adamdoyle

I thought I'd never finish this book -- and this is no reflection on Keef, it's just that library books, magazines, etc. kept interfering with reading a book that 1) actually belongs to me and 2) cannot be obsolescent like a periodical. I started this at the beach in mid-August and just finished it on October 7. For reals. Reading this very lengthy book really did feel like sitting down for dinner followed by a few drinks with Keith Richards. He definitely has a voice all his own, and as you read along you can, if you let yourself, almost hear him saying the things you're reading. He tells his life story with real feeling and affection for the people around him, but does not suffer fools gladly or let the absurdity of some situations pass unremarked (here I mean the attempts by the British and Canadian authorities to railroad him into doing time for drug trafficking, and the attendant antics the police go through in order to entrap him and his colleagues). There were some parts that were a real long slog for me -- I do not have the knowledge of guitar technique or songwriting that it would take to fly through the long sections on these subjects (my husband, who does possess this knowledge, found these sections fascinating). I did enjoy the insight into the creation of certain Rolling Stones hits, though; and it was nice to bust a few myths along the way. Would I recommend this book? Yes, with a few caveats. If you're looking for a juicy tell-all, this is not that book. There are parts where Keith kisses and tells, or where he gives unvarnished opinions of others (Mick Jagger, Chuck Berry and a few others may be squirming). But again, it is an affectionate telling of the stories that make up a truly interesting life. If you love rock 'n' roll and think you'd enjoy hearing about a life instilled with it, you will enjoy this.

2022-10-21 05:29