Love Unlimited
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After reading so many autobiographies from female artists, it was nice to read one from a man. No bitching, no trying to score points against competitors, no recounting what dresses were worn or how much they cost, just a personal story being told without any axes to grid. I trusted this biography more than many of the others I have read. That's not to say that professional disputes weren't touched upon, but that's how they were explained, in a professional way. Explanations of the arguments and the issues involved without at any time getting personal. I am convinced that bitching is very definitely a woman's way of handling things. If ever there was a rags to riches story then this is it. Before becoming a superstar Barry was part of a street gang, and even spent time in prison. His brother was little better than a gangster and eventually died in a shoot out. Barry hides none of his shady background, and writes about it with as much honesty as he does his more successful years. Each chapter is prefaced by a lyric from one of his songs and a little homespun philosophy, which, if the truth were told, I found rather irritating. Once he started the chapters properly however I couldn't put the book down. I particularly enjoyed his tales of touring the deep south as Jackie Lee's manager and facing racist cops and the Klu Klux Klan. They really gave a good insight into what the Negro's were up against at that time. If I have any complaint it is that he did not write a little more about his life behind bars, as I believe that too could have been interesting. As he moved into his better times he falls into the trap which many other artists do, that of name dropping, but it is done without malice towards anyone. He genuinely seems to believe he is some kind of love god, but these weaknesses only serve to make him more human and more likeable. Barry White's brand of 'soul' may not be to everybody's taste, but there can be no doubting that he gave the music a new dimension. Love him or hate him, consider him pop or R&B, neither viewpoint invalidates this story. He rubbed shoulders with all the great soul artists and producers, from Marvin Gaye to Frank Wilson and this book is as valuable for the snippets we learn about them as opposed to Barry himself. It gives a fabulous insight into the music business as a whole and the soul culture in particular. Don't let the fact that the biography is about Barry put you off, there is much to be learned from its pages. |
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Why Not visit the Authors other Website, 'The Alternative Blackpool Website' at http://www.localdial.com/users/jsyedu133/bpool This Site Last Updated 18/05/05
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