Jorma Kaukonen's new book, "Been So Long: My Life and Music"  was just released!  (I pre-ordered it months ago).  It just jumped into first position after I finish the novel I'm currently reading (Christopher Moore's "Blood Sucking Fiends").  I anticipate Jorma's book is going to be a good read.

Bill, tgo

Thanks Bill,

I hope he talks a bit about Altamont !

First hand recollections are what you really want to hear !!

Thanks Bill I'm going to order it.Btw did you read Christopher Moores "Noir" /

Let us know what you think of it.

1) I just read Noir; it's freakin' GREAT!  My habit is to choose an author & read everything, in order; I'm currently working my way through Richard Russo, but Moore's next on the list.


2) Jorma has a book??? Sweet! Thanks for letting us know!  Based on what I've read of his blog, I'm expecting something on a level with Phil's & Levon's books; can't wait!!!


Peter

Peter, I tend to do the same with authors and right now it's Moore's turn.  Haven't gotten to Noir yet.  If you like Moore, and you haven't checked them out yet, I strongly recommend Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen.  And I couldn't agree more on the comps.  Phil and Levon's books are, IMHO, the two finest written rock autobiograpies I've ever read.

Bill, tgo

Thanks, Bill - I'll check Dorsey out (read Hiaasen about 10 years ago, and loved him).

Peter

Dorsey's my favorite since Vonnegut and Robbins.  Your going to love his books.

Bill, tgo

Wow!! Same breath as Vonnegut?!?!?!? OK, I gots to read this guy!

Peter (Who considers Kurt to be the greatest American writer, period.)

Always loved Vonnegut's books, too. It's been long since I've read one though.

Bill, Dorsey's Wikipedia page lists his novels twice; once in publication order & once in storyline chronological order.  Which way would you recommend?

Peter

Here's what Dorsey says on his website:

"Why dead people show up in later books"

"Although the timeline of the first five books in the series is non-chronological, they are meant to be read non-chronologically (in the publication order in which they were release).

The lists below are provided in case you started in the middle and wanted to know where you were (think of it all like the order of the Star Wars movie series)."


I read them in order of publication.  And while we're on books that take place in Florida, another great one is John D. MacDonald's  "Travis McGee" series.  Not slightly twisted, like the other authors we've been discussing, but great action stories with more than a skosh of social comment mixed in.

Bill, tgo

Thanks; publication order it is.
And yeah, the McGee series is good.

Peter

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Is anyone else reading Jorma's book?  I'm 70% through it and I had to take a break.  It's been a very disappointing read.  I've forced myself to stick with it this far, but I don't know if I'll finish it.  He really needed a co-author or, at least, an editor.  He keeps repeating himself and the book is mostly him telling us that he had a lousy family (he mentions at least a dozen times at different points in the book that he never was close with his brother), telling us that he had a lousy first marriage of 20 years, (also repeated many times),  telling over and over again how he was immature, telling (many times) how much he loves driving, telling how he loves motorcycles and cars, including different types of carburetors and mufflers, his world travels while growing up, his numerous trips to Scandanavia to learn speed skating, and, oh yea, he also played music, did drugs, and drank booze.  Monterey Pop, Woodstock, and Altamont get a few paragraphs each.  The entire run of the Jefferson Airplane was only about ten pages! 

I just downloaded John Perry Barlow's book. 

Bill, tgo