However, in the case of Barnett Singer and Jesse A Read's Artie Shaw Icon of Swing I have no such reservations. Singer, the primary author, has, in an easily readable style, analysed in depth the classic recordings Shaw made from 1938 onwards as well as taking more than a mere perfunctory glance at both his earlier and later work.
I came into jazz and big bands via 78rpm records such as Shaw's Traffic Jam and Moonglow (I still have them and many more) later amassing a shelf full of Shaw long-players and CDs and it was personally satisfying to find that the opinions of the author(s) and myself rarely differed.
The main reason that puts this book ahead of the other Shavian tomes - including Shaw's own The Trouble With Cinderella - is the material recalled from the long telephone conversations that Singer had with Artie Shaw long after Shaw had left the music business. This was a major factor in enabling the author to gain an insight into Shaw the person rather than Shaw the musician and what made him tick as a person and a controversial one at that.
Although Shaw married eight times including mega Hollywood stars Ava Gardner and Lana Turner, they are only 'bit' players here.
The stars are, of course, Artie Shaw, Barnett Singer and his co-author Jesse A. Read.
Such are the descriptive powers of the author(s) I could almost hear the music without physically 'spinning the platter', to use the terminology of the era. The liquidity of Artie's tone and those sweeping glissandos. Buddy's drums, Jack Jenney's trombone solo on Stardust, Helen Forrest's vocals, Billie Holiday and more - they are all brought to life.
Without doubt - very much the definitive work, Highly recommended. Lance
Published by McFarland & Co. Inc. www.mcfarlandpub.com.
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