Well, that's a bummer.  Thanks for taking the hit for us.
What's he title of Barlow's?

peter

Thanks for the update, Bill; looks like it's a pass.

Barlow's book is:

Mother American Night
My Life in Crazy Times

Bill, tgo

Well if anything I bet it was therapeutic for Jorma to get stuff out on paper.

I finished the book (although a grind) and my reaction is the same as Bill's. I became more and more annoyed as the book went on (and on) about his failings and atonement. It felt very condescending to me as the reader (although he probably didn't intend it to be so). Lots of filler. YMMV.

I just finished the book and while I understand some of the criticisms (yes, he definitely needed a more aggressive editor), I found it a very good read and quite interesting. And honest. Jefferson Airplane has always seemed to be a world that lived on the edge, suffused with conflict, whether under the surface or overt and I've always wondered what it would have been like to be in that scene. It wasn't all that attractive, to be honest. The fact that Jorma could be so gracious to Grace, given how much she sabotaged things, is pretty amazing.

I think the book is about atonement, not really music. Here's a man who spent his 20s until well into his 50s struggling with issues in an environment that did not require any reckoning. Many people didn't make it out alive. The big story isn't how he was in Jefferson Airplane or Tuna, the big story is how a man was lucky enough to live long enough to atone and to express gratitude for having the chance and support to do so. Given my past, which I won't go into and wasn't quite so dramatic, it resonated pretty deeply.

I saw it at the library & figured "What the  heck, the price is right"; finished it yesterday.  I agree with Edwin's assessment of it as atonement; I was hoping for a clearer look into the JA/HT world, but that was obviously not his purpose.  And while I understand Bill's complaints, I (having grown up in an even more dysfunctional family than Jorma, and being in my 36th year of marriage to a bipolar person) have more patience with his dwelling on his problems - though all problems all the time did get old.

But I have to say (and, having read a bunch of his blog entries & expecting more based on that, I was surprised by this), he really is a crappy writer.  A more aggressive editor?  I'd almost say a ghost writer was in order.......

Peter



Peter

Thanks for sharing the additional reviews.

Got it as an Xmas gift. Read it over the holiday break and agree with the previous assessments. Basically a somewhat depressing and cautionary tale of the hazards and relationship damage that might be encountered if you attempt to protect yourself from life by passively allowing your life to live you as opposed to proactively living your life.

Particularly disappointed in the lack of info about the Airplane years - wasn't looking for gossip, just more in-depth behind the scenes insight into what it was like to be a part of the creative process that produced several iconic and influential (at least to me) recordings.


But, music is the great healer and he seems to be in a good (or at least better) place in his life right now - healthier self-image and several successful relationships with others - so it ends on a positive note.

G-d only knows what would've happened to him had his love for music and the guitar not been so strong.

Oh, yeah - one more thing:  I was pretty surprised to learn that I've done more acid than Jorma (or at least more than he admits to......)

Peter

My Wife gifted me a copy for Valentines Day . I look forward to reading it . I have met a few folks who's photos are shown in this book .

And played with at least one.  Steve F. is mentioned in the book!

Bill, tgo

Indeed ,yes Steve F ! I have know him since High School  and we used to jam since I was about 16 years old or so .