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Kansas City Lightning: The Rise And Times Of Charlie Parker (2007)

by Stanley Crouch(Favorite Author)

3.84 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0062005596 (ISBN13: 9780062005595)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Harper

review 1: Stanley Crouch writes sweetly; words, phrases, images flow, sweeping a reader into the music, the pulse of life to which Charlie responded. This book provides the discoverable facts, the outline of Charlie's life from a brief glance at his youth through to 1940-41. But what it truly offers is a view of the world Charlie inhabited. A reader can learn U.S. history, music theory, sketches of other musicians' lives, effects of the Great Depression, race relations of the times, all presented in evocative, thrumming prose as events and circumstances of the times provide a clear sense of Charlie's "times." Interviews with people who worked and lived with him are used sparingly but effectively to deepen knowledge of Charlie as he struggled to master his instrument and gain sta... morending in the demanding arena of Kansas City music with its nightly smackdowns and morning freak shows. This book stands as a work of thorough scholarship written by one who knows Parker and his world through and through. That it is written in musical, evocative, and erudite language that pulls a reader deeply into the music and the life is a gift that made it a book very hard to put down.
review 2: Crouch bends language like Parker bends harmonies, all while providing essential context and content around the evolution of Parker's style. His irascible and pugnacious voice provides a realistic counterpoint to Parker's melodious waterfalls. Wonderful and essential digressions on boxing, other players and cities that Parker visited as he mastered his instrument and developed his extremely personal style. Excellently researched, especially around Parker's first marriage and his propensity to seek musical mentors and revel in their influence and acceptance. Hard to believe it only covers the first 20 years of his life-- Parker did more from age 15- 18 than most of us do in a lifetime. Excellent. Can't wait for volume two. Not just for jazz lovers but for anyone, as Wynton Marsalis blurbs on the back, interested in "American possibility." less

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