The co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine; Ralph J. Gleason was among the most respected journalists; interviewers; and critics writing about popular music in the latter half of the twentieth century. As a longtime contributor to the San Francisco Chronicle; Down Beat; and Ramparts; his expertise and insights about music; musicians; and cultural trends were unparalleled; whether his subject was jazz; folk; pop; or rock and roll. He was the only music journalist included on President Richard Nixonrsquo;s infamous ldquo;Enemies List;rdquo; which Gleason himself considered ldquo;the highest honor a manrsquo;s country can bestow upon him.rdquo; This sterling anthology; edited by Gleasonrsquo;s son Toby; himself a forty-year veteran of the music business; spans Ralph J. Gleasonrsquo;s four decades as popular musicrsquo;s preeminent commentator. Drawing from a rich variety of sources; including Gleasonrsquo;s books; essays; interviews; and LP record album liner notes; it is essential reading for writers; historians; scholars; and music lovers of every stripe.
#82715 in eBooks 2016-10-11 2016-10-11File Name: B01EROYRFI
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Highly readable biography and portrait of an American era and one of the musicians who helped shape it.By Zach SchisgalPeter Ames Carlin is able to accomplish a few profound things in all his music biographies and he certainly does in Homeward Bound -- which I found fun and revealing. First. his research is both independent and original. He talks to the people who were there. he reads contemporary news. and he examines the musical structures and themes that make an artist like Simon so successful. Second. Carlin places his subjects in their times. You walk away from Homeward Bound with a much greater understanding of the musical and cultural trends through which Simon matured and which he shaped and which shaped him. And third (but not last). Carlin explores the personal influences (relationships; family; business) that shaped Simon and in many cases expressed themselves in his songs. All of this in what I found highly readable. And my ultimate test. I know that for many cocktail parties to come. Ill be pulling out countless stories from Homeward Bound and relating the many anecdotes I found there.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Interesting background. although with a lot of liberties taken by the authorBy NocturnalIt is probable that most geniuses are flawed. maybe thats what allows them to be so creative and do things the rest of us cant. Ive read music bios and autobios and one common thread in most of them are how driven to succeed all of the artists are. Im glad we have people like Paul Simon in the world to create such incredible music/poetry but I think most of these guys walk around with a heavy heart or soul or conscience because of what they do to get where they are. and I dont think any of them ever feel secure in their success even when theyve reached the top. I dont know if any of them ever really know what contentment and peace of mind feel like. Peter Carlin does take a lot of liberties. applying his own philosophies and psychology and making it sound like Simons. Even presuming the meaning and trigger of Simon songs which you know Carlin could not ever know and in many cases Simon probably wouldnt know either. The book does give a little more insight into Simons background and what he went through to claw his way to the top. It is unfortunately that he and Art couldnt have remained close friends since each man is so different from the other and brings so much to the duo.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Peter Carlins "Homeward Bound: The Life of Paul Simon" - a must read for anyone whos ever listened to Simon and GarfunkelBy John Janovy. Jr.For fans of Simon and Garfunkel. this book is a must read. Peter Carlin shows us in great detail how a very talented. intelligent. and unusual young man (Paul Simon) never gave up on his dream of being a professional musician and song writer. But the details are the unusual part of this book. and especially so when Carlin is revealing Simons early years. his experimentation with various pseudonyms. and his eventual re-connection with Art Garfunkel. In a time when the arts have been under almost constant disinterest as a result of No Child Left Behind and standardized testing. and when the arts are likely to be under severe attack from American political and (especially) cultural conservatives. this book is a big time reminder that we consume the arts. especially music. in enormous quantities. and in many different styles.
