back to you what you already had for free. And it's sold back in significantly reduced quantity, because once you give it up, ain't never no getting it all back.

There's a sucker born every minute...

[Simon Weil]

Thanks for that clarification, Simon. Was leaning towards understanding it as the mythology of jazz itself, that when you step on stage you're stepping into the story of jazz up to that point and are extending, repeating, or reworking that story according to who you are and what you know about music, what you're trying to express.

Actually that would also be valid - Murray has a stance very like this, drawing on Malraux. I'm not sure if this is what they mean by mythology.

I think not (probably).

Simon Weil

[Fer Urbina]

Apparently the first bit of Bird's bio is already available for pre-order, it already has been assigned a ISBN number, and, according to Amazon, it will be published in 2020 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kansas-City-Lightn...r/dp/0679438149

As for what's been said about myths, I'm against them through and through for many reasons, one being that musicians like Ellington, Satchmo, Bird, Coltrane, Miles... not only don't really need any mythology added, but it may hinder our appreciation of their actual greatness.

F

[Dan Gould]

Apparently the first bit of Bird's bio is already available for pre-order, it already has been assigned a ISBN number, and, according to Amazon, it will be published in 2020 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kansas-City-Lightn...r/dp/0679438149

As for what's been said about myths, I'm against them through and through for many reasons, one being that musicians like Ellington, Satchmo, Bird, Coltrane, Miles... not only don't really need any mythology added, but it may hinder our appreciation of their actual greatness.

F

If you google the title, you'll see that the West Orange Public Library may have a copy soon. Maybe 7/4 can tell us about it.

[Dan Gould]

By the way, Allbookstores.com has it listed as an August publication. I would guess that the 2020 date is the projected publication of the final volume.

[Christiern]

I wonder if Stanley is practicing his punch--he might have to apply his fist to a good number of reviewers.

[Tom Storer]

Gary Giddins once reported that Crouch had generously shared his Bird research with him at one point, and he praised both the research and the generosity. I really have trouble reading Crouch, but I'll get this in the hopes of learning more about Charlie Parker. Crouch we already know about.

[EKE BBB]

Gary Giddins once reported that Crouch had generously shared his Bird research with him at one point, and he praised both the research and the generosity. ...

Yep. That's in the Acknowledgements section of his "Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker" book.

Edited August 8, 2007 by EKE BBB

[Fer Urbina]

Anyone knows anything about Crouch's Bird bio?

F

[Christiern]

No...

...and if it's anything like his novel, I don't want to know.

Let's hope he surprises us with a good job...hell, at this point any Bird dropping from Stanley would be a surprise.

[AllenLowe]

I've heard the working title is:

bird and ME

Edited March 6, 2008 by AllenLowe

[Christiern]

I heard that it was...

ME and Bird

[AllenLowe]

you're right - I was looking at it in the mirror -

[Christiern]

I understand that one reason for the delay is that he is working on other books.

• How Gumbo Became My Favorite Food
  
• How I Saved Money On Halloween
  
• Don't My Book Look Lonesome...
  

Heard of any more, Allen?

[AllenLowe]

there's "Agree with me or I'll Hit You" - book of the month selection -

[Christiern]

Sorry, I had forgotten about that one.

His novel was a joke, but I understand it didn't have punch line.

That always puzzled me.

[Fer Urbina]

(I still hope that Crouch's Bird bio will come out, but thanks for this)

[John L]

I heard that it was...

ME and Bird

If he wants to use that title, I am afraid that he will have to buy the copyright from Orrin Keepnews.

[Christiern]

:rolleyes: Isn't that...

ME and Monk?

[Teasing the Korean]

I received an advance copy. I was expecting the worst, but I have to say, I was really moved by the description of Bird first hearing Wynton Marsalis blowing over the changes to "Cherokee" next to the walk-in freezer.

[John L]

:rolleyes: Isn't that...

ME and Monk?

Could be. But I think Orrin may have copywrited the whole

ME

thing

Edited March 7, 2008 by John L

[Christiern]

Ahhhh, the

ME OK deal. But, of course!

Is it true that he has assembled his liner notes into a book....and that he is calling it an autobiography?

[Fer Urbina]

It looks like it'll come out in September.

Harper Collins website.

F

[paul secor]

I can wait.

[AllenLowe]

well, I will say that years ago Crouch wrote an article in the New Republic about the movie Bird, and it was a brilliant piece; and I am told by people who have seen this book that the research he did for it is quite important. So, you never know.....