For the last thirteen years we've been updating the world about jazz in the north east of England and updating the north east of England about jazz in the world.
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Monday, August 06, 2012
Beneath The Underdog
I have just finished reading Charles Mingus “Beneath the Underdog” and thought that it was a brilliant insight into the mind of a brilliant man. What does anybody else think ? I would be interested to hear opinions/criticisms etc.
Steve, I've owned the book for years and never yet made it to the finish. I couldn't understand how an autobiography could have a written comment at the beginning saying that some of the characters and incidents are fictitious. Also the predilection with sex and race I felt was written to shock and sell. However, having the greatest admiration for the man's music and respecting your opinion I will try it again and see if, 40 years on, my judgement has matured, mellowed or become more worldly-wise!
Well Steve, I made it to the end this time and, perhaps, after looking at it with a more jaded, blasé, streetwise mind, I was able to perhaps cope with it more or less objectively. I delved into Brian Priestley's biography whilst reading the autobiog and it was interesting to note that Mingus' long time drummer, Danny Richmond observes that, "A lot of Mingus' writing was fantasy." Accepting this makes it more readable but doesn't make up for the lack of musical insight into the creation of some of the greatest jazz compositions and performances either side of Ellington and Gil Evans. If only he'd just tantalised us with snippets of his gargantuan sexual appetites instead of giving us "the whole nine yards" (well perhaps not quite that much) Art Pepper and Anita O'Day's books were controversial but at least they managed to balance the sex and the drugs with the music. Charles didn't.
4 comments :
Steve, I've owned the book for years and never yet made it to the finish. I couldn't understand how an autobiography could have a written comment at the beginning saying that some of the characters and incidents are fictitious. Also the predilection with sex and race I felt was written to shock and sell. However, having the greatest admiration for the man's music and respecting your opinion I will try it again and see if, 40 years on, my judgement has matured, mellowed or become more worldly-wise!
Thanks Lance,
Look forward to your comments
Steve
Well Steve, I made it to the end this time and, perhaps, after looking at it with a more jaded, blasé, streetwise mind, I was able to perhaps cope with it more or less objectively.
I delved into Brian Priestley's biography whilst reading the autobiog and it was interesting to note that Mingus' long time drummer, Danny Richmond observes that, "A lot of Mingus' writing was fantasy."
Accepting this makes it more readable but doesn't make up for the lack of musical insight into the creation of some of the greatest jazz compositions and performances either side of Ellington and Gil Evans.
If only he'd just tantalised us with snippets of his gargantuan sexual appetites instead of giving us "the whole nine yards" (well perhaps not quite that much)
Art Pepper and Anita O'Day's books were controversial but at least they managed to balance the sex and the drugs with the music. Charles didn't.
Hi Lance.
Totally agree with your comments here and also with the reference to the Art Pepper book.
Still you have to admit it was a bloody good read.
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